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Earth Day 2021: Restore Our Earth

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Earth Day began on April 22nd, 1970 in the United States. Since then it has occurred annually for 50 years. It is now observed by a billion people in 192 countries. Each Earth Day adopts a theme; this year it is Restore Our Earth. But what do we do with that theme? Five pillars of action were pinpointed by earthday.org.

Five Pillars of Earth Day

• The Canopy Project – reforests places in urgent need of rehabilitation. This is often in communities at risk from climate change and dreadful environmental conditions.

• Foodprints for the Future – studies what impact growing, producing, transporting and storing food has on various factors: natural resources used, to resulting pollution, to the emissions of greenhouse gases.

• The Great Global Cleanup – inspires people to shrink and remove waste in their environment. Incredibly, “270,000 people die prematurely every year from uncontrolled burning of household waste, and two billion people live without any waste collection services.”

• The Climate and Environmental Literacy Initiative – complements civic education, works to create jobs, while building a green consumer market. It also assists the public in participating significantly with their governments about environmental issues.

• Global Earth Challenge – uses volunteers to aid in scientific research by monitoring threats to the environment and to human health within their communities. Through an open platform, researchers can access high-quality data for assessment of international policies, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Earth Day 2021 in the United States

President Joe Biden will host a global summit in observance of 2021’s Earth Day. Earthday.org will present a range of activities and events to spotlight “climate and environmental literacy, climate restoration technologies, reforestation efforts, regenerative agriculture, citizen science and clean ups taking place around the globe.”

What can you do?

Earthday.org invites everyone to participate in Earth Day 2021 in some way. “It is up to each and every one of us to Restore Our Earth – not just because we care about the natural world, but because we live on it. We all need a healthy Earth to support our jobs, livelihoods, health & survival, and happiness. A healthy planet is not an option – it is a necessity.”

For suggestions on how you can help, visit this earthday.org page for ideas. Though we focus on this particular “day”, participation in these activities can be any, or every, day of the year. Whether the size of your participation is small or large, you do make a difference.

Asbestos, Quebec Has A New Name

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Asbestos, Quebec has a new name after an emotional search for a new name to replace the one that once proclaimed the town’s pride as a well-known global exporter of asbestos.

The name discussion began

After years as a global supplier of asbestos from the nearby Jeffrey Mine, there was a suggestion in 2006 that a name change would benefit the town. This was rejected by many. Asbestos produced livelihoods for the community for 141 years. Even with it’s tarnished reputation as a deadly mineral, it continued its emotional attachment to many in the town. Generations worked the mine and it brought prosperity to Asbestos, Quebec.

The name discussion continued

The Jeffrey Mine closed in 2011. That made it necessary to bring in new businesses, but few were willing to attach their names to a town called Asbestos. For decades it was known that asbestos, while it had many good qualities, had negatives that were far grimmer. Exposure to asbestos can bring about lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma – a disease that can take decades to diagnose, but can kill within a year to five years. Patients rarely live any longer. Residents of Asbestos experienced the ravages of this disease, so were aware of the price paid for the years of prosperity.

With the facts undeniable, the mayor once again brought up a name change in 2019. While the emotions were still there, with many against a change, four potential names were presented to the citizens. None of these was a clear winner, so eventually six names were submitted for a vote. Residents 14 years and older were eligible.

Asbestos, Quebec has a new name

On October 19, after three rounds of voting, Val-des-Sources won with 51% of the vote. Translated, the name means “Valley of the Springs.” Nearly half the eligible population voted, 3,000 residents in all.

Huges Grimard, mayor, said, “I know that changing the name is a very emotional subject — for us, too — since the beginning. But to have all the citizens who came out to vote, that tells me that we succeeded in winning over the population, and that makes me very proud.”

Asbestos, Quebec: In Search of a New Name, or Is It?

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Asbestos, Quebec, Canada – In search of a new name to replace the one that once proclaimed the town’s pride as a well-known global exporter of asbestos. For 141 years, since the opening of the Jeffrey Mine in 1879, the town based its identity on asbestos. By the 1970s and 1980s, this fame began turning against the town. The dangers of asbestos became known, leading to problems enticing businesses to relocate to Asbestos. Fewer tourists wanted to visit for a tour of the mine.

In search of a new name for Asbestos, Quebec?

In 2006, changing the name of the town was first suggested to the citizens. The idea was rejected by many since memories of the good days were still fresh. But, in 2019, the mayor said the town no longer had a choice. Companies did not want the name Asbestos associated with them or their products. The mines closed in 2011, leaving an economic hole that needed filling.  

Finalists for the new name

Originally, a new name was scheduled for May of 2020, but the process has not gone smoothly. There are requirements for a name change, including:

• a reflection of the area or people,

• it must be in French,

• it cannot be the name of a saint or other person.

Hundreds of suggestions came in and, of those, the municipal council chose four. When the names were revealed, this town, with a population of 7,096, was not pleased. The names and associated complaints:

Apalone – a local species of turtle

A common comment stated there is no pride in living in a soft turtle city.

Jeffrey – for W.H. Jeffrey, the namesake of the Jeffrey asbestos mine

Critics say this still ties the town to asbestos and the leaders indirectly tied to the deaths of many workers. One requirement stated no names of persons.

Phénix – the mythical bird who arose from flames to begin anew

This has no connection to local history.

Trois-Lacs –  a local lake

While the name sounds inviting, it is known as one of the worst lakes in Quebec.

The voting

The mayor, Hugues Grimard, issued a statement, “I am very happy with the approach we have adopted throughout the process and especially with the involvement of our population. I invite our citizens to come and vote in large numbers!”

However, on September 16, the general manager for Asbestos, Quebec, Georges-Andre Gagne, tried to quell the conflict saying, ”some people have expressed their disagreement with the names proposed” and called for a constructive and respectful debate.

The strife is such that some citizens want to keep the name Asbestos, even though it is the name of a toxic and sometimes deadly mineral. Asbestos can cause lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma – a deadly form of cancer.

One citizen, Alexandre Cote, wrote on Facebook, “Honestly, it’s a setup to get Trois-Lacs! The rest of the names are really awful.” His comment joined the many who just said, “ridiculous!!”

The search of a new name will hopefully be settled when voted on between October 14 and 18 by citizens over 14.

Asbestos, Quebec Putting Asbestos Past Behind

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After a 120 year history, Asbestos, Quebec is putting its asbestos past behind. Asbestos is known throughout the world as a deadly mineral comprised of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled, can cause diseases such as lung cancer, the deadly mesothelioma, and asbestosis. There is no safe level of exposure according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

History of Asbestos, Quebec

In 1879, the Jeffrey Mine opened. This was the beginning of the town that bore the name of the mineral that brought wealth, high-paying employment, and – eventually – a negative notoriety to Asbestos, Quebec.

By the 1920s, the dangers of asbestos were known, but ignored. The mining companies were not willing to lose the large profits from the mines. The mineral was becoming recognized throughout the world for its many properties including insulation and fire-retardance. Products and new ways of using the mineral were rapidly created. Asbestos, Quebec became a well-known exporter of asbestos for the world. By 1969, Asbestos had to relocate from its original site to allow room for the Jeffrey Mine expansion.

However, by the 1970s and 1980s, demand began to decrease as the dangers of asbestos, known to mine owners and manufacturers since the 1920s, became known to the public as well.

It was 2011 before the mines closed, along with Jeffery Mine tours the public could take into the western world’s largest mine. With the mine closures, Asbestos was hit hard with unemployment, bringing about a need for new industries bringing jobs to the small town.

Bringing new business to Asbestos, Quebec

Town officials began a search for new businesses, but immediately ran into objections based on the town’s name. As far back as 2006, the idea of a name change was suggested to the citizens. At that time it was rejected by those who remembered the history of their town with pride, despite the reputation of asbestos. Even today, many people in Asbestos believe there is a use for asbestos under safe and controlled circumstances.

In 2019, Mayor Hugues Grimard stated, “If we want to go further in terms of economic development, then we don’t have the choice. The media attention of our past stays with us any time we do anything.” Not only the media is a roadblock, but also the reputation of the word, “asbestos.” Many corporations do not want that negative image attached to their company and products.

A few new businesses located to the town, but not nearly enough to replace the enormous economic impact of the asbestos mines. Companies that did relocate to Asbestos have to fight the town’s name with customers who often think their products contain asbestos.

And the new name is?

A notice says the “city council remains aware that the history of Asbestos and its heritage are very dear to everyone. This is why these elements will be taken into account throughout the process.”

To give everyone a chance to rename the town, the council opened the search for a new name to the citizens of Asbestos – even those as young as 14. There were several requirements for suggestions: they must reflect the area or people, no saints or other names of persons, and it must be in French. After collecting all the suggestions, a committee will review and select five or fewer to be voted on by the people. The winner will be announced in May, 2020 and Asbestos, Quebec will take on a new character – one without the dark history of asbestos.

Colombia Banned Asbestos!

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In a unanimous ruling of the Colombian Congress, Colombia banned asbestos effective immediately. The ruling makes Colombia the seventh country in the world to completely ban the mineral and it joins over sixty countries. This is a positive step to ridding the world of new asbestos products in Colombia and throughout the world.

Victims were invited to the Congress before the final vote to share their testimonies about the illnesses and deaths they, and others, experienced because of asbestos. This deadly mineral is already at least partially banned in 60 countries; however, in the United States it is still not banned though there is world-wide scientific consensus there is no safe level of asbestos.

What does this mean for Colombia?

The Colombian Congress debated for 12 years before coming to this agreement, but now there is a complete ban. Companies that produce floor tiles, adhesives, cement products, coatings, pipeline wrap, felts, and reinforced plastics and many other products will be affected. By 2021, they must change to non-harmful compounds rather than asbestos. They will be aided in the change by the Ministry of Labor. Additionally Colombia banned asbestos mining and exportation.

Why ban asbestos?

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 100,000 people die each year worldwide due to asbestos. Colombia estimates 1700 citizens died from asbestos exposure over the past 50 years. Exposure to the mineral can lead to lung cancer, asbestosis, and the deadly malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can take up to 50 years for diagnosis, but once diagnosed victims rarely live beyond two years. Fibers generally enter through the lungs. Since there is no safe level of exposure, a complete ban is essential to human health.

There will still be asbestos in products produced before the ban, this is a great first effort for Colombia to eliminate asbestos in their environment.