How the Premier Stole the Greenbelt

 

                                                      The Fish are Fasting for Wisdom from the Stars 

For the fate of humans and the fate of animals is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and humans have no advantage over the animals, for all is vanity. All go to one place, all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again.  Who knows whether the human spirit goes upward and the spirit of animals goes downward to the earth?  So I saw that there is nothing better than that all should enjoy their work, for that is their lot; who can bring them to see what will be after them?

Ecclesiates 3:19-22  NRSVue

I shared this image with you when it was framed (this is pre-framed), a print by the talented Metis artist Christi Belcourt. Ruth and I agreed it would be the last piece of art we would every acquire because we'll never live in a house this size again and we already have pieces tucked away in closets because there is no wall space.

I've come back to The Fish are Fasting as Advent draws to a close, and with it my "outside in" tour of art in our home. Our daughter-in-law, Rebekah, is a freshwater ecologist by training and works for a water issues related NGO, When she saw the print she immediately identified the various species of fish. Scientific knowlege, artist expression, and wisdom from the ages can work together. 

I've thought about this piece alot in recent weeks as an Ontarian who is appalled by the Ford government's decision to remove several thousand hectares from the Greenbelt which were supposed to be protected in perpetuity. Bill 23 also limits the role of Conservation Authorities in protecting wetlands and watersheds, as well as monitoring flood plains. With the effects of climate change this is a disaster in the making. Despite protests across the province they are forging ahead and as this brilliant cartoon by Steve Nease says, Ford is stealing our Greenbelt. 

Steve Nease

How is it that as Canada joins nearly 200 other nations in signing an agreement on protecting biodiversity our province is blundering into this irresponsible course of action that millions of us don't want, according to polls, and municipalities don't either? 

As a Christian I'm determined to sustain personal hope in the midst of bleak news about the state of our planet. At the same time I am discouraged and frustrated by those who are supposed to lead with reliance on science and common sense for the wellbeing of all consituents, including those which are not human. If the fish can seek wisdom, why not politicians?  

For decades I used a passage from chapter 3 of the Wisdom book of Ecclesiastes in funeral and memorial services. Apparently I should have read on to the verses which state that the fate of humans and other creatures is intertwined. This really is wisdom. 

The resignation by Doug Varty as Chair of the province's Species Conservation Action Agency speaks volumes