Guy Dauncey - Author, founder of the B.C. Sustainable Energy Association, publisher of EcoNews earthfuture.com , guydauncey.com

by Erica Gehrke

On an eco-scale from 1-10, you’d rate yourself a.. 7. Still a ways to go.

If David Suzuki came over, you would not want him to see ... my roof—because I haven’t installed solar PV [photovoltaic] and solar hot water yet.

The most difficult sacrifice you’ve made to lessen your carbon footprint is I don’t recall any being difficult, though if I had no eco-conscience I might have flown to lots of exotic holidays.

The easiest sacrifice you’ve made to lessen your carbon footprint is being vegetarian, riding my bike, wearing a sweater.

Sometimes you just can’t resist a little ... TV, especially a good historical drama set in the past, where I don’t need to do anything to change the world.

Would you take it all off for PETA? Why not? My primary reason for not eating meat for 40 years is to avoid [inflicting] killing and pain, which so many animals suffer at our hands.

Your dream ride is cycling down the hill from Hurricane Ridge, 3,000 metres above Port Angeles. Cycling up would be less of a dream.

The last purchase you’re proud of is my second-hand bike. It gives me all the speed I need, and nobody bothers to steal it.

The last purchase you’re not so proud of is buying gas. I co-founded the Victoria Car Share Co-op in 1996, but we live out of town and need our own vehicle.

You once threw a pop can in the garbage rather than recycling it because honest, Officer, it wasn’t me! The habit is that strong; it would be like jumping off a cliff.

Who is the world’s sexiest eco-warrior? Kenya’s Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement, winner of the 2004 Nobel Prize for Peace. Her biography, Unbowed, is amazing.

The most annoying thing about the green movement is... The negativity that some greens indulge in—and the self-righteousness.

Your biggest eco-blunder is... years of fast driving—when I was younger.

OCEAN OF SOUND (CD) by Pepe Danza | SOCAN, $17
Craving a cultural adventure close to home? Ocean of Sound, the latest offering from Vancouver musician, producer, and drummer extraordinaire Joseph “Pepe” Danza, reflects Pepe’s eclectic background of world music and unique expressions of spirituality. His electrifying drumming is complemented by a wide range of “instruments” including chimes, gongs, Tibetan bowls, bells, shamanic rattles and gourds, as well as chants from diverse spiritual traditions. If trekking in Nepal or paddling down the Amazon isn’t an option right now, let this “ocean of sound” wash over you and take you toyour happy place.
–Erica Gehrke

LIVING YOUR UNLIVED LIFE: Coping with Unrealized Dreams and Fulfilling Your Purpose in the Second Half of Life (Book) by Robert A. Johnson and Jerry M. Ruhl | tarcher/penguin, $14.95
As midlife approaches, even the most successful person can find she has unrealized dreams. Result: the dreaded “midlife crisis.” Esteemed Jungian psychologists Johnson and Ruhl explain this restlessness in their 2007 book, available now in paperback. Through clinical anecdotes and Jungian dream and archetypal work, the authors offer insightful exercises designed to isolate repressed feelings of regret, using imagination as a tool for healing and rejuvenation.
–Stephanie MacDonald

DYING TO HAVE KNOWN: The Evidence Behind Natural Healing (DVD) by Steve Kroschel | cinemalibrestudio.com, $19.95
Filmmaker Steve Kroschel embarks on a global journey to find evidence to support the Gerson Therapy, a nutrition-based approach for curing cancer developed 75 years ago. Kroschel reviews hard scientific proof showing Gerson’s effectiveness, and interviews patients and doctors whose success stories of the treatment are testament to its worth. Meanwhile, other medical experts interviewed denounce Gerson outright as quackery. The underlying message is that dark forces (hint: Big Pharma, for one) have been behind the suppression of this natural, totally drug-free cure from the get-go.
–Tamara Letkeman

Jenn McGinn MLA for Vancouver-Fairview jenn.mcginn@leg.bc.ca

by Erica Gehrke

On an eco-scale of 1-10, you'd rate yourself… an 8!

David Suzuki is coming over for dinner. What room of your home would you not want him to see? I would have nothing to hide from David or anyone else. My home is a small condo with an open-floor plan, so there’s not much hiding that could happen anyway.

If Gregor Robertson walked through your door, what would you show him? I think we would be too busy talking politics to show him anything. I replaced Gregor as the MLA for Vancouver-Fairview, so I know we would have a lot of local issues to discuss. If we ever got through talking politics, I might pull out a couple of CDs in my collection—I believe he is a fan of ’60s R&B, soul, etc. as I am.

The most difficult sacrifice you've made to lessen your carbon footprint is… not jetting off somewhere warm during these snowy days we’ve been having. It’s tempting, but think of all that fuel consumption!

What is the easiest sacrifice you've made to lessen your carbon-footprint? About seven years ago I became a member of the Co-operative Auto Network. Car sharing is an easy sacrifice, especially for urban people who don’t need a car on a regular basis. It lessens my footprint and is an economically smart decision, too!

Sometimes you just can't resist a little... There are a number of items on my table that are not made locally. I love a nice balsamic vinegar or truffle oil from Italy, or avocados from Mexico, bananas, pineapple, etc. Isn’t variety supposed to be the spice of life?

Would you take it all off for PETA? Goodness, no, not likely. Though I am a monthly donor to the BC SPCA. Does that count?

What personal behaviour would you like to change? I would like to look into getting a compost bin for my strata building. I think composting is a great (and relatively easy) thing we can all do to effect positive change.

The best gift you’ve ever received is… an adopted grandma. In 2003, when I was executive director at the South Granville Seniors Centre, I met a woman named Mae. It was pretty much love at first sight. We decided to adopt one another as grandmother and granddaughter. She is almost 97 years old… I learn something new from her all the time—mostly about living your life with an open heart and a compassionate eye.

The best gift you’ve ever given is… I would say the best gift I have given is love. I believe we are all connected in so many ways. Taking the time to nurture those connections, spending time with the people I love, being present with them, and being authentic. Also, ensuring that I try to implement that approach to the way I live in my community—taking time to get to know the people who live, work, and play in my community, and flashing them a warm smile. It’s small, but it means a lot.

Your dream ride is… the 99 B-Line. It gets me all the way across my constituency in no time!

Favourite website on stuff in your area of expertise: CBC is my home page. I read that every day. I am a news-junkie. I also regularly check out Public Eye Online and The Tyee to get the latest political scoop and opinions.

What one thing do you desire to do in a more committed way? I would like to make more of a commitment to try to buy more organically grown products. I realize the price point is higher, but it is important to support farmers who are trying to farm in a more sustainable way.

Street people: your thoughts on putting money in their cups. More often I buy someone a coffee or give them a piece of fruit. When I do give money, I do so with the intention of them making the best decision for themselves on what to do with it, and try not to pass my personal judgment on what that may be.If your body is a temple… be present in it. Live mindfully. Experience the connection of body, mind, and spirit. Eat well, exercise, drink water, and of course, pamper it with regular massage, steams, beautiful personal care products and nice bath salts and bubble bath.

Your hottest green tip is… support the small businesses in your community. If we all shopped in our local areas, we’d spend a lot less time in our cars, and we would work towards building healthier, stronger communities. Small businesses also create the majority of jobs in this province, and when we talk about issues of sustainability, I think it is vital to talk about economic sustainability and sustainability of neighbourhoods. The other thing I would suggest is, if you have investments or savings, think about what the money is doing when you sleep at night. I would suggest putting the money in a BC credit union – keep it local and working to improve the BC economy. Invest ethically and compassionately.

The last purchase you're proud of is… a Bose stereo system I bought last year (I love it!) Music is a huge passion and the stereo has fantastic sound and doesn’t take up much space. I don’t know if it counts as an eco product, but it will last a lifetime! And provide much inspiration for dancing, relaxing, and entertaining.

The last purchase you're not so proud of is… hmm, probably a pair of pants I got from the Gap. They’re cute, and fit well, but most likely not ethically made.

The world's sexiest eco-warrior is… For women, Salma Hayek. Maybe eco-warrior is a stretch, but I heard she travelled to an Inuit community to expose the imminent threat of climate change to northern communities. For men, I’d say Gregor Robertson. (How about that, Gregor? I mentioned you and Salma Hayek in the same paragraph. You can thank me later.)

In 2040 Vancouver will look... well, I know our new mayor and council have a goal of making Vancouver one of the greenest cities on the planet. I envision denser neighbourhoods that make it easier for people to shop, live, and play in their communities. I envision better transit and more people on the buses and the trains. A bicycle co-op, similar to what they have in many European cities to encourage cycling around town. Car-free zones. Less homeless people. More green space and community gardens. Municipal pick-up of compost to use for community gardens. More people tele-commuting.

The most annoying thing about the green movement is... As in any movement, there can be a tone that can be construed as self-righteous or judgmental to others who may not be as eco-evolved. The other challenge is some things are out of reach for everyday working people—if you’re having challenges getting food on the table for your kids, it’s probably not your biggest priority to follow the 100-Mile Diet.

Your biggest eco-blunder is... while I enjoy a glass of some lovely, locally produced BC wines; I have also been known to not refuse a glass of Australian Shiraz or a Chilean Cabernet.

Your greatest eco-achievement is... living as simply as possible. I have a small condo in a very walk-able neighbourhood that is close to everything I need. I am a regular transit user, frequent cyclist, and co-op car member. I try to be a conscious consumer and avoid over consumption. I practice the three Rs daily: recycle, reduce, reuse.

You tell everyone to buy… a bottle of white vinegar. It’s great for household cleaning and eco-friendly—and it won’t break the bank.

—Erica Gehrke

Sangria (CD) by Mariah Parker | ancient future records, $24.98
To heat things up on Valentine’s Day, consider adding a little sangria to the menu—and your iTunes playlist. Sweet and juicy, and leaving you with a warm glow, Sangria is a melodic mix blending Latin jazz and East Indian music. This brand-new recording features original compositions by Mariah (composer, pianist, and santur player) that draw inspiration from Brazil, Cuba, Spain, and India. The result is an album that is at once uplifting, peaceful, and passionate. —Erica Gehrke

CancerSmart 3.0: The Consumer Guide (Book)
by Sean Griffin | labour environmental alliance society, $10
Progress is a wonderful thing—except when you’re talking about your stage III breast cancer. Ironically, the scientific advances in chemistry that have made our modern lifestyle possible have also created harmful carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and endocrine disrupters—many found in household products we use every day. In short, CancerSmart 3.0 should be read in every home in Canada. Though it’s hardly a glamorous read, this detailed and intelligently organized magazine/pamphlet is full of information you need (though chemical companies may disagree), complete with comprehensive tables listing dangerous substances, specific brand names, and safer alternatives. —Stephanie MacDonald

Humanity Ascending: A New Way Through Together (DVD series; 1 of 7) featuring Barbara Marx Hubbard|
spiritualcinemacircle.com ; free trial membership
With the increasingly shaky state of the world, it may appear we’re poised for self-destruction. But author and futurist Barbara Marx Hubbard believes that as the old world of war and competition dies, a new one is being born—a world of universal humanity. Using simple and clear language to explain an otherwise mind-boggling concept, Barbara describes the cosmos’s 14-billion-year history as a journey of transformation, where the universe is becoming self-aware through humankind. In this self-awareness lie the tools for the full expression of our conscious evolution—and hence our glorious future. —Tamara Letkeman

David Eby - Lawyer and acting executive director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, fighting for our right to be green, loud, and proud. - davideby.blogspot.com

by Erica Gehrke

Photo: The Blackbird

If Gregor Robertson walked through your door, you’d show him... my “Gregor Robertson is no. 1 for enforcing the Standards of Maintenance Bylaw” tattoo. I got it to guilt him into a really important policy change for low-rent buildings in the Downtown Eastside. Feeling some regret about it, because I don’t even know if he’s coming over. At least it’s timeless.

The best gift you’ve ever received is... a small statue of a lawyer from my dad, the inscription of which reads, “Sue the Bastards.” Sat on his desk forever; now it’s on mine.

Sometimes you just can’t resist a little... air travel. Sigh, I know. Please, spare me the stats and get me a high-speed train already so I can visit my peeps in Hali and T-Dot without melting the ice caps.

Would you take it all off for PETA? Damn straight. They may, however, ask for me to put it all back on. “Um, Mr. Eby, we’re all right for volunteers right now. Also, this is the PETA lunchroom.”

The one thing you desire to do in a more committed way is... recycle. No matter how I try, I can’t shake the feeling it’s just busy work while the government plunders the planet for their corporate friends. Honestly, I am fun at parties.

Street people: your thoughts on putting money in their cups. Giving change is OK, but making change is more important. I just made that up—not bad.

If your body is a temple… someone should tell those pigeons living in the rafters to take it outside.

You once threw a pop can in the garbage rather than recycling it because... I knew someone would pick it up and be glad to find it. This is Vancouver after all.

In 2040 Vancouver will look... like either a corporate retail chain and vacant investor condo wasteland, or a vibrant, green, progressive city full of diverse communities that are equally valued. Some days I’m just so torn between the two.

Your biggest eco-blunder is... thinking that recycling plastic makes it OK.

Your greatest eco-achievement is... being a vegetarian for 16 years. Whew.

—Erica Gehrke

Nothing to Be Frightened Of (book) by Julian Barnes
(Random House, $32.95)
Death is something our society skirts around. Yet as Julian Barnes points out in his fascinating and intelligent new book, “the mortality rate for human beings is not less than 100 per cent.” Admitting an intense fear of death as he enters his 60s, Barnes explores the subject by way of metaphysics, personal memory, literature, and religion. Both charmingly personal and erudite, Nothing to Be Frightened Of strikes just the right balance between irreverence and genuine wonder. The result is an elegant, consistently entertaining, and often (honestly) a very amusing read. —Stephanie MacDonald

We Were One (DVD) by Scott Cervine
(SpiritualCinemaCircle.com, free trial membership)
We Were One offers hope through a story illuminating the universal link among all people and the sense of joy that comes from human
connection. Frustrated with modern life, a middle-aged, unemployed man ruminates on divorce, death, and life gone wrong. Encouraged by a friend to take one positive step toward a happier existence, he finds
himself unexpectedly moved by a random encounter with a down-and-out stranger who asks him for a dollar. For a brief moment, he feels connected to her as he catches a glimpse of the beauty of her soul—and is reminded that he is not alone. —Erica Gehrke

No Junk Mail Please (CD) by 21 Tandem Repeats
(Canada Lynx Records, $12.97)
The immediate charm of 21 Tandem Repeats’ latest CD is the title (we don’t like ad mail, either—who does?). It even comes with cute “no junk mail” band stickers you can paste to your mailbox, which serve the dual purpose of informing Canada Post that flyers advertising home equity loans are a turn-off, while turning your mail carrier onto the laid-back, down-home folk-rock offerings of the Vancouver foursome. The uncomplicated, low-key melodies will soothe the nerves of even the most ardent treehugger after a long, hard day spent saving the world. —Tamara Letkeman

author of The Cellist of Sarajevo, has a soft spot for William Shatner and Neil Diamond
stevengalloway.com

by Erica Gehrke

What’s on your iPod? Reunion Tour by The Weakerthans.

Cutting-edge or cacophony? It’s cutting-edge in a lot of ways, in terms of the subjects the songs cover. But in terms of arrangement the music is straightforward in a comforting way. The album has great range as well in terms of style, with some songs rich with instrumentation and others very minimal.
 
Fill in the blanks: People who are tired of being yelled at should listen to this album because the lyrics in Weakerthans songs are some of the best writing around. Poets and prose writers could learn a thing or two from John Samson.
 
If we jacked into your shuffle, we’d be surprised to hear the audiobook of Alexander McCall Smith’s The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs as read by Hugh Laurie. 

Guilty pleasure time: what kind of ear candy do you sometimes listen to? A whole lot of Neil Diamond. Also, William Shatner’s song “Common People” makes me laugh every single time.

Your favourite song of all time is... These things change constantly. At one time I remember thinking Platinum Blonde’s “Situation Critical” was quite possibly the greatest song ever written. Twenty years later, not so much. Currently the song that iTunes says I listen to most is The Weakerthans tune “Virtue the Cat Explains Her Disappearance.” Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” also never fails to elicit a response. At the diner I eat at a lot, the song I’m most likely to spend my first quarter on is Starship’s “We Built This City (on Rock and Roll),” but I’m not sure anymore whether I really like it or if I’m being ironic. It’s a problem with the times we live in. I think Paul Simon’s Graceland is one of, if not the best, albums ever.

You wouldn’t be caught dead listening to Nickelback. Also, if I hear Raffi’s “Baby Beluga” one more time...

If you could hang out with any musician—living or dead—who would it be? Mozart. Despite, or perhaps because of, the syphilis, he seems like he’d be a lot of fun.

Singing in the shower or only in your dreams? Both. Sometimes I even have dreams where I’m singing in the shower. And I sound awesome.

—Erica Gehrke

Africa Calling (CD), Solitude (book), and Validation (streaming video)

SOLITUDE: Seeking Wisdom in Extremes —A Year Alone in the Patagonia Wilderness (book)
by Robert Kull
(New World Library, $23.95)

Solitude is Vancouver resident Robert Kull’s diary of the year he spent living alone (OK, he had a cat) on a remote, inhospitable island off Chile. A lifelong spiritual seeker, Kull describes with brute frankness his innermost fears, frustrations, and ongoing struggle to find enlightenment—all against the wild, sublime backdrop of the Patagonian wilderness. Though the vast majority of us would never dare to venture alone into the wild as Kull did, Solitude is a powerful reminder that sometimes we all need to tune out the world around us and turn our attention inward.
—Tamara Letkeman

Validation(streaming video)
by Kurt Kuenne(SpiritualCinemaCircle.com, free)

Parking attendant Hugh Newman doesn’t just give compliments—he makes it his life’s work. In fact, he’s so good at what he does, every day he has a long line of customers waiting to have their parking tickets—and themselves—validated. But the upbeat Hugh soon meets his match in the surly Victoria; try as he may, he just can’t get her to smile, and ends up losing his moxie. But it’s hard to keep a good man down; Hugh is joyfully reminded of the power of a sincere compliment—and the viewer is left wondering how so much fun, magic, and sweetness can be packed into a 16-minute film.
—Tamara Letkeman

Africa Calling (CD)
by Lorraine Klaasen
(Justin Time Records, $18.99)

Rain got you down? Have no fear: Montreal-based songstress Lorraine Klaasen is here to add a little sunshine to these dark and drizzly days. Daughter of legendary South African jazz singer Thandi Klaasen, Lorraine managed to get a group of hot-blooded South Africans into a Montreal recording studio during the freezing Canadian winter to produce a heartwarming album. Embracing the rich musical cultures of Quebec and French-speaking Africa, this highly charged collection blends eclectic background singing tracks in Zulu, Sotho, Xhosa, Lingala, English, and French with the classic sound of township music.
—Erica Gehrke

Tania Lo, co-producer of the documentary Long Road North, knows a party isn't a party without a little Michael Jackson

by Erica Gehrke

Tania Lo Co-producer of Long Road North, a documentary film chronicling the 19-month, 18-country bicycle journey Tania undertook with Gwendal Castellan
and Ian Hinkle. longroadnorth.com

What’s on your playlist? My hipster friend comes over once a month with a new mix of the latest music-making noise on iTunes. I throw it onto my playlist, which is populated with some old-skool hip hop, dub, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, a little bit of classical piano, and a splash of Latin reggaeton, cumbia, and Cuban son. The most-played song on my playlist is “Mas Que Nada” by Jorge Ben, performed by my good friend Isabelle Cardona.

Cutting-edge or cacophony? Cutting-edge.

If we hacked into your iTunes, we’d be surprised to hear Amy Winehouse. She surprised me with the depth of her repertoire.

Guilty pleasure time: what kind of ear candy do you sometimes listen to? Hard Candy by Madonna; just when I thought her time had passed, she pulls out the stops and produces an album that is another stamp in time.

You wouldn’t be caught dead listening to Coldplay or Rush.

People who love to dance should listen to “Sexy Results” by MSTRKRFT. It’s the quickest way to get people dancing in my living room on warm summer nights.

Your favourite song of all time is “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson. Despite his lamentable reputation, the party hasn’t reached its climax until you’ve heard some MJ.

What was the last live music event you attended? In my front yard at my wedding! Amazing blues artist Mathieu Fromont of Bo Weavil played a live set to friends and family and the entire McSpadden Avenue neighbourhood.

If you could hang out with any musician—living or dead—who would it be?
M.I.A. Who wouldn’t want to hang out with someone who is able to articulate social politics, realism, and humour through different forms of art?

If there were a soundtrack to your life it would be Carmina Burana, an intense compilation of music about love, lust, and having a good time, performed by a chorus of 200 and an orchestra of 100.

—Erica Gehrke

See Long Road North at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival Fall Speakers Series, Nov. 20, 7 pm, Centennial Theatre, 2300 Lonsdale Ave. (North Vancouver).