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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-04-26, Page 66 Signal Star • Wednesday, April 26, 2017 opinion 4 1 Goderich Signal -Star VOL. 26 – ISSUE 10 PUBLISHED WEEKLY — EST. 1860 Signal Star Publishing 120 Huckins St. Goderich ON N7A 3X8 519-524-2614 www.goderichsignalstar.com POSTMEDIA JOHN BAUMAN Group Manager, Media Sales jbauman@postmedia.com ext. 232 JANET SHRIER Office Manager jashrier@postmedia.com ext. 220 KATHLEEN SMITH Editor katsmith@postmedia.com ext. 211 SUSAN MCINTOSH Sales smcintosh@postmedia.com ext. 228 TARA CORRAN Sales tcorran@postmedia.com ext. 230 STACEY SCOTT Inside Sales sscott@postmedia.com ext. 229 RHONDA BUTT Accounting rhbuttepostmedia.com MARY JOHNSTON Accounts Receivable majohnston@postmedia.com CURTIS ARMSTRONG Group Director of Media Sales 519 376-2250 ext. 514301 or 510 364-2001 ext. 531024 Editorial Deadline - Friday 2 p.m. Advertising booking deadline - Friday 1:30 p.m. SUBSCRIPTION RATES ADVANCE: Regular $50.00 includes GST (12 months) Seniors $50.00 includes GST (14 months) US 5249.00 plus GST Foreign $416.40 plus GST Single Copy $1.50 includes GST Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES: CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT 120 Huckins St, Goderich ON N7A 3X8 For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: 519-524-2614 Goderich Signal Star is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. For more information or to file a complaint go to www.mediacouncil.ca or call toll free 1-844-877-1163. The Goderich Signal Star shall not be liable for failure to publish an ad for typographical errors in publication except to the extent of the cost of that portion of the ad in which the error occurred. The Goderich Signal -Star reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement. The Goderich Signal -Star is a proud member of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA) and The Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA). Member of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association and the Canadian Community Newspaper Association. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. ocna uanaua Everyday should be Earth Day Kathleen Smith GoderichSignal Star Last weekend people around the world shared articles, vid- eos and posted on social media about what Earth Day means to them, or why the envi- ronment is important. In the United States, people marked Earth Day by marching against political powers who are claiming scientific evidence is false. According to NASA, the Earth's climate has changed throughout history, but ninety-seven percent of climate scientists agree that cli- mate -warming trends within the last century are most likely due to human activity. I can admit that during my younger and ignorant years, I have not always been exemplar in regards to taking care of our planet, our -home. Humans are responsible for the decline in the health of our planet, so in turn, it is also our responsibil- ity to recognize that fault and do everything we can to remedy this issue, before we do not have a sus- tainable planet. It seems that in the past five years there has been a major movement from not only scientists but celebrities using their social platform, to pass on the informa- tion, knowledge and evidence that our planet and therefore our envi- ronment is suffering and on a decline. So, in a world where we can gain access to inforrnation instantly, and where scientists have technol- ogy to provide evidence on their findings, why is it that the not only some world leaders are denying this unfortunate truth, but we only have one day in the year to "think" upon our actions in regards to improving the environment? Everyday we should be making conscious efforts to act appropri- ately to keep the trend of climate - warming from worsening and to ensure that our generations made every effort to ensure there is a future for our children's children. According to NASA and their Global Climate Change information, the current warming trend is pro- ceeding at a rate that is unprece- dented over decades to millennia; 2016 was the warmest year on record, which allows for oceans to absorb this heat, and ice sheets to melt The Intergovernmental Panel has stated that "Human influence on the climate system is clear, and recent anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases are the highest in history: Recent climate changes have had widespread impacts on human and natural systems': (Information can be found on cli- mate.nasa.gov). Photos by Kathleen Smith/Goderich Signal Star According to NASA evidence, the oceans around the world are rising in temperature, causing the destruction of ocean habitat. Even though many scientists have provided evidence and information on this issue, and even though there are many activists in support of changing habits to keep our planet from declining even further, I believe there needs to be a conscious deci- sion and efforts EACH day to make Earth and the environment better, safer and healthier. Like myself when I was younger, one might think that as an individ- ual there is no point to doing anything. In the same respect to the Edmund Burke quote "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do noth- ing; if we all do our part for the space we inhabit, then collectively we will be making a greater difference. vt-7"1114 s , The ice sheets and amounts of . ice and snow around the world are shrinking caused by a trend in climate -warming. It is wonderful that there is even one day to recognize how lucky we are to have a planet and a home that sustains life in many respects, from natural ecosystems and ani- mals to humans. My concern is that Earth Day is becoming an opportunity to post photos, articles, and raise aware- ness, without being active in an effort to remedy an issue that affects all forms of life. We all need to be more conscious of our actions, and be aware that we might not see the immediate results, but we will be cleaning the Earth, the only home we as a spe- cies have known, to help the planet sustain life for future generations. letters to the editor Loss of Marine Museum Together we are stronger Dear Editor, We lost the Marine Museum (or any alternative to it) for several reasons. We are all to blame: First, we, the marine heritage community, did not support the Huron County Museum Curator and Staff with encouragement and volunteer support, over the years, to upgrade and modernize it. Secondly, we did not admonish the Town (its owners) for failing to look after its maintenance and repair. Even during the highly prestigious 2013 Great' Lakes Storm Remembrance, where Goderich was the focus of the international Great Lakes Marine community, it remained a rusting hulk. Its current & cumulative state of deterioration now makes its res- toration cost inefficient. Third, the County Administration has not moved to eliminate the facade of supposedly strong financial support for herit- age and culture as identified in the 2013 Museum Strategic Plan. What dollars it giveth, it still taketh away too much in rent. Fourth, we have failed to con- vince the Town of Goderich Administration of the strong eco- nomic merits of heritage tourism. Lastly, the electors of Goderich have failed to elect a sufficient number of Town Council members to require its administration to become much more proactive on several significant economic issues, the absence of which leadership is hurting the community and the broader region in a dire fashion. Sincerely, Paul Carroll Goderich Dear Editor, It takes a caring individual to volunteer their time and energy. Fortunately for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), there are approximately 150,000 caring peo- ple who have chosen to volunteer with us. This National Volunteer Appre- ciation Week (April 23-29), we rec- ognize the incredible volunteers in Huron County. Maybe you sold daffodil pins during Daffodil Month or helped bring Relay For Life to your neigh- bourhood; maybe you shared your experience as a cancer survivor with others facing a similar diag- nosis through CancerConnection; or maybe you advocated to your local government for healthy pub- lic policies. Whatever role you played, we are making an impact because of your contributions. Funds raised with the help of our volunteers have helped increase the cancer survival rate from 25% in the 1940s to over 60% today. We are investing in the best can- cer research projects across the country, providing trusted cancer information and compassionate support services for people facing cancer and their families, and leading cancer prevention and advocacy initiatives for the benefit of all Canadians. We could not do what we do without you. Together, we are stronger. To continue to support CCS, please visit cancer.ca/volunteer to learn more about how to get involved. Janis Cunningham Huron -Perth Community Office LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Signal Star welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include the writer's full name, address, daytime phone number and signature (for verifica- tion). Anonymous letters will not be published. We reserve the right to edit all editorial submissions including letters for clarification, style and length. Let- ters must he signed and be in good taste and follow the laws of libel and slander.