Creative Solutions for a New World
Where Every Day is Earth Day
Creative Solutions for a New World
Where Every Day is Earth Day
Welcome to Creatively United’s Community Solutions Sharing Hub
Welcome to this free community Solutions Hub created in the spirit of collaboration and unity to address climate change and provide solutions for some of the most pressing issues that face our society today. Here you will find a multitude of positive and creative solutions, videos, events, information and resources that contribute to healthier, happier individuals and communities.
Please feel free to contribute your own ideas, tips, book and movie reviews, music, art, information and resources to the Community Blog and share your events plus check out others on the Community Event Calendar.
Welcome to this free community Solutions Hub created in the spirit of collaboration and unity to address climate change and provide solutions for some of the most pressing issues that face our society today. Here you will find a multitude of positive and creative solutions, videos, events, information and resources that contribute to healthier, happier individuals and communities.
Please feel free to contribute your own ideas, tips, book and movie reviews, music, art, information and resources to the Community Blog and share your events plus check out others on the Community Event Calendar.
Esquimalt-Colwood All Candidates Meeting
Thank you to everyone who attended the online and live All Candidates Debate for the Esquimalt-Colwood riding (includes Vic West and View Royal) co-sponsored this past Wednesday evening at Esquimalt United Church, 500 Admirals Rd., by Creatively United for the Planet, Climate and the Arts, the Citizens Environmental Network in Colwood (CENiC), Esquimalt Climate Organizers (ECO), Esquimalt United Church Justice Team, Gorge Waterway Action Society and the South Island Climate Action Network (SICAN).
This graphic also shows the YES/NO or ABSTAINED “answers” given to a number of important questions raised during the debate by both candidates present.
The Conservative candidate declined the opportunity to attend or to provide written answers to the questions provided in advance. A member of our organizing team provided information from the Conservative’s website in relationship to the questions in an effort to provide fair representation for all.
Safeguard Your Health: What the Public Needs to Know
Would you knowingly eat food, drink water or breathe air that contains toxic chemicals and microplastics linked to cancer that are contained in sewage sludge from Victoria, BC’s wastewater treatment plant?
Right now, forever chemicals, which true to their name last nearly forever in our environment, such as PFAS, and microplastics as well as PAHs, lead, mercury, dioxins, and pharmaceuticals are making their way into our air, water and soil through the bio-accumulation of tons of these toxic chemicals that remain in the sludge after the waste water from our homes, industry, businesses and health care facilities is processed.
Since 2022, the CRD plan was to use these dried biosolids as an alternative to fossil fuels in a cement plant, which is in keeping with a ban on the land application of biosolids the CRD Board passed in 2011. Instead, every day, 10 tons of toxic sludge, also known as “biosolids,” has been spread or buried at Victoria’s Hartland Landfill, where wind and rain erosion disperses these forever chemicals into the neighbouring farms, fields, forests and watersheds.
There is a strong triple bottom line business case for thermal conversion which the CRD needs to employ as it:
- creates a non-toxic biochar which is the desired end product as a result of thermally converting toxic biosolids into inert biochar – a new green industry;
- it’s a carbon free fuel source, not incineration, no pollution, low carbon footprint;
- a plant could be up and running within two years if treated as the emergency this is;
- thermal conversion can stop landfill expansion and convert ALL waste, not just biosolids, into fossil fuel free energy and save our waters, soil, trees, fish, our health and the beauty of the region and why so many people chose to live and visit here.
Solutions Exist! Learn More Here:
Creatively United Biosolids FAQ & Resources
Biosolid Free BC on Facebook
Butchart Gardens
Mount Work Coalition
Raincoast Conservation Foundation
Sierra Club
Take action by letting the CRD know you oppose the land application of biosolids by emailing: crdboard@crd.bc.ca
Metamorphosis: A Healing Journey
Theatrical Performance and Book Launch
Changing Course:
A River’s Journey of Reconnection
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported Creatively United’s recent premiere performances and book launch of Metamorphosis: A Healing Journey and the incredible cast, crew and volunteers we were so fortunate to work with.
This live theatrical production involved a cast, dancers, crew and volunteers of more than 20 people, and an almost equal number of choir members from the Victoria Philharmonic Choir (under the direction of Peter Butterfield). See cast bios below.
Just like an ecosystem, we had to work in perfect harmony for things to flow, which further strengthened the unique collaboration of Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices, professionals and amateurs, young and older.
We experienced a metamorphosis together in the creation and delivery of this show. Everyone gave it their all and we thank our audiences for being so receptive. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Going through this process is not for the faint of heart. We salute all performing artists and technicians who deliver their gifts and presence to making this world a more thoughtful, creative and beautiful place and to those who support the arts and environment.
We are grateful for the leadership and support in our community from businesses and organizations like Copper Mountain Acupuncture, Lifestyle Markets, the Polis Foundation and Climate and the Arts/Victoria Foundation.
Did you know that British Columbia is named after the Columbia River which used to be one of the world’s largest salmon bearing rivers in the world?
Creatively United for the Planet has produced a 60-minute documentary that explores the degradation of what was once one of the most productive salmon rivers in the world. It looks at the dams and storages that eliminated wild salmon from the main stem of the river in Canada, and how this loss cut the heart out of Indigenous culture throughout the basin. The film also touches on the Columbia River Treaty, which came into force between Canada and the United States in 1964. At the time, it had a very narrow focus on flood control and hydropower. Sixty years later, however, new thinking is needed to ensure a sustainable future for this important river.
In Changing Course: A River’s Journey of Reconnection, leading voices from Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities eloquently express the need for new approaches to water management and governance that are more connected to nature, account for climate change, and meaningfully include First Nations leadership.
Produced and directed by Jonathan O’Riordan; co-producer and narrator Frances Litman and filmmaker, Bohdan Doval.
Please visit Creatively United’s YouTube channel to view this film and see Creatively United’s many other offerings.
How to Heal the Future, Not Steal the Future
Creatively United offers a wide variety of options, from a free webinar series to posts and resources, that explore solutions to restore and regenerate the planet. This graphic was inspired by the work of Paul Hawken, celebrated author of Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming and the just released book, Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation. This graphic, co-created by Creatively United founder, Frances Litman, and Rhiannon James, was also the inspiration behind Frances’ recent TEDx Talk: How to Heal the Future, Not Steal the Future.
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Events Calendar
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Video Library
Watch world-class speakers and presenters in our YouTube library
PairUp Directory
Explore over 275 organizations that share your values
Browse the Community Blog
We Are More Than Just An Economy, Stupid
We awake this morning to a Trump world. This, despite his lies, his racism, his hatred, his divisiveness and complete disregard for democratic ways and institutions. He has already declared his intention to become a dictator, stating there will be no need for further...
CRD Biosolids Update
On October 30, 2024, the CRD approved a provisional budget for 2025, which included the establishment of an Innovative Project Work Unit. This decision indicates that the CRD is turning the corner from a focus on waste dumping to a growing emphasis on green...
Have Your Say on the City of Victoria’s 2025 Draft Budget
Each year, the City of Victoria’s financial planning process provides an opportunity for Council to set service levels and approve an annual budget. You are invited to provide feedback on the City’s 2025 Draft Budget to help inform Council’s budget decisions. The...
Loss of Nature Has Huge Impact, but Doesn’t Get Attention it Deserves
There was a lot of attention paid in the recent election campaign to the provincial deficit, by which various politicians and commentators meant the budgetary deficit. But important though that might be, there is another deficit that is much more concerning, and yet largely ignored…
Event Recap: Movement Building and Justice with Judy da Silva
“I try to speak for the water. Not just for Grassy people, but for future generations, for the kids not born yet. That’s why we do this work.” This statement is the key point that Judy da Silva kept returning to during her talk, Movement Building and Justice, held...
Trailblazers Unite! Connecting the Sunshine Coast from Langdale to Lund
Join our host, Peter Ladner, for an eye-opening conversation with Tannis Braithwaite, retired lawyer and director with the Connect the Coast Society, as they: Discuss the Connect the Coast Trail — a visionary cycling project linking Vancouver Island, the Lower...
We Need a Government That Cares About the Well-Being of the Planet
Last month, Planetary Boundaries Science, an international partnership of Earth scientists based out of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, published the first of what will be an annual Planetary Health Check. It makes for grim, if unsurprising, reading.
An Analysis of Dialog’s Technical Memorandum on the Centennial Square Sequoia Tree
Arborist and urban forest educator Ryan Senechal offers an analysis of the Technical Memorandum recently shared by the City of Victoria regarding its stated need to cut down Centennial Square's giant sequoia tree. He says the tree is healthy, and could be pruned to...
Environmental Costs of Growing Food Aren’t Reflected in the Price We Pay
Carbon pricing is a form of pollution pricing. But air pollutants from fossil-fuel combustion and greenhouse-gas emissions from a variety of sources are not the only forms of pollution we face. And pollution pricing itself is just one aspect of the broader field of full cost accounting.
Community Events
Find Your Inner Peace + Alignment – Adult Intuitive Painting Program
5 - 2822 Nanaimo Street Victoria BC #5 - 2822 Nanaimo Street, VictoriaWeek of Events
Path of the Totem
CPAG would like to thank the City of Duncan for their offer to display a number of model Totem Poles from their collection. We also thank Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union for their generous sponsorship of […]
UnRuly Cloth
Since ancient times, cloth has protected us from the elements and decorated our homes. It has provided comfort and been a vehicle for our creativity. In this show Neera Huckvale and Elizabeth Carefoot bring together modern and traditional techniques such […]
Art Sparks’ Cosmic Creativity & Well – Being Program
Tap into your hidden potential and ignite your personal creativity while connecting to the Universe! In Art Sparks’ 12 week holistic program, you are invited to explore and develop your creativity through artwork embedded in the context of the Cosmic […]
Gifts & Wishes Show
Gifts and Wishes Nov 6 to Dec 14 Wed-Fri 10-3, Saturdays 12-4 This beloved holiday showcase is back! It will feature creations by over 40 local artists and makers. Browse at your leisure through a gallery transformed into a winter […]
Find Your Inner Peace + Alignment – Adult Intuitive Painting Program
Find Your Inner Peace + Alignment – Adult Intuitive Painting Program
“Find Your Inner Peace + Alignment” is 9 week program combining David Hawkins, “Map of Consciousness” with intuitive painting. Each week a low vibration emotion & any subsequent emotions etc are released through guided meditation. Then after the release, everything […]
Climate Chat: Solutions ~ Inspiration ~ Hope!
Climate Chat: Solutions ~ Inspiration ~ Hope!
Are you concerned about climate change? Biodiversity loss? Want to know what you can do? Solutions exist: now we need to implement them. Join Karyn and Nancy to discuss what YOU can do about the climate emergency. We aim to […]
Vitality through Movement – Awareness Through Movement – An Introduction to Feldenkrais Method with Robyn Roper
Vitality through Movement – Awareness Through Movement – An Introduction to Feldenkrais Method with Robyn Roper
n this series you will do a variety of unconventional movement sequences in a group setting. The lessons are verbally guided by the teacher. They are gentle and safe and accessible to all and allow you to move at your […]
Esquimalt Farmers Market
Esquimalt Farmers Market
The seasons are changing, but we're not done yet! The Esquimalt Farmers Market is moving indoors to the Esquimalt Recreation Centre for the remainder of the year Join us every Thursday 4:30-7:00pm and keep shopping with your favorite EFM vendors […]
44th ANNUAL CREATIVE CRAFT FAIRS!
44th ANNUAL CREATIVE CRAFT FAIRS!
One of Vancouver Island's most established fairs, the 45th Annual Creative Craft Fairs, November 8th to 10th at Pearkes Recreation Centre. There will be an array of unique crafts to purchase for the holiday season. Professional exhibitors will show their […]
Remembrance Day: Pop, Swing and Jazz of WW2 – Victoria Nov 8 2024
Remembrance Day: Pop, Swing and Jazz of WW2 – Victoria Nov 8 2024
Traditional pop and jazz of the late 1930s and 1940s WW2 era - the songs of love and longing, playful flirting, and swingin' distraction, performed by Angela Verbrugge and the In the Mood Quartet. This music defined a decade and […]
Nomad Holiday Market
Nomad Holiday Market
Hey there! The Nomad Holiday Market is our special event that kicked off in 2018 at the Roundhouse. It's grown over the years to feature over 60 vendors, showcasing top-quality artists, beverage makers, apparel, potters, and creators of unique holiday […]
Island Makers Market
Connect With Divine Guidance Through Nature Companion Prayers
Connect With Divine Guidance Through Nature Companion Prayers
Do you long for spiritual guidance? Can you trust the spirit alive in Nature to guide you? Are you brave enough to ask, “How can I help? Recently, I asked Nature, “How can I help?” Nature replied: “Bring others who […]
Nomad Holiday Market
Nomad Holiday Market
Hey there! The Nomad Holiday Market is our special event that kicked off in 2018 at the Roundhouse. It's grown over the years to feature over 60 vendors, showcasing top-quality artists, beverage makers, apparel, potters, and creators of unique holiday […]
Community Artists & Writers Showcase
Community Artists & Writers Showcase
Featuring live music, poetry readings, story telling, art, book sales and more.
Explore Solutions for Lighter & Healthier Living
Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
Here you will find a Climate Action Kit; free downloadable cartoon colouring sheets; mayor, councillor and CRD contact information; resources and much more.
Energy, Housing, & Buildings
Learn about solar, heat pumps, how to reduce your energy costs, ways to inspire a new corporate culture, rainwater harvesting, eco buildings and neighbourhoods, plus more.
Food & Health
Explore how to increase your immune system, stay healthy, rise above negativity, transform regional food systems through collective impact, lighten up and recharge, and de-stress.
Nature & Conservation
Zen your yardcare, celebrate clean and green, explore a One Planet approach, learn all about the benefits of oceans and trees, check out the Tree Toolkit and even find tips on pruning.
Transportation
Active transportation, EV facts, transportation systems, idling information, plus a video on the Future of Transportation and more can be found here.
Zero Waste & Circular Economy
Discover how food sharing, tool sharing, book sharing and even fashion all contribute to a circular economy and what you can do to save money, while saving the planet.
“Your website is an indispensable resource for anyone looking for ways to live a more climate conscious life and for ways to support government and community in taking the urgent climate actions needed now.
Your community blog is a cache of the most valuable information and has helped connect and inform us for positive action at a time when we need this more than ever. What a gift!”
– Alison Spriggs
Awaken - A Forest Ballet
Awaken, an exquisitely intimate performance inspired by the soft whispers of the forest, features original music composed, sung and orchestrated by Canada’s multi award-winning legend, Ann Mortifee, in collaboration with former Chilliwack band member, Ed Henderson (guitar), and Finn Manniche (cello). The story follows the delightful journey of a young girl and her dog who discover the magical wonders of the forest thanks to guidance from forest sprites.
Free Solutions Guide
Welcome to the premiere edition of Solutions where you can quickly and easily find solutions for a wide variety of topics relevant to living life at home, work and school, more fully and sustainably.
Consider taking on one solution a week with the understanding that there are more solutions than problems — solutions that can contribute to your health and happiness, while saving you money, energy and resources.
Trees Matter
Through music, dance, song and stunning visuals, the importance of protecting, preserving and planting trees is artfully expressed in this unique collaboration involving members of the Victoria Symphony, the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, the Emily Carr String Quartet and Ballet Victoria. In addition to showing Trees Matter, the half hour launch event, included Leq’á:mel First Nation (Stó:lō Nation) Indigenous Leader, Patrick Kelly, plus a Fairy Creek old growth forest update with popular singer & songwriter, Luke Wallace, and ecoforestry advocate, Kathleen Code.
Creative Solutions for a New World Webinar Series
Since 2012, Creatively United has hosted large, in-person, zero-waste Earth Day events in celebration of community – until the arrival of Covid in 2020.
Like many others, we pivoted to online learning and engagement with a free Climate and Artists webinar series. More than 40 timeless webinars, featuring an incredible array of world-class presenters, authors, and artists, can be found on Creatively United’s YouTube channel, with a few examples below.
Please be sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay informed with occasional updates about upcoming events and information.
Protecting Nature in Cities: A Matter of Survival – Webinar Replay
Protecting Nature in Cities with Indigenous Wisdom, Creativity and Science Presented by the Community Trees Matter Network, CreativelyUnited.org, and Programs in Earth Literacies Links & Resources Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action:...
We’re All In This Together… Now What? – Season 4 Finale
We’re All in This Together… Now What?, the final webinar of Creatively United’s Climate and Artists fourth season, explores how we can collectively reduce our carbon footprint by 40% by 2030 and transformatively shift to healthier…
Amplifying Youth Voices in the Fight Against Climate Change
The 10 year anniversary of Creatively United for the Planet’s first Earth Day event was celebrated with an incredible panel of youth voices that featured five young Canadian changemakers working in creative ways to help amplify youth voices…
Take The Lighter Living Pledge
By taking the Lighter Living Pledge and sharing with us what you are doing or intend to do, you can help others see what’s possible. Each step we take, regardless of how small it might be, is a step in the right direction. Anything is possible. Together we can build community and feel encouraged by the positive steps we are all taking.
Take Action! You will be automatically entered into a prize draw from Creatively United. Winners will be notified by email.
Community Climate Partners
Community Trees Matter Network
Take a stand for the trees in your neighbourhood. Collectively our voices can make a difference in protecting and preserving our urban trees.
Learn More
Ecoforestry Institute Society
Dedicated to the principles and practices of ecoforestry, demonstrating that we can harvest trees and plants from the forest while maintaining healthy and integrated ecological systems.
Learn More
Sierra Club BC
Our vision is to support people stewarding abundant ecosystems and a stable climate, while building resilient, equitable communities.
Learn More
Take Action – Contact Government Officials
Take action on issues that matter to you. Local, provincial and federal government officials need to hear from the public to create action. Every voice matters and the more voices, the better. This handy guide provides easy access to do just that.
Pair Up! Non-Profit Directory
Find organizations who share your values.
Take The Lighter Living Pledge
and inspire others to do the same
Stay Informed
Receive updates from Creatively United
Creating Cultural Change
Collectively, we can continue to catalyze a more socially and environmentally thoughtful approach to life in our community, where everyone wins.
Our goal is to keep the conversations going and growing so that caring for our environment and each other becomes second nature, from public policy to procurement practices and everything in between.
Our Partners
The Gail O'Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund, supported by The Victoria Foundation, is dedicated to changing human consciousness towards global environmental change by combining science with the creativity of the performing arts.
Creatively United for the Planet Society and Climate and the Arts also gratefully acknowledge the support of the Polis Foundation.
