Infrastructure for the People

ibke path

This week on Terra Informa we are talking about cycling! In this archive episode, Terra Informers Shelley Jodoin and Amanda Rooney speak with Vice Chair from Paths for People, Conrad Norbert, an Edmonton non-profit organization advocating for the creation of infrastructure with pedestrians and cyclists in mind.

In June of 2017, Paths for People released multi-use trail policy recommendations. We discuss re-imagining the use of public space, hopes and ideas for the future, and the policy recommendations recommendations.

Download the program log here

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Life in Plastic

Plastic Cup Rubbish July 17

Did you know that July is Plastic-Free Month? This week, we’re bringing back two stories from our archives centred around plastic. One about a BC woman, Taina Uitto, who lived plastic-free for a whole year, and another in which we interview Laura Bamsey and Marnie Olsen from the Elements Society on a school pilot project that focused on reducing single-use plastics. Then, Terra Informers Amanda Rooney and Sofia Osborne will give their hot take on the current debate taking place around plastic straws.

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Plastic in the Classroom

Our first archive features the Elements Society and the Lonely Whale Foundation, who created a classroom pilot project to address the issues surrounding single-use plastics. Back in September 2017, I spoke with Laura Bamsey and Marnie Olsen from the Elements Society about this pilot project, and how  students not only learned about plastic waste, but also how to build communication and project management skills.

A Year Without Plastic

Try to make it sixty seconds without using anything made out of plastic. Think about objects that you use day to day. Every minute even. The clothes on your back even. Short of moving into the woods, it’s virtually impossible to live a 100% plastic free year, let alone a lifetime. Hamdi Issawi spoke to Taina Uitto who is trying just such a challenge. He reached her by phone in Denman Island, BC to talk about her plastic-free life. A documentary chronicling Taina’s challenge was released in 2014; it’s called From The Waste Up.

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Photo by: weegeebored (www.flickr.com/photos/kenningtonfox/2768449017)

Native Plants and Living Bridges

 

Living Bridge on Edmonton's 97st

(photo credit: Nicole Wiart)

This week on Terra Informa, we’re bringing you stories about urban greenery. First join Amanda and Shelley on their bike tour of the native plants in Edmonton’s river valley then revist an archive with us as we say goodbye to downtown Edmonton’s living bridge which was reported on by Terra Informers when the project was first started.

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Edmonton River Valley Bike Tour

Last month Terra Informers Shelley Jodoin and Amanda Rooney embarked on a rather lengthy bike tour along with other cyclists interested in learning more about the native species found in the iconic Edmonton river valley. The Edmonton Native Plant River Valley Bike Tour, was a collaboration between the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society and the Edmonton Native Plants Society and riders were taken to various locations to learn about the plants and ecosystems specific to Edmonton.

Amanda and Shelley had the opportunity to chat with Edmonton Native Plant Society representatives Liz Deleeuw and Cherry Dood at the John Janzen Nature center.  They explain the importance of native plants and gave us the low down on the native plant situation in the prairies surrounding Edmonton and area. The terra informers also had the chance to reflect on their bike ride whilst splashing in the north saskatchewan.

Saying Goodbye to the Downtown Living Bridge

In 2013, Terra Informers Nicole Wiart spoke with Erin and Carmen to get the details on how the transformation of one unused space revitalized a downtown community. They found out what happens when you put three creatives together, give them an abandoned bridge and seven weeks: in the case of Edmonton locals Carmen Douville, Erin Ross, and Chelsea Boos, you emerge with a “Living Bridge.”

Over the past five years, the Living Bridge has become a fixture and gathering place of downtown Edmonton. Sadly, it’s time has come to an end and in June 2013 an event was held to transplant the perennial plants from the garden on the bridge to other locations. The time of the living bridge has come to a close but hopefully reflecting on the roots of this project will inspire others to take on similar projects, making green spaces accessible and more numerous!

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INSPIRING CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTALISTS FOR CANADA DAY

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Photo by: Ecology Ottawa

This week on Terra Informa, we’re acknowledging Canada Day by bringing you two interviews from our archives that highlight two powerful female Canadian environmentalists.

First, Trevor Chow-Fraser and Natalee Rawat speak with Severn Cullis-Suzuki, an environmental activist and daughter of David Suzuki. Our second interview features Terra Informer Matt Hirji speaking with Maude Barlow, Chairperson for the Council of Canadians and author of the book ‘Blue Planet’.

In the news this week:

 

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Bringing science to the people

space junk

Photo by: NASA Knowledge Services

This week on Terra Informa we explore the topic of science communication and talk to two women who are bridging the gap between science and the people. First, Amanda Rooney brings you an interview with New Zealand’s Nicole Masters, an agro-ecologist, educator and systems thinker, about soil health and regenerative agriculture. Then, Ashley Kocsis interviews children’s book author and illustrator Karen Romano Young. Romano Young’s work aims to help scientists convey their messages and stories by combining science and art.

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Metamorphosis – Cinema on Climate and Change

This week on Terra Informa, we’re bringing you a piece centred around “Metamorphosis”, a new documentary playing in theatres across Canada this June. “Metamorphosis” explores the state of our current environmental crisis, and the psychological, emotional, artistic, and resilient responses of different people to this crisis, all using unusually spectacular imagery to communicate. We got a chance to talk with filmmaking couple Velcrow Ripper and Nova Ami; a group of Terra Informers also discuss our viewing of the film.

In news this week,

  • A new study shows fish are changing their migration habits due to Climate Change [Link – The Washington Post]
  • A Thunder Bay committee is taking another look at cleaning up a toxic pulp mill spill [Link – CBC]

If you’re interested in seeing “Metamorphosis” yourself, its screening dates are:

Globe Cinema, Calgary – Opening June 20

Metro Cinema, Edmonton – June 22 at 4 p.m. and June 23 at 9:30 p.m.

Cinecenta, Victoria – June 24 and 25

Vancity Theatre, Vancouver – June 26–28

 

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Co-Chairing the IPCC Science Process
Valérie Masson-Delmotte (CCYP)

Photo by: Chris Chang-Yen Phillips

This week on Terra Informa, Chris Chang-yen Phillips brings you an interview with Valérie Masson-Delmotte, who is the Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – Working Group I. This Working Group is one of three that inform the United Nations and its member countries and deals with the physical science basis of climate change.

We also have some headlines for you about bike-sharing [Link] and some urban agriculture projects in Edmonton [Link 1][Link 2]!

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A Monster is Captured
Killerwhales_jumping

Photo by: Robert Pittman

This week on Terra Informa, Sofia Osborne brings you an interview with Mark Leiren-Young, who is the author of a book about “The Killer Whale Who Changed the World”. This book explores the story of Moby Doll, the first orca ever captured and put on display, right on the west coast. In this show, find out how the accidental capture of Moby Doll actually changed the world.

Mark Leiren-Young in on Twitter @leirenyoung

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