So how many of you participated in Earth Hour last evening?
I really enjoyed it – had a vegetarian dinner with family in candlelight, however, the rest of my neighbourhood didn’t seem too into the global initiative though, as their lights glowed throughout the night.

Maybe I should have put up a little poster on the neighbourhood mailbox to encourage people to join in…but hey…too little to late I guess.
Overall in British Columbia, the results didn't match the results of 2008 where there was a 2% drop in energy usage. I wonder why.

Regardless of what your believe Earth Hour stands for, I think the key concept is raising some awareness and developing some consciousness about energy and climate change in general. One of my friends was visiting last evening before Earth Hour and she was dead set on ensuring that she wasn’t driving between 2030-2130 hrs. “Why”, I asked. She replied that she just didn’t feel right about driving during Earth Hour. I laughed and reminded her that she was going to have to drive home anyway, and it would still be the same ecological impact regardless of whether she went during Earth Hour or not.

She said, “I know I know, but I just don’t feel right driving DURING Earth Hour…it’s about energy consumption, but it’s actually about global warming too…I don’t know I just can’t be burning gas DURING Earth Hour.” As much as that was flawed logic, it put a smile on my face. This to me was what Earth Hour is all about. My friend tuned in and saw that negative aspect of some of our daily activities…she even said, “On that note, maybe I should try to drive less period.”

There it is my friends. It was a successful Earth Hour because I know at least one person tuned in to the effects of their actions and in addition, is planning to make an effort to reduce their level of driving! I think I’m going to do Earth Hour a little more often though.
The peacefulness and togetherness I shared with my family last night was wonderful, and definitely something I want to have back soon!

So there we are- cheers to Earth Day 2010…now next time lets beat Burns Lake BC whose energy consumption dropped by 7% (WOW!)

As awkward as the title of this post is was as awkward as Prime Minister Harper’s interview on YouTube felt. I think the intention was to connect with Canadians at a more relaxed level. To really get into a discussion with people by entering their homes and offices, and ultimately their hearts…

Well, I know that sounds a little sappy, but I really do think that that was Harper’s intention. Unfortunately, the answers all seemed so rehearsed that the whole concept just lost its impact. What bothered me was his response by a questioner asking about whether the government was prepared to handle the issue of climate change. Harper replied that they absolutely were, mentioning the strong international climate agreement that was created in Copenhagen December 2009: The Copenhagen Accord. Unfortunately he may have failed to remember that the Copenhagen Accord is not legally binding to any targets and the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC recently stepped down from the position. Yvo De Boer’s resignation followed international acclaim of the failure of COP 15. I hope Canadians aren’t duped by these scripted answers uttered this Tuesday.

The announcement of Harper’s effort to try to connect with Canadians on YouTube originally seemed like a great idea.  People would get the opportunity to ask for responses on issues of importance to them.  Last Friday, I submitted my own question on the Plug Out Tune In YouTube Channel asking: ” In attending COP 15 in Copenhagen, I’m interested to know why Minister Prentice and yourself addressed the climate-change issue in such a way that Canada suffered an international embarrassment as the winner of the Fossil of the Day Award.” Unfortunately my question wasn’t asked in the interview (surprise!) even though it received some great ratings, however, it did make it onto Mike Blanchfield’s article on the Canadian Press.

The best part about this is that the Canadian Press spans nation wide, therefore making my question about the government’s actions in Copenhagen visible to thousands of Canadians. 

So the whole aim of renewable energy is to provide energy that is sustainable. In that way, it is essential to ensure that the costs of implementing, using, and developing that energy has the smallest negative impact on the planet as possible.

As a reply to my own question I asked about Run of River the other day, I’ve received many replies. I think a friend of mine phrased it quite well, so I will share with you what he shared with me:

“Why do we need to conserve natural areas? I wish I could be as altruistic as the purists who understand that wilderness has intrinsic value, our responsibility being simply support and stewardship.

Honestly, I’m not that selfless. I’m still at the “what’s in it for me?” stage. The way I see it, a lot, for me, my children, and hopefully their children. The small isolated parts of our valley that we have not yet altered to conform to our perceived needs have an important value few of us consider. This value lies not in potential material transformation for profit, but in a deeper spiritual experience that can continue feeding us indefinitely.

Natural places like forests, ravines and creeks take me away to where I’m not in control. I can’t even pretend. I discover vulnerability that I resist in my built environment and sensitivity for that which is not yet but might be – a metaphorical glimpse at a future which I have no right to influence, only the privilege of participation.

Pulitzer Prize winning author Annie Dillard, in her book “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” wrote; ‘Live water heals…I look up the creek and here it comes, the future, being borne aloft as on a winding succession of laden trays. You may look from a window and breathe the air, and say, with satisfaction or longing, “this is it”. But if you look up a creek, in any weather, your spirit fills, and you are saying, with an exultant rise of the lungs, “HERE IT COMES!”…I look up at the creek. It is the answer to Merton’s prayer, “Give us time” It never stops…giving us the future’

If we do not conserve and sustain our few remaining natural wild places, where will our future come from?” – John Vissers

In essence, he explained to me that run of river isn’t a good energy option because 1.) It has an impact on rivers or alters its natural flow radically changes ecosystems; water temperature, habitat, etc, which a ‘sustainable project shouldn’t do. 2.) It’s better and less expensive to just reduce inefficiencies with energy versus increase capacity.4.)  Run of River could mean that the market would expand for  “sale to the highest bidder”  for energy, making it difficult to control.  He talked about how, in his excerpt above, that putting a dollar figure on the earth ignores it’s ‘intrinsic value’.

I think that overall, through what this gentleman and others have described, that I can comprehend why there is a split between those in the environmental community that support/don’t support this energy initiative.    At the end of the day, there will be impacts on anything that we do when it comes to larger energy development.

The key will be to try and become as efficient as possible in order to reduce that need for increased energy to start with.  It’s so interesting to look back now and see the relevance of private power here in BC that I was never able to comprehend before! So…join the discussion too, leave your comment below on your thoughts!
Here are two videos I youtubed showing two different perspectives:

The concept of Run of River is one that ignites conversation within any group interested in the environment and renewable energy. Some say that it is the way of green tech in BC, while others say that the environmental impacts of run of river are in effect be greenwashed by the idea of alternative energy.

In particular, the work being done under Plutonic Power for example, Bute Inlet, and the Upper Pitt River.
The Sierra Club calls it: “Another reckless BC gold rush” while Run of River Power Organization says these projects are: “building a brighter future through sustainable, socially responsible energy development.”

So why do I bring up Run of River here on Plug Out Tune In? I share with you some of the background on Run Of River as the new Clean Energy Act is soon to be announced by Campbell’s provincial government and the sizeable hydroelectric project by General Electric and Plutonic Power in conjunction with BC Hydro has just been postponed for further research and studies according to the Globe and Mail.
I’m having trouble deciding my view on this initiative of run of river here in BC. It seems to be an effective alternative for decreasing fossil fuel consumption and generating energy in a sustainable way for BC and other areas it could be exported to. Some of this province’s greatest environmental minds seem to think along this wavelength as well- I can recall attending Tzeporah Berman’s Green Economy Conference at Roundhouse Mews and hearing all about the ‘elephant in the room’ IPPs (Independent Power Producers…I sat there for 2 hours trying to figure out what that was until I finally asked someone ). Yet, through all the info from both sides, it has become so difficult to decide which is the right way to go when it comes to power and energy. Tell me what you think- leave a comment below!

Sorry, I’m going to get a little political on this one.
So here it is everyone: one of the many things that have snuck by public attention with regards to the budget. While Harper introduced a classic diversionary tactic by proposing a change in the anthem, Canadians went crazy and rallied behind opposing that change. In effect, as I’ve said before, that change was never going to come to fruition (and recent news reports have stated that now it officially won’t) however it allowed Harper to distract Canadians from real issues such as the federal budget.

So what is one of the things that this budget includes? A spending freeze. I’m not qualified to give anything more than my own opinion on this, however, I find it interesting that this spending freeze didn’t include the 17 million dollars left as a post Olympics parting gift to Premier Campbell for building more roads and highways instead of fulfilling some of BC’s need for increased public transportation.

What this spending free does include is an ‘end of climate research lab’. This worries me greatly. Canada, under Harper and Prentice signed the Copenhagen Accord, therefore agreeing that they see climate change as a reality. Even though the government has signed this, Mr. Maxime Bernier of the conservative government still choses to say that: “it would be irresponsible to spend billions of dollars … to solve a problem whose gravity we still are not certain about” in regards to climate change. I worry that Mr. Bernier has shown poor judgement in the past with his political and personal activities, and this comment seems to show exactly why there is such a lack of action on environmental issues in Canada and across the world on behalf of our country. Now climate research is being cut.

Perhaps our federal government doesn’t actual believe in climate change. It has been made wholly clear that they don’t have any interest in actually acting on it…maybe they just don’t really see it as an issue. As David Mcguinty said in the above Globe and Mail article: “The funding crunch is unfortunate at a time when we should be investigating more, getting more evidence.”

Since when was learning more and discovering more ever a bad thing?

Thursday was a highly enjoyable day as I met with the North Delta Afternoon Rotary Club as the guest speaker.
I love Rotary! These international clubs have such a great program of service to others.

My topic of presentation consisted of the lessons learned in Copenhagen, including an explanation of the new united movement behind climate action. It’s interesting to look back today and realize what really happened at COP 15 in regards to the movement: Social justice groups like Oxfam and environmental groups like Greepeace and WWF became uified as climate change is now recognized to be as much of a social justice movement as ever. Like the President of Kiribati said; “It’s not about polar bears, it’s about people.”

We also talked about why COP 15 failed, of which I’ve isolated into 3 distinct reasons: 1.) Lack of Political Willpower 2.) Corporate Lobbyism 3.) Apathy from citizens

We continued on about the responsibility we have as individuals to engage on issues, whatever they may be.

Check out some photos:

Check out the words Brian Williams of NBC had for Canada:

March 1, 2010
Leaving behind a thank-you note
From Brian Williams Of NBC Feb. 26 blog

After tonight’s broadcast and after looting our hotel mini-bars, we’re going to try to brave the blizzard and fly east to home and hearth, and to do laundry well into next week. Before we leave this thoroughly polite country, the polite thing to do is leave behind a thank-you note.
Thank you, Canada:
For being such good hosts.
For your unfailing courtesy.
For your (mostly) beautiful weather.
For scheduling no more than 60 percent of your float plane departures at the exact moment when I was trying to say something on television.
For not seeming to mind the occasional (or constant) good-natured mimicry of your accents.
For your unique TV commercials — for companies like Tim Hortons — which made us laugh and cry.
For securing this massive event without choking security, and without publicly displaying a single automatic weapon.
For having the best garment design and logo-wear of the games — you’ve made wearing your name a cool thing to do.
For the sportsmanship we saw most of your athletes display.
For not honking your horns. I didn’t hear one car horn in 15 days — which also means none of my fellow New Yorkers rented cars while visiting.
For making us aware of how many of you have been watching NBC all these years.
For having the good taste to have an anchorman named Brian Williams on your CTV network, who turns out to be such a nice guy.
For the body scans at the airport which make pat-downs and cavity searches unnecessary.
For designing those really cool LED Olympic rings in the harbor, which turned to gold when your athletes won one.
For always saying nice things about the United States…when you know we’re listening.
For sharing Joannie Rochette with us.
For reminding some of us we used to be a more civil society.
Mostly, for welcoming the world with such ease and making lasting friends with all of us.

Leaving behind a thank-you note
From Brian Williams Of NBC Feb. 26 blog

After tonight’s broadcast and after looting our hotel mini-bars, we’re going to try to brave the blizzard and fly east to home and hearth, and to do laundry well into next week. Before we leave this thoroughly polite country, the polite thing to do is leave behind a thank-you note.
Thank you, Canada:
For being such good hosts.
For your unfailing courtesy.
For your (mostly) beautiful weather.
For scheduling no more than 60 percent of your float plane departures at the exact moment when I was trying to say something on television.
For not seeming to mind the occasional (or constant) good-natured mimicry of your accents.
For your unique TV commercials — for companies like Tim Hortons — which made us laugh and cry.
For securing this massive event without choking security, and without publicly displaying a single automatic weapon.
For having the best garment design and logo-wear of the games — you’ve made wearing your name a cool thing to do.
For the sportsmanship we saw most of your athletes display.
For not honking your horns. I didn’t hear one car horn in 15 days — which also means none of my fellow New Yorkers rented cars while visiting.
For making us aware of how many of you have been watching NBC all these years.
For having the good taste to have an anchorman named Brian Williams on your CTV network, who turns out to be such a nice guy.
For the body scans at the airport which make pat-downs and cavity searches unnecessary.
For designing those really cool LED Olympic rings in the harbor, which turned to gold when your athletes won one.
For always saying nice things about the United States…when you know we’re listening.
For sharing Joannie Rochette with us.
For reminding some of us we used to be a more civil society.
Mostly, for welcoming the world with such ease and making lasting friends with all of us.
- Brian Williams, NBC News

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/vp/35549817#35549817

Someone is playing games, and it isn’t Team Canada. I think the name is Stephen Harper. So sorry for my sarcasm here, but this game playing certainly doesn’t seem like anything new. So, let’s change the national anthem.

It seems like such an insane and enraging proposition. In fact it’s too insane. Canadians are still vibrating with patriotism across the country and pumped after the Olympics. I believe that Harper has no intention to change the national anthem, however, he knows that if he brings up the topic, Canadians will cry out in anger and organize themselves to combat it. It the end, he’ll concede to Canada that they will not go through with changing the anthem, after all he was only looking out for women.

It’s a little political game to keep everyone distracted. I wish people would choose not to buy into it. Harper is picking something that all Canadians disagree with in order to allow his budget pass and relinquish any remaining pressure to address Afghanistan and COP 15.

All I can say is don’t buy into it. It is what Plugging Out and Tuning In is all about. Instead of believing everything you’re told, challenge it, and look for the intents behind peoples’ actions- especially politicians like Harper.
Perhaps Harper thinks all Canadians have forgotten about the things that matter, and are suddenly in support of him after cheering for Team Canada last Sunday.
Tune into the real issues at hand like the lack of accountability the feds are upholding…but don’t take my word for it…Tune In yourself!