Checkerspot (magazine)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Checkerspot is a biannual climate change magazine in Canada published by the Canadian Wildlife Federation. A free magazine, its inaugural issue was launched May 2007.
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[edit] Canadian Wildlife Federation
The Canadian Wildlife Federation, one of Canada’s largest non-profit, non-governmental conservation organizations, works to protect Canada’s wild species and spaces. Although there are skeptics, the majority of scientists and policy makers believe that Climate change presents a serious threat to wildlife worldwide. Checkerspot aims to put climate change solutions in the hands of Canadians and attempts to promote discussions on climate change.
[edit] Checkerspot’s mandate
Checkerspot attempts to empower readers to take action in their own lives by exploring lifestyle choices, including emerging ideas on food, shelter and transit options, as well as by reviewing consumer products that can contribute to a climate-friendly way of life.
Through first-rate writing, photography and illustration, Checkerspot tries to engage and inform readers about developments in science, and current ideas and innovations that could be part of the solution. By exploring a new way of thinking, a new way of living and a new way forward, Checkerspot magazine encourages discussion about how to live responsibly in a climate-changing world.
[edit] Production
Checkerspot is climate neutral. To offset the 12 tonnes of carbon emissions released during the distribution and printing of this issue, carbon credits were purchased through the Zerofootprint Offsets program to fund the planting of native trees in the Maple Ridge ecosystem of British Columbia's lower mainland. To offset the water used in the pulping process and the paper used, we contributed to one of the Toronto and Region Conservation's restoration projects, which will restore 220,000 litres to the Rouge River watershed and plant 82 trees.
[edit] Named after a butterfly
Checkerspot, named after a butterfly whose ranges are shifting as a result of global warming, aims to lift the issue of climate change from abstraction and place it where it needs to be — in the minds and on the lips of Canadians.
Like most butterflies, its survival is dependent on a few larval host plants — mostly plantains — and its fate is tied to their abundance. Urbanization, competition from invasive species and fire suppression are all examples of threats to plants in Canada that host the caterpillars of an Edith's checkerspot subspecies found in southwestern British Columbia.
The British Columbian subspecies has been endangered since 2000. Species-at-risk biologists estimate the Canadian population is under 100, but further studies in 2007 will gain better estimates. Source: Checkerspot magazine
[edit] Checkerspot Online
Join in the climate change discussion on Checkerspot’s website, where you can find discussions on climate-savvy travel, personal carbon trading, or some of your wildest ideas for climate change solutions.
[edit] The GHG Spot
Hit the spot – The GHG Spot.
Visit this new blog and follow the successes and blunders of two urbanites as they use their bus passes and their passion for the environment to learn and experience new and innovative ways to live climate-friendly without sacrificing the finer things in their chic, urban lives.
