Author Archive

Three years after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954, Albert Schweitzer addressed the world in his famous Declaration of Conscience. In a bid to stop the atmospheric testing of atomic and hydrogen bombs he sought to galvanize public opinion in order to influence Soviet, American and British governments.  Dr. Schweitzer’s radio speech was part of a successful grassroots effort to bring to the forefront the short and long-term dangers that radiation poses to the future of life on Earth. He spoke of our descendents living with radioactive fallout. Land, air and water were all being affected by atomic testing. “It must not happen that we do not pull ourselves together before it is too late.” he said.
To this day most glaciers can be found to have a radioactive layer from the testing of the 50’s and 60’s. Scientists, by drilling ice cores, now use this information to see how much ice has accumulated since the 60’s to gage the glaciers’ potential meltwater for the future sustainability of rivers. Climate change is already taking its toll on these same glaciers to provide enough water for Asia’s populations.

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Countries around the world search for solutions to stop the destruction of their forests and ecosystems habitats in order to save biodiversity, endangered species, and turn away from run-away greenhouse gas emissions. In the West we have been asked to put together action plans that balance our demand for wood, biofuel, and resource taking with the protection of huge areas of pristine forest.  These plans have been the subject of intense scrutiny by the United Nations, International Union for the Conservation of Nature to the World Bank. Deforestation and farm community fragmentation are some of the main causes for an increase in greenhouse gas emissions; we must do more to see real financial value in undisturbed forests and other natural areas that encompass so much of the Earth’s biodiversity!

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Greta McGillivray, Malcolm Kirk and Donald Kerr are amazing people who are passionate about protecting nature. Their deep commitment to nature has been the source for many vital initiatives in the conservation movement in our area. Although the three are all “retired” for some time now, the work they have done and do for their sacred Earth is an extremely important legacy. More than ever society needs to know what is being accomplished by “green” citizens in order for both adults and youth to see the alternatives to the destructive consumerism that has invaded our daily lives. All too often people forget that the economy rests on the expansive green shoulders of our biosphere. These three brave and sometimes outspoken elders have opened up the possibility for true change.

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cross-country skiing this March 5th at 1PM in Kolapore Wilderness. Call for information

Douglas
519 599-5461

World Wetlands Day commemorates the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. This international treaty, now ratified by 158 countries, protects more than 165 million hectares. The world’s largest Ramsar wetland is the 6,278,200 hectare Queen Maude Gulf Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Canada. (See www.ramsar.org) World Wetlands Day is meant to raise public awareness of the acute need to expand a conservation ethic for wetland areas including peatlands that are critical to conserve if only to not allow huge amounts of carbon dioxide to be released.

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Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday is on Thursday, February 12!

Several articles will be appearing in local papers regarding his “On the Origin of Species”.
But why not celebrate his birthday on February 12 at 7:30 PM at the Dam Pub in Thornbury with us!
Darwinian drinks all around: just don’t die! Please write and let us know if you will be coming.

Call for information
Douglas
519 599-5461