Feeding the Soul

http://www.plumvillage.org/
Teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, an inspirational Buddhist monk. Dozens of his Dharma talks are available at this website.

http://www.callipygia600.com/index.htm
Bill Dillon and Pat Watt, a couple in their sixties, share their concerns for the planet and how they want to be a part of the cure. They begin their "Call to Action" with the following acknowledgement:

  We've thought long and hard about how, in our earlier years, we unthinkingly contributed to bringing the world to the current brink of disaster through our selfish use of non-renewable resources and by being unaware of, or unconcerned about, the impact of destructive social and military policies. We can't leave this earth without accepting our share of responsibility for the current condition of the planet, and feel compelled to take action to redirect our way of living and help preserve some kind of livable future for our grandchildren.

Inspiring.

Spirit
Takes you to another page full of interesting links to articles, etc.

Voluntary Simplicity

http://www.word-works.com/simple.htm
One couple shares their discovery of a simple truth - "Time is better than money!"
http://www.simpleliving.net/main/
A vast array of resources for those who choose to live simply.
http://www.gallagherpress.com/pierce/index.htm
A California perspective.
http://www.life.ca/home/simplicity/
A Canadian perspective on voluntary simplicity.
http://www.pbs.org/kcts/affluenza/
A PBS television show about our over-consumptive society.

Local to Ottawa

Ecology Ottawa
A group working to build "a healthy and environmentally responsible Ottawa."
City Repair Ottawa
Resources for building community
Vrtucar Ottawa
Want to free yourself from car ownership but still need access to a vehicle? Consider car sharing!
Freecycle Network
A worldwide network of people committed to recycling what they no longer need. Over 10,000 members in the Ottawa area. Great concept! A place to give away what you no longer need.
The Ecovillage Movement
It is wishful thinking on part to include this with Ottawa. However, it is a local issue. An interesting website of the Gaia Trust. Go here for a longer discussion on the history of the movement. Compelling arguments.

Environmental & Other News Sources
The Guardian
A progressive slant from the British perspective.

 

Global Issues
One person's attempt to bring together his perspective on global issues. Anup Shah has been compiling this website since 1998. It is a very comprehensive site, with over 500 articles, and numerous links.
He starts with this compelling quote:

If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence.” — Bertrand Russell, Roads to Freedom

Anup Shah offers me the latter. What does he offer you?

Peak Oil
For many, the issue of Peak Oil is one that shall soon present civilization with far more dramatic consequences than climate change. We all need to inform ourselves about this issue, and get ready.

Preparing Ottawa-Gatineau for Peak Oil
A local action group working on raising awareness in our community.
http://www.peakoil.net
Association for the Study of Peak Oil & Gas. What do we do when the oil runs out?
Oil Change International
Facts, reports, and presentations on the issue of the power of the oil industry.

They have a very lengthy list of links to other sources.
Hubbert Peak
M. King Hubbert, October 5th, 1903 -- October 11th, 1989.
He was probably the best known geophysicist in the world to the general public because of his startling prediction, first made public in 1949, that the fossil fuel era would be of very short duration. "Energy from Fossil Fuels, Science". This website is a wealth of information.
Wolf at the Door
A beginner's guide to Peak Oil.
The End of Suburbia
A 52 minute documentary that shows us that,"We're literally stuck up a cul-de-sac in a cement SUV without a fill-up" - Watch it here.

Energy Bulletin
This website is packed with links to numerous thought provoking articles. Detailed reports of recent declines in Saudi oil production, for example. I shall post links to those that I find particularly interesting on my articles page.

Portland, Oregon Responds to Peak Oil
Portland, Oregon becomes the first major city to develop a plan for responding to Peak Oil. It is a lengthy, 86 page report in pdf format. It is a good introduction to what we are facing within our lifetimes.

Hirsch Report
This report was commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy, and released in February, 2005. This link takes you to an html version of the report. Lots of information.

Environment
The Stern Review
The economic impacts of global warming produced by the British Government.
The Green Room
A weekly series of thought provoking articles.
Planet Under Pressure
How our planet is under pressure in so many ways.
The BBC and Climate Change
A wealth of links to action around the world
Chaotic World of Climate Truth
Is the language of climate change becoming overly alarmist?
Ecological Footprint
Take the ecological footprint quiz. Find out how many planets we would need if everyone consumed as you do.
A Manifesto for Earth
An excerpt:

Humanity's 10,000-year-old experiment in mode-of-living at the expense of Nature, culminating in economic globalization, is failing. A primary reason is that we have placed the importance of our species above all else. We have wrongly considered Earth, its ecosystems, and their myriad organic/inorganic parts as mere provisioners, valued only when they serve our needs and wants. A courageous change in attitudes and activities is urgent.

Economics

The High Price of Low Cost, The Wal-Mart Story
Learn about the hidden costs of shopping the Wal-Mart way. Why I avoid shopping there.
Watch the Movie Trailer

Wal-Mart Watch
Wal-Mart Watch seeks to..".bridge the gap between ordinary citizens and community organizations concerned about Wal-Mart's unchecked growth and negative impact on our society. We challenge Wal-Mart to embrace its moral responsibility as the nation's biggest and most important corporation. "

The Upside of Down
How do we deal with the "converging energy, environmental, and political-economic stresses (that) could cause a breakdown of national and global order"? The latest book from Thomas Homer-Dixon, Director of the Trudeau Centre for the Study of Peace and Conflict at the University of Toronto. His previous book, the national bestselling The Ingenuity Gap, won the Governor General's Literary Award for Non-Fiction.

Somethings to think about from the book:

Three large spoonfuls of crude oil contain about the same amount of energy as eight hours of human manual labor. When we fill our car with gas, we're pouring into the tank the energy equivalent of about two years of human manual labor.

In 1950, there were about two poor people for every rich person on Earth; today there are about four; in 2025, there will be nearly six.

Read More Facts from the Upside of Down (Well worth the read!)