Clayoquot Wilderness Resort Blog

June Sustainability Essay Winner- Estella

For our July essay contest on sustainability- Estella provided the winning entry. She will be attending the Ties Eco-tourism and Sustainability Conference at the end of 2008. Congratulations Estella on your excellent essay.

The Shook eesh Isawalk

I have chosen to look back at the priorities that have been set out and followed by my ancestors; as they have been successfully practiced for thousands of years. The all- encompassing ideology has been the understanding that, “Hee shook eesh Tsawalk,” meaning that, everything is one. A story about ELK, as recalled by my relative, Umeek, elaborates in further detail on the priorities in life. As Elk rationalizes upon reflection of loss, he comes to realize that; “The primary purpose in life is to create, maintain, and uphold relationships.” The significance of Elk’s reflection is a key in ensuring a sustainable future.

Creating relationships emphasizing an interconnectedness of all living things as well as the elemental and spiritual realms should emanate from staff like spores of the ubiquitous sword fern. We must re-awaken the spiritual power tat once guided people here in discovering medicinal and nutritional properties of plants, seaweeds, berries, and animals. Food, shelter, transportation, and clothing were all once harvested here. To learn history will open up fascinating knowledge that both staff and guest, once engaged, will have a better undertanding and a greater appreciation for our connection within our world.

It is an honor to work amongst the tremendous splendor of Bedwell Sound. I have a strong sense to fulfill my priority: to share with others the relationships I work to create, maintain and uphold with my surroundings. The more we continue to work on these relationships, the stronger our message to the guests become. Working day to day with guests from around the world, sharing experiences with them and passing on knowledge serves as a decomposing cedar tree does in passing on its nutrients for the birth of new seedlings, ferns, and mosses.

As guides, we must act as the altruistic bees; by taking on a greater cause to advocate, through numerous examples surrounding us, a healthier relationship with the earth. A Nuu-chah-Nulth word for conservancy translates as, “Keep some and not take all.” This is a clear indication that our relationship should not last for 4 days of 1 week; it should transcend and grow deeper so that our great grandchildren will share in the bounty we have here.

It is through these humble methods, that I believe make difference. To understand that we are all one, will carry through progressively as we all grow to live by this attitude which is based on respect for all living and non-living things. The priority lies in the individual and our ability to greatly affect our relationships.

Sustainable Tourism- a broad perspective

Today I’m going to write about sustainable tourism as a broad post and feature individual sections and how CWR is handling each area over future posts on sustainability.

Sustainability is basically defined as- running business operations indefinitely- within limiting factors.

The first principle considered by most when examining sustainability is ‘environmental’ or a ‘businesses ecological footprint’. However, there are two other areas which must balance in order to remain sustainable- Social, and Economic. Without all three pillars a business will not be sustainable.

When examining the level of sustainability, everything must be quantified into figures, then examined, and finally compared. I can provide an example from a phone call I had about a month back:

Someone called the resort and was upset with the fact that CWR transports guests to the resort via float plane. She was adamant that there would be less impact on the environment if we chose other methods to transport guests. This is one area that I personally have examined very closely. To compare each method of transportation you must examine them as ‘apples to apples’. The carbon footprint involved in transporting 9 guests in a caravan for 45 minutes compared to the carbon footprint of transporting 9 guests from the Vancouver International Airport via car to the Ferry, Ferry them to Nanaimo, transport by car from Nanaimo to Tofino, and transport by boat from Tofino to the resort is approximately 3 times the carbon compared to a short flight. We are emitting less carbon into the atmosphere by flying guests into the resort by float plane.

Governmental regulations can be a hindrance to a businesses sustainability- an example of this: CWR has been in the process of developing a ‘run of the river’ hydro project in the Bedwell for the last 5 years. Governmental red tape has blocked this process from moving forward year after year- at a cost to the environment in carbon emissions. While a business may want to ‘go ahead’ immediately on certain initiatives, there are usually several governmental agencies that hold up good sustainable practices for long amounts of time.

All factors need to be considered when looking at sustainability- even the purchases a property makes. Was that apple grown locally or was it transported from another location? In order for an apple to travel from where it was picked to the store from which you bought it, carbon was emitted during transportation via freighter and cargo truck. Think of the difference available by simply purchasing an apple that was grown locally.

Basic ideas to follow when considering sustainability include:

• Improving contributions to local sustainable development
• Building cultural awareness
• Lowering consumption of non-renewable resources
• Sustaining the well-being of local peoples
• Increasing local purchasing
• Contributing to biodiversity
• Educating others on sustainable practices
• Minimizing environmental impacts
• Improving staff education on sustainability

Second Employee Essay Winner on the topic of Sustainability

The Rising Tide

As humans we have reached a pinnacle in our evolution. The concept of a global community is blooming before our eyes.  We live in a society rooted in capitalistic structure. But what we are realizing is that the resources we depend on are rapidly running dry. We sit at an axis in our evolutionary development, never before have we had the ability, the worldly knowledge to understand and anticipate the way we grow and acquiesce. The question is not can economic growth and sustainability go together. But how can economic growth and sustainability co-exist harmoniously?

As humans we are plugged into a capitalist system.  We are entirely dependant on a system of supply and demand. The problem is that what we rely on is dissolving.
In Daniel Quinn’s Ishmael, he dates our current crisis to the agricultural revolution and, to paraphrase says; “That humans have, since cultivating their food been producing more than they need. Population growth has basically been chasing its food supply.”
Population growth within the last hundred years in comparison with the rest of civilized humanity is astronomical. Dependence on expiring resources has caused society as whole to view our actions with a sense of our future and more importantly our long-term future.
We now understand that we need to unhook from our critical dependants. If we do not switch off exhausting supplies, economic growth will surely perish.

Currently the majority of humanities energy needs rely on oil. As we quickly realize that we are running out of oil and spikes in oil prices are becoming a constant we look to investing in new sources of power. Electric and hybrid cars are on the rise, people are starting to invest in renewable resources such as solar, wind, and water. For economic growth to stay strong, it must stay on its heels. Be willing to be pliable and adapt to an ever changing landscape, as it’s always done.

We have reached a point where we know, soundly know, that we must shift or be doomed. We understand our growing capabilities. We know that to survive we must switch off of our diminishing resources and on to what is sustainable.   
Economy and humanity know that to survive they must understand that sustainability is essential in the development of our social structure.
In regards to whether or not economic growth and sustainability can go together? They must, therefore they will.

By John Paul

Sustainability Essay Winners

From the June employee essay contest we decided to have two winners with two very different styles and points of view. The two winning entries were by Dominique Gibson, manager of the Healing Grounds Spa, and John Paul, Cookhouse Server. Both essay winners will receive $200, plus a trip to Vancouver to attend the TIES (The International Ecotourism Society)-  Ecotourism and Sustainability Conference in October.

John's essay will follow. Enjoy the read.

Today we post Dominiques essay entitled:

Sustainability and Economic Growth: Never the Twain Shall Meet?

In 1983, the Brundtland Commission coined the term ‘sustainable development’ defining it as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Since then, sustainability has been a growing global issue saturating our environment, but is it really possible to achieve? This paper will discuss the problems facing the three pillars of sustainable development, possible solutions, and will conclude whether or not sustainable development and economic growth can coexist.

Sustainable development can be conceptually broken down into the “Three Pillars,” three independent and yet mutually reinforcing parts: Social, Environmental and Economic. Each of these pillars face serious sustainable issues.

In 1798 Thomas Malthus hypothesized that rapid population growth would stretch the earth’s resources beyond the breaking point, leading to mass starvation and death. According to the United Nations Population division, the global population, which stood at just over 2 billion in 1950, has skyrocketed to 6.5 billion today. The world is gaining new inhabitants at a rate of about 76 million a year. Although this growth is slowing due to our aging population, projections suggest the world will have 9.1 billion inhabitants by 2050.

Sustainability requires that human activity uses up nature’s resources at a rate which they can be replenished naturally. Human society’s addiction to over-consumption directly translates into environmental degradation and the inability to sustain human life. Such degradation on a global scale could imply extinction for humanity. The global economy is using natural resources faster than they can be renewed, says the Earth Policy Institute. We are releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere faster than the earth can absorb it. Our economy is based on cutting trees faster than they can grow, overpumping aquifers, and draining rivers. We are taking fish from the ocean faster than they can reproduce. We are creating an economy whose output is inflated by depleting the earth's natural capital. The challenge is to start reducing this consumption, and begin sustainable practice.

But let’s face it- sustainable projects and retro-fitting are not cheap. Costly changes and expensive new technology create a lofty barrier to such undertakings and companies and governments alike are hesitant to dive into their respective pockets. The high capital costs of adopting new technologies or production methods, uncertainty of future payback, and difficulty in accounting with the non-monetized benefits of sustainable practices are all unattractive prospects.

So how do we answer for all this? What is going to change the tides and leave something behind for future generations? While our labour force is aging, and population is still growing, the ratio of working people to dependents (who consume more than they produce) is shrinking. People are having fewer children, which not only slows the rate of growth, but allows working women more opportunities in the labour force. In addition, technological and human capital improvements have facilitated more efficient use of resources and enabled food production to be expanded rapidly enough to keep pace with population growth so far, contrary to Malthus’ predictions. As for environmental doom, sustainability involves the pursuit of economic prosperity, environmental quality and social equity, famously known as three dimensions or triple bottom line. The phrase "People, Planet and Profit" was coined for Shell and is used to describe the triple bottom lines and the goal of sustainability in a user-friendly way to consider human capital, natural capital and profit in every decision, changing the decision-making process as we know it. So greater spending in the short term, can affect our sustainability in the long term, as long as you have the capacity to see that far ahead.

For harmony between sustainability and economic growth, we will require the integration of environmental and social concerns in all developmental processes. In conclusion, achieving sustainability and economic growth simultaneously may not be possible. However, if we are able to see into the future, there may be a future left to see. Achieving sustainability is a continually evolving process, and the journey, while important, is only the means of reaching the destination.

Dominique Gibson, Manager- The Healing Grounds Spa
www.thespatouch.com

Endangered Salmon- Sea Lice is a Problem

Sea Lice is a major problem for our little salmon and is causing a drastic reduction in salmon stocks in Clayoquot Sound. You can see the damage already caused in the Broughton Archipelago. Just look at what the effects were in Oregon and California- fishing is closed!

How is this happening? Why are sea lice such a problem? These are common questions that are continually asked. Check out this video which discusses Salmon Farming and the sea lice problem. There is an excellent article in the new 'Be WIld in BC' magazine produced by the BC Wilderness Tourism Association here.

The effect of sea lice on our wild salmon is staggering. And in turn, if we don't do something about it now, there may not be wild salmon left for our children.

Sustainability Reporting Survey

CWR believes deeply in leading the industry in sustainability. As a member of the BC Sustainable Tourism Collective we are trying to create change in our industry. At this point we have a string of accomplishments including assisting in a province sponsored thinktank 'the Green Tourism Forum' to create a sustainable certification for the tourism industry.

Today CWR sent out a sustainability survey which will be used to assess the needs of sustainability reporting for our various stakeholders. Included in our stakeholder list were our employees, our suppliers, Ministry of Tourism, BC Parks, Friends of Strathcona Park/Strathcona Wilderness Institute, Friends of Clayoquot Sound, Ahousaht Council, Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council, Tofino Business Association, Tofino Chamber of Commerce, Central Regional Board, Mainstream Canada, Creative Salmon, BCSTC Members, Wilderness Tourism Association, travel agents, and the Clayoquot Biosphere.

If you believe you have interest in reading a sustainability report from CWR and would like to provide input into the process please feel free to fill out the survey. For more information on the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) please go to www.globalreporting.org

Responses can be faxed back to 250-726-8558 or emailed to consulting@rongibson.org.

Download complete_sustainability_indicator_list.doc