Author: Heather Sargeant

Helen’s book pick: We Are the Weather

Title: We Are the Weather, Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast. Author: Jonathan Safran Foer

Reviewed and recommended by Helen Bryce, GBF director and chair of the Education Committee

In this unsettling and uncertain COVID-19 environment, we are thankful that the majority of society practices “social isolation/physical distancing", that the medical profession bravely carries on treating the infected, that businesses retool to produce what society needs and that governments step up to the challenge of protecting us all. Why then, can we not do the same things to save our planet before we reach “runaway climate change” and nothing can save us?

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GBF and COVID-19

We want to assure you, our community, that we are taking every precaution in light of the current circumstances of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019).

GBF has postponed or cancelled public events and site visits to avoid risk to public health, volunteers, and staff members. For instance, the April 25th talk and electric vehicle testing event, Energy Rights and Wrongs, Can we more right? has been moved to the Fall (date TBD).

We will continue to be your environmental ally, but like so many of you, we are working from home to advance projects as possible, and all of us are practicing social-distancing.

Thanks to all the frontline and essential workers who are at the forefront for all of us, and to all of you for your responsible community care.

How to protect yourself and what to do. GBF is not the authority, but these contacts may be able to help you.

Georgian Bay Forever is a charity and our mission is dedicated to scientific research and public education on Georgian Bay's aquatic ecosystem. We continue to serve this mission during this pandemic.

We are very concerned about you, the Georgian Bay community, but we are not the right authority for guidance or information as it relates to COVID-19. 

There are several organizations and governmental agencies whose responsibility it is to provide guidance in these times, or may be able to provide you with local information around closures etc. Here are some links or potential contacts to provide some assistance:

  • Ontario government link: https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus
  • Canadian government link: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
  • Check with your local municipality to see what may be open or closed.
  • Call your local marina to see if they are open.
  • Contact your local community or cottage association.
  • The Georgian Bay Association (GBA): https://georgianbay.ca/. The GBA also has contact information for more that 17 cottage or community associations.

    • Some ideas to consider while you are physical distancing and isolating

  • See if there is a webinar you can register for on Georgian Bay Forever's Event page:  GBF Events/Webinars link: https://georgianbayforever.org/upcoming-events/
  • Shoreline cleanups with social and physical distancing in mind. See the process :  Click here.
  • There is all kinds of great information on this website - but here are three recent tips and reports: 1. Shoreline cleanups 2019 - the report. Click here for the shoreline cleanups report.     2. Invasive Phragmites 2019 report Click here for the invasive Phragmites report.     3. Get 10 tips on what you can do to reduce microplastics: Click here for the microplastics tips.
  • Peruse video presentations from the H2O 2018 events. Topics include climate change,  microplastics, and more. Click here for the main H2O 2018 page
  • Check out this 1/2 hour presentation on septics from H2O 2019 on YouTube. A little about it: I bet you don't think septic maintenance can be interesting. It "can", pun intended. We learned at H2O 2019, that Rick Esselment is a great speaker who can break-down what is needed for septic maintenance that challenges the notion it is always about doing a pump out. He keeps you watching, and it's important for potentially saving you money and certainly helping the environment in the long run. Check out the 1/2 hour presentation on YouTube: Click here.

    • Saturday April 25, 2020. Energy Rights and Wrongs. Can we do more right? Yes we can.

    The effects of global warming are here locally and abroad – from rapidly swinging lake levels in Georgian Bay to more intense bush fires in Australia - to name a few.

    Many scientists are afraid of being called alarmist, and that there is a conservative bias in much reporting on future scenarios that could result in a lack of preparation. This was noted by Georgian Bay’s Executive Director who attended a presentation from Dr. Huaiping Zhu, professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Faculty of Science, York University, who received a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) to improve climate risk assessments in the province. David noted with alarm that Dr. Zhu’s modelling showed a trajectory of 6-9 degrees of warming in northern communities. Northern limit of corn crops today is Parry Sound…by 2100 it will be almost up to James Bay.
    Electric Vehicle Event Picture
    While we can’t reverse where we are now, we can collectively work together to limit its extent by century end. At Georgian Bay Forever (GBF), we are committed to bringing helpful information and solutions to you.

    On April 25th in Toronto, GBF invites you to an event that includes 2 parts in each session:
    1. Learn more about Ontario’s renewable energy grid, and future possibilities from David Sweetnam.
    2. Test drive an electric vehicle. Ask Plug ‘N Drive experts any questions you want to know.
    Tickets are $20 each and include light fare and refreshments.

    Register for your choice of session (either morning or afternoon):
    http://bit.ly/April25Morning
    OR
    http://bit.ly/April25Afternoon

     

    GBF’s Position on Global Warming

    “We cannot avoid the consequences of our warming climate but we can take actions to limit the damage,reduce our carbon dioxide emissions and,over the longterm,limit the warming of our planet.” From GBF’s position papaer. Learn more about impacts on Georgian Bay and GBF’s position here:
    GBF’s position paper on Global Warming


    Jennifer’s book pick: Find out how trees are social beings

    Title: The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World

    Reviewed and recommended by Jennifer Ferguson, GBF director and chair of the Communication Committee

    Published by: Greystone Books Ltd. and the David Suzuki Foundation A walk in the woods or down a tree-lined street will take on new wonders after you read Peter Wohlleben’s fascinating book, The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World.

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    Anne’s book pick about the climate crisis

    Title: Just Cool It! The Climate Crisis and What We Can Do. A Post-Paris Agreement Game Plan, by David Suzuki and Ian Hanington

    A recommendation by Anne Randell, director and previous chair of GBF

    Published by: Greystone Books Ltd., David Suzuki Institute Climate change is one of the most pressing crises in our world today. Although some misinformed skeptics do not believe in the seriousness of it, there are many facts and figures, based on scientific evidence, that prove that it is a significant and serious concern for all of us.

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