Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Energy, Housing, & Buildings
The mistake is to see capital largely or only in economic terms, either as financial capital (money, stocks and bonds etc.) or as produced capital — the stuff we produce and own, from trinkets to cities. Hence the heavy focus on the economy, on GDP, on economic growth and the price of stocks and shares, on wages and benefits.
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Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
Ella here to talk about #asianheritagemonth ! Asian Heritage Month started on May 1 and “ends” on May 31 (although it is important to think about Asian history every day of the year). It has been celebrated in so-called Canada since the 1990s! The theme for 2023 is... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation
We’re on the cusp of seasons changing, saying goodbye to spring and moving into summer. Farewell fawn lilies, orchids, shooting stars, flowering red currant. Welcome sword ferns unfurling towards sunlight, the delicate white bottle brush flowers of vanilla leaf,... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
Today, May 5th, is Red Dress Day, a day to honour the spirits of #mmiwg2s and to take action to bring them justice. If you are a settler in so-called Canada, please take today to read the findings from the national inquiry into MMIWG and to learn the calls for... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Food & Health, Transportation
At 8:30am “The Race to The Leg” concluded – and what a race it was! Mayors, Councillors, Ministers, and local celebrities raced for glory to see who would cross the finish line first– the bike or the car? The result: 17 bike wins, 1 car win , and 2 teams tied! The... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Energy, Housing, & Buildings, Nature & Conservation
Last week I discussed some of the problems that result from our focus on the economy rather than on ecologically sustainable human and social development. This week, I turn to a more in-depth exploration of the impacts of continual economic growth, and in particular the way in which growth, if unchecked, will dramatically increase inequality.
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Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Energy, Housing, & Buildings, Nature & Conservation
It’s been three weeks since the RBC AGM and our national fossil fool’s day mobilization. What did we collectively achieve, and what’s next? We went from 8% of shareholder support to … 26% At last year’s RBC AGM, a single resolution called for the bank to clarify its... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Energy, Housing, & Buildings, Nature & Conservation
I recently came across an eloquent and powerful passage by Carl Sagan, the famed cosmologist, written in response to an image of Earth taken by Voyager 1 in 1990, from beyond the planet Neptune. The Earth was just a pale blue dot, which inspired the title of his 1994 book from which the following passage is quoted. Sagan wrote: “You see a dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us…
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Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
In last week’s column, I discussed the findings of the recent report from Earth4All concerning population growth. Judging by several thoughtful and concerned responses from readers, I fear I did not do a great job, so I will revisit the report’s ideas and, I hope, somewhat clarify what is a complex issue and argument.
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Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation
Highlighting actions and events related to art, nature, and social justice happening in Victoria, in BC and remotely! Check out the events below and browse the Community Events Calendar for more! What is Earth Week? • The first Earth Day, inspired by protests of the... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation
This is a key moment for us to ensure the many plants and animals that call B.C. home can thrive. And you can help! Local governments have the power to adopt or amend bylaws that support greater biodiversity, and it is up to us residents to urge them to take action.... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Energy, Housing, & Buildings, Nature & Conservation
Special Film Preview Creatively United for the Planet, in partnership with Climate and the Arts, presents the special Earth Day preview of our newest film, Changing Course: A River’s Journey of Reconnection. This 60-minute documentary features stunning footage by... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
On Sunday March 19th, 2023, protestors in Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton and other provinces across Canada, came together to demand rights for all migrants. The protest was put on by the Migrant Rights Network, and in Edmonton (where I was in attendance, photos below)... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
The Capital Regional District, District of Saanich and City of Victoria are very pleased to invite all Middle and Secondary School students (Grade 6-12) in Greater Victoria to participate in the One Planet Living Student Challenge. This One Planet BC contest is led by... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation
Thousands of people from all over Vancouver Island and the Mainland braved the cold to show their support for protecting and preserving British Columbia’s at this week’s Old Growth Forest Rally. Douglas and Government Streets in Victoria were closed down for more than 45 minutes as people streamed in filling the streets from the length of City Hall to the Parliament Buildings.
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Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation
C-IRG emulates and supports a structure of quasi-fascism within Canadian government and policing, however many citizens are unaware of this government funded group. This post hopes to raise awareness and gain community support.
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Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
On Wednesday, February 22, 2023, the Voices in Motion Choral Society and Greater Victoria Placemaking Network launched region-wide distribution of I Remember, a book by student author Priscila Kumar that focuses on the power of singing and what it can do for those... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation
This event, featuring Anjali Appadurai, Seth Klein, Naomi Klein, Juan Vargas Alba (& others to be announced), will be a place to learn more about this campaign and plans to win a Climate Corps (nationally and in BC and Alberta). Plus, we will be debuting an... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
Welcome to Home on Native Land, a self-guided course about Indigenous justice in Canada. Through a series of 10 videos, cartoons & lessons, take a walk down the back alley of history — and the frontlines of legal action — with Anishinaabe comedian Ryan McMahon.... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
Saltspring Island author, naturalist and artist Briony Penn, has kindly allowed the Yellow Point Ecological Society to convert some of her beautiful illustrations into greetings cards, which we are selling as a fundraiser for YES. Details here:... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation
United For Old-Growth March & Rally February 25 Walk: begins at Noon, Centennial Square (lək̓ʷəŋən territories, Victoria) Rally: 1:30-3:30 pm, BC Legislature Dear Friends of the Forests, We’re now moving into the final phase of coming together for the United We... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
February is #blackhistorymonth : What I’m learning to do as a non-Black mixed POC. This post was inspired by Mikhaela Connell’s article for Greenpeace. Ella here (CU’s social media coordinator) As a non-Black mixed Euro-Canadian and Korean POC, I definitely want to... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
Applications Are Now Open Looking to share your love of poetry with Victoria? The City of Victoria is seeking nominations for the next Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate. These two-year positions will run from April 2023 to April 2025. Nominees must reside within... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Zero Waste & Circular Economy
My recent columns on the need to reduce inequality and social injustice by, among other things, increasing taxes on the rich and introducing or expanding wealth taxes, have elicited responses from some people along the lines of “you advocate stealing from the rich.”
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Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
Hello Bateman Foundation Friends, We have exciting news we want to share with you. The Bateman Gallery is moving! We are investing in a new space to fully integrate art, nature, and education, creating a new cultural centre accessible to all. This means we will end... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
The Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies is pleased to welcome applications for our 2023 MEd program in Leadership Studies! Applications are open now until 11:59 p.m. on February 15, 2023. Please see below for more information on the program, or... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
Happy Lunar New Year 恭喜發財 새해 복 많이 받으세요 Ella here If you don’t know me, I’m the social media coordinator for CU Lunar new year is close to my heart as I celebrate Seollal with my Korean family, and Chinese New Year with my step family This lunar new year is this... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation
An ancient forest is a home to more life than we can imagine. The project of colonization has left less than 3% of what once stood. On February 25 a united movement of thousands of people will be sending a clear message to the provincial government: Keep your promises... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
In recognition of International Women’s Day, the Victoria Arts Council is seeking proposals from local and regional artists who are interested in participating in a thematic group exhibition throughout March 2023 in our main gallery. The 2023 theme for... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation
Together with the Goethe-Institut, we are excited to announce the 2022 Mentorship Award for Cultural & Artistic Responses to Environmental Change! Floods and forest fires, storms and disappearing species: the climate crisis is being felt everywhere around the... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
New Year’s resolutions have always seemed intimidating and many people seem to set themselves up for failure. Why is this? Well, from what I have seen and experienced in my own life, oftentimes it seems like people set New Year’s resolutions as a way to punish... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
2022 Creatively United Wrapped is here! In 2022 you helped us… Reach 670 Instagram followers Reach 1.46K YouTube subscribers Put on four Climate and Artists series webinars Launch our ‘Trees Matter’ film Put out 16 newsletters In 2022 our website… Had 26,971 unique... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
“Reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians, from an Aboriginal perspective,” wrote the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015, “also requires reconciliation with the natural world. If human beings resolve problems between themselves but continue to…
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Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
This year we’re bringing you the ULTIMATE Sustainable Holiday Gift Guide (Victoria + Vancouver/BC) 🎁 This is in no way an exhaustive list but we just wanted to highlight some of our absolute favourite local organizations, markets and businesses to check out... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
The birth of “Green Earth Art Studio” Art has been a favorite subject of mine since high school, but it was not my only passion. The lure of other knowledge and other activities, the desire to see what was over the next horizon, was irresistible and captured my... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
Deadline to Submit: 15 January 2023 New Traditions Traditions ground us. They are markers of time and place, giving meaning to key moments in our lives and connecting us to our ‘people’, whether that be as intimate as family, as far reaching in diasporic... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation, Zero Waste & Circular Economy
WHAT IS BLACK FRIDAY / CYBER MONDAY? The term “Black Friday” had been used in the mid 1800s to indicate a decline in gold prices that caused a market crash The term became associated with this time of year, right around American Thanksgiving, in the 1950s when... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation
As hope to substantially delay a 6th extinction fades it is, for me, being replaced by deep curiosity as to how it will all spiral down. How much, if at all, that impacts lifespans is in itself another matter for curiosity. And for what as well as how intensely the... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Community Creativity, Nature & Conservation
How best to speak of our society’s ongoing self destructiveness in a way that our eyeballs, ear holes and heart might get it? How to “fool” us into a little unlearning of our learned disconnect from the watery animally earth? How to tease out a thread, a rope, an... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Energy, Housing, & Buildings, Nature & Conservation, Zero Waste & Circular Economy
More than 40 years ago, in my major paper for my master’s degree, I sought to identify the fundamental principles underlying public health. I concluded there are two: ecological sanity and social justice. The pursuit of these principles has defined much of my work to create a healthier society ever since.
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Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation
Hello Elders, This is a very short callout, mainly to let you know about what’s coming up in November. As BC’s new Premier is being sworn in, we Old-Growth Supporters need to raise a bit of a ruckus to encourage David Eby to implement old-growth deferrals immediately.... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Community Trees, Nature & Conservation
Since CTMN began, in 2018, our various passionate members have been involved in a variety of projects: Educational Outreach to the Public via technology: We created a website filled with information about trees and ways citizens can protect them, at... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation
The interview process for this part-time position will take place over 2 phases during December 2022: Phase 1: an invitation for application based on high-level aesthetic qualities required for an ED position: leadership; team player; innovative; creative; ability to... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Energy, Housing, & Buildings, Nature & Conservation, Zero Waste & Circular Economy
What is COP27? COP27 is the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference aka the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, the 27th COP conference since 1994 The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a treaty through which signing nations agreed to... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
This is a follow up to my post Calling out mainstream media for their coverage of Anjali’s disqualification. To some this may be considered old news, because of the fast-pace nature of the news cycle. However, I am still left confused, seeking answers and looking for... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Community Creativity
I remember early on in the pandemic, seeing online images of animals from all over the world, emerging into lockdown-abandoned public spaces. From New Delhi to Buenos Aires, deer and goats and jackals and lemurs and sheep emerged into spaces formerly occupied by us.... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation
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…
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Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
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... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity
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... Read more
Article, Arts, Community, & Inclusivity, Nature & Conservation
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... Read more
