Jack Layton, 1950 - 2011

Jack Layton, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada. b: July 18, 1950, d: August 20, 2011.

For my American friends, Jack was the leader of the Official Opposition and the New Democratic Party of Canada. He brought the NDP to the position of Official Opposition in the last federal election in Canada (2011). I believe he would have been the next Prime Minister of Canada but for his untimely death one year ago.

Jack Layton had a message to Canadians. His untimely death in August 2011, gives us all pause to review what is important to each and every one of us... He showed us how to question, to ask how do we define who we are? As humans and Canadians.

He wrote a letter to Canadians on August 20, 2011, knowing that his end was near, he wished us to continue. He wanted to encourage and inspire us. To keep up with the “good fight”. He said:

to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world....My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.All my very best,Jack Layton

Click here to see the entire letter:

List of events across Canada celebrating Jack’s Life: 

Environmental concerns were at the forefront of Jack’s agenda. He was horrified by the environmental devastation created by the tar sands in Northern Canada. He knew that climate change was the result of human’s “industrialization”.

Jack was a leader that spearheaded challenges to the corporate world. Jack was all about bringing Canadians information about the environmental impact of industrialization. He wanted all Canadians to know that Climate Change has an economic impact, as well as a social one.

We are not the only species on the planet. We have a responsibility to be good stewards. These were Jack’s messages on the environment.

RIP Jack. Miss you.

photo courtesy of michaelkaufman.com

Blog Action 2009, Climate Change

October 15 is BLOG ACTION DAY 2009, CLIMATE CHANGE is this year's subject.

Climate Change. This is where I loose some of you, and engage others. The debate around Climate Change (yes, with two capital "C"s), came of age a few years ago. I knew it had when my son, Scott came home one afternoon after seeing the movie "An Inconvenient Truth" and said to me "we need to do something to make this stop".

I have always been a "greenie". I have recycled forever. My kids reveled at the thought of dumpster diving with my boyfriend back in the 80's (they were 7 & 8 at the time). There has been a blue box program at our house since I left hom in the 70's. I have recycled more than my fair share of bottles, cans and paper. I have been conscious of the waste I create. I often shop at thrift stores and second hand places.

So when Scott made this statement, I thought: I'm doing everything I can, what more can I do?

The answer, of course, is LOTS. I can tell you. I can discuss the merits of alternative energy sources. I can try to bring awareness to the issue of climate change and the environment.

I remember as a kid back in the 60's and 70's, thinking that I am going to stop littering. We were traveling through Oregon, and they had these garbage cans called garbage gobblers on the highway. I thought they were cool and took up their cause at once.

Now that I'm an adult, and well into middle age to boot, and in a new century, I need to think about what kind of shape I'm personally leaving the planet in for my children, their children, and their grandchildren.

What more can I, as an individual do?

It is second nature for me to reuse something. I try not to buy things that can only be used once. I have a personal cup that I take to the coffee shop (when I remember). I make my own soup. I cook from scratch when I can. I buy local produce, I go to the farmer's market. When I lived in the West End, I choose not to buy a car and bought an electric bike instead. I put on a sweater rather than turn up the heat. I support wind and solar power whenever I can. I learned to sail so I could enjoy the oceans without an engine.

What else? I can tell other people that we need to be more conscious about our garbage production. I can say "We need to remember to turn off the water when we brush our teeth. We don't need to flush the toilet every time we pee". We need to change our mind set around waste.

For instance, community gardening: Its not just about having a little plot of ground in your neighbourhood. If you are not planning to take the fruit off your trees, let someone else have it. Give it to the food bank. Let someone have access to your backyard to create a victory garden. Make something from recycled material only (I made a potting shed once). Participate in clothing exchanges.

Ok, I've had my say. Now you have yours. Tell someone else about what you do to make a difference. Tell them what you don't do. How you are conscious of your waste. My mom makes her own bread.

What condition will you leave this planet for your children to inherit?

Happy Blog Action Day. Make a difference.