DEN Enews

From the Ecology Action Centre:

_{In the wake of the Energy Poverty Task Force's launch of Roger Colton's A Way Forward: A Made-in-Nova Scotia Home Energy Affordability Program, EAC has launched it's own campaign encouraging individuals to take action on Nova Scotia's energy poverty crisis and demand better from their MLAs & Premier, starting with the implementation of Colton's recommendations.}

_{We would love to have your support on this campaign.} 

_{The link below will take you to our campaign page and includes an easy-to-use "Click to Call" tool that will put you in touch with your MLA and premier Houston's office when used on a smartphone. Speaking notes will also appear. https://ecologyaction.ca/take-action-energy-poverty}

_{We are encouraging folks to personalize their messages as they see fit and don't hesitate to contact your MLA in the way that feels most comfortable to you!} 

_{Any and all action on this campaign is appreciated, including circulating this link to your own personal networks.}

_{Thank you all for your support and please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or if you receive any feedback from your government officials.} 

_{Federal Court recently released a decision to uphold the Canadian Government’s decision to keep fish farms out of the Discovery Islands — an important migratory route for wild salmon. On June 20th, The Canadian Government unveiled the encouraging news that they will be banning open net pen salmon farms in BC as of June 30, 2029.}

_{Are you happy that your money in the bank is helping fund climate change? RBC, Scotiabank, TD, BMO, and CIBC provided over ONE TRILLION Canadian dollars to fossil fuels since the global climate change treaty known as the Paris Agreement was signed. Forest fires are burning across Alberta and other parts of Canada, the northern regions are melting away, and Indigenous rights are consistently being violated. Our money shouldn’t be hurting people or the planet. It’s time for our elected leaders to hold big banks accountable.Join us in asking the federal government to use all legislative and regulatory tools at its disposal to align Canada’s financial system with the Paris Agreement.}

_{The federal government is deciding on a new approach to cap the oil and gas sector, limiting the emissions industry is allowed to produce and making sure those emissions go down over time. But the federal government needs to hear from Canadians like you that support a strong emissions cap on the fossil fuel industry. This is a critical tool for Canada’s climate future: Oil and gas sector is the largest and fastest growing source of pollution in Canada.  That’s why the industry is ready to attack the upcoming policy, using their lobbying power to delay, weaken and undermine the new rule. If the federal government bends to their demands, Canada will remain one of the worst contributors to the global climate crisis. It’s time to tell the federal government that we support a strong oil and gas emissions cap - and they should too.}  

_{As Japan's whaling killing season begins, the survival of fin whales is at risk. These majestic creatures (some call them gentle giants) have been added to the list of what may be legally hunted in Japan. (Japan controversially withdrew from the International Whaling Commission in 2019.) Japanese law also permits the hunting of endangered sei whales and threatened minke whales and Bryde's whales. In 2022 alone, Japan reported killing numerous vulnerable and endangered whales, including 25 sei whales, 187 Bryde's whales, and 58 minke whales. The addition of fin whales to this grim tally is not just a setback for conservation but a devastating blow to marine ecosystems. Please consider signing this petition to urge the International Whaling Commission and the Japanese Government to halt the hunting of fin whales and reconsider Japan's whaling practices.}

_{Years of evidence show energy giant Drax breaking the law at its destructive mills – where logs are turned into pellets to be burned for electricity. These mills have been illegally polluting rivers and lakes, destroying wetlands, and breaching air pollution limits. Not to mention Drax has been sourcing wood logged from old growth forests! They claim to be sustainable and green but pellet mills supplying Drax have violated Canadian environmental laws 189 times.  The Canadian government needs to take action now by ending funding for Drax and implementing old growth deferrals. Please sign this StandEarth petition.}

Enviro Days

Back in January, Grandma received a message asking if the parish would consider bringing some of our planting kits to the Maibec-Canexel Recycling Day in East River in June. Yes, I was doing a happy dance that day. Here was my chance to spread my idea of “planting’ to a bigger community.

They suggested 30 kits but I packed a few more. I also brought along the last of those sunflower seeds. A photocopy of the Planting kit story from the front page of our Diocesan Times was laid out.  _{So many people said, “I saw that story”. I had copies of our web address to the e-news archive page and a few contact cards if needed. Grandma was ready. Bring it on!}

I should have mentioned I have spent most of my life in sales. My parents sold smoked mackerel and Soloman Gundy at Farmer’s markets. I knew how to draw people in. Of course, 22 years in different aspects of a Staples call centre didn’t hurt either. Only 45 minutes in and I had to slow down as I was running out of supplies.

It is amazing to see the reaction to “Would you plant a pack of seeds for me?”, “Do you have grandkids? Would you like a planting kit to give to them”.  “_{We aren’t selling these. We just want people to scratch in the dirt a bit and plant seeds. Every plant takes away 10 grams of carbon”. “No garden? Oh, stick them in the ground by your shed”. “In an apartment? Grow those beans on your balcony or a sunny window. Use a milk jug for a bigger container when they need it.”}

Yeah, Grandma can be persistent. There was nothing left on my table in the last hour. I went off to hear the last lecture.

This Recycling Day has been going on for 18 years. Each year, the hardboard company Canexel, in East River opens their recycling program to the public. They take tours of their facility but at the event, they show and tell the processes used to transform the waste from their hardboard plant into compost, Black Earth and Mulch.

Admission is an offering to the local food bank. Snacks are put out for the guests but the 4H group sells burgers and dogs. There is the Wheel of Dirt game where the prize is more mulch or Black Earth.  _{Along the back wall, they bring in enviro groups like me. Guest speakers are invited to lecture. When you are ready to leave, you give your ticket to the men outside and receive THREE free bags of your choice of soil or mulch.}

For Grandma, it was like “FINALLY I am not alone”. DEN takes away the idea that you are alone in your battle.  _{Enviro Days just drives that point home.}

Who here remembers the Enviro Day that Den put on in 2019 at St. Mark’s in Halifax? I was the one who gave out the colourful pinwheels and did crafts with the kids. It was a fantastic day!

We need more of them. I wonder if our parishes could not be the backbone to have small enviro days, any time of year. It wouldn’t need to be big. You just need a few people to give demonstrations on “how to” do simple things sharpen knives, make newspaper planting pots, make sauerkraut in a bottle, etc.

For centuries, churches have sent missionaries to foreign lands to spread the Gospel. In a way, environmentalists (everyone reading this), are missionaries for God’s creations. We help the planet BUT remember it is God’s planet. Remember who made it. We are his workers. As such, when we help the planet, we are a type of missionary.

Garden

It is so dry! My slow drip watering nozzles have come out of the shed this spring. I was filling them from my water barrels until that got too low. Filling them from a hose with a good shut-off nozzle doesn’t take much water. It all goes straight to the plants and under mulch that stays damp for days.

Need some of these nozzles to put on a pop or water bottle? Last year I got mine at Lee Valley (orange ones). You can also find them in the China Shops.

Oh and I have to brag! I won’t have this luck again. My lettuce is self-seeded in the community centre garden box. Fresh lettuce before July is a treat! It’s going to be a cream, sugar and vinegar salad tonight.

Sand Shakers

This was an idea that “sort of” worked.

Grandma wanted our little boys to get to know about church a bit more. They weren’t paying a bit of attention to the hymns. Music is so important in the church that I wanted them to like it. I made Sand Shakers from yoghurt tubs. The first hymn started and I passed out shakers and we rattled our shakers through four verses.

We went back to our colouring page. (Oh, stickers anywhere on a plain page and give crayons so they draw a story. This week they had stars that turned into fireworks for heaven, with a few lines)

The amazing thing was when the next hymn started up Joshua ran for his shaker and we rattled up the next hymn with a few Alleluias where needed.

Now I said this “sort of worked”. Jeffery likes to know how things are made and proceeded to take the shaker apart. A little pile of sand vacuums up easily.

What did they learn? Hymns are part of the church service. Hymns are fun. Mission accomplished.

Two yoghurt tubs, painted in different shades. After adding a little sand, glue the two together and add some duct tape to make sure they are closed. I would even add some washi tape around the cups for reinforcement.

 Something to Eat

These are an easy way to use up that soft banana. You may need a bit more flour according to the size of your ripe banana.

Peanut Butter Banana Cookies

1 cup peanut butter

½ cup oatmeal

1-2 banana

¼ cup sugar or a drizzle of honey

¼ cup chocolate chips

1tsp. vanilla

1 cup flour

Mix and drop by spoonful on a cookie sheet. Bake 350 for about 8 minutes

With thanks to Eleanor de Young from the Church of Saint Andrew in Cole Harbour

Prayer of Hope for a Better Summer Season

 Father of All, last year in Nova Scotia, the weather presented one crisis after another with frosts, fires, and drought that were followed by torrential rains. It was hard for anyone in any situation to get the upper hand.

 This year’s weather so far has been hopeful. We can look out the window during a slow steady rain. A large bee can be seen looking for shelter amongst the plants around a wooden fence. Then the rain stops sometimes only for a while before continuing. Now we can look out and see everything freshly washed and renewed from the rain. The flowers and greenery are so much more vibrant. Suddenly the air abounds with birds flittering from place to place singing while they work finding new nourishment for their young. The bee comes out from hiding and joins the work party. Moving forward, we go outside and the rain droplets are glistening on the flowers and leaves. Everything looks so cheery. We give you thanks for this wonderful gift. 

 Our hearts warm as we read about Nova Scotia Trust. Since 2020 they have been diligently working to double their protected spaces by 2025. Last Wednesday, they announced they had already reached this “Double Your Wild” goal. This not only protects the diversity and habitat for wildlife, it benefits humanity as well. It is also a natural way of fighting climate change. Wondrous God, we give you thanks for encouraging this dedicated team and for the sponsors that have joined them. Yes, there is federal government support and large corporate donations; importantly, however, it is the donations and physical support of individuals that are inspiring. 

 So far, this year has also been better for farmers and gardeners. We especially pray for all who are dependent on good weather patterns. They must watch carefully as conditions can change rapidly. We acknowledge that Nova Scotia is forecasting to have a heatwave soon. We pray that everyone takes care of themselves, their families and their pets. May they exercise great caution so as not to endanger themselves or others.

 We acknowledge that across Canada and around the world, others have already had disasters related to the weather. We pray for them as they struggle to cope. Please protect them in all they do. Please watch over all the world and guide us to make careful decisions to protect everyone around us as well as your precious earth.

We give thanks to you, Holy One. If it were not for you, none of this world would exist. We pray that we do all that is right to help you. Amen