News - October 16, 2002 Semi-clad Western Models Deemed Uncharitable Cancer Society balks at donation from risque student calendar Kelly Marcella UWO Gazette LONDON, ONT. (CUP)—Not only have campus groups complained about students bar- ing skin, but the Canadian Cancer Society also has a bone to pick with this year’s “W-boys” and “W/-girls” calendars. According to Jennifer Hesse, fundraising co- ordinator for the Elgin-Middlesex Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society, the society has decid- ed not to accept the proceeds from the calen- dars, which will feature University of Western Ontario students posing in revealing clothing. Hesse said the Cancer Society turned down a proposal by Adam Luck and Brad Bloch, both second-year honours business administration students at the Richard Ivey School of Business, to become the beneficiaries of their “W” calen- dars, because it conflicted with their image. “The Canadian Cancer Society's main donor base is older and we didn’t want to be in a situ- ing opportunity,” said Sharon Lechner, manag- er of the London-Middlesex branch of the Canadian Red Cross. “It’s a tremendous opportunity. We're very grateful,” Lechner said, adding the calendars did not contradict the fundamental principles of the organization, and complied with the social justice and diversity policy of the Red Cross. The “W” calendars were received with mixed opinions last year on campus when they were introduced. The Women’s Issues Network strongly opposed the sale of the calendars and has already voiced concerns over this year's edi- tion. “] just don’t understand why we keep resort- ing to this basic level of objectifying people,” said Network co-ordinator Erin McCloskey, when news of the second round of calendars surfaced. Bie y OL Ts ation where our donors are concerned,” Hesse said. Bloch noted he and Luck will be using the ideas and wardrobes provided by the models As a result, Bloch and Luck have decided to donate this year’s calendar proceeds to the Canadian Red Cross. “The Canadian Red Cross is excited to be working with Bloch and Luck on this fundrais- Suzuki Slams Alberta Government's Anti- -yoto Tactic Scientist criticizes Alberta opposition during promo tour a Jhenifer Pabillano filberta Bureau EDMONTON (CUP)—While explaining to a University of Alberta education class the importance of seeing the world as fundamentally interconnect- ed, David Suzuki criticized the Alberta government's opposition to ratifying the Kyoto agreement. “We've had that argument for 200 years: the econ- omy comes before the right thing to do,” said Suzuki. “When Rachel Carson published Silent Spring [a seminal book on the effects of DDT], the immediate response from the chemical industry was ‘bullshit, there’s no proof at all’.” “[Alberta’s opposition has] absolutely no credibili- ty because it’s predictable and it’s always the same bloody thing,” said Suzuki. “And I’m shocked that someone as eminent as Peter Lougheed will get sucked into this whole thing.” Suzuki, a noted CBC broadcaster and environ- mentalist, visited campus last Thursday to promote his CBC series Sacred Balance. The series details Suzuki’s environmental philosophy, describing the global environment as crucially interdependent and very vulnerable to human actions. themselves, who have final approval in deciding which pictures appear in the calendar. “I don’t really feel that they're exploiting peo- ple,” Lechner said. While the economy has increasingly become the bottom line in world decisions, said Suzuki, global emphasis should truly be on the needs of the planet: clean air, water, energy, and biodiversity. “We're trying to protect the economy at all costs, instead of the planet that supports us,” said Suzuki. But Suzuki also stressed an unusual aspect in his view of the world: the human need for love in the world. Only through love can humans truly realize them- selves, and find the empathy to take care of the plan- et they are given, said Suzuki. “When I say [love], I find that scientists’ eyeballs just turn up and they go, ‘My God, he’s finally flipped out and gone over to the New Age side,” laughed Suzuki. “But I mean that in the most scien- tifically profound way.” The solutions to the commodification of the plan- et, said Suzuki, can only rest with the careful but determined action of people. Suzuki highlighted cities as opportunities for efficiency, urging the reduction of car use and efficient transit, and cham- the other pre Who knows how far they’ll go. Volunteer now and help them find out. 1-B88-SCOUTS-NOW » www.scouts.ca pioning diversity in city neighbourhoods, ra than homogenization. “If you own a sports utility vehicle, you don’t gi a shit about the environment, so let’s just say it t] way it is,” said Suzuki. Suzuki also outlined a goal of reaching one milliq individuals with his message, and asking them change small things about their lifestyles in order recognize the precarious situation the planet faces “Each of us is insignificant—we’re just a tiny pa of a big problem. But if millions of us take smg steps to change our lives, then we have something said Suzuki. “If Rick Mercer can get 1.5 million pe ple to ask Stockwell Day to change his name Doris, then we can get a million people to do so thing about our home, the biosphere.” Suzuki’s visit wasn’t a new event: he taught gend ics at the University of Alberta from 1962 to 196 his first teaching job after graduating from colleg He will return on January 9 as part of the stude union’s Revolutionary Speaker Series, which fe tured Ralph Nader last month. © page 4