Emily Lowan began the BC Green leadership race as political unknown, a youth climate activist with what she freely admits was an “audacious” goal of signing up 5,000 new members. But now a month out from voting, she has momentum, money and a real shot at actually winning the race.

“I am bringing a fresh perspective to the Greens,” Lowan says in a recent sit-down interview in Victoria.

“I think we need a true organizer to bring this party back to life.”

The 24-year-old strategist at Climate Action Network Canada has surprised many with a nimble and creative campaign. She’s targeted youth under 30 (who also happen to be eligible for free party memberships) with a flood of daily memes and witty social media videos. At one event she took a pie to the face. At another, she co-hosted a free clothing collective. Her launch event included a dance party.

The result has been more than $50,000 in donations and major endorsements from figures like renowned physician Dr. Gabor Maté. Whether Lowan signed up enough new members to compensate for a traditional Green base that may be less supportive of her efforts, remains the question to be answered when vote results are revealed Sept. 24.

Still, the Lowan campaign has felt like an organizational shock paddle to the chest of the moribund BC Greens. The party has noticeably drifted in recent years, losing ground in the last two elections and watching former........

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