The Difference Between Social, Supportive and Affordable Housing
From time to time, fierce debates erupt over proposals to introduce more dense housing into residential neighbourhoods. I suspect that part of the problem is a failure to distinguish between housing that is affordable, social housing and supportive housing, as well as a related concern about loss of property values.
Read more
Shareable Fairy Creek Infographics
What is going on in Fairy Creek? Why do we need to protect old-growth? What are indigenous perspectives on this issue? What can I do? Creatively United has created these free shareable infographics to help spread the world about the old growth logging at Fairy Creek.... Read more
A Message from the Dean of UBC on Old-Growth Forests in BC
Much has been made about the future of old-growth forests in British Columbia. Global media interest is intense, partly because of the coverage of protestors being arrested while demonstrating against the logging of old-growth on southern Vancouver Island. These arrests were made not for demonstrating, which in British Columbia is generally a lawful activity, but for violating an injunction issued by the British Columbia legal system.
Read more
Let’s Flush Out the Real Criminals
First, let me remind you that we are now at around 400 arrests of peaceful, unarmed people doing the job the premier promised to do: protect the very very very last of the old growth. For this week, I want to draw attention to some of the various court cases going on... Read more
Sorry About the Earth, but We Need to Make Money
Why on Earth are we spending scarce public resources to prop up the fossil-fuel industries that are the underlying cause of the climate emergency and that we need to wind down? I could understand if the funds were being used to transition those industries and their employees into clean and renewable energy production. But too often, they are used to support business as usual.
Read more
Socio-economic Conditions for Satisfying Human Needs at Low Energy Use: An International Analysis of Social Provisioning
I’m pleased to announce that we have just published a new article in Global Environmental Change, entitled “Socio-economic conditions for satisfying human needs at low energy use: An international analysis of social provisioning”. In the article, which was led by my... Read more
Fossil Fuels are Killing Us – Write to Your Local Paper
Starting Friday June 25, the West Coast saw a record-breaking heatwave. Hundreds of people — mostly seniors and people with chronic illnesses — passed away in the following week due to the heat. Wildfire reduced Lytton, a village that reached close to 50°C, to ashes the very next day. Our hearts are heavy thinking of all those who’ve lost loved ones or cherished places.
Read more
Climate Jobs and Opportunities
GoodWork: https://www.goodwork.ca Director, Sustainable Communities at David Suzuki Foundation A rare senior leadership opportunity to join one of Canada’s leading environmental organization and become an agent of... Read more
Make the Switch to a Heat Pump
Make the Switch is a research initiative to better understand homeowners’ motivations and experiences when switching from natural gas to a heat pump. The study will collect information on your costs, your reasons for making the switch, and your experience using a heat... Read more
Will We Ever Learn?
Will we ever learn? The pandemic is giving us mixed signals. As England’s Prime Minister tells us to forget face masks and social distancing for the good of his voting base, relying on 55% double vaccinated population, the nation is obsessed with Euro football... Read more
Trees Pay Decades of Dividends
There is a vestigial image of Canada – a raw and vast land of forests, lakes and mountains. Forests, most of all. At Confederation, 154 years ago, this was true for most people. Fewer than one in five lived in a city. At the start of the Second World War, close to half the population still lived in rural areas. But this changed rapidly thereafter.
Read more
Oh, Kanata. Time for a New Flag and a New Name?
Last week, the Times Colonist announced that for Canada Day, it would be running a full-page pull-out of the Canadian Indigenous Flag. Designed by the late Curtis Wilson (Mulidzas) of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation near Campbell River, it is a revised maple leaf flag with swimming salmon in the side bars and an orca in the maple leaf.
Read more
Court Drops Bombshell on B.C. Natural Gas Industry
The B.C. Supreme Court has found the B.C. government infringed the Blueberry River First Nation’s treaty rights by allowing decades of industrial development in their traditional territory. The ruling will likely have significant impacts for industries in that region, notably the natural gas industry.
Read more
Trees from a Child’s Perspective – A poem by Emily Qian
Emily Qian, an 11 year-old BC resident in grade 5, wants people to know “that trees are a priceless treasure. We’ve only been on Earth for a few years, but trees have been here for thousands.” Trees By Emily Qian, Gr. 5 Trees are all long trunks and... Read more
Seasons Cyclical – A Poem
I’m a Delta, BC resident who began writing poetry as a young girl but really connected with it in earnest in my mid-thirties as a way to explore and understand myself and the wider world. Now approaching 60, poetry and the written word continues to inspire me. I... Read more
Stop Subsidies to ‘Corporate Welfare Bums’ That Harm Our Health
The list of unworthy corporate recipients of government (read tax-paying citizens) support is long, but surely right at the top must be the fossil-fuel industry, followed by industries such as mining, forestry, agriculture and fisheries (of which more next week).
Read more
The Death Of A Tree Equals Paper Money – A Poem
To speak only of beauty and bountiful means Would be the perfect and serene But within this picture of life it seems Are both the best and worst extremes Could there be a place for variance and degree Where one could actually climb the tree Where the almighty dollar... Read more
Mount Work Coalition Joins Peninsula Biosolids Coalition to Support Motion for CRD to End Spread of Biosolids and Choose Safe Options
On June 16, the CRD’s Environmental Services Committee passed a motion to request the Province to end land application of biosolids at Hartland. This motion will be submitted for approval to the full CRD Board on July 14. This motion was a result of public pressure... Read more
West Coast Climate Action Network – Seeking Indigenous Engagement
We would be most grateful if you could share the opportunities below with any Indigenous people you know who are engaged in any kind of climate action or initiative. The West Coast Climate Action Network is a new non-profit society: we work to support and promote the... Read more
City of Victoria Honorary Citizen Award Call for Nominations
Do you know someone who makes our community a better place? Nominate them for the City of Victoria’s Honorary Citizen Award which celebrates those who have performed outstanding service for the betterment of our community and personal achievements. Nominees must be a... Read more
Getting Back to the Garden at Fairy Creek
I came upon a child of God, he was walking along the road, And I asked him, “Where are you going?”, and this he told me, I’m going on down to Fairy Creek, I’m gonna try and save some trees, I’m gonna camp out on the land, I’m gonna try and get my soul free
Read more
A Call To Provincial & Federal Governments
British Columbia has the greatest ecological and biological diversity in Canada, from magnificent but highly endangered old-growth temperate rainforests to semi-arid grasslands, from valley-bottom wetlands to high alpine tundra. The BC NDP government can become a... Read more
Of Fairy Tales and Fairy Creek – How Fairy Creek is Far From Being Saved
Once upon a time, there was a premier who pretended that saving the magnificent old-growth forests of BC might be of some interest for him. “We are embarking on the journey to transform forestry.” he declared to the media while announcing two-year old-growth... Read more
Guinness World Record with Giki Zero
Giki Zero invites Canadians to join them in setting the Guinness World Records title for the most people pledging climate action in one month! Creatively United supports this Guinness Book of Records Climate Action endeavour led by Jo Hand of Giki Zero, one of our... Read more
Children of the Trees
This past summer I watched two dozen cedars slowly die outside my window in False Creek. In a matter of months, they turned from green to rust, stood like candles ready to be lit on a day of mourning. I watched men climb them with chainsaws, slice them, and feed them to the wood chipper. I sat behind my glass door in vigil.
Read more
Who Has the Right to Cut Old Growth?
The new ‘War in the Woods’ to protect old-growth forest in Fairy Creek and far beyond raises an important issue that has been neglected. By what right are those trees being cut? Who gets to decide?
Read more
Frontline Fundraiser for Land Defenders
From the the Unist’ot’en Solidarity Brigade: Frontline Fundraiser for Land Defenders including the Unist’ot’en and Gidemt’en camps has been extended until Saturday June 19th. Please support the fundraiser if you can, and check out the... Read more
Open Letter: Demand that Trans Mountain’s Insurers drop TMX immediately
From LeadNow: We are in the global week of action to stop insuring Trans Mountain! From Europe to Africa to the Pacific Islands, and all across North America, folks are organizing actions in their communities to help make Trans Mountain uninsurable. Trans Mountain has... Read more
Bill C-12 Tweet-Storm: Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act
There are only a few days left for Parliament to pass Bill C-12, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, before the summer recess. The amended Bill C-12 is not perfect but it’s a much-needed foundation we can build on to make sure Canada never misses... Read more
The World is Watching: Protect Old Growth Forests in B.C
Indigenous leaders, celebrities and scientists are coming together to demand B.C. Premier John Horgan take urgent action to protect the last old growth forests in British Columbia. Join Mark Ruffalo, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, David Suzuki and more in calling on the... Read more
GVAT is Hiring!
GVAT is hiring! We are looking to hire a full time administrative and social media associate for approximately 23 weeks beginning on or about July 5, 2021. While there will be opportunities to interact directly with a broad range of people involved in the alliance,... Read more
Save the Old Growth Event – Bus Ride Available
We are organizing a luxury tour bus which has a washroom for Saturday’s event; there is plenty of luggage space to accommodate bikes, camping gear and supplies etc. Please let your friends know that the bus can pick up donations at the pick up points. The cost is $20... Read more
B.C. Court of Appeal Decision Spotlights Urgent Need for Reform of Mines Act
The HDCA’s case presented to the Court of Appeal centred on a failure on the part of the province’s Statutory Decision Maker (since renamed Mines Inspector) to consider climate change impacts before approving a mining permit to OK Industries (OKI) for a bedrock strip mine in the Highlands last year, making his decision unreasonable.
Read more
Esquimalt Bag Bylaw Adopted
Esquimalt Council adopted a checkout bag bylaw this week. The bylaw will go into effect on August 13, 2021. After this date, there should be no free bags of any kind given by retailers in the municipality. Only paper and reusable bags will be allowed, and the retailer... Read more
Update: Mount Work Coalition joins Peninsula Biosolids Coalition to Oppose Spreading of Biosolids at Hartland Landfill
On other matters related to the Landfill and Mount Work Park, MWC has become an active member of the Peninsula Biosolids Coalition–a group formed to oppose the spreading of biosolids at Hartland Landfill. Biosolids are a dried, processed product produced from sewage... Read more
What Happened in Kamloops Was Part of a National Crime
Some may find this column disturbing, as it is about the deaths of Indigenous people a century or more ago. Moreover, in quoting from a 1922 report, some of the words used then (e.g. Indians) are not acceptable today. But it is important to quote verbatim. I am grateful to Andrew Nikiforuk, whose June 2 article in The Tyee reminded me of this story.
Read more
The New Morality and Ecohumanism
THE ISSUE DEFINED Humanity is facing an existential emergency unparalleled in the history of life on earth. Major ecosystems are on the verge of collapse, due to human activities. Citizens are increasingly coming to the realization that human beings are not the centre... Read more
Orca Month and the Legal Fight For Captive Whale Freedom
June is Orca Awareness Month in BC, and part of the team’s focus is the struggle to release cognitively advanced, self-aware, emotionally sensitive whales and dolphins from aquariums where they suffer physical and mental harm due to imprisonment.
Read more
BC Government Announcement One Small Step to End Old Growth Logging in BC
Despite today’s announcement by the Province of British Columbia, deferring logging in key areas in Fairy Creek and the Central Walbran, protesters will remain in the Fairy Creek Area. Large-scale logging could still occur in old-growth forest directly adjacent to... Read more
Update: CRD Revised Solid Waste Management Plan
The CRD’s revised Solid Waste Management Plan, modified after consultation with the public, including the Mount Work Coalition, was adopted by the CRD Board on May 12. Among the changes to the original Plan were the following (taken from the CRD document “Proposed... Read more
Getting to Fairy Creek
“Hop on the bus, Gus. Make a new plan, Stan….” Here’s an ambitious project to bus people up to the front line, maybe even daily. Leaving from the Leg, they offer a pick-up stop at Edward Milne School in Sooke. You can be a day-tripper and know you’ve been there. ... Read more
Ending Chronic Homelessness
We can end chronic homelessness in Victoria. It’s going to take the same focused effort that so many have put in over the past year. If close to 600 people can move inside in one year, in the middle of a global health pandemic when everyone is already stretched and stressed, surely we can focus on the people remaining outside and set our sights as a community on what’s known as “functional zero”.
Read more
The Road to Forest Destruction is Paved with Good Intentions Papers
On June 1st, I tuned into the announcement of the BC Government Intention Paper for modernizing forest practices. I had hoped old-growth forests might be thrown a lifeline. No such luck. Premier Horgan and Forest Minister Conroy were all smiles as they described how... Read more
Rainforest Flying Squad Responds to Today’s First Nations’ Request to Defer Logging in Fairy Creek and the Central Walbran Valley
The Rainforest Flying Squad welcomes this morning’s announcement that the Pacheedaht, Ditidaht, and Huu-ay-aht First Nations are calling for logging deferrals on Fairy Creek and the Central Walbran. While it’s a welcome step in the right direction, we, and... Read more
On Climate, It’s Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain, Backed by Courts
One of the biggest challenges in addressing climate change is that it’s a very slow-moving crisis. We need to take action now in order to avert problems many years, even decades, into the future, but our system is biased against such action.
Read more
My Heart is Hopelessly in Love with Everything
As we draw near the Summer Solstice the Sun God is at the height of his virility and the Earth Goddess swells with life. It is a time when we are hopelessly in love with Everything.
Read more
The Buzz About Bees
The QMS Eco-club has been working on a super exciting initiative to celebrate our success in getting Queen Margaret’s School declared a Bee School, and supporting the City of Duncan in making a commitment to protecting pollinators, and becoming the first Bee... Read more
Mental Health Needs More Oversight
B.C. is one of the last provinces in Canada that does not licence counsellors. If we need medical attention we can be sure that seeing a doctor means s/he has a degree of knowledge, is backed by the province, has liability insurance, and such. When it comes to... Read more
B.C. Flunks International Biodiversity Targets
Sadly, Ecojustice and the Wilderness Committee gave B.C. a failing grade in four of the five areas they considered: protection and recovery of both species at risk and ecosystems, the protection of natural habitats of all species and ecosystems and other laws to protect biodiversity.
Read more