After the rally in Burlington, the next step was to try to persuade the Annapolis Municipal Council to ban spraying in the County. The Warden and some Councillors appear to be receptive to the motion.
The need to spray is contingent on previous forest clear-cutting. Therefore, the larger issue is to stop clear-cutting.
What can citizens do (for example)?
In the case of spraying in Annapolis County, we can lobby our Councillors. We also need to be fully informed. We need to know:
- Which parcels are designated for spraying?
- Where are they located? A map.
- Who owns the land?
- Who will conduct the spraying? When?
If necessary, Annapolis County citizens will have to stand up in the same way as the citizens of Burlington.
If we wish to stop clear-cutting, we need to know:
- Which parcels have been clear-cut, by whom, when?
- Which parcels are designated for future clear-cut by whom, when?
- Which parcels that have been clear-cut, and have already been sprayed?
As in all these situations, a key is the understanding the geography of our landscape. Again, we can lobby, the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS), to help us map the landscape, the forest cover and areas at risk.
With the forthcoming municipal election, we should promote the concept of an Island of Hope. This could be just Annapolis County or it could extend through the physiographic region, the Annapolis Valley.
An Island of Hope is a region where life has a higher value than money. This will require a different definition of economy and well-being.
In nature’s economy the currency is not money, it is life
— Vandana Shiva
If our municipal units agree with this approach, we can all learn through citizen engagement, collaboration with our educational institutions, and sharing our findings with other regions of the province and beyond.
Our experiment is only as effective as the initial design.
Acknowledgements
First, the inspirational efforts of the citizens in the Burlington area. Those citizens of Annapolis County who have responded to the call for action. Edward for mastering the new WordPress editor. Heather for passing along her Facebook feedback and the Dave Gunning song.
References
Rick Ketcheson link, “How Economic Growth has become Anti-Life“
Celes Davar link.
Circular Economy. Explainer video.
Footnote
Listen to Dave Gunning “Wish I Was Wrong“
Ernest Blair Experiment 