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Earth Week promotes hope for planet

Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Friday, April 20, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Ecology North is looking to send the message that there is hope for the planet.

To show that some things can be done to help our planet, organizer France Benoit will try to spin the positive during Earth Week, going on around Yellowknife April 20 to 29.

NNSL Photo/Graphic

Earth Week organizer France Benoit is co-ordinating nine days of environmentally-friendly activities for Earth Week April 20 to 29. Ecology North will be auctioning off outdoor furniture in addition to the usual birdhouses, all painted by local artists, to raise money for the organization. - Christine Grimard/NNSL photo

"It's not that there is too much emphasis on bad news. There is bad news," said Benoit. "People aren't fooled, they know the weather is changing. But let's regroup and not forget to celebrate the Earth."

Ecology North is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that works to promote sustainable living.

Earth Week is centered around Earth Day, internationally observed on April 22.

To promote this message of hope, Benoit has asked 15 Yellowknifers to write a short text, song or poem all beginning with "Earth is..."

Having previewed a few of the texts, she said she's impressed with what they've come up with. "It's obvious that people have things to say."

The main message Benoit is trying to get out is that while problems do exist with the environment, there are things that can be done to help.

With some help from the City of Yellowknife, there will be workshops on composting and recycling.

Kevin Kennedy will show how he's working towards sustainable living by choosing to vacation locally rather than fly.

In an attempt to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, Kennedy took a bus to Fort Smith and walked for three weeks last summer.

Kennedy will present a documentary on his travels to show the possibilities of a local vacation.

"It's kind of a citizen-nature documentary," said Kennedy. "I wanted to show that you don't have to take a plane or spend huge amounts of money to have an amazing vacation."

Other highlights of the week include a clothing swap at Northern United Place this Saturday, daily guided noon-hour walks to show the city's green spaces, an alternative transportation scavenger hunt, and a coffeehouse and silent auction at Mildred Hall school.

Proceeds from the silent auction will go to Ecology North, otherwise all activities are free.