Caitlin Crawshaw
Recent post stories by Caitlin Crawshaw
Where energy, the environment and economics meet
For those of us who live in cities, or rural areas without oil derricks or sour gas wells, the environmental damage created by the energy sector seems abstract. We go for drives in the country and everything seems hunky-dory. Then, we read the headlines. In Drayton Valley, just 20 minutes from my in-laws' farm, Petenco Resources had a nasty pipeline break that released salt water into a wetland just last year (which they neither reported to Alberta Environment nor cleaned up afterwards).Hey, at least activism is cheap!
This summer, when you’re looking for cheap sources of entertainment and socialization, why not consider a little civil participation? It’s a free way to meet like-minded people. It can be fun, liberating and a source of pride. If you’re feeling blue after job loss, under-employment or falling investments, getting out of the house to spend time with others and working towards a common cause can be empowering.The cold shuffle towards progress
Anyone with a progressive bent has these moments of dread. They’re a painful reminder that the neocons are powerful and progress can be slower than molasses in January. They’re also a reminder that we should all be doing something – anything – to push Alberta forward, when so many others want to drag us backwards or keep us frozen in the present. But, there are signs of hope, both at home and abroad.Autumn signals political change
Changes at home, and abroad, mean many changes for Albertans
Our southern neighbour is also gearing up for an election and, given the state of Canadian sovereignty and the possibility of the U.S. economy tanking, the U.S. race may influence Canadians more than our own election. Most people in my circle are following American politics with unprecedented interest.A little green goes a long way
While environmental issues feel daunting, there's lots you can do (like reading this issue before recycling it)
There are more than 3 million people in Alberta, and I would guess that most back alleys in the province look something like mine—a mix of black and blue bags. It's evidence of some degree of effort, but not a full commitment to the cause. It illustrates that most of us put in some effort when it's easy (what's easier than throwing random recyclables into a bag?).Reason for hope, this time around?
Changes in the province's demographic could spice up Alberta politics
Since the last provincial election in 2004, Alberta has changed dramatically in a myriad of ways. Some extremists argue that the province is on a steady decline, but it might be more accurate to say that the good change we've seen has been accompanied by negative changes as well—often in equal measure. Most of us have cheered, for instance, the face-lift in Edmonton's downtown core which has revitalized some under-utilized buildings in the district and brought life to the downtown. But we've also noticed the growing numbers of homeless people seeking refuge from the cold in the pedways of Edmonton centre, Calgary's C-train stations, and wherever they can throughout our province.Search the Post
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