Tag Archives: sustainability

The confusing lingo of being good to nature

Posted on October 4, 2012 by

I recently interviewed a biodynamic farmer who did not like the label sustainable, and he is not the only one. Many people who want to treat nature well are choking on old vocabulary. Sustainability, environmentalism, carbon-neutral, green living and organic … Continue reading →

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Eco-friendly fibre craft

Posted on September 15, 2012 by

In my effort to live more lightly on the Earth, I am beginning to review what kinds of fibre I use for knitting, spinning and weaving. Just as the organic certification of food has become increasingly dubious, complex issues undoubtedly … Continue reading →

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Our top secret groundhog repellent

Posted on July 17, 2012 by

I have finally found an effective groundhog repellent. It is readily available, costs nothing and doubles as an effective organic fertilizer. It even pushes forward our mandate to reduce and reuse. Just do not tell the neighbours. My daughter, Marian, … Continue reading →

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GM food hazards are worse than a myth

Posted on July 14, 2012 by

So much for rational discussion. Until recently I had not seen evidence genetically-modified foods were safe to eat. My main gripe has been they add no benefit except for poor corporate citizens like Monsanto. GM scientists claim they offer food … Continue reading →

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Food Security Depends on Local Strategy

Posted on June 19, 2012 by

  Foraging and slow food have become recurring themes here at Speed River Journal. Yesterday Barb Freda’s blog, Babette Feasts, hosted my guest post, Foraging Nettles: A Bitter Misadventure. It highlights some of the challenges of adapting to locally-available foods. … Continue reading →

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Chassagne’s Shetland Sheep Thrive Naturally

Posted on June 12, 2012 by

On Saturday we discovered an environmentally responsible sheep farm practically on our back doorstep. At Chassagne, the original North American flock of Shetland sheep thrives without chemical pesticides, herbicides or medicines. Our Guelph Guild of Handweavers and Spinners had arranged … Continue reading →

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Where Does Fairness Fit in the Universe?

Posted on June 7, 2012 by

Conflicting demands for fairness are popping up everywhere these days. This week the Ontario Government led by Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals mandated that students be allowed to form Gay-Straight Alliances in public and Catholic schools. While Catholic teachers supported the legislation, … Continue reading →

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Sustainability: Reflection and Blog Roll

Posted on May 29, 2012 by

The more I garden, the more I want to garden. The more I research permaculture, the more I recognize a huge gap in my knowledge about sustainable practises. The courses I might undertake all appear to be prohibitively expensive. For … Continue reading →

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Permaculture Garden is Our New Baby

Posted on May 2, 2012 by

A new vegetable garden is a great responsibility. Novices think, “It would be fun to grow our own food,” the same way they think of getting a puppy. A friend of mine, a grad student, adopted a Doberman pup last … Continue reading →

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Habits of Effective Global Citizens

Posted on April 29, 2012 by

A short BBC News clip demonstrates a level of stewardship we should all emulate. Brendan Grimshaw bought the tiny Pacific island paradise of Moyenne for £8000 in 1962 and has lived there alone except for the company of giant tortoises, … Continue reading →

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