When it comes to health, inequality is inevitable, but inequity isn’t
The World Health Organization’s December 2021 Geneva Charter for Well-being expresses “the urgency of creating sustainable well-being societies, committed to achieving equitable health now and for future generations without breaching ecological limits.” So far, I have mostly focused on the need to stay within ecological boundaries…
Read moreInside the Fight to Save an Ancient Forest (and the Secrets it Holds)
This PBS video is a powerful testament to the courage and tenacity of determined protestors to protect the old growth forests in the Fairy Creek Watershed and surrounding areas in southwest Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The subtitle, “And the Secrets It Holds” is even more powerful for the film illustrates that forests have more to tell us…
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Shell’s Massive Carbon Capture Plant Is Emitting More Than It’s Capturing
Many fossil fuel companies are championing carbon capture technology as a way to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 in order to continue producing fossil fuels for the market. The federal government has committed to placing a cap on carbon emissions from the oil and... Read more
Well-being society needs a well-being economy
In the face of growing disquiet that our current economic system massively harms Earth’s natural systems while creating excessive inequality and insecurity for many, there is growing interest in the idea of an economy that puts people and planet first.
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Open Letter to Ban Fossil-Fuel Promotion in Schools
The negative effects of fossil fuel extraction and use seriously impact human health and the environment. The Canadian Association of Physicians (CAPE) invites the public to sign an open letter calling on the BC Government to ban fossil-fuel promotion in schools. CAPE... Read moreCoasts, Rivers and Communities
Learn how communities around the world are developing new solutions to mitigate risks by working with nature. Water is the essence of life. Rivers are the arteries of life. Coasts are the gateway to the oceans. All three ecosystems are threatened by the climate crisis — more severe droughts…
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Is the Future Really Friendly for Birds?
Public interest in birds has surged throughout the pandemic. People have discovered the joy of watching birds at their feeders, going for a walk in a nature sanctuary, or simply waking up to their singing. With this increased interest has come a greater understanding... Read more
Phase Out Gas Powered Leaf Blowers
A good guy I know named Francis Landy has created a petition to ban gas-powered leaf blowers in Oak Bay. Please sign and/or share it with others via email, Facebook or any form of social media. This cause is very close to my heart as I’ve been made painfully... Read more
Mark Angelo’s “The Little Creek That Could”
The Little Creek that Could is a children’s story written by Mark Angelo celebrating his life long commitment to bringing degraded urban streams back to life. Mark Angelo is a globally renowned conservationist, teacher and writer who is an Order of Canada recipient... Read moreB.C. Securing Watersheds for a Stronger Future
The BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy today released a Discussion Paper on Watershed Security and and associated Fund to support community engagement in watershed management across the province.
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What is a ‘well-being society’? For starters, one that values planet Earth
In the more than 40 years I have spent working in public health, I have been guided by a key realization and two principles. The realization was that medicine, in which I was trained, while important, is not the main factor that contributes to good health.
Read moreHope for Ecosystems
I have recently come across a new source of information, inspiration, and opportunity to act. Endangered Ecosystems Alliance (EEA) is a relatively new non-profit environmental group. They have just been granted charitable tax status. The executive director is Ken Wu. One of the science advisors is Andy MacKinnon. To me, those participants signal knowledge, integrity, courage, and smart ideas.
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Teal Jones Timber Review Period Open
Here’s your chance to review Teal Jone’s timber analysis and management plan for Timber Forest License #46 (Fairy Creek) and submit your feedback. Teal Jones would like you to send your comments directly to them, however, please copy to... Read more
Section of Bowker Creek for Sale
On January 24, 2020, School District 61 Trustees will be deciding on the sale of a parcel of 1.9 acres of publicly-owned land and section of Bowker Creek at Lansdowne South (previously Richmond Elementary School) We have been told that the number of emails the School... Read more
Cell Towers on the Ocean Floor
In 2018, on land and in space, preparations to deploy millions of antennas were very publicly being made and advertised, for “5G,” “Smart Cities,” and the “Internet of Things.” At the same time, and without any publicity, governments, research laboratories, and commercial and military interests were collaborating on plans to create “Smart Oceans” and the “Internet of Underwater Things” (IoUT).
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Fairy Creek Winter Fundraisers
Every dollar donated will directly support: ★ Physical needs for people still at camps, ★ Reimbursements for lost, stolen, and damaged property, ★ Direct support for frontline defenders healing from violent arrests and trauma
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Elders for Ancient Trees Newsletter
Elders for Ancient Trees Update
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Summary Synthesis of Finding the Mother Tree
I have been struggling since the beginning of the pandemic to find meaning in, and to give value to this transformational moment in the human journey. At last, after many months, I have got as far as an outline, at least, for a personal approach to dealing with the accelerating…
Read morePrivate Police & Prosecutors
Corporate lawyers, backed by American billionaires, are trying to jail Indigenous people in Northern B.C. for peacefully standing on their own land. Crown prosecutors argued there was no public interest in pursuing criminal contempt charges against Gitxsan hereditary chiefs and family members who allegedly blocked CN Rail traffic in the town of New Hazelton two years ago.
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Online federal consultation on 2030 climate targets closes next week!
Next week the federal government’s online consultation on our 2030 climate targets closes. It’s a crucial opportunity for us to have our say about Canada’s climate targets and the plan to reach them. The consultation was launched under the radar in December, and... Read more
All I want for the new year is…
… well, world peace, of course; an end to poverty, hatred and discrimination in all its forms; reconciliation with Indigenous people in Canada and around the world; serious action on climate change, an end to the ravaging of nature…
Read moreA Cellobration of Nature
Eight cellists from University of Victoria Cello class, under the direction of Pamela Highbaugh Aloni, recently debuted a new composition by Hollas Longton, featuring the poems of Creatively United’s Frances Litman. he commission, funded by the Gail O’Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund, is presented…
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Black Friday is bad for the planet and our well-being
We have just witnessed another Black Friday and Cyber Monday, an orgy of consumerism that kicks off the Christmas shopping binge. Every year, it seems, the consumption-fest gets worse, hyped by a marketplace that encourages greed and over-consumption because it desperately wants us to purchase more and more stuff.
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November 10th Elders for Ancient Trees December 7th Newsletter
December 7th Elders for Ancient Trees Newsletter
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Mother Nature has shown us that ‘business as usual’ is a disaster
Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General, has told us “humanity is waging war on nature.” The problem is that wars have winners and losers. But as the events this year have surely shown us, Mother Nature is more powerful than us, and bats last.
Read moreBC Government issues permits to log forest for wood pellets as part of the so-called “bioeconomy”
BC government is issuing cutting permits to log primary forest for pellets in BC’s interior. This is being packaged as part of a ‘bioeconomy’, and is heavily subsidized by the people of BC. Watch Conservation North’s new video to find out more.
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Elders for Ancient Forests Newsletter
December 1 – 7 Elders for Ancient Forest Newsletter
Read moreTransforming Communities Creatively Through Regeneration
Season 4 of Climate and Artists free webinar series premiered with positively uplifting and inspiring stories from eight fabulous guests committed to regenerating and transforming communities creatively. Learn how…
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Regenerative Land Design
Years ago I visited a farm with a friend. The owners were ranging bison on the land and heard I worked in regenerative land design. They asked if I would consider a problem: There was a creek that ran through their property and pasture. They had a question, “how... Read more
Elders for Ancient Forests November 23 Newsletter
Elders for Ancient Trees Weekly Newsletter, Nov. 23/21
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Practising health care as if the planet matters
Last week, I reported on the rally at the B.C. legislature organized by Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast. The rally was timed to coincide with the COP26, the UN’s climate-change conference in Glasgow, where, for the first time — and at the behest of the U.K. government — health was one of three science priority areas.
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BC Floods: Sharable Infographics and Information
Why are they happening? Preparation and safety tips.These conditions are not just being caused by “natural” disasters. They are “unnatural” disasters that have been exacerbated by climate change and exploitative land and resource management.
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Kings Park Supporters: Action Required & Important Fundraising Update
URGENT CALL TO ACTION Please call or email Saanich Council before it’s too late –> Ask that 1.75M CRD sourced funds be applied to finally Save Kings Community Nature Space. In this era of climate crisis we must save our precious green spaces, they are... Read more
Doctors and nurses declare a climate Code Red for B.C.
Inspired in part by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, who had called the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report a “Code Red for humanity,” we were there to declare a climate and ecological Code Red for B.C., noting: “The climate and ecological crisis is a health crisis. We stand in solidarity for a safe and equitable future for all living creatures and the planet.”
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Reflections from Fairy Creek
As Creatively United’s media person, I have spent a large part of the past year learning about all things old-growth and Fairy Creek. I follow all the essential accounts (see @fairycreekblockade and @rainforestflyingsquad for on-the-ground updates), I have gathered... Read more
Hawai’i Konea – A Story from the Future
It’s sunset, at the end of another beautiful day in Honolulu. The high tide is arguing with the seawall, which was raised another metre last year to protect the Capitol Building – but what’s new? They’re still not on good terms with each other. My name is Ben... Read more
November 10th Elders for Ancient Trees Newsletter
This is the November 10th edition of the Elders for Ancient Trees Newsletter
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Elders for Ancient Forests Newsletter
The Elders for Ancient Forest Newsletter for the week of November 2nd.
Read moreNew Animated Film by Greta Thunberg
This 7-minute NYT cartoon from Greta Thunberg is excellent at showing how the political and economic systems we have are failing to face up to the existential crisis of the climate emergency. It is up to us to make sure that changes!
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Working toward a One Planet Saanich
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres stated almost a year ago: “Making peace with nature is the defining task of the 21st century. It must be the top, top priority for everyone, everywhere.” In my view, this can only happen if we recognize, as Barbara Ward and Rene Dubos’ 1972 book put it, that there is “Only One Earth” and we have to learn to live within and not beyond its bounds.
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Sadly, B.C. is still treating nature as resource to be exploited
In this series of columns, I am exploring the UN’s call for humanity to make peace with nature. Last week, I noted that B.C.’s government is failing to act, or is taking inadequate action, on climate change. This week, I look at B.C.
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Oct 20 Elders for Ancient Trees Newsletter
This week’s Elders for Ancient Trees Newsletter
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B.C. fails to take adequate action on climate crisis
By recognizing that “humanity is waging war on nature,” the United Nations arrived at the idea of making peace with nature. Regrettably, the B.C. government pays little heed to calls to make peace with nature, whether from the UN or its own citizens.
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Lead Educator Position Open at Rocky Point Bird Observatory
Rocky Point Bird Observatory (RPBO) – www.rpbo.org – is based in Victoria B.C. and is the only Pacific coastal station in the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network. RPBO is a unique and important contributor to bird conservation; regionally, nationally and... Read more
Elders for Ancient Trees Newsletter
Weekly blog with the latest news and upcoming events from the Elders for Ancients Newsletter.
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Donate to Elders for Ancient Trees Fairy Creek injunction court case
Elders for Ancient Trees needs your help, your donations, to sustain their legal challenge against the injunction at Fairy Creek in the BC Supreme Court.
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‘System-wide transformation’ needed to rebalance ourselves with nature
Courtesy of the Times Colonist Photo: Amazon opened its first general store outside the United States in a mall near London this week, selling the online retail giant’s most popular products, including books, toys, games and consumer electronics. A UN report... Read more
Help the Elders in their battle to save Fairy Creek
The Elders for Ancient Trees are engaged in a tough legal battle with the logging industry to save the embattled forests around Fairy Creek. Please support them with a donation to their legal fund.
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