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Choosing Store Bought Fruit and Veggies: Dirty Dozen or Clean 15?
By Jessica Kirby — Since 2004, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released an annual list of the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15—produce items that contain the highest and lowest concentrations of pesticides. The purpose is to promote the value of shopping organically with a specific focus on balance. […]
Seedbanks: Caring for the Future
By Jessica Kirby — “I don’t think we have the option of despair. Hope is a duty. It is something we cultivate with daily consciousness through our actions.” —Vandana Shiva, environmental activist There are more than 1,000 seed vaults around the world—places where natural and heirloom seeds are stored, saved, and studied in a global […]
Have a Merry, Global Christmas
By Jessica Kirby – Ten Thousand Villages has been a Christmas market presence in Williams Lake for the past 10 years. After a short hiatus, Bethel Cariboo Church is bringing the market back to Williams Lake November 21-23. A sustainable, eco-friendly Christmas is coming to Williams Lake, thanks in part to the revival of the […]
Going Green with Your Cuppa Joe
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor of TheGreenGazette – Many of us know the rich, aromatic beckoning of a hot pot of coffee—how it tickles the senses and carefully lures you to its dark, deliciousness in the wee hours. Like all things decadent, not all coffee is created equal, at least not from economic or ethical […]
World Rivers Day – Helping to Protect and Increase Global Awareness About Rivers
By Jessica Kirby – Mark Angelo has had a love of rivers and fascination with moving water since he was a boy. As a teenager, he became an avid paddler and fly fisher, and throughout the 70s he spent a lot of time exploring BC rivers in every region of the province, including a summer-long […]
The Green New Deal: Voting for Hope
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor of TheGreenGazette – Every time we see a headline about climate change, it should inspire hope. Although the situation is dire, headlines validate climate change, put it in front of the people who can create change, and inspire people who can demand action. In Canada, these headlines will be especially […]
Hiking with Kids: Planning Your Backpacking Adventure This Summer
By Jessica Kirby – There certainly are things harder to do with children–grocery shopping, eating in a fancy restaurant, sleeping through the night–but backpacking doesn’t have to be one of them. With adequate planning and a few creative tricks it can be a marvelous way to get out into the wilderness with the family, burn […]
Lost and Found on Quadra Island
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor – It was an easy mistake, something any one of us could have done. But whether any one of us would have survived unscathed is a different question entirely. It was mid-November 2018 when Roberta Robson (75) and Karen Talbot (69) left a home on the north end of Quadra […]
Scout Island Supports Migratory Species and Bird Enthusiasts
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor of The Green Gazette – Birdwatching is turning heads among North American hobbyists. In fact, nature-based activities like wildlife viewing have grown exponentially in Western Canada over the past decade and the reasons are not a surprise: being in nature is exciting, educational, and healthy, and we all feel better for […]
New Year Perspective: Declutter for Life
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor of TheGreenGazette – Sometimes success is a matter of perception. This January, when the fuss and bustle of the holidays has passed and you are left in the quiet (sometimes, too quiet) that follows, consider this a time to succeed at something that requires quiet and focus: decluttering. We strive […]
And a Mindful New Year to All
By Jessica Kirby – With the New Year comes myriad promises to turn over a new leaf, make important changes in our lives, and better ourselves in some way. You may vow to hit the gym, clean up your food choices, quit something unhealthy, or run 5 km a day—and I hope you do. But […]
2019 UN International Year of Indigenous Languages: Protecting and Preserving
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor of TheGreenGazette – Because languages matter in peace building, cultural preservation, development, and reconciliation the United Nations declared 2019 an International Year of Indigenous Languages. Languages are crucial to the daily lives of people as tools of communication, education, social integration, and development, and they function as ways to record […]
Legalizing the Green
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor of TheGreenGazette – “Brace yourselves: Even friendlier Canadians are coming.” The excitement was bristly as this and other tongue-in-cheek memes made the social media rounds in October leading up to Canada’s legalization of marijuana—a landmark accomplishment for weed activists, medical consumers, and recreational users country-wide. The federal government’s decision to […]
Eco-friendly Homes with Mudgirls Natural Building Collective
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor – “Strong, connected, easy on the planet—these are the qualities of cob houses and of the astonishing group of women who construct them: the Mudgirls Natural Building Collective.” These words are straight out of a review of The Mudgirls Manifesto, a compelling and informative book released this year by the […]
A Passion for Home Brewing
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor – I’ll tell you a little something about beer: it’s not what you think. It’s actually better. If you aren’t a fan of the golden, bubbly nectar of awesome, well, I forgive you. But, I’ll bet you didn’t know beer boosts brain health—studies show a 20 percent decline in the […]
Eco-friendly Camping: How Green Can you Go?
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor of TheGreenGazette – You have choices when you plan your vacations. The world is a big place and there are a million roads, but what about getting off the roads, at least those well travelled? Connecting with nature has myriad benefits for your physical, emotional, and mental health and using […]
Celebrate Multiculturalism June 27 and Every Day
By Jessica Kirby – We know Canada has a rich cultural fabric; in fact, most of us pride ourselves on it. As a country we welcome around 300,000 new Canadians each year, and as individuals most of us help keep our communities united with welcoming attitudes and open hearts. We stitch Canadian flags to our […]
Canada’s National Wildlife Week – Conserve the wonder
By Jessica Kirby – Canada’s National Wildlife Week has a terrific theme this year: Get Re-acquainted with the Awe #conservethewonder. Awe, of course, means “a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder,” and “reverential” means “deep respect or worship”. In a recent article about humans’ relationship with nature, David Suzuki says he can’t […]
Home Renos: Don’t Go Big, Go Green
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor of TheGreenGazette – We have an old house, on an old street. Our quiet cul de sac was constructed in 1972 and our house completed in 1975. By our neighbours’ standards, we are spring chickens, having resided here only since 2009, and our half-acre lots backing onto the forest are […]
On Love and Bodhicitta: The genuine heart cannot be lost
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor of TheGreenGazette – “There comes a time when the bubble of ego is popped and you can’t get the ground back for an extended period of time. Those times, when you absolutely cannot get it back together, are the most rich and powerful times in our lives.” ~ Pema Chodron, […]
Christmas Gift Exchange: Gifts of time and from the heart
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor of TheGreenGazette – Christmas time is on the way and despite individual feelings about it, green thinkers, earth lovers, planet healers, and community champions all feel the pressure this time of year. We love bringing people together, enjoying beautiful food, getting outside in the wintry landscape, and enjoying the quiet […]
Halloween Doesn’t Have to be Scary for the Planet
By Jessica Kirby – Halloween has changed course over the years from an Earth worshipping event focused around the harvest, to a darker, banished-by-the-church abomination, to a well-known child-focused commercial event celebrated around the world. Part of moving away from a natural, harvest-focused holiday to a commercial holiday is that the Earth tends to take […]
Community | Each Moment, an Opportunity for Gratitude
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor of TheGreenGazette – Thanksgiving season is here. Though the sun still warms the earth, the shift is coming slowly towards cooler mornings, reddening leaves, and comfort inklings like slow cooker meals and hot tea in the evenings. Some people mark this season of gratitude and plenty with Thanksgiving dinner—loved ones […]
Environmental Protection: An inconvenient truth
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor of TheGreenGazette – There are countless examples throughout our social history where information has been altered or destroyed, usually to fit the political or religious theme of the day. In contemporary terms, heightened environmental awareness sheds light on various ways sustainability and economic development as we traditionally know them don’t […]
ARTS & EDUCATION | Give Green: Santa would approve
By Jessica Kirby – There is a story I tell the kids about the existence of Santa—No, I say … the guy in red doesn’t arrive in the night and leave things behind. But the story of his selfless generosity is quite real. When we think about giving to others – really giving, out of […]
STEWARDSHIP | Celebrate Earth Day Every Day
By Jessica Kirby – The trouble with celebratory days of observance is they beg the question of how to react to world issues the other 364 days of the year. There are cynics in every crowd who assume days of observance are largely symbolic and promote armchair social activism, but is that the case? Are […]
FEATURED GREEN BUSINESS | Corporations for the Planet: MEC and Patagonia
By Jessica Kirby — In the midst of “shop local” messages it can be easy to forget or overlook corporate efforts toward sustainability and responsible environmental practices. Corporations, big box stores, and global economic powers are curse words in crowds trying to pay homage to hometown communities and contribute positively to a greener future. It isn’t […]
ARTS & CULTURE | Halloween Traditions
By Jessica Kirby — It is the time of year when the neighbourhood ghosts and goblins venture out into the early evening hours and wander the streets in search of tricks, treats, and all around good times of the family, friend, and sometimes frightening varieties. Halloween is a much-loved tradition for many and like everything important […]
ARTS & CULTURE | Global Peace: Can seven billion people stand together?
By Jessica Kirby — Over the next 100 days, let us stand with the millions of people across the world who are suffering the devastating impact of violence and conflict. Let us share ideas and plans for helping and supporting them in their time of dire need. – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon The world began […]
CHILDREN | Mission Possible: Happy hiking with kids
By Jessica Kirby — Imagine it: a long, lazy wander through a forested park, patches of blue sky winking through the forest canopy, and a well-worn path at your feet. Smells of pine and moss whirl in the air, and the world is alive with rustling—birds, squirrels, and bunnies scamper about close enough to […]
CONSERVATION | International Migratory Bird Day
By Jessica Kirby — One of the first things Environment for the Americas (EFTA) will tell you about International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) is, “Bird Day is not just a day. Celebrate our migratory birds 365 days a year!” A common sentiment among many awareness-day campaigners, the importance of celebrating a cause year round is […]
CONSERVATION | Earth Hour
By Jessica Kirby — For eight years now, Canadians have been part of an international movement to celebrate the Earth with A Moment of Darkness. With our help, the World Wildlife Federation’s (WWF) Earth Hour has become the largest grassroots act in history, engaging millions of people worldwide to flick off the lights for one […]
ARTS & CULTURE | Green-ify Your New Year
By Jessica Kirby — The first New Years celebrations date back 4,000 years to the Babylonian religious festival called Akitu, which coincided with the Spring Equinox, honoured barley cutting and the victory of the sky god Merduk over the evil sea goddess Tiamat, and saw a new king crowned or the old king’s rule […]
ECOLOGY | WILDLIFE | Endangered Animals: Our choices make a difference
By Jessica Kirby — According to a report authored by Rodolfo Dirzo, Hillary S. Young, et al, called “Defaunation in the Anthropocene,” the world is right in the middle of its sixth extinction. We owe the last and most famous extinction to the asteroid that took out the dinosaurs, but we have no naturally disastrous […]
CHILDREN | Peace Talks Resume … at Bedtime
By Jessica Kirby — So, what is peace? I ask him, brushing the hair away from his forehead as we lay on his bed, spooning, his back to me. What does peace look like? Quiet, he says. Quiet and no fighting. What about fear? I ask. Some people say peace is the absence of fear […]
CHILDREN | Nature’s Classroom
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor of TheGreenGazette — When September rolls around, many families head to the mall to stock up on school supplies, backpacks, and lunchboxes, not to mention the yearly closet full of clothing meant to help kick off a new school year with a sense of newness and a fresh start. Us? We […]
FEATURED GREEN BUSINESS | What’s Brewing in BC?
By Jessica Kirby, Senior Editor of TheGreenGazette — It may come as a surprise—and a source of great pride—that modern day Canadian craft brewing has roots in British Columbia. According to Ken Beattie, executive director of the BC Craft Brewers Guild, it all began in 1982 when John Mitchell, who owned the Troller Pub in […]
FEATURED GREEN BUSINESS | The Future of Tourism is Green
By Jessica Kirby — Thirty years ago, there was no ecotourism. There was tourism, which meant going to unfamiliar places in a recreational state of mind, but the prefix “eco” was reserved for more traditional concepts like “ecology” and “economy,” and not at all for a gentler, and greener way of interacting with nature. Ecotourism […]
AGRICULTURE | All is Fair in Love and… Fairtrade
By Jessica Kirby — There are many ways to ring in spring, but none that will have the same global impact as Fair Trade Fortnight – Fairtrade Canada’s two-week, all out celebration of reigning fairness and decency down on the global marketplace. We’ve all seen the stickers and fingered through the pamphlets, but what do […]
FIRST NATIONS | ARTS & CULTURE | Winter Storytelling
By Jessica Kirby — After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.” — Philip Pullman These are the coldest months of the year. They spread out grey before us with the sparkle of Christmas left behind and the promise of spring just out of reach. As we hunker […]
CHILDREN | Celebrating Children on Universal Children’s Day
By Jessica Kirby — If we want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.” – Abigail Van Buren November 20 marks Universal Children’s Day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954 to encourage global recognition and understanding of issues that compromise the emotional, physical, and spiritual […]
SPIRITUALITY | Giving Thanks in Abundance
By Jessica Kirby — Long before Martin Forbisher and the Forbisher Expedition celebrated Canada’s first Thanksgiving to commemorate successfully reaching what is now Newfoundland during attempts to find the Northwest Passage in 1578, native people held ceremonies in honour of the harvest and a sense of security heading into winter. In Europe, ancient festivities celebrated […]
