Clubhouse is an audio social networking App where people from around the world can come together to listen and engage in conversations on a wide variety of topics.
As part of the Beyond Sustainability: Radical Transformation Through System Thinking project, researchers have launched the Beyond Sustainability Hub in partnership with the Sustainable Travel Hub on Clubhouse as a means to engage and exchange ideas with the public about the need for transformative thinking and action on climate change.
Upcoming conversation rooms
TO BE ANNOUNCED
Listen to the recordings of prior conversation rooms on the Sustainable Travel Hub website.
Overview of previous conversation rooms
April 18, 2023: Mother Earth needs to be respected
International Mother Earth Day is on April 22. Let’s celebrate by discussing ways be can respect our planet.
April 11, 2023: Planning for pollinators
As we head into spring, this session will focus on rethinking your lawn / property to incorporate food for pollinators, etc.
April 4, 2023: Green infrastructure
As we head into spring, this session will focus on rethinking your lawn / property to incorporate food for pollinators, etc.
March 28, 2023: Food miles and plan your garden
Gardening can be done in small space… the Vasseur case study.
March 21, 2023: March 22 is World Water day
Climate change implications for water supply – many are aware of the ice caps melting and sea level rising but what about the impacts of reduced snow pack on surface water stream for drinking and irrigation. Look at the Old Man River in western Canada. It’s headwaters are in the rocky mountains which generate 90% of its base flow. Here is an article for the Vancouver crisis.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/vancouver-water-shortage-climate-snowpack-conservation-1.4562900
March 14, 2023: Deforestation
Deforestation is happening everywhere. Cutting trees across the world contributes to over 15% of the greenhouse gas emissions, in addition of threatening wildlife, affecting water bodies and increased erosion. Think about cutting a tree!
March 7, 2023: Canadian plastic ban — what is involved and what are the implications?
Plastics don’t go away. They are a huge issue for our environment, especially waterbodies and oceans as they release toxic chemicals when they degrade. Canada is finally doing something.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/single-use-plastics-explained-1.6498061
February 28, 2023: March 3 is World Wildlife Day
How does wildlife fit in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework? Wildlife is wild animals and plants that provide us with not only diversity but in many cases food and medicines. But they can be badly exploited.
February 21, 2023: Topic Review
February 14, 2023: Happy Valentine’s Day
Let’s talk about responsible consumption.
February 7, 2023: Generations
How your generation may shape your sustainability actions. Gen Z as the first generation to prioritize the environment over anything else, they are also the first to value purpose over profit in their careers. Statistics Canada categorizes gen z as born between 1993 to 2011. That amounts to nearly 7.5 million people, over a fifth of this country’s population. By 2025 it’s estimated they will account for 30% of our workforce.
January 31, 2023: Carbon
Carbon neutral, removal what does it all mean?
January 24, 2023: Climate change and global warming — what 1.5 C means: our hot planet
With the recent meetings such as COP27, WEF and more, we are talking a lot more about what can happen if we go past the 1.5C critical number. What can happen is somewhat known but why are we not moving to change our current system? To reach this, at the individual level this implies dramatic reductions, with the average personal footprints (global) needing to fall from around 5t CO2 from current to 1.5t CO2 in 2050
December 22, 2022: Living in harmony with nature
The COP15 for the Convention on Biological Diversity just finished a few days ago and we now have to start working on the new Global Biodiversity Framework. The vision: Living in Harmony with Nature by 2050 means first to halt and reverse biodiversity loss to achieve a nature-positive world by 2030. Can we do it?
December 15, 2022: Update from Montreal
Liette will be in Montreal for the COP15 on the Convention on Biological Diversity. She will summarize some of the discussions and panels she is part of.
December 8, 2022: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing
Screening investments based on corporate policies is becoming a new fashion to decide where to invest funds in this global market. Some believe that it may push the corporations to become more transparent. Is it the case?
December 1, 2022: Carbon offsetting
Offsetting or up-setting? What does it mean? Is it a solution to climate change? Can we really move on climate change through this solution?
November 17, 2022: World Toilet Day
Where does your water come from? We ask this all the time, and most people do not have a clue where their drinking water comes from or where their poop ends up.
November 10, 2022: Ethical clothing?
We will discuss textiles and how problematic clothing is from ethics all the way to disposal.
November 3, 2022: World Cities Day
World cities day is on October 31. With this in mind, we can link to how more people live in urban centres then in rural and the evils of concrete and paved areas
October 27, 2022: Climate action; are we acting with intention or denial?
October 27 is the 300th day of the 2022, what have you done to make the World a better place? Today’s conversation centres on reflection and mindfulness. What have you done so far this year to be part of the climate crisis solution? Or do we still believe it’s someone else’s problem to fix?
October 20, 2022: What will it take to eradicate poverty?
October 17 is International Day for the eradication of poverty. Indicators are telling us that we simply can’t keep up with escalating costs. As an example, Canadians currently spend $1.85 of their $1.00 earned?
October 13, 2022: The hidden costs of climate disruptions: International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
After Fiona… are we prepared? More storms focus on insurance and lack of preparedness!
October 6, 2022: October 7 is National LED Light Day in the USA
https://nationaltoday.com/national-led-light-day/ some interesting points and we have many joining in from the US. We can talk about LED importance get some good stats on retrofits…. 2006 that a white LED was created by Shuji Nakamura. This discovery led him to win a Millennium Technology Prize. It also changed our lives since the white LED can now be spotted in kitchens across the world. By 2019, homes all over the world had switched to LED lighting.
September 29, 2022: Eating fossil fuels: International Day of Awareness of Food Waste and Loss (and International Coffee Day)
Food production contributes around 37 per cent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, showing the huge impact that our diets have on climate change Join us!
September 22, 2022: Word Car Free Day: Green EVs or green washing?
Are electric cars better? The answer is yes but it is complicated. Join us!
June 29, 2022: International Day of the Topics
The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about various challenges that tropical nations face. It’s also a day to celebrate the extraordinary diversity of the Tropics (highest biodiversity). The Tropics account for 36% of the Earth’s landmass. It includes the Equator and parts of North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. This region is warm all year round. The temperature in the Tropics ranges from 77 to 82 degrees F. The Tropics get a lot of sun and only have two seasons: the wet season and dry season.
Some parts of the Tropics, like the Amazon Basin, get nearly 9 feet of rain per year. Other areas, such as the Sahara Desert, get only 2 to 10 centimeters of rain a year. This difference in precipitation affects which plants and animals live in the different parts of the Tropics. The Tropics are important because of the number of economic exports that come from these regions. Also, about 40% of the world’s population lives within the tropical zone.” https://nationaldaycalendar.com/international-day-of-the-tropics-june-29/
June 22, 2022: World Rainforest Day
The day has been set aside to help protect rainforests by raising awareness and encouraging action to protect them. An area the size of 40 football fields of rainforest is lost every minute, despite 20% of the oxygen we breathe and the freshwater we drink is attributed to rainforests of the Amazon. They absorb carbon dioxide, stabilize climate patterns, and are home to half the world’s plant and animal species. https://nationaldaycalendar.com/world-rainforest-day-june-22/
June 15, 2022: World Sea Turtle Day
Every year on June 16th, “World Sea Turtle Day” highlights the importance of sea turtles. The day also encourages global supporters to dive into the threats that sea turtles face. Did you know that sea turtles have been on the earth for over 100 million years? This means that sea turtles co-existed with dinosaurs.” https://nationaldaycalendar.com/world-sea-turtle-day-june-16/
June 8, 2022: World Oceans Day
The Ocean is the largest component of the Earth’s system that stabilizes climate and supports life on Earth and human well-being. However, much of the ocean is now seriously degraded, with changes and losses in the structure, function and benefits from marine systems.
The United Nations has proclaimed a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean.
June 1, 2022: World Reef Awareness Day
This day serves as a call to action for consumers, businesses and organizations to reflect on the delicate ecosystem of our ocean’s coral reefs. The day brings together the general public, influencers, and opinion leaders to create active change through education and engagement. https://nationaldaycalendar.com/world-reef-awareness-day-june-1/
May 25, 2022: International Plastic Free Day
This day brings attention to the plastic we use every day. On May 25th, commit to going plastic free for one day, including single-use beverage bottles, take-out food containers, utensils, bags, and wrappers. https://nationaldaycalendar.com/international-plastic-free-day-may-25/
May 18, 2022: On this day…
On this day in 1980, following an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 on the Richter scale, Mount St. Helens in Washington erupted in one of the greatest volcanic explosions ever recorded in North America. We will look at the power and recovery of Mother nature.
May 11, 2022: Dust in the wind
In 1934, a 1,500 mile long dust storm hits the Midwestern United States. In March 2021, Beijing was on an extreme air quality alert for over a week due to sandstorms coming from northern China and south of Mongolia. What have happened, and how do we prevent this from happening again?
May 4, 2022: May the fourth be with you!
What can we do to support pollinators? Learn how to incorporate native plants into your landscaping. Changing attitudes is part of the process.
April 27, 2022: Who is cleaning Mother Earth? Preventative action vs. reactionary
Spring is usually cleaning time for households. Cleaning windows, clothes, raking the leaves, etc. It’s also a time to clean the mess we have left outside in nature as well. Many organizations, such as the Rotary Club, have clean-up days. Time to think how we can help by not start dumping in the first place!
April 20, 2022: We only have one planet: how will people celebrate April 22, Earth Day?
We only have one home, but it seems we like destroying it. Destruction of rainforest, land degradation with chemical and pollution, urbanization pushing further arable land essential for food production, and more. What can people do simply and everyday, not just on April 22?
April 13, 2022: Measuring by the GPD, is this sustainable?
Is putting productivity ahead of well-being the answer? Some countries are moving to the GNH (Gross National Happiness Index) which aims to reflect the happiness and general wellbeing of a population more accurately and profoundly than a monetary measure. Is this a better path forward? Should we look at what Bhutan is doing?
April 6, 2022: Conscience and mindfulness, part of transformative change
Too many people live in the past or in the future. They think how much they could make in this future job. What will be tomorrow’s weather, what they will be doing this weekend, etc. They become disconnected to the present and what is really needed. Because of this, they do not really see the world and do not comprehend the need for transformation. Transformation cannot happen if people are not living in the present.
March 30, 2022: Ocean ecosystems — poorly understood and highly over-exploited
Ocean, an ecosystem not well understand. We are on a blue planet because of our oceans. But for a long time, this system has been either respected because of the food it brings or disrespected and serves as a trash can. Each plastic bottle or bag dropped in a river ends up in the ocean, now killing life in what is our largest ecosystem. We forget about this…
March 23, 2022: March 22 is World Water Day — are we running out?
March 22nd is the World Water Day. In some countries like Canada, we take this for granted. However, the reality is quite different for many nations and even communities in Canada. Do we understand where the water comes from, what is affect it? Why do we need so much sanitation?
March 16, 2022: March 21 is International Day of the forest — we will look at paper
When we think about trees, we think timber or paper. In urban settings, as a place to get some shade. But trees are way more, especially when we use system thinking. There is an ecosystem in each tree with microbial organisms, birds, insects and even other plants and fungi. A huge part of our biodiversity relies on forests. As human we do too for carbon sequestration. Good time to think about it with March being the International Day of the Forests.
March 9, 2022: March 8 marks International Women’s Day; everyone has a role to play
March 8 marks the International Women’s Day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The Western worldview has not only viewed nature for exploitation but also women. Unfortunately, in many countries, even today, this remains a challenge. We cannot go beyond sustainability without respect of all genders.
March 2, 2022: UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (Part 2): what are the next steps?
Less than 25% of Earth’s surface remains free from substantial impacts of human activities. This proportion is on a trajectory to hit less than 10% by 2050. In June 2021, the United Nations (UN) Decade on Ecosystem Restoration was launched. This includes 10 guiding principles to heal planet Earth. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/panel-unveils-10-guiding-principles-campaign-revive-earth . Join us this week as we discuss the strategy behind the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration to halt and reverse the assault on Mother Earth. We will look at active strategies to be taken, and next steps for measuring progress (targets and indicators), monitoring, and reporting.
February 23, 2022: Why are we not restoring what we have destroyed? Are we not obligated to a strategy of restoration?
Why are we not restoring what we have destroyed? Are we not obligated to implement a strategy of restoration? In June 2021, the UN Decade on Ecosystem restoration was launched. What does this mean and how can it be linked to beyond sustainability and system thinking? Can we use this decade as a path for radical transformation? Why not? Why not now?
February 16, 2022: Are protected areas the only solutions to save our planet?
Are protected areas the only solutions to save our planet?
One tool in the toolbox of Nature-based Solutions is the protection of biodiversity through the creation of protected areas. Not all countries have the same vision. Let’s talk about Effective Conservation Measures or OECMs (Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures).
February 9, 2022: Nature-based solutions: Can Mother Earth fix the problems?
Nature-based solutions: Can Mother Earth fix the problems?
Since 2020, governments across the world are using the buzz-term “Nature-based Solutions”. In Canada, we are mainly talking about biodiversity… What is biodiversity? Is it Government’s new fashionable term?
February 2, 2022: It’s totally possible that Mother Nature may have the solutions!
Mother Nature may have the solutions! “Only when the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten, and the last stream poisoned, will we realize that we cannot eat money.” — Indigenous proverb
Do we always need to exploit everything? We need to rethink our ways of exploiting resources. Why not talk about a circular economy? This may be a great step forward.
January 26, 2022: Rethinking our connection to nature: a solution?
Rethinking our connection to nature: a solution?
With our current western world based on consumption and mainly urban life, people have become more and more disconnected from nature. Does experiencing nature necessarily entail we will be more respectful and conscious to protect our environment?
January 19, 2022: We need a new vision for sustainability that takes us beyond talk
We need a new vision for Sustainability that takes us Beyond talk. What’s the difference between Sustainability and Beyond Sustainability? Systems thinking, naturally! If sustainability is a process, what lays beyond sustainability?
January 12, 2022: Why the sustainable development goals are not enough
Why are sustainable development goals insufficient?
Where did the SDGs begin? In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda and its sustainable development goals (SDGs). Why do they remain a challenge? Can we achieve them worldwide by 2030?
January 5, 2022: Sustainable Development Goals, an incomplete science?
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): are they an incomplete science?
SDGs: incomplete science, or work in progress? Today we launch a new series to discuss the UN SDGs! What is the history of the SDGs and are they too little too late?
December 22, 2021: Great benefits by reducing energy waste
Great benefits by reducing energy waste
We can all do it. It is simple to turn off lights when we leave a room, cook in batches, use cold water for laundry. So, why it’s not happening? What reasons do people have to now wanting to do their parts? Perceptions and social status are major obstacles. But when you think about it: saving energy is also saving money that can be used for something else.
December 15, 2021: Do we really need all that stuff?
Do we really need all that stuff?? Consumerism is huge and big business. But do we really need all these new toys? Families spend on average $581 per year on toys on kids between 2 and 12 years old! This represents a lot of toys. What is sad most kids will not play with them for more than a couple of weeks. The other danger is that children do not use as much their imagination and creativity with most of these toys. So, why not bringing back the old crayons and papers?
December 8, 2021: Wasting food: Food waste is a major problem in the world.
Wasting food: Food waste is a major problem in the world. Canadian households waste 79 kilograms of food per year! Making things with leftovers is quite easy and economical. Same with older or ripe fruit and vegetables, they can all be used for alternative ideas. People can be compulsive buyers when they go grocery shopping. We need to be more careful with what we buy and how we use food.
November 24, 2021: Feeding the world, we need to be thinking beyond sustainability?
Feeding the world: are we thinking about sustainability or beyond sustainability? One of the major aspects of our lives that we may have lost our sense of nature and our intricate relationship with it is what we’re eating and how we produce food. We will discuss further on what it means system thinking in agriculture and how we can move from industrialized agriculture and even aquaculture to a more sustainable system.
November 17, 2021: COP 26 or COP OUT 26: What’s your view?
COP 26 or COP OUT 26: What’s your view?
Our focus for this room, given the differing opinions and analysis regarding COP 26. Over 20,000 attendees could not agree on the final day! What odds do you think we have hold to 1.5 or survive?
November 10, 2021: Where does your energy come from?
What is your energy? We all need energy to be able to work, heat or cool our home, prepare food, etc. But do we often think where our electricity is coming from? Looking at the internet, everyone is claiming different sources as being the cleanest. While some prone that the green energy such as solar and wind, is the cleanest, others claim that nuclear remains the safest and cleanest. Is it by the end a question of perception?
November 3, 2021: Climate Change, can we really cap temperature increase it at 1.5C?
November 3: Can we really cap it at 1.5C?
In early November, the nations are all meeting in Glasgow, UK for the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26. Is it the last attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic slowdown, the levels of emissions have increased in 2020. The level of carbon dioxide is now over 413 parts per million, something not recorded for the past 3 million years of the earth history. What are the solutions? The UK is encouraging people to be “#OneStepGreener”: can we all contribute?
October 27, 2021: Continuation of the pollution in our bodies (Part 2)
Continuation of the Pollution in our bodies with Adam Dickinson.
October 20, 2021: Anthropogenic pollution in our bodies (Part 1)
Anthropogenic pollution in our bodies
Some of the most extreme acts of writing now being undertaken in the capitalist Anthropocene are being performed by petrochemicals. Anthropogenic pollution is not only rewriting our climate, but also the metabolism of our bodies. How might we shift the frames and scales of conventional forms of signification to bring into focus the often inscrutable biological and cultural writing intrinsic to this Anthropocene moment? What happens when we look into our bodies and see the signatures of multinational companies? What is the role of creative writing in making legible these challenges and reimagining relationships to them?
October 13, 2021: Celebrate sustainability through art & photography
Celebrate sustainability through Art & Photography. Arts, photos: expressing the importance of sustainability/nature Beyond Sustainability project is calling on everyone interested in expressing themselves to submit photos that for them represent nature (good or bad) with a few words to explain their perceptions. But why arts and photos are so important? We discuss the importance of arts and cultures in sustainability and expression of our crises.
October 6, 2021: U.N. Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. In June 2021, the UN Decade on Ecosystem restoration was launched and in September 2021 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille, France, the principles for ecosystem restoration were published. What are they and how can it be linked to beyond sustainability and system thinking? Can we use this decade as a path for radical transformation?
September 29, 2021: Do international agreements support transformation?
Through the United Nations and its system, countries have adopted hundreds of conventions, declarations and signed agreements such as the Paris Agreement, the Montreal Protocol, the Convention of Biological Diversity, etc. Now, after decades of signatures, are we further along a path for sustainability? Why are these pieces of paper still not working? Are there other alternative solutions?
https://www.clubhouse.com/join/beyond-sustainability-hub/W6AYo1ju/m7AZoN3W
September 22, 2021: From system thinking to transformative thinking; READY?
We have discussed what system thinking is and how it shows that we cannot remain in silos and separate as most of the things we do are connected to something else. How can we now begin to embrace transformative thinking? What does it mean? What is transformation?
https://www.clubhouse.com/join/beyond-sustainability-hub/bdCFcixN/MEA4DAWA
September 15, 2021: Two-eyed seeing and embracing Indigenous knowledge
Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk in Mi’kmaw) is a concept introduced by Mi’kmaw First Nation (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia) Elders Albert and Murdena Marshallembraces “learning to see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing, and from the other eye with the strengths of mainstream knowledges and ways of knowing, as an alternative for merging western science and Indigenous Knowledge.
https://www.clubhouse.com/join/beyond-sustainability-hub/aIEdKQq5/PvEr7aG7
September 8, 2021: Rethinking our connection to nature (PART 2)
Finding solution, but probably not in the western world.
Other cultures then the western world have already started (or in fact continued) to work on being the stewards of the world and have developed solutions or practices that are based on a more viable way of life. It does not mean to go back in time but to better understand our relationships with nature.
https://www.clubhouse.com/join/beyond-sustainability-hub/rZ4tYBXk/M1eB71wQ
September 1, 2021: Is rethinking our connection to nature just an illusion? (PART 1)
With our current western world based on consumption and mainly urban life, people have become more and more disconnected with nature. Many have pushed to reconnect with nature to be more respectful of it and realize that many solutions can be found there. Some will state that watching videos about nature will suffice to reconnect while others will argue that there is a need to experience being with nature. What is the best solution? Is experiencing nature means automatically that people will be more respectful and conscious to protect our environment?
https://www.clubhouse.com/join/beyond-sustainability-hub/mwk9TEr5/m27jzg6r
August 25, 2021: Does Earth have a time limit?
Are we close to the tipping point?
When we talk about planetary boundary, we often make connection with climate change and food security. Are they the only thing we need to worry about? What about water? Are we consuming more than we really need? And all these electronics with the need for rare elements… where are they coming from? Are they easy to extract and do we have sufficient quantity for the long term? What will happen over time ?
https://www.clubhouse.com/join/beyond-sustainability-hub/FHmrL7gv/xqBno0a5
August 18, 2021: Why SDGs are not enough
In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda and its sustainable development goals (SDGs). This agenda is for all countries in the world, not only the developing countries like the Millennium Development Goals. But what do countries really do as they have the right to pick and chose the SDGs that fit their interest? Why the SDGs remain a problem? Can we really achieve them worldwide by 2030?
https://www.clubhouse.com/join/beyond-sustainability-hub/NnACYi4S/MRQlYWlb
August 11, 2021: How our worldview shapes our choices
What is your view of the world?
Our views and perceptions have been formed by the way we have been raised, our culture, our environment, etc. A Western capitalist worldview is market and money driven so we ask is it the only way forward? Or are there more sustainable worldview that are closer to nature?
Let’s explore them together!
https://www.clubhouse.com/join/beyond-sustainability-hub/CBtIVzAw/mJwBEOZv
August 4, 2021: What is transdisciplinary knowledge?
Transdisciplinary knowledge and how can it be applied.
https://www.clubhouse.com/event/xpXq9e6v
Wednesday July 28, 2021: What is systems thinking?
Systems thinking and how is it applied.
https://www.clubhouse.com/event/xV6JpyDx
Wednesday July 21, 2021: What are ecosystems?
Infinite versus finite? Beyond Sustainability is an international think tank launched for the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration 2021.
https://www.clubhouse.com/event/m7roKV3M
Wednesday June 30, 2021: What is beyond sustainability?
A fundamental overhaul of how we see ourselves with a paradigm shift from a humanist understanding of the world toward a system thinking model that puts nature at its center.
https://www.clubhouse.com/join/beyond-sustainability-hub/kAxa42Ov/mZg9Zlpr
