Article Archives - Page 22 of 26 - Creatively United Community

Last week, I described some of the local “seeds” working to create a One Planet Region in the second-largest part of our ecological footprint — transportation. About three-quarters of the transport footprint is due to private vehicle use, most of which uses fossil fuels.

The Power of One Voice – Artist Poulami Banerjee Spotlight

Painting is a form of language which helps me to voice my outlook towards certain issues that stir me emotionally. I feel that I have expressed myself to the viewer aptly through my art only when it moves the audience or evokes an emotional response in them.

Saanich Endorses One Planet Island Declaration Motion

Thanks to the District of Saanich Mayor and Council for unamimously passing a resolution to the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities to “encourage municipal governments to take steps to engage their citizens in reducing their ecological footprint by... Read more

Petition for 100% Electrification of Victoria Regional Transit System Vehicles

This petition seeks a rapid 100% transition of Victoria Regional Transit System vehicles to clean electric power. The petition is launched by the View Royal Climate Coalition and supported by the South Island Climate Action Network.

Local ‘Seeds’ of a One Planet Region

This week, I begin to highlight some of our local “seeds” — groups and organizations that are working to create a One Planet Region. This is our local version of a good Anthropocene where we use only our fair share of the Earth’s resources while improving health and well-being in a way that is socially just.

The Hope of a Good Anthropocene

Sadly, there is not much good news about the state of the Earth these days. Climate change becomes more real as it starts to bite — just ask the Australians — and there is growing awareness of and concern about the extinction crisis we are triggering. We do have positive options, good choices and many opportunities.

Small is Beautiful — and Essential

Some readers will doubtless recognize the reference to E.F. Schumacher’s classic 1973 book Small is Beautiful, in which he introduced the world to the concept of “Buddhist economics.” The book’s sub-title was “Economics as if people mattered,” which today we might amend to read “Economics as if people and the planet mattered.”

Old Growth Strategy Review

An effective old growth strategy is one important part of a long-term forest asset stewardship plan to ensure nature’s endowment of forests best serve the public’s interests in changing times. Effective old growth forest conservation, protection and management will be... Read more

Mature Trees Best at Absorbing Carbon

Anyone interested in the importance and value of old trees, should find this interesting. For years foresters have assumed that old trees have stopped growing and in many cases are decadent. Good we have forest researchers to do this important research. From The... Read more

UBC Survey for EV Owners

EV owners, please consider taking this quick (5 minute) survey from UBC students on EV charging. Read more

Key Public Health Issues for the 2020s

I was prompted to write this column by an article in The Tyee (a Vancouver-based online news service) about public health issues in 2020. It’s not often people write about public health, as opposed to health care, so the attention is welcome. However, I found the... Read more

Garry Oak Comic Strip

A love of Garry Oaks and their Ecosystem compelled me to find a simple way to show my appreciation. Maybe through shared laughter it may bring more awareness.

First They Came for the Whales…

While there has been an increasing public focus on climate change in the past few years, and a slow awakening to the threat it poses, we have yet to wake up fully to an even bigger problem. I noted in a September column that we face not only a climate emergency but an extinction emergency.

Oppose Military Exercises in Washington State Parks

Tell the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission to not renew the military’s permit to access our public parks! In 2015 the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission issued a 5-year permit allowing the U.S. Navy to occupy five Washington State... Read more

Save Craigflower Creek

Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation

The BC government wants to turn an existing park into a bus depot, despite the presence of a salmon spawning creek and many trees. The details are on the website: https://www.savecraigflowercreek.org and we have a petition started here:... Read more

Wet’Suwet’en Overview

On December 31, 2019, BC Supreme Court Justice Marguerite Church extended Coastal GasLink’s injunction order from an interim injunction to an interlocutory injunction. Members of the Wet’suwet’en nation have been stewarding and protecting their traditional territories... Read more

Indigenous Rights Trampled by Rule of Law

On Wet’suwet’en Territory, The Hereditary chiefs and matriarchs were holding a ceremony to honour the memories of the missing and murdered indigenous women when they were arrested on February 10, 2020. The hanging of red dresses along fences posts and trees has been a... Read more

Faith in a Sustainable Future is Vital

I recently touched on the interest among local faith communities in the challenge of becoming a One Planet region. But that local interest is part of a wider national and global movement across many faiths that links concern with ecological change — especially but not... Read more

We’re Spending Our Children’s Inheritance

Photo: Petteri Taalas, secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization, says the world is on track for a temperature increase as much as 3 to 5 C. Photograph By TWITTER Courtesy of the Times Colonist No doubt you have seen — perhaps you even have — a... Read more

Recognizing the Spiritual Value of Nature

The Midwinter Solstice is nearly upon us, and it is a powerful time of the year. For our ancestors, the shortening days and the growing cold must have been a source of concern every year; would the sun come back, would winter end?

Support Needed to Stop Strip Mine in the Highlands

The Highlands District Community Association (HDCA) announced this week that it has petitioned the BC Government to reject the 2017 Application by OK Industries (OKI) for a strip mine. The petition, conducted over the summer, was tabled today in the BC Legislature by... Read more

How to Make Studying Interesting to Kids

Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Food & Health, Review

Making studying and learning as much fun as possible isn’t an easy task, but it’s absolutely necessary if you want to help your kids. Not everything will go smoothly and there are bound to be obstacles along the way, but you need to be persistent.

The Nature Fix – Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative by Florence Williams

“I’m no tree hugger but The Nature Fix made me want to run outside and embrace the nearest Oak. Not for the tree’s sake, but mine.” – Eric Weiner

Smart Climate Action Slideshow

Here is a slideshow presented November 19 to the Vancouver Island Section of the Canadian Institute of Transportation Engineers (CITE). This presentation reviews our regional transport emission reduction targets, and identifies a specific set of local and regional... Read more

Creatively United Does It Again!

Article

An East Sooke home is creating a building revolution that is catching the attention of major media. Bloomberg, a privately held financial, software, data, and media company headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, reports in a recent business article that... Read more

Special Request! Cellphones exceed radiation exposure guidelines

Please share and support my request for a cellphone ban in our schools by sending this template or writing your own letter to Deputy Minister, Don Wright about your concerns. Thank you. To alison.wensink@gov.bc.ca cc your MLA... Read more

Langford Developer Increases Greenspace

Firstly, a huge pat-on-the-back is in order for all of us: all of your letters to council, phone calls and actions back in July made a difference! Because of you, the city and developer increased the required greenspace in the development proposal from 25% to 40%. As... Read more

Creative Climate Messaging

Waste Land aptly describes the experience I had of visiting an incredibly metaphor rich exhibition space in a house slated for demolition on Fifth Street in Victoria, BC. I didn’t know what to expect, but was in awe of the curation, effort and creativity expressed for... Read more

Waste Land: Climate Anxiety Haunted House Brings New Art Form to Victoria

This is brilliant. If you live in Victoria, seize the chance to visit before it closes on Sunday! – Guy Dauncey — This is the first time that a home slated for the wrecking ball has been used as an exhibition space in Victoria. Aryze Development has given... Read more

Key Federal, Provincial & Municipal Government Contacts

Article, Community Trees

Writing a letter to voice your opinion is not only therapeutic but can make a difference. The more of us who do it, the more likely some action will come of it. Here we have conveniently compiled a list of emails for city councilors and mayors for most municipalities,... Read more

Working Together to Rethink Waste – The CRD Wants To Hear From You!

Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Community Trees, Nature & Conservation

The Capital Regional District (CRD) is developing a new Solid Waste Management Plan—the plan that guides how the region will manage solid waste in the coming years, including recyclables, compostable material and garbage from homes, businesses, institutions, and... Read more

Esquimalt Park To Receive 450 New Trees & Shrubs

These native plants will add to the biodiversity in the park, as well as increase tree coverage in the region. There will be 23 species planted in total, including Garry oaks, Douglas fir…

Rare Bird Sighting in Panama Flats

On Saturday, October 19, Geoffrey was on the 5 p.m. edition of the local Live CHEK NEWS with a rare bird sighting in the Panama Flats. The bird is a Yellow-browed Warbler from Siberia. Geoffrey Newell is the leader of our monthly Bird Walks in Uplands Park. He is one... Read more

Poverty and Health is an Election Issue

Forty years ago, I wrote about two principles that I considered fundamental to the health of the population: Ecological sanity and social justice. If we do not pay attention to these principles and what we now call the ecological and social determinants of health, the health of the population will be seriously harmed.

Takaya, The Lone Wolf

Article, Nature & Conservation, Video

I watched this beautiful documentary about the lone wolf on Discovery Island, off Oak Bay shoreline. The film is made by local wildlife photographer Cheryl Alexander. It’s on CBC, The Nature of Things: Takaya, Lone Wolf and will be repeated on TV, on the CBCNN... Read more

Affordable Meeting Spaces

The HUB – a free space on 829 Fort St. for booking community meetings, seats 25. Free, but subject to interruptions / walk-ins from the street. www.thehubvictoriabc.org or e-mail thehubvictoriabc@gmail.com. Greater Victoria Regional Library (public meeting rooms... Read more

New Forest Management Policy

Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation

Great news! North Cowichan Councillor Rob Douglas, has just let us know Resolution B 156 Regional Management of Forests, was passed this morning at the UBCM Convention in Vancouver. This resolution is copied below. Maybe now BC forestry will be above politics and... Read more

Victoria, BC Climate Strike

Estimates are that about 20,000 people attended today’s climate action strike and march with parts of Government, Belleville, Douglas and Fort Street closed off to traffic as the group moved from the lawns of the Legislature up Douglas to Fort Street. People of... Read more

Climate Action Teach In and Rally

Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation

Despite heavy rain, about 300 people, mostly teachers, parents and youth, turned out Monday for the Climate Action Teach In and Rally at the Legislature. There was a definite buzz of energy with connections and conversations made and visits to a variety of exhibitors,... Read more

Global Guide on DRR, Children & Youth Released for Public Review

Child and youth are often negatively impacted by climate change—in ways that threaten their rights. Working with them as agents for change in their communities reduces risks and enables adaptation. Learn more in a new global guide: https://bit.ly/2mSv7CR.

City of Victoria Announces Participation in UN’s Trees for Cities Challenge

At a time when urban forests are rapidly diminishing, the City of Victoria this year made a commitment to expanding and protecting ours, by adding $1 million to the Parks budget. It also committed $850,000 annually going forward.

“This is Not a Drill” Cideo From Greta Thunberg and George Monbiot

Article, Nature & Conservation, Video

Environmental activists Greta Thunberg and George Monbiot have helped produce a short film highlighting the need to protect, restore and use nature to tackle the climate crisis. Living ecosystems like forests, mangroves, swamps and seabeds can pull enormous quantities... Read more

Six Green New Deals: How Do They Compare?

I spent this week digging into six different Green New Deals, to see how they compare, policy-by-policy. Five American, one European. The Canadian versions are seemingly not ready yet. Here’s my results. I hope you find them helpful! Read more

Free Trees! Garry Oaks, Bigleaf Maples & More

Article, Community Trees, Nature & Conservation, Toolkit

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago…The next best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb Fall is a great time to collect seeds and nuts that will grow into free trees. Even those of us who don’t own property can enjoy starting seedlings for others to plant in... Read more

Trees (and Shrubs) For Free!

Article, Community Trees, Nature & Conservation, Toolkit

Why not try your hand at propagating some trees and/or shrubs? Not all species are easy to grow from cuttings, but many will respond to your care and effort. When the saplings or plants are established, you can plant them in your own yard, or ask friends and family... Read more

World Ocean’s Day

World Oceans Day 2019 was a great success and we have had very positive feedback, so we will likely have the same layout next year as well. We raised $2,071.35, which puts us at a grand total of $4,783.94 (from 2017-2019) towards the purchase of a Seabin for... Read more

It’s Time We Stopped Treating Soil Like Dirt – Video