Image: www.greenliving.ca
Traditional wisdom
As part of a ceremonial native blessing, Squamish Nation Chief Ian Campbell pounded out a traditional journey song that he said echoes the natural rhythms of earth and speaks to cooperation.
“I ask each of you to stand in unity for a common vision,” says Campbell. “We all must work cooperatively to put our paddles in the water and we can strive forward.”
Green carpet
The show’s first visitors strolled the green carpet to peruse a diverse 140 booths that display everything from cars that run on vegetable oil to sustainable green construction to organic foods and house wares.
Political thoughts
Following the blessing, environment minister Berry Penner discussed BCs ground breaking carbon tax announced last week, while mayor Sam Sullivan highlighted the city’s leadership with its eco-density policy and environmentally responsible Winter 2010 Olympic village.
The good life
In his talk on individual action, Shawn Mitchell, the vice-president of communications for the WWF, discussed its new campaign the Good Life.
“The good life can be about riding a bike to work, conserving water and energy in terms of your home,” he says. “The good life can be about a whole range of other things that’s not about material gain, that’s not necessarily about consumption, turning the notion of the good life on its head.”
The program offers free on-line tracking program and suggestions on how each individual can take action to reduce green house gas emissions.
Personal choices
Vancouver photographer and author Jaime Kowal profiled 118 West Coast visionary companies and individuals making a positive impact on the environment in her new book, Waking up the West Coast. She urged everyone to “find the unique shade of green that feels good to you.”
Linda Coady, Vice President, Sustainability for the Vancouver Organizing Committee outlined how the 2010 Winter Games are going green while journalist Rex Wyler discussed how great social change is always driven by ordinary citizens.
Powerful reminder
Stephen Lewis finished off the evening with his brilliant and inspirational presentation, The Health Impact of the Global Climate Change. The former UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis is now co-Director of AIDS-Free World, a new international AIDS advocacy organization.
”What we’re dealing with in southern Africa, entwined with everything else, make no mistake about it, is the most ominous environmental threat on the planet: climate change,” said Lewis.
The Green Living show continues Saturday and Sunday.
Heidi Castle is a Vancouver journalist who enjoyed her first day at the Green Living Show.
Green Living Network
