The predominantly white society could ignore them and they did. We learned very little about our aboriginal people while attending school in British Columbia. The situation is gradually changing albeit at a glacial pace. Yesterday Nanaimo City held a ceremonial flag raising in conjunction with the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Their flag took its place next to the provincial and city flags on the town hall. It was acknowledged that the land that the city (the name of which is a corruption of Snuneymuxw) is on is part of their traditional territory. Perhaps this is the beginning of a serious move to work together to build a brighter future for all people in Canada. Sources: Government of Canada Truth and Reconciliation Commission
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NASA has satellites that can monitor large fires on targeted areas and also compile world maps showing major fires burning around the world. The rapid decomposition of wood by burning releases tonnes of carbon into the world’s atmosphere and contributes to the ever increasing load it carries.
Of course in a forest fire it’s not just the trees that are destroyed. Precious habitat disappears, animals are killed and endangered plants and animals may be extirpated from an area. When the vegetation cover is destroyed it leaves the ground itself subject to quick erosion from storms. Sources: Discover Magazine NBC Cal Fire NASA
There are several factors that are increasing the pressure and drawdown of these fossil reserves. Climate change which is expected to change rainfall patterns and increase evaporation will increase pressure to source groundwater. Already the drought in California is forcing more dependence on groundwater with the result that the levels are dropping quite rapidly. Some of the drawdowns in other areas have been quite spectacular. The High Plains Aquifer in Texas has dropped 50m since being accessed in the 1940s. The Nubian aquifer in N. Africa has dropped 60m since records were kept.
Not only climate change affects our exploitation of groundwater. Agricultural practises, industries, mining including fracking all take their toll. The exponential increase in the human population this last century has put pressure on supplies. There are stopgap measures to combat a temporary drought, but history is full of accounts of civilizations that have disappeared along with their water sources. Currently it is some of the world’s poorest people who depend most heavily on ground water and are drawing down their resources most rapidly. The Arabian Aquifer which serves 60 million people is listed as the most stressed, followed by the Indus Basin in northern India and Pakistan and the Murzuk-Djado Basin in Libya and Niger. People cannot survive without adequate water. Related reading at NEWTEK: California faces emergency drought regulations Taiwan coping with severe drought History making mandatory water restrictions California Drought on Vancouver Island ups fire risk Sources: RT Online Library The government in Beijing has stated through its media outlets that the coming elections are about maintaining stability and prosperity.
Looking around the world, some countries’ and regions’ universal suffrage systems are not in line with the actual situation on the ground, causing social chaos, economic hardship and difficulties too numerous to mention,” the paper said. HK Daily Times While most of the elected assembly is pro-Beijing in this instance, there are enough against the proposition to veto the change if they decide to vote as a block. If the proposal is passed by the assembly, there are 5 million people in HK who are eligible to vote. Latest - Hong Kong Legislature Rejects Beijing-Backed Election Plan Sources: New York Times Daily Times Xinhua News
When they were thwarted from occupying it, they turned their sights on the abandoned campus. The group of eco-activists may be a carbuncle on the hide of the aristocracy. Their village is within sight of Windsor Castle and near where some of the most elaborate celebrations are scheduled.
Those living in the off grid village maintain that the rights afforded them and other commonersunder by the ancient charter are being eroded by those who hold the reins of power. News of the diggers has reached the international news agencies. Maria Sanders, one of the activists was quoted. Part of the reason for having the festival is to make the point that the fight that started 800 years ago isn't finished. People still have to keep fighting for democracy because we don't have it, though we've made a lot of gains," Sanders told Al Jazeera. Sources: National Geographic Occupy.com Al Jazeera |
Barbara McPherson
Blogger, gardener, farmer. Working toward food security and a 30 foot
diet. Addicted to reading. Love this planet, especially my little corner
on Vancouver Island, Canada Archives
October 2016
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