Hub Staff

The Grey Bruce Sustainability Network (GB SusNet) is a not-for-profit organization created in 2009 with the intent to gather likeminded corporations and individuals across the region who foster a sustainable way of living. Today, GB SusNet provides educational programming for youth, traveling coffee houses throughout Grey and Bruce, screenings and discussions on the recent climate change film “Resilience” and support to the numerous organizations that are doing their part in building a sustainable community. Their underlying belief is that banding together the individual efforts of these groups will have a much stronger impact.

Leigh Grigg recently joined the GB SusNet Board to become more involved with local sustainability efforts and to aid in uniting the numerous organizations in the region. “I felt passionately that if all these non-profits that are doing great work on the environment were in discussion with each other then they could be more efficient,” said Grigg.

Grigg described GB SusNet in its early years as “an umbrella organization for any non-profits who need support”, but with the global spotlight now illuminating the urgent need for climate action, GB SusNet was forced to up their game.

“We’ve been alongside that invigorating movement of climate action in Owen Sound since it started,” recalled Grigg. "It's definitely had an influence on our programming."

Grigg mentioned their involvement premiering the local film ‘Resilience, Transforming our Coommunities’, produced by Liz Zetlin of Owen Sound. The follow-up discussion group, hosted by GB SusNet, gave birth to the new GB Climate Action team.

A monumental regional environmental meeting in Walkerton saw many climate group representatives from across the region, and West Grey Councillor Beth Hamilton, all in one room. “That was unprecedented," said Grigg. “It was great, everyone introduced themselves, but one of the takeaways was that we should be working together more frequently and that’s where I stepped in and had something to offer as far as Climate Action Team and GB SusNet creating this new site."

The site, greybruceclimateaction.ca, was officially launched May 7 and carries a goal of connecting residents with opportunities to battle the climate crisis from within their own communities. Grigg said the decision was made to keep things simple to start with just three buttons or tools to connect users with viable resources in their communities.

An expansive database of mindful organizations allows users to 'Find Groups' and organizations that support a more sustainable lifestyle for Grey and Bruce residents. “At the Walkerton meeting we realized just how many organizations exist that cared about the environment in Grey and Bruce,” Grigg said, recalling a list of close to 70 guests.

The keyword driven search tool allows users to instantly filter their results as they type. Searches may include town names, services, food types, and so on. Grigg notes that it will take time for organizations to "claim" their listings and for the search tool to reach its full potential. “We’ve done an incredible amount of outreach to confirm a lot of the data we have but a lot people we haven’t been able to get a hold of," said Grigg.

With food security at the top of their priority list, the new resource listing includes a vast number of food suppliers, food banks and farmers.

A 'Find Events' button will keep residents up to date on local meetings, programs, courses, protests and more. “So many marches were happening at the time, so many outdoor activists and advocacy events and the 'Resilience' screenings, that an event calendar was needed," Grigg said.

The third button on the site is the ‘Collaborate’ link which provides an app enabling users to virtually come together to brainstorm on climate issues in their area. “I really encourage people to sign up for that networking feature,” Grigg said, adding that that's where all the great discussions will happen. "That’s where I see the greatest upside to this new project, is that by sharing in that form you can really make more effective use of your efforts," she said. The networking app includes different channels for each environmental topic, and will send notifications on upcoming topic discussions.

Visit the new Climate Action website at greybruceclimateaction.ca. If your organization is included in their resources database, be sure to claim you listing by visiting greybruceclimateaction.ca/groups.