Bulletin April 15, 2021
Another interesting Canadian Anthem started off today's meeting. This was another of Graham Line's find performed by Walk Off The Earth but maybe more appropriately called the French's Ketchup Lovers.
Guests today were Sue Alksnis – Burlington Green; Alison Brindle – Learning Disability Assoc. Of Hamilton – Burlington (LDAHB) and Richard Pass, former member of our club.
Announcements
Randy Reeve stated that each month we select an organization to receive funding from our fundraising efforts. This month the LDAHB was selected. Alison Brindle gave us a synopsis of what their organization does which is to support children and their families with learning disabilities. Such children usually fall behind in their education and often the disability has an effect on many facets of their life. Such individuals usually have above average intelligence but because of their learning disability such as reading or mathematics, they are considered slow. It affects 1 in 10 children and many fail to graduate high school. In this day and age such individuals need help more than ever. The LDAHB provides support groups and remedial support in various areas of education – reading, math, sciences, etc. Further financial support was suggested and you can donate by sending donations to our club designated to LDAHB.
Glenn Warnica gave a thumbs up to those who are supporting the Virtual beer Tasting tomorrow where approximately $2000 will be raised. Glenn also thanked those who drove the products to the various tasters who signed up.
President Owen reported that Jim Brindle is leaving his post as Director of Communications but will continue as the Zoom czar (my nomenclature). Sheila will fill in as Communications Director until the end of June. Lesley Allison had her Leave of Absence approved.
Sargent at Arms
Joe Chalklin was AWOL today but Nancy Penney offered to fill in and immediately enlisted the help of Glenn Warnica to help her. Glenn auctioned off a bottle of wine donated by Joe Watson. Nancy got it for $55 although someone (forget who now) offered to take it off her hands for the price paid.
There were many happy and sad dollars so Joe's absence was covered off in term of funds raised.
Guest Speaker – Sue Alksnis
Kathleen O'Connor introduced Sue who is responsible for donor engagement with Burlington Green. Our early contact with this organization was in helping do the cleanup and recycling at Lakeside a La Carte. Burlington Green's focus is together with the community, work to protect nature, mitigate climate change, and create a healthier, more environmentally responsible Burlington. Their vision is to address awareness, create advocacy and take action. Sue started off by showing a video entitled The Great Realization Tom Foolery which is a bedtime story where a youngster asks to “tell me again about the virus and I'll go to sleep” which is meant to ease his anxiety about the virus to provide hope that things will get better.
Sue then switched to Climate Change and how the earth is being hit by major storms – 100 year storms that are happening every year. From climate change arise diseases from unnatural sources, again brought about by climate change. She stated that the earth would have to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and questioned whether change is going to happen soon enough. The focus would have to be on greenhouse gas emissions to meet this 2050 goal. Some of the activities that would be required are:
• A massive transformation in how we produce and consume energy;
• Sustainable transport of people and goods;
• A stop to deforestation;
• a climate friendly agricultural system;
• to consume less and differently.
Burlington Green's activities have resulted in the planting of 24,600 trees and shrubs; 109,512 cleanup volunteers, 72 events and festivals worked and 8688 lbs of produce donated. Sue outlined their 10 point action plan as follows:
• Learn and share to develop solutions;
• Get politically active;
• reduce transportation emissions;
• Use energy wisely and save money too;
• Invest in renewable energy while divesting in fossil fuel sources;
• Eat for a stable climate – meat-free, organic, don't waste food, grow your own;
• support or join youth-led movements;
• Enjoy, protect and care for nature;
• Consume less and waste less;
• Fly less to consume less fossil fuel.
Everyone has to contribute to make a difference by getting involved, speaking out and contributing in whatever way possible.
Sue concluded her talk with a slide “There is no Planet B”.
Some interesting questions followed:
Gerry mentioned all the discarded masks lying around. Sue suggested disposal sites and cleanup projects. Also plastic packaging – Sue suggested making plastic more expensive so that the public would use alternative packaging.
Peter Thoem commented on dog owners who clean up after their dogs, put it in a plastic bag and then toss it in the bush. It would be better if it were not in a plastic bag.
Bob Martin stated that some trees are better than others at carbon capture. He really didn't get an answer that I picked up but Sue did suggest that the City of Burlington is planting more native trees. Earlier in her presentation she stated that Burlington's tree canopy is currently at 15-17% which is below average. I wonder what the huge amount of new development has to do with this??
Mae Radford thanked Sue for her presentation and the reminders she gave in what we can do to help with the climate and environment.
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Footnote: re last week's speaker, Dr. Scott Forsythe. That is about the 3rd or 4th time Dorothy and I heard him speak. Four years ago we took a 17 day 50th Wedding Anniversary Cruise through the Northwest Passage from just east of Alaska to Greenland with Adventure Canada. Scott was the Resource Photographer on board and often gave talks on his photography. We have most of his photos on the trip. Great trip but not inexpensive!!
