There are many examples of unsustainable things going on in the world and here are a few I’ve read about or seen going on in Canada. Unsustainable, the amount of pressure we put on the soil for commercial clear cutting of forests; soil can no longer retain water thus the landscape is destroyed. Unsustainable, one of the world’s dirtiest industries, “the oil sands production generates three times the greenhouse gas emission as a barrel of conventional oil”*. Up to 4 barrels of water are used to produce 1 barrel of tar sand oil “resulting in gigantic tailings [pools] of toxic waste that can be seen from outer space by the naked eye”**. This water is drained from the Athabasca (which in Cree means where there are plants one after another - will we have to change the name soon?) River in Alberta. Unsustainable, our Canadian mining industry is among the biggest in the world and also involved in 33% of mining conflicts (whether “taking over land abroad and polluting water sources, destro...

I am going to do a couple of things in this post that I promised to never do so if my words seem a little out of place, don't worry... it's not you, it's me. First, I am going to admit that my first reaction to our University's slogan, "Canada's University" was not one of ecstatic enthusiasm. The slogan was launched 10 years ago as a means to differentiate uOttawa. It was clever because the university teaches in both official languages and is located in the National Capital. But I had the reaction that most people had... "that slogan sounds a little pretentious". Well it is 10 years later and I am not a student anymore, I am a staff member. And until a little while ago, I still wasn't really sold on the University's slogan. I mean seriously, come on... what makes us so good that we get the coveted title of Canada's University? And maybe I would have kept thinking that way until... So I have been following this group called...

I want to make a bold statement and hopefully back it up with some observations. I think that not only is volunteering becoming more and more popular, but also that volunteering will help you succeed in life. Not only does it make you a better person, but it makes the University a better place. So why it is so hard to have a good volunteer experience. Over the past few days I have giving a couple of presentations about sustainability in various courses on campus. I have delivered presentations to a Natural Resources Management course and two introductions to Environment and Society courses (one in English and one in French). I have another course scheduled next week for Corporate Social Responsibility and last semester I presented to some environmental sciences and environmental studies courses. So why do I go and present in all these courses? Sure I sometimes like hearing my own voice, but the true reason I do it is harvest volunteers. My first year here on campus I had ab...

Photo credit: unknown 5 … Show up at our event. From 10h30 to noon, on the Tabaret lawn, we need YOU to help us and WE CANada make Human Art. Check out the Facebook page for more information. 4 … The National Capital Commission a.k.a. NCC is following in the footsteps of the FolkFest, WestFest, and the likes as it is finally providing us with water stations on C-Day! Bring your own reusable bottle to the events on the Hill. Fill-up on-site and refuse to promote water privatization by buying bottled water. 3 … Get to the festivities by bike or public transit. Parking downtown will be nearly impossible anyways with the Royals coming and tourism quadrupling. Use this opportunity to discover our incredible network of cycling paths and the beautiful views they offer. Note: buses will be free from 10 PM onwards. 2 ... Re-use last year’s gear instead of buying new Canada stuff. Everyone will proudly be sporting the maple leaf paired with the national red and white colour combo. Dig out that ...