PEN Insider - Green Pages Featuring: Climate Reality; Feast of Fields; Triple Bottom Line; Cuts to Green Research; Is Green Mainstream?; Ottawa Peace Festival
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A Funeral for Canadian Science Death of Evidence rally, July 10, 2012. Photo: Richard Webster. Inside... Climate Reality Feast of Fields Triple Bottom Line Cuts to Green Research Is Green Mainstream? Ottawa Peace Festival PEN Insider— Green Pages Volume 27 • Number 4 • September–October 2012 by Mike Buckthought O n July 10, 2012, hun- dreds of Canadian researchers and concerned citizens marched to Parliament Hill to protest the government’s unprecedented war on science. Protesters wore lab coats, or dressed in black to mourn the “death of evidence.” At the front of a mock funer- al procession, a black-robed Grim Reaper carried a scythe, symbolizing the budget cuts that have killed many research projects. Following behind the Grim Reaper, pallbearers carried a coal black coffin. Many protesters carried plac- ards with messages mourning the loss of important environmental research programs. People high- lighted the federal government’s decision to cut funding for the world-renowned Experimental Lakes Area (ELA). “It doesn’t matter how much water you have if it’s all polluted. Save ELA,” read one placard. The ELA is a living labora- tory that allows researchers to make breakthroughs in aquatic science. Scientific evidence of the harmful impacts of acid rain led to crucial changes in legisla- tion. Other research has exposed the dangers of mercury pollution and nanoparticles. The ELA is just one example of a research program that has been cut. Recent government deci- sions have seriously undermined our ability to develop sound envi- ronmental policies based on sci- entific evidence. “Canadians want science-based policy, not ideol- ogy,” said one placard. The procession continued down Wellington Street, a river of white and black leading to Parliament Hill. Along the way, people chanted “No science, no evidence, no truth, no democ- racy.” A rally on the Hill fea- tured speakers from the scien- tific community and non-gov- ernmental organizations such as the Council of Canadians. “We are all here today to commemorate the untimely death of evidence in Canada. After a long battle with the current fed- eral government, evidence has suffered its final blow,” said rally organizer Katie Gibbs. “Between the sweeping cuts to federal science programs, the legislation changes that we saw in Bill C-38, and the muzzling of scientists, the injuries to evidence have just been overwhelming.” The speakers delivered “eulo- gies” criticizing recent actions of Articles Invited! Submissions are invited for the November–December 2012 Peace and Environment News. Articles can be on any topic related to peace, environment or social justice. Deadline is October 15, 2012. Call 613-230-4590, leave a message for Margaret; or email <[email protected]>. Email: [email protected]For PEN: [email protected]Website: www.perc.ca Mailing address: Box 4075, Station E, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B1 Phone: 613-230-4590 Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050912 FREE! the federal government. “The risks of living in a fan- tasy world at this point in history are very grave,” said Dr. Arme Moores, professor of biodiver- sity at Simon Fraser University. Moores said the government appears to be “retreating from reality” at a time when there are serious threats to our water, food and the environment. “When countries engage in fantasy, it’s called state propaganda,” he said. Another speaker criticized the government’s attempts to silence scientists, and recent changes to the Fisheries Act. “The federal government has weakened national fisheries and environmental legislation, trivialized the relevance of sci- entific advice, and eliminated government scientific research of fundamental importance to the health of Canadians,” said Jeff Hutchings, a professor of biology at Dalhousie University. “Freedom of expression is no longer a right enjoyed by Canadian government scien- tists,” he said. “When you inhib- it the communication of science, you inhibit science. When you inhibit science, you inhibit the acquisition of knowledge.” At a time when many spe- cies are threatened by climate change, industrial pollution and loss of habitat, it is essential to support environmental research. The death of evidence leads to the death of species. Canadians will not be con- tent to live in a country that turns its back on scientific research. Such an approach is dangerous, at a time when our survival is threatened by global warming. In future years, the Death of Evidence rally will no doubt be seen as a turning point. After years of budget cuts and the silencing of scientists, people are ready to speak out. For photos, videos and background information about cuts to environmental research in Canada, visit the Death of Evidence website: www. deathofevidence.ca Mike Buckthought is a writer and environmental researcher based in Ottawa. Peace and Environment Resource Centre Special Green Pages edition included
Transcript
A Funeral for Canadian ScienceDeath of Evidence rally, July 10, 2012. Photo: Richard Webster.
Inside...
Climate Reality
Feast of Fields
Triple Bottom Line
Cuts to Green Research
Is Green Mainstream?
Ottawa Peace Festival
PEN Insider—Green Pages
Volume 27 • Number 4 • September–October 2012
by Mike Buckthought
On July 10, 2012, hun-dreds of Canadian researchers and concerned citizens
marched to Parliament Hill to protest the government’s unprecedented war on science. Protesters wore lab coats, or dressed in black to mourn the “death of evidence.”
At the front of a mock funer-al procession, a black-robed Grim Reaper carried a scythe, symbolizing the budget cuts that have killed many research projects. Following behind the Grim Reaper, pallbearers carried a coal black coffin.
Many protesters carried plac-
ards with messages mourning the loss of important environmental research programs. People high-lighted the federal government’s decision to cut funding for the world-renowned Experimental Lakes Area (ELA). “It doesn’t matter how much water you have if it’s all polluted. Save ELA,” read one placard.
The ELA is a living labora-tory that allows researchers to make breakthroughs in aquatic science. Scientific evidence of the harmful impacts of acid rain led to crucial changes in legisla-tion. Other research has exposed the dangers of mercury pollution and nanoparticles.
The ELA is just one example of a research program that has been cut. Recent government deci-
sions have seriously undermined our ability to develop sound envi-ronmental policies based on sci-entific evidence. “Canadians want science-based policy, not ideol-ogy,” said one placard.
The procession continued down Wellington Street, a river of white and black leading to Parliament Hill. Along the way, people chanted “No science, no evidence, no truth, no democ-racy.” A rally on the Hill fea-tured speakers from the scien-tific community and non-gov-ernmental organizations such as the Council of Canadians.
“We are all here today to commemorate the untimely death of evidence in Canada. After a long battle with the current fed-eral government, evidence has suffered its final blow,” said rally organizer Katie Gibbs.
“Between the sweeping cuts to federal science programs, the legislation changes that we saw in Bill C-38, and the muzzling of scientists, the injuries to evidence have just been overwhelming.”
The speakers delivered “eulo-gies” criticizing recent actions of
Articles Invited!Submissions are invited for the November–December 2012 Peace and Environment News. Articles can be on any topic related to peace, environment or social justice. Deadline is October 15, 2012. Call 613-230-4590, leave a message for Margaret; or email <[email protected]>.
Website: www.perc.caMailing address: Box 4075, Station E, Ottawa,
ON K1S 5B1Phone: 613-230-4590
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050912
FREE!
the federal government. “The risks of living in a fan-
tasy world at this point in history are very grave,” said Dr. Arme Moores, professor of biodiver-sity at Simon Fraser University.
Moores said the government appears to be “retreating from reality” at a time when there are serious threats to our water, food and the environment. “When countries engage in fantasy, it’s called state propaganda,” he said.
Another speaker criticized the government’s attempts to silence scientists, and recent changes to the Fisheries Act.
“The federal government has weakened national fisheries and environmental legislation, trivialized the relevance of sci-entific advice, and eliminated government scientific research of fundamental importance to the health of Canadians,” said Jeff Hutchings, a professor of biology at Dalhousie University.
“Freedom of expression is no longer a right enjoyed by Canadian government scien-tists,” he said. “When you inhib-it the communication of science,
you inhibit science. When you inhibit science, you inhibit the acquisition of knowledge.”
At a time when many spe-cies are threatened by climate change, industrial pollution and loss of habitat, it is essential to support environmental research. The death of evidence leads to the death of species.
Canadians will not be con-tent to live in a country that turns its back on scientific research. Such an approach is dangerous, at a time when our survival is threatened by global warming. In future years, the Death of Evidence rally will no doubt be seen as a turning point. After years of budget cuts and the silencing of scientists, people are ready to speak out.
For photos, videos and background information about cuts to environmental research in Canada, visit the Death of Evidence website: www.deathofevidence.ca
Mike Buckthought is a writer and environmental researcher based in Ottawa.
Peace and Environment Resource Centre
Special Green Pages edition
included
2 • Peace and Environment News • September–October 2012
Peace and Environment News
Circulation 3,500—ISSN 1487-9514
Editor: Margaret Jensen.Editorial Committee: Diana Brushey, Steffan Hammonds, Adrian Larose, Ryan Moore.PEN Support: Kim Dickinson, Julie Houle Cezer, Patrice Elston.Photography: Richard F. Charles.Layout and Design: John T. Jensen.Mailing Coordinator: Robert Bigras.Distributors: Erna Allaart, Angela Beale, Krishna Bera, Diana Brushey, Richard F. Charles, Gerard Daechsel, Steffan Hammonds, Jennifer Jeffreys, John and Margaret Jensen, Loris Jordan, Mike Kaulbars, Dan Morrison, Jessica Wells.Printing: Butler Printing and Design.Printed on recycled newsprint.
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050912
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Dept., 330-123 Main St., Toronto ON M5W 1A1.
Send change of address and mem-berships to the Ottawa Peace and Environment Resource Centre, P.O. Box 4075, Station E, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B1.
Cover design by Catherine Beddall.The Peace and Environment News
is published by the Ottawa Peace and Environment Resource Centre, an incor-porated, charitable organization which provides educational and referral ser-vices on peace- and environment-related issues.
Viewpoints expressed should not be taken to represent the opinions of the Ottawa Peace and Environment Resource Centre, the Peace and Environment News, or our supporters. The PEN does not rec-ommend, approve or endorse any of the advertisers, products or services printed in the PEN. Health-related information printed in the PEN is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified and licensed health care provider.
We encourage readers to submit articles, notices, resource information, and graphics. Submissions are subject to selection and editing.
Reproduction of editorial content is welcomed provided permission is obtained in advance. Contact the PEN Editor. Please send a copy of the reprint-ed article to the Peace and Environment Resource Centre for our files.
The Peace and Environment News is mailed free to members and donors and is available free at selected locations. See form on this page for membership rates.
Want to Advertise?Interested in advertising in the PEN? Call 613-230-4590, leave message for Margaret.
Revolution: Mustard Seed Styleby Margaret Tyson
“What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?
“It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden; and it grew and became a tree; and the birds of the air nestled in its branches.”
—Luke 13:18-19
A recent interpretation of this parable might be of interest to PEN readers.
The tiny mustard seed, which actually produces a shrub, was in Biblical times a noxious weed. During the Roman occupation of Palestine, the intruders took over the traditional farm-lands of the local farmers and converted them to large-scale industrial farms. The
crops they produced were sold for export to make huge profits for the foreign landowners. However, these foreigners could not maximize profits to the extent that they desired because the mustard plants spread quickly, contaminating their crops.
Those of us who want to rescue our society from the grip of capitalism’s mer-cantile empires, the fossil fuels indus-tries in particular, are advised to quietly adopt the technique of the lowly mustard seed. We can live our lives by rejecting consumerism—choosing to buy locally, mending old things, walking or biking
instead of driving. Then with the persis-tence of the mustard plants we can spread the ideas about the value of a simpler life for the sake of the earth. There is great power in being “nuisances and nobodies infiltrating the dominant culture with an alternative ethic.”
[Interpretation credited to John Crossan in Darwin, Divinity and The Dance of the Cosmos: An Ecological Christianity by Bruce Sanguin, p. 173.]
Margaret Tyson is interested in peace and environment issues.
Leave Your Car Behind!by Sarah Bradley
Tired of getting stuck in traffic and arriving at work stressed out and cranky? It’s time to shake up your transportation
habits! The second edition of Sustainable Transportation Week is coming to Ottawa September 16 to 22, 2012. This year’s event will have plenty of opportunities to ditch the car for a week and try out walk-ing, cycling, taking transit, carpooling, and car-sharing. Save time and money, get moving, and show your support for streets designed for all road users.
The first step is signing up for the car-free contest at infostw.org/ottawa. You could win a $500 VIA Rail travel credit or an annual VRTUCAR membership. Once you’ve entered the contest, follow the bike-bus-car race to see which mode can navigate through rush-hour traffic the fastest. Or, if you’re keen to share your ideas on how to improve sustain-able transportation options in Ottawa, sign up for the public conference.
Why leave the car behind? According to a recent study by GPS manufacturer
TomTom, levels of traffic congestion in Ottawa have increased since 2011, and we now rank tenth on the North American Congestion Index behind cities like Los Angeles and Toronto. Driving is stressful and inefficient in these conditions. Idling in traffic releases CO2 into the environ-ment, which pollutes our air and water. That’s not to mention noise pollution, time wasted, and loss of productivity.
In Canada, roughly one quarter of GHG emissions are attributed to trans-portation.
Ottawa Councillor Katherine Hobbs (Kitchissippi) recently sold her car, extending her initial two month car-free challenge beyond the one-year mark. She has made a public commitment to walk-ing, cycling, and taking transit to show it can be done, even with a packed sched-ule.
Another cycling advocate in Ottawa, Lana Stewart, who blogs at modalmom.com, finds that living in Ottawa car-free is actually very easy to do and just takes a bit of planning. Contrary to popular belief that driving is convenient, she finds that in most cases, driving isn’t the right tool for the job.
Here are some ideas to shake up your transportation routine:
* Use a BIXI or RightBike to get to your next meeting instead of spending money on a cab.
* Walk your kids to school. * Join your workplace’s carpool group,
or use Ottawa Ride Match to find carpool partners.
* Enjoy some fresh air and go for a weekend family bike ride on the NCC trails.
* Heading to Elgin or Bank St. for the night? Take the bus for affordable and convenient travel.
* Don’t own a car but need to travel a long distance? Rent a VRTUCAR for the day.
Be sure to check out the full program of events at www.infostw.org/Ottawa.
For information on EnviroCentre, fol-low us on Facebook (EnviroCentre) and Twitter (@envirocentre).
For up-to-date information and to enter the car-free contest visit www.infostw.org/ottawa
Sarah Bradley works with the EnviroCentre in Ottawa.
September–October 2012 • Peace and Environment News • �
People featured here are volunteers with the Peace and Environment Resource Centre (PERC). If you’d like to get involved, give us a call at 613-230-4590.Jacob Forrest.
Hello PERC Volunteer!
Jacob Forrest: Exploring the human condition
by Steffan Hammonds
Jacob Forrest has a keen interest in both peace and the environment.
Jacob began volunteer-ing at the Peace and Environment Resource Centre in May 2012. He had been aware of the PERC for a year and a half prior to joining. He had seen copies of the PEN on the Carleton Campus and had been visiting the PERC website.
Jacob’s interest in PERC stemmed from a film review written by one of his profes-sors, Randall Marlin, titled “Tea Party Propaganda Exposed” (Peace and Environment News, January-February 2011: p. 6). The film, “(Astro) Turf Wars” by Taki Oldham, looks at how the American people are being manipulated by the current polit-ical and economic system in the United States.
This film review made Jacob realize that PERC is not just tackling issues that are often stereotyped as the essence of the environmental movement (such as having a green lifestyle, vege-tarianism/ veganism, etc.). Jacob believes that PERC is dealing with very fundamental issues such as how humans should live together in a planetary context. He sees PERC as being one of the few organizations address-ing possible alternatives to the status quo.
Jacob’s volunteer position at PERC currently involves work-ing on the National Capital Green Pages Directory. He has been contacting green business-es and organizations who may be interested in submitting a list-ing. He has also helped out with digital graphics editing.
Jacob has completed two years of an undergraduate histo-ry degree at Carleton University. He wishes to attend graduate
school and aspires to do more advanced research in Canadian social history.
Among his other volunteer positions is his membership on the Peer Conduct Board at Carleton University. This Board handles violations to the Students Rights and Responsibilities.
Jacob has participated in Alternative Spring Break, a service learning program at Carleton which introduces stu-dents to concrete human rights issues and takes the students to a location where they can do vol-unteer work. He has also helped the Kanata Food Cupboard with fundraising events.
Jacob really enjoys academia and wants to do research at an advanced level. He would like to teach history and continue researching it. He also likes playing video games.
Jacob really likes the PERC both as an organization and as a place to volunteer. He is starting to see results of his work on the Green Pages Directory. He would like to help out with more projects in the future.
Jacob would like to see the PERC reach out to uni-versity and college campuses more. He believes that there is a growing interest in envi-ronmental and social justice issues among youth. He hopes the PERC continues to grow in influence throughout the city of Ottawa and Ontario as a whole.
Steffan Hammonds is a PERC volunteer.
Donate-a-Day is coming! This yearly donation drive helps us continue our work. Please con-sider designating the Peace and Environment Resource Centre in your workplace United Way campaign. Our charitable registration number is 119071777RR0001. Thank you for your support!
Green Pages is Here!Welcome to a special edition of the Peace and Environment News. This issue includes the National Capital Region Green Pages Directory, a collabora-tive project of the Peace and Environment Resource Centre, Tucker House Renewal Centre, and Sustainable Eastern Ontario. We invite you to learn about environmentally focused businesses and organizations in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. More listings of local, eco-friendly businesses and environ-mental organizations can be found online at www.ncgreenpages.ca.
Feast of Fieldsby Jason Gupta
On Sunday, September 16, 2012 from noon to 4 pm the Ottawa Chapter of Canadian
Organic Growers will bring together some of the best in regional organic foods in a cel-ebration of the season’s harvest. COG Ottawa’s Feast of Fields pairs over 20 teams of the finest organic farmers and chefs from the Ottawa region to create a unique local culinary extrava-ganza.
This year’s event is located in the Canada Agriculture Museum at the Experimental Farm. The Museum is easily accessible by public transit, bicycle, on foot or by car, with ample free parking.
Feast of Fields is a key fund-raiser for COG Ottawa’s many community services. As a reg-istered charitable organization, COG Ottawa delivers many ben-eficial programs to farmers, gar-deners, educators, and regular folks who just care about eating delicious, healthy local organic foods. You can learn all about it on our website at www.cog.ca/ottawa.
Here’s what the Ottawa Citizen’s Ron Eade had to say about last year’s event: “The celebration this year couldn’t have been finer, as 20 among Ottawa’s most talented chefs
teamed with as many area organ-ic growers to prepare myriad delicious morsels ranging from sliders to savoury soups, fresh fruit and salads.”
Tickets will be $70 until midnight September 8th, and $80 afterwards. We can pro-vide charitable tax receipts in the amount of $25 per ticket. You can buy tickets online at www.cog.ca/feast_of_fields or at Rainbow Natural Foods on Richmond Road, The Wild Oat on Bank Street at Fourth Avenue, and Pantry Plus in Orleans.
The Feast of Fields is an environmentally friendly event, using real china dishes and bio-degradable serving containers. We have a Green Team on site to look after recycling and com-posting.
We always welcome volun-teers for the schoolyard gardens, workshops, research, or helping care for our organic demonstra-tion garden.
For Feast of Fields, contact: Indigo Holley (613) 244-4000 ext. 5 or [email protected].
For COG Ottawa, contact: Margaret Tourond-Townson (613) 244-4000 ext. 1 or [email protected]
Jason Gupta works with Canadian Organic Growers- Ottawa.
Teaching Climate Realityby Jay Smith
In August, I was one of 115 Canadians who participat-ed in the Climate Reality Project, sponsored by Al
Gore, former Vice-President of the United States, and Nobel Prize Laureate. The Canadian delegation joined 800 individu-als from over 20 countries in San Francisco, California.
The international Climate Reality Project is a training program that provides partici-pants with the tools necessary to deliver informative and motivat-ing presentations on the impacts of, and solutions to the climate crisis. The training is given by some of the world’s top cli-mate scientists. The participants in August included students, lawyers, university professors, business leaders, environmental consultants, engineers, profes-sionals from diverse sectors, and climate scientists.
Each participant commits to delivering a minimum of 10 free presentations on climate change in the 12 months following the training.
Since the founding of the Climate Reality Project Canada in 2007, over 3,200 presenta-tions have been delivered, reach-ing over 475,000 Canadians. The presentations are offered free of charge in Canadian cities and
towns, for primary and second-ary schools, universities, busi-nesses, non-governmental orga-nizations, government agencies, and special events.
As one of the Canadian train-ees, I will be available to offer free presentations on climate change in the Ottawa area as of October 1st, 2012. In my capacity as a teacher in Ottawa, I first began teaching about cli-mate change in January 2010. I quickly realized that many Canadian young adults were not well versed on this topic and did not feel they could contribute to the solution. Through my pre-sentations, I would like to bring hope to others to combat this sometimes bleak global crisis.
“This [Climate Reality Project] training will allow Climate Reality Canada to extend its reach and raise awareness among more Canadians on climate change issues” said Karel Mayrand, Chair of the Board of Directors of Climate Reality Canada. “Moreover, Climate Reality Canada will be better prepared to advise small and medium enterprises and enable them to join their efforts to the fight against climate change, since many selected trainees have an extensive background in busi-ness management.”
For more information on Climate Reality Canada or to
request a presentation, visit www.climatereality.ca
Jay Smith is a Climate leader for Climate Reality Canada.
4 • Peace and Environment News • September–October 2012
We provide a free listing for not-for-profit events open to the public, with a peace, environment, or social justice focus. Due to Revenue Canada regulations, we cannot accept political advertisements.
NEW & ONGOINGOtesha Food and Farming Themed Tours: *Phenomenal Food Tour: Sept 1–October 22, Kitchener-Waterloo to Ottawa; *Maritimes & Water Themed Cycling and Performing Tours: *Water Works Tour: Sept 1–October 22, Kitchener-Waterloo to Ottawa. To apply: <http://otesha.ca/content/apply>; for info: <http://www.otesha.ca/>.
Sustainable Transportation Week, September 16–22. Ditch your car and try walking, cycling, taking transit, carpooling, or car-sharing. For information: www.infostw.org/ottawa
Sava Kitchen cooperative vegetarian/vegan meal every Sunday, 11 am–12:15 pm, at Bethel Field House, St. Luke’s Park, 166 Frank St. (at Gladstone). Info: <www.savakitchen.weebly.com >.
Critical Mass bike ride. Meets in Confederation Park the last Friday of the month, 5:30 p.m. Info: <http://www.ottawacriticalmass.blogspot.com/>.
Carleton Cinema Politica will screen free films every second Wednesday at 7 pm during the fall 2012 term at Carleton University. For information: (www.cinemapolitica.org/carleton); ([email protected]).
uOttawa Cinema Academica (Weekly film and discussion series): documentaries on current issues. Free. Every week during school term, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 pm). At University of Ottawa, location tbd.
Friends of the Farm programs. Information: <www.friendsofthefarm.ca>; call 613-230-3276; email <[email protected]>.
Kairos Spirituality for Social Justice Centre programs: Info: Kairos, 211 Bronson Ave, Rm 306, Ottawa; 613-236-6557; <[email protected]>.
Tucker House Renewal Centre: 1731 Tucker Road, Clarence-Rockland ON. Seventh Generation Learning Series. Information: <www.tuckerhouse.ca> or contact <[email protected]> or 613-446-2117.
Canadian Museum of Nature programs: At Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod Street (at Metcalfe). Information: 613-566-4700; <http://nature.ca>.
Earth*tones Drum and Dance Circle. Every Sunday, 3–5 pm. At Confederation Park (Elgin and Laurier). For more information visit www.earth-tones.ca or call 613-567-7244.
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SIxTH ANNuAL OTTAWA PEACE FESTIVAL,
SEPTEMBER 21–OCTOBER 2.Admission Free.
ART ExHIBITS:Sept. 1–�0: Commemorative photo exhibit of Culture of Peace champion and Algonquin
Chief, Grandfather William Commanda, Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe at Laurier (Circle of All Nations, Romola Trebilcock, <[email protected]>)
Sept. 2–Oct. 2: No War Paix: Outdoor Peace Installations, 250 Range Rd., Sandy Hill (Terry Stavnyck, <[email protected]>)
PEACE EVENTS:Fri. Sept. 21: 11.45 am–12.15 pm: International Day of Peace Proclamation by Deputy Mayor Steve Desroches, City of Ottawa, at noon at L’Ange Cafe, 109 Sparks Street with Latin musical event (City of Peace Ottawa, Peter Stockdale, <[email protected]>)
Sat. Sept. 22: 10–11 am: Path of Peace Walk from Parliament Hill to Victoria Island , and 11 am–3 pm: Peace Proclamations and Paddle for Peace at Victoria Island PM (Circle of All Nations, RomolaTrebilcock,<[email protected]> and City of Peace Ottawa, Peter Stockdale <[email protected]>)
Sat. Sept. 22: 1–4 pm: Spiritpainting for Peace workshop, Manotick. No fees but regis-tration is required. Call or text 613- 266-8063, or email: [email protected])
Sun. Sept. 2�: PM - Opening of “Seeds of Hope: An Exhibit on Sustainable Development” A joint initiative between the SGI and Earth Charter International, at SGI Ottawa Center, 237 Argyle Street. (SGI Ottawa, John Callahan,[email protected] and Monica Bachmann, [email protected])
Mon. Sept. 24: 7–9.45 pm: Peace Music Concert, Amphitheatre, Saint Paul University (Dan Mauro, [email protected] )
Tues. Sept. 25: 7.30 am: National Capital Peace Council: Breakfast Speaker on a Peace Issue, Carlingwood Family Restaurant, Carlingwood Mall, free breakfast (UPF, Daniel Stringer, [email protected])
Tues. Sept. 25: 7:30 pm: Ploughshares Ottawa: “WuSC Student Refugee Program” by Asnaketch (Asni) Mekonnen, Senior Program Officer, Student Refugee Program, World University Service of Canada (WUSC), Thomas the Apostle Anglican Church, 2345 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, (Geroge Neville: [email protected] )
Tues. Sept. 25: 7–8.30 pm: Presentation on the Legacy of Late Elder Dr. William Commanda, Ottawa Public Library Auditorium, 120 Metcalfe at Laurier (Circle of All Nations, Romola Trebilcock, <[email protected]>)
Wed. Sept. 26, 7–9 pm: “Panel on Peace, Youth Activism and Social Media”, 233 Gilmour St. (No War Paix, Larry Rousseau, [email protected])
Thurs. Sept. 27, 6.30–9 pm: “Countdown Zero”: Award winning film on nuclear dis-armament, Ottawa Public Library Auditorium, 120 Metcalfe at Laurier (Canadian Peace Initiative, Iman Ibrahim, [email protected] and Physicians for Global Survival, Jason Bailey, [email protected] )
Sat. Sept. 29, 11 am–5 pm: 10th Anniversary celebrations of Friends for Peace Day,
Ottawa City Hall ( Friends of Peace, Ian Prattis <[email protected]> )
Mon. Oct. 1, 7 pm: Peace Songs Sing-Along, Church of the Ascension, 253 Echo Drive (Jason Bailey, PGS, [email protected] and CPI. Iman Ibrahim, [email protected]).
Tues. Oct. 2: 6:30–9 pm: Panel on Women, Violence and Human Rights, Ottawa Public Library Auditorium, 120 Metcalfe at Laurier (Dialogue with Democracy, Qais Ghanem, <[email protected]>)
For further information visit websites: www.departmentofpeace.ca and www.civilianpeac-eservice.ca or contact festival convenors: Bill Bhaneja at 613-244-1979 or Peter Stockdale at 613-852-4527.
*********************
NEW IN SEPTEMBERSaturday, September 1
2–4 pm. Book signing, “Final Flight from Sanaa” (2011) and “Two Boys from Aden College” (2012) by Dr. Qais Ghanem. At Chapters, South Keys, 2210 Bank St., Ottawa. Info: <[email protected]>
Sunday, September 1612–4 pm. Feast of Fields 2012. Organic food, entertainment, silent auction. At Canada Agriculture Museum, Experimental Farm. For more information: Canadian Organic Growers Ottawa Chapter http://www.cog.ca/ottawa/feast_of_fields/index.html
Friday, September 218–9 pm. Talk: “Green Spirituality,” with Chris Philpott. How ancient and modern spiritual wisdom can help solve global environmental problems and world poverty. At Subud Centre, 357 Wilmont Avenue (Westboro), Ottawa. Register with Robert at 613-204-0299 or [email protected]
Sunday, September 3010:�0 am. Talk: “Globalization and Right Livelihood” by Tony Clarke, founder of the Polaris Institute and current Director on the Board of the International Forum on Globalization. At the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa, Seraphin Marion School, 2147 Loyola Avenue. Info: <www.uufo.org>
NEW IN OCTOBERWedneSday, OctOber 17
Conference : “Global Food Security: Food Prices and Political Instability.” Through October 18. At McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. Info: <http://aoc.mcgill.ca/events/2012/mcgill-conference-global-food-security-food-prices-and-political-instability>.
COMING uPComing in NovemberFood Secure Canada’s 7th National Assembly, November 1–4. In Edmonton, Alberta. For more information: http://foodsecurecanada.org/assembly-2012
GROuPSActCity Ottawa. Social issues discussion and collaboration. Find us on Facebook. Email: [email protected]
The Environmental Health Association of Ontario meets 3-4 times a year. For dates and details on meetings or for information on environmental health and environmental sensitivities, please visit <www.ehaontario.ca> or call our Help Line at 613-860-2342.
Amnesty International Group 56 meets monthly. Call 613-445-3996.
Canadian Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI) - Ottawa Chapter meets at 7:30 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of the month except for the summer, at 91A Fourth Ave. <www.departmentofpeace.ca> Call 613-244-1979 or 613-276-6764.
Canadian Friends of Burma, 145 Spruce St., Suite 206. <www.cfob.org> Call 613-237-8056. Email: [email protected].
Canpalnet-Ottawa: an affiliate of the Canada-Palestine Support Network. <www.canpalnet-ottawa.org> to find out what is really happening in Palestine and our government’s betrayal of its obligations under international law. Email: [email protected].
Coalition to Oppose the Arms Trade. <http://coat.ncf.ca>. Email: [email protected]
Common Cause Ottawa is an anarchist group that works in solidarity with local struggles. We host regular discussions on anarchist topics, and publish the “Linchpin” paper. <www.linchpin.ca> Email: [email protected]
Ecology Ottawa is a grassroots non-profit organization working to make Ottawa the green capital of Canada. To volunteer, or receive our e-newsletter, visit <ecologyottawa.ca> or call 613-860-5353.
Faith and the Common Good is a multi-faith environmental network working with faith communities in Ottawa. Regular networking events, Greening Sacred Spaces. <www.Faith-commongood.net> Call: 613-851-3193 or Email: [email protected]
GreenDrinks Perth monthly environmental meeting, first Tuesday of every month at 5:30 pm at The Crown, 71 Gore St, Perth. <www.greendrinks.org> Email: [email protected]
The Greenspace Alliance of Canada’s Capital works to join individuals and citizens’ groups to protect significant green spaces in the national capital area. Members include scientists, journalists and economists. Visit <www.greenspace-alliance.ca> Call 613-521-4894 or Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Human Powered Vehicle Operators of Ottawa meet every Sunday at 6 pm at the Red Pepper, 434 Bank (at Gladstone). Info: hpv/tricolour.net
The Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement - Ottawa (IPSMO) is a grassroots organization that supports indigenous peoples in struggles for justice. <www.ipsmo.org> Email: [email protected]
The National Capital Peace Council of the Universal Peace Federation upf.org meets for a complementary vegetarian breakfast at 7:30 am on the last Tuesday of every month to hear presentations by other peace-minded groups. Join us at the Carlingwood Family Restaurant, Carlingwood Shopping Centre. For more information please call Daniel Stringer at 613-792-1431, or [email protected]
OPIRG-Carleton resource library and working groups. 326 Unicentre, Carleton University. <http://www.opirg-carleton.org/> Call 613-520-2757.
The OPIRG-Ottawa Resource Centre. 631 King Edward, 3rd floor. <http://www.opirg-gripo.ca/> Call 613-230-3076.
OWSAG/Ottawa Water Study Action Group meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month, 12–1 pm, at the Polaris Institute, 180 Metcalfe, 5th floor, to look at water and bottled water issues in the schools and municipal government. Email: [email protected]
Peace and Environment CalendarFor a free listing in the November–December Calendar, please submit events by October 20. Call 613-230-4590. Please confirm events before attending.
September–October 2012 • Peace and Environment News • 5
The Ottawa Organic Farmers’ Market year-round, Saturdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Canada Care, behind Canadian Tire, Bank at Heron. <www.oofmarket.ca> Call 613-826-2286.
The Peace and Environment Resource Centre Office hours by appointment. 174 First Avenue (near Bank), top floor, Room 5. Call 613-230-4590. Email: [email protected]
Physicians for Global Survival 208 - 145 Spruce St, Ottawa. <www.pgs.ca> Call 613-233-1982
Ploughshares Ottawa meets every 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Anglican Church, 2345 Alta Vista Dr. Info: (www.ploughshares.ca); 613-729-0579 or 613-745-4626. **September 25: “WUSC Student Refugee Program” by Asnaketch (Asni) Mekonnen, Senior Program Officer, Student Refugee Program, World University Service of Canada (WUSC). **October 23: “The DR Congo - A Sad Story of Paradoxes and Extremes” by Major Mark Phillips, Canadian Forces Peacekeeper. **November 27: “Hulless Oat Breeding - One Step at a Time” by Vernon Burrows, Ph.D., Research Scientist Emeritus, Eastern Cereal & Oil Seed Research Centre, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada.
The Population Institute of Canada a group concerned with the effects of world overpopulation. <www.piofc.ca > Call 613-833-3668 or Email: [email protected]
Raw Vegan Potlucks in the Glebe at St. Giles Church held the last Friday of each month. <www.SimplyRaw.ca> Call 613-234-0806.
RESuLTS Canada meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month to take action on an issue related to absolute poverty. The world’s poor desperately need advocates in the rich world. <www.results-resultats.ca> Call Larry 613-829-4310.
Maison Tucker House Seventh Generation Learning Series <http://www.maisontuckerhouse.ca/> Call 613-446-2117 ext 4.
Transition Ottawa helping to face the challenges of Peak Oil/Climate Change by encouraging practical solutions on a local scale. <http://transitionottawa.ning.com/>
Transition Ottawa Meet up. Meets the 4th Tuesday of every month at the Montgomery Legion (downstairs), 330 Kent St. <http://transitionottawa.ning.com/group/transition-meet-up>
The utne Reader Salon Discussion Group meets monthly. Call Andrew 613-259-5704.
Vegetarians and Vegans of Ottawa have a veg*an (vegan and vegetarian) meetup twice a month. <www.ottawaveg.com>
The Village Internation Mennonite Church: where passion for Jesus and justice meet. Meeting Sundays at 2 pm at 206 Montreal Road, Vanier, Ottawa. www.thevillageimc.ca/ (613) 301-7830. Come join us!
World Federalists Movement - Canada holds discussion meetings. <www.worldfederalistscanada.org> Call Monique 613-232-0647 or Email: [email protected]
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons: <www.icanw.org>
9/11 Truth:
<http://patriots question911.com>
<http://truthactionottawa.com>
<http://physics911.net>
<http://stj911.org>
<http://www.ae911truth.org>
<http://www.911review.com/>
<http://911research.wtc7.net/
<http://www.nyccan.org>
BuLLETINSJust Voices Activist Choir Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. at the Bronson Centre. <www.justvoices.ca> Call Greg 613-761-1023.
The re-Cycles Bicycle Co-op sells secondhand bikes, takes donations of old bikes (in any shape), and teaches bike repair. Volunteers welcome. 473 Bronson Ave. (at Gladstone). <www.re-cycles.ca>
Heartwood House recycles used electronics. Drop off at 153 Chapel St. Call 613-241-5937.
The Ottawa Buy Local Food Guide 7th edition, with Food Link Directory. Your guide to buying fresh, local food. Includes pick-your-own and community shared agriculture. Available online <www.justfood.ca> ; <[email protected]>.
COG Ottawa Region Organic Food Directory: <http://www.cog.ca/directory/> Email: [email protected] for a printed copy.
Films on global themes available for rent at World Inter-Action Mondiale. WIAM, 323 Chapel St. <www.wiam.ca> Call 613-238-4659.
Practice your Spanish at CALE (Círculo de Amigos de la Lengua Española). Free. Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Earl of Sussex Pub, 431 Sussex Drive. Call Gerry: 613-241-1258 or Email: [email protected]
Cat Rescue Network needs foster and permanent homes for cats and kittens. <www.catrescuenetwork.petfinder.org> or call 613-820-7088.
Have you had unprotected sex? Then you may have been exposed to the HIV virus. For information about our anonymous HIV testing sites, Call 613-563-2437.
3 pm. Radio: Dialogue with Diversity, with host Dr Qais Ghanem. CHIN Radio 97.9 FM. Info: (613) 265-4654.
5–6 p.m. Radio: Click Here. Events and issues, as seen from outside the mainstream. CHUO 89.1 FM.
7–8 p.m. Radio: Punto de Encuentro. News on regional and Latin American issues. CKCU 93.1 FM.
thurSday
5–6 p.m. Radio: The 5 O’Clock Train. Interviews on social justice issues, with host Denis Rancourt. CHUO 89.1 FM. Info: http://trainradio.blogspot.com/
Friday
9–9:30 a.m. Radio: A Luta Continua. Third World issues. CKCU 93.1 FM.
Saturday
7–8 am. Afrique Plus. CKCU 93.1 FM.
8–10 a.m Radio. Ici Afrique: CHUO 89.1 FM.
10–11 a.m. Radio. Afrika Revisited. CHUO 89.1 FM.
11 a.m.–12 noon. Radio. Black on Black: Discussions on the African diaspora. CHUO 89.1 FM.
4–6 p.m. Radio. Fréquence Antillaise (French-Caribbean). CHUO 89.1 FM.
6–8 p.m. Radio: Orígenes. Central America news, music. (In Spanish) CHUO 89.1 FM.
7–8 p.m. TV: National Geographic. TVO Channel 24, Cable 2.
Sunday
2–7 a.m. Rick’s Rhythm Ride. “Music...message...for the masses.” Every 2nd Sunday. CKCU 93.1 FM.
Peace and Environment CalendarFor a free listing in the November–December Calendar, please submit events by October 20. Call 613-230-4590. Please confirm events before attending.
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6 • Peace and Environment News • September–October 2012
Cuts to Environmental Research
by Mike Buckthought
Following the July 10 protest rally in Ottawa, the scientific journal Nature featured an edi-
torial commenting on the Harper government’s cuts to research. “The sight last week of 2,000 scientists marching on Ottawa’s Parliament Hill highlighted a level of unease in the Canadian scientific community that is unprecedented in living memo-ry,” the journal noted.
Over the past six years, we have seen an unprecedented attack on scientific research, with many cuts focused on envi-ronmental programs:
Budget cuts have hit Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans, and other govern-ment departments.
The world-renowned Experimental Lakes Area will be closed. It is a unique research facility in Northwestern Ontario that has operated since 1968.
The federal government is axing funding for Canada’s Research Tools and Instruments Grants Program (RTI). This key program funds purchases of research equipment. The Natural
Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is holding one last competition, with reduced fund-ing compared to previous years.
The Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre is losing $400,000 annual funding from NSERC. Thousands of scientists from around the world use the station, located on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
The Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) ceased year-round operations in April 2012. This was a unique research station in Eureka, Nunavut, that played a key role in monitoring the depletion of ozone over the Arctic. The ozone layer shields us from ultraviolet rays that can cause skin cancer.
The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) published reports on climate change, ener-gy efficiency, air pollution and other important issues. Its fund-ing was eliminated in the recent federal budget.
Since 1961, the Kluane Lake Research Station has allowed researchers to study Yukon’s gla-ciers. Improving our knowledge of glaciers leads to better climate
modelling. The station’s federal funding was axed. Without addi-tional funding, the centre will be forced to close.
Layoffs at Fisheries and Oceans will limit the depart-ment’s ability to assess the envi-ronmental impacts of the pro-posed Northern Gateway pipe-line. According to documents obtained by the Canadian Press, the department was not able to complete an environmental risk assessment for the nearly 1,000 streams and rivers that would be crossed by the pipeline. The department “has not conducted a complete review of all proposed crossings,” however “this work will continue.”
Environment Canada researchers are required to fol-low a restrictive media relations protocol. Scientists have to wait for approvals from bureau-crats that do not understand the research. Because of the cum-bersome approvals process, jour-nalists miss their deadlines and do not report on groundbreaking research. Some scientists have been directed not to talk to the media about their research.
Mike Buckthought writes about environmental issues.
Towards a Triple-Bottom-Line Business Modelby Ryan Moore
Every product has a price. How should we determine the cost?
Now, more than ever before, momentum is build-ing behind efforts to relate finan-cial markets to social justice. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is by no means a new idea. But now, over the last decade especially, people are attempting to construct a legitimate bot-tom-line business model that accounts for social and envi-ronmental factors in addition to financial, and that will deter-mine the long-term prosperity of a business.
The triple-bottom-line busi-ness model (TBL: people, plan-et, profit) states there should be three pillars of analysis to deter-mine success. But many believe the term “triple-bottom-line” is misleading, and, in measuring social justice, inaccurate and inconclusive from a bottom-line business perspective.
The TBL model expands the traditional reporting framework. It focuses on stakeholders (peo-ple who are influenced, directly or indirectly by business opera-tions) rather than focusing only on the shareholders (individuals who legally own any part of a share of stock in a public or pri-vate corporation). Thus, it needs to create a methodology for
coordinating stakeholder inter-ests, instead of only maximizing shareholder (owner) profit.
But do companies have social and environmental bottom lines in the same way they have finan-cial bottom lines? When consid-ering a product’s social and envi-ronmental impact in its entirety, it would be extremely difficult (if not impossible) to account for social and environmental bot-tom lines in the same way you would account for a financial bottom line, unless there is a solid reporting methodology that does not draw from relatively small samples of information.
Paul Hawkin put it best in his book The Ecology of Commerce: “Despite all this good work, we still must face a sobering fact. If every company on the planet were to adopt the best environ-mental practices of the leading companies-say Ben & Jerry’s, Patagonia, or 3M-the world would still be moving toward sure degradation and collapse.”
Social entrepreneurship attempts to develop untapped markets through using ethical trading practices with all suppli-ers and service providers. Many believe that companies have a responsibility to run their busi-ness in a manner that accounts for the well being of stakehold-ers. Others state that while CSR is important, it is not realistic for a company to work outside its area of expertise-as unrealistic
as it would be for organizations such as Greenpeace or Amnesty International to turn a profit.
MeasurabilityBut suppose a company
could work outside its area of expertise. What measures would need to be taken in order to account for social and environ-mental responsibility in a way that could compare to the detail of a financial statement?
TBL reporting measures currently use typical criteria in corporate social reports such as analyzing “visible” minorities, charitable donations, toxic emis-sions, or annual worker turn out rates.
The problem is that the TBL research methodology (the use of quantitative and qualitative assessments on a global scale) does not rate the total social and environmental costs in a net sum, like a financial statement.
The aims of a triple-bot-tom-line business are extremely important. But are they truly measurable in the sense that a bottom-line business model is measurable? How far does the paper trail lead?
Opposing arguments state that the widespread use of the term “triple-bottom-line” may be doing more harm than good because it is more of a CSR strategy than a legitimate bot-tom-line business model.
The Measurement Claim
says that components of social performance can be measured objectively on the basis of stan-dard indicators such as audits and reports. Its aims should be commended. But can these mea-surement components ever be as accurate as a bottom-line income statement?
Can you measure, for exam-ple, how many people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are affected by iPhone purchases in Toronto? Sample reporting for social and environ-mental costs of business opera-tions can never compare to the accuracy of financial planning and the ability to track every penny spent and every dollar earned.
More often than not, compa-nies are looking to establish a reputation as socially and envi-ronmentally responsible. They want to communicate to the gen-eral public that all social and environmental costs have been accounted for.
Creating a triple-bottom-line business model is a multi-dimen-sional challenge, in which deci-sions must be made on sample reporting from social and envi-ronmental indicators, blending economic value through bringing different forms of value together on a much wider spectrum than what is being done right now.
A sustainability indexThe term “sustainable” is
also misleading. No business is 100% sustainable. Perhaps if there were a system to rate companies with a sustainability percentage, the consumer would have a much better idea of what “green” is—and what “green” is not.
Through creating a system which rates companies with a sustainability percentage, we would create a new competitive field, in which companies can-not merely brand their product or service as green, but would have to work toward true sus-tainability.
Business operations can reach to all corners of the globe and beyond. Adherence to a strict research methodology would keep companies from simply branding, positioning, and green washing. They would be led to create legitimate sustainable designs.
But there is simply too much data to account for. Companies would be limited to a restricted sample of social and environ-mental indicators of success or failure. There would have to be something analogous to a net social profit/loss for TBL to be considered bottom line.
We need rigorous methodol-ogy for application and testing to bring TBL out of the CSR strategy, and into the realm of legitimate bottom-line financial accounting.
The triple-bottom-line, as it stands, needs stronger qualitative and quantitative research formu-las to be considered a legitimate bottom-line business model. It’s definitely more than a social or environmental movement. It is a socially and environmentally inspired business movement, becoming more widespread and statistically precise with every business and/or organization that adopts TBL practices in their business plans.
Ryan Moore writes about social and environmental issues.
September–October 2012 • Peace and Environment News • 7
Community Partner ColumnNational Capital Environmental Nonprofit Network
Learning to Work Togetherby Laura Leet
In July the National Capital Environmental Nonprofit Network (NCENN) held our annu-
al Capacity Building Retreat at Wintergreen Studios in southeastern Ontario. We had a great turnout from environ-mental organizations from across Eastern Ontario.
The morning started off with an overview of what Sustainable Eastern Ontario (SEO) is and what they can do for nonprofit groups (www.sustainableeaster-nontario.ca) Then we learned about our finances from Mike Fletcher of HighSpin Consulting Inc, who taught us that we don’t need to understand math to understand and do our finan-cials.
After a marvelous lunch we heard about some capac-ity building case studies, around the topics of Fundraising, Communications, and Volunteer Engagement. We also cov-ered Governance and Board Development, Risk Management, and Legal Issues. It was great to talk about the tough issues, and realize there is still more to learn about these topics, especially around the upcoming changes to
Canada Revenue Agency rules for non-profits.
The day closed with a discussion from representa-tives of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Working together will allow us better access not only to funding, but also to the knowledge and skills we can all bring to the table. Sustainable Eastern Ontario is looking to help organizations collaborate and to link groups doing similar projects.
The Lorax also made an appearance at the retreat! He stood on a stump that had the one word “Unless” on it. Here is the line from Dr. Seuss’ famous book: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better-it’s not.” Very wise words that I think all of us in the environmental field can carry with us.
On day two we included organizations that Sustainable Eastern Ontario had helped and worked with in the past year. We expanded on the discus-sions of the previous day, but also delved into our own per-sonal journeys and why we were doing this kind of work. We learned a lot from each other and added resources to our Capacity Building Directory. This is being put together through our survey,
which can be found at www.ncenn.ca/survey
That afternoon Rena gave us an in-depth tour of the Wintergreen Studios grounds. We learned about straw bale and cord wood construction, solar panels, and solar hot water heat-ers. Their flourishing gardens were modeled after the WWII victory gardens and three sisters gardens, which were meant to be drought resistant. Other features included a root cellar, smoker, and wood oven, which were all made by Rena and volunteers.
This retreat was a huge suc-cess. We cannot wait until the next one, and we hope that those who attended will join us again, along with new organizations that are interested in learning and working together.
The NCEN holds networking sessions every month, which are hosted by various groups. We are taking a break for the sum-mer, but will be back starting in September. Stay tuned for meeting topics for the fall gath-erings, which will take place on September 19th, October 17th, and November 21st. If you have any questions please e-mail us at [email protected]
Laura Leet is Project Coordinator for NCEN.
Community Partner ColumnGreening Sacred Spaces
Planting for Tomorrowby Katrina Siks
I have a confession to make. I dream of old men plant-ing trees.
There is a Greek prov-erb which reminds us that “A society grows great when an old man plants trees whose shade he will never sit in.” Towering leaders in the tree world, trees planted by our grandparents sprawl across Ottawa, extending up as well as down into the soil.
Once I hit the age of 30, friends started setting down roots too, with babies and new homes that seem to sprout up all around. I have found myself ask-ing “What about planting a nut tree on your new property?”
“Sure, they’re beautiful trees. It’s just that they just grow far too slowly,” a friend says, shak-ing his head.
Every time I walk by the tow-ering Ginkgo trees that line the canal, or pass under arboretum’s Shagbark Hickory to munch on some mulberries, I am filled with a sense of reverence for those that took the time for the selfless act of digging their roots into the soil.
Edible trees can offer us so much: hundreds of pounds of fruit a year, increasing the value of land, offering shade, the base for sweet tree houses, carbon sequestration, and many more environmental benefits.
So I try again: “Well, what about planting any food bearing trees on your new property?”
“Maybe an apple tree...but I just don’t think we have time.”
I ponder his response. It seems that once you’re old enough to plant a tree in your own yard, you’re already out of time. If we don’t have time today, who is planning for tomorrow? With 25% of tree cover soon be lost to the Emerald Ash Borer, Ottawa citizens have an opportunity to re-plant that is unparalleled in our city’s history.
In addition to time, lack of access to land or financial resources are other top barriers to planting trees. If we removed these barriers, how much food could we grow?
“Well, what if you had help to harvest the fruit? What if it went in part to the community, to those who would like to eat it?”
He considers the possibility.
“I suppose, if there was someone to help with the har-vest...why not?”
Goodness knows our city needs the food. Last year more than 40,000 people were sup-ported by the Ottawa Food Bank—and this year they are experiencing an increase of demand by 15%.
Hidden Harvest Ottawa, a new social enterprise, will be organizing picks this year for fruit and nuts that would other-wise go to waste. They will share a quarter of the bounty with food agencies such as the Food Bank, as well as with the tree owner and volunteer harvesters.
While the city is doing what it can to mitigate the impact of the Borer, the City only man-ages a very small percentage of the land in Ottawa. The city of Ottawa has an area of 2,797 km2 , with 12.6% of this being urban land, where we live, work and play. In these areas, it us up to all of us to care for our urban forest.
The Emerald Ash Borer brings with it the lesson of the importance of diverse and gen-erational tree planting, as well as the reminder that our forests
know no boundary between city, private, and NCC property.
The greenspaces of schools and churches, community health centres and parks all have an important role to play in the environmental and food secu-rity concerns of the community. Those groups who have access to land and the ability to care for trees but are missing resources or time can seek to be paired with a donor through Plan(t) for Tomorrow.
Organized by Hidden Harvest Ottawa, a local non-profit group, the project is seeking those who would like to donate trees, as well as applications from com-munity groups who would like to receive trees.
Who is looking for trees in
your neighbourhood? Very soon you will be able to go online, browse community groups, see who aspires to put edible trees in the ground, and consider con-tributing to their goal. The web-site www.hiddenharvest.ca is being developed through Hidden Harvest’s technology partnership with OAK Computing, and is set to launch September 15.
Today we are benefitting from long history of a life with trees and generations of wise people who placed them in the ground. But let’s start with the trees. Let’s Plan(t) for Tomorrow.
8 • Peace and Environment News • September–October 2012
by Koozma J. Tarasoff
The Canadian Peace Initiative and City of Peace Ottawa, togeth-er with Ottawa’s
peace and social justice groups, will be holding the annual
Peace Festival from September 21 to October 2. These dates mark the United Nation’s two International Days of Peace and Nonviolence. This will be the sixth year of this popular festival celebrating Ottawans’ activism in building a cul-ture of nonviolent peace in
the nation’s capital. Over 15 groups are planning activities this year.
Highlights of the Festival include a special photo exhibit on the late Algonquin leader, Grandfather William Commanda, who passed away last year. The photo exhibit,
organized by Circle of All Nations, will be at the Ottawa Public Library throughout September.
On September 22, there will be a special Peace Walk and Paddle for Peace ceremony at Victoria Island. The ceremony will inaugurate the festival with prayers for Mother Earth, com-munal harmony, social justice and peace, and indigenous wis-dom.
The gala finale will be held at Ottawa City Hall, where Friends for Peace will host a day-long program of festivi-ties. This year’s special Friends for Peace Award is being post-humously awarded to the late NDP leader, Jack Layton. It will be received by his wife, MP Olivia Chow, on Saturday, September 29.
Other festival events include: proclamation of Ottawa as a City of Peace, photo and art exhibits, music concerts, and panel discussions. For more details, watch the community calendar closer to the festival period.
“With a different kind of peace event every day throughout the 12-day festi-val period, every citizen has an opportunity to get out and participate, and to reflect on
how peace, unity, and harmony can be achieved in today’s world,” say the festival con-venors, Bill Bhaneja and Peter Stockdale. “We hope these fun and friendly events will give folks a chance to know what’s happening in Ottawa to build community peace and be con-vinced that there are alterna-tives to violence and war in Canada and abroad.”
Canadian Peace Initiative (CPI) and City of Peace Ottawa aspire to involve communities and citizens to work towards building cities of peace, to enhance women and youth par-ticipation in peace-building, to promote inter-faith dialogue, and to explore ways of resolv-ing conflicts through nonviolent means.
For more on CPI, visit departmentofpeace.ca; for City of Peace Ottawa, mycityofpeace.com
For further information, please contact: Peter Stockdale, [email protected], 613-852-4527 or Bill Bhaneja, [email protected] 613-244-1979. All events are free and open to the pub-lic.
Koozma J. Tarasoff is active in peace activities in Ottawa.
Store manager Shiri proudly displays one of the many organic/natural bedding options at Victoria’s The Good Planet Company. Located on busy downtown Fort Street, this store demonstrates that Green behaviour has become mainstream. Photo: Hugh Kruzel.
Is Green Business Becoming Mainstream?by Hugh Kruzel
There has been a signif-icant shift in how busi-nesses do business, what their services are,
how their products are made and what they are made from, as well as the underlying motive of striving for profit. This last item is now no longer “at any cost” and is under the microscope of consumers, investors and even government agencies.
While we can debate the price tag and durability of backpacks from Cambodia against ethical fabrics and petro-chemical free stitching of locally made bags, there are still many more “cheap fix” items that will go out with back-to-school, birthdays, day-to-day, and gift-giving seasons. We are still awash in plastic and disposables, but I have hope that green consciousness is creeping into every corner of life.
Certainly green businesses were never spoken of as such prior to 1986. There are now even eco-funerals featuring wicker caskets and non-embalm-ing as an option. Hand-crafted, artisanal, or maybe the word “natural” may have popped up here and there in the past, but hand-dipped candles, solid wood furniture, and wood-fired Red Fife wheat bread seemed so quaint and yesteryear back then.
If we consider the second half of the 20th century the era of oil, one wonders what this
new century will be defined by. The sense of abundance and limitlessness is certainly a feature of past history. With still growing population num-bers, and the significant pos-sibility of more ecological crises on the horizon, perhaps those challenges will name the current and forward epochs. “Anthropocene” has unoffi-cially become the adopted title that describes the time where humankind has become the shaper of landscape, weather, future, and dominion over all species (including our own).
But is the choice to con-serve wash water, heat, and cleansing agents by reusing your towels at hotels (now de rigueur at more than the major chains such as Delta, Hilton, and Starwood proper-ties), choosing car-sharing and carpooling, opting for a 100 mile diet enough? Are ade-quate numbers of us making fundamental changes?
As one response, green behaviour has gone mainstream. There are cries that there is much “green-washing” utilized by some players that does cloud the scene. In any event, no longer are products hard to find or off the map. Victoria sports signage declaring the current direction of retail: Green Planet, Planet Organic, to name but two. While in the past, Mother Earth and Harrowsmith opened the door a crack, the flood is just begin-ning.
Peace lanterns mark this summer’s commemoration of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The commemoration, hosted by Physicians for Global Survival and the Ottawa Quakers, was held August 9 in Ottawa. Photo: Koozma J. Tarasoff.
Coming Up: Ottawa Peace Festival
Some stores even have multiple locations! Members of the Green Collective in downtown Victoria include the following:
Hemp & Co. - all things Eco The Good Planet - bedding,
mattresses, household and bath; baby needs
Hip Baby - start your off-spring on the right foot with dia-pers and clothing where workers were paid a fair wage
Vshoen - no-leather, non-cru-elty shoes, boots, bags and more
Shift Natural Fashion Not Just Pretty - sustain-
able organic cotton and bamboo clothing designs
JC Scott EcoDesignWetCleaner - non-toxic dry
cleaning The Soap ExchangeThe Green Kiss - vegan,
gluten-free, silicon-free local beauty bar
Salts - organic clothingKnotty by Nature - fibre artsThese are but a few of
the storefronts on main routes
in Victoria (Government Street and Fort for example). There are aisles at Safeway and even mass merchandisers such Walmart (I am told) that sport shelf danglers featur-ing the trinity of Eco, Green, Organic.
Change happens. I just have to learn patience. What will the landscape of retail look like in ten years?
