The future of work   

Ottawa-based e-commerce giant Shopify has declared itself “digital by default”, joining a growing list of North American tech companies that are rethinking their work arrangements in the wake of the COVID pandemic—with still unpredictable but potentially huge implications for everything from commuter traffic and congestion to the demand for downtown real estate.

“We will keep our offices closed until 2021 so that we can rework them for this new reality,” said Shopify CEO Tobias Lütke, “and after that, most will permanently work remotely.” Read the full story in The Energy Mix.

In another piece titled In the future, the office will be like a coffee shop, Treehugger blogger Lloyd Alter posts a prescient quote from Seth Godin, who predicted a decade ago:  

“If we were starting this whole office thing today, it's inconceivable we'd pay the rent/time/commuting cost to get what we get. I think in ten years the TV show 'The Office' will be seen as a quaint antique.”

Maple Ridge Council considers climate action plan   

On May 26 the Maple Ridge Climate Hub presented our resolution to Council asking them to update their GHG emissions reduction targets to align with the IPCC report; draft an action plan to meet those targets; and create a plan to measure progress along the way.

Although a motion by Councillor Duncan (seconded by Councillor Yousef) to endorse the resolution was voted down, several Council members did express significant support and in the end a new motion to send the resolution to staff to report back at a future workshop passed unanimously.

Many thanks to all of you who signed the petition and wrote letters to Mayor Morden and Council expressing your support for immediate and dramatic climate action.

View the recorded live stream video.The presentation begins at about 5 min. 30 sec.

Squamish warns Woodfibre LNG to meet IPCC targets   

Squamish district councillors are considering a motion to declare that the Woodfibre LNG liquefied natural gas project is not welcome unless it can align with the greenhouse gas reduction targets from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

A final vote on the issue is expected at a special meeting in the coming months. The motion would ultimately direct the district’s opinion to the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office, which is currently considering a five-year extension of Woodfibre’s environmental certificate, which expires in October.

Local residents say that review should reflect new information that has emerged over the last five years, particularly on the scope of the climate emergency and the urgency of deep emission reductions.

Read the full article in the Squamish Chief. 

Food garden contest   

Yards and gardens around Maple Ridge have never felt so much love as they’re getting now during the lockdown. The same thing is happening all around the world, as people everywhere take solace in the happy tasks of digging, planting and growing food and flowers.

The David Suzuki Foundation's Queen of Green has tips to get you started, and Metro Vancouver’s Grow Green Guide website offers super resources to help you plan any type of garden, under any soil or sun condition, or choose just the right plants.

Need the extra inspiration of a little friendly competition? The city’s Agricultural Advisory Committee is running their annual Food Garden Contest, open to one and all. Prizes will include gift certificates to local businesses and a special presentation at a council meeting. Think of the glory that could be yours!

Farmers Markets the socially safe way

The fragile condition of our food networks has been highlighted by this pandemic, and more conversations are happening around the need to strengthen Canada’s food security. Many folks are shopping locally whenever possible, and Farmers Markets play a big role in giving us the best of fresh, in-season local produce while supporting local farmers.

So make sure you check in at the Fraser North Farmers Market Society website, where you can order all the lovely fresh veggies you’re craving starting Wednesdays at noon, for pickup on Saturdays at Golden Meadows Honey Farm on Old Dewdney Trunk Road in Pitt Meadows.

Green stimulus best for both climate and economy 

As governments around the world consider the investments needed to recover from the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, there are encouraging signs that the commitment to climate action remains unshaken.

A study from Oxford has found that projects that cut greenhouse gas emissions as well as stimulating economic growth deliver higher returns on government spending, in the short term and in the longer term, than conventional stimulus spending. 

So it’s good news that senior officials from the European Union have pledged that the EU’s recovery plan will “do no harm” to the bloc’s landmark goals to tackle the climate crisis and threats to the natural world.

The commission is aiming to raise €150bn in public and private money, up from a pre-crisis goal of €100bn, to help fund greener transport, cleaner industry and renovated homes. The EU also proposes to more than quadruple to €40bn a “just transition fund” aimed at moving coal-dependent regions such as Poland, Germany and Romania, away from fossil fuels.

Climate Reality leadership training – no travel required   

For many of us, Al Gore’s landmark movie An Inconvenient Truth was the moment the climate crisis finally grabbed our attention. I’ll never forget the sight of Al on stage, ascending in a cherry picker to the top of a frighteningly steep graph displaying the pace of C02 emissions and global warming.

Gore’s Climate Reality Project is an organization that empowers everyday people to become activists, equipped with the tools, training, and network to fight for solutions and drive change planet-wide. Training is usually offered in person, at international locations several times each year, but COVID has changed that.

The first virtual training is happening this July. Training is FREE, but you do need to apply to be approved to attend.

Learn more and apply soon, as these sessions fill up quickly!