| How to be a backyard activist
Anyone can be an activist – it’s simple. In fact, simplicity is what it’s all about.
Sarah Kerr of the Arusha Centre believes that activism is about understanding that individual actions make a difference, whether it’s pulling down Budweiser calendars at your office or phoning your MP once a week to voice your opinion.
She says the first and most important thing people can do is simplify their lives – if something is better for your heath and your pocketbook, such as biking to work or hanging clothes on a line instead of throwing them in the dryer, it’s usually better for the environment.
Gerald Wheatley adds that activism isn’t work, it’s fun.
"It’s richer life," he explains. "You get a momentum where you’re doing things, you’re part of the world – it’s addictive."
For those who want to become more involved in bettering the community, Wheatly and Kerr offer a few suggestions for getting started and a list of people to be inspired by.
10 things you can do to get active:
· visit the Indymedia.com Web site
· print out a David Suzuki Foundation anti-global warming poster and put it up
· read Noam Chomsky’s new book, Rogue States
· ask your supermarket which foods have GMO content (but don’t expect an answer)
· share your newspaper with neighbours to reduce the cost and the waste
· inspire yourself with socially conscious music, such as Billy Bragg, Ben Harper, Propaghandi, Bob Marley and Indigo Girls
· buy a copy of New Internationalist or Adbusters, read it and give it to a friend
· just once go out of your way to support a local band or business just because they’re not a multinational corporation
· don’t make fun of vegetarians or bicycle commuters – become one
· get online and educate yourself about globalization
10 Calgary activists who are making a difference:
· Grant Neufeld – World Petroleum Congress, Activist Network, Anarchist Knitting Circle
· Joan & Mel Teghtmeyer – Council of Canadians
· Tak Dirk – promoter, labour activist
· Meagan Smith-Windsor – Project Sudan
· Cesar & Marichu Cala – Disability Action Hall, Collective Kitchens, history of activism in the Phillipines
· Peter Firzgerald-Moore – Council of Canadians, Western Affairs Committee, former mayor of Bowness and professor
· Jorg Ostrowski – Alberta Sustainable House
· Noel Keough – Sustainable Calgary
· Raging Grannies – you name it, they’re there, singing and chanting in support of various causes
· Gordon Christie – Calgary and District Labour Council |
