urbngreen

  November 5th – 7th at the Landmark Cinemas

at The New Westminster Skytrain Station

 New West Film Fest Website

Bill McKibben  is the founder of  350.org .

In this short film he makes it very clear what has to happen; people need to “do the math” and make changes!

EcoJustice, is a charitable organizations working to  protect Canadian rights to a healthy environment. Over 100 countries world wide have already recognized their citizens rights, Canada should be next.

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

– Native American Proverb

This year February 6th  will be  “National Sweater Day”  supported by the World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF)

In an effort to demonstrate the power of  individual actions equalling one big statement, dozens of retailers including grocery giant Loblaw have agreed to participate by lowering their stores temperatures by 3 degrees and wearing a sweater instead.

Wearing a sweater is a symbolic way people can participate in the ongoing dialogue about energy conservation and personal consumption.

Office workers, businesses and schools alike are encouraged to  book a call from granny to be reminded about the big event.

By wearing the ugly sweater from the back of your closet you can help too.  There are prizes to be won, so spread the word and  sign up!

Take action, its easy and fun,  and you really can make a difference!

Save Wolf Lake from Rob Nelson on Vimeo.

The Idle No More movement is the most important thing to happen in 2012 and maybe in our lifetime.

Idle No More began as a protest to bill C-45. First Nations People in Canada are taking to the streets, to Parliament buildings, Art Galleries,  and Malls across this nation. They are standing up for their rights. The rights of the land, air and water and the future for All Canadians.

A photo started going around Facebook this week with information about Attiwapiskat Chief Theresa Spenc and her hunger strike. She wants to meet with Prime Minister Steven Harper. She wants the Government of Canada to respect the land rights treaty. She is doing this to draw attention to her issues that are issues for all Canadians. 

Wab Kinew explains the Idle No More protests.

 #IdleNoMore is about the Environment

Idle No More started in part because of outrage that Bill C-45 reduced the number of federally protected waterways. The environment continues to be a regular topic at Idle No More protests. Dr. Pam Palmater, one of the leading voices in the Idle No More conversation, argues this is indigenous environmentalism is significant since the crown has a duty to consult with Aboriginal people before natural resource projects proceed. She says, “First Nations are Canadians’ last, best hope of protecting the land, water, sky and plants and animals for their future generations as well.”

Defend our Coast was a political action that united  thousands of people.  On October 22 2012  people from across Canada gathered at the Victoria Parliament buildings to send a message.

5000 people risked arrest to say NO to the tar sands in Alberta, the pipeline to our coast, and super tankers off our shores.

Here are some pictures I took there that day;

from Ecojustice Canada

Soot, also known as “Black Carbon” is a major contributor to pollution around the world. Soot is microscopic airborne particles that are redeposited reeking havoc on the ecosystem and  causes major problems in the Arctic.  Soot comes from diesel engines, industrial smokestacks and residential cooking and heating stoves.

When black carbon falls on snow and ice, it reduces reflectivity and speeds up melting, the absorption of sunlight by soot heats the atmosphere. In addition to faster melting ice, many respiratory problems have been directly linked to pollution caused by soot.

Tighter regulations on soot producing practices around the world are needed.  Visit StopSoot.Ca to find out more about what can be done to curb the amount of soot in the atmosphere.