“The economy is a subsidiary of the ecosystem…The only place where the environment and economy are separated is in the human mind.” – Dr. William Rees, UBC Professor, Founder of the ‘Eco-footprint’ concept Perhaps the most foolish and dangerous misconception of our time is that we must somehow choose between the economy and the environment. […]

By Marian Wang in ProPublica. The shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and more than a dozen of her constituents in Tucson this weekend has sparked criticism of Arizona’s lax gun control laws and renewed calls from some to tighten those restrictions. Six individuals were confirmed dead. Here’s our attempt to briefly break down a few […]

A new year has come, but lingering disputes between communities at the SD20 school board table remain. This past Monday, the board held its first meeting of the year following a tumultuous and at-times heated final month of 2010 and, although it was clear dramatically differing opinions based around the Planning for the Future document […]

By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily Several storylines will intertwine this week as the Sinixt Nation appears in Vancouver’s Supreme Court to argue its inherent right to protect the forests and drinking water quality along Perry Ridge. The Sinixt are contending the Crown failed to do its duty to consult the Sinixt in the course […]

What kind of year in politics is 2011 going to be? Very likely another year (or at least ten months) of gridlock at the federal level, with no sign of any so-called game changer on the horizon.   A spring election is looking less likely as the Conservatives try to make a deal with the […]

By Maggie Fox Four previously abundant species of bumblebee are close to disappearing in the United States, researchers reported Monday in a study confirming that the agriculturally important bees are being affected worldwide. They documented a 96 per cent decline in the numbers of the four species, and said their range had shrunk by as […]

Introducing a new column for The Nelson Daily: Greening Up – What can I do? Michael Jessen has been following energy issues since the 1973 oil crisis. He has authored more than 700 newspaper and online articles about sustainable lifestyles, waste reduction, and climate change. Currently, Jessen is an efficiency and renewable energy advisor and operates […]

David A Gabel, Environmental News Network The plight of polar bears continues as the climate gradually becomes warmer in the Arctic. Warmer temperatures cause the melting of sea ice, which is essential for polar bears to reach their prey, primarily seals. However, according to a recent study published in the journal, Nature, polar bears have […]

To: Honourable Margaret MacDiarmid – Minister of Education   Since September 2008, S.D.20 (Kootenay-Columbia) engaged its staff and communities in a Planning for the Future process to determine how best to use its facilities in order to ensure that maximum funds flow to classrooms and educational programs. Educational priorities have always been our main concerns and this is evident in the completed […]

Christy Clark’s suggestion that the next BC Liberal leader will need to get a “mandate” from BC voters through an early election shows she doesn’t understand our parliamentary system. And former attorney general and author of the fixed election date legislation Geoff Plant’s statement that the legislation did not anticipate the current situation is absurd. […]