Page 6- Over The Edge - November 26, 1996

An Overdue Update of an
Event Sponsored by PGPIRG

The following is a brief
overview of the video
presentation ”Forests
Forever” and open discussion
on Friday evening, November
29 at UNBC. The video was
produced by an independent
video production house,
Variations on a Wave in
Victoria, that creates programs
about the environment, human
rights, and development issues.
The video contained interviews
with Patrick Moore of Forest
Alliance, explaining how
groups like SHARE and Forest
Alliance are industry
controlled, funded, and
initiated. From the forest
industry perspective, Moore
stressed, the importance of
public relations, advertising
campaigns, and their role in
“controlling” what the public

receives and understands
concerning BC’s forest
industry.

Immediately following the
video, a panel of people
presented various views of the
forest industry today. The
panel members consisted of an
employee of the Prince George
Ministry of Forests, the two
producers of the video
»Forests Forever”, a member
from the forest industry, as

well as two senior
Environmental Studies
students (one of whom
moonlights as a kayak

professional in Tofino and the
other a summer silviculture
contractor). Following the
views briefly presented by each
panel member was an open
forum with the audience
expressing concerns and asking
questions of the panel
members.

The evening was attended by
approximately 100 people, all
of whom are from all walks of

Application for
1997-1998
RESIDENT ASSISTANT

+++

Available at
Housing Services Department
&

Residence Life Office (Res !)

bbe

Application deadline: January 31 st

For further information contact:
Residence Life Coordinator @ 960-6435

life (and occupation). There
were a few general concerns
repeated throughout the open
discussion. Briefly, some of
the concerns and opinions
expressed were:

- the belief that there is a
general lack of accurate
information regarding BC’s
forestry practices, both in the
past and at present.

- the absence of First Nations
representation in forest
development decisions and
management.

- the exact meaning of
‘sustainability’... a present
‘buzz word’ that is vulnerable
to subjective interpretations.
- the last was probably the
most echoed concern of the
evening from both the panel
members and the audience.
Are the present and proposed
forestry practices applied in
BC ‘sustainable’?

Perhaps one of the most
interesting pieces of
information in the video is the
fact that jobs are not being lost
because of environmentalism
(as the forest industry would
like the public to believe), but
because of mechanization. The
total casualty figure given in
the video was an alarming
27,000.... it is no wonder why
Forest Alliance, Patrick Moore
specifically, has been dogging
the tour of this video; we can’t
have the truth leaking out!

After an hour and a half of
open forum, the evening came
to an end (at 10 p.m.!),
finalizing what was felt to be
a very informative and
enlightening evening for all in

. attendance.

Note: for further information
about the video, the British
Columbia Environmental
Report / Winder 1996, p. 25
contains an article by one of
the video producers; Mike
Simpson; recommended
reading.

What exactly
is PIRG up to?
Read on!

The Prince George Public
Interest Research Group
(PGPIRG) is a student run,
student funded, non-profit
society operating out of
UNBC. Our mandate is to
promote and conduct research,
education, and action on issues
of social change and the
environment. The PGPIRG.
office serves as a resource
centre for student action with
a library full of hard to find
information about social and
environmental issues (which
anyone can use), as well as
funding and staff members who
are there to support your work
in any way that we can. PIRG
operates on consensus, which
is a non-hierarchical way of
organizing and making
decisions.
opinions and feelings are
equally valued.

Currently, PGPIRG consists of
four action groups, two staff
people, and a board (who deal
with all of the exciting
financial and administrative
decisions). There are also
general volunteers who help
out in the office and with
specific events.

The four action groups are:
Composting Group: They
implement and maintain the
UNBC composting program.
Meetings are Mondays at
$:15pm.

Recycling Group: Currently
focusing on implementing a
recycling program in the
residences. Meetings are
Wednesdays at 12:00pm.
Organic Food Co-op: We are
looking to get hooked up with
local organic producers this
semester. We may also be
ordering more honey, and
placing another Horizons
order. No set meeting time yet.
Anti-Sexist Cool Guys: Men
fighting patriarchy. Finally!!
Meetings are Tuesdays at
12:00pm.

Everyone’s-

Everyone is welcomed (and
encouraged!) to get involved in
any of these action groups. If
you have ideas for an action
group or a specific project,
please stop by and we’ll help
you get started.

Potential projects for the
semester include organizing
mill tours for students,
conducting a hazardous waste
audit of the campus, and
offering public consensus
decision making workshops for
the community.

PIRGAPALOOZA will be
happening again on
Wednesday, January 29 in the
afternoon. This event is a
couple of hours of music,
poetry, performance art,
etc...about social justice or
environmental issues. Want to
perform? Contact Jenny at
960-7474.

You may have noticed a four
or two dollar PIRG fee on your
tuition forms. This is how we
get the money to provide all of
these important resources,
great programs and events.
Everyone who has paid their
fee is amember of PIRG. This
entitles you to use the library,
be on the Board of Directors,
and vote in the annual general
meeting, as well as in any
elections or referenda
concerning PIRG. We
recognize that some people
may not support the work of
PIRG nor wish to be a member,
so we offer refunds. If you
want your money back, just
stop into the office (7-234a
right across from the
bookstore) on Mon.-Thurs.
between 10:30 and 3:30.

If you have any questions, or
would like to get involved, stop
in to the office, or call (960-
7474), or e-mail at
pgpirg@unbc.edu