Taming the Wild West of urban sprawl
August 2010
By Emma Gilchrist
Calgary has earned a dubious reputation for decades of unrestricted growth, but there’s reason to hope that’s all about to change.
Two recently released studies confirm what any driver who has ever been trapped on Deerfoot Trail during rush hour already knows: Calgary is the Wild West of urban sprawl.
A report released by the Neptis Foundation compared urban design in Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary and, not surprisingly, found Calgary ranked at the bottom of the pack in terms of density. Throughout the 1990s, nearly 80 per cent of Calgary’s
growth happened on new land.
Living Wage Fosters Sustainability
August 2010
By L. Sara Bysterveld
Like in any other system, the many aspects of sustainability are dependent on one another. What happens in one area, say local economy, will affect the other areas – ecology, health, standard of living – either directly or indirectly.
The lowest wage within a community is no exception. Normally this means the minimum wage, a provincial figure that applies whether a worker is living in a rural community with low rents or in a large urban centre with higher rents and generally a higher cost of living. For the latter, chances are the minimum doesn’t come close to covering the cost of living, including covering basic needs, maintaining a safe and decent standard of living
and saving for the future.
The newest movement in sustainable living
June 2010
Film Review: In Transition 1.0
By Jennifer Dooley
In Transition 1.0 – From Oil Dependence to Local Resilience, is the first film ever released about the newest movement in sustainable living: the Transition movement. It’s a film worth watching – it’s hopeful and powerful, showing us a practical vision for creating a post-consumer society where ordinary people make a difference.
The Transition movement, inherently powerful by its very own name, is about transitioning into a more sustainable way of life. It’s about taking small steps towards environmentally friendly choices: switching to energy efficient light bulbs, recycling, turning down the thermostat, composting, using re-usable grocery
bags, or taking the bus more often. The movement has a place for
everyone and now entire communities are joining the effort.
Sowing the Seeds of Community
March 2010
By Angus Macdonell
Last year, the Mid-Sun Community Association joined the
‘growing’ trend in Calgary to turn empty green spaces into gardens, attracting people wanting to plant and harvest their own food as well as fostering community spirit by mingling with like-minded neighbours.
The idea was conceived in June of 2008 and by the fall of that year, we’d assembled a team of volunteers to organize and implement the project. The Mid-Sun CA community centre had lots of green space on its north side that wasn’t being utilized so we applied to the City for a change of land usage. Our Community Recreation Coordinator was an invaluable liaison for the endeavour. One benefit of using the CA land is that the hall
draws lots of residential traffic thanks to the programming and
events it offers. A popular location like that is a great way to promote
a garden project to the CA board, find volunteers and have access to
necessities like water or tool storage.
Putting a Price on Alberta’s Water
March 2010
By Emma Gilchrist
Okotoks is a town shaped by one thing more than any other:
water – a lack of water, to be precise.
Spurred on by its limited water supply, in 1998 the town became one of the first municipalities in the world to establish growth targets linked to environmental carrying capacity. With a population cap of 30,000, Okotoks would be able to stay just inside of the licenced limits of the Sheep River aquifer – or so it was thought. There’s just one hitch: two decades before the community’s build-out date of 2030, the town has run dry.
“We’ll hit our water allocation license this year,” says Dawn Heffernan, environment and sustainability coordinator for the Town of Okotoks.
If You…
December 2009
- celebrate Christmas, exchange gifts with friends and family,
and want to give gifts that are meaningful and personalized
this year – give the gift of your time. Time gift certificates can include anything from: gardening help, child care, cooking a dinner (romantic or otherwise), organizing an adventure experience like snowshoeing or hiking, or gifting someone with an entire day where your time (cooking, cleaning, errand running, whatever is wanted or needed) is at your recipient’s disposal. - want to give gifts that are planet-friendly, visit www.davidsuzuki.org and give “Gifts that Keep on Greening”; or visit the World Wildlife Fund store where you can purchase organic gifts, or give the gift of wildlife adoption in support of WWF-Canada’s conservation efforts.
Citizens of the Earth Come Together
October 2009
By L. Sara Bysterveld
A quick look around at the state of the world – the environment, the economy, global conflict – prompts many of us to wonder what we can do to help turn things around. Fortunately, many people around the world are working to improve their own lives and those of others, as well as the prognosis for our earth.
Among these millions spread over the earth, beliefs, goals and themes are often remarkably similar. As if there were one overarching set of beliefs guiding the actions of many, activists, philanthropists, visionary business owners and individuals of every walk of life are moving toward a similar vision of the future.
As it turns out, there is an overarching set of beliefs that matches much of what many envision for our collective future. It is called the Earth Charter, and it is an exhaustive document outlining what can and should be done to improve our odds for living long-term here on earth in peace, health and prosperity.
If You…
September 2009
- commute to work by motor vehicle you are among 81% of
Canadians. From 1990 – 2005, energy use by light
passenger trucks (including pickup trucks, vans and SUVs) increased by 98%, while energy use by large cars decreased by 13%. Although gains have been made in the fuel efficiency of passenger vehicles, they have been offset by the greater number of less fuel-efficient vehicles on Canadian roads. In 2005, Canada was second only to the US in its use of energy for road transportation among the G7countries. - drive a gas powered vehicle, as most of us do, you contribute to the 26% of Canada’s estimated GHG emissions that are derived from road transportation.
