We’ll welcome you in our city. We’ll even be seen with you in public (although we may throw in a dig that you’re wearing lifts, but I’m sure that’s some male bonding thing). But then? Then we’ll need to give you a trouncing. That felt good. Now, ready for a nice cappuccino at any one of 12 locations within a stone’s throw? I want to talk about my feelings.
What was the fuss on the Cambie Bridge today? Anyone sitting in their car mid-day today, frustrated that they couldn’t make it to any of the mega stores near the Olympic Village may just want to take a moment to breathe (I love the smell of carbon monoxide in the morning) and learn a little about today’s rally in support of International Day of Climate Action.
Vancouver’s ‘Bridge To A Cool Planet’ event was one of over 5200 rallies that took place internationally today across 181 countries to help raise awareness around climate change. Oh so many websites, twitter supporters, sub-rallies, campaigns and hubs, it can get a little overwhelming. I should know. I’m a bear of very little brain and I found myself retreating for peace in the False Creek inukshuk forest lest someone find me curled up in the fetal position behind Vision Vancouver’s tent (it only happened that one time, and I think Stockwell Day was speaking so give a kid a break).
So, here are my best Coles Notes, special for you. International Day of Climate Action was organized by a group of Smart International Green Keeners (technical term) who launched 350.org, an international campaign dedicated to (more technical terms cut & pasted from finely crafted press release) creating a fair global climate treaty that lowers carbon dioxide below 350 parts per million, the number leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide, and the number we need to get below asap to avoid runaway climate change.
The primary goal of the 350 movement is to create a new sense of urgency in the global community around climate action, ultimately resulting in the creation of a fair global climate treaty at the 15th UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December (aka COP15, if you happen to see this floating around the social mediasphere).
So, back to the bridge. There were words, there were banners, there were people in costumes. I was not there because I was busy arguing with the False Creek Ferry guy over his trying to charge me and my friend Bill $28 dollars for two return tickets from the Aquatic Centre when we were already half way to our destination and had been told by the first ferry guy that it was $12 return. 28 BUCKS! I could have taken out a fab Cooperative Auto Network Smart car for the day and still had change left over for offsets to make it a fully carbon-neutral day. Oh little ferry, I smite thee (In fact, I smote thou for the rest of the afternoon much to poor Bill’s chagrin… but I digress).
Instead we went straight to the post-bridge-rally climate change festival at Science World (or Telus World of Science, special for my Telusy peeps).
Too fun, and as usual I’ll let the pics speak for themselves. Folks were encouraged to dress as their favourite endangered species or dinosaur (I looked for Stockwell Day but no luck), and some just took it upon themselves to get creative with what that meant. I like that.
Congrats folks, and thanks to all those that came out on this gorgeous day in Vancouver to show support for such a worthy cause.
Looking for ideas on how you can reduce your carbon emissions? Visit www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction
For More Information:
YouTube:
Message from Mayor Gregor Robertson
COP15 – Raise Your Voice On Climate Change
False Creek Ferry Photo credit: Flickr / Robert In Toronto
The 6th annual Vancouver Celebrates Diwali festival has come to a close. With over a week of fantastic events throughout Vancouver celebrating the exciting and colourful world of South Asian arts & culture, one thing is clear: these folks know how to party!
Diwali (row of lighted lamps) reflects festivals around the world who together celebrate the triumph of light over darkness. In India it often represents the beginning of the New Year, a celebration marked with diyas (clay lamps) rangoli (colourful floor mosaics), feasting, dancing, music. My friend Bill and I headed down to the Roundhouse to check out Diwali Downtown, the biggest event of the festival, and found all of this on full display from the beautiful chalk drawings outside to the music and bustle that drew us in.
Let me start by saying that this was a great space, but it was clear by the way we were squeezed in that the festival may want to find a bigger space next year. The website promised the full experience of a “bustling Punjabi market” but the volunteers looked tired and just a little grumpy navigating and rearranging all the folks who were standing still to watch the events on stage. Unfortunately this meant they were also blocking doorways, vendors, and artists trying to make it to the stage. I felt for them, but not enough to drop my milk cake and leave the party.
There was a little something for everyone from beautiful mehndi henna tattooing, diya painting for kids, dhol drums (not just for melancholics anymore), food, dance, and of course vendors with beautiful silks and jewelry – I was in heaven.
As such, I have decided to give up the life of an only-child and take on a new cultural identity which includes huge families and lots of milk cake. Sorry Mom. I wondered who in the South Asian community I might get to adopt me. Kismet had its way with me when I was very kindly invited by Akash Sablok to his son’s birthday party, which happened to be taking place at the Roundhouse the very same day. You see where I’m going here? What was that? You can’t imagine this not being the perfect opportunity either? Yes, and we really shouldn’t mess with kismet. Wouldn’t that be like allowing darkness to triumph over light? Wait, I think I’m messing with karma now. (“Never mix your spiritual belief systems lest you wind up with no milk cake.” -New Testament)
Considering we are probably the same age, adoption may be awkward, so I’m open to alternatives. His father Tarlok seemed lovely. Akash, look. I promise, I’m like a chia-pet. Just water me once a day and I’m good to go. Well, and maybe a little milk cake. And some jasmine rice with just a touch of butter chicken. And a little chai. And what is that, music? Let’s dance!
Happy Diwali!
For more information, visit: www.vandiwali.ca
Update:
Great News, Akash Sablok has agreed to adopt me as his sister, but I am not allowed to drive his car (I knew I shouldn’t have blogged about my questionable driving habits, never mind shared the story of the construction sign I recently took out with my front passenger door… and the right rear passenger door… and a bit of the right rear quarter panel. Good call, Akash, good call.)
I’m a little late with this post, but the photo popped up and I just couldn’t let it get away.
Davie Street shut down again on September 11th to celebrate the 6th annual Davie Day. Once I came upon this scene I was struck by the excitement of this little girl in her white dress being able to paint with abandon, and a parent letting her go for it. I don’t know who was having more fun, her or me, but I was more than happy to let her and her red cheeks do all the work while I did all the photography.
Beyond adorable little girls covered in paint, what are some of the best things about public festivals?
Sophisticated eyewear
Food for the sophisticated palate
Environmentally friendly transportation
And, of course, what’s a festival without Pocahontas making balloon animals?
