Although the language on their website sounds like it was lifted from a lefty festival designed to encourage mutual hand-holding, the 30 Days of Sustainability event ("an annual celebration and affirmation of sustainability") [blech] does make an interesting comment about Vancouver:
"As New York is to finance, Milan is to fashion, and London is to theatre, so Vancouver will be to sustainability."
It's an interesting way to think of our city, what with our reputation as a model of urban planning, our expanding efforts at sustainable development, and our local outdoors culture that seeks to make the most of our natural environment. Furthermore, we are, after all, the birthplace of Greenpeace.
Branding ourselves as a centre of 21st Century sustainability might also make good business sense, to the extent that it could foster the development of a local cluster of environmental technology firms, which can market their products and expertise to the world (and to developing Asia, in particular).
To get the ball rolling in that direction, BC's inaugural Sustainable Building Centre will be opening at Granville Island from March 25th to June 20th, as a means of showcasing sustainable building materials and techniques.
Let us now send a little love out to the kids at 30 Days of Sustainability: events run through the end of March, on such topics as sustainability and business, making sustainability profitable, and renewable energy. Be sure to check out their calendar with additional events here.
There's also this Vancouver Sun article, which provides some more background on all of the above.
If you've got thoughts that you'd like to share, you're welcome to celebrate with our community by adding your comments below. Peace.
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