Wetlands Key to Success of Global Goals

Wetlands Key to Success of Global Goals

All Posts, Featured, Sustainable Development Goals
Did you know that once upon a time wetlands were considered wastelands? A lot has changed since then.  Today, they hold high importance globally and are protected under international treaty to ensure wise use for sustainable development. Having just celebrated World Wetlands Day, I thought this would be a great topic to showcase the interconnection of Global Goal 14: Life Below Water & Global Goal 15: Life on Land. “A Wetland is a meeting area where Water and Land become one" ~ Romain About Wetlands As you might know or have guessed, they are plots of land saturated in water.  Land submerged under water is either seasonal or year round.  Wetlands are identified by plants adaptable to saturated soil conditions caused by water at or near the surface. The soil type…
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Investing in Sustainable Consumption

Investing in Sustainable Consumption

All Posts, Fair Trade, Featured, Sustainable Development Goals, Triple Bottom Line
Do you want to make sustainable solutions part of your daily life?  Good news! When it comes to the way you buy and sell, you can. A big part of the plan to achieve the Global Goals – otherwise known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – lies in changing the way you do business.  Even if you don’t own a business, as a customer, you can be part of the solution. While business is about making a profit, entrepreneurs and shoppers alike are quickly realizing that operations can go beyond dollars and cents.  In following a Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework, businesses can empower people, help the environment, and make money while doing it.  By looking at sustainability from a social, environmental, and financial point of view, many opportunities…
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Working Towards Global Goal 2: Zero Hunger

Working Towards Global Goal 2: Zero Hunger

All Posts, Sustainable Development Goals
Do you think it's possible to feed our world's population with the global resources we have? Global Goal 2: Zero Hunger.  That’s a big one, but not impossible.  The problem has been identified: “…extreme hunger and malnutrition remains a huge barrier to development in many countries.”  Perhaps we can even edit that to state that it is a huge barrier for development in every community since people all over the world are negatively affected by hunger. Seeking Solutions A child that does not eat properly faces health problems; much like an adult that consumes more processed food than vegetables is not in a healthy state. I could go on for a long while about the problems – because let’s face it – there are plenty.  Instead, I prefer to focus on…
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Looking to Build Bridges and Narrow Gaps in Your Community?

Looking to Build Bridges and Narrow Gaps in Your Community?

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Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop presented by a group in Dunnville.  The day was facilitated by Terie Dreussi Smith, one of the co-authors of the book Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities. Light bulbs went off throughout her presentation and dots were connecting between what I read in Joseph Chilton Pearce’s Biology of Transcendence and what is being taught through the AhaProcess. The synchronicity is enhanced even further in how it relates so closely to something that I wrote over the holidays.  While getting ready for a family dinner, I had an overwhelming urge to write.  It went on for 6 pages.  The ideas kept flowing and I just kept scribbling.  Below is a little glimpse of what's been on my mind. When we are…
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Sustainability Sweet Spot

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Ever tried to fit a square peg into a round hole?  How about a round peg into a square hole?  I have, and the results are amazing. You see, I always believed myself to be a round peg.  And after researching the term a little bit deeper, it's all so clear. The origins of the idiom are attributed to the 19th-century British philosopher and cleric Sydney Smith who uses the word “misfit” to define the peg.  Of course, that makes sense – mis-fit. Another part of the example I found quite interesting – “trying to combine two things that do not belong or fit together”.  That one triggered an interesting memory. The Big Question It was fourth year of university, and as I was standing in front of the students in…
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Romancing the Revolution

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It’s easier to assume a status quo style of life if you’ve never been exposed to the alternative, faced with the opportunity to go in a different direction. For me, doing things differently has pretty much been second nature.  It’s a blessing and a curse to take the road less traveled – near every single time.  Yet, when I’m at the crossroads, the paved way doesn’t quite convince me. My leap of faith therefore leads me off the beaten track, with each new adventure an experience to be had.  Over the years this has taught me lessons, brought me joy, anxiety, fear, love, hate, relief, amongst other sentiments.  Although, above all, it kept me believing – in me. Once I hit my twenties, life was starting to bloom.  A lot…
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Shifting to a Simply Sustainable Lifestyle

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Have you ever noticed how good it feels to be outside, connected with Nature? While living in Venezuela, I recognized that the closer to the Earth I am, the better I feel. It was 2009 and under fortunate circumstances, I traveled through much of this beautiful country. rich in natural beauty and gorgeous landscapes. In the State of Merida, something led me to the mountain town of Tabay.  An encounter with a local businessman brought me even further into the mountains to a small neighbourhood called El Guamal. Farm Life The first month my travel partner and I rented the main house on a farm. The following month, we sublet the much smaller house on the same property that was previously abandoned.  A couple from Argentina restored the space, and turned…
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The Limitless Nature of Fair Trade

The Limitless Nature of Fair Trade

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Have you ever wondered what it takes to run a good and ethical business? Growing up I knew the importance of being good to others & being ethical, however when it came to business I really only had one comprehension.  Business is about making money.  It is about high returns for the shareholders. Throughout university, much of my understanding remained the same until one day when I was assigned a term project on the topic of Environmental Auditing.  It became clear to me that business goes far beyond dollars and cents, and even further beyond shareholders and boardrooms. Sustainable Shift One thing led to another and I shifted from thinking of the Shareholders to better understanding and working with the Stakeholders.  For those of you new to this, here’s a…
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