Ask yourself: What am I doing to minimize my personal damage to the environment?
Ha!!! Summer … we wait for summer all year round and yet this morning as I am writing the ED message for the BBNC summer brochure I realize it is not exactly a very warm day. In fact it is a kind of cool and rainy day. It appears these new weather patterns are going to be the new normal. From extreme ice storms or very little snow in the winter to extremely cold wet springs or from scorching hot dry summers to no summers at all.
The spring of 2017 is an example of what is already here. We are seeing an unprecedented amount of rain this spring, which has caused already dramatic effects on the city. This year spring has rained so much that it is affecting all the summer planning. An example of that is the delay in access to the Toronto Island. The one space urban dwellers are able to use to have small relief from the concrete and asphalt we live in. This new reality brings me to the need to talk about weather changes and the incomprehensible denying of the environmental damages some politicians and public figures keep arguing about an excuse not to do anything. They tend to argue they opposed environmental protection to stimulate the creation of jobs. Yet these jobs never materialized. Or they oppose biking lanes to promote economic grow. Denying the scientific research that bike lanes, actually, stimulate the local economy. It is important to quote the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual leader who on June 5th 2017 said: “Protecting our environment is not a luxury we can choose to enjoy, but a simple matter of survival.”
The sad part of the story is that there is no longer an argument or a theory, it is a fact. The fact is, the environment is being affected by actions of humans and has been for over 80 years. One of the challenges one may think one has is perhaps one feels alone and unable to make a difference. However the reality is any small change does make a difference. One must ask oneself: What am I doing to minimize my personal damage to the environment? And then commit to minimize it. One must commit to a personal contribution reducing, when is possible, harm to the environment. In my case I am biking to work almost daily, weather permitted. I realize that biking may not be possible for all of us. Thus I invite you to walk more, use public transportation instead of our cars, etc. Be aware that everyone’s actions have a consequence in the harm to our environment. While it is not my intention to be glum in this message, it is my intention to contribute in the discussion.
Summer is upon us after all and we should prepare to enjoy it. You may know, by now, that the Birchmount Community Complex is undergoing a major construction that may or may not affect BBNC’s summer programs. It will definitely affect the access to the building and for that we must prepare to be patient and gentle with each other. We at BBNC will do our best to facilitate the access with the support of volunteers. We will also try to minimize the discomfort.
Many things are happening this summer at BBNC! From the summer markets of SHARE365, to outdoor classes. However the most important activity this summer at BBNC is initiating a comprehensive strategic planning process that will define the role and direction of BBNC for the next 3 to 5 years. With the support of a MAS facilitator and a well-defined plan of activities for the season, the process will include surveys, public consultations and information sessions. We hope you will participate and help us prepare for the next stage in the life of BBNC.
The launching of the BBNC new Mission, Vision and Strategic Directions will be at the Annual General Meeting in September. The launch of the new cycle of strategic directions and program delivery will coincide with the launch of the fall programming. I’ll provide more information on the strategic planning process in the ED message of the fall brochure.
Yours sincerely,
Enrique Robert
