As youth march for a safe climate, politicians pander to polluters It’s hard for me to imagine what life must be like for young people today. Once again, they took to the streets this month — along with older allies — to call for action on the climate crisis. Yet, here in Canada and elsewhere, […]

A message in my inbox requests that I discuss what a volunteer firefighter plate signifies when displayed on a personal vehicle. The reader suggests letting them by if they seem in a rush. A volunteer firefighter is not permitted to drive in excess of the posted speed limit so this courtesy could make the difference […]

I’ve been in Ottawa the last two weeks as Parliament resumes sitting after its summer break.  It was a relaxing summer for most of us, but I want to acknowledge that for some it was full of anxiety and stress due to wildfires.  The Slocan Valley in particular was on fire for many weeks, forcing […]

By Randy Shore The government’s capacity to manage wildlife has declined steadily for decades. Its ability to conduct meaningful science is scraping along at rock bottom. Just last week we learned that government field staff are being asked to turn in their cell phones and have lost funding for travel, which will likely force the […]

I was honored to present the King Charles III Coronation Medal to four very special constituents: Darlene Schultz, Ann Godderis, Gerry Rempel, and Jan Morton were all recognized for their exemplary service. One hundred and fifty-five recipients throughout the province received this award, representing a diverse group of individuals who have made significant contributions to […]

BC NDP MLAs Brittny Anderson and Katrine Conroy say people in the Kootenays will be safer during emergencies, with provincial funding that will better equip local governments to reduce the risk of disasters. “People in the Kootenays know that climate change is not a theory – it’s real, and it’s impacting our homes and communities […]

A major initiative in the U.K. has confirmed what many studies have found: spending time in nature is good for you! The government-supported project helped more than 8,000 people in England connect with nature through outdoor walks, community gardening, tree planting and wild swimming. According to the Guardian, “The results showed that after taking part […]

Paradigm shift needed to address climate change, biodiversity loss Much of the focus in trying to address climate breakdown is rightly on reducing emissions from burning gas, oil and coal. But an equally critical part of the equation is halting and reversing rampant destruction of the natural world. Whether or not you believe our planet […]

Experiment: take human brain, add consciousness, stir “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” — Pierre Teilhard de Chardin This column is a far stretch from my columns on history or culture, I admit. Be forewarned, I’m playing with ideas, not establishing facts, about consciousness […]

Would you believe me if I told you that the positioning of a stop sign at an intersection has nothing to do with where you must stop? Yes, the sign tells you that you must stop, but the markings on the roadway, or lack of them, tell you where the stop has to take place. […]