Column: Time to dream big
Climate protection is not a partisan issue Media and politicians often regard environmentalists as a special interest group with political priorities served by “green” parties. If a Green politician isn’t present or allowed to participate in a public debate, journalists tend to eschew environmental questions, considering them...
Our plastic bag bylaw, and Mayor Moore writes to the Minister of Environment
Rossland City Council Meeting, July 15, 2019 Present: Mayor Kathy Moore, and Councillors Scott Forsyth, Janice Nightingale, Chris Bowman, Stewart Spooner, and Dirk Lewis. Absent: Andy Morel. Staff: Chief Administrative Officer Bryan Teasdale, Chief Financial Officer Elma Hamming, Manager of Operations Darrin Albo, Deputy...
Column: Fracking is neither climate solution nor economic blessing
The rush to exploit and sell fossil fuels as quickly as possible before the reality of climate disruption becomes too great to deny or ignore has generated some Orwellian rationalizations. Somehow a bitumen pipeline has become part of Canada’s plan to tackle the climate crisis. Another fossil fuel, fracked gas, is being touted...
Editorial: What CSIS ought to investigate instead
Our federal government, and CSIS, are focusing on the wrong threats Recently, there has been publicity about a perception that Canada’s Intelligence Service – CSIS – has dedicated resources to investigating law-abiding, peaceful advocacy groups – and their members -- working to preserve Canada’s natural environment and its ...
Kootenay Savings Foundation gives out more than $57,000 in grants
Since being established in 1969, Kootenay Savings has made it a priority to make a lasting and meaningful impact in the Kootenays. One of the main ways the credit union invests back into the region is through the work of the Kootenay Savings Community Foundation, which this month distributed more than $57,000 in new grants ...
Column: Yes, we can resolve the climate crisis.
There’s no shortage of solutions to the climate crisis. Rapidly developing clean-energy technology, reducing energy consumption and waste, increasing efficiency, reforming agricultural practices and protecting and restoring forests and wetlands all put us on a path to cleaner air, water and soil, healthier biodiversity and ...
BC Government quietly releases response to expert fracking report
Province avoids investigation of human health impacts of fracking, despite independent scientific review warning of unknown risks to air and water By Sarah Cox, for The Narwhal The B.C. government has quietly released its response to an independent scientific panel’s report on hydraulic fracturing as it ushers in a...
Opinion: When 'legal' is also 'immoral.'
This morning, I received a message from the BC Government and became nearly incoherent with anger. I sent the following hastily-composed letter to the Premier and the relevant ministers: Dear BC Government: Your message about the fifth anniversary of the Tsilhqot'in Decision sparked rage in my aging brain -- at the BC...
Column: Can caribou and industry co-exist?
The economy-versus-environment debate is wrong-headed in elevating a changeable human construct to the same level or above the natural systems on which our health and well-being depend. And in many cases, it would be more accurate to characterize it as “environment versus corporate interests.” Although those interests often...
Column: Getting to Zero
We’re caught in a bad cycle. Global greenhouse gas emissions are still rising, causing more extreme weather events and temperature swings. Hotter than normal weather in some places and colder in others means more people are using heat and air conditioning, which creates more emissions…According to a statistical review by oil...
