The rainforests used to cover an estimated 14 per cent of the world’s surface, and today, due to deforestation, that number has been brought down to a mere six per cent. Another fact is that the rainforests on earth contain about 20 per cent of the world’s entire oxygen, and according to experts the last remaining rainforests could be wiped out in less than 40 years. That means that by the year 2050, 20 per cent of the world’s oxygen could already be gone.

It’s also not just oxygen that’s lost during the destruction of the rainforests. Many types of plants that treat illnesses are destroyed in the rainforest every day. Experts say we are losing 137 plant species on a daily basis, and the more species that disappear, the less chance we have at finding cures to life threatening diseases such as cancer. The U.S. cancer national institute has identified 3,000 plants that are active against cancer cells, and 2,100 of these plants come from the rainforest. Even 121 prescription drugs that are sold worldwide come from plant-derived resources, and many of these plants are in danger of being wiped out due to deforestation.

Another effect of destroying the rainforests is ruining the habitat of wildlife. Animals such as gorillas, birds, fish, frogs and other creatures that live in the rainforest are losing their homes due to the destruction of trees, ponds and nests. Along with their homes, these animals also lose their source of food and drinking water, then have to deal with adapting to a new environment they can migrate too. Deforestation is our fault. It’s bad enough that we are hurting ourselves with destroying our rainforests, but why should these animals have to suffer for our mistakes if we’re the ones who are moving in on their territory?

Not to mention it’s not just animals that live in the rainforest, people do as well, such as medicine men and shamans. These people are at least 70 years of age and have lived in the rainforest for most of their lives, attaining knowledge of the different kinds of plants that grow there. The rainforests are their home too and when a medicine man or shaman dies without passing his arts down to the next generation it’s as if a library has burned down with thousands of years of tribal knowledge about medical plants lost forever.

As we know it the rainforests contribute more to earth than we know, and even more to the living things that inhabit the earth. We live on this beautiful planet gifted with its amazing resources, yet all we do is abuse it everyday. What we as people need to do is look at the bigger picture and find out what we can do to help improve the environment. Deforestation of the rainforests is only one of the many issues that creates problems for our planet, however each of us has what it takes to make a difference and see to it that the smallest action can make a huge impact.

Do you think it’s fair that pets are being treated like toys?

How do you feel about Petland stores selling animals? The on-going issue in Calgary is that there are untrustworthy owners bringing in their pets to pet stores and the purchaser is unaware of the pet’s history. Petland claims that the animals that are sold in Petland are from trustworthy breeders. Do you believe that Calgary should ban Petland from selling animals even though this store has been running for years? Currently, there is a campaign being held to prohibit animals/pets from being sold in Calgary stores. The group that is in charge of this campaign is called Actions Speak Louder (Calgary) and the group plans on making this proposal a city bylaw. How do you feel about this?

Though Calgary may get rid of all Petland stores, how do we control the people who sell their pets on the streets? Many people would prefer adopting pets or receiving them from friends/family and animal shelters. This could be the solution to this problem because of the conflicts with purchasing pets/animals from the pet stores. If there are other resources available, why do we have pet stores? When someone purchases a pet from a pet store, they are unaware of its family history and this is what makes pet stores unreliable, in my opinion.

Do you believe Calgary should make this a bylaw? If you do, GET INVOLVED! Join the Actions Speak Louder and spread the word because we all deserve our voices to be heard!

How well do you know Calgary? Test your knowledge with this short quiz!

1. What does the name Calgary mean?

a. Where the trees stand

b. Cattle herder

c. Bay farm

d. Muddy Water

2. Where is Calgary named after?

a. Calgary Bay on the Isle of Mull, Scotland

b. Calgary Trail in Edmonton

c. Calgary Castle in Scotland

d. Nowhere

3. What year was Calgary incorporated as a city?

a. 1907

b. 1911

c. 1894

d. 1819

4. Who was the first Mayor of Calgary?

a. George Murdoch

b. Thomas Underwood

c. Alexander McBride

d. George Clift King

5. How many women have been Mayor of the City of Calgary?

a. 0

b. 1

c. 2

d. 3

6. How many wards is Calgary divided into?

a. 15

b. 19

c. 10

d. 14

7. How many times was the idea of changing the title Alderman to Councillor voted down?

a. 0

b. 1

c. 2

d. 4

8. When are council meetings held?

a. Every Tuesday

b. Every third Wednesday

c. Every day

d. Every second Monday

9. What is Calgary’s motto?

a. Industry, integrity, progress

b. One with the strength of many

c. Diversity our strength

d. Onwards

10. Which by-law offence carries the highest monetary penalty? ($250)

a. Spit in public

b. Loitering and obstructing

c. Stand or put feet on a table/bench/planter/sculpture

d. Carry a visible knife in public

Answers: (Highlight the row below to see the answers)

1.C 2.A 3.C 4.A 5.A 6.D 7.C 8.D 9.D 10.B

Source

Imagine yourself as a Muslim man walking down the street in Dallas just days after the September 11 attacks on New York City. Everybody knows that in the paranoid aftermath of the attacks, a great degree of unjust criticism was hurled at the Muslim world. An unfair light was shed upon those who had nothing at all to do with the circumstances leading up the attack. For quite some time after the attacks, there was a subtle yet potent atmosphere of anti-Muslim prejudice on American streets, one of the most blatant examples being the mob-style outburst at attempts to build a cultural centre on ground zero.

Now, back to the man walking down the street. In an instant, his fears, and the fears of countless other Muslims, are realized as he is targeted by Mark Anthony Stroman, a man who is on a “mission of revenge.” Stroman immediately executes two South Asian immigrants, and shoots the Muslim man – Rais Bhuiyan – in the face at close range, blinding him in one eye. It doesn’t get any better for Bhuiyan either, as he does not have sufficient capital to afford appropriate medical treatment. He is sent wandering between doctors and reduced to couch surfing between strangers. It took him years to recover from the wound, and he still carries bits of metal embedded in his face. Now if this was me, I would probably not object to the death penalty for Stroman. But that is where this story turns truly fascinating.

In a highly unconventional turn of events, Bhuiyan began circulating petitions in order to get the sentence of his attacker commuted from the death penalty to life in prison without parole. On his interview with CBC, Bhuiyan said that Stroman was not the cause of the issue, but rather a symptom, the “issue” being hate. By executing Stroman, all the state would do is further perpetuate existing hate. Bhuiyan said that he had forgiven Stroman years ago, and told MSNBC: “I’m trying to do my best not to allow the loss of another human life. I’ll knock on every door possible.”

Bhuiyan even set up a website last year called World Without Hate, and garnered much support. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, Stroman was executed on July 20, 2011. But the story does not end, even there. Shocked at Bhuiyan’s concern for him, Stroman made an about-face on his initial stance. “Hate is going on in this world and it has to stop,” Stroman said in his final moments. “Hate causes a lifetime of pain.” In an interview, Stroman said: “In the free world, I was free but I was locked in a prison inside myself because of the hate I carried in my heart. It is due to Rais’ message of forgiveness that I am more content now than I have ever been.” In his final words before death, Stroman bid goodbye to his family, and the world. “I love you, all of you,” he said. “Goodnight.”

If this is not a display of true humanism, I don’t know what is.

As part of the Youth Endorsed City Space (YECS) project, members of the Mayor’s Youth Council visited Cardel Place to evaluate it on various areas related to it’s youth friendliness, in hopes of presenting it with a YECS banner certifying it as youth friendly. Previous endorsements have gone to Village Square and Southland Leisure centres, as well as two branches of the Calgary Public Library.

Members of the committee found Cardel Place to be quite impressive. The facility itself was top notch, providing a pool, numerous gyms, a fitness centre, two skating rinks and a climbing wall, all of which were easily accessible and readily used by youth. The building is very modern and, according to staff, is extremely eco-friendly. It is easily accessible for people of all incomes because of a subsidy program provided by donors for low-income families. Also, all program registration is available online, making it very conveniant to get involved in the many youth only activities that are available.

For those who are looking for a place to simply hangout, Cardel Place offers free space for breakdancing and spending time with your friends. They also serve organized programs to cater the bored youth in summer. They have a wide variety of engagements and certification programs year round.

Cardel Place also contributes to a strong sense of community. It is the home base for the Northern Hills Community association, as well as the Country Hills branch of The Calgary Public library. There is also a a program set up for students from Notre Dame High School to volunteer at the weekly Friday youth nights. Morale seemed to be quite high in the building and teens were seen (no jokes!) singing and dancing in the halls.

It provides an excellent location for youth to interact with each other while providing excellent facilities to promote a healthy lifestyle. It also contributes to a a sense of community cohesion, which unlike many communities, strives to include youth. I encourage everyone to check out this wonderful facility!

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