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A newbie guide to Vancouver

By
Peak Web
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PHOTO: Kyle Thacker / UNSPLASH

By: Daniel Salcedo Rubio

Don’t worry, today I’m not speaking about science at all, I’m actually going to talk about my experience in Vancouver so far. Vancouver is such a beautiful and diverse place — and like most cities, there are tons of things to do. This is aimed towards the new arrivals rather than Vancouver veterans, but maybe even locals will find something interesting to do if you keep reading. 

The Food

As I said, Vancouver is a beautiful and diverse city, not only in its people but also in its foods, from getting breakfast on Granville Island to enjoying the Richmond Night Market. Here are some of my recommendations if you ever want to eat out:

IKEA 9.5/10

I don’t care what Disney says, IKEA is the real “happiest place on Earth.” Imagine, you just moved into the city, and you need some furniture for your new place: where do you go? IKEA, of course. So after what feels like five hours of aimlessly walking around and realising you only have the budget for a chair, a fork, and one hanger, you find yourself in their restaurant ordering some Swedish meatballs and poutine. And why is it so good? Is it dehydration from being lost for the last five hours? Who knows; just put your earphones on, play ABBA’s greatest hits, and enjoy the wonders Sweden has given us.

Tim Hortons 8/10

I’ll begin by saying I love Tims. Harvest Breakfast Sandwich on an English muffin, a sour cream glazed doughnut, and an iced coffee? I would order it every single day if I had the money. The only reason I’m not giving it a higher note is there isn’t much variety in their sandwich menu, but their baked goods compensate for it. Also, if you prefer Starbucks over Tim Hortons, I’ll fight you.

Honey Doughnuts & Goodies 10/10

These doughnuts. God . . . no words. Try every single flavour, but the must-try is their speciality: the honey-glazed doughnuts.

Vonns 8/10

This tiny restaurant is located right by English Bay. To be completely honest, the hamburgers are good, but not impressive. But their truffle fries are mouth-wateringly tasty. These are french fries with truffle and parmesan cheese. My recommendation is, don’t eat there, just order some fries to-go and take them to English Bay to watch the sunset. Just be sure to clean up after yourself and be careful with the seagulls!

Of course, there are so many more restaurants out there that you should try. I love eating in a Japadog every now and then and Donair Dude has become a staple after a night at Cambie. Before moving to the next section, I want to give an honourable mention to some of my favourite Canadian snacks: I can easily down a whole bag of Ketchup chips, All-Dressed, and Canadian Oreos (you know, those maple leaf-shaped cookies with maple cream filling) are beyond delicious. 

The Hikes

Okay, I want to start by saying that I’m scared and also impressed at how casual some Vancouverites are with the chance of crossing paths with a bear on many hikes. On the other hand, I totally understand — there are some beautiful hiking trails out there that are totally worth the risk of running into a bear. So far my favourite trails have been:

Lighthouse Park | West Vancouver

Not sure if this can be considered a hiking trail or just a park. Anyways, this is a relatively small hike that will eventually take you to the Lighthouse viewpoint, which is quite pretty. There’s another path near the cabins that will take you all the way to the shore where you can catch a beautiful view of the Lighthouse during the sunset. Also, if you are lucky enough, you might get to see a sea lion poking their head out of the sea. Do I need to say more?

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge | North Vancouver

Do you want to see the Capilano Bridge but don’t feel like spending $40 on the entrance fee? Then Lynn Canyon is for you! Whilst small, this trail still offers great views of the suspension bridge and the Twin Falls bridge. The trail is incredibly well kept and you can feel at peace with nature here. In my opinion, this is probably the best trail to go with some sandwiches, coffee, and just chill by the river.

Diez Vistas Trail | Anmore

To be honest, I kinda hate and love this trail. On one hand, the views (or at least the one view I got to see) are beautiful; on the other hand, getting to the first viewpoint is brutal. I know I don’t have the best stamina out there, but I swear the first 2km are ridiculously steep. I almost quit before getting to the first viewpoint, but thankfully I’m a stubborn Latino and I managed to get to Punta del Este. I must say, totally worth it. I’m also giving extra points to Diez Vistas because Buntzen Lake is literally only a 10-minute walk from the start of the trail — this is literally the perfect day plan.

Activities and others

The ten-stop Vancouver Bike trail

You’ve probably been recommended to do the Stanley Park seawall trail, and yeah, you totally should. Rent a bike near Coal Harbor and then move towards the start of the Stanley Park seawall. Enjoy some of the best views towards the north shore and the Lions Gate bridge, and take a quick break on either the Third or Second Beaches before getting to English Bay Beach. Afterwards, you should move towards Sunset Beach and continue the path along False Creek: you’ll pass by Science World and eventually end up at Granville Island. 

Once in Granville, take a short break, grab something to eat, and maybe some blue raspberry gelato from Pizza Pzazz. Fresh and ready to move on? Probably not, we’ve been biking all day. Anyways, your next stop after Granville Island should be Kitsilano Beach, you can either stop here and look for a restaurant or just keep going all the way towards Jericho Beach. Almost done! Keep cycling all the way towards UBC alongside Wreck Beach and finish your trail at the Pacific Spirit Regional park. 

Before even beginning, be mindful, this trail is over 32km. You’ll probably spend a good part of the day doing it. Make sure you bring enough water, snacks, and sunscreen!

Richmond Night Market

We might be a bit late for this one, but keep it on your list for next year. Are you hungry for a sushi taco, a deep-fried bao bun and some South American-inspired drinks? Then the Richmond Night Market is for you. There’s so much to do that my only recommendation is to go on an empty stomach. Take your time and enjoy everything the market has to offer —  believe me, it’s a lot, so you’ll probably need to go a couple of times.

Of course, there are many more things to do in Vancouver than what I can write about in this guide. Yet, I hope you found something new to do or something you’ve already done and want to try again. If you have any recommendations or you truly want to fight me over Tim Hortons being better than Starbucks, I suggest you contact me and write an article on your own personal guide to Vancouver! 

Confessionals: I look at episode summaries of shows I say I’ll watch

By
Peak Web
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Illustration of a closed envelope, with the text, “Confessionals”
ILLUSTRATION: Marissa Ouyang /The Peak

By: Showstopper

Dearly beloved, sinners, and worse, drivers in downtown Vancouver,

I come to this sacred space to confess another crime. It has taken me years to admit this about myself, but I think it’s always good to set examples of moral backbone to the younger generations. Alright, here goes nothing. I . . . look at Wikipedia summaries of shows I never intend to watch. That’s right, every single friend that asks, “Have you watched x or y?” I will confidently say yes and deliver the episode summary in full with not a single ounce of shame in my moralless backbone. 

Well, just as an example, I don’t really want to watch House of the Dragon because I’m too poor to afford another subscription service. But like, I have to admit there’s only so much you can talk about an uncle and a niece being into each other before you look up something. You get curious! And like, five seasons of Riverdale is too long! Why can’t I watch clip compilations instead and hour long videos of people talking about the show instead? Why can’t I also enjoy the epic highs and lows of high school football?!

The problem, I think, is some people believe I can’t enjoy any show I watch because I look up the critical emotional climaxes before I absorb them in the moment. What these people don’t understand about me is that my impulse control is about as long as my phone, which I’m using to look up an episode summary of Gray’s Anatomy right now. No emotional climax will ever be as gratifying as the knowledge of being right. There’s no such thing as skillful cinematography! No such thing as a satisfying experience! I don’t see it, so I don’t believe it!

I just want to say that I feel like people like me are persecuted when what I’m doing is well within the rights of personal speech. Sure, it’s also well in the realm of an ethical donut hole, but that doesn’t matter! If I feel like I should know something so I can look informed during brunch, why shouldn’t I indulge a little?

. . . So I have another little, tiny, teensy secret for you. It’s really surprising. I’m sure you’ll get it because you are all understanding and kind folks. I flip to the last page of a book to make sure it’s worth reading. Hehe, I guess you could say I live on the wild side.

Letter to a legend: My first role model

By
Peak Web
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photo a woman stretching on the ground, leaning over to reach her partner
Mental coaching: I never stopped learning lessons about myself from your teaching. PHOTO: Kampus Production / Pexels

By: Nercya Kalino, Staff Writer

Dear Ms. Dines, 

I decided to write to you because before we met, I hated sports so much. The idea of having to continuously push myself, and test my own mental strength and stamina through movement was so foreign to me. I remember how everyone had immense respect for you, and your tenacity to help student athletes reach their breakthrough.

I also remember the first time I asked you to help me improve my physical health. I want to say thank you for being the first role model in my life to have a lasting impact on my beliefs. Thank you for pushing me to realize that my mind only gets stronger each time I exceed my own expectations. Most of that experience came from being a team player for my classmates. The thought of showing up and getting better for myself and everyone else around me really helped me grow.  I will never forget when you told me, “Just because you practice, doesn’t mean you will get better. Practice does not always equate to perfect results. If you practice the wrong fundamentals, then it’s a waste.” You spoke to the part of me I didn’t know existed — the part that craved movement. 

I wrote this letter to tell you I haven’t been able to find another coach like you. I came to university, and as I approach graduation I ask myself, “Why on earth did I not pursue sports?” It just felt so foreign to move on without your lead. Like I was starting back at step one. Thinking about you made me realize that I need to be physically active for my health. I am still learning about which activities excites me, but for now, aerobics and walking feel good enough for me.

Sincerely, 
Nercya

Hidden Gems: Date spots for lovers or friends

By
Peak Web
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The back of a person walking through the aisle of a book shelf
PHOTO: Ritu Mehra

By: Ritu Mehra, SFU Student

Par-Tee Putt on Smithe St.
Location: 670 Smithe St., Vancouver

When it comes to planning a date, I’m a big fan of eating while doing fun activities. Par-Tee Putt, the first indoor mini golf bar in Vancouver that just opened its doors, is a great place to do that. With nostalgic music, yummy food, and 18 themed holes (some of which are Vancouver landmark-themed), you don’t even need to know what a golf club is to have a good time. Plus, there’s lots of cute photo-ops.

Book Warehouse
Locations: Broadway St. & Ash St. / Main St. & King Edward St.

Want something to read this cozy season? Book Warehouse is a great place to pick up your next favourite read and peruse the cute space with your special someone. What I love about this bookstore is that it features staff reviews for most of the books and if you need help finding a book or getting recommendations, their staff are friendly and helpful. The books are both new and used, as well as affordable. Who doesn’t love a book store date mid-autumn? 

BeadWorks on Granville Island
Location: 1666 Johnston St., Vancouver

Is it really cuffing season if you don’t have matching bracelets? Or should I say, if you like it then you should have put a ring on it? If you’re already out exploring Granville Island and want to try a creative activity, check out Beadworks. This adorable store is located outside the farmer’s market in the next building. There are many bead and material options, which are individually priced. Make a ring, necklace, or bracelet for any occasion. The staff are friendly and will help you create the jewelry piece of your liking.

The Bunny Cafe 
Location: 1696 Venables St, Vancouver

You’ve probably heard about Vancouver’s cat cafés, but have you heard about The Bunny Cafe? As a partner with Rabbitats, a rabbit rescue organization, the bunnies are all rescued and up for adoption. I suggest you come 10–15 minutes before your appointment to peruse the store and grab a cup of coffee before you go inside. You will receive some food to feed the bunnies before you enter the bunny area. This is a fun and affordable activity to do indoors for an hour. Located near Commercial Street, there are a lot of interesting stores nearby to explore after your bunny-loving experience. Reserve your one hour time slot online to make an appointment. 

What Grinds Our Gears: Inconsiderate transit passengers ruin my commute

By
Peak Web
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overhead shot of someone’s knees sitting on a subway
We need to be considerate and accommodating when we use transit. PHOTO: Charles Deluvio / Pexels

By: Olivia Visser, Opinions Editor

Those who rely on transit to get to school or work know how much of a hassle commuting can be. With buses being off-schedule or often full, our frustrations with TransLink feel like a growing list as students. What’s even worse is fellow passengers who seem to disregard the people around them. 

There are many unspoken rules of transit, and they’re often broken. One of my biggest annoyances is when people put their bags on the seat beside them, even when the bus is full. Seating is already so limited; why make the issue worse? Sorry, but I’m still going to squeeze my way into that chair. 

Riders who blast music over bluetooth speakers deserve a mention here. I mean, come on, you’ve got to be trying to annoy people at that point! Most bus drivers are understandably too tired to deal with the confrontation, so commuters are left at the mercy of inconsiderate passengers. 

As an invisibly disabled commuter, I know we have to be careful about making judgments to those sitting in the disabled seats. However, I truly believe our society would benefit from rethinking how our actions affect those around us. I’ve seen visibly disabled people have to stand on the bus, because no one offered their seat. That’s heartbreaking.

Too often, I see people disregarding those around them on transit. As commuters, we have a responsibility to be considerate of fellow riders. Doing this helps create a positive environment for every transit user.

Calls for BC government to increase sustainable funding amidst droughts

By
Peak Web
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This photo is of Echo Lake in British Columbia. The photo is an aerial point of view, looking down at this small lake that is surrounded by forest.
Water basins supply BC with drinking water and water for agricultural production. PHOTO: Province of British Columbia / Flickr

By: Karissa Ketter, News Editor

BC has experienced unprecedented weather conditions this fall. The five major water basins in BC — west Vancouver Island, east Vancouver Island, Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, and Fort Nelson — are still in a category four drought according to the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC). The Government of BC has confirmed all other water basins are experiencing a level one or two drought.

This September has been the driest in 10 years for BC, according to City News. Environment Canada meteorologist Derek Lee told Daily Hive the warm temperatures are because climate change is altering our weather patterns. There has been a lack of rain in BC which contributes to the warm temperatures and drought. In September, thousands of British Columbians were forced to evacuate due to the wildfires across the province.

The First Nations Leadership Council is calling on BC to invest in the restoration and protection of these water basins and watersheds. The Council is a collection of members from the BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit, and UBCIC.

In the UBCIC press release, Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, UBCIC secretary-treasurer stated, “We simply cannot continue with business as usual while surpassing climate records. A paradigm shift is needed, and First Nations’ values, traditional knowledge, laws, and stewardship play a critical role in the work ahead.” 

The Government of BC said, “At Drought Level 4, conditions are extremely dry and adverse effects to socio-economic or ecosystem values are likely.”

Water basins supply BC with their drinking water, agriculture watering, agriculture manufacturing, and recreation. The water basins also sustain the ecosystems across the province. 

According to BC Tomorrow, human activity is damaging the health of water basins. For example, large parking lots and increased urbanization makes it impossible for water to seep into the ground, or flow into water basins — thus restricting the supply of water. Hydro-electric power dams also restrict the flow of water into water basins. 

Hugh Braker, First Nations Summit executive, said in the UBCIC press release, “We must act now, and the provincial and federal governments must work alongside Rights and Titleholders with a common goal towards protecting our most valued resource.”

Turning back the clock in Chinatown

By
Peak Web
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People walking on the streets of Chinatown
PHOTO: Thomas Lardeau, Unsplash

By: C Icart, Staff Writer

This week, I downloaded and tried On This Spot, a free app that “takes people on guided walking tours through the history that surrounds them.” On This Spot is based in Vancouver, but it has tours across so-called Canada and some European countries.

Out of the thirteen tours available in the city, I decided to explore Chinatown. I hadn’t been there much, but after attending a drag show that performed a moving number they called “a love letter to Chinatown,” it ignited a desire in me to visit and learn about the history of the vibrant neighbourhood. 

There are various stops along the tour which props up a picture of what the area looks like now and what it looked like in the past. You’re directed to stand exactly where the historical photo was taken and take one yourself to compare. The Chinatown walking tour has 15 stops and took me a little over 20 minutes to complete. The historical landmarks date back to the 19th century, when many Chinese immigrants sought out work, notably on the Canada-Pacific Railway. 

Because the tour doesn’t focus on prominent tourist destinations, you have to pay attention to ensure you’re not walking past the stops. It took me a while to get the hang of switching between the picture that explains the spot’s historical significance and the map, so I could find the location. On top of this, it would sometimes log me out of the tour and I would struggle to find where I was at in the tour again. It would’ve been nice to have an audio component so I could walk while listening instead of awkwardly looking down at my screen.

I didn’t get to walk down what is left of Shanghai Alley, because it was being used as a set for an upcoming action film — a reminder that Chinatown is now a popular site for Hollywood projects. I learned that alongside the no-longer-existing Canton Alley, Shanghai Alley was a cultural hub in the early 20th century, but almost entirely demolished in the mid-1900s.

The first photo I took was from the Sam Kee Building, a building that is now in the Guinness World Records book and is a testament to the tenacity and inventiveness of its creator. It’s the shallowest commercial building with a depth of only six feet. The basement, however, extends   far under the sidewalk. This happened because the city expropriated most of the land, leaving part of it unusable. Refusing to leave because of the clear discrimination, the owner got creative and was able to successfully use the building for retail shops, social organization, and residential units. 

The second photo is from the Wing Sang Building, one of the oldest buildings in Chinatown. It was owned by Yip Sang, a community organizer who “helped establish the Chinese Benevolent Association, the Chinese School, and the Chinese Hospital in Vancouver.” Historically, the building “brought together educational, societal, commercial, and residential functions in a young city still determining its identity.” Today, it’s an art gallery. 

While the tour only scratches the surface of Chinatown’s rich and vibrant history, it brought some of Chinatown’s important sites to life with photographs and historical facts. It was powerful to see the before and after photos side-by-side. When I walk down the street, I don’t typically think of those who were here before me. Where I previously just saw buildings, I now see symbols of resistance, resilience, and resourcefulness.

Stories from the vault: First goal at SFU

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Peak Web
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photo of Niko Papakyriakopoulos kicking the ball mid-game.
A game of inches: a fortuitous bounce can go a long way. PHOTO: Paul Yates / SFU Athletics

By: Simran Sarai, Sports Writer

There are a lot of firsts that come with being a collegiate athlete, whether that be the first day of class, first practice, first game . . . the list could go on. But there’s one moment that stands out among the rest: first goal. We asked SFU athletes to take a stroll down memory lane to describe their first goal at SFU  — how it happened, who they played, and what they remember most from that day.

Kyle Bergh, SFU men’s hockey

The fifth year psychology major fondly recalls his first goal as a freshman against the Trinity Western Spartans. “I remember it fairly well, mainly because it was my first game with the team,” Bergh said. “It was also a meaningful goal for me because I had red-shirted the first semester — so after a lot of sitting in the stands, it was just great to be back playing, and to score was even more of a bonus!” 

Speaking of bonuses, how about not knowing how the puck found its way in the back of the net? “The goal was quite funny, I moved the puck to my linemate as we entered the zone and went hard to the net,” explained Burgh. The only way Burgh was going to score is if a rebound from his teammate ricocheted off the goalie and onto his stick. That’s if his teammate did decide to shoot the puck. 

“I got tied up with the player in front, and to my surprise, my linemate had passed me the puck, and it somehow hit off my stick and went in, unbeknownst to me!” While it might not have been the prettiest of plays, it doesn’t make the moment any less special to the winger. “I still have the puck with the date and team written on it, sitting on my mantle. I am looking at it now!”

Niko Papakyriakopoulos, SFU men’s soccer

The junior left back, double minoring in business and communication, also remembers his first goal at SFU in great detail. “It was last year in Lacey, Washington against Sonoma State University. I was a sophomore playing in my first season for SFU,” the transfer from Western Michigan shared. “The goal was a set play my coach drew up from a corner kick. The ball was passed to me on the edge of the box, and I shot it low with my left foot.” 

While the set play worked out to plan, similar to Bergh, Papakyriakopoulos’ goal wasn’t possible without a bit of fortune. “It was a little bit lucky considering it went through two players legs before hitting the back of the net,” he said. By the end of match, Papakyriakopoulos’ goal had earned him not one, but two achievements. “It was the first goal of the game, and the eventual game winner, so I felt great that I could put my team in the lead, and my teammates all felt the same.”

Deep dive into daydreams and diversions with David Ly

By
Peak Web
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Headshot of David Ly in a white sweater with arms crossed and an open mouth smile
PHOTO: Joy Gyamfi

By: Gem Yelin Lee, Copy Editor

“There is nothing / more soothing / than returning / to the water / with only / our unyielding / imagination / of whatever / we want to be, / once we sense / it’s safe / to re-emerge.”

These lines close David Ly’s second poetry book, Dream of Me as Water. They ran a chill down my spine — the perfect ending to this fantasy-filled, lyrical adventure. Dream of Me as Water follows Ly’s stunning first poetry collection, Mythical Man. Both books were published by Anstruther Books, an imprint of Palimpsest Press. 

Dream of Me as Water is tied together with themes of water, and the mythological or fantastical. Each poem reads as a chronicle of innermost thoughts representing themselves as dreamscapes. 

The Peak spoke to Ly, SFU alum and Vancouver-based poet, about his newest release.

“Because my first poetry book Mythical Man was quite ‘serious,’ I wanted this second collection — a companion to the first book — to be lighter and more freeing for me in terms of the subject matter I wanted to write about,” said Ly. “So choosing the dreamier route, and staying within my realm of mythological-esque poems, gave me an opportunity to explore without being bound to anything, I felt. Water was also an exciting metaphor to explore in as well, since I feel it was a good bridging device between dreams and myth — how they flow into one another.”

Dream of Me as Water feels relatable to one of many identity crises’ students encounter through their studies and their young adulthood. The feelings this book explores — stress, facing fears, and self-love — paint the walls of my own experiences of late-night thought spirals and daydreaming through courses. 

Maybe this relatability was what initially drew me to Ly’s lyrical lines, but the places his imagination swept me into was what captivated me. 

Through exploring the natural and fantastical world, Ly shows us how they become intertwined with identity. Lines like, “Maybe it’s natural for him to return / to the three seas where his existence is rooted / from time to time, pulled back to write about facets of identity while trying to imagine how else / he can be seen,” are followed by, “like a freshwater eel instinctually / finding its way to the Sargasso Sea in order to spawn, / the larvae metamorphosizing so they can return / to rivers before they yearn for their sea of origin.” 

Ly explained the title Dream of Me as Water came from the final poem of the book, which has the same name. The book is split into three sections: “Dream,” “Dream of Me,” and “Dream of Me as Water,” an idea he accredits to his editor, Jim Johnstone. 

Ly explained the title being split and progressively becoming whole, represents a state of evolving.

“Since the book explores the creation of an identity (not bound to the expectations of others), stacking the words to name the titles, to me, feels like the building of an identity. But, in the end, even when the narrator(s) arrive at who they think they are, it isn’t completely solidified, because I think an identity is ever-growing/evolving,” said Ly. “To capture this idea, we landed on the title being ‘Dream of Me as Water’ because of its malleability — like the growing of an identity.”

Although many of the poems feel based on dreams, there is only one based on a real dream Ly had: “I Only Remember Dreams When Stressed.” Ly said the others were based on the daydreams he indulges in each day. He writes poems the way he wants them to be read and understood, making his dreamscapes easy to happily get lost in. 

“Nowadays, I’m really intrigued at how much a poem can say in such few words, and by how vivid imagery can be. I think that’s my main drive to write poetry, and will always be: to see how vivid of an image I can conjure in very few words,” said Ly, reflecting on his writing process. 

When asked what he wants readers to experience from Dream of Me as Water, Ly said, “I think I just want them to have a good time with it and wonder at all of the creatures in it. I had a fun time writing it because I really got to indulge my imagination, so if readers can escape reality for a bit and hug the octopuses in this book, that would be great.”

Reading Dream of Me as Water in a rather hectic and stressful time in my life, the book felt like a welcome escape from reality’s constraints. I happily “swam the waterways / of long-gone mangrove forests,” with Ly’s spinosaurus, and imagined I, too, could heal as well as a giant pacific octopus which “magically grow / a whole body / of newfound limbs.” 

Dream of Me as Water by David Ly can be purchased through the publisher online, or locally (both online and in-person) at Massy Books and Iron Dog Books. 

SFU hosts a lecture with hydrologist Dr. John Cherry

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Peak Web
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This photo is of a small body of running water. The land surrounding the river is covered in trees.
Groundwater is often neglected when discussing the climate crisis and making policy decisions. PHOTO: Shirlyn Zobayed / The Peak

By: Pranjali J Mann, News Writer

SFU department of earth sciences hosted a guest lecture with distinguished professor and 2020 Stockholm Water Prize recipient Dr. John Cherry. The lecture explored the importance of groundwater and its need for a sustainable earth. 

Cherry opened the lecture by explaining mere reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is not enough for a sustainable future. He noted the unprecedented population growth in the last half a century and stated, “So this isn’t my concept of collapse, but the number of affluent people will shrink. While the rest of humanity expands. The remaining affluent people are in a thin line, surrounded by the vast majority of extreme poverty — much famine, living in ravaged landscapes. So that’s a pretty big picture of the future, but that’s the path we’re on.”

Highlighting factors necessary for human survival, he included a 1000 liters of water per family and 2000 calories of food per person per day is the appropriate amount. These numbers flag upcoming food and water scarcity threats as one-third groundwater levels have been “depleted beyond recovery in human time.” He found irrigation to be one of the key reasons behind this. Because of this, Cherry projected that nearly four billion people will be pushed into “severe physical water scarcity for at least one month per year” as a result of depleting clean drinking water availability. 

Explaining the geological aspect of how groundwater is stored and transferred across the planet, he noted that 70% of irrigation drinking water comes from groundwater. Thus, he implied maintaining groundwater levels was necessary to maintain food supply and human sustainability. 

Drawing from disasters happening in India and Iran pertaining to water insecurity, Cherry underlined reasons related to extensive pumping and irrigation techniques. He also mentioned the “extensive over exploitation of groundwater and rising salinity levels” due to pollution. He flagged the impending threat of drought at many places around the globe including California, where underground water level is rapidly decreasing. 

Towards the end, Cherry indicated two major solutions to the threat of water insecurity. The first is changing food habits to enable more sustainable agriculture measures such as giving up meat in our diets. The second is “reducing the amount of freshwater that escapes to the oceans.” He said it’s important to innovate the agriculture industry and encourage them to shift away from chemical to ecological agriculture methods. Reducing chemicals in the ecosystems is a way to replenish groundwater levels. 

The lecture concluded with discussing ways we can contribute to the cause. Cherry included making informed voting decisions, being critical of mainstream media coverage about the environment, and volunteering with grassroots organizations. 

Dr. John Cherry is part of the Groundwater Project which aims to inform readers and provide them free, easy, and online access to materials about groundwater as an essential component of earth systems.

To learn more about the project, visit The Groundwater Project website.

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Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us:
[email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024