In stark contrast to the monolith that is the Starbucks empire of coffee shops, the Salt Spring Coffee Co. boasts a mere four outlets in its entirety, all of which are based in the province of British Columbia. And this is for a company that was first started in 1996. Priding themselves on being mindful of fair trade and organics when it comes to the whole coffee bean-to-cup continuum, and the values of sustainability while still creating a good cup of coffee, it’s clear they are operating at an entirely different level from the Seattle-based mega brand. Their outlet on the beautiful University of British Columbia campus on the western edge of Vancouver would seem to be representative of their vision. Wedged within a new residential area, nestled next to a community centre and a spacious playground, with its wooden chalet-like design and relaxed atmosphere, and customers inside usually a mix of energetic students, teaching faculty taking a break, and of course nearby residents and their children - the building is very welcoming to one and all, and does not feel at all like a commercial enterprise.
Climate Cafe Presents: Building Better - Better Buildings
Have you ever thought of building a kitchen countertop with recycled paper? How about putting clay on your wall instead of paint? What, exactly, is ecotimber?
Dan Chalmers of GreenWorks Building Supply Inc. will be our guest on October 21st for our Green Building Climate Café. He will be sharing his knowledge and experience in a number of environmentally friendly building supplies and practices that can be used both for starting a new home and renovating an existing one. If you're thinking of taking the plunge into the world of green building, or are simply curious about this newly emerging industry, join us and discover what sustainable building is all about.
Come and join us at: Laughing Bean Coffee Co. 2695 Hastings Street East Vancouver, BC V5K 1Z5
Date: Tuesday, October 21st, 6:45 to grab some java and a snack, 7pm kickoff
Following up on my call for social media makers a few weeks back [Rallying Social Media Makers for EPIC Sustainable Living Expo & Join the Greenest Geek Squad Ever! Social Media frogsquad at EPIC}, I am happy to report that the campaign experienced great success and much fun at Canada Place over the three day event. Additionally, the "Frog Squad" helped many emerging businesses and earnest non-profit groups spread their message using social media techniques. The crew was noticeable in their stylin' new bamboo and organic cotton T's as they roamed the floor looking for interesting characters. Sound interesting and enjoyable? Join happyfrog.ca to rally with the Frog Squad on future missions.
To keep you in the loop, here's the story:
Vancouver Mayoral candidate Gregor Robertson speaks at EPIC
May 1 | 6:30 – 8:00 PM | Free | BCIT Burnaby, Town Hall D, Burnaby
Are you tired of chucking your values at the office door? Wishing your office would "go green" already? Don't delay - be a leader! This cafe will give you the inspiration, motivation, and tools you need to create your own Green Team at work. Be the change you want to see. Featuring Eric Randall, green pioneer and President of Vancouver-based Next Level Games (www.nextlevelgames.com ), Sandra Henson, Environmental Co-ordinator, Ministry of Labour and Citizens Services and Akua Schatz of David Suzuki Foundation (www.davidsuzuki.org/NatureChallenge ). 30 Days’ Sustainability Cafes feature key, business and sustainability environmental leaders in an interactive panel setting. Presented by BCIT. For a full listing of over 20 events and inspiring actions under the 30 day long, 30 Days “umbrella” from April 22 to May 21, visit www.30days.ca .
For one of my day-job projects, I am rallying together a rag-tag team of social media makers to create a tasty batch of social media at the EPIC Sustainabile Living Expo next weekend. Bloggers, podcasters, photographers, and vid-makers are all invited to participate in making compelling content while hanging out with an eclectic variety of citizen journalists at a really entertaining event at Canada Place.
See below for the relevant details including how to get in touch.
SFU VAncouver, Harbour Centre, 515 W Hastings, Room 7000
Reservations Recommended as seatings is limited. Email: lauriew@sfu.ca
Ecological aquaculture is an alternative model of aquaculture development that implements the use of ecosystems design, ecological principles, social ecology and systems ecology paradigms for the development of more sustainable aquaculture operations. Ecological aquaculture farms are “aquaculture ecosystems”. Ecological aquaculture plans for not only for production, but also for sustaining vital social networks that nurture ecosystem health and promote the stewardship practices essential for economic and social profit. Ecological aquaculture incorporates — at the outset and not as an afterthought — planning for community development, and concerns for the wider social, economic, and environmental contexts of aquaculture at the commercial, school, and homeowner scales.
A squad of environmentally conscious bloggers, podcasters, and video-makers joined the other sustainability-minded visitors at the inaugural Vancouver Green Living show. The resulting collection provides deep coverage of a variety of interesting businesses, unique products, and people effectuating positive change by creating and marketing sustainable alternatives to polluting products.
The crew of grassroots media makers expressed a variety of point of views and focused on their particular interests while finding surprising products under the BC Place dome from February 29th ~ March 2nd. Here's a brief recap from the frogsquad's work:
VANCOUVER - January 23, 2008 - A Granville Island shop specializing in organic fabric fashions was a bit surprised when a photographer, a contest winner and a guy with a cheque for $500 came into her store, Organix. While hardly a lotto windfall, all that was missing from the scene was the giant cheque and the confetti!
The contest, promoted by newly-launched BC Green Directory happyfrog.ca, encouraged site members to review green-minded businesses and organizations listed in the comprehensive website. Each quality review resulted in an entry to win the loot to spend at any one happyfrog.ca listed shop, service or charity.
As the green directory review contest winner, Vancouver web designer Alexa Booth faced a compelling choice of 1600 different green minded vendors at which to spend her prize - and she should know as she entered over 30 in-depth reviews.
Call it the Green Biz Review Contest designed to encourage you to share your fave green businesses by submitting reviews for the benefit of all.
Deadline is Dec. 20th when a random contest winner win the happyfrog prize - note that each qualifying review counting as another entry meaning the more you help others with your tips, the more chances to score the frogbucks for whatever reason you choose (well almost anyhow).
