After 35 years, Brian Falconer still loves navigating B.C.’s coastlines.
Unfortunately he finds himself navigating the political landscape, as often as the geological one, and wishes for a day that is no longer the case.
“Earth Day is a day we really contemplate the incredible blessings we have on this coast,” said the coordinator of marine operations for Raincoast Conservation. “It is a day to contemplate what makes our lives really rich and a day to contemplate what we could do to protect that.”
Preceded by a non governmental organization tradeshow, the Mary Winspear Centre hosts Earth Day 2012 Dedicated to an Oil Free Coast, featuring keynote addresses by Falconer, renowned artist Robert Bateman, former CBC personality Arthur Black and Green Party MP Elizabeth May speaking to the Embridge Northern Gateway project. The proposal Falconer believes could see large oil tankers, “double the size of the Exxon Valdez” make their way through the waterways of the Great Bear Rainforest on their way to the U.S. and China.
“I think if you really are interested in this, instead of a quick brush assessment, I think it is really important to learn about what is behind the figures that have been thrown about so misleadingly and find out what you can do,” he said. “It becomes clear when you look at the numbers, it is not a question of if [an oil spill happens], it is a question of when.”
Fred Gregory, executive director for the Saanich Gulf Islands Green Party, stresses the importance of the educational aspect of Earth Day and hopes to attract more than 300 residents from across the Island to take the opportunity to listen, learn, and make informed decisions.
“The importance of Earth Day is to provide knowledge and education. In our case we felt we would focus on the tanker issue and the marine environment,” he said. “We want to inform people and give them the power to help and do something about this. I fear we will be railroaded through it. The emphasis of the talk will be to educate.”
For Falconer, a lifetime of navigating the waters of B.C., have taught him to be proactive about a lifestyle he is passionate about - and hopes the day sheds light on a proposal he believes would be a costly mistake.
“In the 35 years I have been sailing on the coast… I very quickly fell in love with it,” Falconer said. You can’t live here long without falling in love with it and when you love something, you stand up for it.”
Earth Day 2012 Dedicated to an Oil Free Coast is April 21, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Mary Winspear Centre. Admission is by donation.