On this week’s show, we’ll bring you an update on the Obed Mountain Mine release, music from Iceland’s underground rock star (not what you might think!), and the other horn of the raw milk debate—some call it udder madness, but don’t be cowed until you’ve heard the whole story.
Coal slurry (photo cred: Foo Conner – https://www.flickr.com/photos/iwasaround/12469310383)
Obed Mine Release Update
Remember the Obed Mine release in Alberta last fall? A massive plume of coal slurry spilled out of the Obed Mountain Mine near Hinton and into the Athabasca River. In our last story, we brought you some of the voices from a community forum in Edmonton: the government, the coal company responsible, and the scientists who assessed the damage. The forum provided some answers, but it also opened up more questions. Trevor Chow-Fraser has been keeping his eye on the story and brings you this update.
Lean more: Obed Mountain Mine Release – Water Quality Results (Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development)
What Páll Makes
Have you ever gone somewhere new and had the feeling that you’ve been there before? Imagine going away on a trip and finding that everything you see reminds you of home: the stores have the same shape and sell the same clothes, the restaurants serve the same sort of food, the people listen to the same kind of music…
What about somewhere unique? A place that embraces it’s own character and qualities? While traveling in Iceland last month, Terra Informa’s Chris Chang-Yen Phillips visited Húsafell to meet with Páll Guðmundsson, an artist whose local and naturally inspired work makes his home feel like one-of-a-kind.
Listen to more:
Converting to Raw Milk
According to the Canadian Dairy Information Centre, in 2012 the average Canadian drank about 78 liters of milk–an entire fridge’s worth. It’s safe to say that most Canadians like their milk, but the question of how we like it–raw or pasteurized–is a touchier subject. To learn about the appeal of raw milk, Morgana Folkmann reached out to Richard Griebel and Kathy Charpentier (relatives of Terra Informa’s own Nicole Wiart), two Castor, Alberta, farmers who, until recently, had been content with the status quo.
Learn more: Weston A. Price Foundation, Slow Food Movement, National Farmers Union, Rawmilk information
What’s Happening?
International Food Security Dialogue
Running April 30th to May 2nd, the University of Alberta will be hosting the International Food Security Dialogue. Academics from all over the world will be sharing their research on how food connects us all. Major topics include sustainable agriculture, gender, policy and nutrition. Jean Lebel, President of the International Research Development Centre, will be making a keynote address.
More information: www.foodsecuritydialog.com
Repairathon
On April 26th in downtown Toronto, take part in the Repairathon. Bring your worn out clothing down to the Artscape Wychwood Barns where volunteers will be waiting to fix them up like new. Volunteers are still needed, so if you have a knack for sewing or a secret desire to create your own clothing line, this could be your chance to shine.
More information: www.repairathon.com
