ecoENERGY. The federal Liberals have joined the NDP in challenging the end of the ecoENERGY retrofit incentive program. Speaking in the House, environment critic Gerard Kennedy asked why ecoENERGY is being shut down, costing hundreds of jobs in the energy efficiency industry and leaving homeowners in the cold. Continue reading Continuation of home energy programs urged – GCNews #705
As world leaders gather in Cancun, it’s no coincidence that Bjorn Lomborg is traveling the world to promote Cool It, a new documentary that features his long-time efforts to undercut so-called climate alarmism. Continue reading The Cult of Bjorn Lomborg
A 21st Century version of O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum) written and performed by Local Anxiety (aka Kevin Crofton and … Continue reading Oh Christmas Tree Oh 21st Century
Toronto – Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner says the government needs to make improvements to its energy conservation programs if it hopes … Continue reading Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner urges improvements to ensure energy savings
The Bridge at the End of the World
James Gustave Speth.
At the end of his career as a litigator, academic and veritable environmental prophet, Gus Speth has reached a disturbing conclusion: “All we have to do to ruin the planet is to keep doing exactly what we’re doing today.” The environmental movement, he argues, is swimming upstream – limited by our cloistered approach to change and a failure to address the systemic failures of a myopic economic system. Passing the torch to the next generation, he offers a thoughtful analysis of these systemic challenges and outlines the necessary steps for transformative change. The Bridge at the Edge of the World is essential reading for those preparing to make the crossing. Continue reading The Bridge at the End of the World
If you’ve ever driven through Southern Ontario on the 401, chances are pretty good you’ve noticed a sign indicating that … Continue reading Win Big with Ontario’s Greenbelt
A day-long comedy of errors began when the Yes Men, supported by Rainforest Action Network and Amazon Watch, pre-empted Chevron’s … Continue reading Massive Chevron Ad Campaign Derailed by Yes Men
The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in the Modern World
Wade Davis, Toronto: Anansi Press, 2009, 240 pages.
The title chapter of The Wayfinders tells of Polynesian navigators’ ability to travel great distances in canoes by reading signs of the ocean, sky, animals and wind. Traversing cultures whose people, like the navigators, have an intimate knowledge of their environments, this book illustrates human brilliance and the capacity to be deeply attuned to our inner and outer worlds.
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Toronto – The Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA), a community based network of land trusts that protects natural landscapes across Ontario, is hosting its 9th Annual Gathering this month. The conference, called Expanding Horizons, runs October 28-30 at the Holiday Inn in Peterborough, Ontario. Visit the OLTA website for more information and registration details. Continue reading OLTA’s Expanding Horizons Conference
The big screen has enough caped crusaders saving the world from evil. Now, it’s your turn to don an eco-conscious cape and save the environment!
Produced and directed by CineFocus Canada co-founders John Bessai and Joan Prowse, GreenHeroes is a timely Web/TV crossover about smart, sexy and dynamic crusaders for the environment. You can watch some of the featured webisodes here. Continue reading GreenHoroes – TV Contest
Did you artfully revive furniture headed to the dump?Bake a delicious cake with organic ingredients?Start your own environmental club from … Continue reading Earth Day’s “2010 EcoAction Challenge”
Transitions to Sustainable Development: New Directions in the Study of Long Term Transformative Change
John Grin, Jan Rotmans, and Johan Schot in collaboration with Frank Geels and Derk Loorbach
Routledge, 2010, 381 pages.
Many citizens and decision makers are able to define goals for sustainability. Achieving these goals in practice, however, is far more difficult.
Individuals are simply one part of a larger societal system composed of knowledge, institutions, norms and behaviours, as well as physical infrastructure. Once established, these larger systems entrench various patterns of unsustainable consumption, such as food choices, mobility patterns and energy consuming lifestyles. These path dependencies constrain communities and individuals from achieving their sustainable development goals.
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