green

As the founder and executive director of War Child Canada and War Child U.S.A., the non-profit organization that helps raise awareness and support of war affected children globally through local and international initiatives, Toronto’s Dr. Samantha Nutt has seen her share of atrocity.

In her new book, Damned Nations – Greed, Guns, Armies & Aid (Signal/McClelland & Stewart), in stores October 25, Nutt examines the plight of humanitarianism on the frontlines of such war-torn countries as Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, with heartfelt and startling eye-witness testimony on one hand and a sober analysis of the realities and actions that would result in a massive turnaround to help end war and suffering.

Nutt, recently awarded the Order Of Canada for her contributions to improve the conditions of citizens in the world’s worst conflict zones, explains in her book why eliminating the gender divide, implementing education and employment opportunities, and installing a stable infrastructure of legal aid offer hope for the future.

On a personal and local level, she offers several suggestions on how people who want to rally for change can get involved, from donation tips and consideration for where your money is going to lobbying for changes to the Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy.

Dr. Nutt recently spoke with Samaritanmag.com’s Nick Krewen about Damned Nations and what can happen when inexperienced people and organizations try to do good.

Evergreen has been helping people create and sustain outdoor spaces in urban communities across Canada since 1991. But the national charity now has a groundbreaking central hub to help spread its environmental message while engaging citizens in informative, interesting and recreational ways.

Toronto's Evergreen Brick Works officially opened in September and, while construction and revitalization will continue at the 16-hectare site nestled in a ravine west of the Don River just off Bayview Avenue, it's off to a strong start in supporting the not-for-profit organization's mission to make cities more livable by bringing communities and nature together for the benefit of both.

"Cities are where we consume a vast quantity of resources and do the vast majority of our polluting," says Evergreen executive director Geoff Cape. "If we can change actions and behaviours in cities, that's where we can address the heart of the environmental crisis we face globally.

My Planet is a new AIR MILES Reward Program initiative that encourages people to make green purchase decisions. Eighteen Canadian retailers and sponsors have come onboard, including grocery stores (Metro, Safeway); hardware/home centres (Rona, Tim-Br Mart), pharmacies (Jean Coutu, Lawton Drugs); government (Edmonton Transit); renewable energy provider (Bullfrog Power) and financial institutions (AMEX). When consumers choose their eco-friendly products and services, they will earn bonus reward miles.  In addition to earning bonus reward miles for choosing eco-friendly everyday products, AIR MILES Collectors can also find bonus reward miles on My Planet designated products at specialty stores including Global Pet Foods, Canadian Springs/Labrador Springs, Uniglass Plus Ziebart/Vitro Plus Ziebart, Goodyear Tires, and Co-op Country Stores, among others.  For more info, go to www.airmiles.ca/myplanet