It’s been quite a couple of weeks for the sustainability movement in Canada, since Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver’s comments about “environmental and other radical groups” and their opposition to the Northern Gateway pipeline project.

The unfortunate result of the government and media’s framing of the pipeline issue is that we are presented with a false choice: save the economy or save the environment. It is an age-old myth that many people have been working hard for years to overcome by promoting the idea of sustainable development. We should not have to choose between jobs and the environment. As a native Albertan with many personal and professional connections to the energy industry, an academic background in commerce from the University of Alberta, and now a role leading what some might call an “environmental NGO” based in Ottawa, you would think by this framing that I would be very conflicted: Am I on the side of the economy or the side of the environment? But I am not conflicted.

 We at the Natural Step think it's important to empower leaders of the future, to unite and engage through the framework for Strategic Sustainable Development. One way of doing this is through the courses we host all around the world, below is Anna Bengtssons own experience, Anna particitpated in a recent Level 1 course hosted in Stockholm

La fin de semaine dernière, mon collègue Alexandre Magnin et moi avons animé un atelier pour la démarche de plan intégré pour la durabilité de la collectivité de Rivière-du-Loup. Cet atelier avait pour but principal de former des ciotyens bénévoles à la démarche Natural Step de sorte qu'ils puissent se l'approprier et l'appliquer lors des années à venir. Nous y avons rencontré des citoyens engagés et motivés à préparer leur collectivité dans la transition vers la durabilité, ce qui est une priorité comme l'indique la plaque dans la salle du conseil municipal (photo ci-contre).

Nous avons entamé l’atelier du vendredi soir par un rapide tour de table permettant à chacun d’échanger avec un partenaire sur ses motivations à participer à la démarche,

Sweden is a country known for its clean and green policies and practice, but behind the action it is people who make the difference. That’s why this week’s publication by MiljöAktuellt of the top 100 individuals in the country voted as having the most ‘environmental influence’ is so interesting.

The list gives an insight into who makes Sweden’s sustainability movement tick. While most Swedes wouldn’t dream of it being any other way, what’s most refreshing to see is the breadth of coverage in terms of issues being addressed and the representation of different ages groups and sections of Swedish society - NGO’s, researchers, thinkers, photographers, inventors, consultants, commentators, business leaders and politicians are all represented.