August 5, 2025
A Guest Message from Ziya Tong, Co-Director, Plastic People
After two decades as a science broadcaster, I’ve worked on many projects aimed at informing and inspiring the public. But every so often, a project lands differently — sparking conversation, shifting perspective, and inviting action. Plastic People is one of those rare films that resonates deeply, and immediately, with audiences.
The documentary explores something many of us hadn’t fully considered until recently: the microscopic plastic particles now found in all of our bodies, and what that means for our shared future. Spending time with the scientists and subjects in the film made that reality hit closer to home. It brought into sharp focus just how deeply our well-being is tied to the health of the planet. That’s the heart of the One Health approach: recognizing that human, animal, and environmental health are all part of the same system.
What’s been especially heartening is seeing how audiences have responded. I’ve heard from people who’ve swapped out items in their kitchens, sworn off fast-fashion, passed the film along to friends, and started asking tougher questions about plastics in daily life. These changes may seem modest, but they’re meaningful — and they multiply.
It’s also been a reminder that awareness alone isn’t enough; action must follow. I’m incredibly grateful to Small Change Fund for supporting our film as this investment helped to fund a very successful impact campaign, with a global reach. From homes to the halls of power, it’s been a great honour to work on a film that has had a ripple effect both at the community level, and on the global stage.
Ziya Tong, July 2025
Small Change Fund is proud to support Plastic People. To date, we have raised more than $530,000 for this groundbreaking film and the subsequent impact campaign.
Another Hamilton Victory!
While we won the fight to save 5,400 acres of farmland in Hamilton in 2023, our work with Stop Sprawl Hamilton Ontario is far from over. Last month, we secured another important victory when Hamilton city councillors voted unanimously against two urban boundary expansions – protecting 3,800 acres of farmland, wetlands and woodlots. With ample room for development within the current urban boundary, expansion would be environmentally and economically costly, and entirely unnecessary. Over 70 public letters were on the agenda, including a powerful one from the Hamilton-Wentworth Federation of Agriculture in defence of land “that has been feeding people and animals for generations.” As the Federation pointed out, “Once it’s developed, it’s gone for good.”
Celebrating Youth Climate Action
Looking for your daily dose of inspiration? Check out this short video featuring some of the 2025 Canadian Youth Climate Action Award winners!
Friends of Ball’s Bridge & Little Lakes attracted more than 100 local supporters for their parades in
support of protecting the Little Lakes area, reaching 1,000+ spectators.
Taking on the Gravel Giants
For many grassroots groups, taking a case to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) is an intimidating and expensive endeavour. Industry opponents hold all the cards: big budgets, experts on retainer and years of experience. Small Change Fund is proud to provide strategy and fundraising support for our partners in their OLT fights. This summer, three of our projects with the Reform Gravel Mining Coalition have appeals in front of the Tribunal:
- The hearing into the Nelson Aggregates application on Mt. Nemo concluded submissions in June; closing arguments will be made in September.
- The first phase of the Little Lakes hearing wrapped up on July 18 with the final phase set to occur in December.
- The hearing on the Springwater Lewis Pit expansion will begin in September.
We are pleased to support the residents of these communities in their efforts to protect water, farmland, wildlife and community health. You can check out their crowdfunding pages to learn more about each community’s fight and to donate towards their efforts.
Victory in Muskoka!
The new Township of Muskoka Lakes Official Plan – and the environmental protections it includes – has been under attack from a special interests group including builders, property developers and aggregate companies. A recent Ontario Land Tribunal decision dismissed all appeals against the plan, a major win for the environment and democracy. More than 500 policies that protect Muskoka’s unique environment were threatened by these appeals. The decision can still be challenged so watch this space for any future actions. In the meantime, congratulations to everyone on your hard work!
Notes of Change
‘Tis the season for music festivals and Mariposa Folk Festival is one of our favourites at Small Change Fund! The event, hosted annually in Orillia, ON, is plastic-free and implements a system with dedicated volunteers to ensure that all waste is properly sorted. Thanks to these efforts, 85% of this waste is recycled or composted. Small Change Fund president Burkhard Mausberg makes a point of attending each year and visiting the Music and Climate Change booth. He is pictured here with Kim Fry, Coordinator for Music Declares Emergency Canada.
New Projects
- Building the Movement for Community Land Trusts in Canada: to strengthen Land Trusts as an effective, community-driven model for increasing affordable housing supply in Canada.
- Climate Literacy Project: to support workshops for students and educators that combine scientific learning with emotional expression, creativity and discussion of local actions. The goal is to equip participants with knowledge, critical thinking and hope.
Small News Bites
- Check out this guest post from longtime Small Change Fund partners Iron & Earth to learn more about our important work together to foster a community and worker-led energy transition.
- You can help our partners Save Georgian Bay advocate for independent water, soil and sediment testing in relation to the proposed TC Energy pumped storage project. Click here to send a letter of support – it only takes a few minutes!
- Alongside Organizing Exchange and our partners from 350 Canada, we co-hosted a two-part training series in B.C. to equip movement leaders with critical organizing skills to rebuild grassroots power. Participants left re-energized and ready to build climate action.
- Seniors for Climate is hosting a September webinar ahead of global day of action Draw The Line on September 20. Save the dates and be part of standing up for climate justice, peace and democracy!
We hope everyone is staying safe and cool this summer!
Sincerely,
The Small Change Fund team
P.S. Your donation directly to Small Change Fund allows us to keep improving services and supports to help more grassroots projects succeed nationwide. Thank you for helping make change!
