Local PovertyIntertwined with Sustainability

S. Bielert, L. Costello, E. Harvie, S. Jantz

Interaction of poverty with•Economics•Equality / Equity•Environment

The Sustainable Food Dilemma

Sustainability Poverty

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How is poverty an element of sustainability?

Hinders, it is an element that perpetuates our present condition

Helps, those in poverty help to reverse the course that we are on

It is a symptom that affects and is affected by our condition and need for sustainability

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• This graph illustrates a recent improvement in Manitoba, however, it has not kept pace with improvement in Canada as a whole. In fact, Manitoba demonstrated relative improvement of its national position in 2004, attaining the fourth highest rate, but there has been deterioration since. In the last two years Manitoba has once again demonstrated the worst rate in Canada.

• Poverty Reduction Strategy Act

• The government must implement a long-term strategy to reduce poverty and increase social inclusion across Manitoba.

• Strategies must recognize that poverty has multiple causes and be designed to address various needs such as: affordable housing, employment opportunities, training that prepares for employment, income supports for persons who are unable to participate in the labour market.

Equity Poverty

Between 2000-2009, there are how many fewer Manitobans

living in poverty?

3000

6000

9000

Contributing Factors• increased minimum wages to help the lowest

income earners and their families – Manitoba’s minimum wage is currently $10/hour

• more people working – Manitoba’s unemployment rate in 2011 was 5.4 per cent, compared to 7.4 per cent for all of Canada

• more funded child-care spaces – 11,000 new spaces funded since 1999

• higher graduation rates – Manitoba’s high school graduation rate has increased from 72.3 per cent in 2001 to 82.7 per cent in 2010

• Higher earnings – between 1999 and 2011, the average weekly earnings in Manitoba increased from $532.92 to $764.41

Equity Poverty

How many Manitoba children (2009) lived in poverty?

Excluding children on Reserves

50000

60000

70000

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Environment Poverty

Hinders it, they exploit the land, air and water just as the rest of the population

Helps it, those in poverty have a more sustainable lifestyle than the rest

Both help and hinder

How does the population in poverty affect the environment?

Supporting Environmental Stewardship•No pesticide use• Located central to amenities• Located close to community supports •Community-based organizations (sharing)•Minimized amount of consumption/purchasing• Low waste of food• Buy second-hand •Walk or take the bus

Environment Poverty

In the classroom:Acknowledge these positive environmentally friendly

attributes to their lifestyle

Possible Environmental Stewardship Actions• Turn water off when brushing teeth• Turn lights off when not in the room• Shower instead of bathe•Brick in the water tank•Buy bulk with friends and share •Use reusable shopping bags•Recycle

Environment Poverty

In the classroom:Encourage these positive environmentally friendly

attributes to their lifestyle

Difficult or Impossible Environmental Stewardship Actions•Buy local, organic foods•Buy energy efficient appliances•Reduce meals with meat•Use eco-friendly cleaning products•Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFL’s or LED’s•Refuse to buy products with excessive packaging

Environment Poverty

In the classroom:Take care in talking about these environmentally

friendly actions

Environment Poverty

Hinders it, exploit the land, air and water just as the rest of the population

Helps it, those in poverty have a more sustainable lifestyle than the rest

Both help and hinder

How does the population in poverty affect the environment?

How is poverty an element of sustainability?

Hinders, it is an element that perpetuates our present condition

Helps, those in poverty help to reverse the course that we are on

It is a symptom that affects and is affected by our condition and need for sustainability

The Sustainable Food Dilemma

Helpful websites for more information:

About disability benefits in Manitobahttp://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/assistance/pubs/eia_disability.pdf

About Income assistance for single parents  in Manitobahttp://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/assistance/pubs/eia_single_parents.pdf