While local food grows in importance for the eating public, farmers, the crucial providers of this food continue to experience escalating and cumulative pressures which threaten their very ability to farm: the cost of land, an aging farm community, labour, and a seasonal income base.
What is the future of farming in BC? What innovations will re-establish a bountiful and sustainable food system which supports farmers? Your Local Farmer’s Market Society would like to address these questions in an inspiring, solutions oriented three-part speaker series at the Langley Campus of Kwantlen University College.
DETAILS AND REGISTRATION HERE: http://www.eatlocal.org/vendor/the_future_of_farming
Peak oil and climate change represent profound and unprecedented global challenges whose economic, environmental, and political impacts are intertwined and often divisive. On one hand, many climate activists argue that peak oil is a ‘distraction’ for local decision makers or, in some cases, an industry agenda aimed at removing barriers to oil extraction. On the converse side, many peak oil activists argue that energy-driven economic crises, and not climate targets, will be the real driving force behind the global energy transition. This presentation and panel discussion will seek to bridge these gaps by bringing together local advocates for action on peak oil and climate change to find common ground, define differences, and set priorities for action on the ground.
Bryn Davidson is a specialist in sustainable urban development whose current work in architecture and planning was preceded by several years as a mechanical engineer and environmental activist in Alaska. After graduating with a masters of Architecture in 2004 he started the design and planning practice Rao/D Cityworks , and co-founded the non-profit Dynamic Cities Project – a think tank working to help cities adapt to peak oil and climate change. Bryn’s presentations on peak oil planning have been well received globally, and have been translated into multiple languages. Locally, his current projects include a farm-integrated residential development in Ontario, a high performance home in Alaska, and sustainability consulting for local green-minded businesses.
Free admission. Co-sponsored by Necessary Voices Society.
Date: Tuesday Dec 11, 2007
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch 350 W. Georgia St., Alice MacKay room
Contact: Necessary Voices Society
Phone: (604) 331-4044
October 26-28, 2007
At Langara College, 100 W. 49th Avenue, Vancouver
Co-sponsors: Langara College Continuing Studies, Canadian Co-Housing Network and the Yarrow EcoVillage
Most people in North America accept the realities of global climate change. We are increasingly clear that achieving greater sustainability for life on the planet is crucial. However knowing where to put our efforts is not so easy. Many of us would like to join in communities of people who are doing something. This conference will address the questions of how to become more sustainable in our own lives and how to connect with others in communities to create meaningful change. The conference tackles the challenge of becoming more sustainable in our communities in the context of three main themes:
- EXPLORING LINKS BETWEEN COMMUNITY AND SUSTAINABILITY (Friday evening, October 26)
- INTEGRATING SUSTAINABILITY INTO OUR LIVES AND COMMUNITIES (Saturday, October 27), and
- WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? THE FUTURE FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES (Sunday, October 28)
Details here: http://yarrowecovillage.ca/LSIC/index.html
Attention urban agriculture enthusiasts! http://vancouverurbanagriculture.ca has several workshops listed that may be of interest. There are 2 evening workshops on winter gardening (Monday Sept. 17 & Wednesday Sept. 19) followed by a soils workshop on Saturday Sept 22nd.
For details: http://vancouverurbanagriculture.ca/eventsandresources.html
Escape from Suburbia was screened tonight at the Ukranian Orthodox Church on 10th Ave near Main. The movie and panel speakers drew a significant audience and created the usual buzz of excitement, fear, passion, frustration and call to action that I always feel after engaging with Peak Oil.
The buzz carried on well past 10:30 with many folk connecting after the show. There were many calls to action suggested in the movie with a prominent emphasis on conservation, relocalization and urban agriculture.
