"To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget. "

- Arundhati Roy

The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard - What is the Story of Stuff? From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

As we introduce and teach people down here at Harboufront how to experience the outdoors and nature through paddling, we need to also foster a sense of respect and understanding for the planet we live on. Yes, we all drive cars and use too much electricity but we can try and do better - and that is all anyone can ask! It is important that we educate ourselves with issues that concern not only our lives but of those that are important to you. We, at Harbourfront, believe that all issues are equally important - however, we do have an inherent concern for Our Planet. Support local and global environmental issues facing our society today - the following are links to websites if you are interested in learning more or getting involved.

Every year through water and concession sales along with donations from our BBQ nights as well as various other endeavours - Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak raises money which we donate to various causes. Through your continuing support - we hope to raise even more money to make this world a better place to live.

Past donations include: Bruce Trail Conservancy, Toronto Renewable Energy Windshare, Kids Help Phone, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Amnesty International, Princess Margaret, Breast Cancer, Community Air Legal Defense Fund, Daily Bread Food Bank, David Suzuki Foundation - Climate Change Fund, Zambian Aids Centre and we continue to sponsor a child through World Vision.

Check at our office throughout the summer to be kept abreast of all the comings and goings of this fund. If you have a cause that is dear to your heart - contact us and we will consider contributing. Although, the majority of our money will go towards environmental issues - we are not restricted to those causes only.

"What gives beauty and meaning to life is our capacity to give to others, our ability to experience joy, and our willingness to share it with those around us"

Human Rights

As we continue to live very fortunate and privileged lives – we must not forget others the suffering in others.  Money cannot fix all problems.  Today, genocide is occurring in places such as Sudan and the Congo.  The United Nations does not have the political will in stopping the brutal massacres happening.  It is Rwanda and Somalia all over again.  If you feel Canada and the UN should do more about the atrocities being committed worldwide – please contact your local government representative. www.Amnesty.ca

Global and National

	www.bfi.org - Scientist, inventor, environmentalist, genius. Inventor of the geodesic dome, R. Buckminster Fuller believed that humanity had reached the point in its technological development where it could easily provide for the needs of all of the inhabitants of "Spaceship Earth." Fuller worked toward sustainable technology, alternative energy and affordable housing for all. He invented and tested a 30 MPG, 11-person land transport van that could travel at 120 MPH...in 1933! The BFI website has links to examples of sustainable, Fuller-inspired developments and technologies today.
	www.davidsuzuki.org - Since 1990, the David Suzuki Foundation has worked to find ways for society to live in balance with the natural world that sustains us. Focusing on four program areas – oceans and sustainable fishing, forests and wild lands, climate change and clean energy, and the web of life, the Foundation uses science and education to promote solutions that help conserve nature.
	www.motherearth.org - FOR MOTHER EARTH is a non-violent, international, non-profit citizens organisation, which takes initiatives to promote human rights, disarmament and protection of the environment and all creatures, from the premise of an understanding that the Earth is a creation to be honored and respected as our Mother.
	www.sierraclub.ca - Sierra Club of Canada Foundation is a national charitable foundation that fulfills its mission to protect and preserve our natural environment by funding the charitable projects of the Sierra Club of Canada. They fund a wide range of environmental projects, from scientific research to environmental education.
	www.stopesso.com - The StopEsso campaign was launched on 8 May 2001 after the US Government rejected the international treaty on global warming, the Kyoto Protocol. No other company has done more then Esso to sabotage Kyoto, misinform US policymakers and confuse the US public. See our background links for more information on what Esso has done to sabotage international efforts to address global warming.
	www.sweatshops.org - Sweatshops and child labor are a growing problem, particularly in clothing and textiles. And many popular agricultural products, from coffee to bananas to cut flowers, are grown under terrible conditions. No one wants to buy products made with sweatshop labor, but it is hard to know what to avoid, and where to find green and Fair Trade products. Co-op America provides the information you need to help stop sweatshop labor and promote fair treatment of workers everywhere.
	http://www.oen.ca/dir/ - The Ontario Environmental Directory is a comprehensive, searchable directory of hundreds of environmental groups, organizations, agencies and websites across Ontario, Canada.
	www.amnesty.ca - Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of “ordinary” people who work together to achieve extraordinary results. Each day we stand in solidarity with - and help protect - individuals and communities around the world whose human rights are under attack.We appeal for the violations to stop. We mobilize public pressure to prevent human rights abuses from taking place. And we support Amnesty’s campaigns through our financial contributions.

Local

	http://www.earthroots.org - Earthroots is a strong advocate and agitator for wilderness preservation in Ontario, combining aggressive grassroots campaign strategies with excellent research and educational programs. Since 1986, Earthroots has used its grassroots expertise to organize, educate and mobilize the public, conduct successful media events, carry out wilderness research projects and ensure proper forest management planning.
	http://www.greentourism.ca - The Green Tourism Association is a unique non-profit organization that is committed to establishing an urban green tourism industry in Toronto. We work collaboratively with a network of businesses, community and environmental groups, government agencies, heritage and cultural organizations and individuals that share our common interest.
	http://www.ontarionature.org - Federation of Ontario Naturalists: Organization founded to protect Ontario's nature through research, education and conservation action.
	http://www.planetfriendly.net - A newsletter website to help keep you up to date on local events concerning environmental issues.
	http://www.torontobay.net - The Toronto Bay Initiative: A non-profit community organization formed in 1997 to achieve the goal of a cleaner, greener, healthier and more accessible Toronto Bay.
	http://www.wildernessadventures.ca - 3 and 6 day Algonquin Park canoe adventures and 3 and 5 day Georgian Bay 30,000 kayak adventures. Round trip transportation from Toronto available
	www.trec.on.ca - The Toronto Renewable Energy Co-operative (TREC) was formed in 1998 by members of the North Toronto Green Community, a neighborhood-based environmental group. Their members wanted to create a vehicle for the development of community-based renewable energy in Toronto.
	http://www.wildlandsleague.org - Wildlands League: Focusing on protection and preservation of nature through parks and protected places.