'Oil town' celebrates sustainable living
Last Updated: Saturday, October 10, 2009 | 5:15 PM MT
CBC News
Hundreds of Calgarians gathered Saturday to celebrate the Earth Charter, a global network of people and institutions that promote the values and principles of sustainable development.
The Earth Charter Summit celebration featured performers and more than 20 merchants and groups offering environmentally sustainable products, services and information.
Event organizer Stephanie Jackman, with the Respect for the Earth and All People, said they made an effort to target kids at this year's celebration.
"Quite often they're the ones that are most receptive to making these kinds of decisions because they don't have decades of bad habits that they are trying to break," she said.
"It's important to give kids this information, to make it fun and inspiring for them to make great decisions."
Joann Mulligan, who helps tend a community garden in Calgary, said she hopes people will hear the message to shop locally and not buy things like produce "brought in from thousands of miles away on big trucks."
Jim Jung came to the event to find information on making environmentally friendly choices.
"Well, I think there is only one Earth and we'd like to see future generations enjoy the Earth as much as we have."
This is the fourth year the event has been held in Calgary, and Jackman said people shouldn't be surprised a celebration like this is so popular.
"We do have that level of awareness, even though we are known as an oil town and probably not the most environmentally friendly in Canada," she said. "We actually are making some positive changes and we have good news stories to share."
