Communities and Coal- Interview with Paula Williams

We recently went to an event regarding the Communities and Coal campaign. It was a great and informative event with a former coal miner having a discussion about his experiences, as well as MP's coming to share their political parties views on US thermal coal. Here are a couple of questions that we asked Paula Williams, who is the founder of Communities and Coal.

1) How did this movement start?
- We started this group two years ago at a town hall meeting. We initially got a petition, and within 4 months, we had over 13,000 signatures. We got the community involved quickly, by putting pressure on the Surrey Council with certain issues, but we still remained neutral politically. We then starting campaigning in Delta, attained success and passing a few different resolutions. Our group is focused on making change, but remaining unbiased, reasonable, neutral and open to arguments.


2) What do you want to say to local residents who have not heard about these issues regarding coal?
Based on our evidence, people need to get involved in movements like these. There is the potential to stop these types of issues from moving forward through democracy and voting power!


Special thank you to Paula for the interview! Check out the Communities and Coal website here , for more information on what they do, and the movements that they are involved in.

Pics from NO U.S. THERMAL COAL EVENT

NO U.S. THERMAL COAL EVENT

KPU signs a deal with the devil (Kinder Morgan).

Some big news went down today, in which the Trans Mountain Expansion Project is giving a“$300,000 contribution over 20 years to Kwantlen’s Environmental Protection Technical lab at the Langley campus”(KPU Website, 2015) . Some of the things that Trans Mountain Expansion will do is give out awards and scholarships to students who are in the Environmental Protection Program (KPU Website, 2015). Vice-president Salvador Ferreras of Kwantlen said that “the decision was about putting the interests of students first. We as a university do not have a position on the Trans Mountain pipeline at all" (Surrey Leader,2015). As a Kwantlen student, I’m angry because I had no voice in this decision. It really pissed me off because as a Kwantlen student, I pay my tuition fees and so I look at the school to make good decision on my behalf. But, they did this deal under the table without letting me, the students, Kwantlen Nation and the faculty know about this.

As of now the KSA, KPIRG and Pipe up network are on the scene. If you have any questions please visit their website.

We are also starting a trend called #stopkinderKPU.

1. http://www.kpu.ca/news/kpu-trans-mountain-reach-mou-support-students
2. http://www.surreyleader.com/news/309404951.html

Coal and Cancer

One of the major drawbacks of coal is the potential to get cancer from it. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “the risk of getting cancer from coal ash lagoons is 10,000 times greater than government safety standards allow” [1]. Most people on this planet have been affected by cancer either directly or indirectly, and coal dust and particles can be carcinogenic. The question is whether or not sticking with coal is a more viable option, or looking towards renewable is a potentially more viable option. With a worldwide abject focus and preventing and curing cancer, a way to help is to start looking at renewables and the environment, and staying away from carcinogenic particles.

[1] http://earthjustice.org/news/press/2007/cancer-coal-s-hidden-cost#

Grim Reaper vs BC Coal Shipments

Special thanks to Tanny Kabir for the artwork!

One way to get involved in British Columbia

There are many of you out there that have a vested interest in sustainability, but do not know exactly where and how to get involved as an activist. Besides the organizations that you can join like Greenpeace, there are events that you can check out, network with professionals and activists, as well as learn more about the different facets of sustainability. The Wilderness Committee has set up an events calendar which they update every month, with different events that cater to many different individual tastes within sustainability. You’ll see us at a few of these events as well. So check out the calendar, join a few events, and help make a difference!

Kinder Morgan and Christy Clark

This art piece was created by Fahim Kabir, an elementary school student with an active interest in this topic. Thanks to Fahim for the drawing!

We can't trust Kinder Morgan.

Why is it that the BC government is supporting a company like Kinder Morgan? A company that is an enemy to the community and to local residents. Every time that Kinder Morgan has done work in a community, it has ended in disaster. For example, "San Diego is sueing Kinder Morgan for failing to clean up petroleum tanks that seeped into the soil groundwater" (National Observer, 2015). Now, if there was an oil spill in Burnaby, imagine how much the city or province would have to spend in sueing Kinder Morgan, which would further waste taxpayers money. But, it does not matter how much the money, the province, or the city gets back from the lawsuit because the damage will already be done to the environment. The cost of living in the environment that has an oil spill is way too high, and nothing can replace it!


http://www.nationalobserver.com/2015/05/28/news/san-diego-sue-kinder-morgan-246m-failed-oil-spill-clean

Pipelines and Economics

Pipelines are currently a major issue in the Lower Mainland right now. With the whole Kinder Morgan debate, there is several environmental, political, and societal issues that have come to the forefront. An article from the Huffington Post has now shown a potential economic issue as well. In their article, it states that the Kinder Morgan Pipeline project “would triple Kinder Morgan's capacity to carry oil between Alberta and Burnaby, B.C., [and] could come at a net cost to Canada of between $4.1 billion and $22.1 billion.”

That is a ridiculous amount of money that is coming out of taxpayers wallets, all over a pipeline that is not beneficial to them at all. Also “those costs are associated, not only with damage to the environment in the form of oil spills and greenhouse gas emissions, but also with building too much pipeline capacity”.

Now that the economics are out as well, us Canadians have to decide whether or not this pipeline is worth it, or if it is simply put, too expensive for the environment, as well as for our own personal wallets. I think I already know my answer. Have a good day everyone!

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/06/01/kinder-morgan-trans-mount_n_7488694.html

What are Green Bonds?

Sustainability is a subject that tends to come up in conversations not just among activists and green business leaders, but normal everyday citizens as well. You saw in a previous article where we gave you tips on how to be more sustainable, such as recycling, or buying from local markets. You also hear of people giving the thumbs up to solar, or wind. But the question remains, how does one become an even more active member of sustainability? Well a potential solution to this is through Green Bonds. What are they? Well Green Bonds, as stated by a report from TD are “a debt instrument issued to raise capital that is used exclusively to support projects with specific environmental benefits.” [1] Simply put, they are bonds that individuals can invest in that further help in sustainability projects. This is a great way to invest in the future, and to play an active part in sustainability. They are also tax-free bonds, which are an added bonus. They are still quite new to the market, and so there aren’t a whole lot out there, but as green bonds become more frequent, there will be many investors flooding the market. 

[1] http://www.td.com/document/PDF/economics/special/GreenBonds_Canada.pdf

Ten Easy Sustainable Practices To Put Into Your Life

With World Environment Day this Friday, Here are ten ways to make a positive difference in the environment without exuding too much effort in doing so.

1) Public Transportation or Carpooling
2) Have your own coffee mug or water bottle, instead of using plastic/paper cups at the store
3) Purchase foods in bulk. It uses less plastic for a higher quantity of food. Just make sure the expiry date isn’t too soon!
4) Bring your own plastic bags to the grocery market
5) Turn off the lights whenever you leave a room. Saves energy, and money off your electricity bill.
6) Get a water filter instead of turning the tap on and waiting for the water to cool. Even a small Britta filter that you put in the fridge can work well.
7) Instead of letting the tap run while washing dishes, get a bucket or tray, fill it with soap, and use that
8) Take plugs for electronic devices out once you are done charging.
9) Buy produce from local farmers and farmers markets.
10) Last but definitely not least, recycle!

Day of Action- Dogwood Initiative- May 30th, 2015

We recently checked out the Day of Action for the Beyond Coal campaign on May 30th, 2015. Here are two interviews we had at the Day of Action. Arie Ross is the provincial organizer for the Beyond Coal movement at Dogwood initiative. Laura Benson is the campaign director for the Beyond Coal movement at Dogwood initiative.

Arie Ross-

1) Can you tell us more about this day of action?
We are calling it Public Awareness Saturday. We are raising awareness and talking to folks about the impending threat involving the coal port at Fraser Surrey Docks. People are petitioning and asking citizens to join our cause or to sign our petition.

2) Why do you think its important to be aware of this issue?
Lack of decision making for the everyday person is a cause for concern. Us citizens are getting very minimal health assessments or environmental assessments on the impact of such things as the coal ports. We are trying to reclaim that decision making power for the people. Everyday citizens need to have a say in these types of things.

3) Can you give us a little more info about the impact of coal on such things as environment and health?- 

In terms of the impact of air quality and water quality, we have seen massive clouds of coal from coal ports in Delta. Coal dust can be carcinogenic, which can obviously cause a massive variety of issues. Asthma is very prevalent in children who study near these coal ports and rail lines. Environmental concerns include water quality, air quality, climate, and the depletion of the fish population along the Fraser river.


Laura Benson-

1) Can you tell us more about this day of action?
Earlier this month (May), Fraser Surrey Docks announced that they want to build coal ports along the Fraser to ship US thermal coal and send them off to Asian powerplants. Today, Dogwood came out to spread the word of the risks and hazards associated with that project, and to build grassroots power in order to stop it.

2) Why do you think its important to be aware of this issue?
It has all sorts of significant impacts in the future of this city and region, as well as the global climate. Sending more thermal coal to Asia to be burned increases greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. In terms of the local threat, there are health risks associated with transporting coal, coal dust, noise etc. Also, the environmental impact is huge as well. BC has one of the worlds largest salmon rivers. We don't know how coal traffic can affect fish populations and water quality in the long term. Standing here in New Westminster, you can see how this city has invested in a new, sustainable community for itself. It is just the absolute opposite from the investment in 19th century carbon across the river. There is multiple impacts and people have a right in knowing what those are, and fighting for a better future for the community.

3) Well that answers our next question! And so we'll ask about the economic alternatives. Economically speaking, what could be the alternatives to such materials as coal?-
Certainly! First off, our water fronts are extremely busy. Vancouver is the biggest port in Canada. We ship all sorts of things, such as grain, lentils, soybeans, gravel, wood products, etc. There's any number of alternatives. We could also invest in greener alternatives. Right now, Fraser Surrey Docks exports steel for recycling, which is much more environmentally friendly than coal. Importing solar panels and wind turbines is an option as well. There is an endless amount of opportunity to invest in the future instead of the past.

Special thanks to Arie and Laura for taking part in these interviews! Check out a few pictures that we took of the Day of Action below. We wish Arie, Laura, Dogwood Initiative, and their partners the best in their Beyond Coal campaign!