Greetings
The sun is rising noticeably earlier and it’s time to think about the year ahead. What would we like to see? What can we do to help realize our vision?
We SGI Greens see opportunities for a better future, and we don’t mind that some effort is involved. Working together can be fun, and we hope you will join us. Do read our ideas below, and then share your thoughts and talents!
“A better future is possible, providing we make the effort.”
Notes from Elizabeth: Canada’s hardest-working MP is en route to Ottawa and will return to this space next month.
Saanich-Gulf Islands EDA report:
This year, as I’m sure you’ve read by now, is a year of elections. Our friends in the BC Greens are gearing up for a provincial election, and we can help in many ways (just ask!). There’s not much most of us can do about the election south of the border, except control the time we spend following it. We may also have a federal election in Canada, although that appears unlikely until next year.
Rather than sit back and relax for a year, I prefer to think of this year as a gift. (Every year is a gift!) Specifically, 2024 is an extra year for the SGI Greens to increase our presence in the community and expand our volunteer base, so that when the election is called, as it must be in 2025 or before, we are in a stronger position to support our candidate for Member of Parliament: Elizabeth May.
All of us can think about what it means to be Green, do more Green things, ask friends and neighbours what their concerns are and how Greens could help address them, invite them to be Greens, and volunteer in whatever way is right for you to get out the word that having (more) Greens in Parliament is a good goal.
Here’s why: Time is short on lots of issues, and people need to hear it again and again: Greens Care! We care about People, Planet and Politics. And we mean all people, a safe and healthy environment for everyone, and resolving our differences without unbearable suffering.
So, what’s right for you? You could read and share this SGI newsletter, knit Green hats with friends, volunteer for a phone campaign, share your Green ideas or actions in a future newsletter, vote(!), join a parade as an SGI Green, help out at the SGI Summer Picnic, have fun and feel good, too. That’s what we do!
Think about it, and then Take Action!
Hope to see you,
Tom Niemann
CEO, SGI Greens
BC Greens News and Events:
2024 will be a provincial election year in BC and BC Greens teams around the province are organizing election plans, recruiting volunteers and hosting events.
Whichever provincial riding you live in, support will be welcome, whether volunteering your time and skills, displaying a lawn sign, or making a donation. Your local riding association and contact details can be located here, and nominated candidates’ information is posted here (added to as nominations progress).
The candidates whose provincial ridings fall within the Saanich-Gulf Islands federal boundary are as follows:
Adam Olsen, MLA, Saanich North and the Islands
Dr. Lisa Gunderson, Oak Bay-Gordon Head
Ned Taylor, Saanich South
Christina Winter, Victoria-Swan Lake
Electoral boundaries were updated last year, and the new riding boundaries that will be in effect during this next election can be found here. On south Vancouver Island some ridings will have significant changes. A map to visualize the changes is located here.
If you live in B.C. and have moved since the last election, you can update your voter information on the Elections BC website to ensure that your voter ID card arrives at the correct address.
Upcoming Events: Learn about upcoming events with the BC Greens here.
Past events: The BC Green Party has an active YouTube channel, hosting last year’s amazing New Politics sessions, Saanich North and the Islands’ Voices of Saanich and the Islands and much more.
Green Knitters
Jean S., Catriona A. Suzanne Y., Karen L., Linda B. (host) and Marilyn W. at January’s meeting.
On the second Monday of every month, a group of SGI+ folk get together for tea, cookies, and community building. Oh yes, and we do a bit of knitting, too! Demand for the hats, headbands and fingerless gloves is high and supply is low so we’re madly knitting and looking for new members. Please contact Karen Lindsay for further information. Funds raised go to support Adam Olsen’s BC Greens campaign.
Book Nook by Shelagh Butterworth Levey:
LESS IS MORE: How Degrowth Will Save The World by Jason Hickel
This is one of the most important books I’ve read. I found it informative, hopeful, and a fascinating read. Jason Hickel is an economic anthropologist who is both an optimist and a realist. He takes us into capitalism’s creative story, explaining how dualism, and the enclosure of common lands led to the conditions necessary for capitalism.
Hickel is not against capitalism, but points out that the constant growth of the GDP is incompatible with a finite biosphere. He explains how we need to reconnect with nature, and shift from a dominant, extractive society to a post capitalist economy which values the well being of all humans and the biodiversity we depend upon. He explains in detail what we need to do in order to bring this about. This includes reconnecting with nature, the reduction of unnecessary consumerism and built in obsolescence, wealth inequality, and ecologically destructive industries like fossil fuels, meat, private jets, and commercial airlines, to name a few. These are all actions we can take, if we want to live happy lives in a democratic, peaceful, global society that respects and cares for the well being of all humans and the biodiversity we depend upon. Hickel proves that a better future is possible, providing we make the effort.
Share what you are doing!
Many years ago there was a severe summer drought in Victoria and the local newspaper ran a popular column where readers contributed ideas for conserving water. We would like to start a similar column with stories contributed by readers describing what they did to reduce their carbon footprint, consumer habits, or other actions that improved personal and planetary well-being. (Research has shown that people are more likely to change if they see their friends or neighbors making the change.)
If you would like to contribute please send your story to karibu123@gmail.com
Good News Snippets:
The news can be depressing (it’s actually by design). So, it’s easy to miss that a lot of good things are happening around the world. We intend to make a habit of not missing them.
Want to cheer up about last year? A lot of amazing things happened, as summarized in this list of 66 Good News Stories You Didn’t Hear About In 2023.
In 2017, the world’s biggest floating power plant was built in eastern China. Photovoltaic solar panels were floated on the polluted water of an abandoned open pit mine. Open pit mining is the most destructive form of mining, as it is almost impossible to restore the land. Now, abandoned mines, both open pit and below ground, are being re-purposed around the globe.
Here is an excellent conversation with Hannah Ritchie about her new and extremely important book, Not the End of the World: How to Build a Sustainable Planet. In it she acknowledges that her generation might be the first to achieve a sustainable future, both environmentally and economically. It takes a realistic look at what can and cannot be done, and in doing so, often challenges current attitudes and strategies that will not work to achieve that goal. Her work is supported by excellent data and gives the reader solid reason to look to the future with hope.
This article captures a universal truth, that the most effective cure for poverty is the empowerment of women.
N.B. If you have a good news story to share, please send it to karibu123@gmail.com
Of Interest:
Rally and Protest Victoria February 12th 1:00 p.m. The Save Our Forest Team (SOFT-CV) in the Comox Valley is planning a protest at the office of the B.C. Investment Management Corporation (BCI) at 750 Pandora St. They, along with the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP), are the owners of Mosaic Forest Management.
If you are a BC or federal public servant, there’s a very good chance your pension is helping to fund poor forestry practices on the Island and helping to fuel climate change! If BCI put pressure on TimberWest/Island Timberlands/Mosaic to log better, these companies would have to comply. But pension holders must put pressure on BCI first! The rally is a first step in this process. Spread the word and plan to join the Save Our Forest team.
For more information or to help with the plans, email SOFT-CV!
UVic Courses of a Green nature:
Coping with Climate Grief and Anxiety Online Feb. 18-15
Canadians are worried about climate change. Many say it negatively affects their mental health. How do we cope? And how do we build community? This course invites participants to an exploration of evidence-based approaches to meeting these challenges
Bountiful Kitchen Gardens Face to face, Feb. 7 to Mar. 9
Learn how to create your own beautiful and bountiful kitchen garden, whether in a plot or in a pot. Examine basic potager designs, including symmetrical geometrical beds, irrigation features that incorporate central pools, wells, fountains and water-channels as well as plant material, gardening practices.
Mason Bees: An Incredible Pollinator to Host in Your Garden Face to face, Mar. 30, 1:00-3:00
In this bee-loving workshop, you will learn about mason bees and how you can host them while benefitting from their incredible pollinating skills for larger fruits and vegetables.
Community Information:
Soap for Hope Canada, Instagram collects and repurposes hotel hygiene products, linens, and lost & found items which would otherwise end up in landfills. They transform these discarded products and distribute them to people in need. If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity, apply here and give your caring, compassionate heart a place to make a difference.
Andy MacKinnon, whom the Ancient Forest Alliance calls “the rock star of botanists” is co-author of Plants of Coastal British Columbia and Mushrooms of British Columbia. Last November, he spoke about fantastic fungi and their role in forest ecosystems at a meeting of the Saanich Pulling Together volunteers – people who give their time and energy to eradicating invasive species from parks in the municipality. His wit and wisdom on the topic can be viewed here.
Regional information:
-Saanich
Did you know that Saanich Municipality is offering a $500 grant to support projects that address emergency preparedness, climate action, and caring for nature through the Neighbour to Neighbour Resilience Initiative? Saanich offers tons of support and resources to help neighbours collaboratively design a project that will make you more connected, sustainable and prepared.
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We would like to hear from you at info@sgigreenparty.ca. Please send us:
- Your feedback on this newsletter
- What you would like to read about in our monthly newsletter
- Your contribution for a future newsletter (a snippet, relevant article, or your point of view)
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SGI Greens publish two newsletters:
- The monthly SGI Greens Newsletter (and occasional notices for events), and
- The weekly Good Sunday Morning newsletter in which Elizabeth May provides her perspective.
To subscribe to one or both of these go to saanichgulfislands.ca/signup_2020.
Click here to unsubscribe from receiving one or both newsletters.
For our archive of past editions go to https://sgi.edagreens.ca/news-events/.