Winter Solstice

Today is the Winter Solstice. As the shortest day of the year and the day after which the sun starts to shine more brightly and longer every day (until the summer solstice), it is the perfect time to dream big and to cultivate hope.

 Earlier in the week I felt really depressed about the state of the world. Specifically, I read an article pulling together scientific evidence about the catastrophes that will result (and ARE resulting) from climate change. The article made the point that the effects of climate change are happening faster than most scientists predicted and will mean bad things for humans over the next few decades. The humans to suffer first and the most will be people living in the tropics who will, naturally, try to migrate to European and North American countries but will (likely) be denied and subject to much racism. The governments and corporations of the world are generally doing nothing to curb climate change and are, in fact, working to accelerate it. The Canadian government and Canadian corporations are some the absolute worst culprits. Even with big changes on the large-scale it might simply be too late for the human species because we have triggered a natural process we cannot control. And when we go down we will take thousands of other animal and plant species with us. Most people in North America are like ostriches, sticking their heads on the sand and ignoring the reality we face. Or, even worse, couldn't care less as long as their taxes are lowered.

So, yes, I was feeling really down and shared these very sad and angry feelings with my partner and co-workers (who then also felt a bit down). I believe all the things I just laid out to be true. I think the future for humanity is unknown. But I don't want to spend my life feeling angry and sad. I'm not ready to mourn. Instead, I need to cultivate hope in myself and - hopefully - in others. Because there are other things that are true as well. Many humans are kind-hearted and want to connect with other people and with the natural world. There are many brilliant people coming up with innovate ideas and projects to heal the Earth and create socially-just societies. Most of these people are normal folks who are passionate about environmental sustainability and social justice. Natural systems of the Earth want to heal and regenerate - we can destroy the Earth's attempts at self-healing or we can be part of it. Maybe we can even accelerate it. As destructive as humans can be we can also be creators, healers, visionaries, and allies.

We all face limits to what we can do, I face or have faced many. But we can keep a sense of solidarity, a passion for justice both social and environmental, and compassion towards all beings in our hearts. And when life gives us opportunities to act for change, to act in solidarity, to act to heal the Earth, we can take them. When life doesn't allow us to act, we can vocally support those who are able to act.

It would be too easy to just wallow in despair. I would be as useless as those who hide their heads in the sand. The Earth needs us to be hopeful. Hope is what will save us because hope is what will make us create and support alternative visions for humanity.

So on this Winter Solstice I am cultivating hope. I am dreaming big. I hope you are too.  

Resolutions, plans, visions

I always make a list of ambitious resolutions for the New Year and I think one of those resolutions this year is going to be not to vow to do anything everyday. I never succeed! But, to vow to do things more  and to focus my energy on certain areas is a great goal. This is all leading up to the obvious confession that I did not write on this blog everyday in November. BUT writing on it more is my goal for 2014.

I especially want to chronicle my permaculture adventures as I try to start a socially, environmentally conscious permi business. I have a few exciting things that will start right away in the new year. One, is that I am taking three courses as part of the University of Guelph's Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Horticulture certificates. I am very excited about doing these. The second is that I am creating a permaculture learning oasis in my backyard and hoping to do more educational workshops and some permi landscaping.

Currently I am working on a business plan and this has me thinking about what exactly it is that I'm trying to create. I want to work with my hands in the dirt and I want to help things grow but more importantly I want to help heal the human/nature relationship. I know real change must happen on a large scale because the destruction and disconnect is happening on a large scale. However, I want to do my part in helping to regenerate the Earth and helping humans to be a positive, healthy part of the natural world. When I attended the Earth Activist Training in January 2010 (almost four years ago?!!) I felt a real calling to work in the service of the Earth. I got a little distracted along the way but I also had some real stumbling blocks. The reality is that we are all only human with lots of complexities in our lives that prevent of us or distract us from fulfilling whatever we think our life's purpose is. I feel very grateful that I am now able to return to this path. I feel more committed than ever to exploring and sharing the ways in which humans can heal the earth, ourselves, and each other.

I know that it is too late for some things - it is too late to reverse the impact of climate change but will we accelerate it or will we try to heal the Earth from the destruction we have already unleashed? It is too late to rid the world of harmful, human-manufactered toxins but will we work to heal the poisoned soil, water, bodies or we will release/create even more toxins? Most of the powers that be - corporations, governments, etc - seem hellbent on accelerating climate change, releasing/creating even more toxins and just basically causing as much destruction as possible in the name of profit (hello, Canadian government - one of the absolute worst culprits!!). However, there are so many wonderful people with brilliant ideas working to create an alternative to this destruction. I want to be part of that in my own, small way. I want to help others to be part of that as well.

It may seem like a pretty over the top goal and I'll word it differently for my business plan. But, yes, I want to change the world because the more of us who say no to destruction in the name of profit, the better. The more of us who realize we can't ignore the destruction or just shop it away, the better. The more of us who join together to envision something different, the better. So, read along as I work on a vision of a human society that allows nature - including humans! - to flourish. And share your visions with me!

Permaculture in the 'Burbs

I am making an effort this November to write everyday - starting today (better late than never). I want to start writing in this blog again and exploring ideas of urban and suburban permaculture. I have moved to the suburbs - a place I never thought I'd find myself living. Sometimes love brings you to places where you didn't think you'd end up. At first I couldn't really find a way to live a permaculture-based lifestyle here in the burbs. However, I have found my path and actually I think it is a very important one.

There are many people doing cool things in urban areas for the environment and to build community. However, the burbs raise more of a dilemma. As we all know suburbs are built around the idea that everyone owns a car. They are not built on a grid - instead there are lots of curvy streets which makes it a long walk or bike ride to one's destination. They are often not near shopping areas (and the shopping nearby tends to be mostly big box stores). People in suburban neighbourhoods tend to live far from work - I know I do! And so car dependent lifestyles are the norm in the suburbs. And there are lots of lawns. In my neighbourhood most backyards have pools (mine included) and lots of grass (thankfully not mine).

So bringing permaculture to the suburbs is actually more difficult than bringing it to urban areas where there is more potential for community projects in public spaces and where it is easier for people to live lifestyles based around people power not car driving.

Sooo, what can I do in the suburbs?

Well, first my partner and I combined our passions and created an arts and eco festival. This happened in the summer and it was great! We found it to be a fun and rewarded experience that will be an annual undertaking.

We have also created a community organization aimed at building a strong sense of community and promoting environmental sustainability. So far, it is going well. I am very lucky that my suburb is a former town so it actually has a village centre - a strip of shopping that is based around small shops and includes the local library branch. That creates more potential for a less car dependent neighbourhood and for community building.

Lastly, I plan to start a permaculture education business (actually aiming to become a non-profit) based in my backyard. I hope to offer workshops for adults and kids using my garden as a demonstration site. I am redesigning my backyard on permaculture principles by putting in a forest garden, having a dedicated area for cob and natural building, having a more comprehensive composting system and setting up beehives. It is starting slowly this fall with the designing of the garden beds using sheet mulching. In the Spring I hope to offer my first workshops. I also hope to set up teaching gardens throughout my community - especially in the numerous schools in my area.

Exciting stuff! I will write about the journey on this blog and post lots of pictures!