PACHA year end

from PACHA:

"The year 2007 has been an eventful one in terms of air quality issues. As you know Prince George has some of the worst air quality in British Columbia. The recent report released by Northern Health estimates the mortality rate in Prince George at 60 people per year due to particulate inhalation. This makes the problems associated with our air all the more unacceptable.

Recently we have seen some changes in the attitude of the City Council, in that, air quality could be an issue to the citizens of Prince George. This is fantastic; however, we need more... if this problem is going to change. We need to see movement by the provincial government in terms of how they are going to attack this problem. The technology is available to make the air quality better in Prince George. The political will is not there yet. Government seems more intent on protecting the bottom lines of companies than protecting the health of the citizens that work to make these companies profitable.

On February 2nd 2008, only 1 month away, PACHA is hosting a symposium at the Coast inn of the North. We are bringing in Mark Bekkering an expert in terms of how to make change in Air Quality. Mark helped Hamilton reduce their pollution by approximately 25% - He is going to tell us how that worked. Mark is now working in Toronto on a similar effort. There will be presentations by Northern Health on their recent report on mortality as well as short talks in the afternoon on everything from how individuals can reduce their effect on air quality to presentations on what technology is available to industry to reduce their impact on the air quality. A complimentary lunch will be provided. The first annual PACHA Clean Air awards will be awarded to individuals, companies, politicians, and media who have made a difference to our air quality. Please go to our website www.pachapg.ca and download the information to submit a nomination. There will be music, entertainment as well as a
children‚s environmental art competition. We need you to come out to the symposium and make it successful.

We also need help organizing this event. We need people to phone our members. People are needed to help at the event. People are needed to help put up posters and get the word out. If you can help, please reply to our email or call me at 617-7467

Our thanks for sponsorship of this symposium goes to the City of Prince George, Northern Interior Health, Ministry of the Environment, the Citizen and PGTV. If you know anybody that works at these places please thank them for helping clean up our air.

Finally we know that there are many issues surrounding air quality. I would personally like to thank your board of directors for all the work they have done to continue to bring this issue to the forefront - The number of hours they have put in during the past year is probably in the thousands. Without them we wouldn't be getting the movement we are in terms of this issue. Thank you for joining PACHA and believing that we can make a difference to our air quality. We can and we will make Prince George a better place to live, and breathe

PACHA holds its meetings the first Tuesday of every month at 1400 N. Nechako Rd. We welcome anyone interested in attending. Our next meeting is Tuesday Jan 8th. Meetings run from 7:00pm ˆ9:00pm."

Dave Fuller
"PACHA (People's Action Committee for Healthy Air"

Bus Business

Effective Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, a bus will be added to the 15 UNBC/15th Avenue route to create a 15-minute service up University Way from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and down University Way from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.

This is great news and the first step in trying to empty that parking lot full of cars at UNBC. See you on the bus!

UNBC Brands Itself "Green"

The whole "branding" thing makes me nervous, but if it means the UNBC campus becomes more sustainable and the programming becomes even more environmentally conscious, then it is nothing but a good thing. The move to brand threatens to turn the process into an image design with no substance, a promotional tactic, smoke and mirrors. As long as UNBC administration commits fully to making substantial changes to infrastructure, energy consumption, and programming, then the brand is justified.

The university has the potential to change the face of post-secondary institutions around the world if it has the political will to lead and go all the way. Universities have always been leaders in revolutionary action so I would like to see UNBC not just imitate other green initiatives but go further, commit more, and be creative in how it restructures itself in relation to environmental issues.

Here is how UNBC has introduced itself on its website:

"Green may be the University’s official colour, but it is much more than that at UNBC. Our strong connection with nature extends from our academic activities and the architecture of the Prince George campus to our outdoor lifestyle and quality of life. We also recognize that the environment sustains the social, health, economic, and cultural well-being of northern people and our communities. Being innovative in environmental management and educating the next generation of environmental leaders is vital. This approach to sustainability is the basis of much of our teaching, research, campus operations, and community relations."

The university is well on its way to being as environmentally friendly as it says but it still has work to do. I invite students and community member to participate with UNBC in creating a model for sustainable institutions that can be carried into the next decade and beyond.