tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27374848641705886802024-03-05T12:18:46.016-08:00Ian GartshoreViewpoints of an Engaged CitizenIan Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-6674870611390190552022-10-10T21:12:00.009-07:002022-10-10T21:22:29.197-07:00Reducing homelessness, increasing livability<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMX-aQpdh6YIReOuNwmOAICth9EB9r0PBXl81qSU39ZEtUctxUY8E61jE6eYlqROAWAglEB-IbvPYiuhznejC5-iZDD06sFFENI0xEd_jsyIkgjUZ4-XR3o33pFoVBAP-BeC4QzcP8jVlPPWxhU3hGCDKtG3DZPI3KmDnwjjXuvXrkbS4lrBM4MQi5/s296/images3Fq3Dnanaimo2Bcity2Bhall26hl3Den26biw3D115226bih3D59926gbv3D226tbs3Disch-1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=142&vpy=87&dur=1301&hovh=192&hovw=256&tx=155&ty=109&oei=hpxDTb3nBYnGsAOHg_iaCg&esq=1&p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="296" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMX-aQpdh6YIReOuNwmOAICth9EB9r0PBXl81qSU39ZEtUctxUY8E61jE6eYlqROAWAglEB-IbvPYiuhznejC5-iZDD06sFFENI0xEd_jsyIkgjUZ4-XR3o33pFoVBAP-BeC4QzcP8jVlPPWxhU3hGCDKtG3DZPI3KmDnwjjXuvXrkbS4lrBM4MQi5/w320-h240/images3Fq3Dnanaimo2Bcity2Bhall26hl3Den26biw3D115226bih3D59926gbv3D226tbs3Disch-1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=142&vpy=87&dur=1301&hovh=192&hovw=256&tx=155&ty=109&oei=hpxDTb3nBYnGsAOHg_iaCg&esq=1&p.jpg" title="Nanaimo City Hall" width="320" /></a></p></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">Simplistic and populist politicians frequently fail to appreciate the long-term consequences of their platform and thrust. <br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">Dropping a stone into a still
pond send ripples in every direction. Everything is connected and related to
some extent; those who have eyes to see will recognise this truth in human activities.
</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">I understand the hardships being
experienced by increasing numbers of people in the world due to the
inflationary effects of higher fossil fuel costs. The ‘ripples’ from their excessive
profits have impacted the price of food (largely grown on oil/gas dependent chemical
fertilisers, pesticides and other inputs), oil-dependent transportation, and
virtually everything else. Now interest rates are rapidly climbing, further
impacting those who have limited incomes.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">In the same way, cities
negatively impact the cost of living (and far more) by being car-centric. The physical
space to accommodate the automobile takes up valuable real estate that would otherwise
be available for walking and cycling infrastructure, housing, parks, food-growing
gardens, community centres, and local services (located near where people
live). Having all that space paved over IS costly.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN">A case in point: the housing project at Brechin
and Estevan in Nanaimo. Having to provide an underground parking stall to every
apartment, including subsidized ones, doubles the cost of a one-bedroom suite, thus
‘driving’ the rental price of those units beyond what many people can afford.
By accommodating cars, the cost of housing is greatly inflated.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN">It is an irony that cities often provide free
on-street parking for vehicles, but don’t provide free housing for its people.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN">On the other hand, cities that emphasis
community-building and resilience by providing such amenities as community
spaces and active transportation options (walking, cycling, transit) that are
viable options to driving, are also cities that enjoy better health outcomes, less
pollution, lowered living expenses, and a greater sense of safety and security.
</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN">It often surprises people to learn that the
average motor vehicle costs $10,000 per year (CAA stats), as most people forget
to include depreciation, loan interest, and some other factors to the cost of
driving. By shifting some transportation to walking, cycling & transit, many
people can easily save a couple of thousand of dollars a year, more than making
up for the higher initial taxes to build out the needed infrastructure. Once
the transition is more complete, then the tax rate can actually drop, simply
because a very car-centric city is an expensive city to operate.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN">Added bonuses to embracing more livable cities
include: less homelessness, depression, anxiety, family breakups, violence,
crime rates, fewer deaths from the tainted drug supply, and more.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN">We will always have cars. There is no “war
against vehicles.” We simply must decide for ourselves what is more important:
cars or people. Parking or housing. Traffic flow or bicycle paths. Convenience
or health and safety. It really is this simple. Why can’t cities offer the
freedom to choose how we want to move about?</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN">For these reasons I am supporting the civic
election candidates who embrace a livable Nanaimo, as found on this researched
website: <a href="https://www.climatevotenanaimo.com/">www.climatevotenanaimo.com</a>.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">Everything is connected to
everything else. The decisions our leaders make will make or break life in the
immediate and especially longer term, just as a stone thrown in a pond creates
ripples in every direction.</span></span></p>
<p></p>Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0Nanaimo, BC, Canada49.1658836 -123.940064720.855649763821155 -159.0963147 77.476117436178839 -88.7838147tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-73780660938468702762022-01-09T21:24:00.003-08:002022-01-09T21:24:54.490-08:00Indigenous Health Perspectives are Needed<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://i.cbc.ca/1.5817792.1606425067!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_780/robin-wall-kimmerer.jpg" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Robin Wall Kimmerer</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Increasingly Indigenous perspectives on environmental
stewardship is being recognised as the only way all humans will be able to co-exist
with Earth. Given that First Nations have thousands of years of experience in
the management of plants, soils, water and wildlife, why would they not be able
to improve on current trends that are proving destructive of our life-support
system?</span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Robin Wall Kimmerer’s popular book, <i>Braiding Sweetgrass:
Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants</i>, powerfully
addresses the western scientific blindness to nature-based science. “Western
science is a powerful way of knowing, but it isn't the only one,” <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/radio/tapestry/why-is-the-world-so-beautiful-an-indigenous-botanist-on-the-spirit-of-life-in-everything-1.5817787">says
Kimmerer.</a></span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">While science is, in theory, open to new ways of understanding
the world, it often isn’t. Kimmerer, like most Indigenous peoples in the
western world, have had their traditional forms of knowledge ridiculed and
dismissed. (See more about this here: <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/radio/tapestry/why-is-the-world-so-beautiful-an-indigenous-botanist-on-the-spirit-of-life-in-everything-1.5817787">https://www.cbc.ca/radio/tapestry/why-is-the-world-so-beautiful-an-indigenous-botanist-on-the-spirit-of-life-in-everything-1.5817787</a>.)</span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Other Indigenous peoples are proving just how traditional
methods are equally scientific. I found Nicole Redvers book <i>The Science of
the Sacred; Bridging Global Indigenous Medicine Systems and Modern Scientific
Principles</i> to be highly illuminating, where she proves the scientific
foundation to many Indigenous methods of healing.<span> </span>Their approach is far more holistic than are
the standard western medical practices, methods that honour the patient and
their context.</span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Indigenous peoples have thousands of years of experience in
healing illnesses and promoting health. Here is a 45-minute film about First
Nations in Colombia who have been preventing an outbreak of Covid-19 with apparent
good outcomes (Spanish with English subtitles): <a href="https://cosmopandemic.esperanzaproject.com/?lang=en">https://cosmopandemic.esperanzaproject.com/?lang=en</a><span class="MsoHyperlink">.</span></span></span> </p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Did you know that the active ingredient found in the majority
of modern medications originated in plants? By combining these ingredients with
foreign materials (usually synthetic oil derivatives), the pharmaceutical
companies are able to patent their invention and thereby generate enormous profits.
What I find so amazing is that while those corporations know well the science behind
the healing properties of thousands of plants, the medical community is almost utterly
ignorant of them, and frequently dismissive of those who prefer to use those
plants in their unadulterated (usually safer) form. Indeed, physicians
typically learn very little about nutritional health in their programs of
study. There is a historical reason for this: about a century ago the western
medical system was largely funded by an oil baron by the name of Rockefeller.</span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Increasing numbers of people are turning to natural methods
of healing after suffering from side-effects (some very serious) from those
oil-derived “health” products. While they are powerful, and frequently
effective at treating the symptoms of the illness, and are prescribed by
usually caring and highly trained practitioners, they seldom cure the patient.</span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps just as we are beginning to value Indigenous
approaches to improving Earth’s health, it may be time to learn from them when
it comes to embracing our own health. Certainly there is a tremendous amount of
scientific research being conducted on plants, much of which is being actively
suppressed by search engines and health authorities, just as vital information
about the increasingly sick state of planet Earth is not being taken seriously
by corporate and political bodies. Colonialism is still with us. But not likely
for much longer.</span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our well-being depends on it.</span></span></p>
Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-89983817581106080812021-09-27T18:19:00.001-07:002021-09-27T18:19:44.359-07:00A Third Approach to the COVID-19 Pandemic; Diversifying our Options<p><span style="font-size: large;">The issue</span> <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUL0TXr0Sp-7QKx9coZfWpkp_TCEodszCM1n7_FJMd1HhGzv5G1oX_eqPVLEQAlzoZaOJ1E_nAt6aSEYNfTRDf-C-ScnV9Tb0upEkQ4J63be9dB_XH7aTicVSN5fpB-HzkyB7V7_a6TU/s533/242461957_10159474317648996_6122013909999790280_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="434" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUL0TXr0Sp-7QKx9coZfWpkp_TCEodszCM1n7_FJMd1HhGzv5G1oX_eqPVLEQAlzoZaOJ1E_nAt6aSEYNfTRDf-C-ScnV9Tb0upEkQ4J63be9dB_XH7aTicVSN5fpB-HzkyB7V7_a6TU/w326-h400/242461957_10159474317648996_6122013909999790280_n.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A tremendous amount of fear and
anger are presently being felt and expressed in our society over the COVID-19
pandemic. Most of us are tired of the restrictions, especially the lack of easy
physical proximity and/or contact, and all of us want this to be over. </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Those who will not (or cannot)
be vaccinated are concerned about their health. Those who have been vaccinated
but fear being infected by the un-vaccinated also fear for their health, and
believe that if everyone did accept the vaccine the pandemic would finally end.
Health authorities and the province are putting a lot of pressure on the un-vaccinated
to get the jab. The un-compliant are experiencing a great deal of shaming and
shunning. Some of these have become angry (shame often does that) and/or
depressed ; some have become militant, organising marches on hospitals and
other public sites. This only enrages the public. The battle lines deepen. </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Nobody is winning this battle.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let’s step back for a moment
here. The two “sides” have more in common than they do apart! Both “sides” want
to stay healthy. They have different perspectives on how to accomplish it, that’s
all. While many people are strongly entrenched in their perspectives, nevertheless
we all want the same thing. Another thing in common: both “sides” are afraid.
Fear also leads to anger, and when combined with shame, fear becomes toxic. It
is fear that divides us. </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I strongly believe there is a
third way that gives us an opportunity to all work together, hence this blog.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It may be difficult for those
who are at the far ends of the debate to digest my views. I only ask that
everyone reading this try to be curious. Even if you disagree, please at least
consider an opinion that may not be yours, as I have been trying to do with the
opposing sides. We are all, after all, humans who are trying to do our best
with this crisis.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Science</span></b></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Science is usually referenced
by those pushing for vaccinations. What, exactly, is science?; there is more
than one kind.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Western (Newtonian) science
is dominant in our part of the world. Unlike the more holistic, energy-based
quantum science, Newtonian science largely seeks to identify the individual
components of the physical world and so view us more like machines than living beings. Such a piece-meal approach is evident in the
creation of a vaccine that replicates only the spike protein used by the COVID-19
virus. The hope is that our immune system will recognise the virus just from
the spike part and prevent the virus from getting too far. There is lots of
evidence that the vaccines are mostly accomplishing this, at least for a few
months. Unfortunately, like most pharmaceutical products, it has side-effects.
For most people these fade after a few days. Surprisingly, Dr. Rose of the FDA reports
that a sizable percentage are injured by it and not a few die within two weeks
of getting the jab. (Audio recordings of her presentation can be found on a
number of websites, including <a href="https://americanbuddhist.net/2021/09/17/dr-jessica-rose-speaks-truth-to-fda-audio/">this
one</a>.) Her report is <a href="https://www.dailyveracity.com/2021/09/20/fauci-believes-fda-will-soon-approve-mass-booster-campaign-saying-the-story-is-not-over-as-pfizer-rolls-out-vaccines-for-kids-aged-5-11/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=pmd_nDSi0kIUV6pVP0TmUtZSRDX1f6oqq1NW9fBQtd.71CA-1632445421-0-gqNtZGzNApCjcnBszQiR">delaying
the authorisation</a> for a booster shot for the general population. While
Newtonian science is powerful, it is also limited. It can be harmful. This is
part of what those opposed to vaccines are trying to say (often too
forcefully). </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On the other hand, those who
believe their human rights are being denied and who are also unwilling to take
the steps to reduce harm to especially the vulnerable (those who have
pre-existing medical issues, which is a sizeable and growing segment of our
population) are being irresponsible. If we do not act together, we may never
find our way out of this mess.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A third way</span></b></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Western (Newtonian) science is
not the only kid on the block. In fact, it is the <i>new</i> kid on the block.
For centuries Indigenous and traditional peoples have found amazing ways to
address illnesses, including eliminating viral infections. They have learned,
over thousands of years, what is effective. In fact, a large number of
present-day pharmaceuticals originated from Indigenous knowledge. Is it not curious that their wisdom has not been sought in
our current dilemma? </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The plant world offers us many
powerful anti-viral solutions. In alphabetic order here are a number of them: clove,
eucalyptus, ginger, hyssop, manuka (as in the honey; the oil is taken from the
actual flowers of the manuka bush), tea tree (melaleuca), melissa, mountain
savory, myrrh, oregano, Ravensara, rosewood, sage, tarragon, and Idaho tansy.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We can add to this list other
solutions that have shown a great deal of power to blunt the effects of this
virus, such as vitamins C & D, zinc, curcumin (from turmeric), green tea,
quercetin, and NAC (<span class="kwd-text">N-acetylcysteine). You can read more
about these from my </span><a href="https://www.iangartshore.ca/2020/05/my-plan-response-to-coronavirus.html">earlier
blog</a><span class="kwd-text">.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="kwd-text">While I
think that medicine serves us best by improving our immune systems, which the vaccines
target, natural methods are far safer. Here is an <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ei2JJRxU2MpPTWroM8KAk?si=5sz-dIolR7mkXykN0MHCPg&dl_branch=1&nd=1">audio
interview</a> of a naturopathic doctor of how he and his team have been
successfully treating patients to naturally boost their immune systems. So far
none of his patients have died of COVID.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, science that is
utilised only to profit shareholders will not be put to the service of
determining the efficacy of natural methods, unless they can be synthesised,
patented and profited. The pharmaceutical industry decided to instead create
vaccines, likely as these do not rely on people remembering to use natural
products on a daily basis. It seems that we are not trustworthy to manage our
own health, and by extension, the health of others. Doubting our ability to be capable has greatly hampered the efforts to end the pandemic.<br /></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="kwd-text">I firmly
believe that all of us, vaccinated or not, if we are going to be responsible and actually end this pandemic, should be regularly taking a mixture
of the plants and vitamins just mentioned. Why? Because everyone, vaccinated or not, is
potentially a carrier of the virus, and because the vaccines currently available
quickly lose their potency (which is why booster shots are now being openly
proposed). As mentioned, the most popular vaccines at present aid the body only
to recognise part of the virus, whereas traditional vaccines (that can last up
to a life-time) often contain the whole (but dead) infectious agent.
Traditional and Indigenous approaches to diseases always take a holistic
approach, unlike our current technological medicine. The side-effects are
typically rare and not serious when a nature-based approach is taken. <b><i>Our
current singular solution, placing all of our eggs in one vaccine basket <span class="kwd-text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">–</span></span>something wise
investors will not do<span class="kwd-text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">–</span></span> is being just as irresponsible as are those who opt to do
nothing to protect themselves and others from this virus.</i></b> Failing to learn from
traditional and Indigenous peoples, but instead pushing them aside, is simply
an extension of a colonial attitude of superiority. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="kwd-text">Our lauded
technologies will not save us from this virus nor from the impending
destruction of our life-support system, Mother Earth. Living in harmony with
Earth and her wisdom-keepers is the only approach that will.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="kwd-text">Even if all
Canadians and North Americans were vaccinated against COVID-19 this will not
prevent new variants from arriving from developing countries (which the Delta
variant did). In fact less than half of the world’s population has had just one
vaccine. It is virtually impossible, even if developed countries did not hoard
the vaccines, that the world’s vaccination rate will reach even 90%, the
current goal for “herd immunity.” There is no "us and them;" we are truly in this all together.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Science at the service of humanity, not only corporations</span></b> <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At its finest, science of all
kinds encourages questioning, exploring, and improving. It is founded on the
premise that theories need to be tested, not assumed to be correct. Authentic
science in the service of humanity and Earth is not limited to the
profit-seeking corporate world. Science in the service of life considers all
possibilities, and sometimes experiences break-through discoveries in areas not
at all expected.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let’s return to the root cause
of our fear: illness and death. None of us desire either –this common interest does
unite us all. So why are we putting so much money and energy into just one
solution to defeat a virus that will likely infect all of us sooner or later?
Waiting for everyone to be vaccinated is leading to a great deal of harm resulting from
starvation and deaths that may be averted if science were also engaged to
create other solutions that are successfully being used elsewhere.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If we took a multi-pronged approach,
we could turn our attention to far more serious issues. Earth is increasingly
on fire, flooding, and producing more famines, and what remains of old growth
forests (which provide many benefits, including future medicines) are being
terminated. We would all benefit if we seriously tackled the many other
pressing matters, such as homelessness and housing affordability, rising rates
of (non-COVID) illness, loneliness, huge rates of anxiety and depression,
especially in the younger population, and more. Loneliness alone evidently
kills hundreds of thousands of people each year. Just because the powerful
pharmaceutical industry has decided to focus only on one solution to this one
problem does not mean we should neglect other solutions and other issues. Our
lives depend on it.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I believe that all of us need to be responsible for
ourselves, each other, and our common Earth-ship. We cannot afford to depend on
governments keener to serve corporations than our well-being. Together,
vaccinated or not, we need to safely and responsibly come together and tackle
the problems that overshadow COVID-19. Only then will we be able to live life
more fully, meaningfully and securely.</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_gyWKpTvNIq_GkN99q6leS1KSwnwG7_0bJUHk12PIDDjZDwSGxhH55hYeQTZ-DscK5-ewUq19DXeOMDV0WMPMU54-LpFbh5uHAIPQ0FPTtZyfMwUeH9BGGgU7cl6tkJ-ONmFqZ9fQi0/s533/242461957_10159474317648996_6122013909999790280_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="434" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_gyWKpTvNIq_GkN99q6leS1KSwnwG7_0bJUHk12PIDDjZDwSGxhH55hYeQTZ-DscK5-ewUq19DXeOMDV0WMPMU54-LpFbh5uHAIPQ0FPTtZyfMwUeH9BGGgU7cl6tkJ-ONmFqZ9fQi0/w522-h640/242461957_10159474317648996_6122013909999790280_n.jpg" width="522" /></a></p></div><br />Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com2429X+PC Nanaimo, BC, Canada49.119367999999987 -123.951455746.329051257839851 -128.34598695 51.909684742160124 -119.55692445tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-84492751558105697602021-01-16T11:21:00.006-08:002021-01-16T12:24:27.819-08:00Our Language of Relationship with Earth<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “It
is the theory which decides what we can observe.” ~Albert Einstein</span></span></p><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Language is powerful. Words form concepts
which, in turn, determine how we view, and treat, both people and planet.</span></span></span></p><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizK9WFebr75hGTacfCmijAq8hj0UwQuyXQ-CbXTaUvk69Y4dSeCI_2EYrj5sbNGwLNTksfqQj0EbE3ItJd6woBWrwHN7DPvjTlNmcgvSaWYIsakIWsI3mbzcD4X_LTJ4dCRy1xR5NJRdA/s800/11825943_407375519459994_1229453367924005597_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizK9WFebr75hGTacfCmijAq8hj0UwQuyXQ-CbXTaUvk69Y4dSeCI_2EYrj5sbNGwLNTksfqQj0EbE3ItJd6woBWrwHN7DPvjTlNmcgvSaWYIsakIWsI3mbzcD4X_LTJ4dCRy1xR5NJRdA/s320/11825943_407375519459994_1229453367924005597_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are so accustomed to thinking of one another, and Mother Earth,
according to their utility or purpose that we easily fail to grasp how sacred
life is. For example, when we meet someone new we are likely to ask them what
they do for a living, rather than to meet someone and value them for simply
being themselves. What would life be like if we instead asked <i>who</i> they are, what
interests them, animates them, inspires them?
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Our
language similarly turns Mother Earth into a thing. We call her “the” planet,
and the cradle of our existence becomes “the” environment. Ergo, i</span>f “the
planet” is a “thing” then there is seemingly no harm in using and abusing “it.”
Contrast this with an Indigenous perspective, namely that Mother Earth is a
living being with whom we are in relationship, and to whom we owe our very
existence. </span></span></p><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">By shifting our language, our
mind-set, from the “what” to the “who,” we end up understanding our planetary home
very differently. Compare these two columns:</span></span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></span></div><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><table align="left" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium none; margin-left: 6.75pt; margin-right: 6.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid black; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid black; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-table-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-table-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-table-left: center; mso-table-lspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-rspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-top: .75pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 160; width: 482px;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 18.5pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid black; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 183.35pt;" valign="top" width="244">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span> </span>What</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> is the earth?</span></span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid black; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 177.9pt;" valign="top" width="237">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Who</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> is Earth?</span></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 18.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid black; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 183.35pt;" valign="top" width="244">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">A planet</span></span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor black black currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-style: none solid solid none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 177.9pt;" valign="top" width="237">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Creation, Mother Earth, Gaia</span></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 18.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid black; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 183.35pt;" valign="top" width="244">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Filled with resources to be exploited</span></span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor black black currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-style: none solid solid none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 177.9pt;" valign="top" width="237">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Is creative, wise</span></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 18.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid black; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 183.35pt;" valign="top" width="244">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Exists to serve our wants and needs</span></span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor black black currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-style: none solid solid none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 177.9pt;" valign="top" width="237">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Is life-giving</span></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 18.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid black; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 183.35pt;" valign="top" width="244">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Contains beauty and ugliness</span></span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor black black currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-style: none solid solid none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 177.9pt;" valign="top" width="237">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Is beautiful and spiritual</span></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 18.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid black; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 183.35pt;" valign="top" width="244">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Exists to serve our wants and needs</span></span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor black black currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-style: none solid solid none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 177.9pt;" valign="top" width="237">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Is relational, mutual, powerful </span></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 18.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid black; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 183.35pt;" valign="top" width="244">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Is a “thing”</span></span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor black black currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-style: none solid solid none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 177.9pt;" valign="top" width="237">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Mother, nurturing, giving, generous</span></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 18.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid black; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 183.35pt;" valign="top" width="244">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Is made of rock, water, air, soil</span></span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor black black currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-style: none solid solid none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 18.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 177.9pt;" valign="top" width="237">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Is relational</span></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19.2pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid black; height: 19.2pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 183.35pt;" valign="top" width="244">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Has no innate intelligence</span></span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor black black currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-style: none solid solid none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 19.2pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 177.9pt;" valign="top" width="237">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: .75pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Is intelligent & self-regulating</span></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>How on Earth</i></b> can we expect to do well travelling on this living,
breathing Earthship in outer space if we do not have a respectful and revering relationship
with her? <span>Our perspective (language)
determines the quality of our future on this gem of a planet. Our lives depend
on it.</span></span></span></p>
Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-49086555887578719652021-01-12T10:36:00.004-08:002021-11-15T15:45:11.741-08:00The Convergence of Resistance <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZiIaJZckdnVEwnaDADJdbl5SedHlgakrLwWza-w7RFobX6mNSWahru5UvoGllf4e2WPuKsTvj9SWcJTSHvb7m00UVQBEWeYFKgrkEGCwKbCusuMZFpk_SzwPsv-0Uc-H5EIq-0yZEw4/s1632/Hanging_together.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZiIaJZckdnVEwnaDADJdbl5SedHlgakrLwWza-w7RFobX6mNSWahru5UvoGllf4e2WPuKsTvj9SWcJTSHvb7m00UVQBEWeYFKgrkEGCwKbCusuMZFpk_SzwPsv-0Uc-H5EIq-0yZEw4/s320/Hanging_together.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">As one who tries to understand
people I have been most curious as to why conspiracy theories are being
embraced by those who normally do not see eye-to-eye. How is it that supporters
of Donald Trump are joined by those described as “new agers?” Politically, they
would otherwise have next to nothing in common.</span><p></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What both presently DO have in
common is a distrust of those who are in charge of the medical system and the governments
who rely on them. Why distrust the established medical field?</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When the pandemic emerged very
little was known about the virus. Initially it was believed that people could
easily become infected through touching infected surfaces, and so playgrounds
were closed down and copious amounts of alcohol-based sanitizers and chemically-laden
cleaners were put to use. Even when evidence ‘surfaced’ that virtually all
infections were caused by the spread of tiny viral-laden droplets, we were
continued to be told to sanitize everything. Thankfully playgrounds reopened. </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course, there are lots of
people who believe that having to wear a mask contravenes their human rights.
Maybe they believe the same thing about traffic rules. (It would certainly seem
so in my town!) All of us have to live with some restrictions in order to maintain
public order and society at large. We can’t kill someone just because we don’t
like them. We have to drive on the right side of the road unless it is a
one-way road. We knock on a neighbour’s door rather than simply walk in. What
is different now is that it has become imperative to wear masks when indoors
with others who are not in our “bubble.” This was also true during the Spanish
flu outbreak a century ago. Nobody likes having to wear masks. Most people also
don’t like getting sick and potentially dying from this virus, either. So we
are expected to wear masks.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One would usually expect that
“Alt-right” people would be alone in opposing mask-wearing, but this is not the
case. The same thing is true of those who oppose being injected by a vaccine. Why?</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I believe there are five principal
reasons.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span>1)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>A
lack of information about exactly where the outbreaks were/are occurring.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span>2)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>In
an attempt to squelch panic and/or doubt about the official discourse,
websites, social media posts, and the results generated by search engines have
been edited to downplay other sources of information, such as how to improve
one’s immunity.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span>3)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>The
expression “social distancing” was used (rather than the correct term,
“physical distancing”). We are social beings. We <b>have</b> to be sociable,
otherwise we begin to die inside. In fact, loneliness kills. In essence, we
were told to isolate. In a way this is like telling people to stop breathing.
So, the term was very poorly chosen. And is still being used, even though it is
extremely unwise.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span>4)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>To
me this point is the most important one, and reveals a huge gap in the current
medical model: instead of passively waiting for vaccines to be developed and
deployed, we should have been told how we could do our best to prepare for a
possible infection. If everyone were taking adequate amounts of vitamins C
& D, zinc, three specific amino-acids, drinking green tea, (similar to
washing our hands with soap) rinsing our noses with salt water, and getting
enough sleep and exercise; the death rate would likely be a small fraction of
what it has been. (See my earlier blog at <a href="https://www.iangartshore.ca/2020/05/my-plan-response-to-coronavirus.html"><span class="InternetLink">https://www.iangartshore.ca/2020/05/my-plan-response-to-coronavirus.html</span></a>.)<span> </span>Of course, the pharmaceutical industry loses
profits when we take care of our health, and the pharmaceutical industry is
making record profits at present.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span>5)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>This
virus behaves in a scary way. Pandemics, especially with a virus that hides its
presence until it has infected many others, is even more scary. Hospital
workers were rightfully scared, and a great many of them lost their lives while
attending to their patients. And. And! Fear reduces our immunity. When the
pandemic began to be taken seriously, with a total disregard to how we could
prepare our immune systems, it was fear that infected most of us. While fear
can control most people, some will push back against it and decide to become
their own authority.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">All of us need to feel secure
and in control of our lives no matter what our political views might be. If we
sense that we are not being told the whole truth, all while our lives are being
rocked, we want to push-back. Conspiracy theories emerge. Which ones are at all
true and which ones are not is up for debate. When we are able to make sense of
what is going on, truth or otherwise, and this perception does not fit the
official discourse, then resistance (ranging from passive to violent) will
emerge. This is especially inevitable among those who already have a low
ability to trust. </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Those who are already aware of how
to stay healthy, such as many “new agers,” are very unhappy about how governments
have responded to the pandemic, especially point number four above.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Since members of the Alt-right
are more likely to be vocal, well organised, and willing to push against the
status quo, it is only natural that anybody who is dissatisfied with government
responses to this crisis will easily get sucked into to the Alt-right’s
conspiracy theories. An article on this topic is situated in the province of Quebec, but it
is true elsewhere: <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-anti-mask-movement-qanon-covid-19-1.5737040">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-anti-mask-movement-qanon-covid-19-1.5737040</a>.
</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because of the five items listed
above, trust is being lost. Our society is in deep trouble –especially in the
United States with its soon-to-be former President being a cheer-leader of the
Alt-right movement.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, what can we do? We need to
take charge of our lives, not by insulting our common humanity by refusing to
wear masks, but by becoming proactive with our health. Follow the
recommendations of those who study health (sadly, not the medical community).
Demand that politicians and health authorities broadcast news about what
measures actually do reduce the risk of infection. Be socially active while also
being responsible for not transmitting the virus. Be calm. Accept the vaccine
should you wish it. And engage in proactive health measures in order to take
care of your health, even after the pandemic has passed. </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Your life may very well depend
on it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">p.s. after writing the above I came across a similar article written in the scientific Greater Good Magazine that points to how not trusting people has <a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_we_learned_about_human_behavior_from_the_pandemic" target="_blank">backfired</a>. (https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_we_learned_about_human_behavior_from_the_pandemic)<br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
</p>
Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-58790651915431621952020-10-19T16:10:00.010-07:002020-10-19T18:54:06.358-07:00Why the NDP has Failed its Supporters<p></p>The New Democratic Party has made a vital contribution to both Canada and British Columbia. Once considered to be the "social conscience" of politics, pushing for more progressive policies that benefit workers and the general population. Our national health care system and other notable services came into existence largely through its initiative.<br /><p></p><p>As more of us became aware that we utterly rely on a healthy planetary home, the NDP began to include this in its messaging. Eventually the NDP became a coalition of sorts, bringing together its labour wing with its environmental wing. While its labour wing has always been more important for financial and other reasons, many earth-friendly people supported or voted for the NDP, claiming that voting Green was "splitting the vote." As it turns out this is about as true as believing the earth is flat. But it is a belief that has been propagated by the mainstream parties, especially the sometimes acrimonious members of the NDP.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNMvojcCLHQCJ9n4DsJwEA6gvwz_VPhFyDhcdG1COJbxAOdgqNmOGwzDKZ5vg9Iz5ua-5GZ-YtUp2YrFCIs1N5E_9jZ7RvuCeULA7mwWAdI8HHg9CpwN5yOmYt0vzuKpZO01aYrZyYjI/s2048/Horgan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1313" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNMvojcCLHQCJ9n4DsJwEA6gvwz_VPhFyDhcdG1COJbxAOdgqNmOGwzDKZ5vg9Iz5ua-5GZ-YtUp2YrFCIs1N5E_9jZ7RvuCeULA7mwWAdI8HHg9CpwN5yOmYt0vzuKpZO01aYrZyYjI/w256-h400/Horgan.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><p></p><p>In the 2017 election many NDP candidates of what would become Mr. Horgan's cabinet promised to <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/michelle-mungall-site-c-broken-election-promises-1.4445039" target="_blank">cancel the Site C dam</a>, <a href="https://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/columnists/les-leyne-ndp-takes-firm-position-against-lng-1.2223659" target="_blank">kill the subsidies to the LNG industry</a> and promote earth-friendly policies. <br /></p><p>Understandably many NDP supporters became disillusioned and angered by the NDP government's decisions to proceed with the controversial Site C dam, a project started by the previous Liberal government, to support the LNG industry with its highly toxic fracking process, and to f<a href="https://thenarwhal.ca/it-s-official-no-provincial-charges-mount-polley-mine-spill-one-largest-environmental-disasters-canadian-history/" target="_blank">ail to lay charges against the owners of the Mount Polley mine</a>, one of the worst environmental disasters in Canadian history. Latterly, members have become alarmed by reports that almost all of the old growth forests in B.C. have been decimated, falling at an even faster rate than when the Liberal government was in power.</p><p>While many provincial members cling to their past memories of the NDP in the hope that it would return to its grass roots, increasing numbers have understandably shifted their allegiance to the Green Party.</p><p><b>Why</b> would the provincial NDP do such a poor job at managing B.C.'s natural beauty and its air & water quality, and find ways of maintaining a healthy diversity of its flora and fauna?</p><p>Sure, the NDP has close ties to organised labour. It made sense that the Premier would cave in to labour's demands to finish building the Site C dam. But the reason for continuing runs much deeper than this.</p><p>The newly minted Premier Horgan soon made a decision that would lay the path to his government's continuation of the Liberal energy legacy. He retained the services of a former director of the very right-wing Fraser Institute, an outspoken promoter of oil and gas development, by the name of <a href="https://thetyee.ca/News/2018/02/01/NDP-Retains-Fraser-Institute-Director/" target="_blank">Fazil Mihlar.</a> Mr. Mihlar is also notable as a Vancouver Sun columnist who opposed minimum wages, unions and public ownership. In other words, Mr. Horgan elected to retain an advisor whose views were, and are, diametrically opposite of traditional NDP values.</p><p>Why Mr. Horgan would make this decision is not known to me or most. But it certainly does give us the context to all subsequent decisions pertaining to energy, for you see the purpose for building the Site C dam was to provide cheap (subsidised) power for the LNG industry, not power electric vehicles. Recall that Mr. Mihlar is a strong proponent of fossil fuels. This also explains why Mr. Horgan's government (backed by the provincial Liberals) actually <b>increased</b> the public subsidy to the LNG industry. The three Green MLA's were the only ones who voted against this give-away.</p><p>Meanwhile, the LNG industry is in deep trouble. International prices for this fossil fuel are at rock bottom. Other suppliers, such as in Russia and Australia, are producing the product at lower cost than is possible in British Columbia. All energy experts (except, of course, those friendly to the industry) report that it is <a href="https://thetyee.ca/News/2020/06/10/BC-Government-LNG-Oil-Gas/ " target="_blank">fool-hearty</a> for B.C. to proceed. As with the troubled Site C dam, Mr. Horgan and his ministers only seem to listen to industry spokespeople.<br /></p><p>Mr. Horgan's administration has also pushed for pipelines, quickly granting permits for the Trans Mountain oil pipeline from Alberta, as well as for gas pipelines and terminals.</p><p>When the Covid-19 pandemic was messing with people and economies everywhere, the BC NDP government began plans for the $1.5 billion economic recovery. Their popular deputy minister of the environment and climate change strategy, Mark Zacharias, was abruptly canned by the Premier's office -evidently over the protest of the Environment Minister, George Heyman.</p><p>Why would the supposedly 'green' NDP can one of their best? When money is being spent by individuals or governments that which has the highest priority, what best fits our values, is most likely to rise to the top of our budget. In the struggle between two competing interests in the BC government of Mr. Horgan the environmental one lost out to the economic one (as if these can be separated). The Climate Solutions Council was pushed aside when the Economic Recovery Task Force was given top priority. Turns out this Task Force lacks anyone who would champion low-carbon, community-driven, projects. It is stacked with those representing heavy industry. This move represents the final blow to any pretense the NDP government had toward the environment. (More details are available at <a href=" https://thetyee.ca/News/2020/05/22/Environment-Ministry-Top-Manager-Fired/" target="_blank">this Tyee article</a>.)<br /></p><p>In the meantime the Site C dam is way over budget, and it is in trouble. As has been known for a few decades, one slope is inherently unstable, ironically made even more-so because of local fracking operations that create destabilising earthquakes. It is likely the NDP called the election when they did because they wanted to avoid the public embarrassment of this failed (or extremely expensive) project. With growing opposition to this mega-dam Mr. Horgan and all candidates in the 2020 snap election have <a href="https://www.pressreader.com/article/281625307777307 -NDP mum about the Site C dam" target="_blank">said nothing</a>, except to blame the Liberals for starting the project -even though the NDP ignored the B.C. Utilities Commission and arms-length large-project advisors that recommended against the project.</p><p>I do want to note that Mr. Horgan is extremely good at providing PR spin, citing the (ignored) Clean Energy Act, pushing the (false) belief that natural gas is cleaner than coal, ignoring the highly toxic chemicals being pumped into the ground (fracking), the lost prime agricultural land and treaty rights in the Peace River, and offering mere trinkets of programs to help homeowners save energy. Their transportation policies, outside of the lower mainland, are largely car-centric. Not very visionary.<br /></p><p>While the NDP government has done much that is good, certainly improving in the care of people when compared to the former Liberal government of Christy Clark, it is difficult to imagine what good these services are going to be once British Columbia has been levelled by industrialisation and Mother Earth is no longer able to sustain human life.<br /></p><p>With the increasing frequency of forest fires, rising sea-levels (that will submerge most of Vancouver), the devastation of wild fisheries and the rest of nature, there is no time to waste in shifting to a clean-energy economy, a 21st century transportation network, an empowering Guaranteed Livable Income, measures to save the wild fish and whale populations, a more robust and free mental health approach, and other measures being offered only by the Green Party of B.C.</p><p>For these and many other reasons (including the collaborative and compassionate Sonia Furstenau, the leader of the B.C. Greens) increasing numbers of NDP'ers are turning to the enlightened Green Party. And, for these as well as solid economic reasons, so are many disenchanted Liberals.</p><p>Most tellingly, the Green candidates who continue to be elected receive a large number of votes from the half of the electorate who otherwise have given up on the traditional parties. They sense that Greens alone cannot be bought by big industry and their unions, but actually say what they intend to do, and best represent their interests.<br /></p><p>I hope that the NDP continues. It offers a valuable perspective. It will, once again, need to return to its roots. And learn how to work with other MLA's as it was largely doing when responding to the pandemic --before abruptly terminating its government-stabilising agreement with the Greens.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-46907961223576205412020-05-03T17:47:00.054-07:002021-11-29T18:11:58.519-08:00My Plan A Response to the Coronavirus<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgfEtfRVFzOStRa66U1gXSMLfEFyI6HUkqc_eVqHIEnRJfdK9jtl8yNnLlWefIBzYCUm6smSzKM48ONjsbVD_YtYxANAQ-G9NGkxWjrOQBScIfq1ChpJxPS_MNatNaOf5sJBLBXxvpok/s1600/Healthy+sign.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgfEtfRVFzOStRa66U1gXSMLfEFyI6HUkqc_eVqHIEnRJfdK9jtl8yNnLlWefIBzYCUm6smSzKM48ONjsbVD_YtYxANAQ-G9NGkxWjrOQBScIfq1ChpJxPS_MNatNaOf5sJBLBXxvpok/s320/Healthy+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span><b>In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic </b>and,
(for most) the sense that life is weird, many are anxiously wondering whether
they or their loved ones will catch this virus. Governments are bleeding red
ink (about a generation’s worth!). Many are out of work, especially smaller businesses are
failing, the economy is in deep trouble, and nobody knows when, or even whether,
we will ever return to “normal.”</span></span></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span>We can passively wait around and hope that a
vaccine will save the day (maybe, but it might take more than a year, and, as</span><span><span> do all pharmaceuticals, i</span>t
will have side-effects ). Or we can empower ourselves
by building up our body’s natural immune system. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span>This novel coronavirus has not
been the first, nor the last, that will spread through the population. Can we
afford to shut down whole societies in an effort to defeat them, or will we
instead arm ourselves and thus enjoy healthier, longer, lives -viruses or not?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span>As it turns out worrying or stressing is hard
on our immune systems. <b>Wouldn’t it be better to be empowered and feel safer? </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span>People who suffer from chronic diseases </span>(lung
conditions such as COPD, diabetes, hypertension, heart issues, or an autoimmune
illness) <span>usually have poorer immune systems.
This is likely why these and </span>smokers, others who are immune suppressed or
who are overweight<span> are particularly susceptible
to the coronavirus and other viruses such as the cold and seasonal flu. </span>These
are the people who especially need to avoid public contact and take the best
care of themselves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span>Obviously the precautionary approach of avoiding
getting infected through frequent hand-washing (and <a href="https://universityhealthnews.com/aging-independence/combatting-coronavirus-dry-cracked-hands-make-first-line-of-defense-harder/" target="_blank">moisturizing</a>
to keep bugs from getting past your skin!), and physical distancing are the
most important. But if this, or any other virus, gets to you what kind of defense
do you have?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 12pt 0in 6pt;">
<b>Our natural immunity. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
Ideally we
would have been taking steps to create a robust immunity over the last few years. <span>Like developing muscles, building a healthy
immune system takes time and effort. Enjoying more of a peace of mind, feeling
better, functioning better, and avoiding having to miss out on life makes this
effort worth-while! </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span> There are a number of ways to enjoy a stronger immune system. Many of
these have an <i>more immediate</i> effect by reducing our stress levels, automatically
increases our immune power:<span><span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<ol>
<li>Drinking enough liquids, such as water infused with some lemon. Refreshing, and good for you! </li>
<li>Exercise and fresh air (preferably both); without these our bodies begin to fall apart<br /></li><li>Sleep, especially the hours between 10 - 2, receiving at least 7 or 8 hours per night on a regular routine, allows our immune system, brain and body functioning to work correctly<br /></li>
<li>Ensuring enough micronutrient absorption (see below) </li>
<li>Laughter and fun! </li>
<li>Meditation, mindfulness, prayer </li>
<li>Singing and dancing -both stimulate our entire brain. Even listening to music appears to boost not only our mood but also our <a href="https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/caught-corona-virus-blues-research-shows-music-medicine-powerful-antidote" target="_blank">immune system</a>! </li>
<li>Write a gratitude journal. </li>
<li>Social yet safe contact, a sense of belonging </li>
<li>Contribute to the betterment of others and our amazing world in whatever way you can</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
See<span>
other tips at <a href="https://universityhealthnews.com/stress-anxiety/proven-stress-relief-strategies/" target="_blank">https://universityhealthnews.com/stress-anxiety/proven-stress-relief-strategies/</a><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Our bodies contain billions of bacteria necessary for life. Probiotics (composed of bacteria and yeasts) are very important for our gut health. Since most of our immune system exists in our guts it is extremely important that we take care of them through helpful diets (see below). We also gain beneficial bacteria directly from nature, which is why we need to spend time outdoors. Getting our hands and/or feet into live soils, and spending time with trees and being close to the ocean, can confer valuable health benefits for our bodies. "Soil microbes help regulate our emotions and immune response. And they
also play a key role in determining the nutrient content of our food," wrote the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/uncovering-how-microbes-in-the-soil-influence-our-health-and-our-food/2019/09/27/81634f54-a4ba-11e9-bd56-eac6bb02d01d_story.html" target="_blank">Washington Post</a>. Similarly, while it is important that those most at risk from this virus keep away from most people, even they need to have some microbiome exchanges with other humans.<br /><span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<b><span>Nutrition </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span>There is clear evidence in the scientific community of our body’s need
for micronutrients. This should surprise no-one as all of us need fuel in order
to function -not only starches and proteins, but a myriad of nutrients. Micronutrients
are essential to the immune system to kill viruses and other disease agents. In
terms of viruses, such as the common cold and the seasonal flu, the research
(such as is shown <a href="https://www.dr-rath-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/micronutrients-against-viral-infections.pdf">here</a>
and <a href="https://elemental.medium.com/how-to-strengthen-your-immune-system-through-diet-b54d45c4e0f8">here</a>)
highlights the importance of having enough of these in our diets and/or supplementation:<br /></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span>vitamins
A, B, C, D<sub>3</sub>, & E </span></li>
<li><span>zinc &
selenium</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol";">iro</span><span>n</span></li>
<li><span>green
tea (or extract; provides important compounds such as <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/egcg-epigallocatechin-gallate#benefits" target="_blank">EGCG</a>)</span></li>
<li><span>three
amino acids in particular: Two are L-Lysine and N-acetylcysteine (<a href="https://universityhealthnews.com/nutrition/nac-benefits-helps-lung-problems-addictions-autism-bipolar-and-more/" target="_blank">NAC</a>)
-amazing amino acids for a variety of reasons, including virus destruction and clearing out of mucus in our passageways. Both of these are found in bone broths (see below). One amino acid that is very important in terms of helping us to absorb nutrients (hence be healthy) is L-glutamine. It fuels the small intestinal cells and lymphocytes, a primary immune cell. A variety of <a href="https://www.alive.com/health/amino-acids-revealed/" target="_blank">amino acids</a> do support our immune systems.<br /></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span><b>Vitamin C</b> is likely the <a href="https://www.dr-rath-foundation.org/2020/04/questions-and-answers-on-the-current-pandemic/#immunesystem" target="_blank">most crucial vitamin</a> in our bodies when it comes to being healthy -in part
because it is an antioxidant. It cleans up oxidants before they injure us. Monocytes, key to our immune response, have high amounts of vitamin C. A</span><span><span>ntioxidant (vitamin C & others) foods include citrus fruits, broccoli, peppers, berries, kiwi fruit, tomatoes, cauliflower and mango. (As well, a powerful antioxidant found in citrus fruits called quercitin stops some viruses by preventing them from replicating and spreading.)<br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;"><span><span>Want to know more about this important vitamin? Vitamin C has many other health benefits: it helps to detox & bind heavy metals, it serves as a fuel source for white blood cells, acts as a natural anti-histamine (think allergies), acts as a binding agent, helps to produce bile to digest fats such as vitamin A, D, E, K and omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamin C also plays a role in collagen formation, which is one of the proteins our immune system needs to make antibodies. <br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;"><span><span><span><span>There are a number of forms of vitamin C, too, so eating a variety of foods is important.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;"><span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;"><span>I highly recommend consuming <b>bone broths</b>, not only for the amino acids, but because a compound they contain known as mucopolysaccharides increases the function B and T cells, two of our body’s most important immune system cells. (Wrenshall L, et al. “Modulation of macrophage and B cell function by glycosaminoglycans.” J Leukoc Biol. 1999;66(3):391-400)<br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span>Most of us frequently lack enough <b>vitamin D3</b>, the “sunshine”
vitamin. This is almost certainly one supplement that has to be taken in the darker
months of the year, although this vitamin is found in </span><span>tuna, mackerel, and especially salmon, plus beef liver, mushrooms (maitake and portobello), cheese and egg yokes in smaller amounts. It appears that vitamin D also <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40520-020-01570-8" target="_blank">modulates our immune system</a> so that it does not over-react, potentially killing the person. The death rate in different countries correlates rather astonishingly well with the lack or abundance of vitamin D in those populations. See more about this on the Weather Network's <a href="https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/news/article/lack-of-vitamin-d-and-severe-covid-19-cases-is-there-a-link" target="_blank">post</a> and a more in-depth discussion on this subject <a href="https://www.foundmyfitness.com/episodes/vitamin-d-covid-19" target="_blank">here</a>. <a href="https://medium.com/@shinjieyong/the-first-clinical-trial-to-support-vitamin-d-therapy-for-covid-19-906a9d907468" target="_blank">This study</a> strongly suggests that having higher vitamin D levels reduces your risk of infection and death from the Covid-19 virus. Why? This medical doctor <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Dr.JohnCampbell/videos/985429435266338" target="_blank">explains</a> in great detail how vitamin D greatly assists our immune system (it's technical, but well-done). <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34836309/" target="_blank">Here</a> is another study concluding that Vitamin D3 is valuable: (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34836309/.">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34836309/).</a><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;"><span>If </span><span><a class="bo dj lm ln lo lp" href="https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/is-a-bradykinin-storm-brewing-in-covid-19--67876" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">the bradykinin hypothesis</a> is correct then it is very important that vitamin D levels be strong, as this vitamin likely reduces the </span><span><a href="https://elemental.medium.com/a-supercomputer-analyzed-covid-19-and-an-interesting-new-theory-has-emerged-31cb8eba9d63" target="_blank">bradykinin storm</a> </span><span>— a massive, runaway buildup of bradykinin in the body that explains all of the symptoms associated with this virus. If infected it may be wise to stop taking any high-blood pressure drugs as these only worsen the bradykinin storm, killing the person. <b>Note:</b> only a health practitioner can determine if this is a wise step to take. For more information about bradykinin and some foods that help to regulate it, <a href="https://draxe.com/health/bradykinin/" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;"><span>Many of us lack enough <b>zinc</b>, potentially reducing our
sleep and immune function. I love pumpkin seeds, just one source of this
essential mineral. Other sources are shell-fish, </span><span>legumes such as lentils, </span><span><span>chickpeas </span>and beans, hemp and sesame seeds, nuts , cheese and the occasional bite of dark chocolate.<br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;"><span>Avoid mega-dosing on supplements: this can be harmful and
is usually a waste of money.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;"><span><b>Omega-3 fats</b> from grass-raised animals, fish such as sardines and wild-caught salmon, plus plant-based omega-3's, such as</span><span> walnuts, flax, </span><span><span>chia,</span> & hemp seeds, plus seaweed and algae, activate our immune response <i>and </i>relieve inflammation. Turning down excess inflammation helps prevent a runaway immune response, one cause of death from viral infections. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22403867/" target="_blank">Some omega-3 fats</a> may also modulate the bradykinin storm. It is plausible that people who have sufficient levels of this amino acid and/or vitamin D, both of which appear to modulate our immune systems, are less likely to die from Covid-19. It also <a href="https://doctormurray.com/melatonin-is-a-key-recommendation-in-covid-19/" target="_blank">appears</a> that melatonin, a common sleep-aid, may also modulate the immune system's response.<br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;"><span>Bee propolis, the resin bees produce for their hives, ha</span>s antiseptic, antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and has been<span> shown to be beneficial to the immune system, among other benefits. See <a href="https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/eight-reasons-consume-bee-propolis" target="_blank">this article</a> for more information.<br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span>Eating a healthy diet of organic foods
(especially avoiding the “<a href="https://blog.givingassistant.org/dirty-dozen-clean-15-list/" target="_blank">dirty dozen</a>”
of highly sprayed foods) often provide a higher amount of nutrients, especially
when it comes to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO foods) such as corn. <i>Do</i>
eat a variety of colourful fresh fruits and vegetables. Ideally these will
occupy about half of your total food intake. Foods, especially organically
grown, offer us the best sources of what our bodies need. Take a look at some
of the more important such foods listed on <a href="https://elemental.medium.com/how-to-strengthen-your-immune-system-through-diet-b54d45c4e0f8" target="_blank">this site</a>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;"><span></span>The controversial <a href="https://www.dr-rath-foundation.org/2020/04/questions-and-answers-on-the-current-pandemic/#vitamindeficiency" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr.Rath</a> believes that the coronavirus is hitting some areas harder than others
due to a reduced consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables -which is more
common for poorer people and metropolitan folk, especially in the United States. I add that a lack of contact with healthy soils and nature are also likely contributing. Dr. Rath and others believe that seniors particularly need supplements, as their digestive systems do
not absorb as many nutrients. Again, <i>if</i> you are supplementing your vitamin and mineral intake, I want to strongly encourage using <i>plant</i>-based sources. They are more expensive -but peeing out the non-planted based vitamins is hardly worth our effort.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">(This new, and now best-selling <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Regenerate-Biological-Reverse-Chronic-Disease/dp/1401956386" target="_blank">book,</a> called "Regenerate" takes the same empowering approach to our health, empowering us to be in our own "driver's seat." Sayer Ji writes, "<i>You</i> are the one who gets to make informed decisions on how you use and nourish the evolutionary miracle that is your body.") <br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">A laboratory has determined that two plants in particular are better at preventing the Covid-19 virus from attaching to a cell's protein ACE2 receptors better than does hydroxychloroquine. The plants? Neem and curcumin. A report on this peer-reviewed study can be read <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/turmeric-neem-effective-against-coronavirus-says-kgmu-study/articleshow/76165100.cms?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TOIDesktop" target="_blank">here</a> and the more technical one <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13337-020-00598-8" target="_blank">here</a>,or at:<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/76165100.cms?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TOIDesktop&utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst"> http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/76165100.cms. </a>A <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33016666/" target="_blank">study</a> also indicates that quercetin has the same action, especially when using the form that is better absorbed (such as <a href="https://doctormurray.ontraport.com/c/s/0TB/rdIJr/z/6lt/Rps/6grM9e/Ofnhd3vbA/P/P/GW">Quercetin LipoMicel Matrix™</a>). Now a 2021 <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.19.435959v1" target="_blank">research paper</a> indicates that the lowly dandelion may also have the same ACE2 blocking abilities.<span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">Other plants may provide some immunity to this virus. According to <a href="https://news.ncsu.edu/2020/11/food-chemical-compounds-can-inhibit-a-key-sars-cov-2-enzyme/" target="_blank">this article</a> of a study, compounds found in dark chocolate (cocao) and especially green tea and <a href="https://www.organicfacts.net/muscadine-grapes.html" target="_blank">muscadine grapes</a> may prevent the virus from spreading. How? These compounds provide potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (which are crucial on their own), but appear to also bind to the “main protease,” (MPro, also called 3CLPro), an extremely important enzyme of the COVID-19 virus. These compounds appear to interfere with the virus' ability to replicate and assemble itself. While pharmaceutical companies are attempting to <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/merck-covid19-pill-us-fda-deaths-1.6196007">develop a drug</a> (costing nearly $900) to block this enzyme, the answer may literally be under their noses. There is not much profit to be made when people drink green tea. It also appears that <span class="kwd-text">N-acetylcysteine (NAC, for short) may be helpful. NAC, which the body converts to the </span><span class="kwd-text">antioxidant glutathione, </span><span class="kwd-text">can boost the immune system, suppress viral replication, reduce inflammation, AND </span><span class="kwd-text">loosen thick mucus in the lungs, all vitally important when fighting viruses.<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7649937/" target="_blank"> If interested, click here for an in-depth scientific discussion on these properties.</a><br /></span><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; left: -99999px; position: fixed; top: 0px;">Blocking the virus's access to the protein ACE2 receptor is considered to be <b>most important</b>. (The peer-reviewed study's report can be read <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/turmeric-neem-effective-against-coronavirus-says-kgmu-study/articleshow/76165100.cms?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TOIDesktop" target="_blank">here</a>.)</div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; left: -99999px; position: fixed; top: 0px;"> </div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; left: -99999px; position: fixed; top: 0px;">Evidently those who are obese and/or suffer from diabetes or pre-diabetes are more likely to succumb to viruses and bacteria as their immune system is negatively affected. <a href="https://medium.com/microbial-instincts/behaviour-of-immune-cells-depends-on-its-insulin-receptor-2e1ca2fac40e" target="_blank">This article</a> explains why. Therefore it is most important to address these health issues, not only because of Covid-19. And, yes, it is possible to improve health, naturally. Many people have been able to reverse Type 2 diabetes, lose and keep off excess weight and improve their glucose levels. I have!<br /></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; left: -99999px; position: fixed; top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; left: -99999px; position: fixed; top: 0px;">The master antioxidant, glutathione, offers a variety of health benefits, including helping to clear upper respiratory problems. The supplement called <a href="https://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/nac-n-acetylcysteine/" target="_blank">NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)</a> is converted in our bodies to an important amino acid called cysteine, a precursor to glutathione. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">This article</a>, written by journalist Lynne McTaggart, is most informative. In it she writes, "The science shows that when the body encounters a
virus, glutathione, the mother of all antioxidants, primes the white blood
cells like NK cells and T-cells to mount a tougher counter-attack." Further she reveals that glutathione regulates the immune response so that it does not go crazy and kill the person (called a "cytokine storm"). I understand that in addition to <span><a href="https://elemental.medium.com/a-supercomputer-analyzed-covid-19-and-an-interesting-new-theory-has-emerged-31cb8eba9d63" target="_blank">bradykinin storm</a>s, </span>cytokine storms are responsible for the majority of Covid-19 deaths. She concludes, "...numerous doctors are finding that patients with higher levels of glutathione recover better and more quickly from Covid-19." Now <b>that</b> is good news!<br /></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; left: -99999px; position: fixed; top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; left: -99999px; position: fixed; top: 0px;">Here's another natural supplement that may be helpful in prevention and treatment: <a href="https://doctormurray.com/melatonin-is-a-key-recommendation-in-covid-19/" target="_blank">melatonin</a>. It is known as a sleep aid. But melatonin also exerts significant immune enhancing effects and may be the most helpful to those who are the highest risk of injury or death from this virus.<br /></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; left: -99999px; position: fixed; top: 0px;"><div style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px;"></div></div></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<b>Avoid</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
It is vitally
important that all avoid eating “junk” food -foods or drinks that contain sugar,
table salt, and/or bad fats. In order to digest sugar our bodies give up
nutrients -the very thing we need to fight diseases. Red meat needs to be
limited for a variety of reasons. Just 1 serving a week is usually plenty. Processed
foods especially need to be avoided as consuming these are linked to disease
and early death.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span>Other things place a load on our immune
system. These include stress (some of which we can control by using the methods
above), smoking, drinking, vaping, exposure to toxic moulds and other indoor
air quality issues. Try to air out your home at least once a day or install a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) or, as a second choice, use a high quality air filter/purifier. Outdoor air is often healthier than is indoor air. You might also consider
diffusing authentic essential oils as recommended on this site: <a href="https://carpathiacollaborative.com/essential-oils-and-toxic-mold-what-you-should-know/" target="_blank">https://carpathiacollaborative.com/essential-oils-and-toxic-mold-what-you-should-know/</a>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;"><span>It is most important to avoid foods that suppress your immune system. Refined sugar is one of them. <br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
So, if you are
worried about getting the Covid-19 virus, do eat well and take care of your body, soul
and social connections. Doing so may not prevent you from getting sick, but <i>not</i>
doing so will open you up for whatever viruses or other diseases that come along, lead to a worse outcome with Covid-19, and potentially
shorten your life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;">
<b><span>Got sick?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span>If you get sick with the corona-virus, do <b>not </b>use
anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, as doing so may worsen your condition
(inflammation is part of the body’s defense system). If you are becoming
seriously ill then take NAC, plenty of zinc and vitamins C & D3, and (if you are seriously ill) ask your health practitioner to immediately begin
administering large quantities of intravenous vitamin C, perhaps including the anti-malaria drug </span><span><span class="sics-component__story__body sics-component__story__body--nativform">hydroxychloroquine</span>, plus thiamine. There is enough <a href="http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n15.shtml" target="_blank">anecdotal evidence</a> suggesting that vitamin C is helpful. It is, however, not (yet) a proven remedy. Convincingly, vitamin C
has been shown to be effective against other viruses. As cited at <a href="http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n15.shtml" target="_blank">http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n15.shtml</a>
</span><i>"Vitamin C can truthfully be designated as the antitoxic and
antiviral vitamin."</i> <span> </span>(Claus W.
Jungeblut, M.D., Professor, Columbia University College of Physicians and
Surgeons). That’s enough evidence for me. An American physician named Dr. Vladimir Zelenko, M.D, has a 99% success rate at <a href="https://vladimirzelenkomd.com/treatment-protocol/" target="_blank">treating his patients</a> who have contracted Covid-19 using mainly natural ingredients, including most mentioned above.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">While it is not known whether consuming any form of medicinal plants can defeat the Covid-19 corona-virus, it may be wise to do so anyway.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;"><span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 1.15; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span> </span>
<b><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Plants</span></b><br /> Nature provides many of the active ingredients found in pharmaceutical drugs because nature safely provides solutions to new and old health issues -without “side-effects.” <br /> Here are plants that are reputed to have natural immune-building benefits (there are many; see others below):<br /> Astragalus<br />Clove<br />Elde<span>rberry</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol";"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> </span></span></span><span>Echinacea
herb<br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol";"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> </span></span></span><span>Garlic</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol";"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> </span></span></span><span>Ginger</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol";"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> </span></span></span>Ginseng<br />Green tea<br />Horseradish <br /> Mushrooms (see below)<br />Onio<span>n</span><br />Turmeric <br />Raw honey (not homogenized)</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />Plant-based supplements that are known to boost our immune system include cat’s claw, saw palmetto, and echinacea to stimulate our immune response macrophages, fighter NK-cells and T-cells.<br /></div><div>I regularly eat a number of the foods listed above.</div><div><br /></div><b>Mushrooms</b><br /><br />After I published this blog a well-versed women suggested I add something about these amazing fungi. She suggested we take a look at this website that lists the medicinal mushrooms that have been used around the world for thousands of years. To quote the site: "Modern research has shown that medical mushrooms provide a rich source
of nutrients and bioactive compounds that are associated with several
health effects, <b>including supporting the immune system</b>." (bold font added) The article lists several such mushrooms, including Lions Mane, Oyster, Reishi, and Shiitake. <a href="https://goodmedchoice.com/medicinal-mushrooms-the-superfood-for-improved-immunity/" target="_blank">Elsewhere</a> I have also seen reference to the Chaga mushroom and its antiviral and anti-inflammatory actions.<br /><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /><b>Plants containing antiviral properties</b><br /> <br />Another line of defense or for healing is to help the body kill the virus more directly, by employing plants and plant "essential" oils that are known to be anti-viral.<br /><br />Here are plants<span>/essential oils (if
authentic; most are not) that are anti-viral. The list is long so I am naming the ones that are
evidently the strongest agents against viruses in general. Using a variety of these is
better against an unknown virus, as the research on plants and the coronavirus has
not been done (I believe this is where national governments around the world
should be investing at least some of our money as doing might save thousands if not millions of lives). A combination of essential
oils (which are more powerful than straight foods) is better. But for those having
difficulty breathing leaning over some steaming hot water containing ground ginger
has evidently helped a lot of people suffering from other viruses (which
includes the common cold) and breathe better.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span>In alphabetical order I recommend the
following authentic essential oils: Cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, geranium, ginger, hyssop, lemon balm, mandarin, tea tree
(melaleuca), melissa, mountain savory, myrrh, oregano, Ravensara, rosewood,
sage, tarragon, Idaho tansy, thyme, and manuka (as in the honey; the oil is taken from
the actual flowers of the manuka bush).<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span>I want to especially mention Ravensara. It
is perhaps the strongest of the antivirals; Young Living makes a blend called Raven<sup>©
</sup>that contains plenty of Ravensara and other plant oils that are reputed to aid
breathing. When I used it in February 2020 while suffering from the common flu (a year later I learned that it could have been Covid), my breathing improved very quickly and I fully recovered in just a few days.<br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span>Many of the above oils and plants have also
been shown to be anti-bacterial, especially when combined with other plants or
oils. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span>If one is having difficulty with <b>coughing or
breathing</b>, and only has foods on hand, some of the combinations that can be
thrown into the pot of boiling or steamy water and inhale include: </span></div>
<ul>
<li><span><span><span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"></span></span></span><span>clove
with basil, ginger and spearmint</span></li>
<li><span><span><span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> </span></span></span><span>oregano
with basil or thyme</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span>Either of these can include the addition of manuka honey; else
add the honey to any hot tea and drink it. As mentioned above, black tea may be
the best if you can tolerate the caffeine in it and avoid drinking it later in the day or in the evening.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;">
<b><span>The Steam Method</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span>Curious about steaming one or more plants?
Here’s the steamy pot method: Place a towel over the person’s head and draped
over the pot (AFTER removing it from the source of heat,) with the person
facing head down toward the heated water. The person must be careful not to
burn themselves! A variety of temperatures and strength of the plant contents
will need to be experimented so that the person does not feel overwhelmed. Some
people, too, like some spices such as ginger more than do others!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<b><span>Caution</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;"><b><span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span>Most "essential oils" are not authentic, even when
the label says “pure” (a meaningless term in the retail sector). Even health
food stores often sell poor grade oils. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to <a href="https://www.shorewellness.ca/contact/" target="_blank">contact me</a>.<br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<b><span>Conclusion</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;"><b><span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span>I firmly believe that the people who utilise available resources are
likely to do better in life. Practicing
deeper breathing, for example, often helps to calm people down, thus improving
one’s immune system response and makes for a better life. We can choose to eat and live better, including getting enough sleep, exercise and fresh air. These decisions are in our own hands.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 6pt;">
<span>We can be passive victims, powerless to do
anything to respond to this pandemic, <b>or</b> we can empower ourselves by taking
action. By deciding to do all that you can for yourself and others you will likely
reduce at least some of your anxiety while boosting your physical, emotional,
spiritual and relational health.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Ian Gartshore is a researcher, counselling therapist, and
health coach. He lives in Nanaimo, B.C.</i></div>
Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-18237898221257870662019-12-18T22:08:00.000-08:002019-12-19T07:36:45.136-08:00Words or Action?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I am mailing the following letter to B.C.'s premier, two cabinet ministers, and Adam Olson as I believe this issue cuts to the core of our relationship with Indigenous peoples and sets the direction of the future of British Columbia. Are we really prepared to leave behind our colonial past, or do so in words only?</div>
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Feel free to also mail your version (or a copy of) this letter. The more people that actually snail mail the government the more likely their words will be put into action. I am grateful that a retired journalist and a member of the Anglican church in Nelson took the time to research and write this letter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiHPDu4hp1YfGD0EgKQDAQeUOC67woH9s2uoIbPW29l94Bf0YmMVeQUMN5K9FqhN_d_LOsLRiv11wrw5TdxN09KtmIAjfFsbafN6Vk43Bh3xQNPHLP8QAEA2cIZ4vddsFzE3ssg1wP1M/s1600/229664_site_c_dam_threatens_indigenous_rights_in_canada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="548" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiHPDu4hp1YfGD0EgKQDAQeUOC67woH9s2uoIbPW29l94Bf0YmMVeQUMN5K9FqhN_d_LOsLRiv11wrw5TdxN09KtmIAjfFsbafN6Vk43Bh3xQNPHLP8QAEA2cIZ4vddsFzE3ssg1wP1M/s640/229664_site_c_dam_threatens_indigenous_rights_in_canada.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hon. John Horgan,</div>
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Premier of BC</div>
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Legislative Assembly</div>
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<span style="background: white;">West Annex Parliament
Buildings<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #3b4447;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Victoria</span><span style="background: white;">, BC V8V 1X4</span><span style="background: white;"></span></div>
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<a href="mailto:john.horgan.mla@leg.bc.ca">john.horgan.mla@leg.bc.ca</a></div>
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<u>RE: BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Act </u></div>
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Dear Premier Horgan:</div>
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I was pleased to note from the government website</div>
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<a href="https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/new-relationship/frequently-asked-questions-the-united-nations-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples">https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/new-relationship/frequently-asked-questions-the-united-nations-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples</a>
that implementing<span style="background: white; color: #313132;"> the UN
Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>in B.C. is about ending discrimination, upholding basic human rights and
ensuring more economic justice and fairness.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3e3c39;">Given your government’s stated willingness to implement
this Declaration, I would like to draw your attention to two issues: that of
the construction of the Site C Dam and the expansion of the Trans Mountain
pipeline.</span></div>
<div class="selectionshareable" style="background: white; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3e3c39;">1) In 2014, you stated in a filmed interview that First
Nations in the Peace region of the Site C Dam had entrenched constitutional
rights that were “</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://thenarwhal.ca/b-c-first-nations-call-injunction-site-c-they-prepare-civil-suit/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">going to be
violated by this dam</span></a>.” However, on December 11, 2017, your
government announced its decision to complete the dam.</span> Following six
months of confidential talks with the B.C. government and BC Hydro aimed at
avoiding litigation, the West Moberly First Nations has announced it will
proceed with a Site C dam court challenge, saying it infringes on their treaty
rights. Apparently, the talks went nowhere. <span style="color: #3e3c39;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">2) Indigenous groups involved in
the court challenge against Trans Mountain are the Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish Nations
in Metro Vancouver, the Coldwater Indian Band in Merritt and a coalition of
First Nations in the Fraser
Valley. Although the
court has ruled that upcoming arguments can only focus on whether the latest
round of Indigenous consultation was adequate., the Tsleil-Waututh and three
environmental groups sought leave to appeal that ruling in the Supreme Court of
Canada, claiming the Federal Court was wrong to refuse to hear arguments about
the risk of an oil spill or threats to endangered southern killer whales.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Lastly, w</span><span style="background: white;">hen the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples was adopted in 2007, it introduced the right to</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #595959; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Free, Prior and Informed Consent for Indigenous Peoples. FPIC is one of
the fundamental<span style="background: white;"> aspects of the UN Declaration
and is included in six Articles.</span></b><span style="background: white;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While all six Articles</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #595959; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">are significant,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #595959; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></span><i><span style="background: white; color: #595959; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Article
32.1</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #595959; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">is of particular interest to the extractive resource
sector in Canada:</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #595959;">Article 32.1</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #595959;">States shall consult and
cooperate in good faith with the indigenous peoples concerned through their own
representative institutions in order to obtain their</span></i><i><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">free and informed consent prior to the
approval of any project affecting their lands or territories and other
resources, particularly in connection with the development, utilization or
exploitation of mineral, water or other resources. </i></div>
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If the government of BC is indeed implementing this
Declaration, how is it that we are continuing to build the Site C Dam and the
expansion of the Trans
Mountain pipeline?</div>
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Is this not duplicitous on the part of the government? Are
you not aware that the United Nations and Amnesty International have called on
Canada to stop building the Site C dam until proper consultations have taken
place and that British Columbia has the authority to stop the dam?</div>
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It is not possible to pick and choose. Implementing the
Declaration means that Indigenous peoples have the right to free, prior and
informed consent regarding any utilization or exploitation of resources,
including the building of the Site C Dam and the expansion of the Trans
Mountain Pipeline across Indigenous land. </div>
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I am considering this issue to be so important for the
future of our great province that I have decided to make it a public letter.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I would very much appreciate a reply to this letter. In fairness I will
post your reply.</div>
<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Ian Gartshore</div>
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353 Seventh St.</div>
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Nanaimo, B.C.</div>
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V9R 1E3</div>
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<br /></div>
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Copies: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hon. George Heyman, MLA</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minister
of Environment and Climate Change Strategy</div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Room 112 Parliament Buildings<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #3b4447;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="background: white;">Victoria</span><span style="background: white;">, BC V8V 1X4</span><span style="background: white;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="mailto:george.heyman.MLA@leg.bc.ca">george.heyman.MLA@leg.bc.ca</a></span></div>
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Michelle
Mungall, MLA Nelson-Creston</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minister
of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Legislative Assembly: <span style="background: white; color: #3b4447;">Room 301 Parliament Buildings<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #3b4447;"><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="background: white;">Victoria, BC V8V 1X4</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #3b4447;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="mailto:michelle.mungall.MLA@leg.bc.ca">michelle.mungall.MLA@leg.bc.ca</a></span></div>
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Adam Olson, MLA</div>
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Parliament Buildings <br /> Victoria, BC V8V 1X4<span style="background: white; color: #3b4447;"></span></div>
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Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-74950448892995485422019-07-21T18:18:00.000-07:002019-07-21T18:18:06.235-07:00A Moving Movement -Ugandan Fruit Trees<h4>
I am moved. Actually, blown away. </h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswvCEtbLpjX9DqEfkAbtCugLCOXi9q6pmpHdie-yknrvNLFmgPLoEssFZnqkuTGhqtcNqwRf4PPIMtmqEIQI0yAmHXqRRX8e77mk5ZeNAHSNMaO7HNy-lLvdV1_6_MKjpuv6QZRL6VU8/s1600/Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswvCEtbLpjX9DqEfkAbtCugLCOXi9q6pmpHdie-yknrvNLFmgPLoEssFZnqkuTGhqtcNqwRf4PPIMtmqEIQI0yAmHXqRRX8e77mk5ZeNAHSNMaO7HNy-lLvdV1_6_MKjpuv6QZRL6VU8/s400/Tree.jpg" width="400" /></a> </h4>
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Julia and I asked that people donate funds to plant fruit and nut trees, rather than to give us stuff (we are trying to downsize). Several people donated toward nut trees at the OUR Ecovillage, where our second ceremony and celebration occurred on July 7th. This picture shows us ceremoniously about to plant one of those trees. (Thank you to Michael <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Geselbracht</span></span> for his proficient assistance!)</h4>
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About 40 people gave to a fruit-tree planting project in Uganda inspired by our marriage. Just over $2000 was sent. <b>Over 10,000 fruit trees were planted! </b></h3>
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Moses Ochole, who heads up the <span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.youngleadersuganda.org/" target="_blank">Young Leaders of Uganda</a></span>, inspired well over 1000 children to plant these trees, </h4>
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The movement started smaller. As more funds came through, though, it grew!</h4>
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While Julia and I were happily getting married (one ceremony in Nelson June 29th and one on July 7th) this region in central Uganda declared holidays in honour of our wedding and of these gifts of trees!</h4>
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Schools throughout the region were closed and the children assembled to help plant more than 10,000 fruit trees! </h4>
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These are trees that will benefit these children and future children with greater nutrition, shade, stabilized soil and a reduction in greenhouse gases that especially affect developing countries such as Uganda.</h4>
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How fast will these trees grow?</h4>
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Below is a picture this same man facilitated the planting of these trees, just five years ago! These trees are now providing ample amounts of fruit today.</h4>
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More than 10,000 trees have joined them!</h4>
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To say that we are grateful and awe-struck is an understatement. Thank you to all who helped to make this project what it became!</h3>
Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-81959956022704243732019-07-20T17:10:00.002-07:002019-07-20T19:17:52.452-07:00Family at my WeddingsI am honoured that my father and other family members were able to witness the weddings (yes, two!) of Julia Roberts and myself, June 29th in Nelson and July 7th at the OUR Ecovillage, near Shawnigan Lake.<br />
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I especially love my Dad!<br />
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Check out our ties. Nearly identical reds! But not as impressive are our smiles. Do we look happy together? You betcha!<br />
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Julia and I with Dad and Nancy.<br />
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My brother David and sister Jennifer, obviously having a very good time with our Dad!<br />
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On the far left are my brother Brian and his wife Heather. It's very hard to believe I conducted their wedding in 1986!<br />
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More pics to come!<br />
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<br />Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-90071119289992269222019-05-26T18:04:00.002-07:002019-05-26T18:04:25.145-07:00Thank you for your donation!This post serves the purpose of thanking those who donated funds for fruit or nut trees to OUR Ecovillage or to Young Leaders Uganda.<br />
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Thank you SO much for your donation! A receipt will be given to you if your contact information was left at the time of making the donation.</h3>
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You have just made a difference to the world.</h3>
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Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-69491450127066902862019-05-26T18:00:00.000-07:002019-06-22T21:19:02.680-07:00Fruit/nut trees gifts<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepN1cj6WvDG7u_8XgYzGH_s3WV6tUOht-eWu47_pD_MthgTFIEM2B_O4eyV6vicgHlWpaZ5FE2FgUZ4VGD5wPAb1bW6V7RKib1upNlzk23h-F_qcjfDd9WvZr6txSsmRky_3YiWeT7Lw/s1600/Ian%2526JuliaTrees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepN1cj6WvDG7u_8XgYzGH_s3WV6tUOht-eWu47_pD_MthgTFIEM2B_O4eyV6vicgHlWpaZ5FE2FgUZ4VGD5wPAb1bW6V7RKib1upNlzk23h-F_qcjfDd9WvZr6txSsmRky_3YiWeT7Lw/s320/Ian%2526JuliaTrees.jpg" width="320" /></a>What is one of the best ways to reduce Greenhouse Gases, improve local food reliance and improve local economies?</h3>
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Plant trees, especially ones that produce edible food or other valuable resources.</h4>
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As a wedding gift to Ian and Julia you and others can donate funds used to plan trees in either the non-profit eco-educational OUR Ecovillage near Shawnigan Lake (Vancouver Island) or to schools and communities in Uganda.<br />
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OUR Ecovillage has a charitable arm that will issue you an income tax receipt. You can buy seedlings in $10 increments. These will be nut trees, part of creating their Zero Mile Eatery. They will care for the trees. To donate to this project do click on this nut symbol:<br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://ourecovillage.checkfront.com/reserve/?item_id=413" target="_blank">🌰</a></span></span></span></h2>
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Trees in Uganda will help improve nutritional levels of school children with healthy fruit, a food they often lack. While your donation to Young Leaders Uganda (Yolou; <a href="http://www.youngleadersuganda.org/">www.youngleadersuganda.org</a>) will <b>not</b> give you a tax receipt it <b>will</b> provide far more trees per dollar and have a bigger impact on their community.<br />
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Either gift is wonderful to us!<br />
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I have had a relationship with Yolou for quite a few years, led by Moses Ochole, a very dedicated community leader. The trees this man (above) is carrying were purchased by Moses' family as a wedding gift to Julia and I. Such joy for us, and for the children and community there!<br />
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Pictured to the right is a picture of children planting some of the trees that his family donated as a wedding gift to Julia and Ian.<br />
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If you want to contribute to the planting of more of these trees then click on the donate button below. Funds have to be channeled through Ian's energy company (to satisfy Paypal's rules). Every dollar will go to Uganda. Ian will donate the transfer fee.<br />
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<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="_top">
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
<input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="BUFSD6UMS56BW" />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_CA/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" /></form>
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Thank you very much! Ian & Julia
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Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-53806709589618654102018-10-17T00:07:00.002-07:002018-10-17T00:07:26.031-07:00Ian's Pick for the 2018 Civic Election<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67Xgo7O9HNbz5e1XgcLFGiDI-GWJ_ex2-7_3nwWJGicq7TVQjabUd2cmUBSmTncUBs-kQH7a0EDWqdCR1ox174ZxkwdxHO-REYVebJ0M1WMejAiZPM7I72p_YOcjjUn9MHIQPwufZjSs/s1600/3rd+St..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67Xgo7O9HNbz5e1XgcLFGiDI-GWJ_ex2-7_3nwWJGicq7TVQjabUd2cmUBSmTncUBs-kQH7a0EDWqdCR1ox174ZxkwdxHO-REYVebJ0M1WMejAiZPM7I72p_YOcjjUn9MHIQPwufZjSs/s320/3rd+St..jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With 40 council candidates picking people is a daunting
task!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully many of these
candidates are excellent.</div>
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<br /></div>
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With no reservation my top three picks are <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Erin Hemmens</b> (which is why I am on her
campaign team), <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tyler Brown</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ben Geselbracht</b>. Why them? Because:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Erin is an
amazing team builder. That would be enough reason to pick her on its own. But
she is insightful, wise, caring, community-minded, an excellent listener who
sees the strengths in others. And more, such as knowing how to work with
difficult people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Tyler I do not
know nearly as well, but what he brings in terms of the practical knowledge of
how we can become a far better city is totally invaluable. He is young, smart,
a team-player, insightful, a straight-shooter, able to hold people accountable,
yet caring.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Ben is a passionate community guy who knows
how to improve our city where it counts. He cares about people, listens well,
is a great team player, and has tons of wisdom. He would help us become a more
caring and community-minded city that is more responsible for its waste
management and environment. And he knows how to work with difficult people.</div>
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I tend not to vote for
incumbents as they more easily get re-elected based on name recognition. Given
that three of the five highly destructive councillors (“the famous five”) have
wisely decided not to run for re-election, and with Diane Brennan not seeking
re-election (it’s amazing that she lasted the full four years given how she was
treated!), most of the Council will have fresh faces. Wendy Pratt (who resigned
after her experience of the five + Tracy Samra) might get re-elected but I’m
not holding my breath. It is highly likely that the two of “the five” that
dared to run again (Gordon Fuller and Jerry Hong) will not survive the huge
amount of anger over how this Council has been run. The fact that they are
running suggests to me that they are out of touch with Nanaimo’s citizens.
There is lots of evidence of this, such as the so-called Event Centre debacle
and the loss of the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange (with special kudus to Mr. Hong
for stick-handling its demise). If any incumbent deserves to be re-elected I
would give a nod to Sheryl Armstrong. While I think she messed up with the
Nanaimo Recycling Exchange (she stayed safe rather than to seek a way to make
things work with the City) she seems to be better understanding the importance
of transportation apart from the single-occupancy motor vehicle. Ian Thorpe is
a very diligent Councillor and did well to avoid being be-headed by the famous
five. He is a good and honest administrator, but does not seem to have the
vision I think Nanaimo needs.</div>
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Utilising the handy candidates
checklist provided by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Our Nanaimo</i> (<a href="https://www.ournanaimo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Candidate-Evaluation-Tool.pdf">https://www.ournanaimo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Candidate-Evaluation-Tool.pdf</a>)
I have rated my top picks based on what I know of them. In a number of cases my
numbers are only a guess as I only spent a limited time with some of them, and
find that I do not trust all the words provided to us from their websites.</div>
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Here is my ranking, from top down:</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Darcy Olsen</b> –I got to know her quite
well when we both ran in the city’s by-election 7 years ago. She has many of
the gifts our city needs, including being passionate, caring, a team player,
bright, knowledgeable and more. I suspect that Zeni Maartman is similar (I
think they are quite similar in many regards). I suspect Zeni will do better
due to name recognition but I know Darcy better.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Alexis Petersen</b> –others drew my
attention to this determined and capable woman. She has a strong sense of who
she is and what she can do for the city. She seems to know how to navigate
through conflict having done this for most of her career as a social worker.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Don Bonner</b> –a highly engaged community
member, giving to non-profits, highly responsive, bright, has an indigenous
background, and is a team player. I think he made a bad call in supporting
metro Vancouver’s incinerator at Duke Point but seems to be able to learn from
his mistakes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Michael Ribicic</b> –a political science
student who is very promising, even if he likes Justin Trudeau and the federal
Liberals. He says he is not interested in going on to provincial or federal
politics (as did our last youth councillor) but if he is elected I strongly
suspect he will be wooed. If he does go on I can only hope that he considers
the Green Party as I suspect it more closely aligns with his values. In the
meantime he would bring a needed young adult perspective to Council.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;">
No surprise that my ranking of the above
favours women, indigenous and youth. I am done with voting for older white
males (of which I am one!). In my opinion most of them have no idea what kind
of leadership Nanaimo needs.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
This leaves one more to complete
the 8 seats.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Peter Kent is on
the top of my honourable mention list because if we lose most (or, especially,
all) of the incumbents we will sorely need his current and practical and
visionary leadership. He is currently a Councillor on the Sunshine coast and
understands what a municipality needs and how to stick-handle our way to
increasing funding from senior governments. He does not know much about Nanaimo
today but my sense of him is that he would learn very quickly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;">
In no particular order here are other
candidates worthy of consideration: Guy Beaulieu, Rae Kornberger, Jim Turley,
Peter Urquhart and Trent Whaley. I give special mention to Trent as he alone
did not use any plastic in his campaign materials. He knows the issues and has
a vision I totally appreciate. Peter is an amazing data analyser and a
community guy. Jim Turley is a retired business man and very caring toward our
city. Rae is a passionate individual and community volunteer who knows the
issues better than most of the candidates. And she is one more female pick. Guy
is a really lovely, gentle, man who seems to have a good grasp on the city’s
issues and who has a sense of where we need to go. Mr. Loos needs to get more
involved in the city and run again. He has real potential.</div>
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I would avoid candidates who come off as being a “saviour”
of the council. In my opinion most of them are not team-players. Some are very
knowledgeable (and if you don’t know that they will quickly convince you!) but
whose egos in my opinion are as large as their IQ’s. Don’t you think we’ve had
our fill of these?</div>
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<br /></div>
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In terms <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">of School
Trustee</b> I know of one candidate who is not an incumbent, who has earned my
trust: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lisa Marie Barron</b>. I rarely
vote for an incumbent, but will vote for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ms.
Brzovic</b>. I suspect that the experienced <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jessica Stanley</b> (a current trustee from the Vancouver area) would
be solid.</div>
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<br /></div>
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What's most important is that we get out to vote! October 20th. For a better Nanaimo and region! For more info on how to do that visit the city's website: </div>
<br />
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.nanaimo.ca/your-government/elections/2018-election">https://www.nanaimo.ca/your-government/elections/2018-election</a>.
</span> </div>
Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-39016930272360104662018-07-25T12:58:00.004-07:002018-07-25T12:58:34.219-07:00Why Growing Housing Unaffordability and Homelessness?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]-->All three levels of government have contributed to these growing problems.<br /><br />1. Federal:<br />
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7t8B-FZQb7Gy-ScvZvUdkRyM9JBRbKnfzWukV2PGcTMcwLdK0rOXjo8Fw4xn_SjomTihpUU0XW-l2UpYzk8LGDpmkn-Sw0rI-18C4v9x1DQ-E21e8EI7Uo0MozUZH6bDJaWuGVjHshDQ/s1600/HomelessSm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="283" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7t8B-FZQb7Gy-ScvZvUdkRyM9JBRbKnfzWukV2PGcTMcwLdK0rOXjo8Fw4xn_SjomTihpUU0XW-l2UpYzk8LGDpmkn-Sw0rI-18C4v9x1DQ-E21e8EI7Uo0MozUZH6bDJaWuGVjHshDQ/s320/HomelessSm.jpg" width="213" /></a>
<li>Cancellation of tax breaks for rental construction in the 1970’s.</li>
<li>Cancellation of building affordable housing</li>
<li>Allowing housing to become an investment (see more on this, below)</li>
</ul>
2. Provincial:<br />
<ul>
<li>Cancellation of building affordable housing</li>
<li>Social assistance (including for disabled persons) has not kept up to the cost of housing. Not even close</li>
<li>Until recently: a lack of building standards that reduce the cost of heating a home (poor insulation, single clear pane windows, drafty homes cost a lot more to heat)</li>
<li>Lack of adequate assistance for relationships in distress leads to separations, spousal abuse, broken families, alcohol and drug abuse and homelessness</li>
<li>The high cost of transportation dependent on owning cars</li>
<li>Lack of illness-prevention strategies, leading to loss of income and a taxed health-care system</li>
</ul>
3. Municipal:<br />
<ul>
<li>The desire to accommodate the single occupancy motor vehicle driving up the cost of housing. Examples:</li>
</ul>
<ul><ul>
<li>one underground parking stall costs about the same as an entire one-bedroom apartment, taking the cost of renting an apartment far beyond the means of increasing numbers of people</li>
<li>building a city requires several times the amount of space to accommodate motor vehicles (far more & wider roads, driveways, parking lots). This space requires higher taxes as well as higher ownership and rental prices</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Lower population density further exasperated by neighbourhoods resisting densification (that would otherwise help to bring down the cost of renting by providing more units)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Lack of rules to insist that a developer set aside a minimum percentage of housing for lower income people</li>
</ul>
<br />Most likely the number one reason for rapidly increasing house and condo prices is due to the financialisation of housing. Which means? Treating the house as a capital investment rather than a place of residence. Housing investments encourage speculative buying and selling (getting most of your return from capital growth), rather than long-term investing (get most of your return from rental income). Increasing numbers of homes sit empty. They are worth more that way. Thus housing markets fail in their primary social function of supplying secure housing.<br /><br />According to the Globe and Mail, global residential real estate is now valued at <a href="https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G17/009/56/PDF/G1700956.pdf?OpenElement">$163-trillion</a> (U.S.), more than twice the world's total GDP. In Canada in <a href="http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/160729/dq160729a-eng.htm?HPA=1">2016, real estate</a> represented the third-largest segment of our economy but accounted for half the country's GDP growth.<br /><br />As a direct consequence of shifting homes from being valued as a place to live and raise a family to now being viewed also as a place to park and grow capital puts the interests of investors ahead of human needs. Hence the rising housing crisis, and the primary reason why more people cannot afford to own or rent a home.<br /><br />Ian Gartshore July 25, 2018Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-32592994022288045612018-07-18T18:20:00.004-07:002018-07-18T18:22:22.337-07:00Letter to Nanaimo City Council re: decision to not fund the NRE<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
You will undoubtedly know that I
am unhappy with your decision to not fund the Nanaimo Recycling</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_JmGt-62R9hV8YRaFflvzwVCgdjaUmGR-0EEiahQxRIt5DCm_PYbMwVTnHyweDI0Uwz9HtWJbjzzbSclQT_sF4zW7Q031f2e5SOmCX6hETKMJ8K8BF3tx6T4H1np6norH4q2Mi6Ofjs/s1600/Poster_-_Trashed_%25282012%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_JmGt-62R9hV8YRaFflvzwVCgdjaUmGR-0EEiahQxRIt5DCm_PYbMwVTnHyweDI0Uwz9HtWJbjzzbSclQT_sF4zW7Q031f2e5SOmCX6hETKMJ8K8BF3tx6T4H1np6norH4q2Mi6Ofjs/s320/Poster_-_Trashed_%25282012%2529.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
Exchange’s new
facility. I understand that your legal counsel advised you that you cannot
donate money to a non-profit entity that is competing with for-profit companies,
and that if you could donate it would require a plebiscite. I can fully
appreciate your desire to save the taxpayer’s money. You wish to be both
responsible and legal. This is good and right.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
What I wish to now bring to your
attention are the premises (assumptions) that appear to have led to your
decision. I believe these premises have no basis in fact; hence (if I am
correct) your decision is not the result of legal counsel nor is it the most
responsible one. I will outline what I believe are your incorrect premises here
and provide more detail later on. I appreciate that you are given a lot of
reading to do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Premise #1:</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The other
recyclers are accomplishing what the NRE had been doing.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Even if they knew how to handle
the hard-to-recycle materials and were as committed to being the kind of
stewards the NRE was they do not have a re-store on any of their sites. They
are called <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">depots</b>. The NRE was
called an <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">exchange. </b>They are not the
same thing. They have not inspired us as has the NRE. They are not accountable
to the public as was the NRE. They are not a true one-stop centre as was the
NRE. They are not the same thing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Premise #2</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The for-profit
depot’s are altruistic, seeking to “serve” the public.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
I admire how slick their PR
campaign has been. Some real money was put into this, and by someone who knew
what they were doing. They did what they could to prevent the NRE to become a
Zero Waste Centre and then acted as though they were our saviour when the NRE
(after years of warning us) finally closed. Not only are they now very happy to
see their profits increase they are now also asking the RDN for the funds
promised to the NRE. But without any guarantees or track record in dealing with
the hard-to-recycle materials. Sadly Council swallowed their Cool-Aid. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Premise #3</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Not funding the
NRE will save the taxpayers “more than $6 million.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Yep, as long as you are okay
with having our landfill fill up more quickly, costing us far more to build an
incinerator. Some savings! I have already told you that the Nanaimo Recycling
Depot and the later NRE both helped us to stave off having an incinerator built
in Nanaimo. I can also tell you that the incinerator lobbyists are very pleased
with your decision. Perhaps you have forgotten that incinerators cost four
times that of dumps or recycling. Oh, except that you have believed the
generalised promises of the consortium, the companies who are not accountable
to the public. More Cool-Aid.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Premise #4 </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Funding this
non-profit is no different than is funding other non-profits.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
What other non-profit did such
an amazing job helping our region manage solid wastes? Encorp only supports
companies that can turn a profit and do not handle nearly as many materials as
did the NRE, nor do they have re-stores attached to them. No other non-profit
does anything close to what the NRE did. No other non-profit was featured so
prominently on the city’s website. Essentially the City of Nanaimo and the NRE
had a long-standing relationship that greatly benefited the City and the
Region. Please name another non-profit that was so helpful to us all in regards
to solid waste management.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Hence I believe the
justification for denying the NRE’s funding is faulty. I want to end, though,
by noting a human characteristic that is especially problematic in marriages.
If one spouse does most of the pursuing in the marriage that marriage will be
in trouble. What’s the point here? Because, very sadly, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the NRE did all of the pursuing.</b> The City and the RDN essentially failed
to appreciate the gift the NRE was, and could be, to our community. Contrast
this to the City of Vancouver’s shiny new Zero Waste Centre. The city paid for
this less comprehensive centre, despite the existence of many for-profit
recyclers. Now imagine if the City of Nanaimo and the RDN were to approach the
lowest cost operator on Vancouver Island, called the NRE, and said “we will build
the facility and you operate it.” If these governments had pursued the NRE,
rather than the other way around, and each had appreciated the other, then we
could have had a Zero Waste centre that outshone Vancouver’s.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
But, wait, this could still
happen! The NRE owns a rare centrally located ideally zoned property. The NRE
has gone through considerable expense in drawing up a world-class Zero Waste
Centre. The city could take over both at a savings. Perhaps you could be
inspired by how Nanaimo was once western Canada’s leader in zero waste. You
could put Nanaimo back on the map! Unlike the PR-driven promises of the
consortium we <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">know</b> that this is
doable! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
I agree: you need to be both
legal and responsible. I believe you have justified your decision, not proven
yourselves to be responsible (fiscally or socially). But you could be
visionary, responsible <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> responsive
to the wishes of the community, to get serious about the city’s goal for authentic
Zero Waste –reusing, repairing, repurposing and, yes, recycling then you will
add roughly $10/year to our taxes and build this Centre. The NRE has stopped
pursuing the City. Now it is your turn to approach it. Very soon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Sincerely,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
More details about the four
premises:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Premise #1:</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The other
recyclers are accomplishing what the NRE had been doing.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
I do not believe even they ever
made this statement, only that they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">promised</i>
that they would do this (without ever giving us any details about how they would
accomplish it). Nevertheless, let’s consider how truthful this statement is.</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>While they do <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">accept</i> most of the materials that had been received by the NRE this
is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not</b> the same thing as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">actually</i> recycling (which means not
burning, not burying) those materials. It is safe to say that only the
materials for which they receive a public subsidy (through the Eco-fee program)
or for which they can earn income (such as for metals) are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">actually</i> recycled. Just this last week a customer visiting Alpine
was told that they “throw out” foam insulating materials given to them. (The
RDN has now been notified of this since they listed Alpine as “accepting” such
materials.) These materials quickly fill landfills but do not weigh much –hence
the NRE was not given much credit for extending the life of our landfill. It <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">alone</b> truly recycled this, and many
other, materials.</li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>In addition to materials such as Styrofoam<sup><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">™</span></sup>
only the NRE knew <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how</i> to recycle the
hard-to-recycle materials such as crinkly plastics. Only the NRE actually recycled
these materials. Only the NRE subsidised the actual recycling of these
materials, costing them funds that would have otherwise built their new
facility. No for-profit recycling company is going to reduce their income to
properly recycle such materials. In fact the consortium has already begun to
ask the RDN for the monies promised to the NRE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Question: what is currently happening to these materials? Are they being
sent to our landfill or to a landfill and incinerator in Washington State? I
doubt any of us know, but the answer is most certainly ‘yes.’ These materials
are not being recycled. So in truth the consortium cannot do what the NRE was
doing without government assistance.</li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Only the NRE was truly a one-stop solid waste
management centre. I know that Regional Recycling markets itself as being a
“one-stop” depot. Even they do not claim to be doing all that the NRE was
doing. Thus I conclude that they are engaged in false advertising. Far more
trips are now being made by faithful residents and businesses to only partly
fulfill what the authentic one-stop NRE centre used to facilitate. Many trips
that would have been taken to the NRE are now going to the regional landfill,
with roughly 55% of what is being dumped there by residents and businesses
composed of recoverable materials.</li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Only the NRE had a re-sell store, which is why
it was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not</b> called a “depot” (as are
the others) but an “exchange.” It did not merely “recycle” materials. In the
hierarchy of waste management, adopted by both the Regional District of Nanaimo
and the City of Nanaimo, putting materials back into use is far superior to
recycling those materials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The NRE added
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">far more value</i> to waste materials
than do the depots. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Only</b> the NRE did
both, all in one very central location. On this point alone the argument fails
that the for-profit recyclers were substantially doing the same thing as was
the NRE.</li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>People are resources. Only the NRE offered
actual on-the-site job retraining to those who were hard to employ. How many
people did it help keep off of the streets and away from addictions? How many
people-resources are, like many materials, now being <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wasted</i>?</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Conclusion: the NRE was not the
same operation as are the recycling depots. Only the depots made this claim,
and obviously without merit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Premise #2</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The for-profit
depot’s are altruistic, seeking to “serve” the public.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
I give the consortium a great
deal of credit for crafting a very clever PR campaign. They framed the “sudden”
closure of the NRE as being an urgent situation in which they would be happy to
fill in the needed services –especially if the local governments would pay them
to do so. (See their correspondence with the RDN shortly after the NRE closed: <a href="https://pub-nanaimo.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ashx?DocumentId=2585">https://pub-nanaimo.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ashx?DocumentId=2585</a>).
The very consortium that did what it could to convince local governments <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not</b> to fund the NRE in order that it
could make more money now made itself sound like the saviour of the city by
“picking up the slack.” (The closure, by the way, was not “sudden,” as they
falsely claimed. The NRE repeatedly warned the city for several <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">years</i> it would have to do so unless a
new facility was funded. It finally ran out of extensions on the leased
property. The only people who were surprised that they closed must not have
been paying attention. This, apparently, included at least one councillor.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
The consortium continues its
saviour complex in the correspondence cited above when it writes, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="5yl5">"The recycling of
packaging, electronics, beverage container, paint, oil and several other materials
is now managed and paid for by industry not local governments." Ultimately
it is the consumer who pays the eco fees and higher prices for products. In the
case of pop cans the industry <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">refunds</i>
our deposits. This is not the same thing as “paying” us. One significant
difference between the NRE and the depots is that far more of the funds
received by the NRE actually went to recycling the materials than is true of
the eco-fee system. A great deal of our funds and that of producers are
retained by Encorp, paid to its very highly paid directors and others, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> to the depots who are actually doing
the work. (Consequently the former NRE employees are being paid less by the
for-profit depots for doing the same work.) I am shocked, for example, to have
recently learned that none of the eco fees for large appliances make it to
depots or actual recyclers. Another controversy: funds remain with Encorp <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">regardless</i> of whether cans are taken to
a qualified depot or not. Yet the consortium’s correspondence boasts that it
was the NRE who would not give “full value” for the funds they might receive!
Another quote from this correspondence: “As they no longer provide a service I
assume that government funding has been stopped. In the interim will you be
spreading that funding for a period of time to private depots that are willing
and able to accept those materials?” The NRE did <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not</b> receive funds for the hard-to-recycle materials; they paid for
these through their own operations! Hence we begin to see another ulterior
motive for their campaign against NRE: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they</i>
want our money. But the PR campaign words this request for funds as needed to
‘saving’ us, and does so without making any promise to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">actually</i> recycle the materials for which they would like to be
paid. They promise only to “receive” those materials. Would they know what to
do with these materials? Only Jan Hastings of the NRE did. Did we ever learn
how they would be accountable to us, the public, in exchange for our trust? I
never saw a business plan or plans of any kind. We are supposed to believe that
they have our best interests in mind. In truth, unlike the NRE, they have zero
accountability to us. This is the stuff of public relations campaigns. The
gimmick works: Hint at the value but make no tangible or measurable promises. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span class="5yl5">Notice in their
correspondence that they equate their depots with the full-service,
authentically one-stop, recycling and reselling exchange that was the NRE. I
have shown above how this assumption is shown to be false.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Conclusion: Their slick PR
campaign was a magician’s trick to convince us that they were the equivalent to
the NRE, and that helping themselves is seen as helping us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Premise #3</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Not funding the
NRE will save the taxpayers “more than $6 million.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
This is certainly true if it’s acceptable
to you that more materials are now being buried or burned. No sooner had the
NRE closed then the very same consortium began to ask for money from the RDN.
Can they possibly be as efficient as was the NRE without volunteer labour (even
if they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">knew</i> how to recycle these
materials)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s consider the bigger
picture: without the NRE educating and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">inspiring</i>
us how to recycle, reuse and repair (far more than the for-profits do) and
because the for-profits depend on monies provided by the public and the
producers for the vast majority of their operations, how much will we really
save? It is most certainly the case that the landfill is now filling up more
quickly. Many trips are being taken to that big “one-stop” place (the landfill)
that until recently went to the NRE. So I ask you: How much does it cost to
replace a landfill? Landfills are now being replaced by incinerators.
Incinerators (now called “Waste to Energy”) cost governments four TIMES the
amount it does to dump and recycle, and provide a fraction of the number of
jobs, and pollute, and add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Even without
considering the net loss of jobs from what the new NRE (the Nanaimo Zero Waste
centre) would have created it is guaranteed that today’s savings will pale in comparison
to the future costs as a result of your decision. I ask: are you being
responsible?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Premise #4 </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Funding this
non-profit is no different than is funding other non-profits.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
This is the argument given by
some non-profits, perhaps fearing that if the city funded the NRE this might
reduce the amount they would receive and/or (perhaps to be fair) they should
receive as much as would the NRE.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
I would like to ask what other
non-profit in Nanaimo was a world-leader in diverting post-consumer materials,
an entity that led the movement to avoid a far more costly incinerator, an
organisation that inspired us to better utilise the other facilities (including
curb-side pickup)? I am an Executive Director of a non-profit counselling
agency. My agency has helped to save thousands of people in Nanaimo from poorly
functioning lives and relationships, do better in work, and even save some from
untimely deaths. To date the city has not funded us (though we have asked!). I
am proud of what we have done on very little income. In this regard Island
Integrated Counselling is similar to the NRE. Perhaps both organisations saved
some lives. Certainly both organisations have contributed a great deal to the
community. But in no other way are the two organisations the same. For a
quarter of a century the NRE formed an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">integral
</i>part of the city’s effort to divert waste resources, saving us all money in
the process. Its presence on the city’s website was a prominent one. It alone
handled resources at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">one</b> site that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">no other facility</b> took care of. That
other non-profits would complain about the city paying another non-profit
organisation to do work that nobody else did, and at a lower cost than do the
others (including the RDN), is absolutely absurd. Is the other non-profit
called “Encorp?” It funds some of the members of the consortium. It is hardly
neutral in this matter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I implore you to be responsible, not only for this year’s
budget but for budgets decades in the future. I implore you to be accountable
to the people who elected you. I implore you to be wise stewards of our
resources. For goodness sakes, take over the NRE’s property and plans and start
to work <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with</i> them.</div>
Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-51302887873619897172018-05-29T21:51:00.002-07:002018-05-29T21:51:44.346-07:00Safe, Affordable Transportation Option<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="wp-post-image" height="240" src="https://postmediavancouversun2.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/malahat.jpg?quality=80&strip=all&w=840&h=630&crop=1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 24th Fuel Truck closes Malahat for most of a day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
I have followed provincial
politics for longer than the E&N railway became an issue, and I have
consistently heard from NDP candidates on Vancouver Island that investing in this
railway is a high priority, including Mr. Horgan when campaigning last year.
With the support of the Greens how could this solution to our transportation
woes seem to have derailed? </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Recently, once again, the Malahat
highway was closed for a lengthy period of time –making a complete mess of
travel plans for thousands, increasing the risk of accidents, missed
appointments and more. I have been delayed multiple times on that stretch of
highway, including to my mother’s funeral (I made it in time).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Some people complain that
getting the E&N railway back into full operation is expensive. Hardly. The
entire length would cost only double of the single overpass now under
construction at <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">McKenzie
</span>Road in Victoria. Contrast this to the cost of building another highway north of
Victoria. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Malahat Study </i>concluded
it would cost <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">billions</i> of dollars
just to build, plus annual maintenance. The choice of language betrays the
biases. Roads are considered to be “investments” but rails are “subisidised,”
and “business cases” have to be made only for trains. This is absurd. The
tracks can transport thousands of people per day. Efficiently and safely. It is
currently an investment worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and it largely
sits idle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Adding buses on already crowded
roads is hardly the solution to the Langford-Victoria commute. The City of
Ottawa spent millions of dollars on dedicated commuter-bus routes, only to
discover this could not handle the growth of commuters. It now has a new
light-rail system. But we have an advantage over Ottawa. We already have the
tracks. Even better: standard cars are readily available and are more
comfortable than LRT. Ergo: For a lot less money regular passenger trains can
be used to move people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
So what is possible with rail
that is not possible by buses or by the huge and ongoing subsidies to the
single-occupancy motor-vehicle debacle that I estimate on Vancouver Island
costs vehicle owners about $5 billion, and society about $40 billion, each
year?</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Far more people would travel by rail than by
bus, thus accelerating the transition to a far safer, a lower costing and a
superior environmental option to the current model</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Using the existing rails and utilising existing
rail cars can very quickly be put into service, soon reducing the traffic woes
from Langford to Victoria West and a new bus loop there</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Extra service can be quickly provided to
commuters stranded when the Malahat is closed</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>VIA rail has promised to institute a commuter
rail service from Nanaimo to Victoria –at no cost to the province!</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Many dangerous goods can be removed from our
highways. Propane is still taken to Nanaimo via the E&N. This reduces traffic
and greatly increases safety</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Thousands of cruise-ship and other tourists
would love to ride the rails from Victoria and Nanaimo to Chemainus. The Island
Rail Corridor proposes using a historical train from Nanaimo to Chemainus in
the summer-time for this very purpose</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Rail generates a lot of extra economic output
and at a far lower cost to society and commuters</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Poorly trained (or inebriated) truck drivers such
as the one that killed the Bronco’s hockey team near Humbolt would kill fewer
people due to the higher standards set for trains and the reduction in traffic
on our roads.</div>
Roundtable (ENRR) spokesperson and chairman Jack Peake,
whose group of 15 have together more than 100 years of railway industry
experience, estimates that because the tracks between Langford and Victoria are
in relatively good shape it would take less than $25 million to get a commuter
service up and running between those cities. Soon.<br />
<br />
Would that the province’s Ministry of Transportation and
Infrastructure think outside of highways, buses and sky-trains. It really needs
to add regular rail to its portfolio –both on Vancouver Island and the lower
mainland.<br />
<br />
It is past time for our province to provide real leadership
on this issue. Would that our political leaders learn why all major cities in
Canada have opted for rails and be inspired to get moving on at least the
southern section of the E&N. It’s past time to turn more than a decade of promises
into reality, investing in this affordable, efficient, safe, and cleaner solution
to traffic congestion.
Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-38327108628890113222018-03-30T22:11:00.001-07:002018-03-30T22:11:43.081-07:00Comparing the "Regional Recycling" Depot (Encorp) with the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslf1xbBdm7AlsZZza3OSDo0ODqzHjaBBfgnAK0oR80V13gMZcFhhZeqh_D8o2aIGQPF3-zyEwo6WqpE2FWYWL2EheAGI4x3VIJR2EgpVxqqQlcqR96QXBWZ-nn8VZDTRVPNk5MJ2V120/s1600/regional-recycling-nanaimo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="1200" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslf1xbBdm7AlsZZza3OSDo0ODqzHjaBBfgnAK0oR80V13gMZcFhhZeqh_D8o2aIGQPF3-zyEwo6WqpE2FWYWL2EheAGI4x3VIJR2EgpVxqqQlcqR96QXBWZ-nn8VZDTRVPNk5MJ2V120/s320/regional-recycling-nanaimo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_dan1UsDlINg7jzk1Q0RB3SKMqpsvolWmPq4FSrtJS-StyWABzl1zQDOORdlwYWoKXlCu8jRmRzArqrUYzR0m5i2E4ZwraJIxmxWzwN0urOSc1b5znd-QewlRdlp5DA8tU6Qwjz3VNA/s1600/NRE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="249" data-original-width="476" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_dan1UsDlINg7jzk1Q0RB3SKMqpsvolWmPq4FSrtJS-StyWABzl1zQDOORdlwYWoKXlCu8jRmRzArqrUYzR0m5i2E4ZwraJIxmxWzwN0urOSc1b5znd-QewlRdlp5DA8tU6Qwjz3VNA/s320/NRE.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center;">
Let’s compare how the corporate non-profit “Regional Recycling” (RR, the more recent brand
name for the federally incorporated Encorp) and the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange
(NRE) go about their "business."</h2>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center;">
Firstly, the local RR depots are privately owned. They are licenced by the federally incorporated not-for-profit Encorp.</h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center;">
So how are they funded?</h3>
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<b>Encorp</b>: Especially in the earlier days,
when Encorp's “Return-it” was only a bottle depot, they were given the eco-fees
generated whenever someone purchased a bottled beverage. They got to keep 100% of those
deposits, even when the container was not given to them for a refund. They amassed large sums
of our money ($43 million at its peak). They still get to keep these public funds. In the last year they reported (2016) about three-quarters of all of their income came from the eco-fees charged to us. The rest comes from selling the recyclables and other income.<a href="https://www.return-it.ca/ar2016/plan-performance.php" target="_blank">Click here for that information.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b>The NRE</b> has very little guaranteed funding. It has had to work hard to generate most of their own revenues
from second-hand sales and finding buyers for the items they received. The NRE
has depended a little for contractual work from the RDN (just as would a
company, and made some profit from these). Despite these obstacles the NRE, with its own money, was able to
purchase a piece of land that has now increased in value, but has no buildings on it. Because its business plan included
receiving items that <b>cost it to recycle</b> ($30,000/year at last count) it was not
able to save for the building it otherwise would have been able to self-fund and erect.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
There are other differences
between the two entities. Unlike publicly traded businesses Encorp does not
have to disclose how much pay its directors receive, and has declined to
disclose this and the specific amounts paid for any of its separate (privately run!) operations (<a href="https://bc.ctvnews.ca/some-recycling-agencies-raking-in-millions-in-profits-1.2778825" target="_blank">click for the article here</a>). About 5% ($4.5 million) were spent in 2016 for administration of the corporation (a fair chunk of this would have been paid to their Directors). Their "handling fees" ($53.5 million or 58% of the total) went to their network of
independent (for-profit) contractors "such as depot operators, transporters and
processors" (see about 2/3's the way down <a href="https://www.return-it.ca/ar2016/program-outline.php" target="_blank">this page</a>).
Audited statements are available at the NRE’s AGM’s.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
The local RR independent contractor (there was only one outlet in 2016) operated on very roughly $1.9 million in 2016, according to my calculations (Nanaimo recycled 35,600,000 of 1 billion containers in the province and the total given to those operators appears to have been $53.5 million). The NRE operated on just over half of RR's income, or just over $1 million. No wonder the RR looks more presentable!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
So while the NRE as an entity is a non-profit, the local RR depots are privately owned businesses and operate under licence. I have learned that the RR depots have banded together through an association that is putting pressure on the NRE's of the province. And this is only one aspect of the sordid mess called "recycling" in British Columbia.</div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Other differences? </h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Encorp’s directors (<a href="https://www.return-it.ca/ar2016/governance.php" target="_blank">click here for the list</a>) most
likely do not live in Nanaimo. It is a federally registered corporation. Their independent contractors (businesses) do likely live in this area. But the NRE is a <b>local, charitable, community-driven
entity run and directed in Nanaimo</b> that is <i>very</i> responsive to the needs of the community, including training
non-employable people so that they are less likely ending up on the streets or overdosing. Unlike RR the NRE put a huge amount of effort into Canada's first Zero Waste International conference, held in Nanaimo a few years ago. Nobody from Encorp or their depots attended the event, much less helped it out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
The NRE has led recycling in our region for a quarter of a century; Encorp was
handed a golden spoon by the province less than 20 years ago. The NRE has been willing to sacrifice
its own future for our sake. It has inspired us to go further so as to avoid
building a tax-payer sucking incinerator, and is more visionary.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
So, yes, both entities recycle but locally only the NRE is a non-profit. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
If the NRE’s building program is
funded by local governments, costing us each the equivalent of a few coffees
per year for just a few years, the NRE’s new site will to allow it to accept even more items –things
that are not currently accepted for recycling <b>anywhere</b> else. Do we wish to move forward or stay stuck? The decision now lays with the City of Nanaimo's councillors. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Isn’t it time we gave back to
them so that they can continue to give to us?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbMcMDBGz1Bv4R61kPjG20U5Uvo5equeBcYGuwwwO43J6muitCF8_rT37enNUBE492nelqxf6lIxFoAKYeQ9R0IRJo1qmgK7_BbQHTclHR8D2vU5f43U7rJN9i2Ff8BR5Ivr_2JsBRS4/s1600/NRE+centre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="640" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbMcMDBGz1Bv4R61kPjG20U5Uvo5equeBcYGuwwwO43J6muitCF8_rT37enNUBE492nelqxf6lIxFoAKYeQ9R0IRJo1qmgK7_BbQHTclHR8D2vU5f43U7rJN9i2Ff8BR5Ivr_2JsBRS4/s320/NRE+centre.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-3040424112437050642017-10-27T23:13:00.001-07:002017-10-27T23:27:28.840-07:00Costs of Automobiles, and Solutions<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
Transportation</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKQ1E3ukiIme2fQ2LmoHpYrPo3IkxhiS9kOs9-3gUDGTFGK_uPVOhovfsPVTYMal0Aa978-im22KO5VO1AP4B2lreCeOHs5TQZHk5ogd3qO-XiU57INlO0U9DBj9Meg3wiQCQN21Jc1g/s1600/Sustainable+transportation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="1205" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKQ1E3ukiIme2fQ2LmoHpYrPo3IkxhiS9kOs9-3gUDGTFGK_uPVOhovfsPVTYMal0Aa978-im22KO5VO1AP4B2lreCeOHs5TQZHk5ogd3qO-XiU57INlO0U9DBj9Meg3wiQCQN21Jc1g/s320/Sustainable+transportation.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
No book about reducing our waste, simplifying our lives and creating more joy is complete without raising this subject –particularly in North America. Three of the most important subjects in our modern society –food/water, energy production & transmission and transportation have the largest impacts on both us and Mother Earth.<br />
<br />
And, all three are necessary. Of these three, transportation injures and kills the most people directly (through accidents) and indirectly (via air pollution). Yet travel is extremely important. Let’s take a look at the history of travel and what we can do to improve it.<br />
<br />
People have always travelled, by water-craft, walking/jogging and the use of animals (dog sleds and riding animals such as horses, camels, elephants, etc.) for all of human history. In our modern world travel is far more crucial because food, raw materials and products are often shipped thousands of kilometres to their destinations. Developed countries, and increasingly developing nations such as China and India, have essentially forced their citizens to travel longer distances to work, shopping, entertainment, school and such.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jnLpk-pqoYJVOQU7A4L-jq5fq1CmzQKVmcI7uX3x1oQuWRYqnyEn3b4BxWR8Purz3haw54MsSrWTSE_scjSaiCiCYWUKP1lwKnY8NMZ-asKAfu33x3BXKHpyHal5YxnSdDkKh61zmCE/s1600/Trolley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="743" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jnLpk-pqoYJVOQU7A4L-jq5fq1CmzQKVmcI7uX3x1oQuWRYqnyEn3b4BxWR8Purz3haw54MsSrWTSE_scjSaiCiCYWUKP1lwKnY8NMZ-asKAfu33x3BXKHpyHal5YxnSdDkKh61zmCE/s320/Trolley.JPG" width="320" /></a>The most efficient mode of ground transportation, the bicycle, is what led to the construction of the first paved road surface in North America (in New York City), in the very early 1900’s. With the rise of the automobile (which was principally electrically powered!) pavement was extended to the use of motor vehicle traffic as well. As the car numbers grew bicycles and pedestrians soon began to be pushed off the roads (at least pedestrians were sometimes given sidewalks, but this move essentially “paved” the way for the car to dominate the streets. The “no jaywalking” law, recommended by the automobile industry, was quickly adopted, completing the transformation of streets from people to motor vehicles). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4qvgmu920UkN8Y-SDYUhp4LIrJMLXMHN-vLFl48YgwwmLuFyRbevihhTV_dhhygjwzsAy8WMoQjJ7ENHD0UtP6R0rbUML9aLZACX4ia6gbYYGjgXCCU-DdHrFcsvVHq03T_dNXWUJWM/s1600/Car.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4qvgmu920UkN8Y-SDYUhp4LIrJMLXMHN-vLFl48YgwwmLuFyRbevihhTV_dhhygjwzsAy8WMoQjJ7ENHD0UtP6R0rbUML9aLZACX4ia6gbYYGjgXCCU-DdHrFcsvVHq03T_dNXWUJWM/s1600/Car.JPG" /></a></div>
Henceforth the car/pickup truck became considered the gold standard of transportation, providing speed, convenience, independence, comfort and (in theory) safety –all icons of western society. Some would add that the automobile –having attained such a high stature– could very well be an object of worship, however subtle. Its presence alone has literally forced a complete redesign of cities to accommodate its huge requirement for space (up to 25% of the surface of a downtown is often dedicated to vehicles!). Accommodating it costs billions of dollars, kills and injures millions world-wide every year, isolates us, pollutes, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and far more. Only objects/subjects that are so highly desired could avoid being eliminated by the sheer costs these vehicles represent to societies.<br />
Ironically what was sold as a dream has become somewhat a nightmare to the growing numbers of people stuck in traffic jams and essentially experiencing the TV show “survivor” five times a week. Urban sprawl has made cities expensive to maintain due to the large land base they have consumed. Schools, fire and ambulance stations, water and sewer mains have to be built to serve these far-flung outposts of urban centres. At what cost? An enormous one, financially, economically and socially, to say nothing of the cost to our health through collisions, pollution and disease. The liberal desire for convenience, comfort, and “security” all lure us into this growing planetary nightmare. While this has been “driven” by the baby boomers the younger generations are waking up to the dangerous and high cost of the automobile. Often, whenever possible, many of them avoid buying a car, or even get a driver’s licence. Increasingly they prefer to live in town centres –reversing the trend set by the baby boomers.<br />
<br />
They are wise. Motor vehicles are neither safe nor affordable. World-wide, motor vehicles account for about one-quarter of all Greenhouse Gas emissions principally due to the high fuel consumption. Nearly 1.3 million people die in road crashes each year, on average 3,287 deaths a day. An additional 20-50 million are injured or disabled. More than half of all road traffic deaths occur among young adults ages 15-44. The death and injury from the pollution created by these vehicles, plus ships anchored in harbours, likely doubles the numbers cited above. Thus perhaps as many as 100 million people are injured or permanently disabled each year. This number does not include emissions that abort or injure perhaps another million foetuses yearly. So much for “security.”<br />
<br />
In fact the dependence on the automobile alone leads to:<br />
• High incidents of injuries and death, as outlined above.<br />
• Current urban designs lead to car dependencies and lead to a lack of sufficient physical exercise through walking and cycling which significantly contributes to health issues such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. <br />
• Other health issues arise from noise pollution from traffic and air pollution, including strokes, respiratory issues, cancer, and more. <br />
• A lack of transportation options restrict non-car owners/users access to numerous services and facilities, namely jobs, education, leisure facilities, and health-care services, all of which are critical social determinants of health. <br />
• A lack of adequate transportation is also correlated with higher crime rates and thus a reduced sense of security and life satisfaction. <br />
• A lack of transportation options also reduce the economic performance of a city or region in part because money spent on cars leaves the region, and such prevents many of those in the lower socio-economic spectrum from getting work or gaining better paying employment. <br />
• Shockingly lower income earners subsidise higher income earners because they also pay property taxes (in one form or another) and rent or pay multi-residential (condo) fees that, in part, pay to maintain parking spaces –regardless of whether these are needed by the occupants of the building or not. <br />
In addition a city’s economy and vitality is constrained by inadequate transportation systems. <br />
• Urban areas that encourage reliance on private motorised vehicles foster expenditures on cars and their related costs, such as gas, insurance, and parking. Money spent on cars and fuels is money that largely leaves the regional economy, draining it. <br />
• Without people-friendly transportation systems consumers are less likely to be enticed to purchase local goods, resulting in weak economic resilience of the community. Smaller shops (whose income is more likely to remain in the community) benefit from being located in walkable areas; big box stores benefit from motor vehicles.<br />
• A lack of transportation options greatly increases foreclosures at times of economic recessions<br />
• Businesses in the community may have difficulty hiring employees and suffer from lost customers<br />
• Regionally, poor transportation options results in higher benefit payments and reduced tax contributions<br />
<br />
All but one of these bullets was gratefully furnished by Lan Le Diem Tran’s thesis on sustainable leisure.<br />
<br />
What does it cost society for various ways of getting around? For every $1 spent on walking or cycling, society pays less than 10 cents. For every $1 spent on buses society pays about $2. But for car travel for every $1 spent society pays nearly $10! A further breakdown of the costs and benefits of the various modalities of travel may be extrapolated from this study, conducted on a medium sized city in North America.<br />
<br />
But, and this is a BIG but, quoting costs and figures like these do nothing to convince most drivers of the need for change. Why? Simply because cars to our culture are like cows are to the Indian continent. They are sacred. Not to be touched. Since the 1930’s, and especially post-war, owning and driving one’s own automobile came to be expected with adulthood. The automobile is the birthright of baby boomers. Owning and/or driving a car gives an owner their identity (thanks to the very clever and expensive marketing prowess of the automotive industry. The car/pick-up truck represents the peak of our culture, a culture of entitlement, convenience, speed and comfort. From the perspective of many drivers, society is supposed to cater to the car. Collectively we seem to behave as though driving a vehicle is an entitlement. Being sacred it is not ever to be criticised.<br />
<br />
The kind of anger I have seen directed at any who would even dare to suggest alternatives to the car is totally incredible. Some drivers are impatient with pedestrians, even swearing or waving their fists at them; many more fail to approach street corners slow enough to avoid striking pedestrians. Some drivers become so enraged at bicycles they deliberately target riders by passing too closely or even side-swiping them! (These drivers might have the same attitude toward buses but the size different likely has a bearing on their behaviour...) I have seen people argue that hospitals should divert precious funds in order to build parking spots so that people can visit the ill. Yet those who rely on their cars for all travel are the most likely to get ill and need the hospital, the very institution that has rendered funds to pay for their parking! I believe we as a society have no idea just how much the automobile has taken over our psyche. <br />
Relying heavily on the single-occupancy motor vehicle is not only costly for the user/owner and especially for society it also exacts a cost to our well-being –physically, mentally and socially. Car travel is usually isolating. This is counter to our need to be connected to others. The quality, not only the quantity of travel, makes a huge impact on us, for better or for worse.<br />
<br />
What are the benefits of a more sustainable transportation design, one that includes greater density, easily accessible services (think of cities in the pre-war years where one could walk to shops, schools, work and such), dedicated walking and cycling trails and a robust interconnected easily accessible and fast public transportation system? One that gives easy access to carshare and bicycle sharing hubs? It provides the following benefits:<br />
• Better physical and mental health, including better work-place performance and fewer anxiety and anger issues,<br />
• reduced pollution & noise,<br />
• greater longevity, <br />
• much lower transportation costs, <br />
• lowered costs for the city<br />
• greater safety, <br />
• greater sense of community and belonging, <br />
• greater social cohesion, <br />
• much improved local economies and job opportunities, <br />
• more attractive to tourists<br />
• increased civic pride<br />
• greater numbers of young adults who provide needed services and perspectives (vital to a fully functioning city)<br />
<br />
What city would not wish these?<br />
<br />
Boiling all of this down, what constitutes a sustainable transportation system? It<br />
1. Allows the basic access needs of individuals and societies to be met safely and in a manner consistent with human and ecosystem health, and with equity within and between generations.<br />
2. Is affordable, operates efficiently, offers choice of transport mode, and supports a vibrant economy.<br />
3. Limits emissions and waste within the planet’s ability to absorb them, minimizes consumption of non-renewable resources, limits consumption of renewable resources to the sustainable yield level, reuses and recycles its components, and minimizes the use of land and the production of noise. <br />
<br />
North America has a long way to go before catching up to Europe and much of the world in this regard. Local, provincial/state and federal initiatives are underway. All each of us need to do is to jump on board to any one of them while seeking ways we can improve the quality of our lives.Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-22763960666153008302017-10-10T13:59:00.000-07:002017-10-10T13:59:13.310-07:00The Value of Supporting the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbMcMDBGz1Bv4R61kPjG20U5Uvo5equeBcYGuwwwO43J6muitCF8_rT37enNUBE492nelqxf6lIxFoAKYeQ9R0IRJo1qmgK7_BbQHTclHR8D2vU5f43U7rJN9i2Ff8BR5Ivr_2JsBRS4/s1600/NRE+centre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="640" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbMcMDBGz1Bv4R61kPjG20U5Uvo5equeBcYGuwwwO43J6muitCF8_rT37enNUBE492nelqxf6lIxFoAKYeQ9R0IRJo1qmgK7_BbQHTclHR8D2vU5f43U7rJN9i2Ff8BR5Ivr_2JsBRS4/s320/NRE+centre.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nanaimo’s heart and soul of
recycling may be facing its demise. While the NRE has
inspired citizens, businesses, the city and the regional district to adopt
strong <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>waste-recovery practises, leading
by example and helping to extend the life of the local landfill -costing us virtually
nothing-, the NRE may be discarded early next year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Why? Because the majority of the
Nanaimo city councillors have been convinced that the NRE is the responsibility
of the Regional District of Nanaimo (the RDN) while the Directors of the RDN
are being steered by their staff to believe that the NRE is, in essence, not
required. </div>
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The NRE primarily benefits
residents and businesses in Nanaimo, yet technically its mandate falls under the
RDN solid waste management. Yet the city utterly relies on the NRE to bolster
its own recycling & composting initiatives. In fact the NRE is the principal
waste recovery place to which the city’s website directs residents –because it
is truly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i> one-stop centre, offering
us far more than only recycling. The city and the NRE have been doing business
together as long as both have existed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
The RDN’s <a href="http://www.getinvolved.rdn.ca/4006/documents/7876">plans</a> on how it
believes it will reach its goal of diverting 90% of the waste materials through
composting, recycling and reusing those materials looks good on paper. They will
try to take the region to a recycling/composting rate of 90% principally
through education, enforcement and utilising private (for-profit) companies.
While there is much in their plan that is worthy of praise it fails to
appreciate that the NRE IS the flagship for authentic zero waste in our region.
It <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">inspires</b> us to be better stewards
of waste materials.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsODGkzJaLGUpHI5cLgXIOwjFjiCTc6L58LYTgnxxGG-IEpUsTZdnB_OBrSeAE_0gEoqLCvkfOyTVLv0vLsutd-EStKu4oWKGv_Mx4ExJ0RLCotaNU_jpoz0eDdFoqhvwLVydfpzWvvg/s1600/Ian%2540NRE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsODGkzJaLGUpHI5cLgXIOwjFjiCTc6L58LYTgnxxGG-IEpUsTZdnB_OBrSeAE_0gEoqLCvkfOyTVLv0vLsutd-EStKu4oWKGv_Mx4ExJ0RLCotaNU_jpoz0eDdFoqhvwLVydfpzWvvg/s200/Ian%2540NRE.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
The NRE is special. It is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sacred</i>, even in its grittiness. The NRE <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">represents</i> the true essence of zero
waste. It is our mascot. Fancy plans for taking us to zero waste are all fine,
but such plans are dry and theoretical; they have no spirit. The NRE is gutsy <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">and</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">it has spirit</b>!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Consider Nanaimo’s Colliery Dam
Park. The bureaucrats decided (without sufficient information) that the dams
were a) dangerous and b) the park would be fine if it were “re-naturalised” (no
lakes, only a stream). Rationally, their plan made sense. But people were
outraged! They felt as though the heart of that park was going to be ripped
out! (It was.) This “logical” plan was a violation! It was as if people were
saying, ‘The Park and its lakes are sacred!’ So the city kept the lakes. It was
willing to pay the (likely unnecessary) price because of the value we put into
the park as it is.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
The NRE has easily saved us
millions of dollars. Now it is asking for some assistance so that it can not
only survive but develop into what could be called the ‘Nanaimo Waste Recovery
Centre,’ generating more jobs and saving us even more money. Without the NRE/NWRC
our enthusiasm for recycling will be trashed. Our mascot will be dead. Targets
will be missed. We may begin to again hear about the necessity of a (very
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Without
the NRE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>more garbage will likely illegally
be dumped by road-sides and contaminating the yellow recycling bags. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>What are the costs of these consequences? What is the cost of not expanding
opportunities for new businesses that could utilise the recovered resources?
What is the cost of ending the employee training program run by the NRE?</div>
<br />
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If the city and the RDN truly
want to take us to a “zero waste” future, one without landfills or incinerators,
while failing to invest in the centre-piece of our region’s efforts to reduce
waste, then they are fooling themselves. </div>
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But not us.</div>
Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-31152629273374265502017-07-30T15:23:00.004-07:002017-08-02T21:33:53.033-07:00Save the NRE or pay (more!) laterThis is the letter I have just sent to the mayor and council of the city of Nanaimo (mayor&council@nanaimo.ca is the e-address should you wish to do the same)<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkc8ZsEJSbGDxvICOwsmDb3Gykuwa7QkconOfTWVQ2dUfDZq6vhxtzjX975pTeewQoQvkviW9nWx67fHTgfhNtWhiZcCKJBtvSfNsFe3woTBuV6Smrflp3zsD3hjNi8rzN5yJHYIanTgo/s1600/Jan_foamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="563" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkc8ZsEJSbGDxvICOwsmDb3Gykuwa7QkconOfTWVQ2dUfDZq6vhxtzjX975pTeewQoQvkviW9nWx67fHTgfhNtWhiZcCKJBtvSfNsFe3woTBuV6Smrflp3zsD3hjNi8rzN5yJHYIanTgo/s320/Jan_foamed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mayor and Councillors:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I believe it was about three years ago I addressed the
Regional District of Nanaimo, encouraging them to engage the Nanaimo Recycling
Exchange, and noting to them how much the NRE benefits us all. Evidently the
negotiations between the staff of the NRE and the City that followed went
nowhere; the NRE simply did and does not have the capital to have met their
expectations. Why should they? The NRE alone accepts materials that cost money
to properly recycle. They do not get a slice of the income from recycling cans
(apart from a few donations).</div>
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<br /></div>
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One of the materials they alone accept is Styrofoam. This
material alone can occupy up to 25% of the space in landfills, but because the
waste industry considers only the WEIGHT of materials the NRE is given
inadequate credit f<span class="textexposedshow">or continuing to greatly extend
the life of our regional landfill. In other words, they fail to appreciate the
true value of the NRE.</span></div>
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<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">What also seems to be evident that they and we fail
to recognise that the NRE is capable of creating local employment by spurring
new industries using our waste materials. Unlike most investments by the city
these jobs would continue to increase over time, would benefit <i>all</i>
people in our region, and would benefit the environment. Unlike any other
investments a waste recovery centre would retain materials rather than burn or
bury them, thus benefiting future generations, and would actually bring us to
the 90% diversion rate envisioned by the city.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth7vCt1zFtboC_ZDNSmRoyxmQNRZodeiezBCx-L0d1r_2BhwylVgkTWNRqpwm1tYoxoD1UP98NZJT7XZwyd2aYdMWDkie71GSJrsUiz5QjQHzcv4X7524PfSHzUkTKjIh4HM6-csSPUc/s1600/Ian%2540NRE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth7vCt1zFtboC_ZDNSmRoyxmQNRZodeiezBCx-L0d1r_2BhwylVgkTWNRqpwm1tYoxoD1UP98NZJT7XZwyd2aYdMWDkie71GSJrsUiz5QjQHzcv4X7524PfSHzUkTKjIh4HM6-csSPUc/s320/Ian%2540NRE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow">The NRE is the only true way we have been able to
make up for the inadequate curbside provincial recycling program, a program
that gives the RDN and city more than $2 million a year. Why isn’t at least
some of this income being invested in the NRE and its vision of better
utilising waste materials?? Please do not confuse the contract funds paid to
the NRE with subsidy (an error I have heard made). The NRE is paid to engage in
public education and to accept yard waste at its facility. This is not a
subsidy. As far as I know it has never received any donations from the city or
the RDN.</span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow">Given the fact that recycling,
reusing, repurposing and composting generate double the number of jobs as do
landfilling or incinerating waste materials, these measures also retain the
latent energy required to create those materials in the first place, saves
dwindling resources (we live on a finite planet), and that the NRE is uniquely
poised to expand the opportunity to create local jobs, improve the environment,
retain resources, spur industries in our region, and improve the local economy,
why are the City and the RDN not seriously investing in this amazing
non-profit?</span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow">I believe we have been getting a free ride for too
long. Either the city and the RDN get serious about the benefits of the NRE or
we fill up our landfill more quickly and/or get a <b>far more expensive</b> and
<b>polluting</b> incinerator far sooner. </span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow">Nanaimo hosted Canada’s first
Zero Waste International conference. Mr. McKay took in the event (then as a
councillor). The City was a sponsor of that event. The international community
is now watching to see if Nanaimo and the RDN will turn their backs on the
opportunities that are laid at its feet.</span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow">I urge you to put some serious money on the table,
and encourage the RDN to do the same. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJK9buvPTSTzd6D3Ty9wF6aHdwwyN8cjFvIoVod9hhMZ40dMe5L6UkTdHmBS2ngJdvmnzRGfbgb0xrcpUae45SQTSKFDLHIv_dgNs18ufaYFpPC8fsuxGKKVSzJZg0BF5FcL0_scbKlQM/s1600/NRE+centre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="640" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJK9buvPTSTzd6D3Ty9wF6aHdwwyN8cjFvIoVod9hhMZ40dMe5L6UkTdHmBS2ngJdvmnzRGfbgb0xrcpUae45SQTSKFDLHIv_dgNs18ufaYFpPC8fsuxGKKVSzJZg0BF5FcL0_scbKlQM/s400/NRE+centre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Readers: if you wish to e-mail the RDN Directors here are their e-mail addresses: bill.veenhof@shaw.ca; ian.thorpe@nanaimo.ca; alecmcpherson@shaw.ca; maureen_young@shaw.ca; bobrogers4areaE@telus.net; fjfell.at.rdn@gmail.com; jstanhope@shaw.ca; bill.mckay@nanaimo.ca; bill.bestwick@nanaimo.ca; jerry.hong@nanaimo.ca; jim.kipp@nanaimo.ca; gordon.fuller@nanaimo.ca; bill.yoachim@nanaimo.ca; mayor@parksville.ca; councillor.colclough@lantzville.ca; mayor@qualicumbeach.com. To contact Director Houle <a href="http://howardhoule.wordpress.com/contact-me/" target="_blank">click here</a>. Please note that Ian Thorpe, Bill McKay, Bill Bestwick, Jerry Hong, Kim Kipp, Gordon Fuller and Bill Yoachim are all city of Nanaimo councillors. Be respectful; they receive a ton of e-mails.</div>
Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com2Nanaimo, BC, Canada49.1658836 -123.940064748.9998026 -124.26278819999999 49.3319646 -123.6173412tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-37139319021592368522017-07-01T14:39:00.000-07:002017-07-06T20:40:11.485-07:00My picks for Nanaimo's By-election<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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All 13 candidates have desirable qualities for the one councillor position up for grabs on July 8th. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_yVyXteRgUqXUhFxffrNORV04p17PoBPLGmRuaYjEeks2B-qEeOGEt4Nmhp7FcgOmNr9OISQool4ug96te7h4O1PjlNF8-YSE19T0KwuXZD0ccZrtp3dXVQRWjKXv0MJbPSnp7Jrurw/s1600/cityhall1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_yVyXteRgUqXUhFxffrNORV04p17PoBPLGmRuaYjEeks2B-qEeOGEt4Nmhp7FcgOmNr9OISQool4ug96te7h4O1PjlNF8-YSE19T0KwuXZD0ccZrtp3dXVQRWjKXv0MJbPSnp7Jrurw/s320/cityhall1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In order to attempt to prioritise them I used a 10 point scale as follows:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ability to:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>connect with and really hear where people are
coming from, including genuine consultation with the local Snuneymuxw First Nation</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>be astute managers –which includes putting sufficient
effort to listen to people; do their own research; attend meetings and public
events; and be able to make their own decisions (vs. blindly vote along with
others)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>think through problems creatively, preferably by
finding “win-win” solutions for all involved</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>balance fiscal restraints with community needs</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>sniff out when staff are trying to manipulate
councillors to vote a certain way</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>have a vision of sustainability <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> affordability for the community and
our planetary home </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>be authentic (not fake or egotistical) </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>be a team player: genuinely work with other
councillors and the mayor</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Extra point for being a woman (my bias: we need
more of them)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Extra
point for being younger (my bias: the Millennials better understand what we
need to do to attract this needed population and become more sustainable)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Please note that none of the
above parameters consider the usual “right-left” wing perspective, although
those who are stuck in a narrow perspective are unlikely to score very high on
most of these parameters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
I score one point for each of
the above 10 considerations. A candidate who (in my estimation, of course) does
not obtain at least 5 of the possible 10 points is not on my top picks. From
the top:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sacia</b> (pronounced
“Sasha”) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Burton</b> is a young female and
full of good ideas such as improving individual and community well-being (food
security, active transportation, affordable housing, citizen engagement) and
being a team-player. Her profile and answers on <a href="http://www.nanaimonet.com/">www.NanaimoNet.com</a> and <a href="http://www.ournanaimo.com/">www.ournanaimo.com</a> have the most pragmatic
and thought-through policies of all the candidates. She is bright, positive, and
able to make points without disrespecting others who disagree with her (“My
experience as an advocate in University governance taught me to match thoughtful
critique with an empathetic ear.”) She was the only candidate in the Chamber of
Commerce/Young Professionals event to ask the audience questions (not easy when
one is given only one minute to reply to a question!) and after her poll was
completed she replied to the responses with “That’s interesting.” She is likely
resilient, which will be necessary if elected to the current Council. She is as
unique as is her name. 10/10</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Noah Routley</b> is a
current school board trustee. He seems to be a team-player (“I will increase
overall stakeholder and community advocacy if elected. My mandate is to be
available and accessible to constituents, bringing public concerns to the
board. Now more than ever in our school district we need advocates with a heart
and a powerful voice... My co-working style is collaborative and supportive,
while also being a strong advocate and leader.” –see his trustee profile at <a href="http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/news/school-trustee-candidate-noah-routley/">http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/news/school-trustee-candidate-noah-routley/</a>;
see also his first points noted in the current <a href="https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-1/">https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-1/</a>
“First and foremost we need to hear from Nanaimo residents”) as well as comments
made at <a href="http://www.nanaimonet.com/432653805">http://www.nanaimonet.com/432653805</a>).
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seems to support active
transportation based on what he wrote in the Our Nanaimo website just cited but
I see no evidence on how he would accomplish this, especially given his stance
against raising taxes. He is more likely knowledgeable about what is needed to
reduce the growing mental health issues due to his related background. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>He advocates for a collaborative and practical
approach to the city’s social issues. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>7/10</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kevin Cantelon’s</b>
responses to the Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition’s survey in the last general
election (<a href="http://www.bikesense.org/elections/councillors/councillor-candidates/content/KevinCantelon.pdf">http://www.bikesense.org/elections/councillors/councillor-candidates/content/KevinCantelon.pdf</a>)
he strongly advocated for an improved cycling infrastructure. In his recent
response to the Our Nanaimo (<a href="https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-1/">https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-1/</a>)
his views on how to make the city more responsive to current and future needs
are practical and sustainable. As a lawyer he seems to have an idea how to
respond to conflict and says he will work collaboratively. In my experience a
number of lawyers are able to do this. “My platform calls for a return to
civility and functionality.” Kevin seems keen to improve the social and economic
conditions in the city. He seems to balance fiscal and social needs. 6+/10</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sheryl Armstrong</b>
is a retired RCMP officer. She’s interested in both economic development and
reducing the city’s mental health issues, bringing leadership to the Council,
and listening to/connecting with the electorate. Sheryl will likely be able to
stand up to the bullying by some councillors. She has training in interest
based negotiation, conflict resolution and conflict management. (<a href="https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-3rd/">https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-3rd/</a>).
While her principals are noteworthy it is not clear to me what policies, apart
from mental health, she wishes to accomplish. She seems to be a fiscal
conservative who may also be approachable by the electorate. She made mention
of the need for bike lanes (<a href="https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-1/">https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-1/</a>).
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She seems to place a lot of trust in the
abilities of the city’s CEO (see <a href="https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-2/">https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-2/</a>).
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6/10</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Kevin Storrie</span></b><b><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> has previous civic experience
(two terms on the Campbell River Council) that would bring needed experience to
Nanaimo’s Council. He is a former builder who has a social conscience. He seeks
to be a team player. He’s been through enough personal trials to have developed
empathy for others. He has plenty of good ideas. My sense of him is that he
would be a fairly typical councillor and offer little in terms of making
Nanaimo sustainable. 6/10</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Alexis Taylor Middleton</span></b><b><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> seems to have done her homework
on how to make the city more sustainable (see her responses at the One Nanaimo
website, <a href="https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-1/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-1/</span></a>).
She would not likely get into conflicts with other councillors as she seems not
to be pushy. I would have preferred to see her be more assertive at the
Chamber/YPN event. She seemed shy to pull the microphone toward herself well
enough to get a good sound quality. Her closing remark showed some passion. 5+/10</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Kelly Whiteside </span></b><b><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">is a young adult who was
unfortunately unable to attend either all candidate event due to work commitments.
</span></b>She says of herself that she is “a young, queer woman: a
voice/face rarely seen in politics” (<a href="https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-6/">https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-6/</a>)
and that she is even-handed and independent <a href="https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-3rd/">https://www.ournanaimo.com/index.php/question-3rd/</a>.
Her focus is primarily on downtown revitalisation, infrastructure, good
governance and an improved active transportation (see <a href="http://www.nanaimonet.com/435251043">http://www.nanaimonet.com/435251043</a>).
Not enough information to give a score but <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">at
least 5</b>/10.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leon Cake</b>: Into
charities, hockey, instrumental in saving the colliery dams, seems willing to listen
to the residents; wants to greatly reduce <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in
camera</i> meetings; ask tough questions of staff (he had passion and people
responded well). Likely a fiscal conservative. He doesn’t seem to know much
about how to make us more sustainable. In his responses to the Greater Nanaimo
Cycling Coalition’s survey in the last general election (<a href="http://www.bikesense.org/elections/councillors/councillor-candidates/content/LeonCake.pdf">http://www.bikesense.org/elections/councillors/councillor-candidates/content/LeonCake.pdf</a>)
he seemed interested in learning more about active transportation and
supporting some positive changes. Has he learned anything more about the
importance of active transportation now three years later? A lack of his
participation on Our Nanaimo’s website makes rating him not possible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Brunie Brunie</b> and
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Al Thompson</b> interestingly are the
two eldest and the most colourful candidates. They are worlds apart, however,
when it comes to sustainability. Examples: for economic development Brunie
supports greenhouses that utilise solar energy while Al would burn “garbage” to
heat them. Brunie gets around by bicycle and Al is a former truck driver who
advocates the replacement of the railway with a paved surface meant for seniors
in scooters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 2014 city residents were very clear in their opposition
to burning waste resources (aka “garbage”) near the city. Al seems unaware of
this. No candidate seems to be aware that waste resources can be used to create
local employment (as have other municipalities around the world), creating far more
jobs than either dumping or burning. I do not believe they could improve the
atmosphere at the Council chambers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-8175491598893196152017-06-20T09:26:00.001-07:002017-06-20T09:52:57.351-07:00Democracy Sacrificed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEina_2cVU7OrXZT7QuwFhgXjyT1Avr0-u58TT6JG_cI0gFrXaYMXJpnwMDT_ySEjcmVwqmhQ-nwMn5oRmDmNibeRHzn5Vdqgs-7iSTiYi2Y6X2Sbwv6DzST2iux6gH3JJ-1USUmOvmBHQk/s1600/Rutherford.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEina_2cVU7OrXZT7QuwFhgXjyT1Avr0-u58TT6JG_cI0gFrXaYMXJpnwMDT_ySEjcmVwqmhQ-nwMn5oRmDmNibeRHzn5Vdqgs-7iSTiYi2Y6X2Sbwv6DzST2iux6gH3JJ-1USUmOvmBHQk/s320/Rutherford.png" width="320" /></a></div>
With the election of three Green MLA's last month many hoped that the province of B.C. might experience something of a resurgence in democracy. Greens are known to work with other parties and now hold the balance of power.<br />
Ever the strategists the Liberals have decided to not cooperate and hope for more seats in an election that will be called in the near future while blaming the Greens for not supporting them.<br />
Here are signs of this strategy:<br />
<ol>
<li> None of the Liberal MLA's are willing to stand for election as the Speaker of the Legislature, expecting the NDP or Green to provide one, thus creating a very unstable tie vote. This is unusual in the Westminster tradition</li>
<li>Christy Clark is currently campaigning in the vote-rich lower mainland, wooing them with promises of improving their transit (finally!) and more</li>
<li>Their budget will include many of the policies promised by the Greens and NDP such as more funds for social assistance and an end to corporate donations (which would, if put into effect, end their dynasty) -knowing that this budget will fail. This way they can accuse the NDP and Greens of not voting for policies they hold dear</li>
<li>Corporations quickly began to donate large sums of money to the Liberal Party immediately after the election -more than $1 million in the first two weeks</li>
<li>Their candidates appear to be readying to run in the near future. At least one has not closed his campaign bank account even though they cannot use it</li>
<li>They have accused the NDP and Greens of being "power hungry" and "not cooperating"</li>
<li>They are positioning themselves as being the only stable option (while doing all that they can to destabilize the Legislature). They have named their cabinet members and announced this to local media (even though they know that they will be defeated, terminating the cabinet), giving all appearances of being ready to govern</li>
<li>They are hoping to convince the Lieutenant Governor that the NDP/Green alliance is too unstable and thus to call another election rather than to allow the alliance an opportunity to form the government. If they were to provide a Speaker this would not be necessary.</li>
</ol>
Contrast all of this to the recent occurrence in Great Britain. There the ruling Conservatives wooed a small Party that had won a few seats so that together they would have enough votes to prevent another election. They accomplished this in less than a month and got back to business. In B.C. the Liberal leader, Christy Clark, did not show up to the initial meeting with the Green Party's Andrew Weaver and the Party was not willing to give up some of its favourite positions in order to meet the Green's expectations of support, then blamed Andrew for forging an agreement with the NDP <i>before</i> meeting with Christy Clark. Where was she at that most important initial meeting? Why did they not go to Andrew on bended knee so that the province could enjoy a more stable government?<br />
<br />
Projection is an attempt to place on to others what is true of oneself. While accusing the NDP and Greens of being "power hungry" the Liberals delayed the recalling the legislature as long as they could, and rumour has it that they will not present a budget when it first reconvenes. These delays allow the Liberal caucus to keep the Site C dam to continue to the point that it becomes uneconomical to stop it, displacing homeowners in the meantime, and continue their policies as long as possible. Claiming that providing a Speaker from their ranks as this would amount to "propping up" the NDP/Green government they expected the Greens to support them so as to provide stability in the province. Would this not amount to "propping up" the Liberals?<br />
<br />
The result of all of the above is that the Legislature will fall as soon as a non-confidence vote succeeds -all this will require is just one Green or NDP MLA to be missing from the Legislature one day. The Liberal coffers are filling with corporate donations. They will be more than ready with their slick campaign that blames the NDP and Greens for messing up the province and offering a stable pro-economy, pro-jobs promise from the Liberals.<br />
<br />
Such is the state of democracy in British Columbia. Will the voters reward or punish the Liberals?<br />
<br />Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-12473716618143488362017-06-02T18:58:00.002-07:002017-06-02T18:58:42.971-07:00To Make Nanaimo Affordable and Better<!--[if !mso]>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzB1qaC2ELZJVymGOmliflyAo_txGyOyDRAk5t4rbxDHPPK5eqyel_RtDYLSZWcId-i5EXV7KG5BNgrw5iDvMzr440EblUS1EvgD-6fxy8rwQFkrWHbz-goE-8Lw_f71PKVzC4zgxoCo/s1600/Sustainable+transportation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="1205" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzB1qaC2ELZJVymGOmliflyAo_txGyOyDRAk5t4rbxDHPPK5eqyel_RtDYLSZWcId-i5EXV7KG5BNgrw5iDvMzr440EblUS1EvgD-6fxy8rwQFkrWHbz-goE-8Lw_f71PKVzC4zgxoCo/s320/Sustainable+transportation.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
In light of Nanaimo’s
aging population (somewhat higher than Canada’s and even B.C.’s) and that the
future looks dim without a greater immigration and retention of younger adults
(called “the Millenniums”) who are keen to have a planet worth living on, what
does Nanaimo need to do to survive and thrive?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
A Master’s thesis written by Lan
Le Diem Tran, a Millennial who hails from Vietnam, answers this question. Her
thesis <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">focused on leisure
mobility in Nanaimo for Millennials (born 1984 to 1996).</span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span>After surveying them in 2016 she concludes that in <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">order to thrive Nanaimo needs to
attract and retain talented workers by greatly improving our sustainable
transportation system. </span>Young adults want to live in mid-sized cities
such as Nanaimo, especially with the natural beauty and amenities offered here <b>if</b> such cities catch up on sustainable transportation, including far more
transit and active options afforded by dedicated cycling and walking
infrastructure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
They want an affordable,
sustainable, city. They know that transportation is one of the two most
expensive costs for individuals and families (it is often as expensive as is
housing). <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In 2010, transportation
alone accounted for 13.35% of the total average estimated household expenditures
in Nanaimo – higher than the two largest cities in British Columbia, which are
Vancouver (12.95%) and Victoria (12.29%). Why? Because 88% of the people living in
Nanaimo travel by car for their daily needs, whereas only 8.5% choose to walk,
1.0% cycle, and 2.5% use public transit. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Not good
news. But in 2014 the city of Nanaimo conducted a nearly $1 million study about how to
move forward. The vision of Nanaimo’s Transportation Master Plan
looks compelling:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 35.3pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Nanaimo’s multi-modal transportation
system will connect the City’s residents and businesses to each other, the rest
of Vancouver Island and beyond. It will provide inclusive transportation
choices that are safe, comfortable, and accessible for people of all ages and
abilities. A system of interconnected facilities and services will provide
affordable mobility while supporting a shift towards a more sustainable mix of
transportation alternatives. The transportation network will seek to create and
support a vibrant, liveable, healthy and sustainable community for residents,
businesses and visitors alike.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Sadly the actual action plan is weak. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It aims to reduce the trip proportions made by
private vehicles by only 8% within 27 years (2014-2041), leaving Nanaimo far
behind in the global and regional competition for Millennial talents, keeping
it as one of the most expensive cities in the province, contributing to its very
high poverty rate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Being a car-dependent city brings many
draw-backs, and not only for Millennials. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center;">
What does our current
transportation system truly cost? A lot!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
The dependence on the automobile
leads to:</div>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>High incidents of injuries and death. <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In Canada people aged between 15 and
34 account for the most fatalities and injuries. </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Current
urban designs lead to car dependencies and lead to a lack of sufficient
physical exercise through walking and cycling which significantly contributes
to health issues such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and
cardiovascular diseases. </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Other
health issues arise from noise pollution from traffic and air pollution (that
kills several thousand Canadians every year). </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Transportation
challenges restrict access to numerous services and facilities, namely jobs,
education, leisure facilities, and health-care services, all of which are
critical social determinants of health. </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">A
lack of adequate transportation is also correlated with higher crime rates and
thus a reduced sense of security and life satisfaction. </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">A
lack of transportation options also reduce the economic performance of a city
or region in part because money spent on cars leaves the region, and such prevents
many of those in the lower socio-economic spectrum from getting work or gaining
better paying employment.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In addition a city’s economy and vitality is
constrained by inadequate transportation systems.</span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Urban areas that encourage reliance
on private motorised vehicles foster expenditures on cars and their related
costs, such as gas, insurance, and parking. Money spent on cars and fuels is
money that largely leaves the regional economy, draining it. </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Without people-friendly transportation
systems consumers are less likely to be enticed to purchase local goods, resulting
in weak economic resilience of the community. </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">A lack of transportation options
greatly increases foreclosures at times of economic recessions</span></li>
<li><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Businesses in the community may have
difficulty hiring employees and suffer from lost customers</span></li>
<li><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Provincially, poor transportation
options results in higher benefit payments and reduced tax contributions</span></li>
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<br />
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What does it cost society for
various ways of getting around? For every $1 spent on walking or cycling
society pays less than 10 cents. Locally for every $1 spent on buses society
pays $2. But for car travel for every $1 spent, society pays nearly $10! <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2737484864170588680#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Relying heavily on the single-occupancy motor
vehicle is not only costly for the user/owner and especially for society it
also exacts a cost to our well-being, physically and socially. Car travel is
often isolating. Healthy humans are well-connected to others. The quality, not
only the quantity of travel, needs to be considered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
By changing this we can benefit
in many ways. Greatly increasing affordable, accessible and sustainable transportation
costs a lot less, improves our local economy, boosts our health outcomes, and brings
many others benefits.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
The Victoria Transportation Institute
(<a href="http://www.vtpi.org/">www.vtpi.org</a>) concludes that the most
liveable cities are the ones that provide the most public transportation. Lan
Le Diem Tran would wholeheartedly agree.</div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2737484864170588680#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">According to the research of
George Paulos; see his work at: <a href="http://spacing.ca/vancouver/2014/09/26/comprehensive-costs-transportation-metro-vancouver-introduction/">http://spacing.ca/vancouver/2014/09/26/comprehensive-costs-transportation-metro-vancouver-introduction/</a>
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0Nanaimo, BC, Canada49.1658836 -123.940064748.9998026 -124.26278819999999 49.3319646 -123.6173412tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-50664542015549103522016-09-12T19:09:00.001-07:002016-09-12T19:23:04.802-07:00How to improve on Nanaimo's Core Services Review<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Core Review questions
and comments</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
September 12, 2016</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While I applaud this <a href="http://www.nanaimo.ca/EN/main/municipal/city-council/core-services-review-information.html" target="_blank">Core Services Review</a> I believe that its
greatest weakness is that it sometimes fails to address the causes of issues (and
hence expenses) and then only addresses how to treat the symptoms. This is a
cultural norm in our part of the world, and costs us tremendously –in every
way. I wish to especially focus on the area of waste management and transportation
(which are related).</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Waste policies (pg 77)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoi38MKZR0HqaMlr4V69xcRixvq-UptdsG89hWkC0_NAnpUxaVNPlWea-sS55X9tUTVE0QxBaMvbJwW-gXzO3AJC35PL8nzwY-v_XX-ujiH2CZY9L3H3oPBQeLz3sf1UNOnHFfbzP7lY/s1600/Recycling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoi38MKZR0HqaMlr4V69xcRixvq-UptdsG89hWkC0_NAnpUxaVNPlWea-sS55X9tUTVE0QxBaMvbJwW-gXzO3AJC35PL8nzwY-v_XX-ujiH2CZY9L3H3oPBQeLz3sf1UNOnHFfbzP7lY/s320/Recycling.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The options
offered are far too limiting and do not meet our goals of continuing to improve
our performance in this area. Indeed, the solutions may encourage us to go in
the opposite direction! The following are just two options that most other
municipalities are not embracing, ones that would again place Nanaimo at the
leader in both waste reduction and boosted related employment:</div>
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Greatly reduce the weight of the garbage cans being lifted
(and injuring our employees)</div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Charge according to the size of the garbage
container –this step alone greatly increases the rate of recycling and
composting</div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Make the containers clear so as to show the
contents of the trash (revealing wet compostables, bricks/rocks, etc.)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Removes the need for automated vehicles</div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Reduces the cost of delivery</div>
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Provide or subsidise household compost systems that safely compost
bones and meat</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>This alone greatly reduces the cost of picking
up compostables</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>This step provides superior soil for backyard
gardens while reducing GHG emissions (if used properly) beyond what the
existing facilities offer</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Greatly reduces tipping fees</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Reduces injury to city employees</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Removes the need for automated vehicles</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Reduces the cost of delivery</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
The staff are largely trained by
those associated with waste management companies that benefit from cities
utilising less than best practises. E.G. Automated trucks suffer from even more
mechanical failures than does our existing fleet. Best to hire a consultant who
is an experienced waste <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">reduction</i> (not
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">management</i>) company for the best
practises outcomes. Buddy Boyd of <a href="https://www.gibsonsrecycling.ca/" target="_blank">Gibson’s Waste Recovery Centre</a> is the only such
individual in our province.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<u>Transportation
</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vehicle Fleet Costs and Policies (Pg’s ~80-84)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJpxs2mMcsHkdpB2tTU3NCYye5g-J3Yd3IrV9I8LyMiQl-CGhteT2EvaxdCG-WB0odD97DlUTIfKWIGif5Gwm30PH40y7HfcHGKSLvIJ7F3WQE_vShIq6-UQbGcJ3Bf5hv5KU733DctU/s1600/Vibe+bike+rack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJpxs2mMcsHkdpB2tTU3NCYye5g-J3Yd3IrV9I8LyMiQl-CGhteT2EvaxdCG-WB0odD97DlUTIfKWIGif5Gwm30PH40y7HfcHGKSLvIJ7F3WQE_vShIq6-UQbGcJ3Bf5hv5KU733DctU/s320/Vibe+bike+rack.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Many other
cities are finding considerable fleet cost reductions by partnering with the
local non-profit carshare coop. Why? Because:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The vehicles are used both day and evenings,
spreading out the capital costs to more users. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The co-op offers an itemised accounting of what
vehicles are used for, and exactly for how long. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>There is more accountability and less unauthorised
use for personal purposes</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>It increases the use of public transportation and
cycling/walking</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Maintenance issues are handled better (other carshare
coop vehicles can be used when some are removed for maintenance purposes or
after an accident). </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Coordination is very simple, resulting in far
fewer duplications and need for rental vehicles</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Offers the lowest cost service per vehicle to
the City</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>New vehicles can be purchased to fit the unique
needs of the City, including hybrid and all electric</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Transportation –general</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The plan seems to offer nothing in terms of how
to help the city reduce future costs from adding new subdivisions on its
outskirt. While DCC charges help in the short-term the City is left holding the
bag in terms of maintaining roads, sewers, water, transit services and emergency
services & their attendant facilities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Solution: charge DCC’s according to
the distance from the core of the city. This costs the City nothing to implement
and improves sustainability by increasing the population density. This also
reduces the need for the single occupancy motor vehicle, lowering GHG emissions,
accidents, improving health outcomes, attracting young adults, etc.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqn5cRzhydmsr_SaqT3lPa2sedQm-YcXcXyGBWo1LDJKy-s9bPHxSYC-SG8SlKJG1bBdlwmBgUr9i2o_DL8zyd2tvAS0v8KqDznwaa6TCxD0bBi0FUUG6HPmJqTup5cfF54IXMBpAqo4/s1600/PublicTransit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqn5cRzhydmsr_SaqT3lPa2sedQm-YcXcXyGBWo1LDJKy-s9bPHxSYC-SG8SlKJG1bBdlwmBgUr9i2o_DL8zyd2tvAS0v8KqDznwaa6TCxD0bBi0FUUG6HPmJqTup5cfF54IXMBpAqo4/s320/PublicTransit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The City is very limited in terms of how to save
the taxpayer money <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">except in this one
area: transportation.</b> By greatly increasing the budget for dedicated
bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure (the most cost-effective way to spend the
predicted surplus) the number of accidents is reduced, the health of the
population is improved, the number of young adults willing to live in Nanaimo
increases, and the cost to live in this city for those willing to utilise
sustainable transportation. If the City really wishes to reduce the burden of expenses
for its people why not make this the #1 area to invest saved funds??</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>By taking this step the City will reduce the
overall social cost of living here (which is borne in part by the City) and attract
more young adults to the City (currently a major deterrent).</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>By ending the subsidy to the E&N railway, because
we do not live in a bubble we will encourage more vehicle traffic in the future,
costing us individually far more while placing an additional burden on the city.
This takes us in the opposite direction to a sustainable and affordable future.
Is this what the City really wishes?</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>By embracing sustainable transportation the City
reduces the cost of building and maintaining its road infrastructure. Isn’t this
a laudable goal?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Other</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reducing access to health-improving activity centres (such
as the Beban Pool) will reduce the health of more individuals, increase costs
for the medical system and for those who are employed or are assisting their
families with children. This flies in the face of the need to reduce the social
costs of living in Nanaimo.</div>
Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737484864170588680.post-5947166093375227292016-03-16T12:16:00.002-07:002016-03-16T12:21:57.087-07:00How to Create Good Jobs and a Better Economy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNLqKXLd3Ot8-Sp2KX-c8qbUbuYhfmGyKaghDfS1G4xk5gGrc_JOls9ieOKYnOxeL9aHNjtP-cG5_MVEnX35NYIhFlt9HFGZ1U1NfSIBxp0UxNU6fDWrFZ76ujO0XWLthxUi4T1ZXwdQ/s1600/Sustainable+transportation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNLqKXLd3Ot8-Sp2KX-c8qbUbuYhfmGyKaghDfS1G4xk5gGrc_JOls9ieOKYnOxeL9aHNjtP-cG5_MVEnX35NYIhFlt9HFGZ1U1NfSIBxp0UxNU6fDWrFZ76ujO0XWLthxUi4T1ZXwdQ/s320/Sustainable+transportation.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Until later in March of this year (2016) the province is looking for feedback on their plans to reduce Greenhouse Gases (GHG). Of course they can't accomplish this and proceed with their uneconomical and polluting Liquefied Natural Gas plans. But they have other ideas that look promising. Check them out at <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://interceptum.com/s/en/ClimateActionLeadership-Winter2015-16" target="_blank">https://interceptum.com/s/en/ClimateActionLeadership-Winter2015-16</a></div>
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You can also leave your comments by following the link provided. Even if you offer only a couple of ideas to them this will accomplish two things: They will know we care about jobs and the environment. They may also learn something new, or realise there is more support for one idea than they had imagined!<br />
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For the record here's what I submitted. If you like any of them feel free to plagiarise. Steal away! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNLqKXLd3Ot8-Sp2KX-c8qbUbuYhfmGyKaghDfS1G4xk5gGrc_JOls9ieOKYnOxeL9aHNjtP-cG5_MVEnX35NYIhFlt9HFGZ1U1NfSIBxp0UxNU6fDWrFZ76ujO0XWLthxUi4T1ZXwdQ/s1600/Sustainable+transportation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
1. Shift the priority away from the uneconomical (and GHG emitting) LNG industry to instead support BC's potential in wave, wind, solar and geothermal power production. Encourage smaller-scale power production closer to the major population centres by paying $0.12 cents/kWh. Export our clean power to other jurisdictions so that they can reduce their GHG emissions. <br />
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2. Increase penalties to municipalities that allow for urban growth, and incentivize municipalities that in-build (increase their population densities). <br />
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3. Work with municipalities to move away from car-centric transportation infrastructure and toward sustainable means such as cycling, walking, public transit and a reduction in the need for travel (better design). <br />
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4. Offer incentives to municipalities that investigate and create ground-source district heating systems and clean energy production. <br />
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5. Push municipalities to use the funds provided to them by BC Hydro to invest in sustainable infrastructure such as cycling and walking paths and transit. <br />
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6. Accelerate the carbon tax rate increases and give this extra revenue to municipalities, non-profits, hospitals, public schools/colleges/universities and other civic institutions for sustainable infrastructure projects and costs (such as cycling, walking, transit, building energy efficiencies, renewable energy, district heating systems, etc.). <br />
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7. Cancel the Site C dam (it will emit tonnes of methane carbon for a long time) and replace this project by utilising the already built Columbia River dam (which has already emitted its methane gas), saving us a lot of money. <br />
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8. Ban the export of U.S. thermal coal from BC ports (just because it won't be burnt in B.C. doesn't absolve us of responsibility for the resulting CO2 emissions!) <br />
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9. Support non-profit carshare co-ops by reducing their insurance rates (every carshare co-op car on the road removes several other vehicles, improves transit usage, reduces health care costs, etc.) <br />
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10. Ban garbage incinerators and implement a robust system of source waste-separation recycling/reusing. <br />
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11. Ban the export of our waste out of province to reduce the GHG transportation-related emissions and encourage the waste being re-manufactured closer to its source whenever possible. This reduces the GHG emissions from mining and logging because materials are re-used and re-purposed rather than landfilled or burned. This reduces GHG emissions in three ways and leaves a healthier province for future generations. <br />
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12. Increase funding to lower-income households building energy retrofits and advertise the program. Use the carbon tax revenues to pay for the program. <br />
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13. Work with the municipalities and BC Transit to create a robust inter-modal system of public transportation, including the use of foot-ferries, thus reducing the need for car travel. <br />
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14. Phase out the Departure Bay ferry terminal. Move the Gabriola Island car ferry to Duke Point and replace the existing ferry with a faster passenger and bicycle ferry from downtown Nanaimo. Support foot ferries from downtown Nanaimo's transportation hub to downtown Vancouver and from downtown Victoria to downtown Vancouver. <br />
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15. Re-engage the LiveSmart BC program and increase the rate allowed to be paid to the energy advisors. Ensure a multi-year funding commitment so as to stabilise the energy-efficiency sector.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVm5_iSf8x3JAM_1hIe3aa5jbxHBBm1P5X-YqyTWhggFWPreIGxiGZ5vIJaNIR6HK4Kli-73aayVfePUkSnijeMPFomwX-XI6SD_c2VNsDRkKJO2XYCBab5A5MrtyXT4k8B20l-kNaYQ/s1600/PGCC+Array2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVm5_iSf8x3JAM_1hIe3aa5jbxHBBm1P5X-YqyTWhggFWPreIGxiGZ5vIJaNIR6HK4Kli-73aayVfePUkSnijeMPFomwX-XI6SD_c2VNsDRkKJO2XYCBab5A5MrtyXT4k8B20l-kNaYQ/s320/PGCC+Array2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Now</b> is the time to make these and many other changes!Ian Gartshorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17386407051109165892noreply@blogger.com0