Monthly Archives: October 2018

Climate Action in BC: The November Offensive

Climate, Democracy, energy, politics,

Climate Action

Will you join me? I need lots of people to join the November Offensive, so that together, we can make a difference.

This summer’s forest fires and smoke-filled skies have left many of us asking, “What will it take to end the climate dithering and start DOING something to tackle the growing emergency?”

The IPCC has just reminded us of the urgency of the crisis, and the need to reduce emissions globally by 45% by 2030 if we are to limit the warming to 1.5C.

The BC NDP government is getting ready to launch its climate plan at the end of November, somehow combining climate action sufficient to meet its stated goal of a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030 with its recent climate-disastrous decision to approve the big LNG Canada project.

The timing is critical to impress our New Democrat and Green MLAs of the need for urgent action to speed the transition to 100% renewable energy and protect the forests.

When the government floated its ‘Intention Papers’ in August, my response was that they were really timid, far from what was needed. Our government must, must do better. Continue reading Climate Action in BC: The November Offensive →

Our 2018 Local Elections on Southern Vancouver Island: The Winners

Democracy, politics

 

Winnersby Guy Dauncey

Saturday October 20th was Election Day, and we had such great results! Of the 55 candidates who I recommended for your support, 38 were elected and 17 were not. In Courtenay and Comox progressive candidates were also elected, pushing out old-school conservatives.

This was my pitch for these candidates: I want Vancouver Island to become a place where people are really committed to living in harmony with nature.

I want our towns and cities to be full of safe bike lanes, wonderful green spaces, urban farms, affordable housing for all, great public transit, wonderful pedestrian environments, and to have permanently ended homelessness. Continue reading Our 2018 Local Elections on Southern Vancouver Island: The Winners →

The Seven Phases of Climate Awareness

Climate, Economy

Climate Awareness

by Guy Dauncey

Which Phase Are You In?

Phase 1: Complete Unawareness. 

It’s simply not on your radar. You know more about Taylor Swift or Beyoncé than you do about climate change, or whatever it’s called.

Phase 2: What is This – is it Real?

I keep hearing about it, but it’s all so confusing. One person says one thing, someone else says another. So I’m reading blogs, articles, and even some books. trying to fathom it all out.

Phase 3: OMG, this is Awful. It looks like a Real Catastrophe.

Massive sea level rise? Huge droughts, storms and downpours? Freshwater running out? This is terrible. I read that the word most scientists use to describe the future if we don’t tackle the climate crisis is ‘catastrophic‘. Continue reading The Seven Phases of Climate Awareness →

A Practical Plan for Affordable Housing in the Cowichan Valley

Economy, , , , ,

Home Everyone

by Guy Dauncey

What does it mean to be so worried, because you really can’t afford the rent? To have to surrender your hope of ever owning a home? To face the end of a rental lease and know that there is NOTHING out there that you can afford? To stare homelessness in the face?

Many of us are comfortably housed, but many are not. The autumn rains have arrived, and the harvest crops are being gathered in. Everyone seems to be getting on with their lives. And yet for many people, the smiles and kindnesses that make life worth living mask a level of stress and worry that should have no place in our community.

How can there be such a housing crisis?

How can it be that in this Cowichan Valley that we love so much, there is such a housing crisis? How can democracy, the housing market, and local government have failed us so completely?

Continue reading A Practical Plan for Affordable Housing in the Cowichan Valley →

The Green Diary

Green Diary

The Green Diary is no longer running.

After 28 years, I have decided to end it.

You can find South Island environmental events on Creatively United’s Events Page https://creativelyunited.org/events/

 

All Month

CRD Parks hikes, explorations and events for all ages: www.crd.bc.ca/about/events

Change the World on Shaw TV, with Guy Dauncey. Interviews with local people who have big bold ideas and positive solutions for the future. Shaw TV Channel 4. www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRSwDpSO92L1Li1FSwQpzy2leOk_8VdFo

More Local Events (including hikes): http://creativelyunited.org/events/

Meet-Ups:

Affinite Wealth Group: http://www.meetup.com/Affinite-Wealth-Victoria/

Victoria Cycling Adventures: http://www.meetup.com/Victoria-Cycling-Adventures/

Victoria Outdoor and Social Club: http://www.meetup.com/Victoria-outdoor-social-club/

Victoria Club Tread: http://www.meetup.com/Victoria-Club-Tread/

Victoria Nature Explorations: http://www.meetup.com/Nature-Victoria-Explorations/

Victoria Nature Walks: http://www.meetup.com/Victoria-Nature-Walks/

Victoria Outdoor Club: http://www.meetup.com/Victoria-Outdoor-Club/

Victoria Sea Kayakers: http://www.meetup.com/Victoria-Sea-Kayakers/

Vegan Victoria: http://www.meetup.com/Vegan-Victoria-Meetup/

West Shore Cycling: http://www.meetup.com/West-Shore-Cycling/

MEC Victoria Road-Ride Cycling: http://www.meetup.com/West-Shore-Cycling/

Greater Victoria Green Team: http://www.meetup.com/Greater-Victoria-Green-Team/

Net Squared Victoria: http://www.meetup.com/NetSquared-Victoria-a-nonprofit-technology-meetup/

Cowichan Valley Outdoor Club: http://www.meetup.com/Cowichan-Valley-Outdoor-Club/

Cowichan Valley Walking/Hiking Group: http://www.meetup.com/Cowichan-Valley-walking-hiking-group/

EVERY WEEK

Biweekly. OUR ECOVILLAGE Educational Tours.10-12:30pm with option to stay on for lunch in OUR Zero Mile Meal Eatery. Learn all legal and regulatory work for permaculture, natural building, and sustainable community design while delving into the back of systems and inside cob/strawbale/solar/alt systems. Scheduled volunteer days also avail. info@ourecovillage.org   250-743-3067  www.ourecovillage.org

Biweekly. Garry Oak Ecosystem Restoration at Fort Rodd Hill. Help us win the battle against invasive species and assist in our meadow project at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site. Scheduled volunteer days. frh.volunteer@pc.gc.ca  250-812-8133  http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/bc/fortroddhill/activ/activ2.aspx

Every day, 10am – 5pm Clothing for Conservation Fundraiser with Habitat Acquisition Trust: visit Hemp & Company, 1312 Government St. $10 from every purchase of the featured Celebration Top goes to HAT. Makes a great gift!

Every day, 9am-4:30pm The forest is always ‘green’ here in Goldstream. With over 8 km of hiking trails you will be sure to find one of our unique trees, from Western Red Cedar, Black Cottonwood, Red Alder to Douglas Fir, Garry Oak and Arbutus. Stop in at the Goldstream Nature House for up to date trail information. 250-478-9414 or goldstream@naturehouse.ca

Every Day (except Monday) Victoria Public Market, Hudson’s Bay, Douglas St. Maryanne Carmack, marycarmack@victoriapublicmarket.com 250 884 8552 www.victoriapublicmarket.com

Every Mon, 4-6:30pm Free Family Cooking Classes *pre-registration required* – Cowichan Green Community – 360 Duncan Street, Duncan, BC – Jennifer Dorby #250.748.8506 or by email jennifer@cowichangreencommunity.org https://cgcf.ca/projects/chow-cooking-classes/

Every Mon, 10am -12pm Brodick/Bow Parks (Saanich) Invasive Species removal. Volunteers needed. Training, gloves, and tools provided. No dogs. Judy 250-472-0515

Every Monday, 4-6:30pm Cowichan Green Community Chow Down Family Cooking Classes. Free. Visit https://cgcf.ca/projects/chow-cooking-classes/ for more details. Registration is necessary by emailing or calling Jennifer: jennifer@cowichangreencommunity.org/ 250-748-8506

Every Tue, 9am Tuesday Morning Birding. Meet foot of Bowker Ave, waterfront off Beach Drive in Oak Bay. Bill Dancer 250-721-5273. Novice and experienced birders all welcome.

Every Wed, 11-6pm Haliburton Food Box Program. Receive a luscious weekly box of certified organic seasonal produce from the farmers who grow the food. 741 Haliburton Rd (off the Pat Bay Highway), Victoria www.haliburtonfarm.org

Every Wed and Sun, 9am Bird Walks with naturalists, Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, 3873 Swan Lake Rd. Margaret Lidkea 479-0211

Every Wed 7-8:30pm Oneness Wednesdays Meditation Circle at Church of Truth, 111 Superior Street;  Everyone welcome to drop in.   By Donation   http://cotvictoria.ca/oneness/

Every Wed, 7pm Cultivating a Lifestyle of Harmony & Balance in Rhythm with Nature with Renee Lindstrom at Oneness Wednesday at the Church of Truth, 111 Superior Street (James Bay).  Free or by donation  http://cotvictoria.ca/oneness/  

Every Thursday, 1-7pm Food Garden Volunteers needed, throughout the summer of 2018. Gain skills in horticulture, permaculture, irrigation and outreach in Banfield Commons and Orchard. 521 Craigflower Road, south of the Vic West Community Association. foodgardens@victoriawest.ca https://vicwestfoodsecurity.org/

Every Thur and Sat. Volunteer events at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Charlotte Houston restoration@swanlake.bc.ca.

Every Sat, 10-12 Moss Street Market for homegrown produce, homemade food, baking and handicrafts, music, kids activities. Thurlow St, Fairfield. www.MossStreetMarket.com

Every Sat, 8am Morning Birding. See http://www.vicnhs.bc.ca/calendar.html for each week’s location. VNHS. Novice and experienced birders all welcome.

Every Sat, 9-12pm Beacon Hill Park Ivy Pull. Volunteers welcome. Cornelia 250-920-3556

Every Sun, 1-3pm No Ivy League. Join the Friends of Uplands Park to remove English ivy, and help restore the endangered Garry Oak Ecosystem, and protect 24 rare plants. Tools, gloves and the Best Practices instruction provided. Meet at Cattle Point, near the kiosks.