Blog

http://oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/whats-the-evidence-on-fundraising-with-images-of-pity-v-images-of-dignity-testing-the-narrative-project/
Definitely an important discussion to highlight! Great blog post examining some really interesting research.Worth reading!

http://oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/whats-the-evidence-on-fundraising-with-images-of-pity-v-images-of-dignity-testing-the-narrative-project/

Definitely an important discussion to highlight! Great blog post examining some really interesting research.Worth reading!

Ever wondered about the differences between different electoral systems? Here are a couple of great summaries, highlighted on the votebetter.ca website (connected with LeadNow). Happy watching! 

http://www.votebetter.ca/voting-videos/

In light of the push from many organizations to reduce consumption of animal-based products and switch to a plant-based diet, I find it discouraging (although not entirely surprising, unfortunately), to see how so many national food guides are still slanted towards meat, dairy and eggs. So, when I happened to come across this article: http://www.vox.com/2016/6/21/11978318/china-less-meat-schwarzenegger-cameron, I was thrilled! China is nudging their population towards a substantial change – which is great news, and worth noting and copying around the world.  I would love to see people join the challenge and spread the word in their own circles. The official goal is to have people reduce their meat consumption by 50%, but this challenge could easily be adapted at a different percentage or also include other animal products etc. – as ambitous as people are willing to be.

As an interesting note, James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger are both involved – there is a short 2 minute video highlighting their efforts in the article. If Arnold S. says that meat is not needed to build muscles and be strong, I’m not sure that even the most skeptical person could disagree with his results! 🙂 (Given that I am not build like that, I’m not sure that I can convince people the same way. :)) 

http://350.org/a-tablet-in-the-ground/
Great article – worth reading and spreading!

Just saw this article about Ontario EcoSchools and thought it was worth highlighting: http://www.wrdsb.ca/blog/2016/06/17/eighteen-wrdsb-schools-recieve-ontario-ecoschools-certification/. Great to see that schools are working hard to get certified – hopefully more schools will follow their lead and get certified as well! 

Here’s a bit of great news on the sustainability front.

First, from Norway, this piece http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/06/06/norway-gas-powered-cars-2025_n_10324976.html. Here’s a little snippet from the article:  “Within a decade, Norway — the world’s fifteenth-largest oil producer — plans to be the first country in the world where you won’t be able to buy a gas-powered car.” Hopefully they will get there even sooner, and others will join them! So, if you drive a gas powered vehicle currently, this is your incentive to get rid of it and switch to a more sustainable choice.

Secondly, from Ontario, details are beginning to emerge about some further climate action, with more to follow tomorrow: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/06/07/revealed-ontarios-climate-change-action-plan.html.

All great calls to action, particularly in light of this bit of news from earlier: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/big-oil-emissions_us_573c9d81e4b0aee7b8e8a046. Action could and should have been taken in the 1970s, but wasn’t so there is no time to waste now! Despite the lack of action earlier, renewables are soaring globally http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36420750.  So, go put solar on your roof and get rid of your gas powered vehicle! Let’s not delay any further.

Just saw this a few days ago: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/27/g7-nations-pledge-to-end-fossil-fuel-subsidies-by-2025. The G& has committed to ending fossil fuel subsidies within a decade! While I would have liked to see that happen decades ago, I still see this as a win. Let’s see what we can do to get that bumped up much sooner – and transfer than money to renewable and sustainable choices. Increased grassroots pressure on all governments can only help. Let’s spread the word and get the changes that are needed!

Hello and welcome here! This website is a reflection of my work in development, sustainability and peacebuilding – and the ways that all of them intersect. I will be sharing resources that I think are valuable, and hopefully encouraging conversation and action – both within the Mennonite denomination (which is where I am) and beyond.

If you have thoughts or comments, please let me know in the comments or by contacting me using the contact page. Thanks!

SJM