Efforts to highlight the significant dangers of global warming do not
seem to be successful. Levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), the principal cause, have combined with methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) to speed the increase, despite decades of warnings. Global
temperatures are rising, scientists are desperately trying to focus
our attention on the seriousness of the problem, and despite
international pledges, national targets, corporate promises and
individual efforts, little of significance has been accomplished.
Significant strides in renewable energy sources have been made,
however much of this added power is not replacing fossil fuels but
supplementing them. The International Energy Agency has predicted that oil consumption could peak about 2030. We have made some progress by averting the worst of the worst future climate possibilities. But humanity has now surpassed the 1.5°C first target of temperature rise proposed in the Paris Agreement of 2015, and the pre-eminent American climate scientist, James Hansen, was prescient enough even a year ago to declare the 2.0°C target “dead”. (The Guardian Weekly, February 4. 2025).
Area B Director’s Report: A New Cortes Housing Survey
By Regional Director Mark Vonesch
In partnership with the Cortes Housing Society, I am releasing a new Cortes housing survey to gather and summarize our collective housing experiences and opinions.
Hearing from you and understanding the housing needs of Cortes and how it is changing over time is important for the future of our community’s well being.
Sovereignty – from Folk U/ Cortes Island Academy
This episode of FolkU features an exploration of sovereignty by CIA student Tristan. What it is to be sovereign in relation to our fellow humans, and in relation to the land? How can we teach ourselves and others how to self-govern? Featuring two interviews, this podcast challenges us to think about our society a little differently, even if it’s just for an hour.
Continue reading Sovereignty – from Folk U/ Cortes Island Academy
Cortes Foundation made up shortfall for 2026 Grants in Aid
The Cortes Community Foundation has once again shown how invaluable resource it is to the community. Regional Director Mark Vonesch has a budget of about $25,000 a year for Cortes Island’s Grants in Aid. When the time to disburse the funds arrives, he normally receives requests for far more money than is available. This year was no exception; however, thanks to the Cortes Island Community Foundation, nearly all these requests will be met.
Continue reading Cortes Foundation made up shortfall for 2026 Grants in Aid
Life on ‘Na̱mg̱is territory, at the edge of the ocean
By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
‘Na̱mg̱is Chief Ho’miskanis, Don Svanvik, is on the phone when I walk off the little ferry in Alert Bay, B.C.
“Standing water and wood is never good,” he says to the person on the other end. “I can come by after I drop my truck off, maybe tomorrow.”
Continue reading Life on ‘Na̱mg̱is territory, at the edge of the ocean