Blog # 3 This little world of ours

Greetings fellow YIIPers!

All apologies for being a bit late with this 3rd entry but I've been really at work and running back and forth from Ottawa to Toronto for the past few days. This 3rd topic interests me because I have been more aware than I ever have of things we can do as individuals to change the ecological architecture of our little world. I'll start by giving a background on what types of activities I've been already doing prior to be enlightened by Nina "Never Say Never" Sandersen. Well I live in Woodbridge Ontario and our garbage/recycling system is efficient and satisfactory. We have our blue bin, garbage and the recently introduced compost bin which gives the smell of dead rats in the summer heat but none the less is useful. I'm a political science and criminology major and throughout my experience with the program I've never been really focused on the issues of environmental politics or anything close. I do think that it's an important issue but never took the time to truly understand the problems and proposed solutions. That is until I met the inspirational tree-hugging, status quo fighting, organic supporting and environmental activist. Nina "the GREENE machine" Sandersen. We've had a few friendly debates on the issue where I played devils advocate in attempts to argue over the importance of the environment in our world today. I agreed with "the GREENE machine" the whole time but threw a few capitalist ideologies and economics to mix it up a bit. All in all it was an entertaining debate filled with laughter and sometimes, anger. But what stuck out was "the GREENE machine's" quotation from some tree hugging guy she can't remember. She said "Our world is not given to use by our ancestors, but lent to us by our children". That line alone, plain and simple just shut me up and the devil's advocate game was over. I was owned. If I was ever asked why the environment mattered I was use the same line. In order to care about the environment and the ecological architecture of our world, we must first defeat the seeds of selfishness capitalism planted in our ideological structure of importance. The mainstream media, popular culture, leaders of our society and even our public education system never took the time to even hint at the importance of the environment. We live in a society where we are constantly encouraged to consume, indulge and think about ourselves. I would suggest conducting a survey at our local high schools to provide validity of my claim. A sample question would be as simple as giving them a choice to spend the day with pop star Justin Timberlake (nothing against him I like his music, especially that song where he's like singing real high about a senorita in an ethnically incorrect music video) or top environmentalist/scientist Rachel Carson whose 1962 book "Silent Spring" was credited to have started environmental protection. I'm sure most students would choose Justin and would be confused as to who other person is. Collectively, our society has a responsibility for this neglect we have created in regards to the environment. Asks grade 5 children what they would like to aspire to be when they grow up. Most would answer: a doctor, a lawyer, an actor, an athlete and the answer I would dread most to hear from my future unborn children, a pop star. Seldom would children say "I would like to be an environmentalist". In the open market economy profits rank first and no matter how many Schulich students try to convince me that they are educated in "business ethics", if you're in business the reason you exist is because of profit. If the business becomes unprofitable, you will cease to exist. Ethics, morals and environmental responsibility will always be behind profit. That is the world we live in. That is the institutional architecture of capitalism. So shall we shake our fist in the air and breathe a sigh of hopelessness in spite of a reality we cannot change? "The GREENE machine" doesn't think so and after being enlightened I agree with her. As an individual we can have the power to change our realities. At GOPAC we stress the importance of "political will" to our 700 members around the world to encourage the strengthening of governmental institutions in the fight against corruption. I would like stress the importance of the "individual will" to battle one of the most prominent problems in our world today. Recycle, reduce, reuse and go organic with your products and groceries. It's only a minor change in routine. Talk to friends and family about doing the same to ensure your ideas and values are heard. Attend a rally or protest against environmentally unfriendly legislations. There is alot you can do to make the world a better place not only for yourself but the people around you and the people who will come after you once we're all gone. We must battle the seeds of selfishness through a realization individual responsibility. I am a part of the problem, I will strive to be a part of the solution. I want to see changes, I will be the change I wish to see.

Yours Environmentally,

Harrison Luong

Blog # 2: 1st Impressions

Well hello everyone. I have been very busy lately at work and also running back and forth from Toronto to Ottawa etc... The city of Ottawa is an amazing place and quite different from Toronto. The most noticeable difference is in the evenings and weekends. It is extremely busy in the heart of Downtown Ottawa during the 9 - 5 time frame and anything beyond that is down time. Meaning I can actually go to the mall and enjoy a nice and decent time without the fear of being suffocated by people. Think of it as an opposite to the Toronto vibe. The buildings are very beautiful and filled with history. The walk to work in the morning is a real pleasure as I cross the Rideau Canal with Parliament Hill as the backdrop. The University of Ottawa campus is really phenomenal and has made me fall in love with it. Everything is within arms length from where I live: groceries, entertainment, work and anything else you can think of. My appreciation of the city seems to be the highlight of my summer adventure but the greatest part of my trip so far is the nature of my placement at GOPAC. Located within the parliamentary centre, this global NGO has given me valuable experience and exposed me to a professional and interesting work environment. The nature of my work is really the highlight of this trip. I have had the privilege of sitting in on meetings with MP John Williams and the rest of he GOPAC team to strategize on the execution of the upcoming global conference in November. I also get to communicate with parliamentarians around the globe to strengthen regional chapters of the initiative. I was also sent to a roundtable discussion representing GOPAC on the release of Transparency International's Promoting Revenue Transparency Report where an extensive study was done on the level of transparency oil and gas companies around the world provide to the public. The staff at the parliamentary centre are friendly and kind. I have encountered an amazing coincidence in that my neighbour beside my work station knows 3 York University professors I had classes with. What a small world! Please feel free to view my pictures on facebook if you want to see some Ottawa pictures! I will be uploading more soon! Ottawa has left an impression on my like no other! I hope that everyone in the program is having a great experience and I look forward to reading all your stories!