Melody Hong Yan Pan

As a Registered Nurse, I believe environmental and climate well-being are fundamental to human and community health and are important social determinants of health.

My climate-action work includes protecting greenspace, reducing healthcare waste, and promoting responsible use of resources. In 2013–2014, I served as a volunteer coordinator in my neighbourhood and helped lead successful advocacy to preserve approximately five acres of greenspace at the former Steveston High School site for long-term community use.

In healthcare, I led a project to reduce waste in the Richmond home-care setting and presented this work internationally at an International Council of Nurses Congress. For more than 10 years, I have volunteered to redirect unused medical supplies to international medical-aid organizations, extending their useful life. For the past six years, I have also participated in food-allocation initiatives supporting Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, helping reduce food waste while supporting community members.

I also see climate action as an investment in community resilience and future generations. My nursing background has shown me how environmental conditions, resource use, and social inequities can directly affect health. I believe local action matters from protecting natural spaces and reducing waste to building awareness and practical solutions. I value collaboration with residents, organizations, and community partners to turn sustainability principles into meaningful, measurable actions that improve both environmental well-being and quality of life.

As a Registered Nurse, I believe environmental health and community health are closely connected. I would therefore expect rigorous, transparent assessment of greenhouse-gas emissions, air quality, cumulative environmental impacts, emergency preparedness, and potential effects on nearby communities and the Fraser River ecosystem.

I also believe Indigenous Peoples’ rights, knowledge, perspectives, and concerns must be meaningfully respected and considered throughout the decision-making process. I would support meaningful opportunities for Indigenous communities and Richmond residents to access information, participate, and have their voices heard.

My position would be informed by the best available evidence, Indigenous perspectives, community input, and the findings of the environmental assessment, rather than making a decision before those processes are complete.

I encourage investing in safe, connected, accessible infrastructure for walking, rolling, and cycling because active transportation can contribute to both mental well-being and overall physical health. With reasonable budgets, cities can also consider practical amenities such as self-service public bicycle repair stations, which make cycling more convenient and accessible for residents.

I support accelerating the City’s transition toward the Zero Carbon Step Code, while ensuring implementation is practical and considers housing affordability, construction costs, energy infrastructure, and the capacity of local builders.

As a Registered Nurse, I believe healthy buildings must address both environmental sustainability and indoor air quality. Energy-efficient buildings should have adequate ventilation and measures to address indoor pollutants such as radon, which is a significant preventable risk for lung cancer. Climate action should not unintentionally create new indoor-health concerns.

Richmond has already adopted the Energy Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code. I would support clear timelines, practical guidance, and collaboration with builders, BC Hydro, residents, and local post-secondary institutions to make the transition achievable and equitable.

For me, climate action should mean healthier buildings as well as lower emissions, protecting both environmental sustainability and the health of the people who live and work in Richmond.

I support expanding Richmond’s district energy systems where they are technically and economically feasible. Richmond has demonstrated that district energy can provide reliable heating and cooling while supporting lower-carbon energy use, and the City Centre expansion is designed to incorporate sewer heat recovery.

I would support partnerships among the City, local employers, and Richmond’s post-secondary institutions including BCIT, KPU, and TWU to expand green-job pathways and career training in clean technology, energy efficiency, sustainable construction, waste reduction, urban agriculture, and environmental services. I would encourage apprenticeships, internships, and practical skills programs for youth, newcomers, people with disabilities, and workers transitioning into emerging green industries. This can connect Richmond’s environmental goals with local employment and skills development.