Community Stories
New Forest Proposal Act
On September 14, a kick off event was held in Nanaimo to introduce a New Forest Proposal Act. Thanks to Dave Weaver, Beaufort Watershed Stewards, Jay Van Oostdam of SOFT, Guy Dauncey of Yellow Point Ecological Society, and all the other volunteers for their...
Urban Forestry Strategy
Term 2 /Take 2 Attention people of Saanich: this is a biodiversity alert. Biodiversity Biodiversity Biodiversity Taxes Taxes Taxes My job as an Independent 100% NOT developer-funded councillor is getting harder every day. A voice for the environment, wildlife,...
Seniors Demand Action on Climate Change
I was born in 1948, when the average annual atmospheric CO2 level was about 311 ppm. When I started writing this column in December 2014, average annual CO2 was 399 ppm. Today, it is 422 ppm. The impacts of these heightened CO2 levels, as well as increased levels of methane…
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Sustainable Gift Guide 2023: For Family, Friends and Loved Ones
Here is our list of sustainable gift ideas for this holiday season! There are lots of ways to show the people in your life that you care while being conscious of your consumption and environmental impact Leave us a comment below with your ideas USEFUL • Break the...
We Need Smaller, More Fuel-Efficient Cars, Not More Trucks and SUVs
Over the past few weeks, I have dug into the details of Saanich’s “four planets” ecological footprint, as calculated by CHRM Consulting, while recognizing this is an underestimate, in that it does not account for our impact on biodiversity or the extent of our…
Amnesty International Condemns Canadian Government and RCMP
Amnesty Canada has just issued a research report that documents and condemns a years-long campaign of violence, harassment, and racial discrimination inflicted upon the Wet’suwet’en Nation in British Columbia (B.C.). The land defenders at today’s press conference have...
Let Your MLA Know That LNG Is Worse Than Coal
Tell your MLA to read this new research that disproves the LNG industry myth that LNG is a climate solution to burning coal. Dogwood has created a web page (link below) to allow you to quickly contact your MLA to get them to read new research out of Cornell University that adds to existing an existing body of information to dispel the myth…
Saanich Nudges B.C. Hydro To Reduce Tree Loss From Power-Upgrade Project
Saanich will once again be asking B.C. Hydro to justify its plan to cut hundreds of trees near Prospect Lake to make way for upgraded high-voltage power lines. Mayor Dean Murdock plans to send a second letter to the utility asking for an update on the project…
We Carry From Birth a Body-Burden of Toxic Chemicals That We Add To Along The Way
While biological wastes and materials going to landfill or recycling are accounted for, “Toxics and pollutants released from the human economy that cannot in any way be absorbed or broken down by biological processes … cannot be directly assigned an Ecological Footprint,” notes the Global Footprint Network.
‘Salmon Parks’ in Traditional First Nations Territory Aim to Save Habitats by Stopping Old-Growth Logging
Backed by a $15.2-million commitment from the federal government, a First Nations community on the west coast of Vancouver Island intends to buy out forestry tenures to stop old-growth logging in selected watersheds around Nootka Sound.
What To Watch, Read, & Listen To – Climate Action and COP28
WHAT IS COP28? COP is attended by industry stakeholders, politicians, researchers and scholars, Indigenous stakeholders, NGOs and other members of civil society. However, these groups are not given the same representation and privileges at COP events and negotiations....
Ecological Footprint Doesn’t Include Impact of Methane, Loss of Biodiversity
mportant though the ecological footprint is, the way it is calculated means the estimate that Saanich’s ecological footprint is equivalent to four planets is an underestimate. That is because a lot of different activities — energy use, food growing, materials for buildings, modes of transportation, waste disposal…
Petition Calling on BC Transit & Translink to Ban Fossil Fuel Advertisements from Vehicles
“Leadnow supporter Peter started a petition calling on BC Transit and Translink to ban fossil fuel advertisements from their buses and trains. Will you sign now to tell BC Transit and Translink to stop these greenwashing ads from plastering our cities?” There’s even...
Public Narrative Managed by Marketing Firm
I just finished a stellar expose of the world’s most powerful global consulting firm with claims to be the most prestigious - McKinsey and Company. The book, When McKinsey Comes to Town, by New York Times journalists Walt Bogdanich and Michael Forsythe, is a deeply...
Reasons for Buying Food that is Local, Regenerative, and in Season
Please don’t shoot the messenger! There is a lot of supporting information that we need to know! I do not want to overwhelm you, with more information yet I feel that this information is some of what we need to know, so we will have the knowledge to be motivated to do...
