Column: From the Hill -- Court Ruling on KM Pipeline; an Emergency Meeting
Last Tuesday I was in Ottawa for an emergency meeting of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources in the wake of the Federal Court of Appeal decision that quashed the federal government’s approval of the Trans Mountain Expansion project. The court quashed the approval based on two errors—the lack of consideration of marine...
Column: Constituents' concerns
On Sunday I completed my third annual “Ride the Riding” event, cycling 411 kilometres from Naramata to Nakusp. The ride provides an opportunity to meet and talk with constituents on the trail or at scheduled stops in cafes and restaurants in communities throughout the riding, celebrates the beautiful cycling trails we have ...
Op/Ed: BC's Timid Response to Climate Change -- and Twelve Solutions
I wish I didn’t have to write this. I count myself a friend of the NDP/Green Alliance, and I had high hopes for the government’s new climate action plans. [1] BC’s Ministry of Environment has published a series of Clean Growth Intentions Papers, with a deadline for public feedback of August 24th, in the heart of this fire and...
Column: Wildfires; lightning, people . . . and climate change
Scientists, journalists, environmentalists and others who draw the connection between increasing wildfires and global warming often face a backlash. It’s not climate change; it’s lightning, careless smokers or campers, poor forestry management, industrial activity or sparks from vehicles, bad government… ...
From the Hill - MP speaks to wildfires
It’s now official — 2018 has just become British Columbia’s second worst forest fire season in history, second only to last year. Residents have endured weeks of heavy smoke, some have been evacuated from their communities, and some have unfortunately lost their homes. Businesses have suffered as tourists leave or stay away,...
Column: Philosophy, History and the Human Condition
“To sit with Elders of the human race. All will be revealed.” -- Led Zepplin, Kashmir “Me and some of my friends, we were gonna change the world, we were gonna make it better… but it fell apart, and it broke my heart.” -- Neil Young, Giant on the Land “... just a hippie ...
Opinion: Philosophy Shrugged: Ignoring Ayn Rand Won’t Make Her go Away
Article by Skye C. Cleary, from Aeon Philosophers love to hate Ayn Rand. It’s trendy to scoff at any mention of her. One philosopher told me that "No one needs to be exposed to that monster." Many propose that she’s not a philosopher at all and should not be taken seriously. The problem is that people are taking her seriously....
Editorial: How to avoid . . . breathing?
Recent announcements on air quality have stressed the hazards of breathing smoky air to children, old people, and anyone with respiratory issues such as asthma. But it’s bad for everyone, and we should all avoid it, whatever our age and level of health. Need convincing? Here’s some information about wildfire smoke from the...
Op/Ed: Wildsight comments on Columbia River Treaty negotiations
By Wildsight Representatives of the Canadian and American federal governments met on August 15th and 16th for the second round of negotiations to update the 54-year old Columbia River Treaty. The meetings were held, not in Ottawa or Washington, but in Nelson, in the Canadian Columbia River Basin. The treaty between the two ...
Column: 'Hot-house Earth' isn't inevitable -- yet. There are cool solutions
In the midst of worldwide record heat, devastating wildfires, droughts, refugee crises, and torrential rains and flooding, some particular disturbing headlines have hit the news. “Planet at risk of heading towards irreversible 'hothouse' conditions” the CBC announced. Similar headlines appeared in other media outlets. As CBC...
