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 simple 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.
Events Calendar
Share your events for free and browse other community events
Community Blog
Find and share new ideas, art, resources, reviews & more
Video Library
Watch world-class speakers and presenters in our YouTube library
PairUp Directory
Explore over 170 organizations that share your values
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.
Browse the Community Blog
Petition to Withdraw the District of Saanich from Development Lobby Membership
If you are a resident of Saanich, please sign the petition to make Saanich Withdraw its membership from the UDICR Development Lobby. This is of key importance in placing the interests of residents above that of industry in determining our future.
Earth for all, not just for some
Way back in 1977, the World Health Organization declared the goal of achieving Health For All by the Year 2000. This should be understood in the way the U.S. Public Health Service defined a goal in 1980: “a timeless statement of aspiration.” learly, Health For All was not achieved, and is still not achieved today. But nonetheless…
Seeking Woodworkers for Sustainable Award Frames
The District of Saanich is seeking local people or organizations who source sustainable wood (reclaimed, FSC certified, or other) and can make high quality wood picture frames to hold certificates and awards. If this sounds like you, please contact us at...
Calling out mainstream media for their coverage of Anjali’s disqualification
The past couple days I was disheartened to see the language being used by mainstream media to talk about the BC NDP’s disqualification of Anjali Appadurai from the leadership race. For example, the CBC (reposted by local news outlets like Capital Daily) said that the...
Climate Champions Elected!
In Saturday’s local elections, out of 256 confirmed results, 148 climate champions candidates were elected. 57.5% of the candidates who were either endorsed by a local climate action group, or who self-declared as a climate champion with WE-CAN, were elected to...
Tree removal should be last alternative
Too often, municipalities seem to think mature trees are just in the way. That needs to change, because those trees benefit public health and even save lives. Like every municipality, Saanich needs bike lanes, safe sidewalks, and up-to-date utility pipes. But were any...
“It’s called outside” – We need licensed outdoor childcare
There is an apocryphal story of a mother taking her young daughter out into the backyard. The child looks up from her iPad and says: “Where are we?” Her mother replies: “It’s called outside.” The point is obvious: We have become so screen-oriented that we…
Can Using ‘Rights of Nature’ Protect B.C.’s Old Growth Forests?
“If you go down in the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise.” In fact, if you do go today, you may have to go in disguise! For the de facto owners of every old growth tree that ever there was may not want you to see that they are destroying those woods.
The New Old Growth: Voice of Promise
Icel Dobell has just released The New Old Growth: Voice of Promise. Through beautiful images and storytelling, this fourth video in the Sovereignty of the Six Mountains series reveals the nature of the giving Six Mountain...
Community Events
Week of Events
Crafted Farmhouse Market
Enjoy a unique shopping experience! Proudly featuring 60+ local handcrafted artists, local live music, food trucks, licensed sip and shop & mini makers. Friday October 28, 5-9pm Saturday October 29, 10am-5pm
Living in Earth Community in the Anthropocene: Ecocentric Governance and the New Ecological Social Contract
Living in Earth Community in the Anthropocene: Ecocentric Governance and the New Ecological Social Contract
The “Anthropocene” is the name given by Paul Crutzen and Eugene Stoermer to a new geological epoch to succeed the Holocene epoch, which is the roughly 10,000-year climatically benign period that began after the last ice age in which human […]
Online Climate Action Workshop Series
Online Climate Action Workshop Series
This free online workshop series about climate change shares big ideas and practical actions in your community. Learn from District of Saanich staff and expert guests about ways to make your transportation, home, yard, and purchases more resilient and climate-friendly […]
The Cosmic Vision of Teilhard de Chardin
The Cosmic Vision of Teilhard de Chardin
Over the past two centuries scientists have learned that the universe is a story still being told. The Jesuit geologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) sees this cosmic story as a great drama of awakening. When humans emerged, the cosmic […]
Victoria Stroke Recovery Assn. Reopens – Volunteers needed
Victoria Stroke Recovery Assn. Reopens – Volunteers needed
Exercise class, speech therapy, socialization. Please call 250-383-4865 for more information
Bradley Centre’s Halloween Market
Bradley Centre’s Halloween Market
Shop talented local artisans at our 2nd Annual Halloween Market. Whether you're looking for some last minute Halloween items, shopping for the holidays, or looking to treat yourself, you won't want to miss this fun event. 🎃 Enter our free […]
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.
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...
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...
Housing That Heals The Future – Creative Solutions for a New World
Housing That Heals the Future features nine inspiring interviews on a wide range of projects that are charting the future towards healthier, happier communities. This information rich webinar also includes the incredible new...
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 and Climate and the Arts both appreciate the support of the Polis Foundation for its assistance in the production of these webinars.
Under the Distinguished Patronage of: Her Honour, The Honourable Janet Austin, OBC, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
