Ottawa

Archived Posts from this Category

January 30, 2012

The World We Want: An Evening with Frances Moore Lappe in Ottawa

Posted by greenlivingottawa under climate change, food, household, Ottawa
Leave a Comment 

Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues.

I was thrilled to hear that France Moore Lappé is coming to Ottawa, to give a talk about “The World We Want: Visionary Ideas for a Small Planet.”

Lappé is author of the groundbreaking Diet for a Small Planet (1971)—a book which had a big influence on how I think about food—and 16 other books on food, politics and the environment. She’ll be here to talk about her latest, titled EcoMind: Changing the Way We Think, to Create the World We Want (2011).

EcoMind is about the “myths” we tell ourselves about the environment, the economy and humanity that stop us from changing things for the better. For example, says Lappé, when we tell ourselves that environmental problems stem from rampant economic “growth,” we see the solution as limiting growth. But Lappé says that growth is essential—for the plants and animals around us and for ourselves—and that we can redefine growth as not about amassing (or wasting) more but about enhancing our well-being.

According to Lappé, our beliefs that we’ve become disconnected from nature, for example, or that our “consumer society” is to blame, are “thought traps” that make us feel powerless to stop seemingly insurmountable problems like climate change or food “scarcity.” EcoMind says the way forward lies in reframing the problems in order to open up new possibilities for action that are in line with nature.

If you have the chance, head to “The World We Want.” It’s on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts, 310 St. Patrick St. at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.). Tickets are $10 in advance (available at USC Canada or Octopus Books) or $15 at the door.

 

Some additional links to check out:

Frances Moore Lappé’s bio: http://smallplanet.org/about/frances/bio

Article by Frances Moore Lappé in the Ottawa Citizen about the “myth” of food scarcity: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Food+scarcity+dangerous+myth/6033424/story.html?shr=f

Video of Frances Moore Lappé talking about EcoMind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs9RFkkxqDY

 

January 24, 2012

CPAWS Gatineau and Greenbelt Hikes

Posted by greenlivingottawa under 100-mile, flora and fauna, Ottawa
Leave a Comment 

Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues.

I haven’t yet been, but the Ottawa Valley Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS-OV) hosts weekend hikes once a month for people to spend some quality time in Gatineau Park and the Greenbelt.

Hike locations and dates are posted on their website. The next one is on Saturday, January 28 at 6:00 p.m.; it’s an evening snowshoe hike in Gatineau Park’s Meech Creek Valley. February’s hike is on Sun. 26th at 1:00 p.m. on one of the Greenbelt trails. February and March hikes are also by snowshoe, although organizers say most of the trails are packed enough to walk on without snowshoes, while April through November are on foot. Check the website for information on what to bring, where to meet and other important details.

CPAWS-OV says they welcome suggestions for hike locations as well as volunteers who’d like to lead the walks.

The hikes are, of course, also a chance to find out more about CPAWS-OV and their work to protect wilderness and biodiversity in the national capital region.

 

 

January 15, 2012

January 2012 Eco-events in Ottawa

Posted by greenlivingottawa under arts and culture, books, food, Ottawa, transportation, water
Leave a Comment 

Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues.

After a relatively quiet start to 2012, Ottawa is seeing quite a few environment-related events on its horizon. Coming up next: winter biking, organic farming and sustainable seafood.

Ottawa Winter Bike Parade, Sunday January 22

Citizens for Safe Cycling invites everyone to Ottawa’s first Winter Bike Parade. The parade will go from Laurier and Percy to Ottawa City Hall along the Laurier Avenue bike lane, with free apple cider at the end of the route. In the words of the organizers, the aim is “To show that Ottawa bikes in winter! And that it can be fun!”

All the Dirt: Reflections on Successful, Cooperative Organic Farming, Monday, January 23

Just Food and USC Canada present a reading and discussion with Robin Tunnicliffe, farmer and one of the authors of All the Dirt. The book tells of Tunnicliffe’s experience as a small-scale farmer and local food distributor. 7 p.m., Ottawa Public Library Main Branch Auditorium; free admission (book available for purchase).

Café Scientifique on Sustainable Seafood, Friday, January 27

The Canadian Museum of Nature is hosting a Café Scientifique, Dessert and Documentary Night on “Is eating seafood ethical and sustainable?” Resource people are Dr. Melissa Marschke, Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa’s School of International Development and Global Studies, and Joshua Bishop, Owner/Worker at The Whalesbone Oysterhouse and Sustainable Retail Oyster and Fish Store. The evening includes a screening of The End of the Line, a documentary on ocean overfishing. 6:30-10:30 p.m., $25 ($20 members, students, volunteers); reservations needed.

Stay tuned for more upcoming events (and let us know of any).

 

November 28, 2011

Café Scientifique: Chickens in urban Ottawa?

Posted by greenlivingottawa under 100-mile, flora and fauna, food, health, household, Ottawa, pets
Leave a Comment 

Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues.

Want to know more about the pros and cons of raising chickens in the city, or have an opinion about it? Or interested in a thought-provoking evening out? The Canadian Agriculture Museum is holding a Café Scientifique on Raising Chickens in the City: Human Right or Health Risk? It’s at the Fox and Feather Pub, 283 Elgin St. on Tuesday, November 29 2011 at 6 p.m.

Current municipal by-laws don’t permit chicken-raising in urban Ottawa, but some people think changing the by-laws could be a sustainable way to support local food. Others have concerns about adverse effects like health risks or noise. The Canadian Agriculture Museum says the Café will “explore all perspectives” as well as being an opportunity for “drinks, discussion and debate.”

 

November 19, 2011

Green Building Hysteria (Comedy)

Posted by greenlivingottawa under arts and culture, building, energy, Ottawa
Leave a Comment 

Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues.

Two of my favourite things—the environment and comedy—come together on Sunday, November 20, 2011. The Ottawa Region Chapter of the Canada Green Building Council and Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club are hosting Green Building Hysteria, a “relaxing evening that will make your belly hurt (from laughing) AND advance Green Buildings.”

The Ottawa Region Chapter is a non-profit corporation that promotes green buildings in Ottawa, Gatineau, Eastern Ontario, and Western Quebec. What’s particularly appealing is that the Yuk Yuk’s event will support the Third Annual Ottawa EcoLogical Student Green Building Design Competition. This friendly competition pits teams of students along with young professionals against each other to come up with innovative building designs. In the third annual competition, scheduled for March 2012, participants will design a sustainable Community Health Hub for Ottawa Community Housing and the Carlington Community Health Centre.

An event that supports green buildings, community health and well-being AND is fun—what’s not to like? The bill includes Insensitivity Training, Alex Wood and Matt Carter. It starts at 8 p.m. at Yuk Yuks, 292 Elgin St. Tickets $10 advance, $12 at the door.

 

Next Page »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.