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The sustainability disconnect

Whistler Forum speaker addresses gap between wants, actions

By Andrew Mitchell

At the Globe 2006 conference public relations expert Jim Hoggan presented the results of a survey of 2,500 Canadians on sustainability — the ability of people to live within the planet’s ecological means.

What he discovered was that more than 90 per cent of Canadians are concerned that the over-consumption of the world’s resources threatens the health and welfare of future generations. Through surveys he also found that Canadians are pro-environment and support aggressive actions by government, but don’t think other Canadians feel the same way.

At the same time, Canadians take very few personal actions to live more sustainably, believing that the responsibility lies with government. Hoggan refers to this disconnect between what we say and what we do as a sustainability gap.

The Whistler Forum for Dialogue will present Jim Hoggan on the Sustainability Research Initiative, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Delta Village Suites Hotel.

Hoggan will present the results of his research, explain why the gap exists, and discuss ways to close the gap and get Canadians to “walk the talk” on matters of sustainability.

The Sustainability Research Initiative, which Hoggan is leading, is sponsored by B.C. Hydro, the University of British Columbia, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Canadian Pacific Railway, Concord Pacific, David Suzuki Foundation, The Ethical Funds Company, Lefebvre Foundation, Fraser Basin Council, International Centre for Sustainable Cities, Alcan Inc. and the Port of Vancouver.

The cost is $10 at the door, which helps to cover the cost of renting the room, and includes snacks and refreshments.