If this graph is vaguely accurate, the scale of wealth evaporation represented in this one industry sub sector alone, has ramifications we are going to have a hard time seeing before it hits us much harder.

Who's the greenest of them all? Send your nominations for the Green Toronto Awards, the City of Toronto's annual awards for environmental leadership. Individuals, organizations and companies are eligible to win an award - in multiple categories - plus $5,000 to donate to a registered charity of their choice.

I just read Emira’s new blog, “We’re Moving!”  We are thrilled to welcome SVIers Emira Mears and Lauren Bacon of Raised Eyebrow Web Studio as our new neighbours in the Tides Renewal Centre.   

Through the magic of Twitter, CBC learned about Toby Barazzuol of Eclipse Awards.  Toby and SVIer Gill Yaron, Frogfile, have opened  businesses in Strathcona in an effort to create a new eco-friendly zone for business in Vancouver.

Renewal CEO Joel Solomon and SVIer Doug Markaroff of Living Forest Communities were the topic of a recent article for their efforts championing conservation goals through sustainable development.

The Tides Renewal Centre is springing to life. The exquisite renovation of the Flack Block by Robert Fung and Salient Group stands kitty corner from Victory Square on the Cambie and Hastings adjacent to the Woodward’s redevelopment.

There are new leasing opportunities at The Ralph Block (130 W Hastings St) and The Henderson Block (122 W Hastings St), between Cambie and Abbot Street, across the street from The Tides Renewal Centre. 

I  had a ten day Cortes Island end of the year quiet time. The focus was family, reading, walking, firewood, dvd's, and a rich reflective period to sort the world shifts of 2008 and to plan strategies for 2009 for myself and my organization. My learning project of year end was a new language. Twitter.

As we look forward to 2009 the global economic crisis necessarily impacts the way we see the importance of equitable trade, democratic control and Canadian ownership. As the economic situation in Canada, with a low Canadian dollar and slower sales, affects La Siembra from a revenue and margin perspective, we also recognize at this time that cocoa and sugar producers have even more to lose. If consumers stop supporting fair trade in this moment of economic uncertainty then the future for commodity producers is bleak.

Check out these videos of SVIers, including Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield Farm and Greg Steltenpohl of Odwalla.