Past Events > 2oo4 - 2oo5 Year Summary

[This is intended as a resource for future students who want to organise green business events]

b&E Collective: Who We Are
The b&E Collective is a group of primarily Master in Environmental Studies students at York University in Toronto, interested in encouraging sustainability via environmental applications for businesses. We encourage consumer and business participation in a new economy which reflects a triple bottom line of Environmental, Social, and Economic responsibility.

This year, the business & Environment Collective at FES was very active in organising events which benefited York and our surrounding community.

Signatures for the “Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for Clean Energy”
In November of 2004, b&E members collected hundreds of signatures for the “Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for Clean Energy” in cooperation with our neighbours down south for Energy Action day.

Holiday Shopping Alternatives
In early December, the b&E Collective held a bake sale and information session to present holiday consumer alternatives which reflect environmentally- and socially-conscious alternatives for holiday shopping.

Greening the Campus – Making York an Environmental Leader
On January 19th, 2005, the b&E Collective helped launch the Student Network on Greening York University by organising a panel discussion entitled “Greening the Campus – Making York an Environmental Leader” where invited panellists representing FES and York University’s administration discussed past, current, and future initiatives aimed at greening York’s campus under the facilitation of FES PhD candidate Nadine Gutz.

As a follow-up, we helped Andrew Wilson, York University’s campus planner, in organising a planning and design session for the York University Landscape Master Plan on March 11th, 2005. Some of our members also took part in the York University Landscape Master Plan Charette, providing our input on how to make York a leader in implementing sustainability.

Oil on Ice
As part of Environmental Awareness Week at York University, the b&E Collective screened the film “Oil on Ice” on March 8th, “a vivid, compelling and comprehensive documentary connecting the fate of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to decisions America makes about energy policy, transportation choices, and other seemingly unrelated matters.” This screening was organised to draw attention to MacKensie Gas Project in Canada’s north, a project which could prevent Canada from meeting its Kyoto emission reduction targets.

Fossil Fool’s Day - adopted a car dealership
For “Fossil Fool’s Day” on April 1st, 2005, b&E members adopted a car dealership by writing letters to address our concern about protecting global security and preserving the environment for our future generations. b&E then joined the Raging Grannies, Toronto at a demonstration in front of a dealership on Yorkville Avenue.

Books and Beers
In addition to our higher profile events, we have hosted “Books and Beers” evenings where we discuss a featured book over beer, and we are also in the process of establishing stronger ties between local organisations and students interested in doing research which could directly help them.

Book Review - The Natural Wealth of Nations

The Natural Wealth of Nations
by David Malin Roodman
review by John Kenney

It is obvious that current industrial capitalist markets are out of control. Business firms rarely consider social and environmental costs when producing goods and servicesthe majority of decisions made are exclusively based on financial considerations. Failing to associate externalities, such as social and environmental costs, in economic accounting creates unnecessary waste, pollution and environmental destruction. The question that now lies at hand is how do we begin reforming our accounting practices to include social and environmental costs into the equation.

Concrete and effective solutions to reverse current production practices, the driving forces behind them and the negative impacts that arise, are limited. However, David Malin Roodman’s book entitled “The Natural Wealth of Nations” provides a comprehensive read that outlines a means to restructure our free market economies to discourage businesses from being obtrusive to the natural environments. “The Natural Wealth of Nations” is a policy- orientated book that situates the place of government within free market economies and how they influence business practices and environmental problems. A review and outline is provided of several market based policy tools that government could utilize to reverse destruction by “harnessing the market for the environment”. Clearly, the title of this book is a play on Adam Smith’s infamous work “The Wealth of Nations”, a piece of work that provided a foundation to modern economic thinking and thus our current environmental disarray. In contrast, Roodman believes that word “natural” must be included, as it is too often excluded from the definition of wealth, and provides a framework on how to include it.

The intent of this book is to provide a basis to restructure capitalist markets; exploring markets characteristics, their benefits and failures, and how to use certain political mechanisms to make this planet healthier. Roodman first informs readers of how governments around the world are rewarding environmentally harmful businesses via tax breaks and other financial mechanisms. Then a theoretical background to the principles of a green tax shift- to tax polluting activities and subsidize environmentally beneficial industries- and the potential role of market mechanisms to green the economy, are presented. Finally, he contextualizes the political acceptance/opposition surrounding his alternative ideas on governmental intervention in free markets and presents a means to overcome opposition. Let us now explore each part of the book in greater detail.

1.The Price of Paying the Polluter
In the first part, Roodman explores the consequences of existing government financial support for unsustainable natural resource management and environmentally destructive industries. Evidence suggests that governmental funds injected into markets are environmentally destructive in turn create social and economic inefficiencies (pg. 36).

Given the Earth’s state of ecological jeopardy, it is important to question why annual global government expenditures subsidizing environmentally harmful activities are estimated to be over $650 billion, (pg. 24). Roodman argues that subsidizing mining, logging and other environmentally intensive activities have few true benefits to society and therefore support would be better spent in alternative sectors of the economy. It is difficult to accurately evaluate the costs and benefits of a subsidy. In effort to correct ambiguities, Roodman recommends that subsidies should be more efficient, more visible to the public, more cost effective and specific to who receives them. “Hiding costs from users ultimately wastes water, energy, land, money and people’s time…”(pg.96). Building on this argument, monies directed to environmentally destructive activities should be re-invested to areas of the economy that would produce real social benefits with little cost to the environment-such reducing poverty and increasing health care capacities. The difficulty of restructuring markets is the resistance and political clout of resource intensive industries that have traditionally benefited from fiscal support from government; fiscal reform to harness market strengths to protect the environment will be met by great political resistance and risk.

2. New Directions
In the second section, Roodman opens his policy “tool-box” of market-based mechanisms. There is potential to encourage a transfer of market dependencies from polluting to non-polluting activities with a green tax/subsidy shift. He proposes a fiscal reform that would see minimal spending on environmentally harmful activities, thoughtful spending to protect the environment, promote taxes from resource windfalls and environmental damage, in turn allowing for tax cuts directly imposed on the general population and sustainable businesses. The reform process should be approached using a three-step analysis framework. First, policy-makers must assess the need for a subsidy/taxation and will the policy tool achieve its purpose. Second, it is essential to assess the potential success and failures associated with government intervention within free-markets and the associated environmental impacts. Finally, Roodman suggests that there is need to assess the time frame in which a subsidy or taxation program should remain in existence; once it achieves or fails to meet its purpose (pg. 98). Although, Roodman recognizes the necessity of assessing government fiscal policies, I find his analytical framework to be too simplistic. There is no discussion on multi-stakeholder consultations, the role of alternative policy mechanisms that may be better suited for achieving the objective (for example command and control regulation), the impacts of removing environmentally harmful subsidies that many communities are economically dependent upon (issues of fairness) during the policy development process. Nor does he provide a review process to assess the success or failure of the government’s hand in a free market.

This section, not only provides a comprehensive theoretical argument based on Pigouvian ideas of environmental taxation (pg. 148), numerous real-life examples that demonstrate the potentials of harnessing the market for natural wealth creation are detailed. A particular argument that caught my attention surrounds the re-allocation of monies raised from environmentally destructive activities to relieve direct taxation on citizens. Using statistical evidence, Roodman suggests industrial countries could generate an additional $2000-2500 per capita in revenue by taxing pollution and resource use, while direct taxation on citizens would fall by a similar amount (p.166-167). In theory, this appears to be an excellent idea- increasing the populations’ individual disposable income while lowering environmental footprints. However, if the economic reform presented is to be as effective in protecting the environment as claimed, economies will become less environmentally degrading and ultimately limit taxation revenues. Thus, one must question the appropriateness of this means to address problems since the primary supporting argument (other than environmental protection) is limited by its own effectiveness. In other words, you cannot generate revenue from taxing a polluting activity if no one is polluting. On the hand, if you were still capable of generating the predicted revenue, would this not mean that the purpose of the fiscal reform failed?

3. From Theory to Practice
Part three discusses the political issues of a market reorganization to harness the market for environmental protection. Roodman recognizes that issues of fairness, political acceptability and economic implications surrounding his alternative views on the roles of government in free markets must be considered. To debate traditional economic thinkers “the Natural Wealth of Nations”, provides exquisite examples of how effective a slight tweaking of fiscal policy can protect the environment, promote social well being and contribute to economic diversification. Demonstrating the true benefits alternative of fiscal reform is seen in a global comparison of gasoline taxation; comparing the price of gas between the United States and Italy. The USA is home to the lowest gas taxes in the world, thus the price of gasoline per liter is extremely low. In contrast Italy taxes gas at a much higher rate, thus gasoline prices per liter are much more than the USA. Excluding variables such as population density and public transportation infrastructures- it is clear that the price of gas greatly influences driving habits- including frequency and fleet efficiency standards. In the USA, we see a larger fleet of vehicles with a higher consumption rates for example the popularity of SUVs. In comparison, the high price of gas encourages many Italians to drive smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles and/or seek alternative modes of transport, (p. 173). Taxation influences price and ultimately an individual’s willingness to pay for a good or service; in turn influencing consumer demands upon manufactures. As illustrated by this example of gasoline taxation rates and driving habits, policy-makers have the capability to mitigate environmental impacts via taxation or subsidy reform.

However, a politician’s capability is limited by scores of political factors, as discussed by Roodman. “The hard part is not figuring out what reform should look like”(pg.224), rather the challenge for advocates in environmentally sensitive fiscal reform lies in making alternative ideas a reality, (pg. 225). Typically opponents of fiscal reform hold a great deal of political power in the decision making process, influencing votes, campaign money and political corruption, (pg. 225). The political road ahead will be one of obstacles and opposition, however this is a road not impossible to travel, (p.225). Although, “the Natural Wealth of Nations” briefly discusses selected successes of reform through political cooperation, the process of reform will be unique to individual jurisdictions; therefore these examples provide no more than a guide for reform. Market reform is possible to encourage sustainable economic activities, what advocates need now, is a greater political acceptance for this alternative fiscal thinking.

Highlights
“The Natural Wealth of Nations”, provides a great deal of empirical evidence of the successes and failures of restructuring economic markets to include costs of environmental impacts. Roodman identifies that decisions made by individuals and firms are greatly influenced by financial costs and benefits, not environmental considerations, (pg.19). Recognizing this, he is able to confirm with statistics and real-life examples of how market policy instruments are effective to green the economy, contribute economic wealth, while contributing to high standards of environmental quality. I found this optimism to be uplifting and thought provoking.

Another feature of this book that I enjoyed was its solution-based approach. One can easily question whether or not environmental fiscal reform is a suitable tool to make economies sustainable. However, one cannot debate the fact that Roodman provides an acceptable method, in terms of current political contexts, to “clean up” the economy by financially discouraging environmentally destructive activities. I find this approach effective; too often environmentalists identify ecological and social problems that arise from industrial capitalism, yet provide unfeasible and romantic solutions to save the world from its predicted collapse. In contrast, Roodman’s “the Natural Wealth of Nations” does.

Lowlights
Although, the book provides a wealth of information on ideas of tax shifts and the redistribution of subsidies from government these ideas are not new to environmental economics. Environmental economics, since its birth as a discipline, has pushed for principles of full-cost accounting through tax shifts and subsidy reform. My other personal lowlight stems from Roodman’s realistic perspectives on current political environments. In particular his views on the complexity of our current global markets and the strong forces that drive them appear to be almost impermeable.

He mentions that governments are a driving force behind the structure of markets, however their ability to make dramatically altering policy is limited, (pg. 20). More so, he believes that, “Creating an environmentally sustainable economy will take nothing less than an eco-industrial revolution- a sweeping and complex event that defies government planning”(pg. 20). This is problematic as the entire book advocates for a greater role for government- one that would encourage a restructuring of fiscal policy to promote sustainability. In other words, he contradicts the purpose and much of the optimism of the book, with this one sentence. Is the goal of this book to not encourage the creation of sustainable markets? Not, tell people that the task put forth is near impossible.

Additionally, none of his ideas appear to have enough clout to create an eco-industrial revolution.

Market Reform and Climate Change Policy
My primary focus of study is climate change policy and issues of economic competitiveness; thus I found this book to be very interesting and related to research interests’. It is evident that much of Canada’s lethargy in developing and implementing effective climate change policy is rooted in our domestic economic competitiveness concerns. However, Roodman’s description and analysis of policy tools such as the taxation of dirty enterprises and subsidy redirections, shows that it is possible to have both economic stability, while improving environmental and social well-being. Applying these policy instruments, have been discussed in many climate change policy negotiations within Canada and even appear minimally in Canada’s Climate Change Plan (2002), yet application has been limited.

Many environmentalist and NGOs in Canada have advocated reforms such as those presented. One example of a fiscal tool (subsidy) that is part of Canada’s Climate Change Plan (2002) is the Wind Power Price Incentive (WPPI). WPPI is a 15-year, $260 million incentive program to support the construction of 1000 MW of wind energy capacity by 2007. The incentive program is available for qualifying participants for the first ten years of production by providing long-term secured revenue. This incentive program has been designed to encourage further investments in wind energy projects in all regions of Canada, (NRCan, 2002). Some, leaders within the wind industry believe that Canada could possibly generate 100 000 MW of electricity from wind sources (Hornung, 2003). This would push Canada beyond its Kyoto targets by some 40 MT, solely by means of wind. While a plausible scenario, it seems unlikely that Canada will generate these amounts of electricity from wind resources, as it would be politically and economically unfeasible. However, many wind proponents have suggested that, at a minimum, wind energy production in Canada will greatly aid in the achievement of Kyoto targets if a capacity exists to generate 10 000 MW by 2010 (CWEA, 2001). Meeting this target would abate 15 to 25 million tonnes of GHG emissions annually; equivalent to meeting 6-10 percent of Canada Kyoto targets or removing 7.5 million cars from the road (CWEA, 2000). To do this it is clear that the Government of Canada would have to enhance current policy for wind beyond WPPI or at least increase the finances to the program- build on Roodman’s ideas of fiscal reform. I would suggest that we will likely see an increase to WPPI as wind energy is proving to be an economically and competitive source of energy. It is evident that Roodman’s ideas of reform can be successful if pursued correctly within the political arena, hopefully we will see this from the wind power industry.

Conclusion
Although, “the Natural Wealth of Nations” brings little new to the study of environmental policy design and processes, it is a valuable read. It provides numerous examples of success through a reader friendly breakdown of the economics behind “harnessing the market for the environment”. I would recommend this book to individuals who are interested in environmental politics and creating a sustainable economy.

Bibliography
Canadian Wind Energy Association. Wind Vision for Canada, 10 000 MW by 2010 (10x0): Recommendations for Achieving Canada’s Wind Energy Potential. www.canwea.ca. 2001. Government of Canada. Climate Change Plan For Canada. Government of Canada. 2002.
Hornung, Robert. Wind Energy In Canada: Status and Challenges. CanWEA- Pollution Probe Workshop, October 2003.
Roodman, David. The Natural Wealth of Nations- Harnessing the Market for the Environment. The Worldwatch Environmental Alert Series. (W.W. Norton & Company, New York- London)1998.

Book Review - The Natural Step

The Natural Step Story: Seeding a Quiet Revolution
By Karl-Henrick Robert
review by Matthew Barg

The Natural Step Story chronicles the adventures of Karl-Henrick Robert, founder of the Natural Step (TNS), and his colleagues and conspirators to establish a framework to be used to pursue sustainability through building consensus. Robert, who began his career as a medical doctor, drew on his science background to approach the issue of environmental degradation. Using systems thinking and communication and metaphorical tools, Robert succeeded in developing a framework for decision making that became successful within the Swedish business and academic communities and has since been exported around the world.

Beginning in 1988, Robert began preparing a manifesto which was to be mailed to every household in Sweden and would attempt to explain principles of the system in which humanity exists. In order to do this, Robert doggedly pursued support for his task through consensus from his fellow scientific colleagues, the Swedish business community, the government and the Swedish monarchy. The manifesto itself went through 21 drafts before it had the support of 50 scientists, all of whom were pleased with it. By progressively gaining agreement, he could take the success of each consecutive partnership on to the next. Thus, in presentation he could say that, “the King and the government and I….” In the end, the document that Sweden found in their mailboxes in 1989 had the support of a very large and influential segment of Sweden’s population. The dialogue that began with this initial mailing has been ongoing since.

The Natural Step basis its framework in the reality of science, deriving systems principles from an understanding of cell biology and the laws of thermodynamics.

•System Condition 1: “In the sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth’s crust.”
•System Condition 2: “In the sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing concentrations of substances produced by society.”
•System Condition 3: “In the sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing degradation by physical means.”
•System Condition 4: “In the sustainable society, human needs are met worldwide.”

Because the framework operates from this clear definition of sustainability, it becomes easier to address possible upstream impacts of our actions today. For instance, if the inputs that are being used in production processes are not commonly found in nature, or not found in nature at all, such as mercury or CFC’s, it is necessary to attempt to substitute these for inputs that are more common and therefore more easily absorbed into the system, or for inputs that are not persistent in nature. This definition also provides a goal that we can be more accountable to because, with the exception of System Condition 4, they are not based on vague references to “needs.” Using subjective terms in definitions does tend to diffuse their influence due to the subsequent necessity to define the terms of the definition. Unfortunately System Condition 4 does use “needs” in conveying its intention. To a certain degree this is necessary, but it is also the System Condition that receives the least attention in the course of the book, perhaps because of the arbitrary nature of the definition.

In order to carry the dialogue based on these system conditions to the community at large, TNS employs some specific tools for communicating the ideas and the need to recognize them. The first metaphor that Robert employs is relating the systems conditions to a tree. The tree’s trunk and branches are the system’s (any system’s) framework of basic principles, while the leaves are the more specific details of the system. Understanding of the importance of the “leaves” depends on understanding the “trunk and branches.” The beauty of a system depends on both of the components.

The Funnel is Robert’s second metaphor. It is used to describe the decline of the ecosystem’s capacity to support business-as-usual and life itself. In illustration, if we do not curb our behaviours we will run up against the sides of a funnel as our ecosystem’s available capacity declines. Ecosystem capacity is referred to as our life-sustaining resources, not as might easily be supposed, availability of non-renewable resources. The life-sustaining resources are sustaining negative effects due to the deposit of waste products from non-renewable resources being deposited into our environment. As the funnel narrows, so does the globally declining productivity of renewable resource per capita - each unit of production from nature is requiring increased levels of resource input as pollution and population are increasing.

These metaphors are the manner in which TNS tries to communicate the need for sustainability. As expected, there is opposition to the ideas, but TNS believes in the fundamental merit of the principles its framework is based on, therefore they take a positive and open position in response to opposition. TNS is based on the philosophy that a dialogue, which is friendly and respectful, can be used to discover what, “we need not fight about.” In taking this approach, Robert describes three dialogue tools that TNS uses to use opposition as a constructive part of the dialogue.

•“The simplicity without reduction strategy.” This strategy involves breaking a party’s opposition down to a basic level so that complexities of the details do not confuse the issue. In this way it is easier to come to agreement and not degrade the nature of the issue.
•“The yes, and technique.” The ‘yes’ is non-confrontational, thereby not putting the opponent on the defensive continuously and also serves to acknowledge any points they brought up that are valid. The ‘and’ is the means by which the opposition is expanded into the dialogue to pursue better understanding of the issues. The dialogue remains positive, searching out the problems involved and how they can be mitigated.
•“The asking advice attitude.” An extension of the above technique except advice is requested rather than expanding it into the larger dialogue. This still maintains the positivism of the discussion and engages the opponent in a way that they become accountable to the process as well.

Once the dialogue has been opened and consensus has been reached on the system principles for sustainability, it is time to try to apply these principles in a discussion of how they apply to the industry or company at hand (IKEA, Swedish McDonald’s and the Swedish nuclear industry are some of the case studies discussed in the book). The Natural Step’s philosophy of being positive, non-confrontational and consensus building sets them as the facilitator of this discussion. Their role is not to pass judgement or try to pass themselves off as experts on all of the nuances of the industry concerned. Instead, TNS asks guiding questions to try to draw out the expertise that already exists in the room. Roberts makes a statement early on in the book that, “it was becoming clearer and clearer to [him] that already existing knowledge really was enough to induce substantial change, and that most people only need to be allowed into the dialogue to be prepared to act.” This is the sum of this final step in the TNS framework.
This process has been coined A, B, C, D Analysis at TNS. ‘A’ is the initial introduction of the TNS framework where the funnel metaphor and the system conditions are presented. ‘B’ is a discussion of what the state of the organization is at present. Questions are asked of the organization that frame the systems conditions it terms of how business is currently being conducted.

Step ‘C’ does some creative analysis of what the organisation would look like in a sustainable society. As with ‘B,’ questions are asked of the organization related to the systems conditions, but this time it is to hypothesize about how the company could successfully apply them and thus contribute to a sustainable society. This step employs a tool called ‘backcasting.’ The opposite of forecasting, backcasting refers to a decision making process where the starting point is sometime in the future. In this sense, it is imagined that at that future date, the organization will be sustainable. Decisions are then made that facilitate arriving at this sustainable state.

‘D’ is the step where the measures that are suggested in step ‘C’ are prioritized into a strategy for starting to move the organization towards contributing to a sustainable society. Priority is based on three considerations; direction, platform and “low-hanging fruit.” Direction is fairly self-explanatory. In light of the goal to move towards sustainability, does the strategy facilitate this? The platform refers to the technical flexibility of the strategy. Sustainability is a long-term goal and to expect large businesses and industries to switch over instantly is unacceptable. However, an organization can begin implementing technologies that allow them to progressively incorporate more and new measures for sustainability. An inflexible platform may result in another large investment in technological change further down the road. The “low-hanging fruit” refers to that ever present business concerns, return on investment (ROI). Sustainability initiatives that provide a good ROI are easier to get implementation support by business, thus, the “low-hanging fruit” is that which can be picked most easily.

As described, the merits of The Natural Step are obvious; clearly defined principles for sustainability and a process that emphasizes consensus building through an intelligent, non-confrontation dialogue. Perhaps the most severe criticism of the TNS framework is that it is voluntary and even organizations that invite TNS to meet with them are not bound to follow the strategies that the brainstorming session comes up with. However, business does seem to prefer voluntary initiatives and by pursuing sustainability in partnership with TNS, a company can benefit, not least by the strengthening of their brand value, which is an enormous asset to corporations. These organizations that buy into sustainability and The Natural Step are likely well ahead of government regulations and are a sterling example of how voluntary initiatives can work. It would be fortuitous then if governments were willing to give a gentle push to some of the slower organizations through regulations to pursue strategies as laid out by TNS.

The Natural Step process developed organically from the thoughts of one concerned cancer researcher in Sweden and has now moved into the rest of the world. Where those first steps were fuelled by passion and desire, these new ones are more formal. There is PhD research being done on TNS in universities around the world and a Master’s program that focuses specifically on TNS in Sweden. The TNS is still not financially stable, even with all of this support; in Canada, it is a registered charity. But as Karl-Henrick Robert puts it, “the idea to study what we can agree on and then to base decisions on such knowledge is so good that it mustn’t fail.”

Karl Henrick-Robert (2002). The Natural Step Story: Seeding a Quiet Revolution. Gabriola Island, BC, Canada: New Society

Book Review - From Eco-Cities to Living Machines

From Eco-Cities to Living Machines: on applications of ecological design to multiple audiences

review by Lia Gudaitis

From Eco-cities to Living Machines: Principles of Ecological Design tells the story of the Todds’ experience as environmental advocates working on applications of workable alternatives to the fossil fuel world in which they found themselves. Insisting that cities can be ecologically designed, environmentalist Nancy Jack Todd and biologist John Todd begin their story by explaining the context of how they became personally involved in developing ecological solutions. They continue by walking the reader through a host of designs on many different scales, from simple water transportation to whole communities. Certain design themes re-occur on every scale though, such as the wide applications of water and sun as both heat mediators and filters, the necessity for locality, and the importance of the historical and biological context of any model. The authors’ style of storytelling, clear in the first chapter, is another element of the book which reappears in most chapters. The line between writing a story and conveying design information is often blurred, causing confusion for the reader and leaving them wondering if the authors would have been more successful having written either a story, or a more use-oriented ecological design guide.

Although the Todd’s story begins long before, From Eco-cities to Living Machines has a story of its own. The first edition of the book was written in the shadow of the Reagan era, where national priorities focussed on economic issues despite the fact that the effects of environmental degradation were becoming too well-known to shelve environmental issues. The 1960s and 70s saw a great deal of attention and research committed to environmental issues, painting the clear picture of a planet facing environmental crisis. At the forefront of ecological research, the Todds established their first ecological institute in 1969 with the goal of finding workable solutions to living without non-renewable resources.

From their beginnings working with bioaquatics, the Todds found that many of the basic principles of their designs could be applied on many scales, and with a few modifications, in a variety of environment. Always crediting the countless people with whom they collaborated, the Todds walk the reader through successful projects as far north as Canada, and as far south as Costa Rica. They found that through a careful interrelationship of plant and animal species in water, many forms of waste could be managed into fertilisers and process clean water. These “living machines” could reduce chemical-dependence, and when coupled with simple passive solar energy could additionally maintain comfortable air temperatures. With a few more additions, the Todds can easily create an entire bioshelter, supplying no only heat and waste management, but food.

Through narrative descriptions and sketched diagrams, the Todds walk the reader through the application of simple ecological designs such as these to their—and the reader’s—world. Starting with the model of their institutions’ built environment, the authors continue to prove how these ideas can work not only in rural environments, but also in urban settings. While always stressing the importance of being sensitive to bio-regionality, the Todds offer models of single-family homes, a block of row-houses, retrofitted historic buildings, and whole community plans.

At the community scale, the Todds offer their eco-ideas in the form of a community with a large block-sized bioaquatic vessels and canals running from them through the residential areas. This “vessel” which would much resemble a pond or a fountain, would be responsible for filtering solid wastes from the surrounding residences, along with acting as a water purification centre and a social hub for young and old members of the community. Along the canals, the authors suggest situating commercial shops in order to encourage life in the streets and a more meaningful civic life. The locality of all the treatment and consumptions facilities would additionally reduce oil-dependent transport needs, and having a social centre in the neighbourhood would encourage residents to walk around their immediate environment rather than drive to an external social outlet.

Throughout the wide range of ecological design applications the Todds offer, they remind the reader of both the greater picture and fundamental principles behind their work. Before describing in any great detail a specific design model, the authors use arguments ranging from the great psychologist Carl Jung to the words of First Nations Chief Black Elk in order to paint the picture of an existence unnecessarily spending beyond its capacity. In order to apply this epistemology to the workable world they developed nine precepts in order to articulate their design intentions.

The tone of the precepts, and therefore of their designs, surround themes of diversity, equality. locality, history, and continuity. These precepts urge that the living world be the matrix for all design, and that design follow rather than oppose the laws of life. That biological equity determine design, and that it reflect bioregionality. They advocate that projects be based on renewable energy sources, and that the design be sustainable through the integration of living systems. Design must be coevolutionary with the natural world, with the intent of healing the planet, and that it follow a sacred ecology. These precincts can mostly be summed-up into what has recently developed into the term “sustainability”, a word which has become a household name this decade much like “ecology” did when the Todds established their first institution.

With the introduction of every new design model, the Todds are careful to establish a narrative context for the reader. The authors use a narrative, storytelling style in presenting their ecological designs, maintaining a tone of intimacy and personality with the reader, using people’s names rather than just relationships when a new personality is introduced to the narrative. The book proceeds in a relatively chronological order of the Todds' experiences, shifting to a historical narrative when necessary in order to emphasize the role of context and continuity in their work.

Although the narrative style of the authors does successfully convey a sense of story, much of the material is technical. As suggested by the title, this book guides the reader through principles of ecological design. This duality was likely intended as a an attempt to bring technical material to the minds of regular people who have the means of implementing them; the simplicity of ecological design is mimicked in the writing style of the authors in order to cement their notion that ecology is do-able in the normal world. Rather than presenting potentially technical information to a non-technological audience though, the authors have written a book which is neither technical enough to be useful to designers, nor conceptual enough to be entirely accessible by the general public.

One example is the authors’ use of diagrams. With the exception of the boat diagrams, hardly an endeavour which the general populous would attempt, and Dr. Paolo Soleri’s epic community design “Acrosanti”, the Todds use rough-edged sketches to illustrate their vision. These sketches use an uncertain, almost sloppy style, much like the narrative, which neither clarifies their ideas to the general public, nor offers any descriptive details which would assist a designer.

While some readers of From Eco-Cities to Living Machines may possess the design expertise required to consider the feasibility of some of the more epic designs the authors offer, such as the large-scale community design, the book also has something for regular people who may consider building ecologically on a smaller scale. These results could also be analysed as leaving half the readers alienated half the time. Perhaps it would have been more effective for the authors to have written their narrative including appendixes with design details rather than blurring the two into the same paragraphs and sketches.

In From Eco-Cities to Living Machines, Nancy Jack Todd and John Todd offer their wealth of knowledge on the subject of ecological design to a wide range of readers. While maintaining design details’ role in a larger spectrum of sustainability and the continuity of the Earth and its populace, the authors narrate their ecological life-story. Their chronology reveals a list of design models which cover a wide-range of useful alternatives workable in a variety of North American environments, whether large-scale, small-scale, urban, or rural. Although the book succeeds at maintaining a tone of continuity, the blur between material interesting to the general public and that of interest to designers leaves the reader wondering if a more focused or more clearly partitioned approach might be more effective for conveying ecological design principles to both audiences.

Book Review - Food for a Change

Real Food For A Change
by Wayne Roberts, Rod McRae and Lori Stahlbrand
review by Rebecca Bucsko

“Real Food For A Change” is an upbeat and easy to read journey into the land of organic food in Canada. The authors present the case for organic food production and consumption, and outline subsequent benefits for personal health, society and the environment. “Real Food” educates the reader about the current state of food production in Canada, and presents new ways to understand the interconnection between food and the community, between food consumption and environmental impacts. Ideas are backed up by diverse and inspiring examples of food production and use, food to build healthier individuals, healthier communities and a healthier planet. Practical suggestions abound.

The book introduces the authors ideas of the ‘elements of real food’: health, joy, justice and nature. The case for organic foods is made immediately – and readers are asked to leave their concerns regarding cost and availability at the door. This is a good strategy as it ducks the most commonly sited concerns people hold regarding organic foods.

Chapter One opens with 10 Reasons to Eat Organic, and they are compelling reasons: Organic food is anxiety-light and has nothing to hide; it’s delicious, more nutritious and better for your children; it’s processed properly and available in great variety; organics can offer a different shopping experience; it’s not using hidden experimental technology; it’s not subsidized. These themes are revisited and explained more thoroughly throughout the remaining text.

The industrial and organic farming methods for basic essential foods such as fruits and vegetables, grain, milk, beef and fish are compared and contrasted. The reader learns of an alarming network of toxicity, disease, inhumane practices, and absurd government subsidies that support an unsustainable Canadian agricultural industry. Monocultures and factory farming rule, despite their inherent susceptibility to pests and sickness, environmental degradation, community health risk and economic weakness.

Thankfully the examples presented in each category highlight organic success stories that show a steady return to forward-thinking alternative agricultural methods. Take beef as an example. Respected cattleman Lloyd Quantz says about his conversion of his million-dollar-a-year Alberta ranch to organic, “Nature has a better idea about diversity. Hybrid vigour is what makes for fertility, longevity and resistance to disease” (p43). He shuns artificial insemination, practices rotational grazing, believes in smaller farms for greater financial stability and supportive rural community infrastructure. He reports significantly lower vet and drug bills and healthier cattle. The story presents Quantz’s concern about consumers who demand plastic-wrapped, fresh-killed meat, a demand that drives the “feedlots from hell” (p46) that are the incubators of bacteria-related illnesses. This example shares the onus for organic beef on both the farmer and the consumer.

Chapter One wraps up with suggestions on how to buy organic, and presents themes of organic labeling, buying locally or directly from the farmer, avoiding genetically altered foods and limiting animal fats and factory-farmed fish consumption.

The next chapter focuses on ‘eating smarter’, and presents a “new home economics (that) will be at the centre of the move to organics” (p61). This is where commonly held concerns regarding cost, availability, preparation time and acceptance are addressed. Suggestions include shopping locally where you can develop a relationship with your grocer; buying low-fad foods for best value; buying food when it’s in season for maximum nutrition and minimal cost; using all parts of food to minimize waste; and viewing the cost of organics as a long term investment in your health. Practical ideas to take control of your own food production include cutting out the middle man and buying directly from the farm, and developing profit centres in your own kitchen, on your window sill, on a walk in a meadow and in your garden. Community supported agriculture (CSA) is discussed, including urban community gardens.

The authors’ favourite low-cost foods that deliver high value are listed, including garlic, soy, whole grain breads and oats. Other tips include making home-made baby food, hosting dinner clubs to share food, work and social time, and buying ‘off-grade’ produce.
Breast-feeding is encouraged for proper nutrition, infant health and social benefits.

Most suggestions in this chapter are practical and relatively easy to consider and apply. Some suggestions are out of the reach of the vast majority of readers, no matter how well presented. For example, the economics used to support a 4-day work week may add up in print, but popular culture will have to evolve for this concept to be applicable for most employees. Hopefully an updated version of “Real Food”, if forthcoming, will provide examples of the application of this concept.

Chapter Three highlights the strengths and opportunities we have as citizens and consumers, to effect changes in Canadian food production and distribution. These strategies include boycotts of unacceptable products (i.e. genetically modified foods) and ‘buycotts’ of progressive products that need support to secure market attention (i.e. fare-trade). The support of niche markets for healthy alternatives in turn supports small operators who cater naturally to these niches, and can subsequently push for change at the next level. Alternative industrial uses for natural materials and food byproducts provoke creative consideration.

“Avoid Gassy Foods”, the final chapter, links Canada’s “conventional food production and distribution (to the production of)…about 25% of the gases”(p157) that contribute to the greenhouse effect, despite farming’s clean image. The authors proceed to deconstruct this statistic, considering energy use on the farm, in processing and packaging, in transport, at retailers, at the consumer level, and lastly in waste management. Every polluting level of the process is government subsidized, and some policy changes to reduce or remove these subsidies are suggested.

On the citizen / consumer level, recommendations to reduce energy waste include eating raw food, buying energy efficient appliances and using all parts of food to reduce waste. Alternative lifestyle ideas including straw bale homes and de-mechanized farming are proposed.

“Real Food” concludes that food is powerful: it’s powerful because every change counts, it’s powerful because it reaffirms the individual; it’s powerful because it brings people together. The power of agriculture lies in it’s ability to provides employment and spreads the benefits around (what the authors call serendipity); it’s also adaptable, generous and humble.

To the authors credit, Real Food is not a pressure sales pitch nor does it lure the reader into feelings of guilty consumerism. The reader is reassured numerous times that changes can be made on the smallest individual level, and shows that even such seemingly inconsequential changes can and do make a difference at all levels of their community. Many real-life examples support the ideas outlined throughout the book.

Overall, the book speaks well to the type of reader who is drawn to this type of publication, who likely already possesses awareness of a number of the huge range of ideas expressed and has started making changes in their lifestyle. They will find many applicable ways to continue to work towards a more organic consumer lifestyle. Some of the more ‘radical’ suggestions, such as 4-day work weeks, will be beyond the scope of most readers.

The neglect shown by the Canadian government, in addressing public health concerns of issues such as genetically modified foods, toxicity in the agriculture industry, and in the subsidies that are available to polluting agribusiness but not to organic farmers, may surprise many readers (the reviewer included). Policy makers would benefit from consideration of the alternatives laid out in “Real Food”.

Farmers have, for years, been driven to the brink of bankruptcy trying to keep pace with the industrialization of commercial farming in Canada, squeezed by higher production costs and lower returns. This audience could also benefit from the ideas and the real-life examples found in “Real Food”.

Since “Real Food” was published in 1999, mad-cow disease and the Walkerton water supply tragedy have impacted the consciousness of Canadian citizens coast to coast, and shaken our confidence in the government and food producers to protect our health and provide healthy food. Conversely, progress has been made in the availability of organic food. Neighbourhood organic grocers are opening across the country, Loblaws has established a growing line of green food products, and Whole Foods Organic super-store has spread into Canada. “Real Food” grows more timely as the years pass and the cracks start to show in the current unsustainable food production industry in Canada. The book’s upbeat tone and practical suggestions make it a ‘must read’ for those serious about improving their health and the well-being of their community and environment.

Book Review - Biomimicry

Biomimicry
by Janine Benyus
review by Nicole Bassett

Janine Benyus is a biologist who looks at the world though a very different lens. She takes the reader to a time where nature is respected, observed, learned from and echoed rather than controlled and manipulated as is done today. The main thesis of her book is for humans to mimic the workings of nature to further developments. Nature through millions of years of evolution and adaptation has developed this incredibly complex web with so many secrets of survival and intricate discoveries. She suggests humans could learn a thing or two to solve the questions we are plagued with today. Nature holds the answers to sustainability, we only have engage it to find them. However it is not an easy task as Benyus finds out; by following scientists of all disciplines she watches the slow unfolding of their discoveries as they delve deep into the workings of nature.

The book focuses on six main areas where scientists are looking to nature to help solve the problems the world is facing today: Agriculture, Energy, Materials, Medicine and Nutrition, Computers and Business.

My Area of Study is Environmental Responsibility in Business, specifically taking the lessons of the earth and creating alternative business structures to reshape corporate business. So the chapter that I enjoyed the most was that on the same subject, business. There are lessons in nature that business can adapt, for instance prospering without waste, the need for cooperation, and the importance of diversity.

Benyus sees the future of business looking like a complex and sustainable old growth redwood forest. The forest is our guide we can turn to, to show us how balances of exchange can produce a health thriving economy. The redwood forest represents a type III species that is, “designed to stay on the land in a state of relative equilibrium, taking out no more than they put in.” Unlike the less mature ecosystems, which are where our economy is right now (Type I and Type II), the final stage of a natural ecosystem has achieved true balance that allows all the plants and animals to live together, feeding off and providing food for each other. (pg 250)

So what if businesses were like this mature ecosystem. Where there is no waste, but a proprior of food for another industry. To begin we must ask what are the services we need? Then, how do we get them in the most eco-efficient way? For instance, I want a warm house, currently I would turn up my thermostat and energy runs through the power lines and operates an electric heater. My house becomes warm, but the electricity came from a coal plant that burn’s coal, which pollutes the air. What if homes were built around factories and were heated from excess heat from the factory process? Maybe my house was designed to absorb heat in the cold months and repeall it in the hot or retrofitted to be completely efficient with no heat lost. There are many solutions and figuring out the right balance between our many options is what a mature ecosystem does. Undertsnading how to best alter business does not have to be hard. We have examples of sustainability all around us therefore we can constantly measure the success of our businesses in comparison to nature. If there are by-products going to waste then we are doing something wrong because that does not happen in nature.

Benyus outlines 10 commandments that she has taken from the mature ecosystem of the redwood forest that business should adapt to obtain sustainability.
1. Use waste as a resource
2. Diversify and cooperate to fully use the habitat
3. Gather and use energy efficiently
4. Optimize rather than maximize
5. Use materials sparingly
6. Don’t foul their nests (live and use the same space)
7. Don’t draw down resources
8. Remain in balance with the biosphere
9. Run on information
10. Shop locally
(pg 254)

Having these commandments to reference is extremely important because it provides a working alternative to the linear resource extracting based economy that is functioning currently. If change is to happen there needs to be a goal to reach. We are lucky because the one Benyus proposes we mimic has had millions of years to reach perfection, the redwood forest. Businesses should incorporate the Biomimicry Ten Commandments into their environmental management system and corporate policy to insure that the economy will start to shift towards sustainability.

In reading the book I thought of my own biomimicry analogy for business: Business as the “Heart” of the economy. In a human body the heart is the most important organ. The heart (Business) directs the flow of blood to every part of the body. It works with the Arteries which delivers blood full of oxygen (products/services) to the capillaries which are in need of oxygen in order to carry out their functions (consumers). Then the veins bring the oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart to be re-oxidized. And the cycle continues from there, no waste, no excess. Obviously the heart does not work alone and could not because nature has structured it so the heart has perfected its task and relies on other organs whom have perfected theirs. The brain tells the heart when to pump (government, stakeholders) and the lungs to provide the oxygen (the earth). The whole system can move within seconds and every time achieve complete sustainability while providing the functions needed to sustain life. Business should be this pump, that moves goods and services in a balanced way and consumers should be able to trust that business is acting in the best interest of the environment, while providing their needs. The heart is a helpful illustration of a system that works closed-loop and is sustainable.

It was a great tool of Benyus’s to provide examples of businesses that are adapting the ideas of eco-industrialism because it gives credit to those who are trying and hope to those who want to keep this trend going. The more common examples of eco-business practices become, the closer we will be that mature redwood forest system. Nature has shown us that if you are not able to adapt then you will be edited out of the gene pool; humans are not immune to the laws of nature. (pg 261) If our extracting and polluting industries do not adapt, then there is no chance for human survival and no economy will flourish. When the resources are no longer there, neither are the products. It is time to bring back the interconnectedness of the world and for people to understand the earth’s cycles, the processes and our part in them. Only then will we learn to move forward.

Benyus has hope for humans and illustrates this through the idea of biomimicry as well, for people provide an ecological gift to the world the same as nature does. People have self-reflecting brains, we are able to learn, we are well shaped to mimic what we see and hear. We have been given the tools to make the difference. (pg 291)

The quest is a good one, to help humans evolve, learn to adapt to the natural rhythms and cycles of the earth, to become sustainable in every aspect of human life. Business can achieve this, hopefully, by looking to nature as the goal. The redwood forest has already developed the targets and objectives we must achieve. And by doing so we could function like a complex ecosystem that is sustainable and most importantly adaptable to the changing world.

Benyus, Janine M. Biomimicry; Innovation inspired by nature. New York: HarperCollins, 1997.