Mar 1, 2015

HeForShe UN campaign to end gender inequality an invitation from UN Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson • Last fall, British actor Emma Watson launched the United Nations campaign, HeForShe, a solidarity movement for gender equality that brings together one half of humanity in support of the other half of humanity for the benefit of all. The HeForShe initiative...

Harper Conservatives bent on deregulation by Frants Attorp • Since they came to power in 2006, the Harper Conservatives have been on a single-minded mission to rid Canada of rules – rules that protect the environment, ensure public safety, protect workers’ rights, support social programs and promote Canadian culture. The name of the game is deregulation...

Mar 1, 2015

Will “Boob Bombing” really prevent breast cancer? DRUG BUST by Alan Cassels • The people’s briefing note on prescription drugs Rarely, if ever, has a disease colonized a colour, but that’s precisely what you can say about the corporate fundraising behemoth around breast cancer. It’s audacious, sometimes crass and very hard to miss. And did I say,...

Mar 1, 2015

by Terry Willard • Your liver is one of the most exciting organs in your entire body. It is responsible for more functions than almost any other organ in your body and the fact that the root of the word “liver” is the word “live” in many languages should open our eyes to clues. So why do we take it for granted? Well, for the most part, it simply...

Mar 1, 2015

by Bruce Mason • As you read this, one of the greatest adventures in the 21st century, if not in human history, is unfolding: a flight around the world, powered only by the sun. The objective is to attract the world and focus attention on preserving our planet and sustaining and improving our quality of life. It is intended to motivate global society – you...

by Reimar Kroecher • Our mainstream media is dutifully extolling BC’s achievement of a balanced budget. Our liberal government, so we are told, has earned bragging rights for tightly controlling spending and preventing tax increases. However, even a cursory look at this budget reveals a different picture. To begin with, on the income side, there are...

Mar 1, 2015

ON THE GARDEN PATH by Carolyn Herriot • Seed selection: To answer the question, “What shall I grow?” ask yourself what you and your family like to eat most. Plants adapt to cultural conditions so organic seeds grow best for organic gardeners and regional seeds have an edge over seeds grown in other climates because these plants have adapted to local...

Mar 1, 2015

One scientist Harper can’t muzzle runs for Parliament by Bruce Mason • “Make It Happen,” the theme for International Women’s Day on March 8, is something Lynne Quarmby has long embraced and embodied. To honour her achievements and progress, Common Ground shares some of Lynne’s thoughts following her recent, rapid, high-profile, but highly...

Mar 1, 2015

by Joseph Roberts • The Edward Snowden documentary Citizenfour won Best Documentary at this year’s Oscars. Director Laura Poitras accepted the award alongside Glenn Greenwald and Lindsay Mills, Snowden’s girlfriend. In her acceptance speech Poitras said, “The disclosures that Edward Snowden reveals don’t only expose a threat to our privacy, but to our...

Mar 1, 2015

• In January, groups from around the world joined together to denounce the US government for allowing the first genetically engineered tree, a loblolly pine, to be legalized with no government or public oversight, with no assessment of their risks to the public or the environment and with no regard for the overwhelming public opposition to GE...

Mar 1, 2015

SCIENCE MATTERS by David Suzuki   • In late January, the BC Lung Association released results of Canada’s largest-ever, community-wide home radon testing project, conducted in Castlegar and Prince George, two of BC’s radon hot spots. In more than half the Castlegar homes tested, and one-third in Prince George, radon concentrations exceeded Health...

Mar 1, 2015

UNIVERSE WITHIN by Gwen Randall-Young • I want to be in a relationship where you telling me you love me is just a ceremonious validation of what you already show me. – Steve Maraboli We have always heard the Inuit have at least 50 different words for “snow.” We really need at least that many words for love because it is hard to understand what someone...

Mar 1, 2015

NUTRISPEAK by Vesanto Melina MS, RD, and Sahar Lakhani • As spring buds appear, we might be looking at our lifestyle choices and considering new steps. Taking action gives a sense of empowerment and two effective and powerful actions we can take immediately to limit our impact on climate change are: 1. Adopt a plant-based diet or shift in that direction. 2....