All posts by Max Thaysen

Max Thaysen immigrated to Cortes Island from Vancouver in 2007. He has been elected to the board of the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) in 2009, and served as president since 2012. He is one of the story producers for the Cortes Currents Radio Magazine.

Extreme heat in May 2023

Does it feel hot out here? It is.

On May 14, 2023, Campbell River, British Columbia experienced an extreme temperature of 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 degrees Fahrenheit). This temperature is quite remarkable for mid-May, as it is well above the historical average high for the area during this time of year.

Climate change is caused primarily by the extreme emissions of a minority of super-emitters, corporations that support their consumption – all permitted by lawmakers. We have a rapidly closing window to limit these emissions to prevent catastrophic changes to our spaceship earth.

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Bruce Harrison receives Jo Anne Green Environmental Award

This January, at the Friends of Cortes Island Annual General Meeting, Bruce Harrison was awarded the Jo Anne Green Environmental Award. The Jo Anne Green award is an honour for leadership in community-based environmental awareness, protection and restoration. Jo Anne Green was a founder of the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) and an inspiration for many on Cortes to care for this place and imagine a reciprocal relationship with our ecosystems.

Continue reading Bruce Harrison receives Jo Anne Green Environmental Award

Letter to Mosaic, from FOCI

Hello Colin Koszman and Molly Hudson, representatives of Mosaic:

In the face of a climate emergency and the accelerating loss of biodiversity, the Friends of Cortes Island Society (FOCI) has serious concerns regarding Mosaic’s current plans to cut ecologically significant forests on Cortes. We would like to see Mosaic join the efforts of the Cortes community to create an alternative model for forestry that would sustain the environment and local communities over the long term, rather than spend our time and energy in opposition.

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Just Transition Rally in Campbell River

Cortes Currents was in attendance at the March 12 “Just Transition Day of Action” event in Campbell River.

Approximately 25 people attended the event, promoted and inspired by the international climate organization 350.org and hosted locally by the Campbell River Chapter of Council of Canadians, a national justice, democracy and human survival organization.

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New System for collecting garbage from Cortes Island government docks

Billie Fleming runs a local waste allocation facility – processing garbage and recycling. She has been collecting garbage at the docks around Cortes for over four years. 

Cortes Currents learned that there are some changes coming to the dock garbage collection service.

Continue reading New System for collecting garbage from Cortes Island government docks