For those without suitable internet for streaming this film, but with capability to download it (including those wishing to show the film in a rural location, or a classroom, community meeting or other gathering with limited internet), please contact CCRN@smu.ca with your name, affiliation, and information on the need to download the film.

For those without suitable internet for streaming this film, but with capability to download it (including those wishing to show the film in a rural location, or a classroom, community meeting or other gathering with limited internet), please contact CCRN@smu.ca with your name, affiliation, and information on the need to download the film. 

All around the world, people, in their local communities, are tackling some of the biggest global challenges… the climate, the environment, and how to sustain economies and livelihoods. The actions these communities are taking, the solutions they are finding, can inspire a way forward for all of us.

Sustainable Futures – Communities in Action

… is a positive and powerful new film that brings you to four such communities, each a story of local action and local solutions, each a story of people, working together, in unity for a common cause.

“People in the community feel that they have a voice and they have the ability to make the changes they want in their community.” – Tammy Shields, Dartmouth Food Centre

“Our ancestors managed the river because they were here to see and do it while the government is far away.” – Sara Afrika, Community Elder, Ebenhaeser/Papendorp

“There are three ways we are helping conserve our fish stocks: seeding giant clams, creating homes for the fish, and taking care of the environment.” – Akrom, Koh Pitak fisher

“We are putting forth new ideas but have the same values as our ancestors. It is our responsibility to look after not just our people but also the environment and how we do that in modern times is a juggling act.” – Terry Dorward, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation Councillor

Financially supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

Coastal Communities… At the Ready is a new film that explores how coastal communities are preparing for, and responding to, a range of climate change impacts and other hazards hitting the coast. That includes everything from hurricanes and other extreme weather, to floods and erosion, to tsunamis and oil spills.

“Most of the world’s people live by the sea and are under the threat of a variety of marine hazards. Marine hazards are not new on the coast but they are becoming more common and more intense under the pressures of climate change. Where the sea meets the land in coastal communities, developing good responses to the impending threats is vitally important.” (from the film)

Coastal Communities… At the Ready combines global perspectives with the experiences of two Canadian coastal communities – Tofino and the District of Clare – to examine how communities can adapt to climate change, and prepare for hazards, with a focus on the tools and knowledge that can lead to success.

This 13-minute film will be of interest to all those concerned about living on the coast, making a living at sea, and dealing with climate change – including communities and community associations, citizen organizations, governments and policy-makers. The film, which is also suitable for school and university classrooms, provides a better understanding of the issues and challenges coastal communities face, and how they can overcome these challenges.

Produced by Nexus Media. Executive Producer: Anthony Charles. Funded by the Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR), the Community Conservation Research Network (CCRN) and Saint Mary’s University.

Pressured by the Church and Governments the Innu were settled into communities in the middle of the 20th Century, then the Churchill Falls Hydro Project flooded vast areas of their land without permission. Their communities fell apart and into despair.

Now the Innu are taking back control of their land, government, schools, social services and their resources which are overseen by the Environmental Guardians.

Here is the 2nd of CCRN’s animation videos… focusing on the ingredients of success for local communities engaged in environmental conservation, to make their communities, and their livelihoods, more sustainable for current and future generations.

This animation video explores what it takes for success… for local communities, in restoring ecosystems, safeguarding natural areas, diversifying economies, sustaining livelihoods… as well as for governments, and others, in better supporting those local communities.

Drawing on the experience of many local communities in conserving their environment while sustaining their livelihoods, a series of “lessons learned” are described – ones that can be relevant around the world.

Produced by White Raven Consulting for the Community Conservation Research Network (CCRN). Executive Producer: Anthony Charles. Financial support: Saint Mary’s University and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

This animation video explores how local communities take action to conserve the natural environment they depend on, and sustain their local economies and livelihoods. Focusing on the experiences of two communities, the Eastport Peninsula in Canada and Koh Pitak in Thailand, the animation video highlights community efforts to restore ecosystems, safeguard important natural areas, and diversify economies – all of this making the environment and community livelihoods more sustainable for current and future generations. In emphasizing the important contribution of local communities to environmental conservation, the video also notes the need for the right kind of government support to community initiatives.

Produced by White Raven Consulting for the Community Conservation Research Network (CCRN). Executive Producer: Anthony Charles. Financial support: Saint Mary’s University and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Produced by Cintia Nascimento, this video focuses on coastal conservation in Timor Leste.