Vancouver student fights back after wildfire smoke causes health issues

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal News Vancouver student fights back after wildfire smoke causes health issues Zoe Grames-Webb joined a youth climate lawsuit in 2019 at age 13. Now it's going to trial seven years later in Vancouver Author of the article: By Tiffany Crawford Published Sep 24, 2026 Last updated 3 hours ago 3 minute read Zoe Grames-Webb at Jericho Beach park in Vancouver, B.C., September 17, 2026. PHOTO BY ARLEN REDEKOP /PNG Article content Vancouver university student Zoe Grames-Webb was just a child when she became aware that health problems from wildfire smoke were keeping her from participating in summer outdoor activities. Article content Now 20, the biochemistry major at UBC said when the smoke is heavy in the air she suffers from bad headaches, coughing from irritated lungs, and red, swollen eyes. At times, she felt so bad she had to stay inside and couldn’t play outdoor basketball or go to the beach with her friends. She also rows, and has had many practices cancelled because of heat or smoke. Article content Article content Article content “It’s a unique experience for my generation, having this intense climate anxiety, thinking about how bad it’s going to get, like will we be able to go outside, or will our homes be destroyed?” Article content Sunrise Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content The knowledge that this would likely become worse as she grew up drove her to get involved with climate activism. At 13 years old, with help from her dad, she joined a Canadian youth climate lawsuit launched by Our Children’s Trust in 2019 with 14 other young people. The lawsuit argues the Canadian government has not done enough to protect young people from the harm caused by climate change. Article content Seven years later, a trial has been set aside for eight weeks in Vancouver’s Federal Court, starting Oct. 26. Article content She’s not the only plaintiff with health problems that have been exacerbated by climate impacts. According to the lawsuit, one has severe allergic asthma, another has Raynaud’s syndrome, and two have serious autoimmune conditions. Article content Mental health impacts are also documented in the lawsuit, including diagnosed anxiety…