Newsletter: October 2024

Michael de Pencier passed away earlier this month. Many of you may not have known him. In our world, he was a titan.

Michael, or de P as he was often known to colleagues and friends, was an exceptional, caring human. His idea bank was legendary – as was his communications prowess. His successful business career blended seamlessly into a deep commitment to environmental causes. He planted millions of trees, generously supported hundreds of charities both financially and with his wisdom and loved watching birds. And most of all, adored his family.

Usually the smartest guy in the room, he always managed to make others feel they held that space. Master of silence. Incredible mentor to so many.

I will miss his smile – warm, bright, kind. Always supportive of the work I was doing, especially Greenbelt protection. Michael was never afraid to speak up about the way the world should be and was often ahead of his time. We are proud to continue to support making natural burial an option in Ontario, a project in partnership with Natural Burial Association, an organization he co-founded.

At Small Change Fund, we will miss Michael and remember him as a man who inspired and helped so many people and good causes.

Here is the link to his Obituary.

Michael de Pencier, January 19, 1935 – October 6, 2024.

– Burkhard

On September 29th, 200 supporters celebrated everything Greenbelt smack in the middle of it at our second Small Change Fund-hosted Gather: part fundraiser, part barn dance, all for the continuing protection of Ontario’s environmental jewel.

“We were thrilled by the enthusiastic turnout,” said Mike Balkwill, Small Change Fund VP, Campaigns and Engagement. “The Greenbelt means so much to so many Ontarians and it was wonderful to celebrate that with our supporters.”

Having recently moved to Canada, I had brought with me a long list of iconic Canadian destinations to explore, with majestic Jasper National Park near the top. However, the park and town I finally got to visit this September was more like visiting the set of a horror movie.

I had been excited to explore the park’s hiking trails but it was closed, leaving it eerily silent and shrouded in smoke. The devastation from the July wildfires extended beyond the forests: much of the town was heavily damaged, with the hotel I’d booked lost to the flames.

Wildfires are a natural part of Jasper’s ecosystem but they’re becoming more frequent and intense, driven in part by the rising temperatures, prolonged dry spells and shifting weather patterns of climate change. Yet, wildfires can play a vital environmental role: in places like Jasper they help clear out dead vegetation, recycle nutrients, even trigger the regeneration of species. But the balance is shifting. Fires that once renewed the landscape now threaten to consume it.

As I left Jasper, the charred remains of the forest stood like silent ghosts, a warning of the future our changing climate holds for places we thought would endure forever.

– Aneesa Piracha, Small Change Fund Director of Technology Strategy

Something tells us that plot wouldn’t go much farther in a Hollywood pitch meeting. But it’s exactly what our partners at Seniors for Climate are doing, and on October 1st almost 80 communities nationwide celebrated Seniors Climate Day of Action. Our Campaign Coordinator Jen Texeira attended the Peterborough event and was thrilled to see “so many folks of all ages raise their voices, amazing musical performances, including the Raging Grannies, and really inspiring speakers.”

No soulless zombies were reported trying to ruin the events, unless you’re referring to the fossil fuel industry. Find pictures of the events by searching #LaterIsTooLate and #SeniorsForClimate on social media.

We have been on an exciting journey with the Resilient Together project this summer and made a real difference in our communities! We engaged over 200,000 people using powerful storytelling and digital tools to support those facing climate extremes like wildfires and heatwaves.

Over the last several months, we provided crucial support to those hit hard by climate impacts, offering practical resources and easy steps to stay safe and take action. For example, we supported a workshop for people to learn how to build their own air purifiers for their homes (pictured above).

We also launched groundbreaking communications content led by trusted voices like firefighters and doctors to highlight the connection between climate change and wildfire, heat and smoke – and linked people to easy-to-use resources to be prepared.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to deepen our outreach in key areas and continue to lay the groundwork for meaningful climate action across Canada. Together, we’re building a brighter, more resilient future!

– Adam Lynes-Ford, Co-Founder, My Climate Plan

Scary Cute! Congratulations to our Board member Aisling Nolan and her family on the birth of a healthy baby boy!

It Lives Again! Our online climate-change-fighting comedy show Hot Globe premieres soon – make sure you “like” our socials for the release date and exclusive features.

The Turtle Ninja! Our president Burkhard met “Turtle Guy” Bob Dyment last year and was so impressed with his passion for protecting Muskoka turtles, including the endangered Blanding’s Turtle, that we had to help. In September, we helped Bob submit his 2023-2024 data to the Natural Heritage Information Centre.

De-CAP-itated! (We warned you these would be painful.) Our very popular emissions caps were seen at lots of Seniors Climate Day of Action events, including this flash mob to “Stayin’ Alive”.

Happy Halloween, everybody. Awwooooo! 

Sincerely,

The Small Change Fund Team

P.S. These stories are just a fraction of the grassroots projects we help out but many more ask for our help. When you donate to Small Change Fund directly, we bring in more services, hire more people and get to say yes to a lot more projects. We’ve actually doubled our staff and tripled our projects in two years, so it’s working! So please keep helping us out.