Petition in Support of Farmer’s Market Program
With the support of MP Gord Johns of Courtenay – Alberni, the BCAFM is bringing a petition forward to the House of Commons asking the Government of Canada to help expand the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program (FMNCP) across the country. The FMNCP connects... Read more
Circling the new local economy with the six R’s
Becoming a One Planet region is a mammoth challenge, but one we have to meet unless we prefer to leave it to Mother Nature to do it for us (and to us). But that is not going to be pretty! The key to becoming a One Planet Region is in principle very simple; use and consume a lot less stuff and energy — especially fossil fuels — and produce much less waste.
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REFORM to TRANSFORM: Climate Education Reform BC Action Toolkit
As youth who grew up unaware of the magnitude of the looming Climate Crisis, our team’s concern arose knowing how complacent our governments and the educational system has remained amidst the downfall and unnecessary destruction of our natural world.
Read moreCitizens Stand to Protect BC’s Old-Growth Forests
Premier John Horgan will be making an announcement at a forestry convention Thursday, April 8th Please get your emails and letters in today as soon as possible! On April 1, the BC Supreme Court handed down a decision to impose the injunction sought by Teal Jones. The... Read more
The Hidden Torture Chambers Nobody Thinks About
On World Day For Animals in Labs we educate ourselves about the virulent reservoir of cruelty to animals which exists in the international network of experimental labs, & take time to communicate with our political representatives on the issue.
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Esquimalt’s Active Transportation Network Plan
Have your say in developing Esquimalt’s first Active Transportation Network Plan! Get involved There are multiple ways to share your feedback! You could check out: Complete the survey to help us better understand the existing barriers, issues, and opportunities... Read more
Creating Communities Fit for the 21st Century
Last week, I noted three ways proposed by Prof. Graham Smith to reform our democracy to safeguard the future, and dealt with two of them: re-shaping legislatures and constitutions and bringing an independent voice to decision-making.
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Old Growth Forest Rally
So great to see such a fantastic turnout for the old growth forest rally at the Victoria Legislature. Thank you to everyone for taking a stand for our forests. Here’s a letter, complete with email addresses to share: Subject: A call for a New Forest Framework in... Read more
International Dark Sky Week
International Dark Sky Week (April 5-12) is just around the corner! We invite you to take a look at the new International Dark Sky Week website. There, you will find a map with popups that tells the stories of a small snapshot of the beautiful International Dark Sky... Read more
Fernwood Farms For Sale
Fernwood Farms for Sale- Interested in living in Victoria on a large city lot that has been developed into edible landscape based on permaculture principals? There are 6 veggie beds, drip irrigation with 18 fruit and 2 nut trees + 14 types of berries
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Practising Democracy as if the Future Mattered
Too often, politics is focused on the short term. We see it everywhere: Support for clear-cutting the last stands of old-growth forest, fishing to the last fish, maintaining and even expanding the fossil-fuel industry — the list goes on. Only when it is almost too late do we act — and not always even then.
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Sustainable Forest Management Will Help Drive Our Net Zero Future
Governments and stakeholders agree that we must urgently work together to build our net zero carbon future. The cost of inaction is simply far too great. The sooner we act, the more effectively we can reduce the risks and protect the health and safety of Canadians. It... Read more
Highlands Not the Place for a Strip Mine
The Highlands District Community Association (HDCA) is asking for public support requesting MLA’s (the Premier’s) support in stopping the OK Industries (OKI) strip mine, and in changing the Province’s Mines Act so this won’t happen again – here or anywhere in BC. Our... Read more
Greater Victoria Group Pushes Local Conversation for Climate Action
Humans act as if we have several planets to sustain us when in reality we only have one – that’s the motive behind a new six-week series of Monday evening conversations called Re-imagining Life In A One Planet Region.
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Doughnut Economy Means Not Spending $100M on Interchange
Courtesy of the Times Colonist Photo: Housing should be moderately intensified, writes Trevor Hancock, not through high-rises but by sensitive in-filling to create moderate-priced housing in walkable neighbourhoods, as with a gentle densification housing project... Read more
Personal Reflections on Climate Change, Covid 19 and Stress
One of the common topics of conversation these days deals with how well we are faring with Covid lockdown. All the in-person people that I’ve met seem to be coping fairly well, even the dog walkers passing by or the strangers I meet at the nearby park. Actually, the... Read more
Opportunities to Help Protect Nature
Two opportunities to help nature are coming up soon. You may not be aware that in BC, there is less than 1% of the biggest old-growth trees left. Keeping these forests standing is among our best tools for mitigating climate change. Yet government and industry still... Read more
Controversial Developments
Focus Magazine wants people to let them know about any controversial developments in Greater Victoria. “Are you concerned about a particular development in Greater Victoria? Keep Focus posted and we’ll add it to our coverage. Email focusedit@shaw.ca or use... Read more
The Nanaimo Area Land Trust is Calling all Interested Wetlands Stewards!
The wetlands of Nanaimo are a precious ecological resource. To understand their natural values they need to be properly mapped, classified and monitored. This wetlandkeepers course will give you the tools to help steward our local wetlands. Sign up now for the 2021... Read more
Update on Metchosin Wilderness Camp
Metchosin council took a bold move on March 15 in passing a bylaw that downzones the Boys and Girls Club property that we know as Metchosin Wilderness Camp. The community rallied to provide letters of support for this move. We have been blindsided by the Club’s... Read moreBiodiversity Matters – Re-Imagining Forest Management
‘The spiraling decline of our planet’s biodiversity is the true tragedy of our time’ – David Attenborough from A Life on our Planet The road to carbon neutrality can only be successful if nature’s biodiversity is not only…
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On Time and Water
Café Books is very good to me. When they see books in catalogues that they think might interest me, they order them in and then put them aside for me to consider them. One such book is the translation from Icelandic of a new book by Andri Snaer Magnuson entitled On... Read more
They’re your venues, have your say. Email your recommendation to create a Regional Arts Facilities Service by March 10th!
Please show your support for the arts, and write an email to the Capital Regional District Board in support of the recommendation to create a Regional Arts Facilities Service. Please encourage your arts loving friends to do the same! A decision will be made at the CRD... Read moreA Holistic Approach to Agriculture
I missed the Reimagining Agriculture webinar in February but was able to listen/watch it today and was pleased to see the references to organic agriculture, water usage, and the spiritual connection to land use provided by the poet, Rhona McAdam. That research on... Read more
Cancel TMX Insurance
Last week, Indigenous youth land defenders Braided Warriors were violently assaulted and removed while holding a peaceful sit-in and engaging in ceremony at the offices of Trans Mountain’s insurers. [1] They were demanding these insurance giants stop backing the... Read more
Old Growth Blockades
Here’s some info on the old growth blockades (www.fairycreekblockade.com) that are in place near Port Renfrew: Since August 10, 2020, ancient temperate rainforests in the Fairy Creek watershed (TFL 46) near Port Renfrew have been protected from Teal Jones... Read more
Avoid – Shift – Improve
Much as I support circular and doughnut economy concepts, I am concerned that proponents often focus on recycling. Far more important is a conservation ethic which encourages overall resource efficiency. It is sometimes called “reduce, reuse and recycle”... Read more
Fundraiser for Anti-Racism Education and Book Giveaway!
This book is a powerful reminder of the Holocaust and of our ongoing need to fight racism in all its forms.
Read moreRe-Imagining Agriculture – Adapting to a New Climate Reality
Water required for agriculture is becoming a major concern for water and food security across the province of British Columbia. This issue will only get worse over the coming decade as the climate dries and warms….
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Is Langford Following Best Practices?
Fairway Neighbours Unite for a Livable Langford While Langford appears to be following the letter of the law, they are certainly NOT following Best Practices for keeping their citizens informed: – Releasing plans and architectural drawings on the Friday... Read more
Transportation, Climate Change, Public Health and Equity
Vancouver has a wonderful Climate Emergency Action Plan (https://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/vancouvers-climate-emergency.aspx ) that increases resource efficiency (it significantly reduces per capita energy and land consumption), plus housing and transportation... Read more
CRD Now Spreading Sewage Biosolids at Hartland Landfill
After full commissioning of the Residuals Treatment Facility for the Capital Region’s Liquid Waste located at Hartland Landfill, the CRD has confirmed the Facility is now producing bio-solids from dewatered sewage sludge, and is spreading them at the Landfill. The... Read more
Making Peace with Nature
“Humanity is waging war on nature. This is senseless and suicidal. The consequences of our recklessness are already apparent in human suffering, towering economic losses, and the accelerating erosion of life on Earth.” – UN Secretary-General António Guterres “We... Read more
Langford Is About to Change
A lot has happened in our community in the past few years: entire mountainsides clearcut and blasted, residents unable to adequately access council meetings during the pandemic, residents of Danbrook, and Tri-way mobile home park displaced, all in the pursuit of... Read more
The Future of Saanich Wetlands
On Monday, Feb. 22nd, Saanich Council will be deliberating on the future of the Panama Flats. The 2013 master plan for this remarkable 62-acre property has the ingredients of bird and wildlife sanctuary, wetlands, walking paths, Garry Oak preservation, flood plan... Read more
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: City of Victoria Advisory Committee
The City of Victoria has a range of advisory committees. We’re currently looking to fill up to 12 positions for a two-year term on our Active Transportation Advisory Committee. Candidates should have an interest and passion for sustainable transportation... Read more
Our economic system needs to recognize the price – and value – of nature
A cynic, Oscar Wilde wrote, is someone who “knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.” On that basis, our dominant economic system — corporate capitalism — is beyond cynical. It takes Wilde’s aphorism one giant step further because it doesn’t even know or take into account the price of everything, never mind recognize and account for that which is priceless.
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Are you concerned about the climate crisis?
We are looking for eight guinea-pigs. Of the human variety. Might you be one? I am part of a new group called the Nanaimo Community Climate Connectors. We share a deep concern about the growing climate emergency, which is threatening our whole world, and the future of... Read more
Can you support the Yellow Point Ecological Society?
Once a year, we put out an appeal for financial support – by Becoming a Member – here! https://yellowpointecologicalsociety.ca/join-us/ Some of our initiatives cost us nothing, but we have costs to keep our various technologies going, and some of our new... Read more
Trees Matter – Shareable Graphics
Trees are among the hardest working members of our world community. Every day, 24 hours a day, they provide a huge host of incredible services that they receive little thanks or recognition for. I created these graphics to visually show some of the many attributes of... Read more
The Green Party is looking for talented people who believe in bold, progressive politics to run for a seat in Parliament
The Green Party is looking for talented people who believe in bold, progressive politics to run for a seat in Parliament.
It’s time for diverse representation. Nominate your local leader, or yourself!
Learn more: greenparty.ca/civicm/mailing/ur
Achieving Human Potential is True Prosperity
Last week, I suggested that true prosperity is doughnut-shaped, but I did not define what I mean by true prosperity, nor what Doughnut Economics means for this region. I will explore the first of these topics this week and the second next week. One understanding of... Read more
Esquimalt adds EV capacity to new buildings
The Township of Esquimalt is taking steps to ensure that new residential builds are electric vehicle-ready. Last week, staff introduced a bylaw amendment to include requirements for parking stalls in new residential construction to have a minimum number of energized... Read more
ProActive Health Involves Natural Options
You are likely aware that health officials are only focusing on hand sanitization, wearing masks, “social” distancing and the hope for a vaccine. While there’s nothing wrong with any of these (except that we need to be socially connected, even if physically safe!)... Read more
Have Your Say for a Resilient Saanich
Here is an opportunity for Saanich residents to provide input to the District on issues such as zero waste. Please take a moment and let your voice be heard by following this link. Read more
A New Morality
When one thinks about morality, it is most commonly associated with the sanctioned values and ethics of a particular religious creed or belief system. Of the thousands of extant religions, Christianity and Islam have by far the greatest number of adherents. The many... Read more
Forest Defenders Needed for West- Coast Ancient Forest Frontlines
The Rainforest Flying Squad is looking for valuable long-term in-camp volunteers to help continue to grow this movement of direct action protection of endangered old-growth forests. Currently needed are responsible, hard-working, conscientious people, who can get... Read more
Fight against the OKI Strip Mine in the Highlands – Update
Thanks in large measure to the power of the BC Provincial Mines Act, OKI has recently won two legal decisions, one each against the Highland District and the Highland District Community Association (HDCA). While the HDCA has decided to appeal one of these decisions,... Read more