Équiterre
Encyclopedia
Based in Montreal
(Quebec, Canada), Équiterre is a non-profit and non-governmental organization
. Équiterre's mission is to contribute to the construction of a citizens' movement by advocating individual and collective choices that are both ecologically and socially fair. Through four programs - ecological agriculture, fair trade, ecological transport, and energy efficiency - the organization has developed projects which allow citizens and consumers to make concrete gestures that will have a positive effect on the environment and on society.
, Laure Waridel
, Sidney Ribaux
, Patrick Henn, François Meloche and Beth Hunter who had participated in various preparatory conferences at the Earth Summit
in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the previous year. This group shared the view that issues of poverty, the environment and North-South inequities must be considered in order for real change to occur in society. They decided to create an organization that would enable them to put their principles into action. Équiterre has since been devoted to implementing projects that focus on solutions rather than problems. The organization has grown thanks to the synergy of the many individuals who have joined its ranks.
Équiterre was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1995 and was granted charitable status by Revenue Canada and Revenu Québec in 1996 (No. 894057132RR0001). In November 1998, “Équiterre” became the official name for Action for Solidarity, Equality, Environment and Development (A SEED).
Équiterre’s Ecological Agriculture program allows Quebecers to experience the benefits of agriculture and food without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. In addition to forming a network of farms that supply organic food through its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project, Équiterre organizes initiatives that stimulate citizen action, such as the Organic Baskets and Organic Daycare projects.
Équiterre's Fair Trade program was created to enable consumers to use their buying power to oppose existing inequalities in international trade. In purchasing fair trade products certified by Transfair Canada, the consumer-actor allows small farmers in the South to obtain a fair price for the products they cultivate, such as coffee, tea, sugar and cocoa.
Équiterre’s Energy Efficiency program was developed with the aim of reducing the many environmental problems related to excessive energy consumption, including urban smog, climate change and flooding in virgin forests. Equiterre advisors, accredited by the Agence de l'efficacité énergétique, make home visits in order to evaluate household energy use and provide residents with tips to help them develop energy-efficient habits that are beneficial to the environment and easy on the wallet.
Équiterre’s Sustainable Transportation program was born out of a desire to reduce the impact of pollution caused by transportation, in particular greenhouse gas emissions, which are an important cause of climate change. In keeping with this aim, Équiterre has developed a practical information kit to help citizens adopt a combination of modes of transportation such as car-pooling, bicycling, walking or public transport. By implementing structures making it easier for citizens to use this “transportation cocktail,” the program makes a valuable contribution toward the achievement of the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol.
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
(Quebec, Canada), Équiterre is a non-profit and non-governmental organization
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
. Équiterre's mission is to contribute to the construction of a citizens' movement by advocating individual and collective choices that are both ecologically and socially fair. Through four programs - ecological agriculture, fair trade, ecological transport, and energy efficiency - the organization has developed projects which allow citizens and consumers to make concrete gestures that will have a positive effect on the environment and on society.
History
Équiterre was founded in 1993 by a group of young people including Steven GuilbeaultSteven Guilbeault
Steven Guilbeault is a Canadian science reporter, environmental reporter, environmental journalist, writer, consultant, venture capitalist, professional speaker, NGO founder and environmental activist...
, Laure Waridel
Laure Waridel
Laure Waridel is a social activist, a writer, an environmentalist, and a radio and TV commentator.- Early years :Laure Waridel was born in Switzerland, in the village of Chesalles-sur-Oron just north of Lake Geneva in the Canton of Vaud. She has three sisters and a brother...
, Sidney Ribaux
Sidney Ribaux
Sidney Ribaux is the co-founder and general coordinator of Équiterre, a non-profit organisation based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, promoting fair trade, energy conservation and ecological and socially just choices. Ribaux was Chairman of the Board of Directors until 1998...
, Patrick Henn, François Meloche and Beth Hunter who had participated in various preparatory conferences at the Earth Summit
Earth Summit
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development , also known as the Rio Summit, Rio Conference, Earth Summit was a major United Nations conference held in Rio de Janeiro from 3 June to 14 June 1992.-Overview:...
in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the previous year. This group shared the view that issues of poverty, the environment and North-South inequities must be considered in order for real change to occur in society. They decided to create an organization that would enable them to put their principles into action. Équiterre has since been devoted to implementing projects that focus on solutions rather than problems. The organization has grown thanks to the synergy of the many individuals who have joined its ranks.
Équiterre was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1995 and was granted charitable status by Revenue Canada and Revenu Québec in 1996 (No. 894057132RR0001). In November 1998, “Équiterre” became the official name for Action for Solidarity, Equality, Environment and Development (A SEED).
Équiterre's four programs
- Ecological agriculture
Équiterre’s Ecological Agriculture program allows Quebecers to experience the benefits of agriculture and food without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. In addition to forming a network of farms that supply organic food through its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project, Équiterre organizes initiatives that stimulate citizen action, such as the Organic Baskets and Organic Daycare projects.
- Fair TradeFair tradeFair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries make better trading conditions and promote sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as higher social and environmental standards...
Équiterre's Fair Trade program was created to enable consumers to use their buying power to oppose existing inequalities in international trade. In purchasing fair trade products certified by Transfair Canada, the consumer-actor allows small farmers in the South to obtain a fair price for the products they cultivate, such as coffee, tea, sugar and cocoa.
- Energy EfficiencyEfficient energy useEfficient energy use, sometimes simply called energy efficiency, is the goal of efforts to reduce the amount of energy required to provide products and services. For example, insulating a home allows a building to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain a comfortable temperature...
Équiterre’s Energy Efficiency program was developed with the aim of reducing the many environmental problems related to excessive energy consumption, including urban smog, climate change and flooding in virgin forests. Equiterre advisors, accredited by the Agence de l'efficacité énergétique, make home visits in order to evaluate household energy use and provide residents with tips to help them develop energy-efficient habits that are beneficial to the environment and easy on the wallet.
- Sustainable Transportation
Équiterre’s Sustainable Transportation program was born out of a desire to reduce the impact of pollution caused by transportation, in particular greenhouse gas emissions, which are an important cause of climate change. In keeping with this aim, Équiterre has developed a practical information kit to help citizens adopt a combination of modes of transportation such as car-pooling, bicycling, walking or public transport. By implementing structures making it easier for citizens to use this “transportation cocktail,” the program makes a valuable contribution toward the achievement of the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol.