What a Trump Presidency Might Mean for the Planet
Thanks to tens of millions of Americans who just voted to turn the American Dream into the American Nightmare, we now have to deal with the consequences of a second Trump presidency. Let’s be clear: Donald Trump is not only a fascist who is a threat to democracy in America, as two former generals…
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November Concatenations
This month of November has witnessed an especially abundant series of worrisome events, from local to global. These include billions of dollars of catastrophic damages from newly emerging wildfires, flooding, and storms. Warfare is on the increase, not only in the... Read more
Why Eat Regeneratively, Locally, and In Season
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 everything possible to secure a future on earth not just for humans but for the whole... Read more
We Need to Investigate Links Between Chemical Industry, Governments
Over 40 years ago, in the early 1980s, I co-led a major report on “Our Chemical Society” for the City of Toronto’s Department of Public Health. In it, we sought to step back from what we called the “chemical of the day” problem — so many chemicals of concern, so many requests to look at them…
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We Are More Than Just An Economy, Stupid
We awake this morning to a Trump world. This, despite his lies, his racism, his hatred, his divisiveness and complete disregard for democratic ways and institutions. He has already declared his intention to become a dictator, stating there will be no need for further... Read more
CRD Biosolids Update
On October 30, 2024, the CRD approved a provisional budget for 2025, which included the establishment of an Innovative Project Work Unit. This decision indicates that the CRD is turning the corner from a focus on waste dumping to a growing emphasis on green... Read more
Have Your Say on the City of Victoria’s 2025 Draft Budget
Each year, the City of Victoria’s financial planning process provides an opportunity for Council to set service levels and approve an annual budget. You are invited to provide feedback on the City’s 2025 Draft Budget to help inform Council’s budget decisions. The... Read more
Loss of Nature Has Huge Impact, but Doesn’t Get Attention it Deserves
There was a lot of attention paid in the recent election campaign to the provincial deficit, by which various politicians and commentators meant the budgetary deficit. But important though that might be, there is another deficit that is much more concerning, and yet largely ignored…
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Event Recap: Movement Building and Justice with Judy da Silva
“I try to speak for the water. Not just for Grassy people, but for future generations, for the kids not born yet. That’s why we do this work.” This statement is the key point that Judy da Silva kept returning to during her talk, Movement Building and Justice, held... Read more
Trailblazers Unite! Connecting the Sunshine Coast from Langdale to Lund
Join our host, Peter Ladner, for an eye-opening conversation with Tannis Braithwaite, retired lawyer and director with the Connect the Coast Society, as they: Discuss the Connect the Coast Trail — a visionary cycling project linking Vancouver Island, the Lower... Read more
We Need a Government That Cares About the Well-Being of the Planet
Last month, Planetary Boundaries Science, an international partnership of Earth scientists based out of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, published the first of what will be an annual Planetary Health Check. It makes for grim, if unsurprising, reading.
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An Analysis of Dialog’s Technical Memorandum on the Centennial Square Sequoia Tree
Arborist and urban forest educator Ryan Senechal offers an analysis of the Technical Memorandum recently shared by the City of Victoria regarding its stated need to cut down Centennial Square’s giant sequoia tree. He says the tree is healthy, and could be pruned... Read more
Environmental Costs of Growing Food Aren’t Reflected in the Price We Pay
Carbon pricing is a form of pollution pricing. But air pollutants from fossil-fuel combustion and greenhouse-gas emissions from a variety of sources are not the only forms of pollution we face. And pollution pricing itself is just one aspect of the broader field of full cost accounting.
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National Seniors Day Rally for Climate Action
Despite the drizzle and dampness of the day, a great afternoon was had by all who attended the national Day of Climate Action organized by citizens throughout Canada on October 1st. In Victoria, people of all ages attended this fabulous event featuring numerous... Read moreReconciling with Indigenous Peoples and the Land – Letter Writing Campaign
James Bay United Church is part of: Reconciling with Indigenous Peoples and the Land, an interfaith steering group formed to facilitate further steps in the work of reconciliation. Letter Writing Campaign: Voice Your Concerns! Explore our sample letter... Read more
Questions Regarding Critical Issues for BC Political Parties
These questions are provided by The Victoria Secular Humanist Association (VSHA), Eco-Humanism Committee. Indicate with a YES or NO, whether you will pledge to the following, if your party forms the next government. Describe which measurable goals and timelines will... Read more
BC Assessment Denied that it is a Paying Member of the UDI, a Lobbying Org – Evidence Shows Otherwise
In November of 2023, the Urban Development Institute (UDI), a registered organization on the BC Lobbyists Registry, that offers political influence to its paying corporate member companies that profit from development and real estate – took to hiding its members... Read more
Why Carbon Pricing is Good for Your Health
It is very clear that pollution causes harm. Oxford Reference defines it as “contamination or undesirable modification of soil, food, water, clothing, or the atmosphere by a noxious or toxic substance,” adding that “any form of pollution can have adverse effects on health.”
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Update on Biosolids Management in the CRD
Currently, 80% of the biosolids produced by the Residuals Treatment Facility located at Hartland are being used as a fuel at the LaFarge cement facility in Richmond. The balance of the biosolids are mixed with sand and land applied at a quarry located at Cassidy near... Read more
Forget ‘Axe the Tax.’ Try ‘Pay the Price’
By proclaiming that the carbon tax “is an existential threat to our economy and our way of life” and that it threatens a “nuclear winter” for the economy, Pierre Poilievre has entered the world of full-on craziness and inverted logic. The reality is exactly the opposite. The “carbon tax” — actually…
Read moreNew 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... Read more
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,... Read more
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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We Need To Act Now!
I feel this 18 min presentation on the Planetary Boundaries and Tipping points of Climate Change is one of the best that every one should watch. It is my hope that you will spend the time to really listen to this presentation.
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Save the Mighty Sequoia Tree at Centennial Square, Victoria BC, from Wrongful Demolition
An inconvenient tree? Sign the petition here. On Jul 11, 2024 Victoria’s mayor and a majority of council members approved the updated concept design for Centennial Square and directed staff to proceed with implementation as outlined in the Centennial Square... Read more
Ryan Senechal: Removing Sequoia Would Violate City of Victoria Policies
The redesign of Victoria’s Centennial Square is moving closer toward breaking ground, and there remains a chance for sober second thought on the fate of a highly appreciated giant sequoia. We’ve been informed that the removal is to improve sightlines for public safety…
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Let The Sequoia Live!
In July, Victoria’s mayor and council voted to cut down the giant sequoia that has been a focal point of Centennial Square for past decades, as part of a planned redesign of the space. Two other large trees will also be removed. These include a healthy sweetgum, and the beautiful Shirofugen Japanese flowering cherry…
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Navigating Toward a Better Future Locally
Recently, I have been discussing the large-scale changes we need to make in the face of the eight critical shifts identified in the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report Navigating New Horizons. Those changes are a focus on intergenerational equity; a new social contract that reinforces shared values about how we relate not only to…
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We Need a New Social Contract and an Emphasis on Well-Being Metrics
In addition to a commitment to intergenerational equity, which I discussed last week, the recent UN Environment Programme report Navigating New Horizons also calls for “a new social contract reinforcing shared values that unite us rather than divide us” and “a new global emphasis on well-being metrics…
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Community Conversation on Housing August
Leadnow is launching a housing campaign to push politicians for solutions that put people, not profits, first. Your neighbours are getting together to help shape this campaign – will you join them? Right now, Leadnow supporters across the country are organizing... Read moreMisinformation, Declining Trust and Polarization Undermine Democracy
Last week, I summarized five of the eight critical shifts identified in a recent UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report, Navigating New Horizons, which is “a global foresight report on planetary health and human well-being.” I also touched on a sixth critical shift: persistent and widening inequalities.
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Water Scarcity, Forced Displacement Among Challenges We Face
The UN Environment Programme’s new report Navigating New Horizons, produced in partnership with the International Science Council, is not easy reading. It’s not just that it is a dense 100-page document, but because it paints a grim picture of the challenges we face.
Read moreMonthly Garden Tip
Can you believe it’s already time to plant your fall garden? Your mission for the rest of the summer is to fill any gaps in your garden with fall and winter veggies. Pull out your mildewy peas, harvest your garlic, and get planting! Here are some suggestions for what... Read more
Power Play
Creatively United for the Planet was one of a number of community groups recently involved in PowerPlay, a free, family-friendly festival celebrating all things electric from EVs, E-bikes, solar power, heat pumps and more. One of the many fabulous finds at the event... Read more
CANE/CAPE Information Sheets added to Solutions Resources
Check out Creatively United’s Solutions Resource Section for a variety of downloadable and shareable graphics and information, such as these new additions from the Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment (CANE) and the Canadian Association of... Read moreEating for Tomorrow
Narrated by Oscar-winning A-lister Kate Winslet and featuring Sir Richard Branson, Tony Robbins, Indigenous elders, and leading environmental experts, this film brings ideas to potentially turn the biggest crisis in humanity’s history around.
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Petition that the Province of British Columbia define the word “lobby” as a noun in the Lobbyists Transparency Act (LTA)
Background: The so-called Lobbyists Transparency Act (LTA) of British Columbia is not as transparent as its name makes it appear on first sight. On the contrary, it lacks crucial transparency by not defining lobby as a noun and thus as a thing or entity.
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Capital Region Poised to Choose Thermal Biosolids Facility Builder by the Fall
After seeking interest from around the world, the Capital Regional District (CRD) has shortlisted six companies which could build and operate a pilot facility that would thermally break down the region’s treated-sewage-derived granules. As the CRD looks ahead with the goal of hosting a full-scale facility…
Read moreThe Economy Should Serve Well-Being, Planet Health, Not Dominate Them
In exploring the need for a transformation of our values so they are fit for purpose in the 21st century, I have been using a piece of “scripture” from the World Wide Fund for Nature’s 2014 Living Planet Report. The third realm from my piece of “scripture” is the economy, and the text makes an important but often overlooked point…
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B.C. Government Blasted for ‘Ultimate Hypocrisy’ Over PFAS and Sewage Sludge
The B.C. government’s lawsuit over the health impact of so-called “forever chemicals” is now shining a questionable light on the province’s effort to also overturn one of Canada’s only bans on toxic sewage sludge applied to fields and forests.
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World Community Urged to Voice Concern
Approximately 70% of the global population or 5.5 billion people are internet users. Climate change and nuclear conflict are the biggest threats to life on the planet! Together, anything is possible. I urge our world community to share this message: Dear Secretary... Read more
Physician Group Fighting for Health and Planet Marks 30 Years
In my time, I have co-founded a number of organizations, but I am particularly proud to have helped start CAPE — the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment — 30 years ago. Three of us, independently, had started to develop the idea of some sort of doctors’ organization…
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BC Gov’t Just Announced Rebates for Household Solar and Battery Storage Systems
On June 27, the Government of B.C. announced that we’re introducing new rebates for customers looking to install solar panels and battery energy storage systems. To be eligible for rebates, equipment must be installed after the official launch of the program,... Read more
Two Petitions for Southern Resident Killer Whales
Here are two petitions for people to sign for the protection of our Southern Resident Killer Whales. One is from the David Suzuki Foundation and one is from Georgia Strait Alliance: https://davidsuzuki.org/action/tell-leaders-to-give-srkw-a-lifeline/ Endangered... Read more
Science’s Wise and Beautiful Older Sister
While we owe a great deal to the scientific method and its objective reasoning and always will, we need to transcend the mechanistic world view that we have inherited from it. Here we need to engage science’s wise and beautiful older sister, art. We have known this... Read more
PFAS Lawsuit Smacks of Irony
Dear CRD Board, Senior CRD staff, and Minister Heyman, I’m sure many of you saw the following article on CBC this weekend highlighting a lawsuit launched by the BC government against the manufacturers of PFAS chemicals for contaminating drinking water and... Read more
B.C. Launches Class-Action Lawsuit Against Makers of ‘Forever Chemicals’
The BC government has filed a class action law suit in the BC Supreme Court against a number of chemical companies which manufacture so called ‘forever chemicals’ or PFAS which commonly occur in household products and do not break down in the environment. The US... Read more
We Are Deeply Connected to and Kin With All of Life
In a very real sense, we are indeed separated from nature. In North America we are 80 per cent urbanized and we spend 90 per cent of our time indoors — and a further five per cent in cars and other vehicles. So we — and especially our children — have very little contact with nature, and most of that is…
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