Scott Green, University of Northern British Columbia, talks about building relationships with local food.
Scott Green, University of Northern British Columbia, focuses on strengthening community through partnerships around local food and sustainability.
“Sustainability is as much about social and cultural relationships as it is to restoring natural environment,” said Green. Green argues that technology is a double-edged sword because it is an advancement towards sustainability but there is an erosion of social/cultural values. For example, satellite TV’s introduced in Arctic communities have eroded the social values, rather than interacting with the environment and making social connections with each other and nature, they are watching TV. The environment and the culture suffer.
Restoring ecological principles into “human ecosystems”
1) Diversity of perspectives are required for healthy human ecosystems
2) Interdependence is a recognition that we need all those perspectives, connects to social justice
3) Carrying capacity is the importance of being connected with the environment and living within the means
To make this vision concrete Green’s project has brought together students and partners such as UNBC, PIRG and the Christian Reform Church. They built the community by working shoulder to shoulder through work parties including students and the church community. The program reached out to the local neighborhood by supporting the needs of the local neighborhood and being visible in the community. Bringing in local businesses as partners increased local support the project because they recognize the value of enhancing the community. After the first year of the project they had a harvest feast that brought all the participants and community together.
“Food is something that cuts across the whole human culture,” said Green. “This program, a community garden, promotes ecological and cultural goals.”
1) restore “community” around local food security and sustainability
2) restore capacity (local knowledge of agriculture)
3) restore control (empower individuals to have control over nutritional life)
Lessons learned: 1) community building is hard that takes a core group of people that is engaged in the process and wanting to discuss/progress 2) community building takes time that is more of a counter-culture feature that’s non-adversarial and non-simplistic 3) food connects people in amazing ways clarifying challenges in poverty, sustainability and social norms 4) we have so much in common, such as a desire to live in healthy, safe communities.
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