A Thirst for Fossil Water

Water to quench our thirst? In Canada we hardly think about it. After all, we have 20% of the world’s fresh water. We don’t realize that most of this is non-renewable water derived from the melting of glaciers, the melting of continental ice sheets or trapped in inaccessible ground water.

When I was visiting my parents last summer, who live near Smithers, B.C., a glacier which was once an overwhelming presence near their home had shrunk to a nearly invisible trace. This water won’t be coming back again.

Some facts:

• Our renewable fresh water is 9% of the world’s supply behind Brazil, China, and former USSR.  
• 60% of Canada’s renewable fresh water flows north into the Arctic ocean & Hudson Bay
• 90% of our population lives southern regions
• We have the 2nd highest per capita consumption in the world, behind USA
• Canada has traditionally blocked the recognition of water as a human right until very recently.

These revelations were part of a Regis College “Windows on Theology,” titled Living Water on March 22^nd the U.N World Water Day with Alana Mitchell, Dr. Dennis O’Hara and  Fr. John McCarthy

Water is the lifeblood of our lives and our spirits yearn to share. What can we do? Women both indigenous and non-indigenous formed a Wall of Women on World Water Day in B.C. Around 15 women, including representatives from the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam First Nations, as well as Greenpeace campaigners, gathered for the Wall of Woman in the cold and rain by The Welcome Figure at Ambleside Beach to proclaim a message to the oil magnate Kinder Morgan that a pipeline expansion was not welcome.

Yet, as humans in a faith context we thirst for justice:

• approximately 20,000 First Nations people living on reserves across Canada have no access to running water or sewage treatment
• women in developing countries carry an unjust load in struggling to get water for their families

Our Western, middle-class lifestyle places increasing demands on water sources. Our choices of food especially matters. Looking at the facts behind our water use: 

•  Agriculture – 70% 
  • ....1,000 litres per day – survival diet
  • ....2,600 litres per day – vegetarian diet
  • ....5,000 litres per day – meat-based diet
  • ....diets richer in meat & seafood → major eco-stress
• Industry – 22%
• Personal – 8%

Many people living in poverty, particularly on the developing world, daily face enormous  hardships because water supplies are neither sufficient nor safe. For water users living in poverty this is rapidly becoming an issue crucial for life and, in the broad sense of the concept, a right to life issue.”  Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

For I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matt. 25:35)

Water is sacred trust, in these days calling us to regard and live with its gift of life, not just for ourselves, but for all humans and all beings of our planet earth. 

And we are Canadians and we do cherish water, it is part of our interior landscape and our identity. Let us make a difference and begin where we are. 

David Suzuki Foundation, “It’s More than Just Love,” 

Linda Gregg, CSJ
Peterborough Neighbourhood 

UPDATED: Please see this excellent article: 30 Photos That Will Help You Appreciate Your Tap & Toilet

London Water Rights Festival

Coming to Museum London on April 4-6, an opportunity for water-lovers to come together to consider the impact of our water use on the next generation. Learn about challenges such as transnational corporate influence on water bodies, the Harper government's 2012 elimination of 99% of rules protecting Canadian rivers and lakes, and effects of climate change, as well as successful community activities to protect water.

Meet special guest, Ashinaabe elder, Josephine Mandamin, who ten years ago began her journey each spring walking the perimeter of the Great Lakes to remind us about the need to care for this sacred element. Josephine, also known as Water Walker, will be present each of the days. On Saturday, Mike Nagy president of Water Watchers will speak about Nestle’s involvement in the Guelph area watershed. 

The films include:

• Blue Gold (struggle for water rights);
• Waterlife, (threats to the Great Lakes);
• Bottled Life (Nestle's global business);
• Sacred Spirit of Water (First Nations' relation to water, the rise of "Idle No More").

Please refer to the POSTER for more specifics.

Hope to see you there!

Paula Marcotte (Guest Blogger)

Only a Stone’s Throw Away From a New Perspective

Most of us are very familiar with the epic, biblical, tale of David and Goliath. The bestselling author, Malcolm Gladwell, in his most recently released book, David and Goliath, provides a new perspective on this well-known encounter which was first recorded in the Old Testament. Gladwell maintains that we’ve got it all wrong. It was David, not Goliath, who had the upper hand from the onset in this power struggle. The author insists the mighty Goliath, weighed down by his heavy protective gear was ill prepared to meet the less encumbered David. 

Malcolm Gladwell uses this erroneous held belief about Goliath’s strength and David’s weakness, as a spring board to point out other examples of the unrecognized strengths and capabilities possessed by those considered unlikely winners. Gladwell illustrates other circumstances where apparent weakness proves to be an unsuspected strength.

Perhaps the essence of this tale and book might provide wisdom on our Lenten journey to Easter. Might there be instances in our own lives where personal limitation opens us to be supported by our higher power.

“At first I didn’t think of it as a gift,
and begged God to remove it.
Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.“
2 Cor.12:7 (MSG translation)

Listen to Malcolm Gladwell on Ted Talks.

Nancy Wales, CSJ

Parker’s Wisdom

My brother took his five year old grandson, Parker, to play his hockey game. In the first period, Parker played centre, in the second and third period he played right wing. After the game Parker said “Pa, do you know why I was moved from centre to right wing?” Pa said, “No.” Replied Parker: “So I could be closer to my fans!” Might we have here a future Olympian?

What happens to that healthy ego as we grow older?

This same grandnephew asked during the baptism of his cousin Everly: “How old is God?” I said that God was older than me. Parker’s mouth dropped.

Children’s innocence and honesty teach us so much. Remember, at one time we were each that child – what happened?

There is a wonderful commercial on T.V. these days with the theme “Let’s bring back play” – it suggests outdoor games like: tag, hide go seek, skip rope, red rover, red rover (and imagine it doesn’t cost a cent). Oh and remember the “family meal” there was laughing, sharing the day, occasional disagreements but always together (Get home in time for supper!).

As human beings we are called to communicate in a face to face fashion and I don’t mean “Skype.” “Real honest to goodness face to face” – I have nothing against the modern age toys and gadgets but we were created to be human, interactive, emotional, spiritual – there is a place for modern tech but not at the cost of face to face communication.

Sorry, there must be a balance!

In the “good old days,” there was isolation (down on the farm) – no phone, no television, no computer, no cell phone, maybe the occasional visitors (one extreme); now gadgets at every turn (other extreme) there has to be a balance. How about a game of dodge ball or skating on a homemade rink in the backyard (bumps and all).

One for the money; two for the show; three to get ready and four to go.

“Let’s bring back play!”

Barbara Vaughan, CSJ

What Savings?

On International Women’s Day, March 8^th, at midnight we also sprang forward in time (fall back, spring forward). Losing one hour of sleep but gaining an extra evening hour of light. Oh what we could have done with that hour! Well just what would you have done with that hour?

We often want something that could have been but is now beyond our reach and we can’t get it back. Fickle creatures aren’t we?? We are now into Lent – where are we in our resolve to seek conversion? We begin eagerly but can we keep up the pace on the walk to Jerusalem? We have already lost an hour of the journey!

Daylight Saving Time – what a gift – more sunshine to remind us that the Light of Christ has come into Our World. Let your light shine, let it shine on others.

This hour is like a “savings coupon” – we cash it in for sunlight to help us let our hearts shine.

So much of our world is in darkness – Syria, the Ukraine, the homeless, the unemployed, just to name a few. How do we together and individually make a difference?

In the extra hour of daylight take a moment to energize our world – we may not be able to help the healing physically but there is no excuse not to reach out with spiritual energy.

We haven’t lost an hour but gained light.

“Let it shine

  Let it shine

  Let it shine”

No one else can shine for you!

Barbara Vaughan, CSJ