Little drops of change

As I go about my daily life - just such an insignificant person in the midst of a huge world, I do notice that everywhere I go, the topic of the environment always arises - mostly because I don't take plastic bags. Or it comes up when I do something differently at the till grocery shopping, such as put reusable containers of meat through instead of plastic wrapped parcels, or when I am at the meat counter trying to explain why I want my meat put directly into reusable containers.

Although seemingly insignificant, each little interchange is like a drop of water, adding to the whole. And all the little interchanges of every person communicating concern for the environment, each day, in each place they go to - contribute to making the only change possible in the battle to preserve the health of our environment: our collective awareness(and resulting social stigmas for certain destructive behaviours).

Carbon tax review could lead to better future for B.C - Vancouver Sun (Canada)

How amazing! A carbon tax! This article originally appeared in the Vancouver Sun on February 29, 2012.

Carbon tax review could lead to better future for B.CBy Ian Bruce and Matt Horne And Merran Smith, Vancouver Sun February 29, 2012
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Carbon+review+could+lead+better+future/6227607/story.html#ixzz1pAR1tyLH
Imagine a British Columbia with reduced traffic gridlock because public transit service gets better and faster every day. Imagine a B.C. where we spend half as much to heat our homes and buildings. Imagine a B.C. with businesses that compete successfully on a world stage that demands the highest quality. Imagine a B.C. where environ-mental innovation, training and knowledge are at the core of our economy.

The good news is that we can build this better B.C., and the way to do it is within reach.

Although the B.C. budget offered little in the way of a more innovative, greener economy, it did hand British Columbians an opportunity to build that future with the announcement that the B.C. carbon tax will be reviewed.

The review, if done well, could be a game changer for improving the quality of life in our province. To reach that potential, the process must be transparent, rely on credible information, and engage British Columbians from all walks of life.

As a starting point in the review, we need to remember why B.C. implemented the carbon tax in the first place. We know that global warming threatens to devastate our forests, our agriculture and our communities if we don't transform the way we produce and use energy.

Evidence already suggests B.C.'s public institutions, communities and businesses are starting to make changes because of the carbon tax. For example, the University of B.C. is phasing out fossil fuels for heating and instead is pursuing renew-able energy. We also know that these positive examples aren't yet standard practice, so B.C.'s greenhouse gas pollution is still increasing and we're not yet on track to accomplish what we set out to achieve.

A second topic for the review is whether all of the carbon tax revenue needs to be used to reduce other taxes. A strong case can be made for investing some of that revenue in job training and infrastructure projects such as transit. These are the types of investments needed to make our communities more enjoyable and healthier places to live while building a strong and innovative economy.

Lastly, the review process should ensure that B.C.'s carbon tax is fair. Ultimately, support for the carbon tax will continue to increase if families, communities and businesses from all parts of the province have an opportunity, and an expectation, to be part of the solution. .

Sweden, a jurisdiction with a similar size population and economy as B.C., introduced a carbon tax in 1992, and the country's economy has since grown 44 per cent while green-house gas emissions have dropped by nearly 10 per cent. Last year, the World Economic Forum ranked Sweden second in the world on economic competitiveness.

It's not just Sweden jumping on the green bandwagon. Norway, Den-mark, Australia, Switzerland and others all have carbon taxes. The European Union has created incentives for companies to reduce their emissions, and Korea, China, California and Quebec will be starting similar emissions cap programs soon. Furthermore, worldwide investment in clean energy totalled $243 billion in 2010, as many governments recognized the need to act on climate change, make the air cleaner and develop modern energy systems. B.C.'s abundant renewable energy resources, skilled workforce and strong engineering and knowledge sectors put the province in an ideal position to capitalize on this global opportunity.

At last, we have a win-win situation for both the environment and the economy.

With more ideas from British Columbians on what the future could hold for B.C.'s carbon tax, we could make that win-win a reality. Communities could see new investment and jobs, a balanced transportation system, reduced traffic congestion, cleaner air, more green spaces, energy savings, and, best of all, a better quality of life. But only if we demand it. We hope that British Columbians will engage in this conversation in the coming months so that we can all build a better future.

Ian Bruce is with the David Suzuki Foundation;

Matt Horne with the Pembina Institute;

Merran Smith is with Tides Canada.

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Fair Trade Warriors - All Good bananas in New Zealand)

Fair Trade Warriors! (Get 'em while they're young.)

In NZ, the only certified Fair Trade bananas are All Good Bananas! I live North of Auckland, and buy mine at the New World in Orewa, or the Fruit World in Silverdale.

Update October 2012: Pak'N Save in Albany didn't sell them.  I tried to talk to the produce manager (Al) but he basically walked away from me halfway through my question, muttering something under his breath about their cost.  But I didn't give up - I had the idea to make a public post on the Pak'N Save Facebok page about it.  I knew, from working in the AUT's student movement office who were operating and responding to students on their Facebook page that a marketing team would notice every comment of this new medium.  My hunch worked.  After a comment or two - they started selling them!  Coincidence? 

Rachel Garden's Wall in Tairua

In Tairua (NZ), we stumbled upon the most amazing mosaic which was part of an outdoors area of someone's house. The artists whose home it was were working on it, so they allowed me to take photos. The mosaic is made from broken ceramic dishes, and it's the work of Rachel Garden.

Her husband was creating the stone paved steps - and I would imagine had been involved in the building of the outdoors area as well.

Tree with a view

We went to Tairua on the Coromandel Peninsula (NZ) on the weekend, and happened to drive by this seaside tree with its own deck.

Rainbow Table and Chairs

Rainbow kid's chairs and table-top. The rainbow on top was painted by children! They stamped various stamps along my pencil guides.  

I decided to buy a big can of water-based varnish - as the clear glaze I had been buying was really expensive.  It did work!  I was able to just painted with any cheap water-based paint, then seal it after since the varnish was water-based as well (i.e. not oil based).  However, the paint did get "moved" by the topcoat, which was a pain.  For the clouds on the chair - I did the chairs first - I just went with it and "repainted" the clouds to get the protective clear coat on.  But I was wiser for the table, which I had the kids do - Troy and her friend. I mixed a bit of the water-based varnish in with their poster paints.  That kept the paint immobile enough for me to varnish the heck out of it after.  Although as always, learning by doing can be frustrating (the chairs), learning new methods is great - the kids table and chairs are now almost bombproof - and I have a flexible art painting method - as long as I have some water-based varnish. 

From problems to opportunities - the holes in Lukie's jeans

During a weekend away, I hand-stitched nice dark denim over some holes in Luke's jeans. You need to be relaxed, not under time pressure to enjoy doing this.

Just fold the edges under of the patch fabric so they won't fray, pin, and watch TV or listen to a radio show. (I watched a great Indian movie that I hadn't expected to like!) The letters are sewn with a large needle and wool/yarn.

If you take a positive spin on holes worn in knees (in otherwise strong jeans), they stop being problems and start becoming opportunities.