“The Empathic Civilization is emerging. A younger generation is fast extending its empathic embrace beyond religious affiliations and national identification to include the whole of humanity and the vast project of life that envelops the Earth.”
Jeremy Rifkin
Repair Cafe
We all know how easy it is to throw things away when they break. But what if we could fix them instead? That's exactly what we're doing — empowering our community to repair and reuse, rather than discard. Bring your broken items — whether it’s an old blender, a torn shirt, or a bike that needs some TLC. Our skilled volunteers will be there to help you repair, learn, and save money while reducing waste! Why attend? Free entry! Learn valuable DIY skills. Help keep useful things out of landfills. Let’s fix it together! The Repair Café is about community, sustainability, and learning — come join us July 11, 2026 and make a difference. See you there!
Rain Tote Project
The Rain Tote Project helps local households capture and reuse rainwater for gardens, trees, and landscaping. By keeping rainwater on site, the project reduces pressure on municipal water systems while building practical, long-term water resilience at the household level. The Rain Tote Project supports gradual, household-level water resilience throughout the community. Why This Project Matters Water resilience is built locally. Capturing rain where it falls: Reduces demand on treated municipal water Supports gardens, trees, and drought-resilient landscaping Helps households adapt to increasing variability in rainfall The Rain Tote Project focuses on practical action that residents can understand, participate in, and benefit from directly.
Explore Renewables
Explore how solar, storage, EVs, and future grid technologies are evolving — and what they mean for small communities like Diamond Valley.
Featured report: Bifacial Panels & Perovskite Solar – The Next Big Leap in Solar Energy.
Up Next Monday:
We’re exploring the next evolution in home and community energy storage: Sodium-Ion vs. Lithium-Ion. A quick, clear look at what these emerging batteries mean for reliable winter power in Diamond Valley.
Preparing for the Digital Shift
A new series exploring how technology is changing everyday life—and how we can prepare in practical ways.
https://www.sustainablelife.biz/digital-shift-series/
🌱 Beyond Green Lawns: Growing a Healthier, Resilient Future — Discover the benefits of xeriscaping for water conservation and community resilience. [Read More]
💧 Sheep River Water Report — Explore our research on water availability, rights, and climate impacts in Diamond Valley. [Read More]
🔧 Repair Café: Fixing for a Sustainable Future — How local repair events save money, reduce waste, and bring the community together. [Read More]
- Rainwater System Guide [Read More]
- Spread the Word: Share resources like Sustainable Life with your neighbours.
Lunch & Learn Summary: Air Quality & Community Health
This session will be presented by the Calgary Region Airshed Zone and hosted by Sustainable Life. https://www.sustainablelife.biz/air-quality-lunch-learn-april-30-2/
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”
Connecting the Dots: Understanding the Systems Behind Our Daily Stability
“Rethinking Our Lawns: How Xeriscaping Builds Resilience”
This brief examines the systems that support stability in Alberta’s economic, governance, and infrastructure frameworks.
It was developed to make these systems more visible and easier to understand—particularly where they are not always seen in everyday life.
Executive Summary
This brief examines structural systems that support stability within Alberta’s economic, governance, and infrastructure frameworks.
It was developed to provide a clear and organized overview of how these systems function and interact, particularly where they are not always visible in everyday experience.
The document focuses on several interconnected systems, including:
- intergovernmental fiscal arrangements
- disaster response and financial preparedness
- credit and borrowing capacity
- institutional and administrative systems
- trade and market access
- monetary and financial systems
- public pension structures
- and water governance and infrastructure
Each of these systems contributes to the functioning of communities, public services, and long-term planning.
The brief also highlights how these systems are interconnected. Changes in one area may influence others through:
- financial relationships
- regulatory frameworks
- and operational dependencies.