The planet is facing unparalleled environmental pressures.

Climate change, the Great Pacific Garbage patch, deforestation, species extinction … it can be overwhelming! But don't be discouraged. This project isn't about fixing any particular problem, but about being responsible for one step toward a sustainable solution. You could:

• Create and run a workshop that teaches people in your community about the benefits and ease of energy conservation – and tangibly decrease the amount of energy used locally (project idea sponsored by FortisBC).

• Organize a local ecosystem cleanup in partnership with an established environmental group, recruit participants, and create a video documenting the process.

• Convert an organization (your school or workplace) towards using tap water only and write a report about “Banning the Bottle” with a count of bottles saved by year’s end.

The possibilities are endless- just pick a subject you feel passionate about, and you can't go wrong!

Creating positive change for the planet isn’t just about places, it’s about people.

The truth is that even though many of us experience financial hardship, as Canadian students we are amongst the world’s most privileged. This project looks at making a positive change for the people in a community. You could:

• Improve signage and directories around campus to include Braille for visually impaired students, faculty, and guests – shooting a video of the improvements in use.

• Organize a donation drive for popular (in-demand) items for a local youth homeless shelter, and write a report about the process.

• Host a regular activity and conversation club for international students at your school, and shoot a video about one of your fun events (bowling, a group hike, etc.) 

• Give a presentation about donating blood or bone marrow (based on your own experiences) and use it to recruit new students to do the same.

• Adopt a community in a catastrophe-stricken area and inspire others to help alleviate their needs.

It’s up to you to identify the greatest need and fill it as a team!

2010

Bike to Cap Week

Ryan Baldwin, Nic Alder, Scott Brydle @ Capilano University

“Bike to Cap Week” was a week-long campaign to encourage people to commute to Capilano University by bike. Our event was run in partnership with the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition and the Capilano Association of Cyclists.

Results

• 40 total participants

• 1,053 km of automobile commuting diverted

• 242 kg CO2 reduced

• 6 new bike commuters (3% of the total Bike To Work Week participation in Vancouver)

• Featured on front page of North Shore News

2010

Eat Local

Adriane Harrington, Veronique Roy, Nicole Reist @ Capilano University

It is important to recognize the benefits of buying and eating locally. We hosted the event “Eat local-palooza” to create an awareness on the what, where and how’s of eating locally and inform Capilano University students on the impacts eating locally has on the environment, the economy and our society.

Results

• 257 total participants

• 18 people attended the event

• 26 people participated in Eat Local Challenge

• 180 locally-sourced bowls of soup were consumed in the cafeteria

2010

Shake It for Shelter

Jenifer Danyk, Laura Peake, Robert Bigelow Rubin @ Capilano University

“Shake it for Shelter” was an awareness campaign and dance event to support Vancouver’s homeless community. Donations were collected to support Pivot Legal Society’s Red Tent Campaign and clothing was collected for homeless youth at Covenant House.

Results

• 140 total participants

• 100 pledges to support National Housing Strategy for homelessness

• $505 raised for Pivot Legal Society’s Red Tent Campaign

• 5 Red Tents purchased for homeless community

• 50 articles of clothing donated to Covenant House for homeless youth

2010

Strive for 225

Darryl Brown, Deanna Dailly @ Capilano University

“Strive for 225” was a clothing and food drive to help those less fortunate. Clothing was donated to the Covenant House to support homeless youth. Food was donated to the Harvest Project to support people struggling with issues such as immigration, family breakups, mental illness and job loss.

Results

• 29 total participants

• 684 articles of clothing donated to Covenant House

• 100 items of food donated to Harvest Project

• Featured in North Shore News

2009

Give Us Your Jeans Week

Scott Mackay, Rob Fairbrother @ Capilano University

“Give us Your Jeans Week” was a two-week rally to collect used jeans for youth and young adults residing in Greater Vancouver safe houses. Jeans are often the most in demand article of clothing by this demographic.

Results

• 54 pairs of jeans collected

• Creative advertisements used, including a wearable ad for your backside

2009

Green Connection

Andras Szeitz, Jacob Butler, Dirk Gibbs @ Capilano University

Green Connection was created to inspire and educate Capilano University’s students and faculty. We invited local environmentally aware and connected people from our surrounding community to present on topics like: fresh water use, corporate investment in community, waste management both in our city and on campus, and to facilitate a student discussion on these topics via the Cool Cafe.

Results

• Positive experience for both participants and facilitators with excellent feedback from both

• High levels of participation reaching 150 people over the 4 days of the event

• Inspired other students to carry this event on in the future

2009

Meatless Mondays

Erin Booth, Rachel Lunn @ Capilano University

Participants in “Meatless Mondays” pledged to eat a vegetarian diet once a week (Mondays) to support an environmentally positive lifestyle. Reducing meat consumption is not only good for your health, but also lessens our impact on water use and pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion, and deforestation. 

Results

• 36 Participants

• 139 Total Meatless Mondays

• 417 Meatless Meals

• 1,370 lbs of CO2 saved

• 542,100 gallons of water saved

2009

Food for Coffee

Stephen Westmacott, Paul Gordon, Thomas Smith @ Capilano University

“Food for Coffee” was a three-day event held at Capilano University, where non-perishable food items were exchanged for a free cup of coffee. All food was donated to the Vancouver Food Bank, and the coffee was provided by Starbucks.

Results

• 2.5 boxes, or 28 pounds, of food donated

• 320 meals for low income households in Vancouver