Latest News
An Opportunity for Understanding
Sustainable Waterloo Region | August 30, 2010
Inspired by Matthew’s blog and the statement “you don’t build movements with bar graphs,” I was compelled by the question of how to enact social change through the beautification of facts and stats. There is certainly an element of shock and awe that can come from images of natural disasters, or the denaturalization of certain […]
Co-Op Coming to an End
Sustainable Waterloo Region | August 24, 2010
I am now facing the last two weeks of my co-op term with Sustainable Waterloo Region and it seems like the last four months have flown by. Since day one I have been busy with various tasks and assignments which thankfully have left no time for willing school to start or the summer to end. […]
Sharing our Experience of “Working Together” at Climate Change Conference 2010
Sustainable Waterloo Region | August 19, 2010
When we launched the Regional Carbon Initiative in June 2009, one of our speakers – Derek Satnik from Community Renewable Energy Waterloo – candidly told the audience that (5:30 on the video below) “it’s amazing to me to look around Canada and see how people are watching, believe it or not – Waterloo – and […]
Why is Community so Important in Creating a Sustainable Future?
Sustainable Waterloo Region | August 16, 2010
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” I love Margaret Mead’s famous quote because of its simple truth. I’ve been fortunate in my life to know people who believe in themselves, in good causes, and in the community around […]
Kitchener Radio Group and CHYM Cares
Sustainable Waterloo Region | August 9, 2010
In early spring, Mike Morrice and I were invited to meet with the Kitchener Radio Group to discuss ways they might be able to “publicize the efforts” of Sustainable Waterloo Region. Meeting with the radio group was a unique opportunity for Sustainable Waterloo Region because radio wasn’t a communication medium we had reached out to […]
Creative Imagery is Good for Public Perception of Climate Change Risks
Sustainable Waterloo Region | July 31, 2010
Conceptual computer artwork of the total volume of water on Earth (left) and of air in the Earth’s atmosphere (right) shown as spheres (blue and pink). We have all the technology, money, and knowledge necessary to solve the problem of climate change. We’re no longer in doubt as to the warming of the planet. So […]
There’s Always a Way to Improve
Lisa Chapman | July 26, 2010
About four months ago I started receiving CM&E (Corporate Meetings and Events) Magazine – a Canadian magazine for event organizers. I was humorously shocked that they had managed to target me with this free subscription, even though as a marketing major I really shouldn’t have been surprised. I still leafed through each magazine though, ogling elaborate, […]
Environmental Studies and Business Student Joining SW
Sustainable Waterloo Region | July 23, 2010
As a 4th year Environmental Studies and Business student at the University of Waterloo, joining the Sustainable Waterloo Region (SW) team could not have come at a better time for me. Through my co-operative education I have had four other placements, none of which came close to providing me with an experience like the one […]
What Makes an Organizational Culture?
Sustainable Waterloo Region | July 21, 2010
What is an organizational culture? Further, what is this culture of sustainability we speak so much about and all aspire to be a part of here at Sustainable Waterloo Region? To me, it’s an environment that is open, flexible, motivational, and downright inspiring that also provides critical extracurricular opportunities for social interaction, professional development, and […]
A Change of Heart
Sustainable Waterloo Region | July 19, 2010
When we started discussing the possibility of a Sustainable Waterloo Region team blog a few months ago, I was more than a little sceptical. After having suffered under the weight of maintaining a blog for several months in early 2009 – while under some acute time pressure to lead the team towards launching the Regional Carbon Initiative before the summer of that year – I knew of how a blog can quickly become “that-thing-you-know-you-should-do-but-always-have-something-more-important-on-the-list”. On top of this, I’m keenly aware of the excess of blogs already at all of our fingertips, the reality that this growth is sputtering in lieu of other social media tools, and the simple truth that without relevancy and crisp insight, there is little point to even starting.
But over the past few months, not only have I been convinced (a) that this is a valuable addition to how our team communicates with the community and (b) that this will directly help us achieve our mission, but I’m even more importantly, I’m genuinely excited about being a part of it.