Community Stories
Why Are Our Political Leaders Such Fossil Fools?
I understand why the fossil-fuel industry pursues growth in the extraction and consumption of fossil fuels. It’s all about making money and damn the consequences. But how can any responsible political leader at this point push for more fossil-fuel extraction and use?
The Elderberry: A Symbol of Climate Resilience in Canada
As a natural resource, the elderberry is cherished for supporting ecological conservation and personal wellness. Beyond its nutritional value, the elderberry may also represent something greater, such as a symbol of resilience amid climate change.
Suzanne Simard Forest Panel
Thanks to Laura Lynch and the What on Earth team for this fantastic Earth Day podcast featuring Suzanne Simard, who became famous for her work about how trees communicate through a forest web; Tsimshian scientist Teresa Ryan, Kwakwaka’wakw artist and hereditary chief…
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Fossil Fuel Companies Funding and Supplying Misleading Climate Education to Canadian Schools
Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat | February 18, 2025 — Amid concerns about rising misinformation, disinformation and corporate influence, a new report by the Canadian Association…
Seeking Volunteers for Air Quality Study
As part of a research project on wildfire smoke infiltration in residential buildings, the University of Victoria’s Clean Air Lab (cleanairlab.ca), led by Dr. Minet, is seeking volunteers to host air quality sensors in their homes next summer. The goal of this study…
CRD Biosolids Update
On Wednesday, February 19, the CRD Environmental Services Committee reviewed an academic literature review of toxic chemicals embedded in biosolids produced by the Greater Victoria sewage Treatment plant and processed at the Hartland landfill. The review was ordered…
BCCIC’s 2025 Booklist: Pathways to Planetary & Collective Healing
A microscope reveals what was always there. As more people become personally affected by crises, they are looking at issues once seen as distant and distinct now coming into sharp focus as deeply interconnected. With rising food insecurity, femicide, wildfires,…
And The Gods Breathe Æther
In the beginning was the word and the word was of GOD and that word was LOVE. And so LOVE is the You•niverse of harmonious oneness. And the frequency of LOVE creates the sound of LOVE that propagates through the æther; a genderless medium giving rise to the polarity…
There Is Only One Earth — Deal With It
I have spent much of my life working as an educator, whether as a professor teaching graduate students or as an in international consultant working with communities, organizations and governments around the world. Over the years…
Fairy Creek Updates 2025
Even though it’s not as big a topic in the news these days, there are still some major updates on Fairy Creek that you should know: • Climate activists and land defenders are still facing legal issues. Zain Haq, a climate activist married to a Canadian citizen, was…
Let’s Force the City to Re-Examine Retrofitting the Crystal Pool
Replacing the Crystal Pool is a wasteful, uncreative solution to problems that could be addressed through a less costly retrofit. FINALLY, on New Year’s Eve I was able to do my one-kilometre swim again at the Crystal Pool after its 6 weeks of maintenance. I miss the…
Why I’m Voting NO in Crystal Pool Referendum
On Feb 8 the city of Victoria is asking residents to vote YES or NO to borrowing $189 million to replace Crystal Pool and for your preferred location: the current pool site in Central Park (NORTH) and right next to it over top of the Steve Nash basketball court,…
Crystal Pool Referendum — Vote YES! to a Retrofit, Vote NO! to a Replacement
Some of the reasons to say NO to the demolition of Crystal Pool: With 25% tariffs coming, the Globe & Mail (Jan 30, 2025) cautions, “Now is not the time to borrow.” To demolish the pool, the City is asking to borrow over $160 million. Building materials, such as…
Survey: Financing Conservation on Private Land in the Capital Region
Here’s an easy-to-do survey that I hope you will complete and share with your contacts. It involves rating your support for a series of statements on a 5-point scale. It comes from the Coastal Douglas-Fir Conservation Partnership and pertains to support for…
“Clean Energy” Comes at a Cost
In my local area in Courtenay BC, ozone damage is very severe because we live near the BC Hydro power station on the Puntledge River. I have spoken with the local authorities about the tree deaths along the river which is exacerbating the soil erosion caused by high…
