Column: Life, change, kindness, tao
Arc CC Two-hundredth Arc demands big thoughts, serious topics “It’s a little embarrassing that after 45 years of research and study, the best advice I can give people is to be a little kinder to each other.” — Aldous Huxley** I feel the embarrassment of Huxley, today. I’ve been writing this column for more than […]
Column: Natural world improves health and well-being
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 […]
Column: To turn away from a sixth mass extinction
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 […]
Column: Protecting polluters, punishing protestors
This summer, five climate activists in the U.K. were sentenced to four and five years in jail for taking part in nonviolent actions. Their sentences are considerably longer than those recently handed down to people convicted of participating in violent racism-fuelled riots in the U.K., which were on average two years, with some escaping jail […]
Campfire ban rescinded in Southeast Fire Centre
BC Wildfire Service said in a media release that effective at 12 p.m. (noon) PDT on Monday, August 26, 2024, campfires will be allowed in the Southeast Fire Centre. The BC Wildfire Service takes several factors into account before rescinding open burning prohibitions. This includes balancing the needs of the public with the need to […]
Fossil fuel subsidies cost Canadians a lot more money than the carbon tax
[Editor’s Note: The article below focuses on the federal carbon pricing system; please be aware that in BC, the Province runs its own carbon pricing system, but the carbon price for each is the same, and both the federal and the BC systems have rebates – paid quarterly – to benefit low-income and medium-income households. […]
All hands on deck as Nelson Fire and Rescue Services battle suspicious fires in Heritage City
Firefighters in the City of Nelson responded to numerous suspicious fire reports that rocked the city Wednesday evening, including a brush fire at Gyro Park that needed assistance from a near-by bucketing helicopter to extinguish Nelson Fire and Rescue Services said in a media release. The rush of calls started at 6:20 p.m. when several […]
Southeast Fire Centre issues area restriction for Slocan Lake Complex
The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Slocan Lake Complex, including, but not limited to, the Aylwin Creek wildfire (N51065), Komonko Creek wildfire (N51210), Nemo Creek wildfire (N51103), Ponderosa FSR wildfire (N51069), and Mulvey Creek wildfire (N51117). In the interest of public and responder safety, an area restriction is now in effect within […]
Column: Truth in Advertising
The fossil fuel industry has made a lot of false or misleading claims over the years: burning the fuels doesn’t cause climate change, there’s no viable replacement for them, “natural” gas is a climate solution, coal power can be “clean,” carbon capture and storage will make oilsands bitumen climate-friendly… But a new rule requiring industry […]
Column: Undeniable economic case for climate action
Working to resolve the climate crisis is a tremendous economic opportunity. Even normally conservative organizations such as the International Monetary Fund agree that the benefits far outweigh the costs. Of course, the global consumer-based capitalist system encourages waste and destructive practices in the name of financial gain, so the necessary transformational change really requires a […]