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People- & Planet-Friendly Events & Feature (00/02/24)
***********************************************
PEOPLE- & PLANET- FRIENDLY EVENTS *UPDATE*
Revised Thurs. Feb. 24, 2000
***********************************************
Here are upcoming SUSTAINABLE LIVING,
ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS,
workshops, courses, meetings, conferences, etc. in
Toronto, Ontario & beyond. PLEASE PASS THIS ON or
post at your office or neighbourhood. Send new events
to icontario@aol.com (cc icontario@hotmail.com)
*** CONTENTS ***
(A) NEW EVENTS IN ONTARIO
(B) Recurring / Ongoing Events
(C) New Events Beyond Ontario
(D) RESOURCES, NOTICES & ACTIONS
GET LISTED in the ONTARIO ENVIRONMENTAL DIRECTORY!
(E) Feature - Inspiring eco-story from Bhutan
(F) Hot Spots & Cool Links
(G) About this List
This is the *UPDATE EDITION*, which includes only events
that have not been mentioned in previous messages (plus a few
reminders of events coming up this week). The full edition
"Calendar" will be sent occasionally as time allows -- so HANG ON
TO YOUR BACK-ISSUES! New listings (since Feb. 17 edition)
are indicated by an asterisk (*). In order by date. Please remember
to (also) post your events at: http://events.web.net
---------------------------------------------------
(A) NEW EVENTS IN ONTARIO
---------------------------------------------------
* Events in Toronto, Guelph, Ottawa, Sault Ste Marie, Mississauga.,
North Burlington, Belleville, Madoc, Orangeville.
* HISTORY & THEORY OF NON-VIOLENT RESISTANCE,
Wednesdays, Feb 23 - Apr 26, 2-4pm, Toronto. Wide range of
tactics & strategies; where such tactics have been used; successes &
failures. Readings, discussions, presentations & lectures. You are
welcome to attend individual classes. Free (opt. $10 donation for
photocopying) Brian Burch (Facilitator) burch@tao.ca Free
University at U of T. (http://www.utoronto.ca/acc/freeu/) Location:
Claude T. Bissell Bld., 140 St. George St., Rm. 113 (140 St. George
St. is the grey pod that stretches from the north end of the Robarts
Library. Rm. 113 is in the lower floor. The big centre room you find
when you get off the elevator or out of the stair well is full of lockers.
Rm. 113 can be found by crossing the big room and looking for the
room with laughter and some books nicely displayed on a desk)
* OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SHOW, Fri Feb 25 - Sun Feb 27,
Mississauga. Seminars, demos & competitions in climbing, hiking,
paddle sports, mountain biking, more. Fri 11am-9pm; Sat 10am-
8pm; Sun 10am-5pm. $8/$6. International Centre, 6900 Airport
Road, Mississauga. 800-891-4859. [Be sure to ask the companies
about their approach to low-impact, sustainable use.-ed]
* CRITICAL MASS BIKE RIDE, Fri Feb 25, 6pm, Toronto. Mass
bike ride followed by music & courier bands. Meet at Temperence &
Yonge, 6pm. Free. 416-532-3939
SEEDY SATURDAY, Sat Feb 26, Toronto. Exchange & sales of
open-pollenated & organic seeds. Black Creek Pioneer Village, Jane
& Steeles. 416-363-6441 ext. 25
ECO-HOUSE OPEN HOUSE, Sat Feb 26 - Sun Feb 27, north of
Belleville. The Magwood/Bowen strawbale, off-grid residence near
Madoc, Ontario. Also, display of photos & plans from many bale
buildings across Ontario. Directions: From the junction of Highways
7 & 62 (north of Belleville, Ont), follow Hwy 7 east to the next
intersection, Cooper Road. The house is 13km north of Hwy 7 on the
east side of Cooper Rd, driveway #2648. 613-473-1718
http://www.mwsolutions.com/straw
* GENEACTION, Sun Feb 27, 6.00pm, Toronto. Working to end
the production & distribution of genetically engineered foods,
through direct action & community outreach/education. Planning a
big action for April 1, with costumes, street thatre, music... Location:
348 Danforth Ave, Carrot Common room 212.
geneaction@graffiti.net
* WTO ACTion COALITION, Mon Feb 28, 7pm, Toronto. Chapel,
Church of the Holy Trinity, 10 Trinity Square (behind the Eaton
Centre). sid_lacombe@yahoo.com
* OTTAWA PUBLIC WORKING GROUP ON FOOD
CONCERNS, Mon Feb 28, 7:30pm, Ottawa. The effects of
processing on GMO content in foods. Planning events: potluck,
videos; public presentations and public education activities; public
letter-writing events; possible action for April 1. YW/MCA, 180
Argyle St., Rm.245. Lucy Sharratt 613-235-1672 or Katherine
Gunn 613-729-0504. kgunn@cyberus.ca
* THE FUTURE OF COMMUNITY CENTRES in the new
Toronto, Mon Feb 28, 7:30pm. Journalist Adam Vaughan. Free.
Swansea Town Hall, 95 Lavinia. 416-392-1954
* FREEDOM FOR ANIMALS, Mon Feb 28, 6-8pm, Toronto.
Discuss animal rights issues. Free. 519 Church Community Centre.
416-686-9918
U of T ENVIRO-WEEK, Mon Feb 28 - Fri Mar 3, Toronto.
Speakers, tabling, movie night, demonstrations, forum... genetically
modified organisms, alt. energy, aboriginals & land issues, 3R's...
Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG-Toronto). Jessica,
Karen or Mooky 416-978-7770
http://www.campuslife.utoronto.ca/groups/opirg
opirg@campuslife.utoronto.ca
* HEALTHY RENOVATION & REPAIR, Tues Feb 29, 10am-
noon, Toronto. Learn about healthy building materials & methods
that are less harmful to your health & the environment. Practical,
hands-on workshop using smell, touch, taste & common sense to help
you choose products & methods that are healthier for you & your
family. The "Healthy Homes, Healthy Enviroments" series also
offers workshops in HEALTHY CLEANING; HEALTHY PEST
CONTROL; CHILDREN'S HEALTH & THE ENVIRONMENT;
FOOD & THE ENVIRONMENT; RIVERDALE ECO-TOUR;
HEALTHY BUILDINGS TOUR. Also, resources available to help
communities/groups hold their own similar events. Info/register:
Nita 416-461-1925 x246. 416-462-1072 South Riverdale
Community Health Centre, 955 Queen St E. nita@srchc.com
* ANIMAL RIGHTS & ENDANGERED SPECIES, Tues Feb 29,
4:45pm, Toronto. Speakers from the World Society for the
Protection of Animals. Location: Toronto District School Board,
155 College St. 6th Floor Auditorium. Everyone welcome (not just
students). Student Environment Network Speakers Series. Julie
Sawchuk, 416-504-3370 ext. 314
STRAWBALE BUILDING, Tues Feb 29, 7-9pm, Peterborough.
Presentation on straw bale building and sustainable housing; showing
off our newly constructed, portable demonstration wall; book launch.
With Chris Magwood, Peter Mack, New Society Publishers. Lady
Eaton College Lecture Hall, Trent University, just north of
Peterborough on Highway 28. 613-473-1718
http://www.mwsolutions.com/straw
* MEETING FACILITATION WORKSHOP, Wed Mar 1, 5-
6:45pm, Toronto. Learn how to make your action group meetings
run on track. Africa Room, International Student Centre, St. George
St., U of T. Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) Call
to confirm location. 416-978-7770 opirg@campuslife.utoronto.ca
http://www.campuslife.utoronto.ca/groups/opirg
* ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION - WHAT'S AT STAKE? Wed
Mar 1, 7:30pm, Toronto. Video & discussion on Third World debt.
Free. First Unitarian Church, 175 St. Clair West. 416-693-6038
AEROSOLS, CLIMATE & AIR QUALITY, Wed. Mar. 1, 4pm,
Toronto. U. of T. No registration req'd; all welcome. Room 2093,
Earth Sciences Ctr., Huron & Bancroft.
http://www.utoronto.ca/env/seminars.htm Mona El-Haddad 416-978-
6526 m.elhaddad@utoronto.ca
THE REAL & IMAGINED WORLD OF ELEPHANTS, Wed Mar
1, 7:30pm, Toronto. An evening of stunning visuals & engaging
discussion with Barbara Gowdy, Internationally acclaimed author of
The White Bone; and Ronald Orenstein, popular writer,
conservationist & editor of Elephants: The Deciding Decade.
Followed by question & answer period & book signing. $15.
Location: J.J.R. McLeod Theater (Medical Sciences Auditorium), 1
Kings College Circle, University of Toronto. Tickets: Zoocheck
Canada 416-285-1744. VISA, MasterCard & American Express.
zoocheck@idirect.com http://www.zoocheck.com
* ENVIRONMENTAL SHOWCASE, Wed Mar 1 & Thurs Mar 2,
9am-5pm, Toronto. Environmental trivia game; battery exchange
(bring in 3 dead batteries and we'll give you a new one); info &
support for environmental causes & concerns. Location: Sit Smith
Building, St. George St., U of T campus.
http://www.utoronto.ca/envstudy/ensu
URBAN AIR PARTICULATES & HEALTH, Thurs. Mar. 2, 4pm,
Toronto. Env. & Health Seminar with Brian McCarry, Dept. of
Chemistry, McMaster U. Conference room, Gage Occup. & Env.
Health Unit, 223 College St. (enter at Ross St.). Pat Brown 416-978-
4353 p.brown@utoronto.ca
* STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION, Thurs Mar 2, 4-7pm,
Toronto. Book launch & tour send-off. First stop for the authors of
"Straw Bale Building: How to Plan, Design & Build with Straw" as
they take their book & full-sized demonstration wall across the
country. Come check out the book, the demo wall, and wish us well
as we start our three-week trek. Ballenford's Books on Architecture,
600 Markham St., one block west of Bathurst & Bloor.
Info/directions: 416-588-0800 New Society Publishers (ISBN 0-
86571-403-7, $29.95 Cdn) Chris Magwood / Camel's Back
Construction 613-473-1718 cmagwood@kos.net; Pete Mack 705-
652-3626 strawbus@auracom.com
http://www.mwsolutions.com/straw
* STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION, Fri Mar 3, 7-9pm, Guelph.
(See March 2 listing for details) Centennial High School, 289
College Av W, Guelph. 519-821-0360
ENVIRONMENT & COMMUNITY YOUTH CONFERENCE,
Fri Mar 3 (6pm) - Sun Mar 5 (noon) North Burlington. To inspire &
empower youth to become involved in environmental & social issues.
Amazing speakers & discussion on Culture Jamming, Genetically
Modified foods, the World Trade Organization, Environmental
Justice, Direct Action, Ecofeminism, Animal Rights. For high school
aged youth. Also - games, hikes, live music, meet new friends, share
your ideas & concerns! Vegan meals included except Friday dinner
potluck. $25/negotiable. E.C.H.O. (Environmental & Community
Help Organization) Farrah 416-650-4040 echo4@chickmail.com
PUBLIC INTEREST SCHOOL, Fri Mar 3 - Sun Mar 5, Kingston.
Workshops: theatre; video; grant writing; producing radio
documentary; strategy and tactics of civil disobedience; managing
stress and burnout; activist circus; anti-oppression. OPIRG Kingston.
Info / arrange transportation: 416-978-7770
OFF THE GRID, Fri Mar 3-5, Hockley Valley. Alternative energy:
wind/wood & solar power: site & passive solar design, photovoltaics,
emergency power systems, energy efficient windows, wood heating,
radiant floor heating, bio-fuel. Hands-on; demos; how-to's. At the
Ecology Retreat Centre near Orangeville. Russell 519-941-4560
ecorc@ionsys.com
* STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION, Sat Mar 4, Sault Ste Marie.
(See March 2 listing for details) alderego@mad.scientist.com
* INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, Sat Mar 4, Toronto.
Against- poverty & homelessnes; For- sharing of wealth; Against-
sexist, racist & homophobic violence; For- the respect & dignity of all
women. 11am: rally, Convocation Hall, Kings College Circle, U of
T. 12:30pm: march, [starts at] Convocation Hall. 2pm-6pm: fair:
Metro Hall, 55 John St. Later: dance (tba). Tabling: 416-932-1718
ext. 25 Info: 416-760-7855 ext 28.
THE FUTURE OF FOOD, Sat Mar 4, 12:30pm, Stratford.
Conference on Genetically Engineered Food. Senator Eugene
Whelan (former federal Minister of Agriculture). Presentations
include a physician, farmer, chef, geneticist & others. Starts
12:30pm; dinner 6pm; keynote 7:30pm. $10/$12 incl. dinner. $5
Eugene only. Victoria Inn on the Park, 10 Romeo St. N., Stratford.
Mitchell & Area Environmental Group 519-273-2232
* WEB DESIGN FOR ACTIVISTS, Mon Mar 6, 6-8pm, Toronto.
Basic web design skills for activists, teach-in style. Gerstein Science
Info Centre, King's College Circle, U of T. Ontario Public Interest
Research Group (OPIRG) 416-978-7770
opirg@campuslife.utoronto.ca
http://www.campuslife.utoronto.ca/groups/opirg
* NO LOGO: Taking Aim At The Brand Bullies, Tues Mar 7, 7-
9pm, Ottawa. Naomi Klein speaking on her new best selling book.
Ottawa Public Library Auditorium (corner of Metcalfe St. and
Laurier Ave.)
* RIVERDALE COHOUSING INFORMATION MEETING, Wed
Mar 8; Thurs Apr 13; Mon May 15, Toronto. Riverdale Cohousing
is a village in the city which offers a practical use of shared resources,
cultivates personal relationships, and strives for diversity &
environmental sustainability. We share a city block just a short walk
from the subway, 3 bus routes & 2 streetcar routes. Register /
location / info: for Mar 8: Barb 416-463-8974; for Apr 13, May 15:
Kate 416-461-6461 Learn more about cohousing on the web:
http://www.cohousing.org
* OPEN GOVERNMENT CANADA (OGC), Fri Mar 10 - Sat Mar
11, Toronto. A new Canadian coalition fighting for greater access to
public information is about to be born. Founding conference of OGC,
an organization in the early stages of creating a national voice for
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (FOI) in Canada. National forum
for FOI networking, education & advocacy pushing for legislative
changes that grant greater access to public information. "We have a
bureaucratic culture in Canada that routinely restricts and delays the
release of information with immunity," said Robert Cribb, vice-
president of the Canadian Association of Journalists which initiated
the coalition. "That translates into less accountable governments and
a less informed public." Public information routinely available in
hours or days in the U.S. can take months to access in Canada
because of slow-responding government departments that hide behind
weak legislation. "And at a bureaucratic whim, journalists and the
public are often declined information altogether." Full-day seminar
(Nancy Monson, executive director of the National Freedom of
Information Coalition in the U.S.); Alasdair Roberts, author of
"Limited Access: Assessing the Health of Canada's FOI Laws"; draft
resolutions; elections. Location: Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto.
http://www.opengovernmentcanada.org
lee@opengovernmentcanada.org Open Government Canada, c/o
Canadian Association of Journalists, Rm 316-B, St. Patrick's
Building, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6
* DEVELOPMENT BUG: REPROGRAMMING OUR MINDSET,
Sat Mar 11 - Mar 12, Toronto. What is Appropriate Development?
Keynote speakers on appropriate development 'Overseas' & here in
Canada. Panel discussions; development theatre workshops; small
discussion groups featuring people active in the community. Post-
secondary students & everyone interested in development issues are
invited. Very low registration fees will include lunch. World
University Service of Canada. Location: Humber College, North
Campus, 205 Humber College Blvd., Toronto. Info/register:
http://business.humberc.on.ca/d2k/ Andrew Creighton 416 964
8827 humbersymposium@canada.com
* WOLVES OF ALGONQUIN PARK, Sun Mar 12, 3pm, Toronto.
Free science lectures presented by the Royal Canadian Institute.
Macleod Auditorium Medical Sciences Building, 1 Kings College
Circle, U of T (near Queens Park subway). 416-928-2096
http:/psych.utoronto.ca/~rci
* MEDIA RELATIONS FOR ACTIVISTS, Mon Mar 13, 6-8pm,
Toronto. Press releases, soundbites and networking. Rose Wolfe
Room, International Students Centre, St. George St., U of T. Ontario
Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) 416-978-7770
opirg@campuslife.utoronto.ca
http://www.campuslife.utoronto.ca/groups/opirg
* DIRECT ACTION, RIGHTS & SOLIDARITY, Thurs Mar 16, 7-
9pm, Toronto. How to keep yourself safe, what (not) to expect from
the cops. Pendarves Room, International Students Centre, St. George
St., U of T. Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) 416-
978-7770 opirg@campuslife.utoronto.ca
http://www.campuslife.utoronto.ca/groups/opirg
* STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION, Fri Mar 24, Ottawa. (See
March 2 listing for details) Arbour Environmental Shop, 800 Bank
Street, 613-567-3168
* INTERNATIONAL WOMEN & HEALTH MEETING, May 13 -
18, Toronto. Bringing together women from around the world to
look at the many threads that weave the fabric of women's health.
Many topics -- including Women's Health & the Environment.
Location: York University. http://www.iwhm-rifs.org 416-971-6333
monicari@web.net [Note: the brochure says 2001, but I suspect they
mean 2000 (?) -ed]
*** A FEW TIPS REGARDING EVENTS & ACTIONS ***
* Please confirm details (date, time, place, seats, cost) before you attend.
* When registering or trying to get info about an event, try their web-
site first (if there is one). Organizers are sometimes so busy they
don't have time to respond to all e-mails.
* When responding to an "action" / trying to contact politicians, etc:
phone calls, faxes & snail-mail are all more effective than e-mail.
---------------------------------------------------
(B) RECURRING / ONGOING
---------------------------------------------------
* HISTORY & THEORY OF NON-VIOLENT RESISTANCE,
Wednesdays, Feb 23 - Apr 26, 2-4pm, Toronto. (see Feb 23 listing,
above)
* HEALTHY HOMES, HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS
WORKSHOPS & RESOURCES. Practical, hands-on workshops
using smell, touch, taste & common sense to help you choose
products & methods that are healthier for you & your family.
Healthy cleaning (cheaper, less toxic ways to clean); healthy pest
control; children's health & the environment (toys, shampoos, etc);
food & the environment (avoiding pesticides, hormones, etc);
renovation & repair work; Riverdale eco-tour; healthy buildings tour.
Also, resources available to help communities/groups hold their own
similar events. Info/register: Nita 416-461-1925 x246. South
Riverdale Community Health Centre, 955 Queen St E.
nita@srchc.com
--------------------------------------------------
(C) NEW EVENTS BEYOND ONTARIO
--------------------------------------------------
* MOBILIZATION FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE, Sun Apr 9 - Mon
Apr 17, Washington DC. The struggle continues in Washington, the
very heart of political & institutional control over the global
economy: where the US Treasury, the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) and the World Bank are located (summary of the issues:
http://www.globalexchange.org/a16/facts.html ). The Direct Action
Network http://www.a16.org with many other groups is calling for a
huge protest & festival of resistance and carnival of creativity for the
April meeting of the World Bank and IMF. We are planning for
thousands of activists to participate in activities & events in
Washington April 9-17 and around the country in the weeks before.
Teach-ins on the institutions and issues such as debt, structural
adjustment, sweatshops, destructive projects; trainings on non-
violence and civil disobedience; first aid; workshops on puppet &
prop-making; more. In particular, for Sun & Mon April 16 & 17, we
are planning nonviolent direct action. *[Canadian] website with on-
line form to make it easier to get involved:
http://www.wtocaravan.org/a16.htm If sufficient interest, buses
might be arranged.
* INTERNATIONAL INTERDISCIPLINARY CONFERENCE
ON THE ENVIRONMENT, Wed June 21 - Sat June 24, Montreal.
http://www.chamption.iupiu.edu/~mreiter/iea.htm (or
http://chamption.iupiu.edu/~mreiter/iea.htm) Kevin Hickey 508-767-
7296 khickey@assumption.edu or Demetri Kantarelis 508-767-7557
dkantar@assumption.edu.
--------------------------------------------------
(D) RESOURCES, NOTICES & ACTIONS
--------------------------------------------------
* GET LISTED IN THE ONTARIO ENVIRONMENTAL
DIRECTORY! Deadline: ***This Wednesday, MARCH 1***. On
April 1, 2000, the Ontario Environment Network will be producing a
new edition of the Environmental Resource Book (ERB)., a
comprehensive directory of over 500 environmental & conservation
groups in Ontario. Used by environmentalists, students, citizens,
media & government. There is no charge to be listed, whether or not
you are an OEN member. A copy is given free to OEN member
groups and will be available to everyone else for an estimated $10. If
you are a non-profit, non-governmental organization working in
Ontario on environment issues, e-mail the following information to
the OEN. (NOTE: If your group was listed in the 1996-1997
edition, please only send the changes to your old listing): (1)
Organization Name; (2) Contact Name(s) & Position; (3) Mailing
Address; (4) Phone; (5) Fax; (6) E-mail; (7) Web Address; (8) Brief
Description of your org. & its activities (max 100 words); (9)
Primary Issues of Interest. Ontario Environment Network, P.O. Box
1412, Station Main, North Bay, ON, P1B 8K6 Phone: 705-840-
2888 Fax: 705-840-5862 oen@web.net http://www.web.net/oen
* GREENSPIRATION ODYSSEY E-mail Newsletter. In search of
inspiring ecological stories. Every week or so we send out a
dispatch. Let us know if you would like to be on our email list, or if
you know of a place we should visit. greenspiration@web.net
http://www.greenspiration.org/ - Angela Bischoff & Tooker Gomberg
* NATURAL LIFE, CANADA'S ALTERNATIVE
NEWSMAGAZINE. Full text of articles currently available at their
web site: Canadian Government's Endangered Species Legislation
Ineffective; Government Transportation of Plutonium Illegal; First
Case of Herbicide-Resistant Canola Found in Alberta; Campaign
Promotes Geothermal Energy; Farm Group Says Agri-Business
Profit-Taking is Cause of Farm Crisis; Canada and the U.S. Begin
Smog Reduction Negotiations; Mopping up West Coast Oil Spill;
US Threatens Treaty on Toxic Pollutants; Citizens Call for Freedom
of Speech on GE; Alternative Federal Budget Promotes Healthy
Families; Agreement Finally Reached on Strong Bio-Safety
Protocol. http://www.life.ca natural@life.ca Print subscriptions also
available: 519-448-4001.
* CITIZENS ON THE WEB, Ontario-based activist website.
Housing; Health; Education; Poverty; Globalization; Economic
Reform; Police State; Toronto; National; Rally Reports; Citizen wire;
Harrisville; Events; Links. http://www.interlog.com/~cjazz/
cjazz@interlog.com
* FRITO-LAY has announced it would no longer use
GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED corn in its products. This is the
start of something big! The biotech giants have started a campaign to
pressure Fritos to reverse their decision. If Frito holds to their
commitment, this may very well be the start of the downfall of
genetically engineered foods in America. FRITO IS CAREFULLY
WATCHING CONSUMER RESPONSE. Please send them an
email <consumer.affairs@fritolay.com> or call them 1-800-352-
4477 (ask for operator 100) Tell them you applaud their decision.
...and that it would be a big disappointment if they cave in and
reverse their decision. Tell them that now they should go certified
organic!! Or write them at Frito-Lay, P.O. Box 660634, Dallas,
TX, 75266-0634 Related site: http://www.sustain.org/biotech/
OTHER EVENT LISTS (complete list in full calendar edition):
Web Networks Events: http://events.web.net/ Now Magazine -
Events & Grassroots column. listings@nowtoronto.com
http://www.nowtoronto.com/forms/dailies.html
416-461-0871 fax 416-461-2886. Political Action News
Ontario http://www.interlog.com/~cjazz
--------------------------------------------------
(E) FEATURE
--------------------------------------------------
AN INSPIRING STORY OF SUSTAINABLE "DEVELOPMENT"
Excerpted from: Tom Atlee <cii@igc.org>
This message begins with a taste of how one country (Bhutan) is
doing its society a bit more sanely than most.
"We just watched an episode of 60 Minutes that has our tongues
hanging out. Bhutan, between China and India, is one of the most
amazing spots on earth. The people have avoided modern cultures
until recently, when they decided to allow TV (some are concerned
about what that will bring--and no wonder!). They're a Buddhist
nation devoted to peace and happiness.
"Their measure of success is in terms of Gross National Happiness
instead of Gross National Products. They have a king who could be
deposed by the people anytime they want. They all generally wear the
same sort of clothing, to emphasize that all are equal. No one goes
hungry. They have universal health care. They place the happiness of
the people above absolutely all else.
"When they were approached to sell lumber, they declined. Most
people there are subsistance farmers. When approached to allow
commercial mountain climbing, the people making their living
raising livestock on the mountains petitioned the government and
said the mountains were sacred, so the government made them all
part of a national park and won't allow commercial ventures.
"They even have signs for drivers on the roads to the effect of 'Please
be gentle with our curves.' They only allow 6,000 tourists a year, and
only of the right type (seekers of enlightenment, bird watchers, and so
on--unfortunately, it's pricey)."
This story reminds me of a great video you might like to get hold of -
"Ancient Futures" - about Bhutan's less fortunate neighbor, Ladakh.
It is a very beautiful, powerful study of the impact of industrial
global mega-culture on sustainable old cultures. It can be ordered
from http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/199805/nrvideo.html
- Tom Atlee, The Co-Intelligence Institute, Eugene, Oregon.
http://www.co-intelligence.org http://www.co-
intelligence.org/Y2K.html http://www.co-
intelligence.org/CIPol_Index.html
(This message was forwarded to us by the Greenspiration Odyssey
greenspiration@web.net http://www.greenspiration.org/ See
section (D), above, for more info)
---------------------------------------------------
(F) HOT SPOTS & COOL LINKS
---------------------------------------------------
* PEOPLE- & PLANET-FRIENDLY WEB-SITE
-- will be up & running soon. Stay tuned!
- ONTARIO ENVIRONMENT NETWORK, P.O. Box 1412,
Station Main, North Bay ON, P1B 8K6. 705-840-2888;
fax 705-840-5862 http://www.web.net/oen oen@web.net
- SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES NETWORK
http://www.sustainable.org info@sustainable.org
- NATURAL LIFE, CANADA'S ALTERNATIVE
NEWSMAGAZINE. RR 1, St. George, ON N0E 1N0 519-448-
4001 fax: 519-448-4411 natural@life.ca http://www.life.ca
Print and on-line editions.
- ONTARIO PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP (OPIRG).
Activist resource centre; literature; bulletin board. New address:
563 Spadina, S of Harbord. Mon-Wed 2-6pm; other hours vary.
416-978-7770 opirg@campuslife.utoronto.ca
http://www.campuslife.utoronto.ca/groups/opirg
- ALTERNATIVE RESOURCE GUIDE, 416-487-9401
info@ecotique.com http://www.ecotique.com $8.95 Available
in Toronto at Noah's & Grassroots; see web-site for more locations
- GRASSROOTS ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS, 408 Bloor
W. at Brunswick 416-944-1993 and 372 Danforth at Chester 416-
466-2841 grassrts@web.net
- GREEN COMMUNITIES ASSOCIATION, P.O. Box 928,
Peterborough, ON, K9J 7A5. 705-745-7479, fax: 745-7294
sharyn@gca.ca http://www.gca.ca
- ECOVILLAGES, Cohousing, Intentional Community in Ontario:
introductory e-mail available. icontario@hotmail.com
http://www.gaia.org http://www.ic.org http://www.cohousing.org
- KARMA FOOD CO-OP. Toronto's only storefront food co-op.
Great selection of organic & conventional veggies, bulk, meat,
dairy, groceries. Come by for a trial shop. Mon 12-7; Tues-Thurs
12-9; Fri 10-9; Sat 10-6; Sun 11-5. 739 Palmerston (in back lane),
near Bathurst subway. 416-534-1470.
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(G) ABOUT THIS LIST
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The purpose of this list is to help publicize events of (mostly) non-
profit organizations - and to foster networking & sharing of
information between groups. It is prepared on an as-needed basis
by a volunteer. It is e-mailed out to thousands of interested
persons & organizations around the province (incl. activists,
businesses, politicians, press, unions, etc.). Occasionally, it is
available in print form and is posted around Toronto.
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Events listed here are not necessarily endorsed by the author.
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"If civilization is in danger today... it will do so with the
enthusiastic assistance of credulous people. They seem to me
more dangerous than the most brazen leaders, because everything
is done with their cooperation." - A. Anatoli Kuuznetsov
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