The very idea that one of the earth’s largest intact forest could be gone in my lifetime horrifies me. Until very recently, I deemed this notion to be absurd; a worst-case scenario dreamed up by alarmists. Canadians are environmentally aware and connected to nature. Our government has committed to protecting land and species at risk; we have a rigorous forestry certification system and regulations on top of regulations. What’s really happening? Logging companies are clear-cutting large swathes of ancient growth forest with shameless disregard for the environmental impact or the rights of indigenous people who have called the forest their home for centuries.
Someone needs to call them out. Someone needs to stand for forests.
Every now and then, Greenpeace does something in the public eye that really tickles me; it resonates. So I was on board when I heard that Best Buy has been destroying endangered caribou habitat to produce their junk mail.
The Objective:
Expose Best Buy’s dodgy paper supply chain and educate the public about their environmentally unsustainable business practices. Advocate for a positive change.
The Plan:
Set up an interactive photo-booth outside of the store, encouraging passers-by to snap photos of themselves in the ‘Boreal Forest’ with a message for Best Buy and share on social media (preferably in a silly animal costume).
My role:
Banner holder…public engager...defender of maple and pine!
No problem, I thought. I used to be an adventure photographer and I excelled at persuading people to be photographed doing something out of their comfort zone. So I planted myself on the corner of Yonge and Dundas Square and unfurled my banner. If you’re familiar with Toronto, you know that this particular intersection is positively swarming with people. Me and my little banner had to compete for their attention with a giant robot on stilts, the most spectacular break-dancer I’ve ever seen and a man on a soapbox with a thunderous voice who nearly had me convinced that the end of the world was nigh.
How do you sum up a company’s destructive logging practices in a snappy soundbite that will strike a chord with weary commuters?
“ Best Buy lacks a comprehensive policy on the sustainable procurement of natural fibers and consequently threatens to decimate old growth forests scientifically identified as having ecological value!” That won’t do.
“Best Buy is destroying ancient forests to make junk mail!” Reactions ranged from incredulity to resignation. But I know that we can do better than resignation.
Let’s stand for forests together.