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4 Tuesday July 7 2015 The Northern Journal is an independent newspaper covering news and events in the western Arctic and northern Alberta. 2013 CCNA BLUE RIBBON CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013 C M C A AUDITED The Northern Journal is published weekly by Cascade Publishing Ltd. Printed at Star Press Inc. Wainwright AB. Publisher................................................................................. Don Jaque 867-872-3000 ext.21 donnorj.ca Editor.........................................................................Meagan Wohlberg 867-872-3000 ext.24 newsnorj.ca Reporter....................................................................... Dali Carmichael 867-872-3000 ext.25 reporternorj.ca Comptroller ..................................................... Dixie Penner 867-872-3000 ext.23 dixnorj.ca Advertising.............................. Heather Foubert Hay River 867-874-4106 adsnorj.ca Administration............................................Jeremy Turcotte 867-872-3000 ext.26 adminnorj.ca Production Manager ......................................Sandra Jaque 867-872-3000 ext.22 sandranorj.ca Graphics........................................................Paul Bannister 867-872-3000 ext.27 graphicsnorj.ca Letters to the Editor Policy The Northern Journal welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and include a phone number so the author can be veried. Names will be withheld on request in special circumstances where the reasons are determined to be valid. The Journal reserves the right to edit letters for length libel clarity and taste. Opinions expressed in letters and columns are not necessarily those of the publisher or editor. Advertising Deadlines Display ad deadline is Thursday at 400 p.m. Classied ad deadline is Thursday at 500 p.m. Email adsnorj.ca Subscription Rates Prices include GST. 47.25 in Fort Smith 52.50 elsewhere in Canada 105 in the USA overseas 164.30. EDITORIAL COLUMN Time is now for a cleaner greener future Given that the future of the planet may hang in the balance it would be a good idea to make changes as quickly as possible. Most countries except Canada are doing their part to move the worlds economy away from dependence on fossil fuels and many innovative individuals are working on new ways to source energy but it will take the impetus of all of us and how we use energy in our day to day lives if the world is to truly move to a green economy. The worlds rst zero-emission double- decker bus arrives in London England this year a forerunner of a new electric-powered eet of red British icons of public transpor- tation. The announcement was made at the Clean Bus Summit last week where 24 cit- ies around the world committed to putting ultra-low emission buses on the road. Utilities in Texas are now selling solar power at near or even under five cents a kilowatt hour. One of them energy giant Sun Edison is so optimistic there are prof- its to be made at those low rates they are investing billions of dollars in India and China on solar panel manufacturing. As new materials and technologies emerge the cost of solar panels and the energy they generate continues to drop rapidly to the point where new hydro power plants that face escalating construction costs can no longer compete. Meanwhile the solar-powered single-pilot airplane dubbed Solar IMPULSE is making aviation and renewable energy history as it circumnavigates the globe running only on energy from the sun. It ew 4000-miles from Japan to Hawaii last week as part of its round the world expedition without using fossil fuels. Those are examples at the leading edge. How fast will the world shift from using fos- sil fuels Change on such a scale is typically slow and because so many people make so much money off sourcing and supplying fos- sil fuels opposition to such change is a huge impediment to any move to a new economy. Canada dependent as it is economically on the export of fossil fuels is one of those with inuence trying to stop or at least delay any move away from it. If the gases that are the byproduct of fos- sil fuels are causing climate change how much time do we have before damage is irreversible Many people still feel climate change is a natural phenomenon and not caused by human activity. Theories of alternative causes abound including solar storms or a change in the axis of the earth. More and more sci- entists are coming on side in support of the thesis that climate change is caused by the release of gases from vehicles factories and power plants running on fossil fuels. Those gases collect in the atmosphere and cause a greenhouse effect warming the earth and changing weather patterns. Arguments that climate change does not exist have become muted as science con- firms what is more and more obvious that our planet is undergoing a dramatic trans- formation. With weather getting crazier all the time ordinary citizens are aware - and concerned. The results are fright- ening. What messed-up world will future generations face We have to take better care of the world that sustains us as we grow and evolve. Massive islands of plastic refuse oat in our oceans. Oilsands mining tears up the land and leaves massive toxic tailings ponds while it spews carcinogens into the atmo- sphere. Diesel trucks emitting noxious ex- haust proven harmful to human health are our main source of hauling goods. Two-cycle engines that power everything from lawn- mowers to chainsaws emit pollution. Those are but a few contributors to a way of life that is counter to intelligent living. All of them need to be replaced. That would be the case even if there were no climate change. Weaning the global economy off fossil fuels is the obvious solution. We have to change the way we think and make the transition. Given that the future of the planet may hang in the balance it would be a good idea to make changes as quickly as possible. Humanity has come a long way in the last 200 years and we have fossil fuels to thank for that. Energy derived from the earth has been a boon to development and progress. Now it is time to move on. The undertaking will be huge. It will also be exciting and a particular boon to the North where we so desperately need an alterna- tive to our costly inefcient diesel power plants. We all have to do our part to make the change happen as individuals and as a society. Our leaders have to be in the fore- front making the big decisions and invoking ways to encourage the new economy. Elec- tions are coming and we the people have the power to choose. Challenge candidates. Make sure they have a vision for a cleaner greener future. Tips for safety while enjoying activities on or around water By Cst. ELENORE STURKO Media Liason Royal Canadian Mounted Police G Division Yellowknife NT The RCMP in the Northwest Territories would like to remind the public about the importance of safety when enjoying recre- ation on or around the water this summer. With its abundance of lakes the North- west Territories is an excellent location for boating shing swimming and other water- based activities. There are risks associated with recreation on or around water drowning hypother- mia boating collisions or even getting lost. However by being aware and ensuring you are properly equipped these risks can be greatly reduced. Over the past week there have been three incidents where stranded boaters required the assistance of the RCMP and Canadian Coast Guard in Yellowknife and Hay River. Two of the three vessels required towing back to their dock while the third was able to reach its dock under escort. All of these incidents were related to mechanical issues. No injuries were reported. These incidents serve as a reminder for the public to be prepared for an emergency on the water. Have a plan and practice water safety and encourage others to do the same. The following are tips for enjoying a safe boating season Be familiar with the operation of your vessel and ensure it is in proper working condition prior to heading out on the water. Have a spare battery or a means to recharge your boat battery and a backup motor. Have everyone wear a lifejacket or personal otation device. Familiarizeyourselfwiththeareainwhichyou will be traveling learn about local hazards. Familiarize yourself with marine navigation. Check the marine forecast before heading out and monitor the weather for changes. Ensure that you have the appropriate re- quired safety equipment for your vessel a bailer paddles a whistle or horn and a throw rope. Carry a satellite phone marine radio or other means of communication. Inform someone of your travel plans where you are going and when you plan to return. Carry emergency supplies and learn sur- vival skills. This important message is part of the Northwest Territories RCMPs commitment to public safety. PhotoDaliCarmichael Marilyn Barnes president of the Hay River Beautication Committee hands out baby birch and spruce to customers visiting the Fishermans Wharf farmers market on June 25. Barnes and her partners aim to get potential horticulturists out of their homes and into their gardens in a community effort to make the town a beautiful place.