Building Resilience 36.2

The Carbon Charter, Godo Stoyke, New Society Publishers: Gabriola Island, 2009, 144 pages.

While national governments wrestle with global climate change protocols, cities are moving to the forefront of the climate struggle. Small wonder, since as much as three-quarters of all greenhouse gas emissions are caused by cities. It’s time for up-to-date, straightforward resources that will lead to quick worldwide implementation of best practices.

A resilient health care system must constantly evolve and self-organize in order to deal with emerging situations that arise from both social and ecological realms. It must identify and react to surprises, as well as evaluate its ongoing response to changes – all while maintaining essential services.

A green, freshly cut lawn was once the marker of an upstanding home. So much so that many Canadian cities actually mandate golf-course-style lawns to protect the curb appeal of local neighbourhoods. But a retired Ottawa couple recently challenged the merit of monoculture – and won. Hank and Vera Jones became lawbreakers, and then law reformers, when they designed their lawn to embrace the environment rather than outdated aesthetics.

“We’re rebuilding pollination habitat that people have largely destroyed over the years,” said Hank, who planted a half-hectare pollination garden this spring. …