Latest news with #Goheen
National Observer
4 days ago
- Politics
- National Observer
G7 leaders agree to 'charter' on wildfires and pledge global co-operation
Leaders of the G7 have agreed to co-operate on efforts to manage the impacts of devastating wildfires, which are surging for another summer across Canada. The leaders are calling it the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter and it's believed to be a groundbreaking commitment for G7 leaders. It's a timely statement, as Canada continues to face another destructive wildfire season that has forced thousands from their homes. In Manitoba earlier this week, some of the province's 21,000 evacuees were given the green light to return home. "These increasingly extreme wildfires are endangering lives, affecting human health, destroying homes and ecosystems, and costing governments and taxpayers billions of dollars each year," the leaders wrote in a joint statement. Wildfires have been mentioned in past G7 communiqués, but in far less detail. At last year's summit, leaders agreed in a one-sentence commitment to prevent and manage the negative impacts of wildfires. In 2023, wildfires were not mentioned, but leaders reaffirmed previous commitments to reversing deforestation by 2030 — a pledge included in the charter. The charter, published on the final day of the summit Tuesday, lays out steps all G7 countries and five non-member countries will take to prevent fires, collaborate on research and improve community rebuilding efforts. The countries say they will reduce the risk of extreme fires through sustainable forest management and Indigenous land management techniques, such as controlled burning. A pledge to mitigate and respond to the impact of fires on human health is included — an apparent reference to volumes of wildfire smoke that have travelled oceans and crossed borders in recent summers. They also committed to collecting and sharing data and finding better ways to provide timely access to basic firefighting equipment. "This is a really good step forward in international wildfire co-operation," said Ilya Goheen with the University of Toronto's G7 Research Group. He said it's likely the first wildfire charter to ever come from G7 leaders. However, the charter doesn't mention climate change, which scientists say is partly responsible for the more frequent and intense fires seen in recent years. Goheen said leaders may have avoided the phrase to placate US President Donald Trump, who has taken specific aim at dismantling federal policies aimed at addressing climate change. One Canadian climate advocacy organization took notice of its absence. Caroline Brouillette, executive director of Climate Action Network Canada, said the country catered to the "lowest common denominator" to appease the US president and failed the test of its climate leadership. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in his closing news conference, mentioned climate change as he listed numerous challenges facing the world. He said recovering from wildfires is something felt "intensely here in the Prairies." The charter comes as Canada battles yet another devastating wildfire season and almost one year after flames ripped through Jasper, a town 250 kilometres north of the G7 summit site in Kananaskis. Carney laid the groundwork for wildfires to feature in G7 discussions, formally highlighting the issue as a priority for the gathering. In separate bilateral meetings in Calgary on Sunday, he thanked the leaders of Australia and South Africa for their firefighting support. The charter was signed by non-G7 leaders from Australia, India, Mexico, South Korea and South Africa, all invited to the summit by Carney. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Simon's nominated for hospitality award, customers say it's well deserved
DES MOINES, Iowa — It's only 4:45 p.m.—15 minutes before the doors even open, yet Simon's Restaurant already has a line down the block. For those in the Merle Hay neighborhood, this is a remarkable-yet-common sight. Still, owner Simon Goheen stays humble. 'You know one way or another if you go out to eat on a busy night you're going to wait,' he says. Busy night? It's a Wednesday. 'I think some people just choose to wait the fifteen minutes before we open rather than a half-hour, 45 minutes later in the night,' says Goheen, staying grounded. The truth is, Goheen has at least some reason to gloat: he's been nominated for the James Beard Foundation's Award for Hospitality. Only 20 other restaurants have been nominated, none of which are in Iowa. Community plans benefit for injured Webster City lineman 'Anything you do in life it's always nice to feel wanted and appreciated,' Goheen says. 'It's just human nature I think to embrace those things.' Since taking over the former J. Benjamin's Restaurant at the corner of Merle Hay and Franklin, Goheen has embraced the difficult life of a restauranteur. He's open six nights a week, and typically in the building all seven. The son of two bakers, he learned the power of hospitality early. 'My parents worked very hard,' he says. 'They didn't want to cook a lot so we went out to eat a good deal. When the restaurant owners would see my parents (who'd likely supplied them with some of their baked goods) they'd make an effort to come over and say 'hello.' That always made them feel good and I saw that.' While Simon's is typically full of regular customers, Goheen says he never takes them for granted. 'They're helping me and my family do what I like to do,' he says, 'and I signed up to take care of them for that night that they chose to come into my restaurant.' New season begins for Iowa farmers Those in the line outside are quick to nod when asked if Goheen's hospitality adds to Simon's appeal. 'It's what makes you want to come back,' says Cindy Larson of Des Moines. 'He always stops at your table to talk to you,' agrees Lucretia Cheatham, a Simon's regular. 'He'll actually sit down with you.' Plenty of Des Moines restauranteurs have been nominated for a James Beard award—true superstars like George Formaro, David Baruthio, Steve Logsdon, Joe Tripp, and Sean Wilson. But only two Iowa restaurants have won the award—Archie's Waeside in LeMars and Breitbach's Country Dining in Sherrill. Goheen will find out next week if he's a finalist. The winner will be announced in June. 'It's a real honor,' Goheen says, 'but it'd be nice just to get it over with, one way or the other. You always just want to go do your job.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
