Robyn Curtis Inspires Rotary to Take Climate Action
Introduced by Debbie S., our guest speaker, Robyn Curtis from the Rotary Club of Chilliwack, shared the remarkable story of how a simple idea has grown into one of Rotary's most active climate initiatives.
Robyn, who has spent more than 25 years in the aviation industry and now consults with airports across Canada, explained that she joined Rotary looking for a way to make a meaningful contribution to addressing climate change. When Rotary International officially recognized the environment as an area of focus in 2021, she found the platform she had been searching for.
What began with just ten members has grown into the Chilliwack Rotary Climate Action Group, now connecting more than 140 participants—most of whom are community members rather than Rotarians. Robyn noted that the group has become one of the club's strongest recruitment tools, attracting younger members who are passionate about environmental issues while showcasing Rotary's ability to bring people together to create practical solutions.
Rather than focusing on politics, the group concentrates on education, collaboration, and achievable local projects. Their impressive list of accomplishments includes planting more than 17,000 climate-resilient trees, distributing 200,000 surplus seedlings throughout the community, creating climate education programs for elementary schools, producing educational videos with students, establishing scholarships, and organizing public workshops on heat pumps, solar energy, and energy efficiency.
Robyn emphasized that climate action isn't just for scientists. Success depends on bringing together educators, communicators, engineers, business leaders, marketers, and volunteers—each contributing their own expertise. By working collaboratively and presenting factual, science-based information in a positive and respectful way, the group has earned invitations to advise local governments, school districts, Indigenous communities, and planning committees.
The Climate Change Action Group has also expanded its impact internationally. Funds raised through its annual Climate Fair have supported a Rotary Global Grant in Uganda, where local communities are being trained to build fuel-efficient cookstoves, reduce deforestation, reforest degraded land, and introduce recycling programs.
Looking ahead, Robyn shared plans to expand climate education for students, strengthen partnerships with youth organizations, develop practical guides for homeowners considering solar power, support agricultural plastic recycling, and continue creating toolkits so Rotary clubs around the world can replicate Chilliwack's successful model.
Robyn concluded with a heartfelt reminder that while climate change can seem overwhelming, Rotary's greatest strength lies in its ability to mobilize people and communities. With over 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide, she believes Rotary has the opportunity—and the responsibility—to be part of the solution.
The presentation generated an enthusiastic question-and-answer session, leaving members with plenty of ideas and demonstrating how one Rotary club's initiative can inspire action far beyond its own community.
