1. The Cowichan Estuary, one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, but it is not currently healthy. Photo: from http://www.cowichanestuary.com/http://www.cowichanestuary.com/ David Suzuki Foundation We did not inherit the land from our ancestors; we borrowed it from our children and grandchildren. - First Nations proverb

2. “The Earth reminded us of a Christmas tree ornament that looked so fragile, so delicate, that it would crumble and fall apart”. - James Irwin (Apollo 15) “We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing we discovered was the Earth.” - William Anders (Apollo 8) “My view of our planet was a glimpse of divinity.” - Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14) Astronauts’ comments on how Earth looked from space.

3. The Blue Dot movement calls upon local communities to sign municipal declarations respecting people’s right to live in a healthy environment – clean air, clean water, and clean soils for healthy food. We should not assume that we have those rights by default. More than 110 countries recognize “the right to live in a healthy environment”, but shamefully NOT in Canada. Across Canada, cities such as Montreal QC, Le Pas MB, Vancouver Richmond, & Victoria BC, and Yellowknife NWT, among many other cities and towns, have already signed this declaration. We urge the city of Duncan to be the second municipality on Vancouver Island to make this united stand.

4. A healthy environment in Cowichan Valley would embrace: Good Water Quality Water Conservation (quantity) Improved Air Quality Reduced Pesticides, Insecticides in Soils

5. Le Pas, Manitoba accepts the Blue Dot Challenge Will Duncan also accept this challenge? The City of Victoria signed the ‘Blue Dot’ Declaration in November