Water we doing for our coastline?
Re: “Oceans of reasons to protect what we love,” Science Matters, June 9, 2016.
I appreciate the ocean every time I visit the many shorelines that are nearby in British Columbia. I am inspired by the sight of wildlife, like mussels, starfish, shore birds, and seals. Just below the surface, there is much more beyond my sight: a magnificent diverse world of vegetation, fish, and other creatures that make huge, complex ecosystems. I want the ocean to thrive and be in good health. We depend on it to make the oxygen we breathe, and to absorb carbon and regulate the Earth’s climate.
Unfortunately, the ocean is under great risk, because of habitat destruction from fishing, industry, pollution, and acidification due to global warming. Canada has the longest coastline in the world. If we were to dedicate at least 10 per cent of this as marine protected areas, we would make a major contribution toward preserving vital ocean ecosystems and biodiversity on Earth.
Let's protect Canada's coast and make this World Oceans Day one to celebrate.
–Martin Ro
Ego e olio
Re: “Carbonara for purists,” June 9, 2016.
“It’s a chef’s ego – a chef thinking they can improve on something that’s already perfected,” says chef Robert Belcham. “You don’t fix what isn’t broken." Except for when he adds the red onion, that's OK.
Thanks for the recipe, but I'm going to add peas and feel just fine about it.
–Citizen Five
Flowers for everyone
Just an FYI to all those who feel that the flowers growing on West End streets are theirs to pick: they are NOT. After just having 20 large lilies chopped from my corner garden at Guilford and Comox, I want to alert folks to the fact that these corner, boulevard and roundabout gardens in the West End are paid for and tended to by citizens with their own money and labour.
It is such a shame that you think that you deserve to look at our flowers cut and in a vase in your house and deny all the pedestrians the joy of our job well done! Please try and resist your narcissistic tendencies so others can stop and smell the roses!
–Dannie McArthur
All rants and raves are the opinion of the individual and do not reflect the opinions of Westender. The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity and brevity, so please keep it short and (bitter)sweet. Email your rant or rave to [email protected]
