The Plight of Avocados

My post 'bubble' (see previous post) adjustment continues.....

I had a very intense conversation with my fiance the other night after I commented that I didn't enjoy how our town is laid out so that there is no public infrastructure for transport. We went to one of the local grocery stores and didn't find what we needed, an avocado. So we decided to drive to the other grocery store and by the time we got there (all of a 1.563 min drive) I was really hot and bothered that we HAD to drive to get there.

When did we stop asking questions to ourselves about the choices we had to get there? Could we have planned better and walked, enjoying the warm weather? DEFINITELY! Could we have pumped up our tires and enjoyed a leisurely 5 min bike ride together, enjoying the smells of the blooming trees and the giggles of the kids using the water park on the way to the store? DEFINITELY! We had the choice and we were so used to doing it this way (driving everywhere) prior to me going to school, we never bothered to challenge ourselves with contemplating other methods....So believe me we contemplated. I think it's been a bit of a wake up call for him but I continue to speak my truth and show by example, hoping as a couple we can find some common ground.

So my fiance brought up the point about organic food being more expensive and so we had a conversation about the 'real' cost of the food and how traditionally (or should that say industrially) farmed food does not account for the cost of damage to our soil nor the toxic accumulation of pesticides and their health implications resulting in dis-ease and pressure on our health systems. These are NOT reflected in the price.

He asked me a good question that I'm still thinking about...."Would you buy a non-organic avocado in the grocery store you have already driven to or would you drive to another grocery store in order to buy an organic avocado?". I said I would have been happy to ride my bike there to buy it for him!

It's an important example of how we are so muddled and swamped with evaluating the global health pros/cons of our actions these days. A friend said that everything we do is hypocritical so why bother? I personally think there is a happy medium with a whole systems perspective out there....it's just not an easy nor quick answer.

My suggestions to my fiance:
1. Dematerialize how much fossil fuel we are using by riding our bikes
2. Commit to buying organics because they often represent food produced without the use of bio-accumulative, petroleum based insecticides/pesticides (substances which accumulate in our ecosystems)
3. Commit to buying organics because they often represent farming practices that do not systematically destroy the soil's productivity and stop the loss of valuable top soil
4. Evaluate the frequency of eating a fruit that is not found locally

Really, it comes down to doing the best you can personally with the information you have. I have made a commitment to myself to watch less TV, blog more and READ more. My next read is a book that is relevant to this blog post and will hopefully provide some food for thought about my carbon footprint. I will let you know the verdict.

"How to live a low-carbon life : the individual's guide to stopping climate change" by Chris Goodall.

Post 'Bubble' Comments

It's been awhile since I've posted anything on my blog and so I thought that now is better than ever to make a few posts about my continuing journey in sustainability.

The first is about my experience leaving Sweden and the "bubble" as we affectionately referred to our Masters in Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability programme. The bubble was soft, fuzzy, warm and filled with supportive, collaborative, and caring people and invaluable dialogue about the sustainability challenges we are facing right now. We all talked about how cold and rough the exit from this bubble would be but it's only over the last few weeks since I've really been feeling the pain and butting heads with friends, family, and myself as I was introduced back to the REAL WORLD! No more ideal student in Sweden life:

• biking everywhere (and feeling like I'm not going to get hit by every car!),
  
• having a local Saturday market/social gathering,
  
• no TV (read: not bombarded by N.American media crap), and
  
• being spoiled by being surrounded by 63 fellow classmates that supplied a constant feed of ideas, dialogue and most importantly understanding and support.

The first and most abrupt post 'bubble' experience happened during my trip home through London Heathrow. It started by filling out the landing card, "What is your profession?" Hmmmmm.......how do I summarize the 4 system conditions (to achieve a sustainable society) in about 3cm of space?? No short answers here. Searching for a familiar term...I settled on "Peacemaker" or maybe I could have written "Societal Muse"? Hahahaha. I liked that one!

First Challenge: How do we recent graduates define ourselves? It is not a profession that is widely understood, like if you said, "I'm a doctor", "I'm an astronaut", or "I'm an exotic dancer"..nope. Most often, when I'm asked what I do and I respond, "Sustainability Practitioner" I get a very blank look. Thankfully I'm good at talking and if they are willing to listen it's a win-win situation!

So, I rolled up to the desk that contained the totally uptight security supervisor. Standard questions, "Where have you been?" etc. So I start by saying I've been going to school in Sweden etc and so he asks what topic?

"Sustainability" I answer.

He snaps his head up (read: totally panicking as he has no idea what I'm talking about OR thinks I'm being a smart ass). "What is that?", he replies.

I say, "It's about studying how we are stuffing up the planet (thanks to Annie my thesis partner!)".

SILENCE.....

"So why didn't you take the train from Copenhagen, it's more sustainable?", he replies in a smartie-pants way that makes me want to hit him.

*SIGH* (Patience is a virtue I remind myself loudly). Then a locomotive train full of thoughts flashed through my brain in the next 0.5 seconds:

• where the hell does the train from Copenhagen go to get to London?
  
• I curse some more in my head,
• think of Sara Parkin (Forum for the Future Director) and her story about the media searching under her kitchen sink,
  
• think so I look like the asshole because I flew from Copenhagen to London instead of taking the more sustainable option of taking some unknown train from Copenhagen to London...perhaps through Paris? hmmm.....how about asking me some important questions like how I choose to live my life outside of flying, that I offset my flights with carbon credits etc..
  

"I didn't have time", I blurt out, not feeling like challenging him to explain to me where the train goes.... He looks smug and I still want to hit him.

The next voice in my head sings, "Welcome to life outside the bubble!". This is a place where the definition of Sustainability is twisted, confused and mixed with a lot of fear and judgement. So many people are scared about what it means for them. Will I have to give up my car? What about my vacations? How about my favorite cream puffs imported from Italy? Are the polar ice caps going to melt? Will I be able to afford to eat?

Many people believe it [sustainability] is only about climate change, pollution, environmental issues or my personal favorite, finances (i.e. - if your business is sustainable, then it is financially successful). It's a jungle out here!

Second Challenge: Have enough patience to navigate through the thick, invisible cloud of doubt, fear, judgement, and "I'm-out-to-save-myself-so-screw-you" attitude to be able to explain how we are all connected, that sustainability is a whole-systems challenge and that the recent increase in food and gas prices to $4 a gallon (or $1.509 a litre in West Vancouver tonight) is only a small piece of the larger picture for example.

I am doing my best to stay calm and listen to the concerns my friends and family have. They are valid and even if they don't completely listen as attentively as I would wish to the suggestions I make, at least they are asking! For certain it's not an easy topic and if you are out there listening.....send your supportive vibes as we all work together to grow our bubble like a raindrop, spreading and collecting more and more little drops into a big and beautiful resource!

Officially Half Way

I'm halfway through my Master's in Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability and so excited to get out there and start working once I'm finished!

I'm working on a take-home exam that involves writing a proposal for developing a community sustainability plan and I'm getting excited! I sincerely hope to engage with interested and like minded people in the Okanagan who want to co-create a vision what success means and help the businesses and communities of the Okanagan area move towards sustainability success!

Debunking the Third World Myth

One of the most interesting videos I've seen for a long time....

Opinion on the heels of Human Needs

On the heels of Human Needs exhibit, I found an interesting article in my local paper, The Oliver Chronicle, about a proposed Wine Village development which is moving closer and closer to becoming a reality. As this occurs, it seems that the public discontent about it is growing......

I cannot comment about it from a sustainability perspective as I think Oliver has yet to do a lot of work in defining it's vision of success of sustainability. Only they can do that and perhaps one day I might be able to contribute to that process.

For now I can comment on the article from a Human Needs point of view as I am fulfilling my human need to participate, stand up for what I care about and have the courage to have a voice.

My Response to the Editor:

Dear Editor,

I would like to write in response to the recent article published in last week’s Oliver Chronicle about titled “Not everyone thrilled with ‘wine village’ deal”

I believe this current example is an important reflection point where “gaps” within our current process of public consultation, information dissemination and joint decision-making in Oliver can be highlighted.

I would like to ask Mayor Ron Hovanes and Les Lawther several important questions based on a few of the basic human needs we all share; Participation, Understanding, Creativity and Identity.

PARTICIPATION
1) In what ways might the current process of information sharing and decision making made within the Town of Oliver council and Oliver and District Community Economic Development Society be contributing to undermining the residents’ capacity for participation?

For example: if Town Council meetings have consistently low public attendance while important decisions are being made about the future development of land and community, have there been investigations made into how to enable a larger percentage of participation? A welcome solution might be evening time, well-advertised, public meetings in a third-party building such as the community center or high school auditorium to better enable interested Oliver and area residents to participate.

UNDERSTANDING
2) How can you better facilitate understanding of the Wine Village Plan?

For example: Lawther is quoted in the recent article as saying "There was the Rural Oliver Accord, there was the Wine Capital of Canada master plan, the wine village was incorporated into the OCP (official community plan)…"

I would like to know where could I read the amendments to the community plan? Is the community plan easily accessible to the public through a variety of mediums; paper copies in Town of Oliver office, electronic copy online, mailed out to residents who are known to have an interest yet might be physically unable to retrieve a copy for themselves*? *Obviously, it is not realistic to expect this service be provided for all amendments and I am using is to make a point.

I am currently studying in Sweden and I am a resident of Oliver. When I tried to find internet access to the Official Community Plan through the Town of Oliver website on the page titled “Land Use Planning > Development Primer > Official Community Plan and Zoning” I found information on how to apply to make changes to the plan but no link to the plan itself.

Perhaps contributing to enabling residents to better understand the process and changes might lead to more participation?

CREATIVITY AND IDENTITY
3) How can you better enable the residents of Oliver to work together with you to CO-CREATE a vision of success for the development of the Wine Village Plan?

For Example: In the Town of Oliver “Destination Wine Village Resort” presentation given on June 12, 2006 there was mention on page #3 about “SmartGrowth Principles” supporting the Wine Village Accord.

These principles are as follows:
1) Each community is complete
2) Options to the car are emphasized
3) Work in harmony with natural systems
4) Buildings and infrastructure are greener, smarter and cheaper
5) Housing meets the needs of the whole community
6) Good jobs are close to home
7) Agricultural land and small town character are maintained and enhanced
8) Everyone has a voice

These are all very important principles that were collectively established by local stakeholders as being important to our area. Perhaps the resistance and disharmony over the proposed Wine Village Plan could be solved through clearer and more public communication on how the co-created principles of SmartGrowth will be included in the Wine Village Plan?

Additionally, allowing for public participation and concern to be voiced or contributed to the plan will allow for a sense of identity within the residents of Oliver in regards to the proposed Wine Village Plan.

Sincerely yours,
Tracy Lydiatt
tracy@soulseeds.ca

All We Need Exhibit

All We Need explores the world as a global market through the human efforts to dream, imagine and live a happy life.

The exhibition shows, in particular through the fair trade example, alternatives in consumption and life styles. It provides reflections and proposals for action on the essential questions touching the future of mankind: which are our fundamental needs, and how can we satisfy them without endangering neither the survival of our planet, nor human rights?





Human needs on a lonely planet

Human needs are the same everywhere. Chilean economist Manfred Max-Neef, recipient of the « Right Livelihood Award » also known as the « Alternative Nobel Prize » has identified nine basic categories of human needs:

* idleness (Relax)
* subsistence (Survive)
* freedom (Choose)
* affection (Love)
* identity (Belong)
* protection (Protect)
* understanding (Understand)
* creation (Create)
* participation (Stand Up)


For the exhibition, a tenth basic need has been taken into consideration, the need for transcendence (Dream), through which human beings try to overcome the material reality of everyday life by imagining a better world and an existence beyond human life.

While basic human needs are everywhere the same, the way in which humans try to satisfy them varies considerably with the cultural background and, obviously, especially in relation with the standard of living.







The inhabitants of the Northern hemisphere persist in researching their happiness through a multitude of goods of consumption. Alas, too often, this puts at risk the rights of other inhabitants of the Earth. Behind all those products, there are stories and destinies, which tell about limited planetary resources and unfair trade. It becomes clear that beyond the point of saturation, the superabundance of goods is damageable to the general quality of life.







The exhibition suggests a series of alternative concepts, ideas and answers to the eternal question of how to live a happy life. A life without asceticism or renouncement, but guided by a spirit of equity and planetary justice and by realizing that humanity has in fact only one Earth. Thus, the journey through the world as a global market becomes a voyage of discovery about the eternal aspirations of humanity towards universal happiness.







I wanted to post the rice piles photo last and ask you to take a minute to understand what you are looking at. The rice pile on the right of the woman represents the amount of people in South America who live on about $1 a day. The rice pile on the left of the woman (which is actually slightly larger than the other one) represents the amount of McDonalds customers per day.

Sometimes it is easy to make choices when we are not confronted by the direct affect or volume of our combined common choices and how they might affect the ability for other people to meet their needs......I hope this post has helped bring some awareness and brought a moment of pause to your day.

We are all interdependent.

The Natural Step - A New Game

I am learning The Natural Step framework and how it help us plan in complex systems, moving us towards an attractive, sustainable society in the biosphere (aka- the Earth). Currently our society is unsustainable and is not a series of disconnected negative impacts (global warming, Katrina, famine, poverty etc.) but underlying systematic errors in societal design exist and need to be addressed.

So, we must redesign our society and consider the relationships between issues.

Currently, our societal model has a cylindrical shape; where as long as social and environmental damage accrued is equally balanced with economic benefits gained, the entire system remains "in balance". This model is incorrect and is unsustainable.

We define unsustainable by: steadily accumulating waste (in our biosphere-aka The Earth), and diminishing resources. Therefore the resource-potential for health and economy is systematically decreasing at the same time as the population increases.

More accurately, we are in a funnel where non-sustainable development is seen as entering deeper and deeper into the funnel, in which the space to succeed becomes narrower and narrower.
If an organisation "hits the walls" of the funnel, it might appear as any or all of the following:

(i) increasing costs for resources, waste managements, taxes, and insurance premiums;
(ii) increasingly strict legislation;
(iii) loss of good reputation;
(iv) over-corrections when concrete negative impacts surface;
(v) lost investments due to sub-optimized measures and blind alleys and
(vi) loss of market share to those who develop cutting-solutions.

To avoid hitting the walls of the funnel, organisations must stay on the cutting edge of solutions towards strategic sustainability.

So how do we do this? We learn how to play a new game.

Re-design our society within basic constraints of sustainability is the only way of solving our problems upstream at the principle level, where complexity is at it's lowest. To do this, we must become a new type of chess player. First we need to learn the basic principles which govern this sustainability game and then use them to plan our first moves strategically, and have a framework to rely on for making future decisions.

It's much like playing a game where we can co-create solutions together because we are all very intelligent individuals, so by default, we are so much smarter when we work together to solve problems!