A New Ecological Civilization Creatively United for the Planet 2024-10-19 | A New Ecological Civilization
All Candidates Debate for the Esquimalt-Colwood Riding - October 2, 2024 Creatively United for the Planet 2024-10-04 | 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 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).Recorded on October 2nd, 2024, at Esquimalt United Church, 500 Admirals Rd.
National Seniors Day Rally for Climate Action Creatively United for the Planet 2024-10-04 | A short clip during the October 2nd, 2024 National Seniors Day Rally for Climate Action at the BC Legislature in Victoria.
Metamorphosis - A Healing Journey Creatively United for the Planet 2024-09-24 | In honour of Earth Week this past April, the Creatively United for the Planet Society, premiered Metamorphosis – A Healing Journey as both a live production and a richly illustrated coffee table book, featuring the poetry, images and stories of a number of the cast members who have a deep connection to planetary health and interpersonal well-being.Learn more about the fine art book here: creativelyunited.org/metamorphosisIn recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, we are now releasing this 35-minute video, containing highlights from the 1.5 hour live production.While there is no substitute for live theatre, this video provides an introduction to the spoken expressions and heartfelt sentiments of those who shared their real life stories on stage under the direction of Monique Salez. Members of the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, with director Peter Butterfield, volunteered their beautiful and haunting voices, while Raino Dance students wove their artistic expression throughout the production.The production was financially supported by the Gail O’Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund and the Community Grants Program administered by the Victoria Foundation.Thank you to everyone who came out in support of Metamorphosis – A Healing Journey and for those who continue to purchase the book as gifts for themselves and others.“The healing power for the Planet and ourselves is unstoppable and will be realizedthrough its conscious revelation which is nascent within all of us.”– Jonathan O’Riordan, Climate and the Arts
Watch the full length documentary “Changing Course: A River’s Journey of Reconnection” Creatively United for the Planet 2024-06-26 | Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=jHhS24ENiQM
Changing Course: A Rivers Journey of Reconnection - Full Documentary Creatively United for the Planet 2024-03-22 | The 2000-kilometre Columbia River flows through the heart of the Pacific Northwest, beginning its journey in British Columbia’s Rocky Mountains and emptying into the Pacific Ocean in Oregon. This transboundary river is critically important for its cultural, social, economic, and ecological values. Telling the story of this majestic river, Changing Course: A River's Journey of Reconnection offers a deep sense of the importance of freshwater management—and the complexities added when a river flows across human-defined borders.The film 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.Production Team:Jon O’Riordan - Director/ProducerJon obtained an MA degree in Geography from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD from theUniversity of British Columbia and worked in the public service throughout his career first withthe Federal Government and then with the Province of British Columbia. He completed his full-time work as Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management. Afterleaving government, he taught a graduate course in Resource Planning and Public Policy at UBCand has since undertaken research on watershed governance for the Polis Project on EcologicalGovernance at University of Victoria and on climate change adaptation at Simon FraserUniversity, Vancouver, BC. He is the founder of the Gail O’Riordan Climate and the Arts LegacySeries.Frances Litman - Co-Producer/NarratorSince founding the Creatively United for the Planet Society (CreativelyUnited.org) in 2012,Frances Litman has helped bring more than 10,000 people together in person to showcase andshare positive solutions that foster healthy, happy and more resilient communities. Throughmultiple zero-waste sustainability showcases, numerous live events, educational talks,collaborative partnerships and creative connections, a video series, plus CreativelyUnited.org’sfree community information network, resource and solutions sharing hub, Frances continues toforward transformational possibilities for a more just and sustainable world benefitting all.Bohdan Doval - FilmmakerBohdan Doval is a cinematographer from the small town of Nelson, BC. He has experienceshooting documentaries, tourism campaigns, commercials and sports. Bohdan grew up in anenvironment surrounded by nature and continues to source his inspirations from the naturalworld in the work he does. http://bohdandoval.comcreativelyunited.org
BIOSOLIDS: What the Public Needs to Know Creatively United for the Planet 2024-03-04 | Links to more information below. Click "...more" to reveal.Toxic biosolids in our environment pose a public health threat for communities everywhere. Learn about viable solutions that remove this threat and understand why this matters to you. Featuring interviews with the CEO of Butchart Gardens, a leading toxicologist, a farmer, and community volunteers who are working to protect our parks and watersheds from these serious contaminants.Concerned about the land application of biosolids? Here's some quick and easy ways to take action:1. Contact the CRD Board at crdboard@crd.bc.caLet them know you oppose the land application of biosolids in the CRD2. Contact your local elected officials and ask them to support the longstanding CRD ban on the land application of biosolids3. Share this video with your friends and ask them to do the same to protect our local environment, public health and food security!For more info visit:Creatively United Biosolids FAQ & Resources @ creativelyunited.org/biosolidsBiosolid Free BC on Facebook @ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066927593486 Mount Work Coalition @ mountworkcoalition.orgRaincoast Conservation Foundation @ raincoast.orgSierra Club @ sierraclub.org
Film Trailer: Changing Course: A Rivers Journey of Reconnection Creatively United for the Planet 2024-02-12 | Watch the full documentary here: youtu.be/jHhS24ENiQM
Growing Trees From Seed Creatively United for the Planet 2023-10-30 | Learn how to propagate and plant native Pacific northwest trees from seed -- save money and get stronger, healthier, more resilient trees! A great way to create stock for eco-restoration or wetland projects. Or offer to donate the seedlings to your local municipality.Arborist and tree grower Ryan Senechal and horticulturist Laura Ralph tell us how to choose Garry oak (also known as Oregon white oak) acorns, Arbutus (also known as Madrona) seeds, Pacific dogwood, bigleaf maple, shore pine, Pacific dogwood, and others. Ryan also mentions how to start Red Osier Dogwood shrub/small tree from live stakes -- a method that also works for willow, black cottonwood, alder, and Oregon ash. Includes a great discussion of choosing the right pot to start them in, especially important for Garry oaks!Photography by Lorraine Scollan. Sponsored by Creatively United for the Planet and Community Trees Matter Network.Notes from Ryan Senechal: A reminder that salvaging containers and propagation supplies is always best! Many species can be grown successfully using standard 1 gal containers. If you are looking for the best root systems in seedlings that produce vigorous woody roots and tap roots (like Garry oaks), I'd suggest these 3-gallon air pruning containers: https://a.co/d/13ynidDIf you'd like to avoid purchasing from Amazon, there are some premium air pruning containers for sale here: growdudes.com/products/air-pot-no-3-2-4-gal-yellowAnother approach is to build an air pruning box: youtu.be/ab67eKU0ZeYRecommended books:Cuttings Throughout the Year - Joy SpurrThe Reference Manual of Woody Propagation - Dirr and HeuserThe Manual and Plant Grafting - Peter McDonald
Protecting Nature in the City, A Matter of Survival - Webinar Replay Creatively United for the Planet 2023-04-24 | Presented by the Community Trees Matter Network, CreativelyUnited.org, and Programs in Earth LiteraciesVisit the link below for links, resources and quotes:creativelyunited.org/protecting-nature-in-cities-a-matter-of-survival-free-webinar-eventPaul Chiyokten Wagner is the founder of Protectors of the Salish Sea, an indigenous led organization dedicated to protecting and restoring our Salish Sea through direct actions. Chiyokten is also a cultural educator, bringing forward the words given by his Coast Salish ancestors which have allowed the First Peoples here to co-create paradise for many thousands of years. Chiyokten and Protectors have stood on the front lines of many places of indigenous led resistance such as Standing Rock, Line 3, Sabal Trail Pipeline, Lelu Island, Mauna Kea, Thacker Pass and Fairy Creek, Olympia State Capitol Climate Change Occupations, Chase Bank divestment campaigns and Salish Sea Prayer Walks. Chiyokten is an award winning Coast Salish Native flutist and storyteller and has performed with a few greats such as Kitaro of Japan and Seattle Symphony Orchestra.Kazusa Nakajo is a green building accredited professional/eco-designer/architect, system thinker, and caretaker of mother nature. With a background in natural building, soil remediation, and bio-engineering in Japan, she integrates proactive design into restoration. She has a deep love for nature and is passionate about sharing the importance of the soil food web and simple field techniques to enliven the soil and plants.Danijela Puric-Mladenovic is an assistant professor at the Daniels Faculty, University of Toronto. She holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Forestry (Univ. of Belgrade, Serbia) and a PhD. from the University of Toronto.Her work and research provide real-world solutions and tools that support strategic conservation, restoration, and integrated spatial planning of urban forest, green and natural areas in urban and peri-urban landscapes.Danijela also leads research on strategic, multi-purpose forest monitoring, Vegetation Sampling Protocol, and a community-based urban forest stewardship and monitoring program (Neighbourwoods©, co-developer with Dr. W.A. Kenney). She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Urban Forest Conservation, Forest Conservation, Green Infrastructure, Landscape Ecology, Vegetation Monitoring, and GIS.Herb Hammond is a forest ecologist and retired Registered Professional Forester with 40 years of experience in research, industry, teaching and consulting. He is best known for his concept and application of nature-directed stewardship, which he formerly referred to as ecosystem-based conservation planning.Working primarily with Indigenous Nations and other rural communities, Hammond has developed more than 25 ecosystem-based conservation plans across Canada and in other parts of the world. Hammond holds a Bachelor of Science in forest science from Oregon State University and a Masters of Forestry in forest ecology and silviculture from the University of Washington.He is the author of Seeing the Forest Among the Trees: The Case for Wholistic Forest Use and Maintaining Whole Systems on Earth’s Crown: Ecosystem-based Conservation Planning for the Boreal Forest and is currently completing a book with two other people to be published by UBC Press on applying nature-directed stewardship/ecosystem-based conservation planning to restore urban areas. The book’s working title is: Inviting Nature Home: Putting Nature First in Cities.Herb is also working on a book about Nature and our place in her complex fabric. This book draws on the Indigenous knowledge and ways of being shared with him by many Indigenous people through the years. With assistance from Indigenous collaborators, Herb hopes to describe a new reality for settler cultures – a reality that is necessary for our survival, and how to get there in the face of the climate emergency.Maleea Acker lives in unceded WSÁNEĆ territories. She holds a PhD in Geography and lectures at the University of Victoria and Thompson Rivers University. She is the author of three poetry collections, including Hesitating Once to Feel Glory (Nightwood Editions, 2022), and a non-fiction book, Gardens Aflame: Garry Oak Meadows of BC’s South Coast (New Star, 2013), which charts the Indigenous stewardship and current restoration of an endangered Vancouver Island ecosystem.
Living Forest Communities Creatively United for the Planet 2022-10-18 | Two interviews with Doug Makaroff and Ann Mortifee from the Housing That Heals the Future webinar from Creatively United.Housing That Heals the Future: youtube.com/watch?v=oxrFvcox3TIcreativelyunited.orgsustainableforestry.ca
Were All In This Together.. Now What? Season 4 Finale Creatively United for the Planet 2022-06-01 | Links, Resources & Speaker Bios:creativelyunited.org/were-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, happier communities.Hear from leading thought actionists and artists who are addressing this topic at all levels of engagement and offer uplifting perspectives of what's happening and what's possible."Spectacular webinar. Well done. I have pages of notes and ideas to follow up on. You are a connector and a solutions hub extraordinaire." - JimAbout Our Presenters:Clare Atwell is a textile and multi-media artist. When she is not working on her own art, she works as a community artist, using the arts in imaginative ways to help community groups explore complex issues such as cultural and spiritual identity, including community visioning.-Gwen Bridge, M.Sc Bio, works on natural resources issues with Indigenous peoples to ensure mutual benefits and equality in decision making with all levels of government. Adept in establishing new conceptual frameworks to support equity in negotiating government-to-government agreements, Gwen’s mission is to improve relationships between Indigenous nations and their partners so peoples and natural resource conditions are improved.Gwen is a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada. She received a Master of Science degree in Renewable Resources studying forest hydrology from the University of Alberta in 2000.-Jim Bronson comes to climate activism as a scientist and lover of the natural world who wants the best possible future for his grandchildren. In 2018, he began leading classes based on solutions to the climate crisis outlined in Paul Hawken’s book Drawdown, and was a founding member of Drawdown BC.Jim leads online Saturday Solutions Synergy Sessions every two months, where people from the US and Canada meet to inspire one another with their work for a healthy planet.-John Cowhig worked in more than 100 countries with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation/TM, an international educational non-profit providing one of the most widely researched self-development techniques.Maharishi set up countless pilot projects to inspire visionary leaders to bring prosperity to society, correct environmental imbalances and create world peace. Among the dozens of projects that John worked on, was one in the late 1980’s to help developing countries become food self-sufficient by cultivating organic food on their unused arable land. Other pilot projects, all ahead of their time, included electric-vehicles in the Netherlands and solar panel production in India. What most caught John’s imagination was the fundamental principle in all these projects: Consciousness First.-For 30 years, Susan Falch-Lovesey has been applying her skills and experience to projects that create social and environmental impact in the UK. She has developed environmental projects and services for charity, local authority and business, including working in partnership to establish a Forest School in Norfolk and a whole county energy program.Since January 2017, Sue has worked in the offshore wind sector and has recently become Stakeholder Manager for Equinor, a Norwegian-owned broad energy company, in Norfolk. As part of her role, Sue eagerly develops and promotes career pathways into the industry, with a special interest in young people. Sue also has an Honourary Fellowship from the University of Suffolk.-Jo Hand is a social entrepreneur and sustainability, carbon footprint and employee engagement specialist. She is the founder of Giki, an evidence-led B Corp that helps people learn to live more sustainably and take step-by-step actions to cut their carbon footprint. Giki’s clients include Deloitte, NatWest Group, BBC and Oxford University.-Ella Kim-Marriott is a MSc Rural Sociology student at the University of Alberta who’s interest lies in the environment and social well-being. As Creatively United’s part-time social media coordinator, Ella keeps her finger on the pulse of the community and will be providing a brief overview of youth-led leadership and solutions to address climate change.-Thomas Teuwen is a biophiliac: dedicated to the survival of our civilization and all life on earth. He’s been deeply engaged in business, food production, oil exploration, mining, community economic development, manufacturing, information technologies, and all areas of politics. He lives on an urban farm where, he and his “Love” have effectively reduced their footprint by 80% while boosting their lifestyle to new heights.Thomas’ experience has made clear to him that our future as a civilization depends on our ability to adapt our collective worldview so that we are able to embrace and solve the challenges of our time.
How To Get Gas Out of New Builds: Low Carbon Energy Systems (LCES) Creatively United for the Planet 2022-05-24 | An easy solution exists to reduce our GHG emissions with the stroke of a pen. Municipal Governments have the power to incentivize builders to install Low Carbon Energy Systems (LCES) by introducing an LCES Bylaw. Find out how these BC municipalities that cover approximately half the population of BC stopped gas hookups in new buildings and prevented them from locking us into decades more of climate destructive fracked methane gas. Watch SI-CAN's interview with Councillor Megan Curren from the District of North Vancouver who discusses how councillors, staff and builders came together to make this happen. They all knew they would never reach their GHG reduction targets if they continued to hook up fracked methane gas into our new buildings.For more resources check out: siclimateactionnetwork.wordpress.com/2021/12/12/low-carbon-heating-in-new-homes
Amplifying Youth Voices in the Fight Against Climate Change Creatively United for the Planet 2022-04-26 | Speaker Bios, Links & Resources: creativelyunited.org/amplifying-youth-voices-in-the-fight-against-climate-changeThe 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 in the fight against climate change with research, policy, community building, education and environmental activism.Facilitated by Creatively United’s social media youth lead, Ella Kim Marriott, this webinar includes discussion about the transformative change that is coming about through youth activism and intergenerational equity and includes questions such as: • What kind of programs and opportunities are out there for youth who want to become changemakers?• What kind of inspiration can we draw from the youth-led climate change movement?• What kind of innovative climate action is being taken/can we take to tackle the issue of climate change?• How can people from different generations connect with each other to work on common goals?• How can older generations support youth-led solutions to climate change?Presenters include: Veronika Bylicki, Brynna Kagawa-Visentin, Isabelle Sain, Brennan Strandberg-Salmon and Ryder Wise.
Housing That Heals The Future Creatively United for the Planet 2022-04-05 | Additional Q&A and Resources:creativelyunited.org/housing-that-heals-the-future-creative-solutions-for-a-new-worldHousing 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 six-minute film, The Animal Forest Campaign, photographed in the beautiful Six Mountain region of North Cowichan by Icel Dobell of WhereDoWeStand.org.In keeping with this season’s theme of Regeneration, this episode of Creatively United’s Climate and Artists Webinar Series explores:• Zero waste buildings and harmless homes• Creating cohousing as sustainable living• Healthy energy & healthy homes• Overcoming barriers to Installing EV charging stations in stratas• Ways housing can address climate change• How to reduce building costs and landfill expansion• Forest communities that save forests• New options for farm communities• Disruptive new technologies that break down barriers to net zero carbon livingPresenters include: Order of Canada award-winning singer/songwriter, Ann Mortifee, plus Jack Anderson, Helen Boyd, Jim Bronson & Sandi Goldie, Jim Connelly, Arno Keinonen, Doug Makaroff, and Roy Yeske.0:00 Introduction1:29 Helen Boyd12:56 Arno Keinonen/Harmless Home25:20 Roy Yeske, EV charging stations in stratas35:04 Jim Connelly/Nickel Bros49:27 Secrets of the Six Mountains video57:31 Doug Makaroff/Sustainable Forest Communities1:10:00 Ann Mortifee1:19:39 Sandi Goldie & Jim Bronson/River Song Cohousing1:27:52 Jack Anderson
Coasts, Rivers and Communities - Creative Solutions for Changing Times Creatively United for the Planet 2022-01-31 | Visit https://CreativelyUnited.org to find helpful links, resources, and full speaker information.The first webinar of Creatively United’s 2022 Climate and Artists webinar series explores one of this planet’s most life sustaining and precious assets: Water.Hear from Sam Baardman and Bob Haverluck, two multi-talented Winnipeg, Manitoba-based professional artists and community activators who share their music, photography, stories and illustrations; Sharon Bleese, a coastline advocate and community connector from the east coast of the United Kingdom; Coree Tull, the project lead of an exciting new public fresh water initiative and action-oriented partnership with the provincial government of British Columbia; plus an introduction to a stunning new book with writing and photography by Victoria, BC artivist, Kelly Casey Lovett, and a children's book by World River's Day Order of Canada recipient, Mark Angelo, whose work with BCIT is also presented in a short video.About Our Presenters:Sam Baardman is a lens-based artist, singer-songwriter living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A major emphasis of Sam’s photography has been the River on the Run Project, an artist collective focused on creating multi-media work based on their shared experience of living within the unique watershed of Lake Winnipeg and the Red River.A veteran of the Canadian folk music scene, Sam was a familiar figure in folk venues and festivals across Canada throughout the mid 1990s and early 2000s. In that time he released two successful independent albums, toured across the country, and built a dedicated, enthusiastic audience. He is currently recording a new album for release in early 2022.-Sharon Bleese, a specialist in crisis communications and management, works with coastal and estuarine communities across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex in England as the facilitation lead in coastal zone management.In 2014, Sharon joined East Suffolk Council, rapidly expanding her knowledge of coastal change as part of the coastal management team. In 2016, she became Coastal Manager (South) for the newly formed Coastal Partnership East, the coastal management partnership for North Norfolk District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and East Suffolk Council.She is also lead officer for the Beach and Water Safety Group of the Local Government Coastal Special Interest Group. Sharon is passionate about working collaboratively and co-creatively with communities, partners and organizations to build a long-term sustainable future for the coast.-Manitoba artist/author/educator, Bob Haverluck, will share an illustrated reading from his forthcoming book, The Court Case of the Creatures.The story unfolds in a world of mega hydro dams such as Site C, Muskrat Falls and in this story, the Nelson River projects.There is a great storm, a tempest that casts Raven, Coyote, a boat load of resource developers, a retired judge, and a canoe of First Nations children and elders upon an island.Bear and Otter make a citizen’s arrest of the developers. The judge agrees to hear their case. The Children are the jury along with The River and others. The Creator insists that voices of animals and earth shall forever be heard. So a tempest and a trial. But of course, there are complications in the seriously funny, tragic comical business that unfolds.Creatively United first introduced Bob Haverluck to our webinar audiences in October 2020, for the presentation The Arts of Laughing, the Arts of Weeping: Equipment for Earth’s Lovers.-Coree Tull is a lead advisor for the CodeBlue BC campaign, a community of 24,000 British Columbians from all walks of life and every corner of our province.CodeBlue BC has a plan to secure and sustain BC’s fresh water sources forever by:1. Getting tough on water wasters and polluters.2. Making big industrial users pay to clean up the damage they’ve done and restore our watersheds.3. Giving local people the power and resources to restore and manage their local water sources.Coree is also the Director of Government Relations and Engagement for the BC Freshwater Legacy Initiative. Coree has been leading and specializing in issue-based and electoral campaigns to grow public awareness for over a decade. She believes passionately about engaging community members to be collaborative stakeholders in the decisions that impact their social, economic and environmental health and wellness.Learn how individual and community engagement can, and does, make a difference.
A Cellobration of Nature Creatively United for the Planet 2021-12-21 | Eight cellists from University of Victoria Cello class, under the direction of Pamela Highbaugh Aloni, recently debuted a new composition by Hollas Longton, featuring the poems of Creatively United's Frances Litman. The commission, funded by the Gail O’Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund, is presented here with Frances reading and illustrating the pieces with her outdoor nature videography. This compilation is less than 5 minutes with footage from southern Vancouver Island.
Transforming Communities Creatively Through Regeneration Creatively United for the Planet 2021-12-01 | Additional Q&A, Links & Resources, and Speaker Bios:creativelyunited.org/transforming-communities-creatively-through-regenerationSubscribe to our channel:youtube.com/user/creativelyunited?sub_confirmation=1Join our mailing list:creativelyunited.org/subscribeSeason 4 of Climate and Artists free webinar series premiered with positively uplifting and inspiring stories from eight fabulous guests: Eleanor Boyle, Gwen Bridge, John James O'Brien, Jon O'Riordan, Emily Pickett, Razcel Jan Salvarita, and Simon Sharkey, who are all committed to regenerating and transforming communities creatively.This diverse panel of speakers includes a First Nations perspective on integrating Indigenous knowledge into nature-based resource planning in British Columbia; ways to save money and help the planet; artists creating international change; how to become a car free community and overcome bylaw challenges; plus an overview of COP26 from the point of view of a veteran policy maker and a guest with hands-on experience at COP events.Learn how committed actions taken by individuals have empowered neighbours, communities, cities and countries to become happier, healthier and more resilient.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, Creatively United has created the graphic below to set the course of this webinar season:creativelyunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Regenerative-Graphic-Low-Res.jpg
A Daily Thanksgiving Creatively United for the Planet 2021-10-08 | Every day is Earth Day at Creatively United, just as Thanksgiving is too. We'd like to give thanks to you by sharing this video and our unwavering gratitude and respect to all those who have come before us as stewards of this land where we consider ourselves so fortunate to be able to live, work, study and play.
Trees Matter - Film Premiere Launch with special guests Creatively United for the Planet 2021-09-22 | National Tree Day (Sept. 22nd), marked the launch of the world premiere of Trees Matter, a 7-minute film produced by Creatively United for the Planet non-profit society.Trees Matter video:youtube.com/watch?v=5yqogs7va_kThrough 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, this 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.Thanks to the City of Victoria and the Gail O’Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund.creativelyunited.org
Trees Matter Creatively United for the Planet 2021-09-22 | Through music, dance, song and stunning visuals, the importance of protecting, preserving and planting urban 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.Produced by Creatively United for the Planet, a non-profit society dedicated to showcasing creative climate solutions, the Trees Matter narrative is presented from the point of view of a sage elder who shares his knowledge with three delightful youth. creativelyunited.org
Elder Bill Jones Tells It Like It Is: First Nations Perspective on Resource Extraction & Fairy Creek Creatively United for the Planet 2021-05-26 | Forest biodiversity is under intense threat in British Columbia. The equivalent of 32 soccer fields of old growth are logged every day. On Vancouver Island less than 3% of original old growth remains. Fairy Creek is ground zero for a public campaign to protect and preserve this biodiverse and vital old growth forest region in the San Juan Watershed on southwestern Vancouver Island near Port Renfrew.Elder Bill Jones is a band member of the Pacheedaht First Nation in the area and a leading member of the Rainforest Flying Squad of protestors who are fighting for the survival of this sacred territory. In this video, he succinctly shares what is happening in his territories and to First Nations people worldwide and what we can do to change this paradigm and protect our planet from ecocide.During Season 3 of Climate and the Artist Series, Creatively United hosted a webinar on forestry and biodiversity in partnership with Elder Bill Jones and Kathleen Code, Vice Chair of the Ecoforestry Institute Society which manages the Wildwood Sustainable Forest near Nanaimo, British Columbia.Call for a New Forest Framework:creativelyunited.org/a-call-for-a-new-forest-framework-in-british-columbiaImportant Fairy Creek update from Kathleen Code:creativelyunited.org/when-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest-the-ndp-government-hears-not-a-thingSeason 2 forestry & biodiversity webinar:creativelyunited.org/biodiversity-matters-re-imagining-forest-management
Enlightened Communications - Making All Voices Matter Creatively United for the Planet 2021-05-26 | Additional Q&A and Resources:creativelyunited.org/enlightened-communications-making-all-voices-matterSubscribe to our channel:youtube.com/user/creativelyunited?sub_confirmation=1Join our mailing list:creativelyunited.org/subscribeSeason 3 concluded with an all-star panel, featuring bestselling author and award-winning public relations professional, James Hoggan.A tireless advocate for ethics in public discourse and Chair of the David Suzuki Institute, Hoggan founded the influential online news site DeSmog, named one of Time Magazine’s best blogs in 2011.Hoggan became so disenchanted with disinformation on climate change in both the mainstream and social media that he began to reveal how much corporations mislead the public on climate issues. He discovered that strategies that mislead people are more developed and robust than those used to educate people with the facts.Hoggan is now championing new ways to speak, learn, listen and connect to overcome disinformation and polarization. His latest book, I'm Right and You’re an Idiot: The Toxic State of Public Discourse and How to Clean It Up, examines why people tend to shout at each other rather than listen to what science is trying to tell us about the climate emergency.Hoggan believes that honest differences of opinion lie at the heart of democracy. He supports that people hold strongly divergent goals and should challenge issues but they should be encouraged to take part in passionate discussion. "We need more warm-heartedness and more compassion," says Hoggan. Without this shift, we will never successfully complete the journey to carbon neutrality by mid-century.Hoggan's other books include: Do the Right Thing: PR Tips for a Skeptical Public and Climate Cover-Up: The Crusade to Deny Global Warming.This webinar also includes short interviews with a variety of community voices, represented by Ella Kim, Naomi Leung and Charlene George, followed by a special in-depth Q+A session and discussion. Ella Kim is a UBC Honours graduate in Sociology, Environment and Society. She will be starting her Masters degree in the Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology (REES) program at the University of Alberta in the fall. Her passions align with environmentalism and social justice, and her recent research interests have been focused on just transitions for workers and communities that will be impacted by green industry shifts.Kim is also currently a volunteer policy analyst for the BC Council for International Cooperation’s youth-led climate change branch. Through her time as a volunteer, she has worked on a survey regarding the climate change related concerns and opinions of BC youth, and a green jobs database for Canadian youth. Ella will share how youth are trying to move the climate change dialogue forward and why it matters.Naomi Leung or 梁珮恩 is a 17 year old climate and racial justice activist. She is a second generation immigrant with parents from Malaysia and Hong Kong and she is a settler on un-surrendered Musqueam and Tsawwassen First Nations territories in Richmond, BC. Naomi is a member of Sustainabiliteens, a movement of youth climate strikers across Metro Vancouver driven by climate justice, who advocated for the passing of Vancouver’s Climate Emergency Action Plan in 2020. She also coordinates Climate Education Reform BC, a youth-led organization determined to see an educational system that prepares students for the Climate Crisis. Charlene George is a member of the t’Sou-ke peoples on the west coast of Vancouver Island and a cultural guide. She believes we must strive to better balance our relationship with each other, Western and Indigenous knowledge systems, and ways of knowing.
Clean & Reliable Water Matters Creatively United for the Planet 2021-05-12 | Additional Q&A and Resources:creativelyunited.org/clean-reliable-water-mattersSubscribe to our channel:youtube.com/user/creativelyunited?sub_confirmation=1Join our mailing list:creativelyunited.org/subscribeWater is life. A secure and reliable supply of water is essential for all life forms.This webinar explains that water is becoming increasingly insecure and unreliable due to climate change and increased demand by a growing population. Although a global challenge, this webinar demonstrates the nature of this risk in Canada and how governments and communities are rising to the challenge.Dr. John Pomeroy, director of the University of Saskatchewan Centre for Hydrology, the Canmore Coldwater Lab and head of Global Water Futures, one of the largest university-led freshwater research programs in the world, illustrates how water supplies and water quality across Canada are already at risk due to increasing frequency of floods and droughts, chemicals affecting our drinking water and conflicts between ecosystem and human needs. This risk will increase over time unless changes occur in the way we govern our most precious resource.Fortunately, creative solutions are being developed both at the federal and provincial levels in Canada. Terry Duguid, MP for Winnipeg South, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Right Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, outlines the role of the proposed Canada Water Agency to coordinate science and monitoring services across the federal government and work with the provinces to track changes in hydrology and climate. This essential information will enable governments to adapt the management of our water resources to reduce risk.In 1997, Duguid founded Sustainable Developments International, a firm specializing in environmental management. In 2000, he became Chair of the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission and subsequently took leadership positions with the Manitoba Climate Change Task Force and the Manitoba Emission Trading Task Force. He has a lifelong interest in science and its role in the betterment of society and has a Masters Degree in Environmental Design.Dr. Thomas Axworthy, a policy advisor with the federal government, emphasizes the urgency for strengthening Canada’s water security initiative. Dr. Axworthy works closely with the Global Water Futures Program under Dr. Pomeroy and has the unique capability of translating science into policy advice.Oliver Brandes, a leading practitioner in policies relating to watershed governance and engagement with Indigenous peoples, reviews a new initiative being launched by the BC provincial government on watershed security to ensure that watersheds are resilient to climate change. The strategy will be supported by a special fund so that both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities can be engaged in working with governments to manage risk to their water supplies.Brandes, an Adjunct professor at the University of Victoria's Law Faculty and Director of the Polis Project on Ecological Governance at the University of Victoria, undertook an independent expert review in 2017 of drinking water source protection, which has since resulted in regulatory change. Brandes is also an advisor on a number of innovative watershed management projects in the Koksilah, Cowichan, Skeena, Nicola and Coquitlam watersheds in BC, as well as to the First Nations Fisheries Council, Freshwater Legacy Initiative and the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources.Bob Sandford, Chair of the Global Water Futures at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, and an award-winning author and editor of more than 35 books, co-hosts this informative program.
Cold Matters: Our Arctic Connection Creatively United for the Planet 2021-04-28 | Additional Q&A and Resources:creativelyunited.org/cold-matters-climate-artist-series Subscribe to our channel:youtube.com/user/creativelyunited?sub_confirmation=1Join our mailing list:creativelyunited.org/subscribeIn keeping with the “what really matters” theme, Creative Solutions for a New World Climate and the Arts Series explores how much Cold Matters in terms of the roles in which snow, ice and permafrost play in the stabilization of the global climate system.United Nations University Global Water Future's Chair and award-winning author, Bob Sandford, shares how winter snowfall extent, cover and duration impact water resources in Canada, and how important the Arctic is as a thermostat for weather not just in Canada but in the entire Northern Hemisphere. He concludes with observations on the climate risk posed by permafrost thaw and the need for cooperation among all of the circumpolar nations, but especially between Canada and Russia, in addressing that risk.Dr. Thomas Axworthy, one of the architects of The Arctic Council, a high-level intergovernmental forum that addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the Indigenous people of the Arctic, outlines concerns associated with accelerating permafrost thaw and its impact on northern peoples and cultures in Canada and throughout the Arctic. As well, he explores the cooperation needed within Canada and between Arctic nations that will be critical if we are to prevent the combined effects of sea ice loss, changes in the behaviour of the Northern Hemisphere Jetstream, and rapidly rising methane releases as a consequence of permafrost thaw from preventing Canada from achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.One of the most remarkable elements of the Global Water Future program is that it recognizes that art can make complex scientific issues relating to the value of water more compelling and understandable to the broader public.Joining in this webinar is scientist and artist Dr. Louise Arnal, who together with her artist colleagues, Jennifer Baltzer, an expert on permafrost thaw, and Rhian Brynjolson, fuse art and science to portray changing climate circumstances in the Arctic in both Russia and Canada and make scientific research findings more understandable outside the climate science community. See the VirtualWaterGallery.ca, officially launching April 29, 2021.In closing, there is a brief follow-on discussion on how the theme Truth Matters can be applied to the challenges posed by accelerating permafrost thaw and other climate threats led by Washington, DC lawyer, Mace Rosenstein and how we can use all the ways we have of knowing and caring to create the post-COVID world we want.
Energy, Housing & Transportation Matters Creatively United for the Planet 2021-04-13 | Additional Q&A and Presenter Links:creativelyunited.org/energy-housing-transportation-mattersSubscribe to our channel:youtube.com/user/creativelyunited?sub_confirmation=1Join our mailing list:creativelyunited.org/subscribeWhat specific actions can we all take to lower our carbon footprint and save money? We explore answers to this question and many others. Learn practicable and achievable actions that can move us along the road to carbon neutrality.Jo Hand, co-founder of Giki Social Enterprise – creators of digital products to help people live sustainably, is joined by Dr. Tim O’Riordan, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK, and President of the Norfolk Association of Local Councils, connecting all 722 Parish Councils in Norfolk encouraging citizens to reduce their individual carbon footprints by ‘Save a Tonne in ’21’.Jo Hand demonstrates the Giki carbon tracking site and how actions such as changing your diet to more plant based foods; eliminating one of your family cars; improving your home insulation, can be measured to get you to saving a tonne in ’21. She will also show how corporations are using a special version of the site to move towards carbon neutrality by 2050.Todd Litman, founder and executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, an independent research organization dedicated to developing innovative solutions to transport problems, demonstrates how integrated policies, such as smart city planning, can conveniently bring people to their destinations virtually carbon free. His research is used worldwide in transport planning and policy analysis.Sandi Goldie and Jim Bronson are educators working with hundreds of people to implement specific projects which will reduce their carbon footprints. They are enthusiastic Drawdown facilitators who walk their talk. They share their personal experience with a new co-housing project they are involved with. To learn more about their Drawdown courses, please visit BCDrawdown.org, plus watch the TEDx video Creatively United collaboratively produced with them this past year.
Truth Matters: Media and the Science Behind Truth Creatively United for the Planet 2021-03-30 | Additional Q&A and Presenter Links:creativelyunited.org/truth-matters-media-and-the-science-behind-truthSubscribe to our channel:youtube.com/user/creativelyunited?sub_confirmation=1Join our mailing list:creativelyunited.org/subscribeWhy do people reject the science of climate change; what are the consequences of accepting misinformation and what role does psychology and the media play in overcoming this resistance?This webinar features internationally recognized speakers and authors with interesting stories, facts and examples of how ‘truth’ has become unanchored, is undermining science, and creating roadblocks to a common public understanding and dialogue about the risks and challenges for tackling climate change and biodiversity loss.Dr. Andrew Hoffman, Professor of Sustainable Enterprise at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and School for Environment and Sustainability, and a Winspear Fellow at the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business, is an internationally acclaimed author and scholar of environmental issues and sustainable enterprise.Dr. Hoffman’s research, teaching and writing examines the ways that environmental issues emerge as managerial, economic and political concerns. He has been featured in the New York Times, Scientific American, Time, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, and on National Public Radio.Dr. Hoffman believes that the public debate around climate change is no longer about science but about values, culture and ideology. He has published 18 books and more than 100 articles and book chapters, many of which have won major awards. In 2020, he received a Best Teaching Award and a Distinguished Scholar Award in 2018, plus has been recognized many times during the course of his career. Mace Rosenstein is a celebrated Washington, DC lawyer and constitutional expert. He covers the impact of unethical political leaders and how those in positions of power rationalize their lies and why others believe them sometimes fervently. His experience advising media and telecommunications companies on complex strategic, policy, legal, and regulatory matters for nearly 30 years, provides an inside look into the workings of media and messaging.Dr. David Fago is a clinical psychologist and adjunct associate professor of psychology at the University of Maryland. He has both engaged in and supervised clinical practice for the past 45 years and published several papers and book chapters. He explores the psychology behind fact and fiction and ways to overcome the divide.Bob Sandford is an award-winning author and editor of more than 35 books. He holds the Global Water Futures Chair in Water and Climate Security at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health and co-hosts this fascinating webinar with Creatively United founder, Frances Litman.
Biodiversity Matters - Re-Imagining Forest Management Creatively United for the Planet 2021-03-16 | Additional Q&A and Presenter Links:creativelyunited.org/biodiversity-matters-re-imagining-forest-managementSubscribe to our channel:youtube.com/user/creativelyunited?sub_confirmation=1Join our mailing list:creativelyunited.org/subscribe'The spiraling decline of our planet’s biodiversity is the true tragedy of our time'- David Attenborough from A Life on our PlanetThe road to carbon neutrality can only be successful if nature’s biodiversity is not only protected but expanded to absorb the residual carbon that mankind will still emit in 2050. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has called for the protection of at least 30% of biodiversity by 2030. Canada and the US are amongst the leading nations to endorse this target.Forests are by far the most ubiquitous vegetation cover in British Columbia and indeed in many other parts of the world. Yet forest biodiversity is under intense threat in British Columbia. The equivalent of 32 soccer fields of old growth are logged every day. On Vancouver Island as little as 1 to 3% of original old growth remains.Fairy Creek is ground zero for the public campaign to preserve old growth in the San Juan Watershed on southwestern Vancouver Island. Kathy Code is one of the leaders of a campaign to place an injunction on logging this watershed. She is joined by Elder Bill Jones, who is a band member of the Pacheedaht First Nation and a leading member of the Rainforest Flying Squad of protestors who are also fighting for an injunction on logging in the courts. Kathy and Bill explain what is at stake in protecting this jewel and how the protests will place pressure on the BC government.The BC Union of Indian Chiefs demand a moratorium on old growth logging and have called on the BC government to support the 14 recommendations for the Old Growth Strategic Review commissioned by the government last summer. The report recommends that conservation and biodiversity become the principal value for future forest management, overriding industrial logging. Although the government also endorsed the report’s recommendations during the recent election campaign, logging old growth continues with no commitment to end it for the coming decade.Old Growth forests are also key to storing vast amounts of carbon. Forest ecologist, Jim Pojar explains the importance of old growth and the changes in current forest management practices to convert forests from being a carbon source to a carbon sink. Biodiversity will help reduce carbon released from forest fires and increase security of watersheds from drought and floods.British Columbia has developed a world-class system of parks and protected areas. Tory Stevens, a park ecologist, explains the vital contribution these parks play in not only preserving biodiversity but also providing a wide range of outdoor recreation experiences for the world.This webinar explores real solutions to reversing the decline in forest biodiversity with leading experts who are re-imagining forest management and park stewardship.“You are doing good, important work with great skill.We appreciate joining with you in this great venture.”– Colin Campbell, President, Elders Council for Parks in BC
Re-Imagining Agriculture - Adapting to a New Climate Reality Creatively United for the Planet 2021-03-10 | Subscribe to our channel:youtube.com/user/creativelyunited?sub_confirmation=1Join our mailing list:creativelyunited.org/subscribeAdditional Q&A:creativelyunited.org/re-imagining-agriculture-adapting-to-a-new-climate-realityDescription:Water required for agriculture is becoming a major concern for water and food security across the province of British Columbia. This issue will only get worse over the coming decade as the climate dries and warms. Many parts of BC will face significant water shortages with growing conflicts in allocation between groundwater and stream flows and between supporting irrigated agriculture and meeting the environmental needs for salmon and resident fish.Consequently, the BC government is tackling this major risk to water security with a newly crafted strategy supported by a Watershed Security Fund.A key part of this strategy will be to make more efficient use of water used in the agricultural sector. There are many farmers who have secured more water than they need through historic water licensing. There are even more farmers who cannot secure water required for expansion to meet the growing demands for food.Learn how a new approach to reallocate water can resolve these conflicts and gain insight into a variety of resources and information relating to regenerative farming.Ted van der Gulik is an agricultural water specialist who has spent 35 years as an innovator in irrigation and water management. He has won four BC Premier’s Awards for finding creative solutions to water use in the agricultural sector. He has devised a water calculator model which can accurately predict the precise amount of water required for a wide range of crops and soil types throughout the province. You will be able to see this model in action in this webinar and witness how it will contribute to greater water security under the continuing changing climate.Rhona McAdam is a poet, holistic nutritionist and food writer based in Victoria, BC. She has a master’s in Food Culture & Communication from the University of Gastronomic Sciences (Slow Food’s university in Italy), is a longtime volunteer with Haliburton Community Organic Farm, teaches Eco-Nutrition at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and has been involved with the Gorge Tillicum Urban Farmers for many years.Since 1984, she’s published 10 books, including three poetry chapbooks and six poetry collections, most recently Cartography (2006) and Ex-Ville (2014), She’s also the author of Digging the City (2012), an urban agriculture manifesto. Rhona is working on a new poetry collection, called Larder, which include poems on bees, bugs and lots of food.Rhona will share a short poetry video and provide a synopsis of highlights from this week’s Farmfolk CityFolk Farmers for Climate Solutions conference.Dr. Jim Schaefer is the founder, chairman and president of Soil Technologies Corp., a company that develops, manufactures and internationally distributes a family of natural technologies to serve eco agriculture with sustainable regenerative solutions.He is also a Senior Research Scholar at Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa, home to one of the first Master Degrees dedicated 100% to regenerative organic agriculture, and one of the founding Founding Advisory Board Members of the Vedic Organic Agriculture Institute.Dr. Schaefer is also the president and board member of Partners for World Peace, a non-profit corporation engaged in philanthropic work worldwide to support the improvement in the quality of life for all people on earth. He resides in Fairfield, Iowa.
Seeing Beyond the Obvious - Artists as Changemakers Creatively United for the Planet 2021-02-17 | Join three incredibly talented and well-established visual artists: Roy Henry Vickers, Roberta Pyx Sutherland and David Ellingsen for an insightful look beyond the obvious, hosted by multi-media artist Frances Litman.Through their expressive talents, these artists have been shifting cultural narratives and inspiring new ways of seeing that are central, not peripheral, to social change.Learn more about the transformative power of art and the role artists play in creating solutions for a new world where life can be lived to its fullest and richest potential by seeing beyond the obvious."Best Program Ever! Thank you for all the variety and intensity often raised in the programs you have been offering. Today’s was brilliant.I have been working on the connection between humans and animals/Earth for a long time and it is a breath of life to learn about other artists doing the same.Each of the artists shared such intimate energy that I want to share with others."- Colleen Campbellmountainroadforest.cacreativelyunited.orgCanadian First Nations artist Roy Henry Vickers is internationally renowned for his distinctive style of paintings, sculpture and carvings and is a respected artistic advisor on projects that have included Expo 86 and the Vancouver International Airport.His Tofino, BC gallery is an experience and destination visited by many and he remains actively involved in numerous creative endeavours, including the illustration and publication of many books.Roy Henry Vickers is the recipient of both The Order of British Columbia and The Order of Canada.Roberta Pyx Sutherland is a contemporary Canadian artist who works from Victoria and Hornby Island. From her first solo show at the Victoria Art Gallery in the 80’s her work has continued to focus on the environment and the interconnectivity of all life forms. Her work has been collected by the Canada Council for the Arts, Burnaby Art Gallery, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Toronto Public Library, University of British Columbia, Concordia University Library, and the Bibliothèque de Genève. Sutherland particularly enjoys creating site-specific installations. In 2012, she painted an Andy Warhol tribute for the Hornby Island Arts Council. Magazines and e-journals regularly include her images.After decades of practice Sutherland continues to be inspired by our connections to cosmic patterning and divine intelligence.David Ellingsen is a Vancouver Island based photographer whose images speak to the relationship between humans and the natural world. David’s work is intensely focused on documenting the ways biodiversity loss and deforestation are affecting our environment.His photographs are exhibited internationally and are part of the permanent collections of the Chinese Museum of Photography, South Korea’s Datz Museum of Art and Canada’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum and Royal British Columbia Museum. They have been shortlisted for Photolucida’s Critical Mass Book Award, appeared with National Geographic, and awarded First Place at the Prix de la Photographie Paris and the International Photography Awards.As a freelance assignment photographer, Ellingsen worked with clients such as the New York Times Magazine, Business Development Bank of Canada, Canadian Medical Association, Oprah Winfrey Network, People magazine and CBC Radio Canada.
Re-Imagining Cities and Waste Creatively United for the Planet 2021-02-03 | Additional Q&A + Resources:creativelyunited.org/re-imagining-cities-wasteAttaining carbon neutrality will have a profound impact on how we design communities and deal with waste. Meet a number of pioneers who are creating innovative solutions to carbon neutrality and ways to change restrictive regulations.Larry Gardner and Hugh Stephens describe how the Regional Districts of Nanaimo and the Capital Region in Victoria are pursuing different paths to zero waste. Nanaimo is committed to a 90% diversion of waste and is devising innovative fees which encourage waste haulers to divert waste from the Landfill. The Capital Regional District does not have a formal plan for zero waste and uses tipping fees to encourage dumping waste in landfills. Hugh Stephens will demonstrate how community engagement will be critical to switching to a zero waste future.Award-winning author and poet, Fiona Tinwei Lam, shares her creative approach to educating the public about plastic waste and reduction.Kim Fowler describes how a number of developments in various communities achieve the highest standards for green buildings in terms of low carbon energy; water conservation and producing local foods. She will demonstrate how community engagement including Indigenous peoples is critical to the success of these projects.Gene Miller shares how it’s possible to have affordable sustainable homes as a new form of compact living with high energy efficiency, low transportation and reduced waste generation.--Kim Fowler has 30 years experience working as a sustainability planner for local government. She specializes in innovative design projects such as Dockside Green located in Victoria’s Inner Harbour; a unique development application process in Port Coquitlam in the Greater Vancouver Area based on economic; environmental and social factors and implementing a Waterfront Plan for the Town of Ladysmith on Vancouver Island in collaboration with the Stz’uminus First Nation.Larry Gardner is the Manager for Solid Waste Services for the Regional District of Nanaimo. The Regional District is one of the first jurisdictions in Canada to embrace zero waste with a formal goal of diverting 90% of waste from the landfill by 2027. Larry has over 30 years experience in the solid waste industry including working for the BC Ministry of Environment regulating landfills and industrial waste. He is pioneering an innovative financing model which encourages waste haulers to divert waste from the landfill replacing traditional tipping fees which can encourage waste dumping.Hugh Stephens is a Distinguished Fellow of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and an Executive Fellow School of Public Policy University of Calgary, plus the Director and Vice Chair of the Society for the Protection of the Mount Work Region, known as the Mount Work Coalition (MWC).The primary goal of the Mount Work Coalition is to advocate for the reduction of the environmental footprint of the Hartland Landfill and to ensure that public enjoyment of the area is not disrupted by increased traffic, industrial activity or expansion of the Hartland facility.He actively supported the campaign of the Saanich Inlet Protection Society to oppose the building of a floating LNG plant at Bamberton and is a member of the Willis Point Community Association executive.Gene Miller is a real estate development consultant who has devoted his professional career to innovative design to promote environmentally and socially advanced projects. He initiated Gaining Ground Urban Sustainability conferences in the 2000’s and writes for various publications on urban sustainability. He is now a practitioner proposing a multi-unit housing development called Affordable Sustainable Homes as a new form of compact living with high energy efficiency; low transportation and waste generation at below market prices.Arno and Linda Keinonen’s Harmless Home, the first of its kind in the world, is a living example of a carbon neutral building where the carbon sequestration literally begins from the ground up. Host and Creatively United founder, Frances Litman, shares this home and exciting examples of what the future could hold.Vancouver-based author and poet, Fiona Tinwei Lam shares her creative approach to educating the public about plastic waste and reduction. Her work appears in more than 35 anthologies, including The Best Canadian Poetry in English (both 2010 and 2020) and Forcefield: 77 Women Poets of BC. Her award-winning poetry videos have screened at festivals locally and internationally. She won The New Quarterly’s Nick Blatchford Prize and was a finalist for the City of Vancouver Book Award. Lam teaches at Simon Fraser University’s Continuing Studies.
Re-Imagining Our Future - Charting The Way Forward Creatively United for the Planet 2021-01-18 | This webinar and others in Season 3 explores practical solutions with positive outcomes that will allow us to achieve carbon neutrality at the community level.Season 3 of Creative Solutions for a New World launched January 13th, 2021 with policy experts, Bob Sandford and Jon O’Riordan, uncovering the systemic challenges to reach carbon neutrality and a review of national and local policies currently being considered in Canada and BC with the call for stronger and more immediate action; leading US political analyst, Mace Rosenstein, illuminating how the new administration in the US will tackle carbon neutrality and its global implications; Charlene George, a member of the t’Sou-ke peoples and a cultural guide, sharing how we can better balance our relationship with each other, Western and Indigenous knowledge systems, and ways of knowing; Kathy Code of the Ecoforestry Institute Society demonstrating how a shift to nature-based approaches to managing our forests, agriculture and soils will not only increase carbon storage, but generate more jobs than current industrial based practices; and 15 year-old climate activist, Grace Sinats, providing an insightful preview of how youth can make a huge difference in charting the road forward to carbon neutrality."What a wonderful session. Always so heart-warming and encouraging. In these dark moments when we may despair of seeing a better world ahead, your team of optimists lift our eyes, and like Charlene (who was just outstanding) create circles. And to Grace the shining face of the sustainable future which we all must create, my blessings for her cheery demeanour and expressive commitment." - T O'RiordanLinks:Additional Q&A: creativelyunited.org/re-imagining-our-future-charting-the-way-forwardSeeing Through The Watcher's Eyes ~ Between the Worlds on Sierra Club BC:sierraclub.bc.ca/watcherseyesGrace Sinats:twitter.com/GSinats
Where Do We Go From Here? – Season 2 Finale Creatively United for the Planet 2020-11-30 | The final webinar in Season 2 of the Climate and Artist Series tackles the question: ‘Where Do We Go From Here?’ A panel of leading solution advocates outline their unique answers to this question.Unlike COVID-19, there is no vaccine for curing the climate crisis. At best, we have to become carbon neutral by mid-century to have any change of managing this existential threat. On November 19, 2020, the federal government tabled legislation committing Canada to become carbon neutral by 2050. This final webinar will outline some solutions which we will be exploring in more detail in Season 3 starting in January, 2021.Additional Q&A can be found here:creativelyunited.org/where-do-we-go-from-here-creative-solutions-for-a-new-world-season-2-finaleBob Sandford, Global Water Futures Chair in Water and Climate Security at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, will start the discussion by graphically demonstrating the urgency of taking action now for achieving carbon neutrality. He will illustrate the real possibility of uncontrolled release of methane gases due to thawing of permafrost regions.Methane has a huge impact on climate but if not controlled by rapid reduction in human sources of carbon could threaten the prospect of carbon neutrality by mid century. Bob will also comment on how artists are beginning to depict this crisis to engage the public emotionally.Washington, DC lawyer and leading political analyst, Mace Rosenstein, who has effectively reviewed the US election in past webinars, will update us on the state of the US election and the prospects of a Biden Administration successfully achieving carbon neutrality.Jon O’Riordan, a former Deputy Minister of the Environment and our Climate and the Arts partner, will illustrate the vital importance of resorting ecological health to damaged ecosystems not only to increase carbon storage, but also buffer against more extreme climate events.Jon’s brother, Tim O’Riordan, who is President of the Norfolk Association of Local Councils connecting all 722 Parish Councils in Norfolk and John Pennell, Chairman: Well Being Initiative, Norfolk Association of Local Councils, will join us from the UK to demonstrate how local Parish Councils in England are encouraging citizens to reduce their individual carbon footprints by ‘one tonne by ’21’ when the Paris Climate Accord is reviewed.Professor Tim O’Riordan is Emeritus Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. He received an OBE in 2010, is a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Norfolk, served as Sheriff of Norwich (2009-10), and is a Fellow of the British Academy. He holds an MA in Geography from the University of Edinburgh, an MS in Water Resources Engineering from Cornell University, and a PhD in Geography from the University of Cambridge. In June 2013, he was awarded the honour of Distinguished Friend of Oxford.Webinar host, Frances Litman, will comment on how a change in universal consciousness is an essential element in achieving carbon neutrality.Finally, hear from three youth, a British Columbian, an Albertan and an American, organized by Katia Bannister, who will share what is next to come for youth climate activists, especially after the recent elections for the premier of B.C. and the president of the United States. How do youth think the results of these elections will impact community organizing at the grassroots level? How, moving forward, do youth organizers and activists hope to influence policy? And how can the Creatively United Community help?Mackenzie Cumming (she/her) is 15 years old and resides in Calgary, Alberta. Despite having only formally joined the climate movement in February of 2020, she has been advocating for climate action and social justice since elementary school. She is a youth organizer with Fridays for Future Calgary and Climate Strike Canada.Katia Bannister (she/they) is a 17 year old youth climate activist and community organizer from Thetis Island, B.C., on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish and Hul’qumi’num speaking people. She leads the Cowichan Valley Earth Guardians crew, organizes with the Vote16BC campaign and works with the BC Youth Council. She is passionate about restoration and conservation work, blogging, and photography.Natalie Bookout (she/her) is a 14 year old activist with Sunrise Movement, Extinction Rebellion Youth, and volunteers with Greenpeace international.The webinar is capped by a viola performance by Jon O’Riordan’s nephew, Evan Hesketh.
Treaty Negotiations and Ecosystem Monitoring Creatively United for the Planet 2020-11-23 | Learn from members of one of Canada’s leading international river basin negotiating teams how they are working to restore ecosystem health in the Canadian portion of the Columbia Basin following the damming of the River in the 1960s.This inspiring and informative webinar also explores how Living Lakes Canada, a grass roots group, is monitoring water quality, training both Indigenous and non Indigenous communities, and sharing all data on an open source data hub.Speakers include: Barbara Cosens, a Professor of Law and Water Policy at the University of Idaho; Nathan Matthew, Chief of the Secwepemc First Nations community for over 20 years; Kat Harwig, international, national and regional environmental advocate for issues relating to sustainable tourism, endangered species, corporate social responsibility and water based ecosystem health; Raegan Mallinson, a Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) certified Program Manager and Trainer; and Santiago Botero, a geographic information systems team member. Hosted by Jonathan O’Riordan, former Deputy Minister of the Environment.Additional Q&A and links can be found here:creativelyunited.org/treaty-negotiations-and-ecosystem-monitoringBarbara Cosens is a Professor of Law and Water Policy at the University of Idaho. Her research is centred on the integration of law and science in education, water governance and dispute resolution. She is a member of the Universities Consortium on Columbia River Governance and an authority on international river basin treaties.She is an expert in adaptive governance for managing resilience in river basins in an era of changing climate.As Chief of the Secwepemc First Nations community for over 20 years, Nathan Matthew has supported and led many community-building initiatives in strategic planning, schooling, economic development, health and social development and governance.In addition to his political roles, Matthew has had a strong career in education. He has held significant roles in many institutions including Director of the UBC Short Course for Principals of First Nations Schools, from 1986 to 2005. He was then Executive Director of Aboriginal Education at Thompson Rivers University from 2008 to 2012. He has been a leader in the local, provincial, and national dialogue on self-determination for Indigenous education.Kat Harwig grew up on her family ranch in the Southern Rockies of BC. She has been involved in international, national and regional environmental advocacy issues relating to sustainable tourism, endangered species, corporate social responsibility and water based ecosystem health since 1983. She is an advisor for the Lake Windermere Ambassadors; BC Water Leaders Consortium; Small Change Fund; Vancouver Foundation Environmental Advisory; Canadian Freshwater Alliance Advisory and the Columbia Basin Trust Climate Resilience Advisory. Her current board positions include the Columbia Basin Water Stewardship Network, North American Lake Management Society and German based Global Nature Fund.Raegan Mallinson grew up on the Eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies, nestled in the Alberta foothills on Treaty 7 Territory, traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy.She received her BSc. from the University of Calgary in Environmental Science, has a certificate in Indigenous Relations Leadership and is a Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) certified Program Manager and Trainer. She has worked with stewardship groups, Indigenous communities, academia and environmental consultants across Canada to develop aquatic monitoring with cutting edge genomics technologies to support biodiversity and source water protection. Raegan has also worked internationally in Colombia on watershed stewardship projects.Santiago Botero grew up in Ecuador, creating a fond love for nature through hiking, camping, and adventuring in the heart of the Andes. The call of the mountains and love for nature brought Santiago to British Columbia, where he is working towards a career in environmental science, conservation, and geospatial technology. Santiago graduated from the Integrated Environmental Planning Technology program at Selkirk College in 2019 and is currently entering his final year of a bachelor’s degree in Geographic Information Systems. He is passionate about people, nature, and technology, and believes in harmony between them all.
US Election Results: The Impact on Canadians Creatively United for the Planet 2020-11-10 | Leading US political commentator and Washington DC lawyer, Mace Rosenstein, returns to distill the US election results. Mace will be joined by Tom Axworthy, a senior policy advisor to the Canadian Federal government, and Bob Sandford, Global Water Futures Chair in Water and Climate Security at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health.Presentation Summary Pointsby Jonathan O'RiordanA couple of weeks ago I offered a stark choice between a Biden and a Trump Presidency in terms of carbon reduction targets and protecting biodiversity.That differential still to some extent exists but it will be modified over the next four years because of changes in demographics and following the money.The Pew Research noted that 88% of Republican voters ( not Democratic) under 40 supported expansion of solar power in the States and 80% supported the expansion of wind turbines. Youth will increasingly influence voting patterns over the coming decade.When Trump was elected in 2016 US coal produced twice as much electricity as renewables but this year for the first time ever, renewables will produce as much power as diminishing coal sources.Investors are taking note. Since the start of 2020, investment in the S&P Global Clean Energy Index has climbed by 70%Globally renewables are now cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives. Major oil firms are investing in renewables to hedge their bets for a shift from fossil to renewables.As mentioned a couple of weeks ago the EU, China, Canada and potentially the US under a Biden Administration will embrace carbon neutrality by 2050. Indeed China today condemned the US for withdrawing from the UN Paris Agreement.All is definitely not lost. The Countdown to the UN Climate Conference in November 2021 will witness an unprecedented engagement in creative solutions both from the top down and at the community level from the bottom up.The pandemic has had a lasting effect on behaviour especially travel, transportation, office protocols and sharing empathy.Nature will continue to pound away with increasingly severe weather reminding us all to live within her limitsRegardless of the final results from the US election, this next year and the coming decade will be a golden age for transformation towards living within planetary boundaries and tackling the UN Sustainable Development Goals. --Mace Rosenstein has been advising media and telecommunications companies on complex strategic, policy, legal, and regulatory matters for nearly 30 years. He has deep experience structuring and securing regulatory approvals for broadcast and telecommunications transactions. He is also a leader in the field on federal law and policy regarding foreign investment in U.S. media companies and on the FCC’s complex rules governing multiple and cross-ownership of media and telecommunications properties.Tom Axworthy has had a distinguished career in government, academia, and philanthropy. He served as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and he was a key strategist on repatriation of the Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.In 2011 he was appointed Secretary-General of the InterAction Council, a think tank of former world leaders. Established in 1983, the InterAction Council was the first group to apply the wisdom and network of former leaders to current global issues. He is the author of numerous books and articles of which the best known is Towards a Just Society, co-authored with Pierre Trudeau.Bob Sandford holds the Global Water Futures Chair in Water and Climate Security at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. In this capacity Bob was the co-author of the UN Water in the World We Want report on post-2015 global sustainable development goals relating to water. He is also lead author of Canada in the Global World, a new United Nations expert report examining the capacity of Canada’s water sector to meet and help others meet the United Nations 2030 Transforming Our World water-related Sustainable Development Goals.
The Call for a New Forest Framework Creatively United for the Planet 2020-11-02 | What’s wrong with how forestry is practised in BC today?Why are old growth forests so precious?What are the solutions and implementation timelines?Join Kathy Code, of the Ecoforestry Institute Society, and Jonathan O’Riordan, former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, as they talk about the current model of forestry and the need to build a new approach to sustaining our forests, from the ground up.The environmental health of our remaining old growth forests and communities is in serious jeopardy if we continue cutting our forests at the current rate.This new forest framework calls for broadening the value of forests from a multitude of perspectives: from Indigenous reconciliation to creating good, long term jobs in value added harvesting and tourism, increasing carbon storage, ensuring clean drinking water, plus sustaining salmon and wildlife habitat.The election of a new government provides a unique opportunity for a shift towards this new forest framework. This program will explore how we get there the urgency to make this shift.The Wildwood/Ecoforest Institute Society team expands on their approach to nature-based forestry and how it, not only protects and restores ecosystem health, but can increase employment and community engagement. This webinar comes at a critical time for the forest management in British Columbia where protecting old growth is such a critical issue.Links mentioned in this presentation:Forest Framework Letter: creativelyunited.org/call-for-new-forest-frameworkOld Growth panel report: engage.gov.bc.ca/oldgrowthDavid Broadland article: focusonvictoria.ca/issue-analysis/35
Trees as a Legacy: Covenants and More Creatively United for the Planet 2020-10-30 | Conservation covenant expert and urban forest lobbyist, Lisa Gordon, shares how to protect and preserve trees on private land. Lisa has been involved her entire life in terrestrial conservation. She spent more than a decade at Islands Trust, a non-profit conservation organization on the west coast of British Columbia. Lisa was responsible for facilitating dozens of conservation covenants with people on private land in the Gulf Islands.To learn more about protecting and preserving trees, see the Tree Toolkit created by the Community Trees Matter Network:creativelyunited.org/community-trees-matter-network/toolkit
The Sequoia Solution - Guerrilla Tree Planting in Vancouver Creatively United for the Planet 2020-10-30 | Meet a tree lover whose deep childhood connection with Mother Earth has taken this mother of two on a mission to not only pay for and plant 2,500 Sequoia seedlings and 600 other varieties of more common BC trees since September 2019.Susan Bibbings from Vancouver, BC, is the founder of SequoiaSolution.org. She believes that planting a tree is equally as healing to humans as healing our relationship with Mother Earth and is just as important as the carbon sequestration that trees offer. Learn more here in this short video interview with Frances Litman, founder of CreativelyUnited.org and co-founder of the Community Trees Matter Network.
Trees4Tomorrow - Tree Planting on Hornby Island Creatively United for the Planet 2020-10-30 | One of the two northernmost Gulf Islands, two ferry rides away from Vancouver Island, is Hornby Island, a haven of beautiful beaches and forests inhabited by less than 2,000 full-time inhabitants but visited by hundreds of thousands each year.Here, Rebecca Carey, a conservationist and professional tree planter, teamed up with Grant Scott, a retired forester to undertake the goal of planting 10,000 trees in less than six months on Hornby Island and other Gulf Islands. Seeing the steady decline of native Cedars and Alders in the past 10 years and knowing that it takes at least 10 years for a new tree to become carbon sinks, Rebecca founded Trees4Tomorrow, a grassroots movement to purchase seedlings and get them into the ground. Learn more about this inspiring story in this short video.
The US Election from a Canadian Perspective Creatively United for the Planet 2020-10-26 | Washington DC lawyer, Mace Rosenstein, provided answers to the following questions:Who actually votes for the President?What is the role of the Electoral College?What are the opportunities for President Trump to game the voting process? Is the US really a democracy?Mace Rosenstein practiced telecommunications law in Washington, D.C. for more than 35 years. He also has a keen understanding of US electoral politics and its constitutional foundations. In this video, he dissects how the vote is undertaken in the US and the many flaws in the process compared with Canada.Bob Sandford, the Global Water Futures Chair in Water and Climate Security at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, interviews Mace.Jon O’Riordan, Founder of the Gail O’Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Series, summarizes what is at stake in global climate policies and institutions in this pivotal election. He explores how individuals, communities and businesses can implement creative solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises even without leadership from national governments.This webinar is the first in a two-part series, with the second webinar scheduled for the day after the US Election on November 4th.Mace Rosenstein will be joined by Tom Axworthy, a senior policy advisor to the Federal government to review on the results available after the election and the implications of Canada-US relations.If you want to understand what is at stake and how the US election might unfold you cannot afford to miss next week’s webinar."Mace Rosenstein is an amazing presenter; not only grounded in his subject but extremely accessible and clear. He's a wonderful educator! Appreciated the webinar." - G Wolfram"Just a brief note to say what absolutely BEAUTIFUL and IMPORTANT work you are doing! I have been spell-bound by the last several sessions I was able to catch, and the last one was especially powerful. Thank you for your work, your passion, your imagination and commitment. Gratefully, Monika W."
Arts of Laughing, Arts of Weeping: Equipment for Earths Lovers Creatively United for the Planet 2020-10-19 | Bob Haverluck, a Manitoba artist-educator and theologian who works with community groups using the arts, especially comedy to help engage issues of violence against the earth and her creatures; and Gennadiy Ivanov, a Belarusian born MAFA graduate from Norwich University, are two artists whose powerful visual art portfolios tell compelling stories of how climate change is affecting ecosystems and affecting social transformation. The essence of these artists and their work is captured in this Climate and the Arts webinar. gennadiyart.weebly.comissuu.com/nsag/docs/transitions/s/140988issuu.com/nsag/docs/transitions_2_issuu/s/10478819youtu.be/jb020n96BcQyoutu.be/t2zMK5YBb8syoutu.be/bfb827dzJD4youtu.be/O5YO_JsuMlQBob Haverluck is a Manitoba artist-educator and theologian who works with community groups using the arts, especially comedy to help engage issues of violence against the earth and her creatures. Recently he was appointed as a Trudeau Foundation ‘Mentor’ to aid emerging scholars to better use their work for purposes of social transformation. This is in keeping with Bob’s ongoing work initiating gatherings of activists, artists, scientists and other scholars.Gennadiy Ivanov is a UK-based artist, born in Belarus who lived his early life in Russia. A MAFA graduate from Norwich University, Gennadiy is an artist who works simultaneously in several directions and styles. His paintings demand both an intellectual and emotional response with their visual grandeur.
Countdown TEDxBCDrawdown - Creative Solutions for a New Decade What Can One Person/One Community Do? Creatively United for the Planet 2020-10-19 | This special TEDx event, co-produced by Creatively United in partnership with BC Drawdown, features an incredible line up of inspirational solutions and talks by a variety of BC climate champions, including: Seth Klein, Meg Holden, Megan Curran, Guy Dauncey, Dr. Trevor Hancock, First Nations leaders, zero waste experts, tree planting heroes, youth and many others. We explore how individuals can become engaged with local community groups to enlarge their influence both in their communities and with all levels of government.This global TEDx initiative is to bring needed awareness to available solutions in advance of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, November 2021. Don't miss this webinar if you want to be uplifted and inspired.
Creeks and Communities Creatively United for the Planet 2020-10-16 | This video demonstrates how a small group of individuals can can make an impact to tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis by restoring ecosystem function in creeks within communities. The individuals are associated with Aqua-tex Scientific Consulting Ltd. aqua-tex.ca, This consultancy consists of municipal ecologists who understand how creeks function and can be returned to health by designing water infrastructure based on nature’s principles around private developments. The video illustrates two examples of their work. The first example is Dockside Green, a mixed residential and commercial development located in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. All rainwater and advanced treated liquid wastes are discharged into a constructed creek flowing through the development. The costs of creating and maintaining the creek are paid for by the developer as a premium price is paid by residents whose properties border the creek.The second example is a residential development located on Esquimalt lagoon in the municipality of Colwood. When completed, the development will consist of approximately 70 suites. The consultants removed an old hydro dam on the property and converted it to a free flowing stream suitable for spawning salmon. There are also plans to improve terrestrial vegetation and salt marshes on the property to provide habitat for a wide range of shoreline birds. As is the case with Dockside, all these restoration projects are funded by the developer as a result of increased values due to living with nature. As climate continues to impact proper functioning creeks and wetlands in communities around the globe, these restoration practices will make creeks much more resilient to deal with such changes and increase natural storage of atmospheric carbon in thriving ecosystems.
BC Drawdown and Countdown to Change Creatively United for the Planet 2020-10-15 | Many people who are concerned about the oncoming climate crisis and loss of biodiversity ask the following questions:"What can one person do? What can one community do?"These questions and others are addressed in this webinar: BC Drawdown and Countdown to Change, featuring Creatively United for the Planet's community partners: Dr. Trevor Hancock of Conversations for a One Planet Region; Jonathan O'Riordan of Climate and the Arts, and Sandi Goldie and Jim Bronson of BC Drawdown. This informative interview, led by Frances Litman, introduces and explores a wide range of exciting and innovative creative solutions to reduce our individual carbon footprints and restore biodiversity.Learn how individuals can become engaged with local community groups to enlarge their influence both in their communities and with all levels of government.creativelyunited.orgbcdrawdown.orgoneplanetconversations.caJim Bronson and his partner, Sandi Goldie, are enthusiastic Drawdown facilitators dedicated to fostering a deeper awareness of our ecosphere so that future generations can enjoy a healthy planet for a home and everything they need to live fulfilling lives.Since 2018, Jim and Sandi have delivered courses for hundreds of students, as well as train-the-trainer courses for Drawdown Trainers and Conveners, as well as offer the Pachamama Alliance course Awakening the Dreamer. To learn more about Creatively United’s new Community Climate and Drawdown partners, please visit BCDrawdown.org.Dr. Trevor Hancock is public health physician and recently retired from his position as a Professor and Senior Scholar at the School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria. In the 1980s he helped to create the global healthy cities movement, and has been an internationally recognized leader in this area for more than 30 years. In recent years he has focused on the concept of a ‘One Planet’ community/region as a way to integrate the concepts of healthy and sustainable communities, and in retirement has started a new NGO, Conversations for a One Planet Region, to explore and popularize these ideas locally.Frances Litman is an international award-winning photographer, community activator and multi-media producer. Her passion is bringing positive solutions that foster healthy, happy and resilient communities and people together. She has voluntarily coordinated one of North America’s largest Earth Day festivals and sustainability showcases, and is the creative force behind CreativelyUnited.org and co-founded the Community Trees Matter Network. Frances’ big picture vision has resulted in her receiving a 2012 CRD Ecostar Community Award, a 2017 Victoria Community Leadership Award and a 2018 Honourary Citizen of Victoria Award
What Is Creatively United? Creatively United for the Planet 2020-10-09 | Visit creativelyunited.org to learn more.CreativelyUnited.org is a free, non-profit community solutions sharing hub. Here you can post events, articles, artwork, book and film reviews and share what's going on in your community. We also feature more than 175 non-profits with an emphasis on environmental and social accountability and offer numerous free resources, including a guide featuring 58 Solutions for Lighter and Happier Living, plus a popular Climate and Artists webinar series.To see all our videos visit youtube.com/user/creativelyunited/videos.Sign up for important updates: creativelyunited.org/subscribe
Awaken - A Forest Ballet Creatively United for the Planet 2020-10-09 | It's with gratitude that we share this very special short film produced by Creatively United in collaboration with Ballet Victoria.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).Awaken debuted at Ballet Victoria's live opening night performance of The Little Prince this past Thursday and will continue to be shown on a giant screen during their entire run, Thursday-Saturday, until October 25th.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.Shot in one of the few remaining intact wild urban forests on private land in Victoria, BC, the film Awaken was created to help bring awareness to the importance of protecting and preserving forest habitat. We will share more details about ways to save the forest shown here. Stay tuned.Awaken is presented thanks to the generous sponsorship of Creatively United's esteemed partner Jon O'Riordan of the Gail O'Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Series and a City of Victoria Strategic Plan Grant. We thankfully acknowledge the Westcoast Sacred Arts Society for their contribution to this project.
The Power of Music Creatively United for the Planet 2020-10-06 | Never in history have we found it as important to turn to music as a medium to inspire us to action and hope. We are in the midst of rapid transformation as we deal with the climate crisis, mass disruption of key ecosystems and a global pandemic. These issues are interconnected so that by taking collective actions we can ensure positive solutions on all three fronts.In a previous webinar, The Art and Science of Universal Consciousness, we learnt that ‘solutions are not found in the same level of consciousness that created the problems.’ Music can stimulate different forms of consciousness that can inspire us to think more creatively as demonstrated in the quote by the Maharishi.In this webinar on the Power of Music, we are delighted to present two groups of musicians who specialize in presenting original songs and lyrics which encourage us to take these collective actions.Heather Read & Jonny Miller/Peach & Quietpeachandquiet.bandcamp.comJames Gordonjamesgordonmusic.bandcamp.com/musicJames Gordon has a remarkably diverse 40 year career releasing over 40 albums and touring extensively around the world. He has written a number of songs promoting the need to use the experience of the pandemic to transform the way we live in more sustainable ways. One of these songs is Moving Up To Awesome.Heather Read and Jonny Miller are musicians who have composed music to deal with the global crises. They have formed a duo known as Peach & Quiet and will shortly release an album entitled Just Beyond the Shine, which encourages all of us to create a kinder and more sustainable world.
Esquimalts Opportunity for Zero Waste Leadership Creatively United for the Planet 2020-10-06 | In 2019 Esquimalt council committed to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050.To help meet this challenge, Esquimalt plans to eliminate all waste going to the Hartland Landfill by gasifying 91% of its waste stream which is not recycled. Gasifiers heat waste at high temperatures and create a form of gas which can be used for heating. The heat would be piped to the town centre where is would be fed onto a district heating loop for a number of buildings.Although Esquimalt would become one of the first communities in North America to meet the zero waste goal, there are numerous cities in Europe and Asia that use gasifiers to manage their waste. When operational the gasiifier would reduce GHGs by 12% equivalent to taking 970 cars off the roads. For more information please visit esquimalt.ca/irmPlease show your support for this project by completing the survey by October 9, 2020 at form.simplesurvey.com/f/s.aspx?s=6b2f9913-d9ba-484e-b17e-2351a26d2ee4&lang=EN
Understanding the Art and Science of Universal Consciousness Creatively United for the Planet 2020-09-25 | Solutions are not found in the same level of consciousness that created the problems. So how can we, as a global collective, transcend to a deeper level of individual and collective consciousness in alignment with Natural Law? Additional Q&A can be found here: creativelyunited.org/understanding-the-art-and-science-of-universal-consciousnessThis webinar, hosted by Frances Litman and featuring guests John Cowhig and Anne-Marieke Chu, explores what collective consciousness means, how to achieve it, plus learn all about the mental, physical and community benefits of Transcendental Meditation complete with the science to support how it can reduce stress and create optimum health and wellness on both an individual and community level.John Cowhig discovered Transcendental Meditation (TM) when he was a Bohemian seeker in the 60’s. From 1974 to 1991 he worked, in more than 100 countries, with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of TM, an international educational non-profit. Maharishi set up countless pilot projects to inspire visionary leaders to bring prosperity to society, correct environmental imbalances and create world peace. Among the dozens of projects that John worked on, was one in the late1980’s to help developing countries become food self-sufficient by cultivating organic food on their unused arable land. Other pilot projects in the 80’s, all ahead of their time, included electric-vehicles in the Netherlands and solar panel production in India.But what caught John’s imagination was the fundamental principle in all these projects: Consciousness First. First develop everyone’s full potential; then those happy, enlightened, fulfilled people will intuitively live in accord with the laws of nature and spontaneously do what is right. Anne-Mareike Chu holds a Master of Science degree in Resource Management & Environmental Studies, and Bachelor’s degree in physics. She has worked as a sustainability consultant and researcher with world renown architects, municipalities, and international research institutions on sustainable building projects around the world.As a certified Instructor of Transcendental Meditation, Anne-Marieke teaches leaders, professionals, athletes and families about the science of consciousness for a balanced approach to life. Her dedication is to allow people to unfold their full mental potential and develop a sustainable and regenerative connection with themselves and their environment.Musical artist Chloe Kim concludes this webinar with the Allemande from JS Bach’s Sixth Suite originally for cello. Chloe graduated with a Masters in violin performance from the University of Victoria and is now studying at the Julliard School of Music in New York. She has performed in many countries.
The Transformational Moment: What Have We Learned So Far? Creatively United for the Planet 2020-09-21 | Three of Canada’s foremost practitioners in reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, Merrell-Ann Phare, Michael Miltenberger, and professional planner, project manager, capacity developer and engagement specialist, Christine Callihoo, discuss how they are creatively transforming legal and political approaches to reconciliation in Canada that include land use and community-based planning with climate change mitigation and adaptation at the forefront. In this video replay, there is also a BC forest update and a review of the key transformational moments presented in our Season One webinars.Other special guests in this webinar titled, The Transformational Moment: What Have We Learned So Far?, include Robert Sandford, Global Water Futures Chair in Water and Climate Security at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health; Jonathan O'Riordan, our Climate and the Arts partner; and Victoria Symphony principal cellist, Brian Yoon, performing a Gigue from one of Bach’s Unaccompanied Cello Suites.Link to diagram shown in Merrell-Ann Phare's presentation:canada.ca/content/dam/pco-bcp/documents/pdfs/fed-eng.pdfPart of the Creative Solutions for a New World Climate & Artists Seriescreativelyunited.orghttp://climateandthearts.orgecoforestry.caBob Sandford holds the Global Water Futures Chair in Water and Climate Security at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. In this capacity Bob was the co-author of the UN Water in the World We Want report on post-2015 global sustainable development goals relating to water. He is also lead author of Canada in the Global World, a new United Nations expert report examining the capacity of Canada’s water sector to meet and help others meet the United Nations 2030 Transforming Our World water-related Sustainable Development Goals.Merrell-Ann Phare is a lawyer with the Phare Law Corporation, a writer and the founding Executive Director of the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER), a national First Nation charitable environmental organization.She is the author of the books Denying the Source: The Crisis of First Nations Water Rights and Ethical Water: Learning to Value What Matters Most.As Chief Negotiator for the Government of Northwest Territories, Merrell-Ann led the negotiation of transboundary water agreements in the Mackenzie River Basin and the creation of Thaidene Nene, a national and territorial park in the east arm of Great Slave Lake.She is legal counsel and advisor to a number of First Nation and other governments and organizations and regularly speaks on water issues and First Nations.Michael Miltenberger is Métis, lives in Fort Smith, NWT, and works with Aboriginal and Crown governments, ENGO’s, industry and the private sector providing strategic political advice. Michael is the principal of North Raven Consulting. His interests are water protection and governance, working collaboratively on environmental protection, renewable energy development, building efficient government, expediting land claims, and strategic planning.Prior to his current work, he spent 20 years as MLA in the NWT Legislature, 14 of those years as Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, Minister of Finance, Minister of Health and Social Services and the Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.Jon O’Riordan is a violist and choir member, and the founder of the Gail O’Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Series. He obtained an MA degree in Geography from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD from the University of British Columbia. Jon worked in the public service throughout his career first with the Federal Government and then with the Province of British Columbia. He completed his full time work as Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management. After leaving government, he taught a graduate course in Resource Planning and Public Policy at UBC and has since undertaken research on watershed governance for the Polis Project on Ecological Governance at University of Victoria and on climate change adaptation at Simon Fraser University.
