The Cowichan Estuary, one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, but it is not currently healthy. Photo: from

The Cowichan Estuary, one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, but it is not currently healthy.

Photo: from http://www.cowichanestuary.com/

David Suzuki Foundation

We did not inherit the land from our ancestors; we borrowed it from our children and grandchildren.

- First Nations proverb

“The Earth reminded us of a Christmas tree ornament that looked so fragile, so delicate, that it would crumble and fall apart”. - James Irwin (Apollo 15)

“We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing we discovered was the Earth.” - William Anders (Apollo 8)

“My view of our planet was a glimpse of divinity.” - Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14)

Astronauts’comments on

how Earthlooked from

space.

The Blue Dot movement calls upon local communities to sign municipal declarations respecting people’s right to live in a healthy environment – clean air, clean water, and clean soils for healthy food.

• We should not assume that we have those rights by default.

• More than 110 countries recognize “the right to live in a healthy environment”, but shamefully NOT in Canada.

• Across Canada, cities such as Montreal QC, Le Pas MB, Vancouver Richmond, & Victoria BC, and Yellowknife NWT, among many other cities and towns, have already signed this declaration.

• We urge the city of Duncan to be the second municipality on Vancouver Island to make this united stand.

A healthy environment in Cowichan Valley would embrace:

• Good Water Quality

• Water Conservation (quantity)

• Improved Air Quality

• Reduced Pesticides, Insecticides in Soils

Le Pas, Manitoba accepts the Blue Dot Challenge

Will Duncan also accept this challenge?The City of Victoria signed the ‘Blue Dot’ Declaration in November