tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263496682009-07-09T18:42:20.217-07:00Proudly practicing NIMBYism. Help keep B.C., Canada and the Earth beautiful.Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-73218379566563954932009-06-16T21:56:00.001-07:002009-06-16T21:57:25.389-07:00

Follow me @ecophilia

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-42070678183216430392008-08-29T13:35:00.000-07:002008-08-29T13:36:04.506-07:00

Stephen Harper is at it yet again...breaking another promise to Canadians, or at least on the verge of calling an election despite his promise of fixed election dates. It seems that Harper will do whatever he wants as long as he, his Conservatives, and his industry cronies benefit. And since there is no party that is likely to beat the Conservatives right now, he will break his promise of fixed

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-83683822712154037642008-03-02T12:38:00.005-08:002008-08-27T15:52:10.123-07:00

This morning I woke to the sound of the herring fishery outside my window. Year to year I never know where the herring will choose to spawn or why, but this year they've again chosen Buccaneer Beach! And this is by far the most exciting day of the year on our usually quiet little shore. The tiny parking lot at the public beach access is packed to overflowing as people come and go to take in the

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-60548637049944713352007-12-02T12:12:00.000-08:002007-12-02T14:57:16.536-08:00

Canada's new government [choke] has once again proven that their word is meaningless and has thwarted the right for Canadians to be involved in important decisions about our country. I'm referring to the announcement that our country has just signed on to the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) without any public consultation whatsoever. This vile agreement has been forced on Canadians not

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-85566003165223861082007-04-19T13:05:00.001-07:002007-04-19T13:16:45.165-07:00

This Sunday is Earth Day. We tend to take Mother Earth for granted, just like our own mother, until we are forced to recognize her on her birthday or Mothers' Day. We often gratefully accept all the wonderful things she has to offer without so much as a thank you. So now is the time to do something wonderful for the mother of all life; for this incredible planet we call home. Earth Day is

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-34046570753434331632007-03-04T11:43:00.001-08:002007-03-04T15:31:40.944-08:00

Have you ever experienced a time in your life when it seemed that everything you ever did was leading you precisely to that very moment? A moment when you were content to be just where you were, not thinking if tomorrow will bring a better day? A time of arrival, where you had reached the end of a long journey, the anticipation was finally over, you had finally made it? I am at one of those

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-55707155752223129212007-01-02T09:04:00.001-08:002007-03-04T13:05:29.724-08:00

The New Year brings with it nostalgia and a time of reflection. In looking back over my nine months of blogging, I am reinspired by the significant number of issues I've explored. Scattering myself across so many environmental campaigns, however, means that I'm not as cognizant with each debate. So now seems a good time to investigate the progress made in 2006.Environmental Alarmism and A New

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-71525276125032196882006-12-22T10:02:00.001-08:002007-01-02T09:28:15.104-08:00

During the holiday season, it seems befitting to advocate for the preservation of Reindeer, or Caribou as they are known in Canada. Currently Canada has over 2.4 million Caribou, a far cry from historical numbers, and they have been entirely wiped out of some areas of Canada, such as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Haida Gwaii in BC. Many subspecies of Caribou are in serious

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1162755671061937472006-11-05T11:37:00.000-08:002006-12-28T16:06:15.096-08:00

With the debate over the plausibility of global warming receding, the controversy over meeting our energy needs heats up. This has put the nuclear energy spin doctors into full swing. And they have done an impressive job in recruiting some high profile puppets to their cause. Among them are James Lovelock and BC's own Patrick Moore.James Lovelock is a well-respected environmentalist who proposed

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1162312650834415342006-10-31T07:59:00.000-08:002006-12-28T16:05:33.809-08:00

Thanks to a British government report, "The Economics of Climate Change", the dire warnings of scientists about the impacts of global warming may finally be heard. The report was issued yesterday by Sir Nicholas Stern, the Head of the British Government Economic Service and former World Bank Chief Economist. What has the big players paying attention to this report is that it speaks in terms that

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1160946436097961872006-10-15T14:07:00.000-07:002006-12-28T16:04:58.391-08:00

If there's anything that the Salmon Aquaculture Industry and their opponents have in common, it's fear. And anger. I saw plenty of both at the Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture's public hearing in Campbell River on Wednesday. I saw it in the faces of the bosses and workers, in the eyes of the Chiefs, and I heard it in the voices of the concerned citizens. I felt my own blood boil as

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1160166639752537172006-10-06T12:21:00.000-07:002007-01-02T09:28:43.170-08:00

Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans today announced that our country will not vote in favour of the United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for a moratorium on high seas bottom trawling. Given the global decline in fish stocks and the highly destructive effects of bottom trawling, this announcement is very disturbing. I take exception to many of the comments in Minister Loyola

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1159913957987975142006-10-03T15:14:00.000-07:002007-01-02T09:29:02.718-08:00

Never have I imagined I would start a letter with the words: "Dear President Bush: Thank you...", but I did just that today. For the record, here is a copy of the email I sent to the President and copied to Prime Minister Harper:Dear President Bush:Thank you for your directive to encourage sustainable fisheries and to oppose fishing methods "that destroy the long-term natural productivity of fish

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1159576022139877972006-09-29T17:26:00.000-07:002006-12-28T16:03:25.635-08:00

Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating toxic or contaminated food. Under Webster's definition, virtually all of us are being poisoned by our food system every day. Many common illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer and obesity, can be labeled food poisoning. The food we eat is often full of toxins, and that is only a small part of the problem. "Livestock" are raised in inhumane,

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1159310332870233822006-09-26T14:07:00.000-07:002006-12-28T16:02:11.998-08:00

During the summer, B.C. Hydro awarded two contracts for coal-fired power plants under its 2006 Open Call for Power. This is bad news for the environment, but not surprising in our current political atmosphere. The Honourable Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, had some interesting things to say back in March to the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. He stated that his

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1156200286769868312006-08-21T15:44:00.000-07:002007-01-02T09:29:25.055-08:00

My life is truly charmed if I tally the number of times I've encountered whales. It never fails to exhilarate; to make me feel truly vital and immersed in life. And this last time was no exception. I could not have hoped for a better experience for my nephew's twelveth birthday. Our hosts, Maureen and Jared Towers of Seasmoke Whale Watching, graciously welcomed my two nephews, brother-in-law and

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1154408241009401342006-07-31T20:53:00.000-07:002007-01-02T09:29:42.150-08:00

Bottom trawling is one of the most destructive ocean harvest methods in use today whereby trawling vessels drag massive weighted nets across the ocean floor to harvest their target species. In doing so, the ocean floor is decimated and delicate habitats are destroyed. "Bycatch" species are tossed back into the ocean, dead or dying. Bottom trawling is the equivalent of a cattle farmer burning the

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1153769316544295372006-07-24T12:28:00.000-07:002006-12-28T15:59:10.705-08:00

Nothing is as green as a brown, weedy lawn. As an environmentalist, I find lush, green, weed-free grass extremely abhorrent. So several years ago, I insisted that my husband stop using herbicides, insecticides, pesticides and chemical fertilizers of any kind on our lawn and that we stop watering it in the summer. This "suggestion" nearly sent my hubby into shock, being a former turf farm worker

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1152558196427621302006-07-10T11:33:00.000-07:002006-12-28T15:58:16.008-08:00

Lt. Ehren Watada is a hero in my eyes and I salute him. Lt. Watada has refused his order to deploy to Iraq, and as a result could face up to eight years in prison and a dishonourable discharge. According to Lt. Watada, he could not be involved in an “illegal and immoral war against people who did nothing to deserve our aggression. My oath of office is to protect and defend America’s laws and its

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1151626376164098832006-06-29T17:12:00.000-07:002006-12-28T15:57:40.703-08:00

Environmentalists are frequently discredited as being alarmist. For those of you that are not yet alarmed, check out the facts.LandOver 80% of the world's ancient forests are gone. The land is where we store our garbage, including used toxic chemicals and nuclear waste, and the garbage is piling up. Desertification is happening all over the world due to land degredation. You should be

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1151450314444466622006-06-27T15:04:00.000-07:002006-12-28T15:56:57.869-08:00

Did you know that Victoria, B.C.'s beautiful capital city, dumps raw sewage into the ocean? Mayor Alan Lowe's vision for Victoria includes "making secondary sewage treatment a reality", but the process is far too slow.The Capital Regional District (CRD) is responsible for sewage treatment for the City of Victoria and its Core Area Liquid Waste Management Plan includes the following provision: "..

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1150490363174405262006-06-16T13:25:00.000-07:002006-12-28T15:56:11.282-08:00

In my previous post, "There's Something Fishy with Salmon Farming in B.C.", I mentioned B.C.'s Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture and their Call for Submissions. The deadline for written submissions to this Committee is July 1, 2006 and their preferred method of receiving them is via email at Aquaculture@leg.bc.ca . Below is a copy of my submission:To the Special Committee on

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1149184048844117402006-06-01T10:47:00.000-07:002006-12-28T15:55:51.682-08:00

Every day we are exposed to countless toxic chemicals, sometimes by choice and other times not. As a result I have decided to do a toxic cleanse and am now on day four of twelve. Serendipitously, in the last few days I have come across information on the negative effects of toxins on the environment and our health. In the mail I received "Turning the Tide - 2006 Update - Protecting Health and

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1147979408556639412006-05-18T11:54:00.000-07:002006-12-28T15:54:11.181-08:00

Sometimes I amaze myself. Then there are times like this. I am such an idiot! A few days ago I had the opportunity to hear one of my heros speak. I was lucky enough to attend David Suzuki's book tour and it was fantastic. He is such an amazing Canadian and a passionate, vibrant speaker. If I could ever accomplish one tiny bit of what he has, I will be very proud of myself indeed.So what is wrong

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26349668.post-1147728826667165542006-05-15T14:19:00.000-07:002007-01-02T09:30:03.197-08:00

Okay, I know. It is the ultimate environmentalist clichè...save the spotted owl...we've heard it all before, over and over. To some of you it may be a clichè, but to me it is so much more. It's not just over the spotted owl that this battle is being fought. The spotted owl depends on old growth forest to survive, as do many other species. The B.C. Government has issued a news release announcing

Michelle "Jones" Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731316567535217431noreply@blogger.com0