On April 28th at the University of Winnipeg, over 80 Winnipeggers came together to Unleash Transition Winnipeg.

Transition Winnipeg is a community-led initiative to increase our quality of life, make the local economy more resilient and adapt to contemporary environmental and social challenges. It is people coming together to help make a happier, healthier and more resilient future for their communities and acts as a potential framework and an example of a process and approach that offers a solution to many of the issues, challenges, and fears around climate change, more expensive oil and economic instability.

Transition towns are founded on the acknowledgement that we have to transition to a lower energy future whether we want to or not. We just don’t know when. The first developed Transition Town was Totnes in the UK. Rob Hopkins is generally credited as the founder of the Transition Movement, and author of the much cited Transition Handbook. Check out this short video to hear Rob himself introduce Transition!

Basically, the ultimate goal of a transition town is to create and implement an Energy Descent Action Plan. In simple terms this means fulfilling all the existing needs of our community but in a way that uses far less energy and resources than we currently use. It is founded in the principles of Permaculture - a philosophy of design which seeks to develop sustainable human settlements (homes, farms and communities) modeled from natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way.

Permaculture’s prime directive is to take responsibility for our own existence and that of our children, to get our own houses and gardens in order so that they can feed and shelter us and to focus on becoming a producer instead of a consumer.

Permaculture also has an ethical foundation. Earthcare recognizes that the Earth is the source of all life, that Earth is our valuable home, and that we are part of Earth, not apart from it. Peoplecare encourages us to support and help each other to change to ways of living that do not harm ourselves or the planet, and to develop healthy societies. And Fairshare demonstrates that we have to place limits on consumption to ensure that Earth’s limited resources are used in ways that are equitable and wise.

Permaculture is also a design system that expands the ethical foundation into a set of Design Principles:

The Unleashing that took place in Winnipeg was a great opportunity for people wanting more information to become aware and educated about Transition and its possibilities. They used open space to begin the discussion of what Transition Winnipeg could become. Groups discussed co-housing, permaculture, how to build an R-2000 home or watched the Transition 2.0 video. Participants recognized that we are not alone, and we are not starting from scratch – and this is the most exciting thing! – that there are so many cool amazing things happening in our own backyards, never mind what’s happening around the world.

The Unleashing was hopeful opportunity for people to come together and talk with compassion, creativity, ingenuity about some of the things going on in Manitoba and Winnipeg. Though not always defined as being part of a “transition” process, they are in their own way contributing to the creation of a stronger, healthier, more resilient community.

For example organizations like Green Action Centre, South Osborne Community Coop, the Harvest Moon Society, the Winnipeg Community Garden Network, Fruit Share, Climate Change Connection, The Community Economic Development Network … among (I would wager) hundreds more organizations and groups around Manitoba are already doing work that is making our communities more resilient!

Why not take a few minutes to reflect on what skills and resources you have that could be brought forward. What is alive in you that you can share? How have you been professionally trained? What hobbies do you have? What skills do you have? We all have unique strengths – from making people laugh to food preservation to sewing to event planning. In the face of adversity and increasing awareness of the environmental, social and psychological impacts of the last 100 years it is easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed. Recognizing and sharing our skills and gifts will help us move positively and resiliently through difficult times

We know that life with less non-renewable energy is inevitable and that infinite economic and consumptive growth is simply not possible. It’s better to plan for the changes ahead than to be taken by surprise – we need to ride the wave and have fun! Our communities, governmental and social systems have lost the resilience to be able to cope with energy shocks… we know that we have to act together and we have to act now. I like to think that by unleashing the collective genius of the local community we can design ways of living that are more enriching, satisfying and connected than in the present.

To get involved, check out www.transitionwinnipeg.ca.

Jackie Avent presented on this topic at the Transition Winnipeg Unleashing. She is currently on leave from Green Action Centre to explore her small farm dream on family land near Portage la Prairie. She is a former co-chair and founding director of Bike to the Future and holds her Permaculture Design Certificate from Pacific Permaculture.

Green Action Centre is very grateful for the help of our Master Composters during this event.  We would like to acknowledge all of 2012 bin sale volunteers: Kaz S., Ted A., Jackie A., Ann T., Melissa D., Donna A., Clive T., Dawn K., Michelle A., Ernie O., Maureen P, Jennifer S. Charlie T., Sara T., Lindsey B., Kate D., Stephane D., Shayla V., Tanya S. and Summer H..  Thanks for your help!

The rain barrels were a hot item and sold out by late morning, however there were compost bins left over. If you missed the sale and still want to purchase a subsidized compost bin, the City of Winnipeg will be distributing the remaining bins to the following three locations. The cost remains at the $30 price (tax included):

Arbo Flora Garden Centre – 650 St. Anne’s Road – 255-2726

Fort Whyte Alive – 1961 McCreary Road – 989-8355

Pollock’s Hardware Co-op – 1407 Main Street – 582-5007

If you have questions about composting feel free to give us a call toll free at 1-866-394-8880 or in Winnipeg at 925-3777. You can also drop us an email.

The following locations are open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm daily:

• Winnipeg Soccer Complex: 900 Waverley Street (northwest parking lot)
• Kildonan Park: 2021 Main Street (Rainbow Stage parking lot)
• Charleswood: 2325 Grant Avenue, west of Shaftesbury Blvd., next to Ambulance Station #32
• King’s Park: King’s Drive and Kilkenny Drive (parking lot)
• St. Vital Park: 190 River Road (south parking lot)
• Transcona: Ravelston Avenue at Chrislind Street
• Terry Sawchuk Arena: 901 Kimberly Avenue, (parking lot)
• Kilcona Park: McIvor Avenue at Lagimodiere Boulevard (parking lot)

Remember the leaves are not the only “browns” that you can use. You can also use straw, dry hay, sawdust, dried grass clippings, shredded paper, napkins and tissue. Stay away from glossy magazine paper as these often use chemical based inks.

Tell us about your experience with lawn care and 2,4-D use!

The Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project will carry hundreds of thousands of barrels of tar sands oil to the Northwest coast of British Columbia every year.  Pristine forests, rugged mountainous coastline and the unique ecology of the region will be at constant risk of a catastrophic oil spill if the project is approved.  The First Nations of the region have not been consulted.  In Winnipeg they vowed to enforce their decision to block the project.

More information about the Yinka Dene Alliance, the Freedom Train and the Northern Gateway pipeline and supertanker project are at: www.freedomtrain2012.com

Video of the event including a beautiful song by eleven year old BC activist, Ta’Kaiya Blaney is available at: the Red River Pete You tube Channel

Last year, Manitoba recognized this program by declaring May 5, 2011 “School Safety Patrol Program Day”, and student school patrols took part in a parade from The Forks to the Manitoba Legislature for a patrol assembly.  This year, the recognitions won’t be quite as splashy — but nonetheless Winnipeg’s School Patrols will be honoured with an Awards Assembly tomorrow morning.

In Manitoba, our School Patrol program is run by a partnership including CAA, MPI, and various enforcement agencies — in Winnipeg that would be City of Winnipeg Police Services. Outside Winnipeg, the sponsoring community group or law enforcement agency provides training.

School Patrols provide an extra layer of protection for kids crossing the streets on their way to and from school — while providing an extra sense of leadership and responsibility for the patrols themselves. Schools can avail themselves of many resources by contacting CAA directly.

http://greenactioncentre.ca/learn/

Many of our supporters know Green Action Centre through the practical work we do every day in communities across Manitoba promoting composting, waste reduction and sustainable transportation. You may not know that Green Action Centre is also one of the most active and effective voices promoting environmentally sustainable policies in Manitoba and across Canada.

On April 17, the Manitoba Finance Minister, Stan Struthers announced in his 2012 budget an increase in the provincial gas tax of 2.5 cents per litre. This was the first reversal of a gas tax freeze that has been in effect in almost 20 years. The tax increase will raise almost $50 million for transportation infrastructure, significantly reducing the mega-million dollar subsidy for automobiles in Manitoba. This tax potentially frees up money for other priorities including rapid transit. Equally importantly, this increase in fuel cost will affect driver behaviour. Studies have estimated that over five years, a 10% increase in fuel cost will decrease driving and fuel consumption by as much as 6%. In the medium term, this recent fuel tax increase could save Manitoba as much as 60,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year.

This policy would not have been possible without persistent advocacy on the part of the Green Action Centre policy committee.

Last fall, Green Action Centre launched a campaign to raise the issue of automobile welfare. It is unjust to cut social and environmental programs and raise taxes to service the ever expanding automobile infrastructure that car and truck drivers demand. The City of Winnipeg budget in 2012 authorized $150 million in spending for roads and bridges in this year alone. http://greenactioncentre.ca/2011/get-cars-and-trucks-off-welfare/

Green Action Centre was the first to point out  that this disparity was a result of a tax freeze on gasoline at 11.5 cents per litre that had been in place since 1993. Because PST is included within the gas tax, the effective gas tax amounted to only 3 cents on a 1.20 litre – not nearly enough to pay for all the super projects proposed for our provincial and urban roadways. We were also the first to point out that Manitobans pay 11 cents per litre less than the average Canadian in gas taxes. As a result, we use income and sales taxes to make up the difference.

Even with the recent increase, Manitobans still pay some of the lowest gas taxes in Canada. A further increase could go a long way towards building the greener infrastructure Manitoba requires in the twenty-first century. We have more to do to green Manitoba’s budget, but it is important to recognize our successes. With your continued support, Green Action can make a difference.

If you would like to support more of our work in this area, please consider donating to the Green Action Centre fund at Canada Helps.

Without any formal planning background, she pioneered groundbreaking theories on how cities function and thrive. She saw that the most successful and thriving neighbourhoods had lots of people around to provide eyes on the street and create welcoming environments. Freeways, parking lots, and other car-oriented infrastructure creates uninviting dead zones. The ideas laid out in her 1961 book “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” have been instrumental in shaping modern urban planning.

Last weekend, I went on a Jane’s Walk for the first time. There were 15 walks to choose from in Winnipeg, including the Exchange District, Riverview, Transcona, and St. John’s. Walks were also held in over a hundred cities across Canada and around the world.

The concept is simple: people gather to walk around a neighbourhood, learn about it, and appreciate it in a new way. The people leading the walks are residents with a love for their community, and everyone is encouraged to contribute to the discussion. It is an opportunity both to explore new places and to better appreciate the places we already know. The most interesting places are those with a rich history, and I heard stories of a former creek, gambling den, and buried gold!

You can also check out some of the pictures and videos from Jane’s Walks in other cities, with more to come.

I encourage everyone to get out and participate in a Jane’s Walk next May!

- Adam Prokopanko

Last night, we got to take a moment to celebrate this incredible woman as a nominee for the YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction awards. True to form, Beth was hard at work until minutes before we had to leave for the awards dinner! It was an incredible evening and a great opportunity for us to celebrate all that Beth has accomplished over the years.

Beth has a long-term vision for sustainable travel options and Complete Streets throughout Manitoba. She is an integral part of the City’s Active Transportation Advisory Committee, a member since its inception in 2007. Virtually every AT initiative has her stamp on it – from the Cyclist Map of Winnipeg that she first developed in 1999 to the growing success of the annual Commuter Challenge, to the sections of the Trans-Canada Trail in her neighbourhood – Beth’s work has meant many thousands of Winnipeggers are better able to enjoy walking and cycling for recreation or commuting. Beth is also a co-founder and manager of Peg City Car Co-op, which emphasizes AT through its tagline: “Bike. Walk. Bus. And Sometimes, Drive.”

It is an honour to work alongside such an inspiring and dedicated woman, who has also come to be such a great friend and mentor. Beth, you are our Woman of Distinction – CONGRATS!

Re: Amid hubbub, $300 million in freeways approved (April 26). In approving $300 million of highway extensions of Chief Peguis Trail and William Clement Parkway, Winnipeg city council demonstrated that the only consultations that matter to it are the backroom deals on Main Street.

Winnipeg completed an extensive transportation master plan last fall, which was approved by council. Hundreds of Winnipeggers took part in good faith to create a vision that balances all the transportation demands of all citizens.

By combining financial and environmental sustainability, the master plan set out a path for building a modern, safe and efficient transportation system over the next 25 years, including rapid transit, traditional public transit and highway infrastructure.

While public transit is consistently starved and delayed, council claims to have found nearly a third of a billion dollars to service neighbourhoods that do not yet exist. While the needs of existing neighbourhoods are ignored, imaginary resources are being funnelled into imagined business opportunities.

The saving grace of this week’s decision is that the money council is playing with does not really exist. If ever $300 million does land in the lap of our civic government, let’s hope they see fit to consult with citizens on how it is spent.