Global energy demand continues to rise faster than the deployment of renewables, and emissions reached new heights in 2025. The world is consuming more energy than it did in 1990, the baseline from which most nations measure progress toward their energy and climate targets. While only 47% of our energy is now derived from fossil fuels, the world is using more coal, gas and oil than ever before.
Continue reading Humanity consuming more than ever; Increased emissions negate Renewable growth
Wood smoke is not good for your lungs or the planet. It produces particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers, which is small enough to inhale, travel through our bloodstream, and cause a range of health problems. According to Dr Gary Fuller, the average wood burning stove emits six times as much particulate matter as a modern diesel lorry. This can be a problem in a cities like London, Vancouver or Victoria, but what about rural Vancouver Island communities like Courtenay, Campbell River and Cortes Island?
Continue reading Wood Stove Smoke Pollution In Courtenay, Campbell River, Quadra and Cortes Islands
By Maureen Williams and the Climate Action Network
In early July of 2024, a small group of Cortes Islanders, supported by Friends Of Cortes Island (FOCI), screened the film “How to Boil a Frog” for the community. The film is about the five-pronged problem life on Earth is currently facing — overpopulation, a war on nature, wealth disparity, peak oil, and climate change—and offers five actions that can help—boycott Exxon, change your “life” bulb (reduce consumption), a change of heart, one kid per couple, and kick some ass. This article is the first in a series focused on each of these five solutions from the film, and more. You can learn more about the film and the filmmaker, Jon Cooksey, here and here. You can even watch the film, here.
Continue reading Turning Down the HeatThree new signs have recently been greeting boaters arriving in Cortes Bay.
They say:
Earlier this year, the Cortes Island community learned that there were renovations underway at the island’s old gravel airstrip. At a town hall meeting last June, around 125 residents turned out to express their concerns. Very little transpired until yesterday, Monday, August 12, when an asphalt truck was spotted in the BC Ferries webcam feed from Heriot Bay. It did not take long to confirm that the truck was coming to help lay a layer of chipseal on the runway. During the next hour, around 20 people gathered at the corner of Raven and Suitil Point Roads to block access to the airstrip. From the beginning it was clear this demonstration was a brief expression of displeasure and, after a delay, the truck would be allowed to proceed to the airstrip. The truck was delayed for about half an hour. Ben Adjami, who Martine Rothblatt employs as the project’s lead contract, came out to politely listen to the protester’s concerns. He then clarified some details about the project.
Chris Dragseth explained, “We’ve tried, as a small group of people, to engage in a respectful way. Unfortunately, to date, that has been totally unsuccessful. We’re wanting to go on record stating the community is not happy. The contractors are stuck in the middle. Our intent is to allow this truck to go through, but we want to demonstrate that there is some concern at all levels within the community.”
Continue reading Demonstration at access point to Cortes Airstrip
