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Home My WebLink AboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-04-16, Page 44 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, April 16, 2014 www.lucknowsentinel.com The Lucknow Sentinel PUBLISHED WEEKLY P.O. Box 400, 619 Campbell Street Lucknow Ontario NOG 2H0 phone: 519-528-2822 fax: 519-528-3529 www.lucknowsentinel.com SUN MEDIA A Quebecor Media Company MARIE DAVID Publisher marie.david@sunmedia.ca JILLIAN UNDERWOOD Sales representative jillian.underwood@sunmedia.ca MARILYN MILTENBURG office administrator lucknow.sentinel@sunmedia.ca Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO SENTINEL CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT RO. Box 400 Lucknow ON NOG 2110 For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: 519-528-2822 • lucknow.sentinel@sunmedia.ca SUBSCRIPTIONS Regular one year Senior one year Two year regular Senior two year $40.00 + $2.00 442.00 $35.00 +$1.75 = $36.75 $70.00 + 3.50 = $73.50 $60.00 +$3.00 =$63.00 Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All advertising and editorial deadlines: Friday 2 p.m. Changes of address, orders for subscriptions, and undeliverable copies (return postage guaranteed) are to be sent to The Lucknow Sentinel at the address indicated here. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, the portion of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid at the applicable rates. The Sentinel is available on microfilm at: GODERICH LIBRARY, (from 1875) 52 Montreal Street Goderich ON N7A 1M3 Goderichlibrary@huroncounty.ca KINCARDINE LIBRARY, (from 1875 to 1900 & 1935 to 1959) 727 Queen Street Kincardine ON N2Z 1Z9 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian Periodical Fund (CM for our publishing activities. Canacra, Aocna Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association and the Ontario Community Newspapers Association We need to view climate change as an 'insurance policy' "Better safe than sorry" or "Plan for the worst, hope for the best." Two common idioms normally considered sage advice. Except, it seems, when it comes to the subject of climate change. On March 31, 2014 the UN Inter- governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a major report, the second of three large scale international studies designated to examine the subject. This latest paper outlines current effects of climate change, future risks and the potential for adaptation. The findings of the report are grim. They conclude "observed impacts of climate change have already affected agriculture, human health, ecosys- tems on land and in the oceans, water supplies, and some people's live- lihoods," and the pre- dictions say they will continue to do so, at increasing rates, with no area of the planet left unaffected. The study employed over 735 scien- tists from 70 different countries. These experts, representing a variety of sci- entific fields, reviewed 12,000 docu- ments, culminating in a 30 chapter report. Based on these credentials one would think that we would take notice and heed the warnings. Unfortunately it doesn't appear to be the case. Right on cue, climate change deniers went on the counter, questioning the impartiality of the panelists and the validity of the report. In contrast, outside of the media, the general public appeared largely quiet. So why, when given the extremely serious nature of the topic, aren't there louder calls for action on the part of government, business and the public? If you consider all of the various opposing forces more often or not the bottom line seems to be money. Of course there is the simple expla- nation of inertia, that it's easier to maintain the status quo. It would take a lot of will on the part of all sectors to change old practices to combat these forecasted changes and their consequences. There also is the psychological jus- tification of "terror management theory" that says as self -aware beings humans have a subconscious defense that triggers resistance to threatening ideas that might otherwise lead to paralyzing thoughts of death. But ultimately much of the opposi- tion to climate change warnings involves money. First, there are the deniers who insist the "climate change industry" is a billion dollar business, that scien- tists have a vested interest in keeping research dollars flowing their way. Interestingly, not only do the climate change skeptics not want money spent on solu- tions, they also stand to gain financially if climate change is ignored. The Heartland Institute, for example, the main Ameri- can organization promot- ing an anti -climate change agenda has been known to receive funding from players in the energy sector such as ExxonMo- bil and the Illinois coal lobby. Economic gain is also a factor in many governments' lack of action on climate. For example, our current fed- eral government has made their posi- tion clear by weakening environmen- tal protection legislation while standing steadfastly by the Canadian oil industry and promoting the Alberta oil sands and pipeline projects. Individual citizens also often don't want to personally take on costs for dealing with climate change. Society needs to change these atti- tudes. Instead of seeing climate change as an economic question we need to think of it as conceivably a survival question. The IPCC report warned of loss of land and species, crop failures, disruptions to the food supply chain, and an increase in global instability and decreased security. We need to start viewing climate action as an insurance policy. Home, vehicle or liability insurance is not considered money foolishly wasted. We may not like to pay it, it may be money spent on a "what if" that never comes, but if that disaster does strike it is the best investment we could have made. Why are we not willing to make that same type of investment in our society and planet's future? 1 It's Not Easy Being Green Tracey Hinchberger letters to the editor North Huron Food Share collecting on Easter weekend The North Huron Community Food Share has been approached by one of our Directors, to partner with the local Paramedics in a "Stuff The Ambulance" campaign for Easter. Local Paramedics and an ambulance will be at Wing - ham Foodland on Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All kinds of "Non -Perishable" food items are needed to restock our shelves after a long, cold spring. It is our hope that this will become an annual event to help restock our shelves for the Spring and Summer seasons. We are also happy to announce that, the following stores: River Village Co-op in Teeswater, Scrimgeours in Blyth, Foodland in Brussels and Knecktels in Lucknow have also agreed to have bags available, for sale to support this Food Drive. The Directors are constantly reminded, that we live in such giving and caring communities that, when approached, people eagerly step forward to help our clients. As I keep stating in my letters, over the years the usage of the Food Share is steadly increasing and therefore the donations need to keep "Up with Demand': This dona- tion of non-perishable food, will go a long way to re -stock- ing our shelves for what looks like a busy spring. With Spring approaching (hopefully) this might also be a good time to mention our community garden which is situated behind Libro and beside Maitland River Commu- nity Church. For the last couple ofrears, we have grown a great assortment of produce, which is then taken to the Food Share for our clients on Wednesday morning. We are asking for volunteers to help plant, maintain and harvest this garden this year. We have a wonderful couple, Bill &Kathy Gibson, who have looked after the garden for the last couple years, but we need more help. If you would be interested in helping out, when you can, please contact any Director of the Food Share. The satisfaction of helping feed others less fortunate, is all the reward you need (and it's great exercise.) The Directors of the North Huron Community Food Share would like to wish everyone one a Happy Easter... your participation in this event, will certainly make Easter a wonderful experience for many people. Gordon Kaster Director North Huro Food Share Lucknow Library looking for used Lego sets It is spring cleaning time and people will be looking at those stuffed closets. Do you have a bunch of Lego that no longer gets used? The Lucknow Branch Library is loolcing to create a stock of Lego pieces for children's programming at the Library. If you have some you would be willing to donate just drop it off at any time, and if it happens to be a time we are not open, pop it in the yellow book return box out front. Any size of Lego and kits are appreciated. If you have any ques- tion just give us a call at 519-528-3011. We will also be hosting a Lego building contest, along with a FREE showing of the Lego movie in June. Watch for details. And if you have not visited the Library in a while come on in and see our DVD and audiobook collections and find out about all of our online resources, including FREE e -books. We have lots of the latest books, but we are far more than that. Visit, donate some Lego, or get your FREE Library card, either waywe hope to see you soon. Grand Robertson Lucknow Library