DEN Enews

Where do we find hope in a world of drastic climate changes and impending El Nino impacts? Personally, I find hope, and sometimes distraction, in the new growth in my garden, the rain that is so needed, and the incredible sense of survival in nature. Have you noticed the intense seeds on some maple trees. The drought last summer produced a mast year for the maples who know their very survival depends on continued, indeed increased efforts in seed production. The image above is from the maple overhanging my deck. I may be sweeping these seeds for weeks but I rejoice in the hope this tree demonstrates.

Hope also comes in the extension of the deadline to accept submissions regarding our environment protection laws. Read more here and sign the petition below in our Advocacy section: https://ecojustice.ca/take-action/tell-your-mp-dont-gut-environmental-laws/

This past Sunday we heard of Abraham sitting under the oaks of Mamre and the life changing encounter with three unexpected guests. Perhaps we need to think of “Church Forests” or church in the forest to resurrect a holy attitude towards these life-sustaining creations of wonder.

Our hope must also come from a faith that sustains us, that trusts that “the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

Greenpeace reports: Despite relentless efforts from industry actors, deep sea mining remains at a standstill. Our movement continues to grow and is making significant progress, in Canada and around the world.

 Since the industry made the questionable decision to collaborate with Trump in the spring of 2025, international cooperation is strengthening to prevent the deep sea from becoming a symbol of the mining industry’s—or the US’—impunity

The deep sea mining industry’s collaboration with Donald Trump has not been not well-received. The Metals Company, the Canadian company that applied first for the U.S. unlawful deep sea mining permits, is now under formal investigation by the International Seabed Authority.

Our environmental safety net is being dismantled to benefit mega-profitable fossil fuel, mining, and other companies. Canadians fought hard for our laws to protect people, water, wildlife, and future generations. The rolling back of Canada’s environmental laws and consolidation of Cabinet power is happening to create environmental sacrifice zones across our beautiful country. This is how the pre-approval of pipelines and other industrial projects are being planned and guaranteed. The playbook is very similar to the ‘God Squad’ in the U.S., with self-granted powers like deciding species extinction for oil expansion. The Carney government is proposing to fast-track projects without credible justification, review, or adequate consultation. This is an erosion of Canada’s democratic process. The federal government is expected to introduce legislation that guts environmental laws shortly.  The consultation deadline has been extended to June 22nd, which is a positive sign that collective advocacy is making an impact. Please share and send a message demanding your MP vote against any legislation that threatens species at risk or creates federal sacrifice zones.

Federal and provincial governments are advancing policy changes that could weaken species at risk protections and environmental safeguards in areas considered economically important. Nature protection and economic prosperity are not opposites. In fact, weakening species protections creates long-term environmental and economic costs. Your MP needs to hear clearly that Canadians do not support rolling back environmental safeguards in the name of speed or development. This petition letter will also go to a series of federal leaders. Nature protection is not a barrier to Canada’s future; it is foundational to it. Safeguards that protect us and our environment are needed and not “red tape”. Please join in defending strong nature laws to ensure economic development does not come at the expense of biodiversity, habitat protection, and community well-being.

Texas-based Western LNG is begging for a billion-dollar bailout from Canadian taxpayers. The Ksi Lisims gas terminal has been in development since 2018, but it’s struggling to sign up customers, get bank loans, and Wall Street investors don’t want to put up more cash. The project’s American owners are now hoping for a lifeline from the Canada Infrastructure Bank. The project wouldn’t be built in Canada, would increase domestic and global greenhouse gas emissions, and despite its Indigenous name, Ksi Lisims would be 100% owned and operated by Western LNG in Texas. We should be investing our public money in Canadian-owned projects that create local jobs and real benefits in our communities. Send a message to Canada Infrastructure Bank saying to vote against any investment.

Industrial mining in the Brazilian Amazon has caused a sharp increase in deforestation. Despite this, requests for permits to mine on Indigenous lands steadily increase as the biodiversity loss grows. Canada is playing a major role. Belo Sun Mining Corporation is a Canadian company planning projects that threaten the already fragile Xingu River Basin; one of the most biodiverse places on our planet! After years of legal battles, Belo Sun is advancing a massive mine through a state licensing process that avoids the stronger federal review needed for a project that imperils Indigenous communities and the Xingu River. Use this petition to show Canadians do not support Canadian companies destroying precious rainforest and bulldozing over law and rights. Help remind Brazil’s President Lula of his promise to protect the Amazon and respect its peoples. 

Too Much Plastic

Grandma and Nana decided it was time for new dressers.

The old dressers had probably been made sometime around 1950. They came from my mother's house and moved with me when I settled into our little place down the hill in the early 1970s.

Lately, Nana had been finding it harder to pull out the large, heavy drawers to find her clothes. The dressers were scratched, worn, and long overdue for a coat of paint. The decision was made: we ordered two new dressers with smaller bins instead of the big, heavy drawers.

Grandma unpacked the boxes and started putting one together.

Every piece of the dresser was wrapped in plastic. The screws were packed in plastic. The handles were packed in plastic. In fact, after assembling just one of the two dressers, Grandma had collected an entire bag full of plastic waste.

Somehow, one person putting together one dresser created that much plastic.

There has to be a better way.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme report Drowning in Plastic, packaging accounts for 44% of all plastic produced worldwide. Roughly 400 million tonnes of plastic are made each year, much of it used once and then discarded. Only about 9–10% is recycled.

Why?

Part of the challenge is that packaging often contains several different types of plastic layered together. Each type needs to be separated before it can be recycled properly. My engineer friend would probably say the answer is to standardize packaging materials so recycling is simpler. That sounds sensible, although I'm sure it isn't quite that easy.

So what are the alternatives?

Paper and cardboard can work well, but they are heavier, which increases transportation costs. Honeycomb paper wrap reduces some of that weight, but it costs more to manufacture.

Moulded pulp and fibre packaging does an excellent job protecting heavy items from damage, but bulky materials create their own disposal challenges.

Mushroom-based packaging is another promising option. It works remarkably well, but because it is made from organic materials, it has a limited shelf life.

Seaweed-based packaging may be one of the most exciting developments, especially for food products.

Reusable containers offer perhaps the greatest reduction in waste. Until a decade or two ago, Prince Edward Island did not allow plastic soft-drink bottles on the island. Pop was sold in reusable glass bottles instead. Looking back, I can certainly understand the wisdom behind that policy.

There are even groups now exploring reusable takeout containers that could be returned, cleaned, and used again.

Many environmental researchers argue that the best solution is not simply replacing plastic with another material. Instead, they suggest using less packaging overall, designing products for reuse, and eliminating unnecessary layers of wrapping.

Grandma isn't pretending to have all the answers. I was simply surprised by how much plastic came from assembling just one dresser. One dresser. One afternoon. One very full bag of plastic.

It certainly gave me something to think about.

Gardening

Every so often Grandma just starts writing something silly for the fun of it. That happened one afternoon when I ran out of things to do for a minute.

Grandma admits that is a tongue in cheek, bit of fun. I do not in any way belittle what our Armed Forces do for us daily. This is just how “Earth Warriors” could respond to a climate crisis.

We ask each parish in our Diocese to consider next year joining our cause to help the pollinators that provide our food. In 2026, Seed Share distributed 6115 seed packets across both provinces of our Diocese.

This little notice will be returning to an e-news near you again in January.

Operation Bloom Boom

Attention, Garden Guerrillas!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to help reclaim neglected territory with an airborne assault of wildflowers.

Equipment

• Seed bombs (also known as Flower Bombs)

• A willing recruit

• A pocket full of hope

Mission Briefing

Survey the battlefield. Target areas may include barren ditches, forgotten corners, fence lines, vacant lots, and other neglected zones where flowers would be welcomed by pollinators.

Once a suitable target has been identified, approach with caution. Remain alert for mud puddles, poison ivy, and suspiciously curious squirrels.

When the coast is clear, deploy your flower bombs.

• Roll them down embankments.

• Launch them into ditches.

• Lob them gently under fences.

• Scatter them into hard-to-reach areas where a shovel would never dare go.

Do not attempt precision strikes. Nature prefers a little randomness.

After deployment, withdraw from the area and allow Mother Nature's forces to take over. Rain will activate the operation. Sunlight will provide support. Time will do the rest.

Rules of Engagement

• Never deploy on private property without permission.

• Avoid environmentally sensitive areas where native ecosystems could be disturbed.

• Target places where wildflowers are appropriate and beneficial.

Mission Success

In the weeks and months ahead, return to inspect the results of your campaign. Look for signs of victory:

• Bees conducting reconnaissance.

• Butterflies establishing air superiority.

• Blossoms advancing across previously barren ground.

Every flower is a small act of hope. Every seed bomb is a declaration that beauty belongs everywhere.

Good luck, recruits. The pollinators are counting on you.

………………………………………

It is a busy gardening season here in the Parish. The new community boxes are ready to plant. Fog fences go up once my nimble buddy is back from visiting his new grandbaby. We are off to a good start.

Grandmas notes may be a bit smaller till all gardens are settled in for the year. So why not send our e-news something you are doing in your parish. Do you have a garden near your church building. Send us a pic. Are your young people doing a clean up which could be cleaning the inside of a building or outside, just let us know.

The warm weather is finally her.

Let’s enjoy

Claudia