Protect people and the planet
Wars are devastating whole regions around the globe. In the past decade, military spending has increased by 19 per cent. It is deplorable that the majority of casualties in the wars in Sudan, Ukraine and Gaza are civilians.
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The Island Peace Committee asks Islanders to look at the relationship between escalating wars and our suffering environment. Increased military spending has a direct impact on global peace and co-operation.
Starting on Earth Day April 22 through to May 9 there will be Global Days of Action on Military Spending. IPC urgently calls on governments to: change course and focus on rapid, deep cuts to military spending, driving an arms race and fuelling war; demilitarize public policy, including policies designed to tackle the climate crisis; implement human and common security-centered policies that protect people and the planet and not the profit-driven agenda of the arms and fossil fuel industries; create governance structures and alliances based on mutual trust and understanding, co-operation and true diplomacy, where conflict is resolved through dialogue, not war.
All we are saying is "give peace a chance."
Marian White,
Island Peace Committee
Tracadie, P.E.I.
Moving towards bioplastic transition
We can certainly feel helpless when it comes to reducing our environmental footprint and fighting against climate change. Therefore, it is imperative to specifically target and tackle some of their causes.
The plastics we commonly use are produced from petroleum and go into the manufacturing of a large quantity of goods. They are a main source of pollution. For they are toxic, non-biodegradable and harmful to both human health and wildlife. We now find them everywhere on land, in the oceans and even in our bodies. Their production is also a major cause of greenhouse gases.
Despite our determination, the recycling of these petroplastics, which are often loaded with toxic additives, does not work. About nine per cent are recycled, yet only a small part goes into the manufacturing of new plastics. These, in fact, are largely made from new petroplastics… We can’t see the end of it!
Bioplastic, on the other hand, exists in various forms and is easily biodegradable. It is produced from organic sources like algae, agricultural residues, fish waste, etc. Using bioplastic instead of petroplastic would greatly impact environmental cleanup and facilitate recycling of paper, glass, iron, and aluminum.
Italy, for example, now only uses bioplastic bags. It also wants to broaden this transition to other plastic products. What an inspiration for us towards a necessary move to bioplastic. This urgent environmental issue needs to be resolved.
Bruno Marquis,
Gatineau, Que.
