Earth Day 2012 carries special meaning in Nelson as environmental movement promises to fight back
By Bruce Fuhr
While people in more than 175 countries used Earth Day 2012 to raise awareness and appreciation of the world’s natural environment, a rally in Nelson had more of a direct message for government — Keep Jumbo Wild and put a stop the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines Project.
“Look at this sky, look at that (Elephant) mountain . . . we’re blessed with such incredible beauty and we need to take time on Earth Day to appreciate that,” David Reid, executive director for the West Kootenay EcoSociety told the crowd Sunday during Earth Day celebrations at the City Hall courtyard.
“And a big part of that appreciation needs to be for this community to and this group of people to say “yes” to Jumbo Wild and “no” to stop that (Enbridge) pipeline.”
That message was loud and clear from every speaker at the microphone and lyrics in each and every song during Earth Day celebrations Nelson as the environmental community feels attacked by both the provincial and federal governments.
The attacks are by Christy Clark’s Liberals, which last month gave approval Jumbo Glacier Resort Master Development and Stephen Harper’s Conservatives that wants to fast track the Enbridge Gateway Pipelines Project through northern B.C.
“It’s about time we began to understand this is a war zone and if we don’t fight for it like we’re on the front lines, we can forget about having clean drinking water,” said Marilyn James of the Sinixt Nation speaking in defence of Jumbo Glacier.
“Look around you,” James added. “If we don’t stand up for the rights of the water . . . for the rights of this landscape, then our future is lost.”
Before, during and after the rally hundreds attending flocked to sign postcards that will be sent to the French investors La Compagnie des Alpes and protest sheets against Enbridge.
In the East Kootenay, Jumbo Creek Conservation Society in Kimberley and Invermere-based Wildsight form foundation of the protest movement to keep Jumbo Wild.
In the West Kootenay, K. Linda Kivi, a long time Jumbo activist for the West Kootenay Coalition for Jumbo Wild, listed off 11 things the public can to for Jumbo Wild, some of which included a music fundraiser on Saturday, June 9 at The Royal; jumbo wild Facebook http://www.facebook.com/jumbowild; hike the Purcells; and donate money, purchase buttons and cards that will keep the movement going.
As for the Enbridge part of the day, organizers Nadine Podmoroff and Keith Wylie have been in discussions with the First Nations in northern B.C. on ways to stop the Enbridge Pipelines and will be taking a caravan leaving from the West Kootenay in July.
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