Toby's Blog

Looking at the Earth in a whole new way

Toby — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:31:40 -0700

If you've ever wanted to meet someone who has literally helped change our perspective of how we view our world, tonight is your chance. This is a free event as part of the Gaining Ground Conference, however pre-registration is required.

Stewart Brand and "Whole Earth Discipline" - the Eco-pragmatist's Manifesto

October 4, 2010. 7 pm. Venue: Milton and Fei Wong Experimental Theatre, SFU Woodwards, 149 West Hastings Street, Vancouver.

Admission is free, reservations are required. Please arrive 15 minutes early to confirm your reservation. https://websurvey.sfu.ca/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WebSurvey.woa/wa/survey?64272363

Stewart Brand:

"Always two steps ahead of others.....(he) is the least recognized, most influential thinker in America." LA Times. How have you heard about Stewart Brand? Perhaps as founder of the Whole Earth Catalog. Or of The Well, a precursor to today's social networks. Or maybe as cofounder of the Global Business Network or The Long Now Foundation.

Whether you realize it or not, your awareness of the world has been influenced by Stewart Brand. He thought the image of our planet might be a powerful symbol, so in 1966 he campaigned to have NASA release the then-rumoured satellite image of the entire Earth as seen from space. He distributed buttons — for 25 cents each — asking, "Why haven't we seen a photograph of the whole Earth yet?" In 1968, a NASA astronaut made the photo public, and in 1970, not coincidentally, Earth Day began to be celebrated. Brand explained that the image "gave the sense that Earth’s an island, surrounded by a lot of inhospitable space."

He is on the board of the Santa Fe Institute, and maintains connections with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Wired magazine and MIT's Media Lab, while occasionally consulting for Ecotrust. He is the original editor of The Whole Earth Catalog (winner of the National Book Award); author of The Media Lab: Inventing the Future at MIT; How Buildings Learn; and The Clock of the Long Now: Time and Responsibility (MasterMinds Series); and Two Cybernetic Frontiers, on Gregory Bateson and cutting-edge computer science. It had the first use of the term "personal computer" in print and was the first book to report on computer hackers. Most recently, he is author of "Whole Earth Discipline" — a provocative book that is likely to make one question the entire range of thinking on the state of the earth and how we should respond. Whether you agree with Stewart Brand or not, you have to hear what he has to say —something you've been doing all your life, whether you know it or not.

This lecture is a shoulder event to the Gaining Ground 2010 conference. Sponsored by Gaining Ground, SFU Urban Studies, and the SFU City Program.

Sustainability 3.0 - redefining green

Toby — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:03:06 -0700

Next week on September 28th, the Strathcona BIA will host Sustainability 3.0 our 3rd annual sustainability expo for small businesses. The event is by donation and open to all, with the purpose of engaging and inspiring the greater communities of Strathcona and Vancouver.

It will feature a keynote presentation from Bob Willard, author of 3 sustainability books, and an expert on leadership, culture change, and organizational development. There will be additional mini-presentations by Kira Gerwing, a Planner from the City of Vancouver, and Brian Dodd, Executive Director of United We Can.

There will also be amazing local, organic food provided by One Planet Catering as well as an exhibit area featuring a sustainable marketplace (including green awards from Eclipse Awards). Attendees will also find information on energy recycling and an innovative new program called the Strathcona Resource Exchange.

A single business can only become so green on it's own. However, once it starts to collaborate with other businesses and organizations, magical things can start to happen. Find out how you can plug into a larger community that is becoming the heart of the greenest city, the Strathcona Green Zone.

Registration is free at http://sustainabilityexpo3.eventbrite.com/

See you there!

recognition as an agent of change

Toby — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:38:48 -0700

Recognition can be a subtle yet powerful agent of change. By recognizing the changes we want to see, we can begin to move towards the world we want.

Recognition can be subtle in the form of a thank you, or a note, or a simple nod of appreciation. It can also be more substantial in the form of a recognition award or gift. In any case, the intention is the same - to say thank you and to make someone feel special and valued. At the same time, we're also saying that they are doing a great job, and should do more of the same.

This is the transformational power of recognition and it applies on both a personal and a societal level. What are the qualities and the values that we're celebrating and recognizing as a society or as a community? Who are we holding up as our heroes? Are we celebrating the biggest movie stars or the people doing the most to save our planet?

Are you recognizing your co-workers for their community volunteering or walking to work? Do you recognize your peers for their work ethic or team spirit?

There are countless ways for us to emphasize and encourage the qualities that make the world a better place. Every small step makes the next steps easier, and before you know it, there is a stampede!

So think about the things that you'd like to recognize and celebrate - from the small to the large...then get out there and start making those changes!

For more ideas on recognition and the power of change, visit www.eclipseawards.com/happinessdelivered.asp

Help Save the Bloedel Conservatory

Toby — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:51:04 -0800

Dear friends, if you have ever visited the beautiful Bloedel Conservatory or even just wanted to go sometime, please visit http://friendsofthebloedel.ca to understand why this Vancouver landmark is in danger.

Then write to Mayor Robertson and city council mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca as they are the only group that can overturn the Vancouver Parks Board's 4-3 decision to close the facility forever this coming March.

Below is the email I sent to city council:

I am writing as a lover of nature and as a concerned Vancouver citizen who appreciates the Bloedel Conservatory as a beautiful and unique place.

Please do not allow this absolute jewel to close. It would be a blow to all of us and a loss to our community. With the Cambie Street construction now over, attendance at the Conservatory will start to rise over the next 5 years and get back to sustainable financial levels. While the Canada Line was a good an necessary addition to the city, it's construction has hurt many businesses along that corridor, including the Conservatory.

Some things are worth more than money, please reconsider and give it time to return as the prominent Vancouver landmark it was only a few short years ago. Some things, once lost, can never be regained.

Sincerely,

Toby Barazzuol - feel free to use this or change it as you see fit.

LoCo BC - Zero Waste & collaboration

Toby — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:11:31 -0800

Next week I'll be speaking at an event called "Trash Talk: Collaborations in Business Garbage and Recycling" with Louise Schwartz of Recycling Alternatives.

We'll be talking about our experiences in moving towards zero waste and how companies might work together to reduce their environmental footprint.

As Metro Vancouver considers a new plan to incinerate 500,000 tons of solid waste a year http://bit.ly/4F1BQV I hope you can join us for an interesting and timely discussion.

For more details and to register, visit http://bit.ly/6jGxk2

Free Range YouTopia Grant

Toby — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:32:41 -0800

Please help us spread our message about the value of recognition and appreciation.

Vote for us in our quest for the 2009 YouTopia Grant that will help one company share it's message with the world: http://bit.ly/7QUyK

Thank you for support!