While it’s not a four-letter word, plastic conjures up lots of negative sentiment for those looking toward a more sustainable future.
Time and again, participants discussing the goods-and-services sector at Lakehead University’s Orillia campus during a Sustainable Orillia event Saturday identified over-packaging and single-use plastic as a growing concern related to both the region’s and world’s future environmental outlook.
“I’m concerned about the amount of pollution we’re generating from single-use plastic,” said one participant in what became a familiar refrain. “I want to learn more and do whatever I can do to effect change.”
Added fellow group member Susan Charters: “I have been drastically reducing my plastic use. It’s the only way I can sleep at night because I have grandchildren.”
The goods-and-service sector was just one of nine different analytical areas studied during an afternoon session with participants also working on a range of topics from agriculture and education to housing and transportation.
The day began with a welcome from Stan Mathewson, Chair of the Sustainable Orillia Mayor’s Task Force, along with remarks from Mayor Steve Clarke.
Fred Larsen said organizers plan to compile some of the ideas presented this weekend to identify actions that government, individuals, organizations and businesses can take to make Orillia a more sustainable community and, thereby, reduce the overall environmental global footprint.
“I firmly believe there are a great number of people who want to reduce waste,” Larsen said, noting as an example that while some Orillia restaurants already compost nearly everything they use, others might need some help to learn how to best proceed.
“Our main goal from this weekend is to create a list of actionable ideas.”
Participants also listened to a presentation by Brad Dibble, a Barrie-based cardiologist who has a strong interest in the current climate-change crisis.
“It’s going to take the governments of the world to come together to fight this,” said Dibble, who penned a book on the subject entitled Comprehending the Climate Crisis.
Dibble noted world governments have worked together in the past, including during World War II when they joined forces to defeat the Nazis.
“Grassroots is where it should start,” said Dibble, who left attendees with the famous quote from American cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead: ‘“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’”
Fellow keynote speaker Bruce Nagy, who’s the author of The Clean Energy Age, said creating a sustainable world doesn’t mean more costs since savings are realized within years of companies, governments and individuals switching to sustainable environmental practices.
As an example, Nagy said switching a home to a geothermal system saves money in the long run as a result of reduced operating costs while installing solar panels pays for itself within nine years in Canada (and just four years in places like Massachusetts as a result of available grant programs).
“You’ll pay for the system in about a third of the life of the system,” he said, adding the time to move forward on sustainable initiatives is now.
“We have all these problems we need to solve ourselves. We’re on our own. No one’s coming to save us.”
Conference attendee and Lakehead student Gia Spiropoulos is currently completing her master’s of education degree in environmental and sustainable education.
“This conference is very fitting with what we’re working on…it’s inspiring,” she said, adding the Lakehead program involves figuring out ways to best help Canada’s teachers introduce climate change into their teaching curriculum.
“We’re creating resources for teachers so they can teach it in a meaningful way that gives students hope.”
