DEN Enews

From the Editor

When all else fails, have faith that all will be well.

It has been a week, to say the least, and emotions have been strong on both sides of our border. As environmentalists, there is great cause to be concerned about the next four years.

The newly elected president ( because I refuse to speak his name) has said he does not believe in climate change and that he intends to increase the production of fossil fuels. So much more is at stake such as the very foundations of democracy.

As I despairingly binge-ate Halloween candy the day after the election, I was reminded that sometimes we need to sit in our grief and acknowledge it. It has been a week of embracing that grief in ourselves and others. But like those pounds from all the chocolate and chips that I need to lose, we also need to lose the grief in the actions of hope.

I have always been encouraged by each of you that works tirelessly to protect our island home from the misuse of power and the ills of greed and control.

This past week I found encouragement from uplifting comments on social media.

Thanks to Rev. Jane Magrath who posted this the day after the US election with the comment, “Something to hold onto. Gentle and slow and local. One tiny step at a time.”

Thanks to Carol Scott who posted the following and commented,” As my wise cousin (in California) said after last night’s election results: “I realized all I can do at this point is to try and make the world a better place. Stay kind and do what you can to be peace-filled for your family, friends, the community and world.” Good advice

At a recent clergy conference, I am told, Bishop Sandra addressed the grief post-election and asked the group “How do we deal with immense polarization?”. How do we deal with it as people of faith and find ways to bring people together?

Let us acknowledge our collective grief but attend to our Christian faith that, with God, all will be well.

Let us continue to be stewards of this earth and double down on our efforts to protect it wherever and whenever we can. Having just laid our poppies at cenotaphs and declared We will Remember, let us remember the sacrifices of our veterans and understand the environmental impacts of war and work towards peace .

Let us recognize that elections offer us a chance for a better world. As you prepare to vote provincially, ask your candidates their stance on the environment. Hold our elected officials accountable for their decisions. Above all have faith, as Julian of Norwich said, that all will be well.

Last word goes to Bishop Austin Rios in the Episcopal Diocese of California with these words of hope with thanks to Bishop Sandra for posting them:

“My humble advice is that regardless of how you feel today, remember that the message of God’s love in Jesus Christ has never been, and will never be, fully expressed through the powers and principalities of this world.

What I can do is live the truth of my convictions each day I have breath in my body. I will continue to see all people, regardless of race, creed, voting preference, gender, education level, living location, or sexuality as fellow and equal members of the mystical Body of Christ that we participate in through grace.

I will continue to advocate for policies and people that protect the dignity of every human being and that take seriously our care and stewardship of this fragile earth.

But most of all, I will continue to look to God and the foundations of our faith when anxiety, fear, and opposition threaten to overwhelm me, and I will couple that deepening dependence on God with the conviction that, regardless of what is to come—if we face it together as a community—Christ will be among us.”

AMEN

Elections are important. Find out how your candidates stand on the issues important to you.

From Save Our Old Forests:

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS FOR THE CBC LEADERS DEBATE!

CBC Nova Scotia will be moderating the Leaders Debate on November 14, 2024 at 6pm.  All Nova Scotians have an opportunity to submit a question that could be put to the leaders during the debate.    

At the bottom of the article there is a Google Form that you can use to submit your questions!  Click HERE to access the article and scroll to the bottom.  

Here are a few sample questions to get you started:  

• Progress on protecting 20% of Nova Scotia’s lands and waters by 2030 is so slow we seem to be going backwards. The Collaborative Protected Areas Strategy has sunk without a trace. DNR is putting forward new logging plans for areas of crown land already proposed by citizens for protection. What will you do to put a stop to log now, save later? Will your party commit to putting a pause on logging, road building and industrial activities in proposed protected areas as well as in forests over 80 years old on crown land until the 20% commitment has been met?

• Climate change and loss of biodiversity are already hitting us. Preserving mature natural forests is essential if we want a livable planet. It is great that we have a target of protecting 20% of Nova Scotia by 2030 but the needle is barely moving. To reach that target we need to identify 1% of the province -- 53,000 hectares -- a year for the next 6 years. Will you commit to identifying at least 1% of our province per year and ensuring the resources and personnel are there to assess and designate the areas for permanent protection? What else will your party do to protect nature first, not last?

• Protecting 20% of Nova Scotia's lands and waters is more important than ever. What will you do to make sure we meet that target by 2030?

  **************************************************

From the Coastal Coalition

Resources as you seek to engage potential candidates and your community - neighbours, local groups, family and friends - on the Coastal Protection Act.

You can refer to progress/status on the action/strategy plan here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If, as part of any action you take during the election, you are identifying yourself as part of the Coastal Coalition please refrain from partisan statements (endorsing/opposing specific candidates/parties/platforms) as the Coastal Coalition is composed of organizations that are required, by law, to adhere to strict rules against partisanship during an election call. 

There are also good strategic reasons to remain non-partisan, as it keeps focus on the policy issue at hand. This was discussed in our last Coastal Coalition meeting (Monday Nov 4th), please reach out if you have any questions.

RESOURCES:

Talking Points - You can draw on these facts, talking points and FAQ (PDF link) if you are engaging someone directly or writing a letter to an editor.

Writing a Letter to the Editor (PDF link) - This is a general guide and template letter format if you are looking to write a letter to an editor. There are also links to some publications you may consider writing to.

Inspiration for your discussions

Prayer is Powerful

The UK has closed its last coal-fired power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, ending 140 years of burning coal for electricity. In the 1950s, coal dominated British energy production, but by 2022 it accounted for less than 2%. Today, it’s zero. But this story could have ended very differently. In 2008, the UK government was planning a whole new generation of coal power stations. They were stopped by a huge wave of public opposition, in which Greenpeace activists played a crucial role.

Today, (Tuesday), is the day Greenpeace heads to court to try and stop Shell and Equnior's illegal oil and gas fields currently in UK waters. These huge companies are wreaking havoc on our natural world and putting the North Sea under attack. Rosebank oil and gas field is only 130 kilometres from the jaw dropping Shetland Islands. Sea mammals like grey seals, otters, harbour porpoises, and orcas, call these waters their home. Dozens of (UK) MPs and peers have warned approving the project would be "deeply irresponsible" and risks putting climate targets out of reach. Shell and Equnior have ignored the emissions that will be caused from burning their extracted oil and gas. In Rosebank alone, it’s the equivalent of emitting as much carbon dioxide as running 56 coal-fired power stations for a year. The stakes are high and the verdict of this court case will be felt for generations to come. Please show your support in stopping the unlawful and devastating development of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields.

Riding a bike requires no gas and leaves no pollution. Bike lanes reduce traffic, lower emissions, and support local businesses. Ontario Premier Doug Ford wants to ban bike lanes with Bill 212, claiming that this would "ease congestion", but the facts state otherwise. While the right to veto or even remove bike lanes has been making the headlines, a big part of this bill is about accelerating the building of highways like Highway 413. Help stop Ford's Bill 212 in its tracks by adding your voice before consultation closes on November 20^th. 

Palm oil plantations are spreading like wildfire across the Amazon in Eastern Brazil. Local communities are trying to take a stand against the land grabs and brutality, but they could use global support. These palm oil plantations are closing in on the ancestral lands of the Indigenous Tembé & Turiwara, and the Quilombola descendants of enslaved people from Africa. Communities are experiencing forced evictions and the constant threat of massive violence. Agropalma and Brazil Biofuels alone already control an area 1.5 times the size of London. The courts have annulled the land titles claimed illegally by Agropalma for 100s of square kilometres, but the land has not yet been returned. Call on authorities to ensure these communities can take back their land and protect it like they have for many centuries.

Product testing shows many of the plastic products we use and wear everyday contain toxic chemicals. These toxic plastics are linked to devastating health harms such as breast cancer, brain damage, and kidney and liver diseases. As countries prepare to negotiate a Global Plastics Treaty, Canada has the opportunity to make a large difference! The federal government can regulate and eliminate some of the most toxic chemicals in plastics before the treaty negotiations start, which could help build global momentum towards ending both plastic pollution and exposure to dangerous chemicals. Urge the federal government to protect us from harmful chemicals in plastics and by backing a strong Global Plastics Treaty. This petition will go to your MP, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Minister of Health.

Keeping warm

It sure is getting cold these days. Grandma knows winter is here and we just need to deal with it. Better still, we need to start enjoying it more. Finding ways to keep warmer just might be helpful.

Dress warm. It may sound silly but having good warm clothing is a “must”. If you ever became too busy to change from summer to winter clothing, even in a well-heated home, cold likes to find a way to your bones.

Fashion may need to take second place for the season. Grandma has fleece-lined clothes, though seldom needs them indoors. Thermal tops, light sweaters and even heavy socks make a difference indoors. Get winter slippers a size too big to fit your heavy wool socks. Wear socks and thermal clothes to bed.

Put a flannelette sheet or a blanket under your sheets. It matters just as much what is under you than how many blankets you pile on top. Use an electric blanket to warm the bed a few minutes before you crawl in.

Insulate windows. Unless you have new windows, and even then, it doesn’t hurt to get the insulation film at the hardware or dollar stores. The few minutes it takes to put it up can reduce bills.

Draft stoppers, those long skinny rolls placed at the foot of doors, do keep cold out.  Weather striping wears out faster where you tread in and out.

Ceiling fans. Make sure your fans are turning clockwise. It forces the warm air that rises to the ceiling, back down into the room, keeping it warmer.

Furnace cleaning. It is an added expense when money is short but it saves the oil bill as the furnace runs more efficiently.

Keep the snow if we get any. Clear your walks but allow snow to pile around the house. It is insulating and keeps your house warmer. My Dad always put brush around the house or “banked” the house every fall. We learned young that it was warmer to sit on the floor lower than the banking was tall outside.

Cook bigger meals, especially in that oven. Slow cooking in the oven does not use as much energy as the higher temperatures. It also warms the room. First cold day I make Roaster Rice and freeze the extras for later meals. Think of any meal you use a slow cooker for and put it in a roaster in the oven at 200 degrees.

Incandescent light bulbs are not energy efficient but they throw heat. Consider using one just in the bathroom during winter.

Here is a great one. Invite more people over. Each person releases about 100 watts of energy. If 8 people are in a room they release the same heat as a 36-inch electric baseboard. Say your goodbyes with the door closed to keep the cold out.

As always, if you know of other ways to keep warm, drop a line to [email protected]

https://www.redcross.org.uk/stories/health-and-social-care/health/tips-on-keeping-warm-this-winter

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/beat-the-cold/keeping-warm

https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/how-to-stay-warm-indoors-in-winter/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_5_r683CiQMVBkf_AR35QikUEAAYASAAEgLle_D_BwE

Advent Candles

Another craft from “Easy to Make Christmas Crafts for Kids published by Shiloh Kidz (J 745.5941 EAS)

Although I can’t photocopy the templates for you, the picture should explain it.

You will need 5 toilet tissue tubes. Either paint the tubes or find a sheet of white, blue/purple, and pink paper for the candles. Then a sheet of green for leaves and maybe yellow for the flame.

Cut a rectangle of coloured paper to cover the toilet tissue tube if you aren’t painting the rolls. According to our Rev. Trudy (LeBans), “The first two and the fourth candles are usually blue or purple, the third candle is rose coloured for Mary, and the last (Christmas ) is white for Jesus”

My candle template came with the words for each one. The children could write the words before glueing or taping the candle figure. A paper flame was cut and coloured for each candle. You could make green leaves here and there for decoration.

The children could make their own posterboard Advent wreath where they can take home a new candle each week. A boxboard circle covered with green leaves could be a base for the candles.

Did your group do an Advent Candle craft with your kids? How did you do that? You can always send us pictures if you want. [email protected]

Something to eat

Sending my roaster rice recipe to cook long and slow some day or night. It warms the house, and the tummy, and makes meals easier down the road.

Roaster Rice

2 cups of rice, whatever type you have

4 cups water

1 pkg. dry onion soup mix

¼ cup oil

½ cup soya sauce

½ cup green pepper

½ cup celery

1 can of mushrooms

The fast version is 350 degrees for 60-90 minutes. Instead, mix and put in a 200-degree oven for 3-4 hours. You just need to add a protein and another vegetable to make easy meals with leftovers.

/

 Dear God,

There’s so much to fear right now that I’m sort of losing track of what to worry about most.

So I’m gonna need some help focusing.

Show me what is MINE to do.

Then grant me the strength to do it, and the humility to rest knowing it is enough.

Help me remember that even if there is more to worry about in life right now, it does not mean that there is less to love in life right now.  

So protect every inch of our joy, Lord.

And if you could help me stop reading shit on the internet, that might really help too.

Amen.