Re-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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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 moreEMF Medical Conference + Satellite Update
A reminder about the EMF Medical Conference that starts next week. This is a great opportunity for medical doctors to learn from and communicate with scientists about EMR while earning medical credits. The biggest conference ever on prevention, diagnosis, and... Read more
Wireless Technology Harmful?
For decades, the public has been told there is no evidence that wireless technology is harmful. Claims of 5G harms have been dismissed as “conspiracy theory.” Two lawsuits were filed against the FCC. One by the Environmental Health Trust (EHT) and Consumers for Safe... Read more
Climate crisis is a major health issue
The state of the earth’s climate is a global health issue that all citizens, communities and nations need to take action on immediately. Children, elderly, immunocompromised and those impacted by socio-economic disparities are at highest risk of suffering from the... Read more
6 Selfcare Strategies To Apply When Working From Home
When you’re working from home, you must engage in self-care practices at all times. You need to be in a place of physical, mental, and emotional wellness so that you can do the tasks that your work-from-home job requires you to do.
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Canada is a major contributor to the global food waste crisis
The disparity between food waste and food insecurity is a somber phenomenon. Estimates from the United Nations report a rise in global food production of up to 300 per cent over the past 50 years whereas the number of people experiencing food insecurity has risen by... Read more
Parents for Safe Schools
Did you know all wireless devices emit microwave radiation? Did you know that it is now mandatory that every child attending school will be exposed all day to microwave radiation from wifi and all the other wireless devices? Did you know BC School Health Officer, Dr.... Read more
New Year’s resolutions, and how we choose the right recovery
First, and very obviously, a wish that might actually come true in 2021: That COVID-19 be over. If the vaccines are as good as promised, and if we can vaccinate around 60 to 70 per cent of the population there is a good chance we can return to something like normal.
Read moreFood Future: Rooted in Change
The pandemic has shed light on the injustices and discrepancies within our Food Systems, igniting a collective awareness of the need to rethink and restructure the way we interact as a food movement. This December 3rd and 4th, ‘Food Future: Rooted in Change’ will... Read more
B.C. Should Follow the Lead of Scotland and Bring In a Well-Being Budget
Anyone watching Knowledge Network these days will be aware it’s all about Scotland, from clan wars to wildlife to railways. Good things come from Scotland, from Scottish ales and whisky to haggis and Robbie Burns — well, OK, not everything is wonderful, although haggis is way better than it sounds.
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Fifty Ways to Bring More Urgency to BC’s Climate Action Plans
“We are facing a disaster of unspoken suffering for enormous amounts of people, so please, treat the climate crisis like the acute crisis it is, and give us a future.” – Greta Thunberg For years, Guy Dauncey has tirelessly warned of the urgency of tackling the climate... Read more
Bike to Work Week is now Go By Bike Week!
Greater Victoria’s Bike to Work Week is returning September 28th-October 4th, 2020 with a new name “Go By Bike Week” and a brand new website! The new name, Go By Bike Week, is intended to add a new level of inclusivity to Greater Victoria’s largest, free,... Read more
We Need to Build Our Island Self-Reliance
Last week I discussed Prof. Rick Kool’s point that we live on an island — but we don’t act as if we do. Almost all our food, all of our fossil fuels, much of our electricity and much else is imported. The implication is that we should think about how to be more self-reliant.
Read moreWhat would it take to Build a Truly Resilient Local Food System?
Best-selling author, seed saving guru and food security expert, Carolyn Herriot, and Victoria, BC, community gardening advocate, Gary MacDougall, will share tips on how to grow healthy food that rebuilds soil, prevents erosion, and draws down CO2 in the ground as... Read morePatricia Reichert – Food System Comeback
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hclD4OmMeL8 This is a presentation and discussion about the changes that are possible in this region if we choose to build a local food economy based on principles of resilience and social justice. As a local food systems specialist,... Read more
Join us in our Facebook Group: KickAss Gardeners & Their Gardens
Do you LOVE gardening? Are you interested in food security, permaculture or just want to grow the best veggies you can? One way to do that is to join us in our Facebook group and add your voice to the conversations and discussions.
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A Cell Tower Removed in Victoria
1) A cell tower has been removed in Victoria. It was located on Jehovah’s Witness property (2506 Selwyn Rd) , close to Hwy 1 at exit 14. In the early 2000s when the contract was signed the congregation was not aware of the potential for it to cause harm, but... Read moreThe Art of Self Care: Building Immunity & Resilience
Learn a number of proven ways to reduce anxiety, boost your immune system and feel lighter and brighter with simple techniques provided by three professionals with many years of experience. Author, Karen Ledger, a respected…
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Help Populate the Food Atlas
The Food Atlas is a community-driven tool for empowering communities to develop and plan around food security resources. The Community Food Atlas is designed to be a self-sustaining tool and is managed by the Island Food Security Hubs in partnership with Vancouver... Read more
Growing in the City Program
If you are looking for local resources to start growing your own food, then this City-led program may be for you!! This free food seedlings distribution program created by the City of Victoria in partnership with community and non-profit organizations supports... Read more
Telus’s “Pure Fiber” vs. a True Fiber Optic Network
Over 4000 people have signed the Appeal. In case you haven’t or haven’t shared, please do: https://www.appel5gappeal.ca/ 1) As we know, Telus has been pushing its “fiber optic cable” very aggressively, even threatening people with loss of... Read more
Central Saanich Community Gardens
Are you living in Central Saanich? Check out the brand new Central Saanich Community Gardens Society. They are look forward to cultivating delightful yet purposeful community garden(s) in Central Saanich. They are currently looking for board members and land! Click... Read more
Get Growing, Victoria!
Get, growing Victoria! – This new initiative is operated by the City of Victoria’s Growing in the City program and aims to grow and distribute vegetable and herb seedlings via non-profit organizations to home gardeners, with a focus on supporting communities... Read more
The Greatest Health Scandal of Our Time!
Parents for Safe Schools is an organization of parents, teachers and students that would like to support your decision to bring this extremely important issue to the attention of Parliament, again. Our elected Government Officials and Provincial Health Officer have... Read more
The Health Costs of Business as Usual
A couple of weeks ago I noted that in addition to COVID-19, other major infectious diseases kill millions of people annually, mostly children, and mostly in low-income countries. But globally, and certainly in high-income countries, infectious diseases are not our major causes of death, disease and injury.
Read moreFood! Deep Roots Farm How-To Videos with Golden-Rose Gardiner and Carolyn Herriot
Yellow Point’s own Goldenrose and Carolyn are making short videos on What to Plant at the End of April (early May), How to grow Potatoes, How to Pot on Tomatoes, How to Pot on Cabbage, and a new one each week. They are all... Read more
Lessons from Pandemics
“Pandemic-Resilient Community Planning: Practical Ways to Help Communities Prepare for, Respond to, and Recover from Pandemics and Other Economic, Social and Environmental Shocks” Resilience refers to a system’s ability to efficiently absorb shocks. This report... Read more
Donald Trump’s Crime Against Humanity
In cutting funding to the World Health Organization in the midst of a pandemic, U.S. President Donald Trump may think he is attacking a bunch of faceless bureaucrats in Geneva and the World Health Organization’s regional offices around the world.
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Time Sensitive! Stop 5G protest, please join
This Saturday, April 25, is the Global Stop 5G Day and I am hoping that you will participate. What we need to do is to make our politicians at every level hear our voices. Instructions; Copy, paste and fill out this non consent form then Fax individually to Justin... Read more
Cabin Fever?
‘Cabin fever’ is a common expression referring to negative emotions and distress related to confinement and isolation, such as irritability, hopelessness, lack of focus, and even simple boredom. It is not a disease and not dangerous in and of itself, but our mental... Read more
15 Questions on Emergency Food and Farming Planning for British Columbia
Our food chain in BC is hugely dependent on imports, making it extremely vulnerable. On Vancouver Island, 95% of our food arrives on the ferry. BC has tens of thousands of acres of farmland that are lying fallow, or growing hay for horses that serve no agricultural... Read more
Challenges and Solutions for Engaging Youth in Agriculture
Shelter Farm, a social enterprise operated by The Port Alberni Shelter Society. The farm grows vegetables that provide a source of nutrition for our clients and are sold to local markets. Shelter Farm is also home to the Market Gardener Program.
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Gardening Resources
The Compost Education Centre has moved all their gardening workshops online. Many of them are free! Check them out here: https://www.compost.bc.ca/education/workshop-series/ Linda Gilkenson’s Gardening Tips! You can receive tips by email from this west coast... Read more
Volunteers Needed to Help Feed Community Members Most in Need
We are reaching out in hopes that you can help us. We are trying to identify community partners to help us coordinate meal distribution sites to feed our community members most in need. The Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) is working with the Coalition to... Read more
A Different Perspective on COVID-19
There is no question COVID-19 is a serious issue. If we did nothing, hundreds of thousands of Canadians, especially older people, might die and the health care system would be overwhelmed, jeopardizing the health of many other people with other health problems.
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Neighbourhood Markets Open During Pandemic!
The coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, and while many despair and are living in fear, we attempt to ease their burden by bringing a little hope and peace in providing free produce and groceries.
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Spread Compassion – Stop Diseases
This short report describes the special problems that contagious diseases such as COVID-19 present to people experiencing homelessness, and the organizations that serve them. Homeless people tend to be vulnerable to infections due to a combination daily stress, poor... Read more
Keeping Yourself Strong and Healthy in this COVID-19 Time
I have been reading the news more than I ever have in my entire lifetime for the past couple of months. When the virus first erupted in Wuhan, I was away on Orcas Island with friends. We were all sitting around discussing what was happening and the initial numbers-... Read more
50 Ways to Stay SANE During the Coronavirus Pandemic
How can we stay strong during this crisis? With love, careful planning, and care for others – and total lockdown. When we emerge, huge numbers of people will hopefully want a more caring, cooperative approach to life, and a new kind of economy, based less on greed, selfishness and the destruction of Nature, and more on the economics of kindness.
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Thieves Oil for Extra Protection in These Times
Going outside or flying anywhere? Here is something that could protect & save you – here is the story
Read moreFeeding Community One Garden at a Time
In Sooke BC, a community garden has evolved from an idea based on permaculture principles and the desire for a church congregation to give more to the community. This garden grows food for the local food bank and people in need. It is still evolving and looks to... Read more
The Ethics of a One Planet Region
These great ethical issues are made urgent by the Anthropocene: the massive and rapid human-created changes in the earth’s natural systems that threaten the viability of our society in the not-too-distant future.
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The 5G Trojan Horse
This 96 minute documentary will expose the truth behind the global “Race to 5G”, the health, privacy, and local power concerns, and the corruption between the Big Wireless industry and the U.S. government.” The 5G Trojan Horse (Documentary) Marg Friesen’s... Read more
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.
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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
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
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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
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.
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