Some may wonder why have we posted several pieces on alternative methods of transport and land conservation and wonder what do these topics have to do with Cranbrook? Living in this quiet part of the world it is difficult sometimes to come to terms with some of the major issues facing our planet. It is all too easy to assume that we are surrounded by enormous natural spaces, with crisp mountain air to breathe, that we need our SUV’s to get through winter, and there is a ready supply of food shipped in on a regular basis so we need not worry about providing our own. There is however, an obvious awakening to the realities that face our future. These realities are forcing us to look at alternative ways of doing things. Cranbrook Connected, formed as part of a condition of funds received from Terasen Gas, has been a large and valuable part of looking at Cranbrook, its’ residents and their future but we must not forget we are part of a much bigger picture.
Economy and the Environment - A lot of talk and emphasis goes on about economy but without a sustained environment there will be no economy.
In order to sustain the world and our area within it, action rather than reaction is called for. Cranbrook Connected will be presenting their conclusions and recommendations at the Monday, June 27th Council Meeting at 6:00pm.
If you cannot be there their website can be found at:
http://www.cranbrookconnected.ca/progress-our-vision-future.php
Re the comment about our assumed 'crisp mountain air'. Using information from the last decade (2003-2006) regarding coarse particulate matter level comparisons between Cranbrook, Radium, Burnaby and Prince George, data indicates that "Cranbrook's PM average is almost as high as Prince George's (95%), even though Prince George is heavy in industry and harbours almost four times the population of Cranbrook. . . Cranbrook levels are higher than Burnaby's despite the fact that Burnaby is heavy in industry and has over ten times the population of Cranbrook." The information also indicates that since 2004, annual PM averages in Cranbrook have been "under the WHO target." Am looking forward to some more recent information on Cranbrook's air quality as well as results from the 2011 Winter AQ monitoring project that was conducted in our area to give us an indication of what, if any, steps need to be taken to improve air quality.
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