Showing posts with label water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label water. Show all posts

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Plugged In and Tapped Out-Conclusion

Thank You for Joining the Conversation

Thank you for following our series on British Columbia’s energy challenges and the impact of climate change.

We’ve explored the risks of shrinking water supplies, the hidden costs of AI and data centers, the dangers of relying on imported power, and the urgent need for local renewable solutions.

Now it’s time to take what we’ve learned and keep pushing for a sustainable, resilient energy future.

Resources to Learn More and Get Involved

Feel free to share this series, discuss these issues with your community, and stay engaged.

Together, we can help shape a better future.

Sunday, May 25, 2025

Too Hot to Handle: Why Seniors Are Still Struggling to Get Air Conditioners in BC

 By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

In the summer of 2021, BC was scorched by a record-breaking heat dome that took the lives of at least 619 people — most of them seniors, low-income, or vulnerable. But emergency room workers and frontline responders say the real number could be more than twice that — closer to 1,500.

That summer changed everything — or at least, it should have.

The government made promises. Programs were announced. Free air conditioners would be made available to low-income seniors and people with health concerns. It sounded good… on paper.

But the reality?

My 75-year-old friend — living alone, on a fixed income — tried to get one. The process was so complicated, with online forms, confusing eligibility rules, and little to no support, that she gave up.

And I don’t blame her.

Where was the help? Where was the outreach? Why weren’t workers sent door-to-door, like they were with census or vaccine rollouts?

Fast-forward to this summer — 2025. Heat records are being broken again. Environment Canada is warning of warmer-than-normal temperatures. We don’t know if another extreme event is coming, but what we do know is:

  • Many of the most vulnerable still don’t have air conditioners.
  • Those free AC programs were one-offs, and new ones (if any) are buried in red tape.
  • New tariffs on imported goods could drive up the cost of air conditioners and fans, making it even harder for people on social assistance or pensions to prepare.

We need to ask the hard questions now — not after another tragedy.

  • Will BC Hydro offer meaningful help this summer — and actually make it accessible?
  • Will non-profits and housing agencies step up with real distribution plans?
  • Will the government finally take heat and housing seriously — not as luxury issues, but as matters of life and death?

Because if we wait until another crisis hits, it will be too late again — and the people paying the price will be the same ones ignored in 2021.

Let’s not let this be another “we didn’t see it coming” moment.

If you or someone you know is struggling to prepare for summer heat, let’s talk. Let’s share stories. Let’s build solutions.

We can't afford silence — or another cover-up.


Friday, May 23, 2025

Plugged in and Tapped Out-Part 5

Solutions on the Horizon: Renewable Energy and Community Power

The good news? There are promising solutions emerging to address BC’s energy challenges.

The provincial government’s recent calls for renewable energy projects show an awareness of the problem and a commitment to action. Wind farms, solar arrays, and small-scale hydro projects are all part of the mix.

More importantly, many of these projects involve partnerships with First Nations communities, bringing local knowledge and stewardship to energy development.

Community Power: Taking Control Locally

Community-led renewable energy initiatives offer a powerful way to build resilience and keep energy dollars within BC.

By investing in decentralized, clean energy sources—like rooftop solar panels, small wind turbines, and microgrids—local communities can reduce dependence on distant dams and power plants.

It’s a model that strengthens communities, creates jobs, and helps protect the environment.

But these efforts need support: policy backing, funding, and public awareness.

Plugged in and Tapped Out- Part 4

Facing the Heat: Rising Demand and Our Energy Crunch

Hotter summers are becoming the new normal in British Columbia. With heat waves increasing in frequency and intensity, more people are turning to air conditioners and cooling systems to stay safe and comfortable.

This surge in cooling demand is putting extra pressure on an already strained electricity grid.

Remember: BC’s hydroelectric system depends on water—water that’s becoming less reliable every year due to shrinking snowpacks and droughts.

The Perfect Storm: More Heat, Less Power

Here’s the challenge:

  • More heat → higher electricity use for air conditioning and cooling
  • Less water → less hydroelectric power available to meet that demand
  • More AI and tech growth → even greater power needs

Without smart planning and investment, we risk blackouts, higher power costs, and an unstable grid.

It’s clear: we need to adapt our energy system to the new climate reality or face serious consequences.

Sunday, April 27, 2025

The Crisis We Must Watch: Water, War, and Wisdom

 

In a world already burdened by climate change, inequality, and division, a new danger is quietly brewing — one that too few people are noticing.

Tensions between India and Pakistan over water are escalating.
The recent suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty could trigger not just political unrest, but agricultural collapse, mass migration, and environmental devastation.

We have seen these patterns before:

  • After 9/11, entire populations were blamed for the actions of a few extremists.
  • In Gaza and Israel, countless innocent civilians have paid the price for violent acts they did not commit.
  • Around the world, the cycle of revenge and retaliation continues to blind societies to the real solutions: dialogue, justice, and compassion.

When will humanity finally learn that "an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind"?


Why This Situation Is So Dangerous

  • Pakistan depends on the Indus River for nearly 80% of its agriculture.
  • India controls key upstream water flows under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty — one of the most important water-sharing agreements in the world.
  • Without water, crops fail. Without crops, food shortages follow.
  • Starvation leads to desperation — theft, violence, collapse.

This is not a distant political problem.
It is a human survival crisis in slow motion.

And it won't stay contained.

When desperate people flee their homes in search of survival,

  • Borders strain;
  • Economies are disrupted;
  • Societies fracture.

The Environmental Domino Effect

Beyond the human suffering, the land itself will suffer.

Without stable irrigation:

  • Fields turn to dust.
  • Soil quality collapses.
  • Ecosystems die off.
  • Weather patterns shift, making the land even more vulnerable to future droughts and famine.

This is a cascading environmental disaster that could worsen climate change itself in the region.

The Earth cannot survive another blind war — especially one rooted in water scarcity.


A Global Concern

Here in Canada, in the United States, and across Europe,
we are already seeing the human waves created by instability.
Many Indian families, and increasingly Pakistani families too, are sending their children abroad to study, to build safer futures.

These families are not enemies. They are trying to survive.

We owe it to them — and to our collective future — to advocate for:

  • Diplomacy over destruction,
  • Stewardship over exploitation,
  • Compassion over cruelty.

Someone Needs to Speak to Power

At this critical moment, the world needs courageous voices willing to say:

  • Water must never be used as a weapon.
  • Human lives must not be politicized or criminalized because of the actions of extremists.
  • Environmental devastation is a global emergency, not a regional inconvenience.

Leaders in India — and in Pakistan — must recognize that the future of their nations, and of the world, depends on restraint, cooperation, and wisdom.

If pride and politics take precedence over human survival,
then no victory will be possible — only shared ruin.


"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed."
— Mahatma Gandhi


A Calm Call to Action

We do not write this to sow panic, but to encourage awareness and action.

We urge:

  • Journalists to report thoughtfully, avoiding blanket blame.
  • Citizens to stay informed and share credible information.
  • Governments to prioritize water diplomacy and conflict prevention.
  • Environmental organizations to spotlight the looming ecological risks.
  • Community leaders to advocate for peace and solidarity.

War over water won't just drown one nation.
It will flood us all.

The time to watch, to care, and to speak is now.


#WaterIsLife

#PeaceNotWar

#ClimateCrisis

#WaterConflict

#EnvironmentalJustice

#GlobalSolidarity

#ActForPeace

#NoWarOverWater

#IndusRiver #ProtectOurFuture

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Survival 101: Finding & Purifying Water in the Wild

 Survival 101: Finding & Purifying Water in the Wild

Introduction
Water is the most critical survival resource—humans can survive weeks without food but only a few days without water. Whether you’re lost in the wilderness or facing an emergency, knowing how to find and purify water can be the difference between life and death.


Step 1: Finding Water Sources

Look for these natural water sources:
✅ Rivers & Streams – Flowing water is usually cleaner than stagnant water.
✅ Lakes & Ponds – Can work, but require purification.
✅ Rainwater – Safe to drink if collected cleanly.
✅ Morning Dew – Collect on grass with cloth, then wring it out.
✅ Tree Crotches & Rock Crevices – Sometimes hold rainwater.
✅ Animal Trails & Insect Activity – Often lead to water sources.

πŸ’‘ Tip: Always look upstream for signs of contamination (dead animals, human activity).


Step 2: Filtering & Purifying Water

Even clear water can contain bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Here’s how to make it safe:

1. Boiling (Most Effective)

πŸ”₯ Bring water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute (3 minutes at high altitudes).
πŸ”₯ Let it cool before drinking.

2. DIY Water Filtration

🌿 Simple Cloth Filter: Pour water through a clean cloth to remove debris.
πŸ₯€ Sand & Charcoal Filter:

  • Cut a bottle (or use a hollowed-out log).
  • Layer charcoal → sand → small rocks to trap dirt and bacteria.
  • Pour water through multiple times.

3. Sunlight Purification (SODIS Method)

☀️ Fill a clear plastic or glass bottle with water.
☀️ Place in direct sunlight for 6+ hours to kill bacteria.

4. Chemical Purification

πŸ’Š Use water purification tablets (iodine or chlorine).
πŸ’Š If unavailable, add 2 drops of bleach per liter of water, shake, and wait 30 minutes.


Step 3: Storing & Conserving Water

  • Use only when necessary – Ration wisely.
  • Store in clean containers – Avoid contamination.
  • Avoid excessive sweating – Rest in the shade to conserve hydration.

Real-Life Applications

🚢‍♂️ Lost while hiking? Look for downhill areas where water collects.
🌧️ Camping in the rain? Set up large leaves or tarps to collect rainwater.
πŸ”₯ No pot for boiling? Use hot rocks to heat water in a wooden bowl.


Call to Action

Would you be able to find water if you had to? Try one of these methods and share your experience in the comments! πŸŒΏπŸ’§


Monday, March 10, 2025

Open Letter to Premier David Eby

 


Open Letter to Premier David Eby: Protect BC’s Water Before It’s Too Late

Dear Premier David Eby,

British Columbia is facing an urgent crisis—our water is at risk, and we need strong leadership to protect it. While the world watches billionaires and politicians like Donald Trump eye our freshwater, BC cannot afford to be complacent. Our rivers, lakes, and aquifers belong to the people, not corporations, and certainly not foreign interests looking to profit off our most precious resource.

We demand immediate action to ensure that BC’s water stays in BC. Here’s what must be done:

  1. Ban Bulk Water Exports Permanently – Close all legal loopholes that allow for water sales under trade agreements. No more backdoor deals or corporate lobbying.
  2. End Corporate Water Theft – NestlΓ©, Coca-Cola, breweries, fracking companies, and others take massive amounts of BC water for pennies while communities struggle. This must stop.
  3. Support Indigenous Water Sovereignty – Many First Nations in BC still don’t have clean drinking water, while corporations profit off the land. Indigenous leadership must be respected in all water policy decisions.
  4. Expose and Resist Foreign Water Interests – Any attempt by US politicians or corporations to push for Canadian water should be publicly condemned. BC is not for sale.
  5. Protect Public Access to Clean Drinking Water – Climate change and droughts are getting worse. We need a plan to prioritize drinking water for residents over corporate profits.

Premier Eby, we need you to stand up for BC. People are watching, and we will not accept weak policies that allow our water to be drained, sold, and privatized. We urge you to take a strong, public stand to protect BC’s water for future generations.

Sincerely,
Tina Winterlik 

Born and Raised here in BC


Saturday, September 9, 2017

Praying for all in Hurricane Irma's Path






















 Sending LOVE and LIGHT and PRAYERS you are all going to be okay!



Related Links:
What can we learn from Hurricane Katrina?
Have You Heard of Peace Prayer Flag Project  

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Happy World Oceans Day!

Happy World Oceans Day! I just realized something this morning... "We can never be free until the water is free! " I don't mean monetary, I am talking about water...in a stream, ocean, river, not forced into pipes and dams and prison really. What have we done to water. :( :( Have you told the water lately that you "love it!" You should. It apparently has amazing healing and networking abilities and by telling it that it's loved, it will go out and heal any water it mixes with. Have I told you lately that "I love you". Do you remember you are mostly water?

#WaterIsLife #Freedom #HappyWorldOceansDay #SaveMyCoast

Photography by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2017

Photography by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2017

Photography by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2017

Photography by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2017

Photography by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2017

Photography by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2017

Photography by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2017

Photography by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2017

Photography by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2017

Photography by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2017

Photography by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2017

Photography by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2017


Monday, October 3, 2016

Can Anybody Hear Me? @UN @UNFCCC @COP22


Hello,
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone at home?



















https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/09/link-arms-fishfarmsgetout-cleansing-our.html



Hello,
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone at home?

Come on now
I hear you're feeling down
Well, I can ease your pain
And get you on your feet again

Relax
I'll need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?

There is no pain, you are receding
A distant ship smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain, you would not understand
This is not how I am
I have become comfortably numb

I have become comfortably numb

O.K.
Just a little pin prick
There'll be no more aaaaaaaah!
But you may feel a little sick

Can you stand up?
I do believe it's working, good
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on, it's time to go.

There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
When I was a child
I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown
The dream is gone
I have become comfortably numb.


Thursday, August 25, 2016

DID NOT CONSULT- LAKOTA-Standing Rock













































Related Links:
Beautiful Totem Pole Ceremony Today #NoKinderMorgan
https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/08/beautiful-totem-pole-ceremony-today.html

Call to Action of Indigenous People's-Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/08/call-to-action-of-indigenous-peoples.html 





In Solidarity with Sacred Stone Camp - North Dakota
https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/08/in-solidarity-with-sacred-stone-camp.html

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

CALL OUT TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE #ImperialMetalsNoMore

WATCH VIDEOS ON THE BOTTOM OF PAGE!
They will make you cry!!



#ImperialMetalsNoMore

Call out to all Indigenous Peoples of the world. Canadian Mining companies are destroying Indigenous land all over the world and must end.

Read about the Mount Polley Disaster News Articles here
https://imperialnomore.com/buzz/





Donate now to the GoFundMe Campaign! https://www.gofundme.com/imperialnomore

Today the Secwepemc Women’s Warrior Society and Ancestral Pride launch the Imperial No More Campaign. We are launching this campaign to stop Imperial Metals before they cause any more violence and devastation to the lands, waters and our lives. We are seeking support to protect our unceded territories and to ensure the children of all people can eat the salmon and breathe the air, we cannot do it without your support.

https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2014/08/warrior-women-mount-polley-mother.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Polley_mine_disaster

Investigation of root cause

On 18 August, the BC government with support of the Soda Creek Indian Band and Williams Lake Indian Band ordered an independent engineering investigation into the pond breach, and a third-party review of all 2014 dam safety inspections for every permitted mine's tailings pond in the province. The panel reviewing this breach was composed of Norbert Morgenstern, P.Eng., Dirk van Zyl, P.Eng., and Steven Vick. Their final report was published January 31, 2015.[12] The investigation covered many factors including the question of whether the piezometers measuring the water pressure on the dam had been located correctly. The last readings, 2 August 2014, did not show any changes in the water pressure.[2] On 1 February 2015, the Globe and Mail reported a principal finding of the panel determined the tailings dam collapsed because of its construction on underlying earth containing a layer of glacial till that had been unaccounted for by the company's original engineering contractor.[17]










Saturday, August 13, 2016

We Can't Live with Out Water!! URGENT CALL TO ACTION!!!

What: Kinder Morgan Petition Delivery and Town Hall
When: Wednesday August 17th @ 2:00pm
Where: outside the entrance of the SFU Segal building ay 500 Granville Street


Join us at 2:00pm right before the public town hall on Kinder Morgan begins in downtown Vancouver for a massive petition delivery to show the overwhelming ntional opposition to the project.

We'll gather outside the SFU Segal Building at 2pm to present 144,000+ petition signatures from For the Coast coalition members for delivery to the Kinder Morgan panel.

We will all go in together for the town hall that starts at 2:30 - 7:30 PM. More details about the town hall are here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1735292126759599/

This is being organized by the For The Coast coalition http://www.forthecoast.ca/

This action is taking place on unceded xΚ·mΙ™ΞΈkwΙ™y̓Ι™m, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and SΙ™l̓ílwΙ™taΚ” territories













Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Tsleil-Waututh Nation Canoe Connection & More

Came across this wonderful video today! So beautiful, makes me want to get a canoe.

By Ernest Ignatius Nicholas George II
"Iggy" as he is know to his friends is also known as the Hereditary Chief Sla-holt.

Maybe this is what's missing in my life...the connection to the water...I love water, I always have to live or be near water...my dad had a boat when I was little and I loved to be in or on the water.










http://twnsacredtrust.ca/
The Sacred Trust is an initiative of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. The Sacred Trust is mandated to oppose and stop the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline project. This site is officially sanctioned by Tsleil-Waututh Chief and Council. The information shared on this site is from many sources and is presented without prejudice. 

Visit the Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/Tsleil-Waututh-Nation-Sacred-Trust-630937800297791/?fref=nf




Friday, May 13, 2016

GREEN ROOFS- IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES

Wow, this is interesting?



Now I have been researching about green roofs and Vancouver we need to GREEN EVERY ROOF!!

Just check out these little photoshopped IMAGINE THE POSSIBLITIES!
Here's a few links to check out too!

MORE great green roof videos here...
https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/04/why-we-need-green-walls-and-green-roofs.html
https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/04/green-ideas-solutions.html
https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/03/vancouver-city-we-need-to-grow-our-own.html

IMAGINE IF THIS ROOF WAS GREEN!!

Photos/Art © 2016 Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

Photos/Art © 2016 Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

 IMAGINE IF THESE ROOFS WERE GREEN!!
Photos/Art © 2016 Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

Photos/Art © 2016 Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

 IMAGINE IF THESE ROOFS WERE GREEN!!
Photos/Art © 2016 Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

Photos/Art © 2016 Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

  IMAGINE IF THESE ROOFS WERE GREEN!!
Photos/Art © 2016 Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

Photos/Art © 2016 Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

Photos/Art © 2016 Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

Photos/Art © 2016 Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

 IMAGINE IF THESE ROOFS WERE GREEN!!
Photos/Art © 2016 Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

Photos/Art © 2016 Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita
Look at all these roofs- they could be green-  

 IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES

Photos/Art © 2016 Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

Photos/Art © 2016 Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

Photos/Art © 2016 Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita