Transition and Cittaslow

In the second week of my Sustainability and Community Relations course, I was fortunate to hear from two South Islanders leading two separate sustainable initiatives. The first speaker was Michelle Colussi from the Victoria Region Transition Initiative (VRTI). The VRTI “fosters a postcarbon way of life in the Victoria area by raising awareness and building connections, supporting positive vision and action to help create more resilient, joyful communities that no longer rely on fossil fuels as their primary energy sources.” The second speaker was Mara Jernigan from Cittaslow Cowichan. Both women are making incredibly positive changes in their communities.

Michelle Colussi started the morning off by telling us a little about the Transition movement. She said it was founded by environmentalist, author and teacher Rob Hopkins from the UK. “Transition Towns” is a world-wide movement focused on reducing a village/town/city’s carbon footprint and increasing the ability to withstand the negative effects of “Peak Oil” and climate change. It’s a great way to engage communities, increase resilience and decrease fossil fuel dependence. She thinks that there has been a lot of talk about climate change blah blah blah, an explosion of uncertainty, BUT now its time for experimentation with solutions. Our current society is experiencing economic instability and inequity, our resources are depleting at an uncontrollable rate and we are experiencing food security problems. Below is a list that compares our current way of life and how it could be changed through “Transition”:

From Global to Local, from centralized to diverse, from growth to steady state, from consumption to self-relience, from depletion to stewardship, and finally from individual to collective. I thought this was a great comparison and one that could really show people what we’re all missing out on! Another interesting point Michelle made had to do with our current societal structure. We’ve lost the resilience to cope with energy shocks, but by starting a Transition movement we could become better prepared to deal with energy problems rather than always being surprised when they do hit.

Mara Jernigan was the second speaker of the morning. She came to talk about Cittaslow Cowichan: North America's First Cittaslow designated community. “While many local governments see the economy of "build it and they will come" philosophy for sprawl, development and especially big-box developments: a Cittaslow community focuses on ensuring we have access to local foods, knowing our neighbours and supporting our local growers and artisans.” The most important thing I remember Mara saying that morning was “What’s different when you travel somewhere?” This question really made me think. When I travel to anywhere in North America, I see the same box stores, gas stations, fast food (very “homogenous”). It’s not until I travel overseas do I see new things. But some corporations are now overseas (I saw 7-11 & McDonalds in Thailand!)

I truly admire what the people of Cowichan Bay have accomplished. Preserving the uniqueness and values of an area is incredible! In this way they have protected their town and community from developers. They are satisfied with the slow pace of life and that’s the way its going to stay. We are living in some pretty interesting times with many decisions to be made. I believe changes will have to happen at municipal levels like Cowichan because each community has different values and dreams.

Communities and Sustainability

Community: a dynamic set of relationships in which a synergic, self-regulating, whole is created out of the combination of individual parts into a cohesive, identifiable, unified form.

On January 7, I had my first class in Sustainability and Community Relations at Royal Roads University. Little did I know that this class was going to change the way I looked at communities and how important they really are to a healthy, positive and fulfilling life.

I grew up in rural Alberta just outside the small town of Rocky Mountain House in a community called Arbutus (not the Vancouver Island Arbutus!) It had a typical prairie Alberta community hall, baseball diamond and spruce trees around the perimeter. What I enjoyed most was the hockey rink (Dad and I flooded it every winter). I remember going to the hall for Christmas and Halloween parties, sporting events, and even family reunions. The experiences I had will never be forgotten, and I owe it all to the community I grew up in.

But enough about me, let’s get back to what I learned in class! One of the most interesting things I took from class was the meaning of the word community. The word "community" has old roots, going back to the Indo-European base mei, meaning "change" or "exchange." Apparently this joined with another root, kom, meaning "with," to produce an Indo-European word kommein: shared by all. My professor also noted that the word “munis” means gifts or services. I think its great knowing what a word means before actually studying it further.

An exercise in class involved asking the class what community meant to each person. Some of the words that were said included: safe, participation, intergenerational, respect, belonging, identity, trust, purpose, commitment, values, skills, and developing young people. The first word I thought of was sharing because you can’t have a community without sharing place, stories, traditions, skills, funds, etc.

Another concept covered in class was “rightful place”. This refers to a claim/ownership/right to the land or area at which a group of people are living. It’s a wishy-washy kind of concept that is difficult for me to understand because I don’t really believe someone can “own” something. How do you define where and what this is? I guess you could say that one feels a “rightful place” after living in an area for a long period of time. After you’ve lived in an area, there is a feeling of caring and protection for that place. This is where sustainability comes into play. A First Nation lady once said:

“When are you white folks going to start living here like you planned on staying?”

As North Americans, most of us are living as if we’re not staying. We are lacking the respect for the environment our great ancestors once had. We are also losing the social clubs and organizations that once thrived just a few decades ago. By building great communities that are sustainably aware, we can preserve the community and the environment.

“The essence of community, its very heart and soul, is the non-monetary exchange of value; things we do and share because we care for others and for the good of the place… It arises from a deep, intuitive, often subconscious understanding that self-interest is inseparably connected with community interest.” -Dee Hock

References: http://books.google.ca/books?id=-27m10R_LlMC&lpg=PP1&dq=coming%20home%20community%20creativity%20and%20consciousness&pg=PA31#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Hope or Despair?

“Climate change tends to be framed in one of two ways – as scary weather, or as an economic issue” – Chris Turner

To even be considering the fate of the world terrifies me. I can’t believe we have actually come to this point in our existence where we’re seeing an end to freshwater, an atmosphere full of GHG’s, and an ocean with almost nothing left. It is easiest to not think about it, but that wouldn’t help anything or anyone. But all the doom and gloom aside, in this blog I discuss the reasons why I believe we still have hope for a sustainable world for generations to come.

“The problem might be global, but the best solutions to date have been devised often at the local level of a small town or organization” – Chris Turner

The City of Portland is a great example of sustainable action. Portland’s climate change strategy was introduced in 1993. It was the first municipal emissions-reduction plan in the United States. Here are some of the benefits from the policies created:
•All new municipal buildings in Portland are required to earn LEED Gold ratings.
•Residents are the highest per capita purchasers of hybrid vehicles in America.
•Cycling and walking, for commuting purposes, is up 10 percent in the last ten years
•700 miles of cycling and walking paths
•Growth Boundary (a line beyond which urban asphalt is forbidden to cross)
All of this started with a very determined and hopeful city that wanted to set a positive example. Other cities in the world can now look at Portland and have something to shoot for. This is a great thing for our world; we need cities and countries to make a stand on what’s right. As Chris Turner puts it, “A stack of policies is not a society, and a group of politicians is not necessarily a movement, and none of it on its own would inspire Portland or any other community to greatness”.

The Kyoto Protocol was a pact between 169 nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5 percent or more by 2012. It might turn out, in the long run, that the Kyoto Protocol or this more recent Copenhagen Summit becomes the engine of a concerned global effort to return civilization to a sustainable footing. I really hope that Canada gets off their lazy ass and actually decides to do something instead of always following the US on every international decision. We need to act soon. I am confident that one day we will, as a nation, create a sustainability plan. David Suzuki tried proposing a plan a few years ago called “Sustainability within a Generation”. Prime Minister Stephen Harper wasn’t “ready” for it at the moment, but hopefully one day our political leaders will be.

The root of our problems is ultimately social. If we want to see real change, we need a majority of people on the same wavelength. In order to do this you need to make the environment a bigger issue than it is right now. Copenhagen will hopefully develop some “positiveness” into people’s minds. These may be just huge gatherings between rich nations, but we must look at them as optimistic starting points at which to start our sustainable journey. The only thing we may have is hope, but if we can stay positive and live by example like the City of Portland, there is a chance we will see some change and direction in a healthier, longer lasting planet.

Synthesis of Presentations

The following is a list of some of the topics that were presented this semester. I have picked out six of my favourites to briefly summarize. I will then end with a concluding paragraph on what all of these presentations meant to me.

Smart Design: Ideas and technologies used to efficiently create long term living/working space, reduce negative effects on ecological health, and improve quality of health for residents. One example of Smart Design is LEED (An internationally recognized green building certification system that promotes Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Two of the most important designs featured in LEED buildings include waste reduction and energy and water conservation.

Sustainable Energy: Case study on wind energy in Denmark: Island of Samso where 100%of electricity from wind power generation, powers homes and transit system. Energy use accounts for 53.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions! Solutions exist and we have the technology to mitigate catastrophic climate change. Huge amounts of improvement are possible. Wind energy less than 1% of total global electrical supply. Sustainable energy considerations: Environmental conditions, Cost, Number of beneficiaries / users, Life expectancy.

Green Building: This group presented on “Green Roofs”. Green Roofs address all three sustainable development aspects... 1) Social: Aesthetically pleasing, Therapeutic potential (rooftop gardens, meditation areas) 2) Economic: Reduced heating and cooling costs, Reduced need for eaves troughs = economic savings 3) Ecological: Increased biodiversity, Carbon dioxide sink

Urban Planning: Sustainable Urban Development is thought to be “development that improves the long term social and ecological health of cities and towns”. Key components: Compact and Efficient land use (Mixed Use), Reduction of Waste, Energy Efficient Design, Sustainable Transport Systems, Sustainable economy, Community participation/pride. Urban sprawl on the rise, built around unsustainable single- use communities. Proper urban planning can reduce urban sprawl.

Economics of Sustainability: “Sustainability doesn’t cost - it pays” (Geography of Hope Turner, 2007, p300). This group chose Dockside Green as an economic example. Dockside green uses Triple Bottom Line Accounting to measure their success. The four principles of Natural Capitalism and how Dockside Green is doing this: 1) Efficiency- Metering in every suite (20% energy savings) 2) Bio-mimicry- natural waterways 3) "Service-and-Flow" Business Model- using Interface flooring 4) Reinvest in Natural Capital- waste-to-energy plant

Making Change: Effective communication is the catalyst for change. Historically environmental communication has been “doom and gloom”. We need to make the situation more meaningful to the global community and individuals. Canadian voice of change = David Suzuki. He is an excellent example of making real change, and this is why: Excellent communicator, Utilizes multiple mediums, Inspires change to individuals, Holds political leaders accountable, Supports many projects with shared mission and vision, Focuses on all ages.

As you can see, sustainable development can come in many forms all over the world. All topics seem to have a few things in common. One thing is, they all strive for a better future with long-lasting intentions. They are ideas that consider all aspects of life: social, economic and environmental. Efficiency is one thing that is always taken into consideration, and realizing that Earth’s resources are limited. Also, there tends to be an emphasis on reduction, whether it is waste or energy. New technologies and new ideas are always part of the environmental movement, as this brings about change and improvement. I think that every one of these topics includes groups of people that have worked very hard to get where they are now. They passions are deep and meaningful. It’s always good to have dreams, and these people made them come true. It’s very inspirational to know that these groups and individuals could succeed and show there is a alternative way of doing things in this world.

My Stuff and Consumption Habits

The following is a power consumption table I filled out last year as part of my Sustainable Design course in Calgary. It’s a quick list of some of the appliances and corresponding watts/day, to give an idea of how much energy my wife and I are using.


Consumption =
1) Act of eating or drinking - the eating or drinking of something, or the amount that somebody eats or drinks
2) Act of using something up - the use of natural resources or fuels, or the amount of resources or fuels used
3) Consumer expenditure - the purchase and use of goods and services by consumers, or the quantity of goods and services purchased (Encarta Dictionary)

Consumerism is all around us. Anyone living in North America is especially surrounded. You cannot go anywhere without seeing an advertisement for something. They are seen on the internet, radio, TV, in the newspaper, on public transit, buildings, billboards, and even at hockey games along the boards! They want us to believe that we need, need, need their product and if we don’t buy this new product, we are “out of the loop”. For most of us it is a constant struggle to spend money in a way that is sustainable to our own financial situations and also sustainable to the earth’s ecological balance.

Consumables: products that are eaten or decompose. A package that turns into dirt is infinitely more useful, biologically speaking, than a package that turns into a plastic park bench. Designing for decomposition, not recycling is the way of the world around us.
Durables: products that are designed to last. Currently many durables are designed to fail.

When my wife and I moved to Victoria this past summer, we were shocked by how much stuff we had. Between the two us, we filled up the cab and box of a borrowed half-ton truck pulling a 20 foot U-Haul trailer! We loaded everything including: electronics, kitchen supplies, sports equipment, books, clothes, furniture… All of this stuff can make a person feel spoiled and guilty. By seeing everything you own crammed into a measureable space like a truck and trailer, it really puts things into perspective. It makes you ask questions. Do we really need all of this stuff? What kind of things can we do without? How do we go about living in a more sustainable manner? Moving can really open your eyes to the things that you own! Personally, I feel most guilty about our car. It’s a massive chunk of metal, rubber, glass, and petroleum products that spews GHG’s out its rear end!

“Americans produce six times their body weight every week in hazardous and toxic waste water, incinerator fly ash, agricultural wastes, heavy metals, and waste chemicals, paper, wood, etc. This does not include CO2 which if it were included would double the amount of waste.” I know I’m not American, but I’m pretty darn close. This is outrageous! Six times my own weight in waste a week! When we moved to Victoria, our landlord (we share a house with) offered us a compost bin. This is the first time we have composted, and we can’t believe how much it has reduced our garbage output. But the compost bin isn’t the only reason for less waste. Whenever we go grocery shopping, we try to buy things with the least packaging possible or that can be recycled. For example, instead of putting all of our vegetables in plastic bags, we bring our small hemp baggies that can be reused. Just recently, our landlord changed the households’ garbage pick-up to every two weeks instead of every week.

As stated before, people struggle with the amount of stuff they have and their consumption habits. I truly do not see an end to this soon. Humans are very stuborn and set in their ways. If they want to spend their earnings on new vehicles and TV's they wiil! It seems the only way this will end is through a catastrophic event (the end of oil). The only hope we have lies in the education of sustainable practices and living by example.

Case Study: Farmers' Markets and Local Food Systems

This blog post summarizes a case study of sustainable development happening right here on Vancouver Island! The study I chose embraces the benefits of farmers’ markets and the creation of a farmers’ market in the Royal Oak area of Saanich, BC. Farmers’ markets are an important aspect of food distribution for local farmers here on the Island and around the world. They can strengthen local food systems and assist towns and cities achieve sustainability outcomes. Unlike massive grocery stores, farmers’ markets acknowledge the importance of relying on locally available resources and also recognizing the mutual dependencies between local producers and consumers. Seeing as we live on an island, the method of local food production and distribution can also assist in fostering food security. The distance food must travel (food miles) is significantly reduced when compared to grocery stores.

Locally-produced foods also have health benefits. When local produce is purchased locally, it is likely to be consumed much sooner after harvest than non-local produce and therefore have higher nutritional value when consumed (MacNair, 2004). Farmers’ markets contribute to people’s health and well-being by often including health-related education that can occur during producer-consumer interactions and also by providing healthy, fresh and more often than not organic products.

Shifting to the proposed farmers’ market in Royal Oak, seven key factors were chosen by the people that will be considered for its success. A few examples are given for each factor:
• Participation –commitment, interaction, afford market stall fees
• Organization – management, volunteers, land acquisition
• Location – adequate parking, public transit access, bathroom facilities
• Market Scheduling – morning/night, weekday/weeknight, 4X a month
• Products Offered – fruits/vegetables, local meats, craftspeople
• Market Features – children activities, food demos
• Market Type – individual stalls

The interactions that occur between producers and consumers at farmers’ markets often go beyond economic capital gains and can lead to ‘social capital’ formation (Hinrichs, 2000; Lapping, 2004). Coming together once a week creates a social area which fosters community, friendships and social networking. If Royal Oak does not go forward with a farmers’ market, it would be a crying shame. The benefits to the community are immense, and I haven’t even scratched the surface! I hope that one day this area will receive their wish.

The most important benefit of farmers’ markets, to me, is the education it provides. People nowadays, either child or adult, do not know where their food comes from. This is absolutely outrageous! We have been brainwashed to shop at places like Walmart and Costco, where everything is overly packaged and transported thousands of miles around the world. We have lost the appreciation and respect for the very things that sustain us! This bothers me because I grew up on a farm, and I know where and how a lot of the food that I consume comes from. But now that I live in the city, I feel a disconnection to the source of my purchases. Writing this blog has inspired me to shop with a conscience and consider where and who my money is going to.

Reference: Link, Alexandra & Ling, Chris. Farmers' Markets and Local Food Systems. Retrieved December 5, 2009 from, http://crcresearch.royalroads.ca/case-studies/crc-case-studies/farmers-markets-and-local-food-systems

My Social Capital and What Affects It

The three imperatives that form sustainable development are: Economic, Ecological and Social. This blog will focus on the social aspect of sustainability; what it is, how it works, and then ending with some examples. The term “social capital” has often been used to describe this area of interest of sustainability.

Community, believe it or not, is a crucial component of everyone’s existence. When we think of community, we often refer to it as a group of people sharing, living, and interacting in a particular area. Community involvement often sets the priorities in towns, cities and countries all over the world, eventually creating policies which serve to shape our identities. This process can simply be called “social capital”. University of Manchester Professor Michael Woolcock defines social capital as, “The norms and networks that facilitate collective action”. Some key words that are often linked to the creation of social capital include: engagement, trust, cooperation, collective, knowledge and shared future. To measure the social capital of a certain area, indicators are often used. Examples may include the number of voluntary organizations/clubs or say the percent of people attending public meetings. This is not 100% accurate, but it helps to identify the level of community involvement that is present. Studies have shown that a correlation between social capital and higher quality education and lower crime and poverty levels. This demonstrates that a community that is involved, committed and connected is at a greater advantage socially.

Part of this blog was to describe my social capital and what affects it. In order to do this, I will list off different indicators that are specific to me. This year my social capital has been slightly altered due to the fact I am taking a very intense program. The World Bank has an amazing site on Social Capital. They provide tools in which to measure social capital in your household and community! I will be using the three of the five World Bank’s dimensions of social capital as a guide:

Groups and Networks (collections of individuals that promote and protect personal relationships which improve welfare)
- Family on my side and as well my wife’s side
- Friends from back home and new friends that I’ve met here at RRU
- Faculty and staff of RRU that I’ve recently met
- Religious activities and relationships involved there
- Facebook!

Trust and Solidarity (elements of interpersonal behaviour which fosters greater cohesion and more robust collective action)
- With some of my closer friends, and especially my family. These are true, solid relationships. Ones that make real change when times are good and when times are bad.
- Also trust in RRU to educate me at the level I need to be at as a professional

Collective Action and Cooperation (ability of people to work together toward resolving communal issues)
- The cohort of Environmental Science students is a great example of this. We work together to achieve higher learning, as well begin new and memorable relationships. As we leave school and enter into the real world, there is potential for great change in all of us.

“Social capital is the glue that holds societies together and without which there can be no economic growth or human wellbeing. Without social capital, society at large will collapse, and today’s world presents some very sad examples of this.” –World Bank

Reference: http://go.worldbank.org/C0QTRW4QF0