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

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.

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).

It’s the gift-giving season. But some recent illnesses among family and friends have left me thinking about how little meaning a lot of our “stuff” has in our lives. What’s really important is the here-and-now, the time we have together.

So I’m wishing for you and your loved ones the gift of time.

As for seasonal posts, I don’t think I can do better than offer that you re-read Alette and Eloise’s 2007 posts on “thingless giving” and greening the holidays. You’ll find them here: http://greenlivingottawa.com/2007/12/

Thanks and all the best for the holiday season.

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.”

The Ottawa organization Just Food is made up of a hardworking group of people who’ve been gathering some innovative ideas about how to make Ottawa’s food system healthier, more sustainable and accessible to everyone.

Many of us are trying to eat food that’s more nutritious, more local or grown more sustainably. And many Ottawa families can’t afford healthy food, according to the City of Ottawa. The Ottawa Food Bank helps address the gap, serving about 43,000 people a month. But it’s not a long-term solution.

Just Food has spent the last couple of years talking with Ottawa residents and food experts of different backgrounds about ways to bring about “Food for All.” In June they announced a Food Action Plan for Ottawa. The Plan consists of proposals on a range of issues. Ideas include improving access to land for community gardens, encouraging public institutions to “buy local,” bringing healthy food to schools, corner stores and transportation hubs, strengthening Ottawa’s local food-processing and distribution infrastructure, and enhancing income supports for people who need them. (These and more proposals are on Just Food’s website.)

The proposals “aren’t set in stone,” says Just Food, and they’re hoping that people will comment, and participate in “Kitchen Table Talks” coming up January through March next year.

Just Food is currently looking for people to help run the Kitchen Table Talks, and is offering training sessions for prospective animators. Three training sessions are scheduled so far, on November 21 at the Sandy Hill Community Centre, November 29 at the Centretown Community Health Centre, or December 5 at the Nepean, Rideau, Osgoode Community Resource Centre. You can check out the Just Food website for details and how to register.

Stay tuned for announcements about the Kitchen Table Talks themselves, and do check out the Food Action Plan proposals online.

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.

Spacing Ottawa has created a very cool new series of events called Next City Café. Each month they bring together planners, community experts, “urban enthusiasts” and anyone interested at the Alpha Soul Café to talk about making Ottawa a great place to live. The first two Cafés were on “Everyday Cycling” (in September) and “The Future of Food” (in October).

This month’s Next City Café is on Reimagining our Community Green Spaces. It’s on Wednesday, November 16 at 7 p.m. at the Alpha Soul Café, 1015 Wellington Street West. Panellists will be Chris Osler, Community Developer of the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre and Aamina Bedran, Co-founder of the Ottawa Children’s Garden.

The Café will be a chance to dream up alternatives for some of Ottawa’s underused and neglected green spaces. The organizers say “Bring your imagination, a pen and your wish list for a local community space.”

Judging by the number of food-related events that keep coming up in Ottawa, more and more people are interested in sustainable, local and healthy food options—and they have more support than ever. Here are some events taking place this week:

Sustainable Food for Thought

CUSO-VSO hosts a discussion on sustainable farming with panellists from Nigeria, Southeast Asia and Ottawa. It’s Tuesday, November 15, 7-9 p.m. at the Cube Gallery, 1285 Wellington St. W. Free (suggested donation $5). Information at http://www.cuso-vso.org/event/34054/sustainable-food-for-thought—-ottawa.

Resilient Kitchen Workshop

Also on Tuesday, November 15: a workshop on Kitchen Cupboard Medicine: Healing Herbs and Spices, with Transition Ottawa and Amber Westfall. Learn about treating minor ailments with common herbs and spices. 7-9 p.m. at the Beaver Barracks, 464 Metcalfe St. Free (but bring your own mug). RSVP; details at http://resilientkitchen.wordpress.com/workshops/.

Food for All – A Food Action Plan for Ottawa
Just Food has developed an exciting new community vision and plan for food in Ottawa, based on consultations about local food issues and concerns. The plan centres on building a sustainable local food system, ensuring everybody has access to good food and promoting health through food security and nutrition. Just Food and Transition Ottawa are inviting “everybody who eats” to a workshop to help make the plan a reality. It’s on Thursday November 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Ecclesiax Sanctuary, 2 Monk St. (one block from 5th Ave. and Bank St.) More information at http://transitionottawa.ning.com/events/food-for-all-a-food-action-plan-for-ottawa-justfood and http://justfood.ca.

In Minto Park, at the corner of Elgin and Gilmour Streets downtown, there’s a new sugar maple tree. It was planted this week to honour environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Muta Mathaai, who passed away on September 25, 2011.

Wangari Mathaai never lived in Ottawa, but her life’s work has influence and relevance here—and throughout the world. Dr. Mathaai was a Kenyan environmentalist, scientist, human and women’s rights advocate, political activist and parliamentarian.

Wangari Mathaai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977 as a grassroots community-based tree-planting program to address environmental degradation and empower women; it’s become a global movement working for human rights, democracy, peace and climate justice as well. Her work was challenging, at times dangerous, but she persevered. “It is the people who must save the environment. It is the people who must make their leaders change,” she said, “So we must stand up for what we believe in.” Professor Mathaai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 and has received dozens of other awards and recognitions.

To celebrate Wangari Mathaai’s life and achievements, the Nobel Women’s Initiative, an organization based in Ottawa that Dr. Mathaai herself helped found in 2004, along with Ecology Ottawa, hosted the tree-planting ceremony on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at Minto Park, with the High Commissioner of Kenya, Simon Nabukwesi, the Ambassador of Norway, Else Eikeland, and Mayor Jim Watson attending.

For Wangari Mathaai, sustainability, human rights, peace and justice were interconnected. “She did not put women’s rights, democracy and the environment into separate boxes,” said Liz Bernstein, Executive Director of the Nobel Women’s Initiative, at the ceremony.

Mathaai also believed that every person could take action. Ecology Ottawa’s Trevor Haché summed it up this way: “May this tree that we will plant today in the ceremony serve as inspiration and an important reminder to all Ottawa citizens that we have the power to effect change and we will always encourage our elected officials to do more to protect the planet.”

Trailer “I will be a hummingbird”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGMW6YWjMxw&feature=player_embedded#! or

http://www.dirtthemovie.org/

Trailer for Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Mathaai http://greenbeltmovement.org/w.php?id=82