The Plant: Students for Sustainability

As part of the Canadian Federation’s students for sustainability tour Dawson promoted environmental awareness in an event called sustainable day in Conrods on October 7th.

The Canadian Federation of students launched a campaign called students for sustainability last year. As part of this campaign a campus to campus sustainability tour for all the school’s who are part of the Canadian Federation of Students was kicked off in Newfoundland on Sept 30th 2008.

Dawson is the 5th campus to be visited on this tour.

“The goal of this tour is to showcase what’s happening with the environment and to get more students involved in the sustainable movement and to get politicians to pay attention and take action in climate change,” said Katherine Giroux-Bougard, National chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students.

Conrods was filled with booths all promoting environmentally friendly products and sustainable ways of living. In total there were 10 booths including the Green Earth Club, Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Store, the David Suzuki Foundation, The Thrive Diet and Yoga booth, The DSU, The Canadian Federation of Students, Nutripur, Dawson health services, Council of Canadians, and Joytoyz, a sex shop.




“A lot of people are laughing at the Joytoyz booth but I called them up because a lot of sex toys are really bad for the environment and for your body, “said Mathieu Perron, DSU Staff.

Joytoyz which is located on St Laurent Street is a “woman friendly sex shop” that sells environmentally friendly products.

“We concentrate on silicone and glass toys which are environmentally friendly and re-usable,” sad Phuong, owner of Joytoyz.

One of the reasons they concentrate on glass is because it’s a non porous substance which means it won’t let any bacteria in and it also warms up nicely to the body.

“Our products are artisan made, not mass produced so the artist takes time to make sure each toy can take a lot of pressure which means it won’t break,” said Phuong.

Along with the glass toys and all natural lubes are rechargeable vibrators.

“Our fun factory vibrator is 100% silicone and comes in a case which is also the charger. This is good for people who don’t want to use a lot of batteries.”

Next to Joytoyz was Dawson’s very own nurse manning the health services booth and giving out free condoms, mini toothpastes and information on what health services can do for students.

“I think sustainable day is important because it makes the kids aware that the environment is not forever,” said Diem Truong, Dawson’s nurse.

Carly a first semester continuing education student was helping to man the David Suzuki Foundation booth.

“We’re promoting the David Suzuki Foundation which is essentially sustainability for the new generation,” said Carly.

The David Suzuki Foundation is trying to obtain sustainability through various challenges and campaigns.

One of the ways the foundation is trying to attain sustainability is through there campaign called Powervote.

“Powervote is about taking into consideration the environment when you vote,” said Carly.

According to the pamphlet the David Suzuki Foundation is “seeking 10,000 young voters who will make climate the priority when casting their vote.” To get involved you can sign the pledge at ourclimate.ca.



Another way to obtain sustainability is through the Campus Climate Challenge, which according to the pamphlet is making sustainable campuses “through changing institutional operations, improving curriculua and mobilizing campus community members support.”

“It’s incredible how many ways you can change a school and make it sustainable,” said Leila Roloff, a member of Dawson’s Green Earth Club.

Along with sustainable campuses the Green earth club was talking about composting and the damage water bottles are causing the environment. There were also samples of vegan brownies and raw food macaroons that students could buy.

“We have vegan and raw foods so people can come and try it and see what’s out there and expand their minds,” said Roloff.

In answer to the water bottle crisis was the Nutripur booth run by Kenny Bartczak, a first semester business administration student.

His parents own the Nutripur Company which sells 100% stainless steal, reusable water bottles.

“These are one of the safest water bottles on the market because there’s no leeching of anything into the water, there are no cracks for bacteria to get into and there are no chemicals,” said Bartczak.

Sustainable day proved to be an informative event with a variety of booths and information.

“I think student unions in general have been doing a lot of work around sustainability. It’s become a dire issue and students feel its important to get politicians to take action,” said Giroux-Bougard.

Sustainability isn’t just about the environment it’s about your health, economic health and bringing all sorts of social groups together,” said Perron.

Students in Action

When we think about the future, most of see ourselves with jobs, a house and maybe even a family. But what many of us don’t envision is a worldwide crisis where Glacier National Park will have no glaciers left and 15-37% of plant and animal species could be wiped out.

Thankfully there are some people who are aware of what global warming and pollution can do. Among them is Action Conservation, an organization that was created when Environment Canada and the Earthvalues Institute (a non-profit charity specializing in environmental education) partnered up.

Action Conservation is an organization that is working to effectively reduce energy use, conserve water, and minimize waste production.

This organization is based in Dawson College and is run by Cindy Elliott, the Project Coordinator.

Action Conservation has many objectives they are hoping to obtain this year.

“One of the goals this year is to record 2008 environmental actions taken by college students, staff and teachers,” said Elliott.

According to the Action Conservation website Dawson used 40 metric tons of paper in 2005 and 138 metric tons of wood. That is the equivalent of 1,000 trees!

To stop this, Brian McFarlane, in the print shop, negotiated a price for 100% post-consumer paper.

“Our goal was to reduce paper consumption by 450,000 sheets. In actual fact we reduced paper use by 1.4 million sheets,” said Elliot.

To continue these positive changes and to raise awareness of environmental problems among the school Action Conservation plans many activities and campaigns.

“In February of 2007 we implemented a recycling campaign blitz to educate the Dawson community on the proper methods of recycling within the college,” Elliot said.

Action Conservation also partnered up with the Interior design students to create an eco corner right across from the information desk on the second floor.

“This is the place to bring your used eyeglasses, ink cartridges, batteries and cell phones for recycling, reuse or rebuilding,” Elliott said.

Action Conservation has created an environmental policy for Dawson College.

“Ian Mackenzie, from the English Department worked on this policy with us. Our goal was to have this completed by the end of March 2008,” Elliott said.

Just as there are many things to be changed at school there are many environmentally friendly things that can be done at home.

“You can turn down thermostats at night and when the home is unoccupied, take short showers (less than 10 minutes) and use warm or cold water washes for clothes.”

Mixed Martial Arts

Imagine two people in a no holds barred fight combining kicks, knees and punches with submission holds, sweeps and takedowns. Hardly anything is considered illegal and every form of martial art is used.

This popular sport is called Mixed Martial Arts and it emerged in 1993 with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

“Mixed martial arts is basically all the best parts of all the other martial arts put together,” said Jesse Monette, a student at JKS Martial arts school in the West Island.

When he says all the other martial arts he means Karate, Ju Jitsu, Grappling, Boxing and more.

“I’ve been doing martial arts since I was five although I did take a few years off in high school.”

Right now, Monette is taking the street wise class which is a form of mixed martial arts but with street rules.

“Street rules mean there are no rules, it’s like you’re on the street so you can do what you want.”

Although this may sound scary or barbaric the class is very controlled and safe.
First you pair up with a partner and do drills, once you’ve done the drills at least a hundred times each you do the same drills but with resistance. Once you’re used to the resistance you and your partner can start to spar.

“I started stand up sparring last week but I’ve been sparring in grappling and boxing for about a month,” said Monette.

When asked about his favorite part of the street wise class Monette said “The best part about JKS is being able to fight and to fight with someone knowing you’re not going to actually get hurt.”

He also adds that what he likes about the street wise class is being 100% prepared for what life throws at you on the street.

JKS is host to a variety of classes including MMA grappling, judo, kick boxing, boxing and of course the street wise mixed martial arts class.

“It has a little something for everyone; from people who are looking to fight, to do cardio or to just get into shape.”

But whatever you chose to do you’re going to have to be willing to give it your all and to practice, practice, practice.

“My sensei always says you need to practice a move 20,000 times on each side because that’s really the only way you’re going to get really good at it and be ready to use it in real life.”

And JKS’s street wise class is all about being prepared for real life.

“It’s nice knowing that what your learning in this class is going to help you outside, if someone mugs you you’re going to know what to do. If you play baseball, for example, that’s not really going to help.”