The climate crisis threatens humanity’s very existence, yet people often resist adapting to the realities of a changing world. Humour has the power to start tough conversations and drive social change.
Real estate developers have little to gain from building affordable units. Even when laws force them to include those units in their projects, like Montreal’s 20-20-20 rules, they pay a fine not to do so. Non-profit housing is still the most efficient way to ensure a critical mass of long-term affordable units in a community.
Contemporary climate research shows the best way to convince skeptics is to patiently engage with their existing beliefs. Deep canvassing is a political mobilization strategy social purpose organizations like Neighbours United use to do just that: their campaign in a rural B.C. smelting town influenced 40 per cent of residents surveyed and helped pass clean energy legislation.
Much has been made of mutual aid networks combating food insecurity during the pandemic. But these networks are also combatting period poverty as the cost of tampons and pads rises.
Ninety-eight per cent of Canadian businesses have fewer than 100 employees, making them ideal candidates for co-operative models. But entrepreneurs who’ve made the leap to collective ownership say more support and education is needed.