December 2011
From the desk of our Canada World Youth
December 5, 2011 - 4:59pm | posted by: emilydyFrom Charlotte (Hometown: Quebec, Quebec)
The CWY Nampula-Cowichan program will end pretty soon, too soon. We are now done our GMO project and are created a documentary about public opinion concerning GM food. Opinions have been quite varied and we are very happy with the participation of all those who consented to help us in this project.
The office is getting ready for Christmas, which makes us really happy and Richard experienced his first snowfall (may I remind you that in Mozambique, where Richard comes from, there is no snow…). Even though for me, who is used to Quebec winters, this is nothing… But I have been told that the snow is very different than Quebec’s snow…
It is not my first time living in the Cowichan Valley. I was here from January to March of 2009 with another youth program: Katimavik. One day, I’ll have to come back during the summer and then I will truly have experienced Duncan. There is no more gardening going on, as Winter is on its way, but it doesn’t make our days less busy or less interesting! Everything that happens makes us discover, learn or laugh!
Climate Action In My Backyard
December 20, 2011 - 1:59pm | posted by: emilydyI was 15 when I first started learning about climate change and the Kyoto Protocol. It was an exciting time, albeit slightly frightening. If my generation was the one to make our world a better place, we sure had our work cut out for us. At the same time, however, I couldn't help but feel inspired by the groundwork that was already laid. Young leaders like Severn Cullis-Suzuki were taking a stand in front of international audiences and important international policy was taking shape to guide the way. Or so I thought.
Some 12-odd years later it is 2011 and the Kyoto Protocol is about to see its end. Reading news headlines proclaiming the fall of Kyoto, it's difficult not to feel a pang of nostalgia for the hope that accompanied its initial development. With our current Environment Minister avoiding any future Kyoto-type agreements like the plague, what is a young eco-minded person to do? Where do the answers lie in addressing this very real issue?
According North Cowichan at least, the answers are in our hands and in our own backyards. The Federal government may have decided that we no longer have to set an example, or even do our part as a country to address climate change, but local government is taking a different approach.
