Op-€d the other press A Solution Within Reach Jay Ritchlin, Program Director, Reach for Unbleached! and Christianne Wilhelmson, Clean fir and Water Program Coordinator, Georgia Strait Alliance Where were youon October 17, 1994? For many people in the Lower Mainland, it’s likely a day that doesn’t stand out from any other. But for residents of Powell River and the nearby Sliammon First Nation, this date is remembered for how close these communities came to disas- ter. On that day, 600,000 litres of toxic chlorine dioxide gas was accidentally released from a nearby pulp mill, and only favourable winds protected these com- munities from serious harm. Eight years later, we commemorate that incident as Pulp Pollution Day and continue to look for solutions to ensure that avoiding } environmental and human health disasters is not just a matter of luck. The impact of pulp pollution on the human and environment health is as rel- evant today as it was eight years ago. Air pollution from pulp and paper mills still affects local communities’ health and water pollution still has toxic effects on fish and other marine life. Also, potentially disastrous spills like the one in 1994 are still happening. In June there was an accidental release of chlorine dioxide gas at the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper mill near Gibsons. A chlorine dioxide spill in Washington State in July forced the evacuation of the local town and netted Weyerhaeuser a $10,000 fine, the maximum possible under existing law. Pulp pollution issues can be complicated and confusing. Measuring progress is difficult especially when the industry often takes one step forward, then one step back. For example, NorskeCanada’s mill at Elk Falls, near Campbell River, recently had some of its pulp certified as eco-friendly, because it is created from 85% “waste sawdust” left over from the sawmill. It is only the second Kraft pulp prod- uct to gain this certification. The mill deserves to be commended for this and should be encouraged to look elsewhere for other energy-saving and waste-reducing options. However, this pos- itive step stands in contrast to its recent application to burn coal to power its boil- ers. This coal permit has numerous problems that are detailed in the public record on the application. If allowed by the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, the permit has the strong potential to result in negative health and environmen- tal consequences province wide. With an estimated cost saving of $3,000 - $4,000 a day, NorskeCanada’ three other BC mills are said to have applications awaiting the results of this one. Mills across BC could then follow suit. We know people are concerned about these problems because they call our organizations asking what they can do. The issues are complex and sorting out the facts from the fabrication can be overwhelming. Most people don’t have the expertise to redesign the local pulp mill, or make technical presentations in favour of stronger regulations and enforcement, but they do care. So we'd like to offer one solution that shows how everyone can play a part and make a difference. The solution is in the choices we make about the paper we all buy and use. First: Reduce, reuse, and recycle. It’s old news, but it is still critically important. Second: Make conscious choices about the paper products you buy. Ask for and buy recycled, chlorine-free paper. Tell your store managers. Ask them to give you MAILBAG RE: “Government Cuts Women’s Crisis Line” September 25th October 23, 2002 J.J. McCullough OP Cartoonist the option of buying products that are made with high recycled content (60% or more) and no chlorine-based bleaches. These products exist for most types of household and office paper. Third: Encourage companies to do a better job of complete and accurate labelling. Often, when you try to buy recycled, chlorine-free products in retail outlets, it’s hard to know if what you're buying is as environmentally responsible as you imagine. This con- fusion often means people don’t buy the greenest products. This apparent “lack of a market” is often put forth as justification for not producing chlorine-free products. Over the past four years, Reach for Unbleached! has coordinated a paper-buying club for recycled, chlorine-free office paper, and the $120,000-$200,000 in annual sales—along with the recent growth to over 1.3 million tons per year of pulp and paper products certified as recycled and chlorine-free by the Chlorine Free Products Association—proves that the market does exist. Further demand from consumers will help expand this market. Consumer choice is an incredibly powerful tool. If enough of us ask for recycled, chlo- rine-free paper, any good company will want to supply it. This demand will help them justify the costs of making environmentally responsible changes to their mills that will result in less air pollution and fewer toxins in our rivers and oceans. None of this is to say that governments should not write good environmental regula- tions and enforce them, or that people concerned about their health and the environment should stop urging mills to be better neighbours. We just thought that in recognition of Pulp Pollution Day we'd offer a solution that’s within everyone's reach. Reach For Unbleached! and the Georgia Strait Alliance continue to work for the clean production of pulp and paper and the elimination of toxic contamination from BC mills. Reading the article “Government Cuts Women’s Crisis Line”, in the September 25th edition of the Other Press, was frustrating to say the least. The article was essentially reporting on the cuts the gov- ernment has made to Women Against Violence Against Women’s 24-hour rape crisis line. It upsets me, as well as many others, that the Liberal government is setting the precedent that women’s serv- ices are not of extreme importance. | shudder to think of the gov- ernment-funded and run crisis line which will supposedly come into effect in April 2003, of which the plans have not yet been dis- closed. It is of paramount importance that women who have been attacked know that there are womens services still available. For example, Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter operates a 24-hour rape crisis line, providing emotional support, information and advocacy, as well as operating a transition house for women escaping violence. Women’s groups are also protesting against these cuts, and fighting for the services essential to women of all ages, races, backgrounds, and economic status. Women, if you have been attacked please do not let Premier Gordon Campbell's government dissuade you from seeking help from the women’s organizations in the Lower Mainland. Send the government a message: women need these services now. —Erin Sandberg