December 8 was the International Day of Action on Climate Change. In Edmonton, this was expressed through a funeral for Mother Earth.
Edmonton took part with 35 other cities across the country, and Canada with other countries around the world as world leaders gathered in Bali on this very topic during the UN Climate Change Negotiations.
We marched from Canada Place to the Legislature, which is not a short route. There was an impressive turnout despite the cold temperatures, with about 150 people. I didn't freeze. I was especially concerned because the Legislature steps tend to be chilly to start with, but considering what goes on in there and the kind of givernment we have, that should come as no surprise. However, as far as I could tell, no one suffered from frostbite or hypothermia. The Raging Grannies and Notre Dame des Bananes sung, speakers led a service as the Earth was laid to rest, and the batteries in my camcorder just barely held out -- cold makes batteries drain faster.
If you are asking, "What does this have to do with peace and security," the answer is simple. The environment and peace are two issues that are intertwined. Since many of the world's wars are fought over oil, the environmental destruction caused by the recovery of oil from the earth is one step along the way to lubricating the war machine.
Here is a look at what happened:
Photos (49 images):
Videos:
Getting Started (2:16)
Procession to the Leg (3:17)
Prelude (1:52)
Notre Dames de Bananes (2:41)
Reading: History of the Earth (1:58)
Moment of Silence/Anthem: Amazing Earth (3:37)
Raging Grannies (5:50)
Eulogy (2:19)
Burial (2:03)
Aboriginal Song (3:01)
