2018 | A YEAR IN REVIEW

Last year around this time I got to thinking about all the things that had come to pass in 12 months. It was a great exercise in reflection, so I thought I would do it again!

This year has been a big ride. For anyone who has been watching along, you know that SALT took some long strides in 2018, one or two that stretched us (and me!) pretty thin at times. Now here we are, closing in on the end of another year, and looking back, there are many moments + milestones to reflect on and rejoice in. 

•  Victoria Location |  In 2017 we dipped our toes into the Victoria scene with our pop-up space. In 2018, we jumped into the deep end with our second permanent location. I had a whole new space to re-design, which was exciting and daunting all at once. I didn't hold back with what I envisioned, and just went for it. Everything got stripped and re-done. It was a huge job. Lots of long days and late nights. Seeing my vision come together, complete with custom fabrication + countertop + all, was worth the hard work. Having a second space to call home in a new community has been mindblowing. We are still finding our place in the city hashtagged #YYJ, and we are loving it. Excited for what is to come!

• YYJ Opening Party |  Definitely one of the best nights of the year. The community really showed up to celebrate with us. We took over the Fort Common outdoor space (for the first time, for sure not the last), a spot we are so lucky to have available to us right in the backyard. We had Salt Spring Island Ales attend to keep us hydrated, and platters loaded with Salt Spring Kitchen Co. preserves and Salt Spring Island Cheese. My staff may have thought I was a little nuts when I suggested having real tattoo artists set up in the store, but it turned out better than I imagined. Nick Chan + Cole Hooper from Kreative Ink had two stations and were armed with a set of ocean inspired images I designed; there was a line up all night! The whole evening was set to the tune of Vince Vaccaro's musical stylings, who did two sets in the courtyard, something we hope he'll be back to do again. Our good friend Meghan from Sweet Heirloom captured the whole affair through her lens. And proceeds from the night went to Sea Legacy to benefit their work in ocean conservation. It was a great way to introduce ourselves to Victoria and have a blast in the process!

 

• New Styles | I have guests ask sometimes why I don't make this style or this colour, and I always have the same answer. I ascribe to a slow fashion mentality when I design. The styles I introduce are classic pieces in versatile colours and sustainable fabrics that can be built into any wardrobe and last a long time. That means that I won't have new styles every season, and that's ok. That all being said, I did bring in several pieces this year that I was really excited to have. We started the year with the Indra Jacket to round out our outerwear. Coming into Summer we introduced the Delta Dress, Mizuko Jumpsuit, and Marine Crop Top. And bathing suits! I had been looking for a bathing suit line I really loved for some time, and it has been great being able to offer our own styles, in eco-friendly fabrics. With Fall came our button ups, cozy Rio and classy Ren. I decided to use a few new colours as well, a natural cotton in our bralettes, a Kelp green, a Blush, and a few other alternatives in already exiting styles. I even got to collaborate with Salt Spring Island Candle Co. to make our own candles! It was a fun year of designing + creating. You can see what items I am most excited about right now in our Staff Picks list here!

• Plastic Free | At the beginning of 2018, I set out to make SALT plastic-free in all our internal operations. With all that has gone on this year, we slipped in our pursuit of this goal a little. We haven't made as much progress as I'd have liked, but we are making better purchasing decisions with this commitment in mind. All our styles now sport 100% cotton custom garment tags, which we pursued having to eliminate using synthetic materials that often use plastic. Setting up the Victoria location, I was very mindful of what new items we needed and how we could create systems that used less or no plastic. Overall, we definitely used a lot less plastic and made a lower impact as a business. Every time I look to purchase anything for the business, I use this goal as a guide to find plastic-alternatives, something I intend myself + my team to do even more of in 2019.

• Ocean Conservation |  I am happy that in 2018 I really solidified SALT's commitment to the ocean. It is my inspiration for this business, my happy place. One of the biggest reasons I am an entrepreneur is so I can use my platform to bring awareness to the needs of the deep blue sea and all that resides in it's waters. It needs us, or more realistically, it needs less of us, and more of our commitment to keeping it safe. I want to encourage everyone to be an advocate for the ocean. This year SALT contributed to organizations like Sea Legacy + The Ocean Foundation. For my birthday, I had my closest friends do a beach clean up with me. We talked often on our Journal about what is challenging our oceans most and how we can be better in our everyday lives. I look forward to creating more of a community discussion around these issues in 2019, and connecting with people and organizations who are as passionate about preserving our seas as I am.

• Personal Achievements | One of the things I like about being a small business entrepreneur is that you get to interact with your team, your customers, and your community a lot. I also get to celebrate each achievement of the business as an achievement for myself. Other entrepreneurs can sympathize I am sure, with the emotional roller coaster that running a business can be. The lows can be real low, but the highs can be especially high. This year, I got to bring jobs to new team members and learn about their dreams. I proved that handling a life that existed in two places was possible for me, if at some times still a challenge. SALT received several media features this year, in YAM Magazine, Barnacle Babes, and West Jet Magazine. It's always nice when you get feedback that recognizes the hard work you have been doing, I really appreciate these publications putting SALT's name out there! I made time for myself to spend more time on the water this year, connecting with my inspiration for so much of what I do. A busy schedule doesn't always leave as much time to do the things you love as you'd like, so you have to commit to making them happen. I find my balance bobbing out on the ocean, and I was so happy to get back to it more often.

It's been a big year. A year of change and growth in many ways. Although challenging, it may be the perfect precursor to what is to come. I look forward to continuing to be an integral part of the Salt Spring Island business scene and connecting more with Victoria, and making use of the new spaces we have access to. Community, connection, and collaboration are some of the top reasons I do what I do. Taking what I created on Salt Spring, and bringing it to a bigger community means our platform is growing, and with that the opportunity to share my message with a wider audience. I will take this moment to say that if anyone is looking to create something awesome in 2019, whether in the realm of ocean conservation, sustainable fashion, community engagement, or otherwise, reach out! I am here, and I would love to hear your ideas and see what I can do to make them a reality. I want community events to be a bigger part of SALT's impact going forward, and I love working with other passionate entrepreneurs ad change-makers. 

Thank you to everyone who was a part of mine and SALT's 2018 adventures. It's been tough, and it's been a blast. We've got some fun things brewing for 2019, and some more serious things too. Can't wait to share them with you. Stay tuned!  

- Jessica

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/2018-a-year-in-review

SALTY SOCIAL | Beach + Bond

The mist still hugging the shoreline, and the day barely yet lit, we set off onto the sea. The first item on the agenda for Owner/Designer Jessica and her partner and Captain for the day Eric, was to toss the crab traps over the edge to say hello to the crawly bottom-dwellers. Then on to open waters. Two staff pick-ups were made: one on a beach on Salt Spring Island to grab Claire, SSI Store Manager Emily and her husband Nick, and the second at the Canoe Cove Gas Dock to load in Robin, Madi, Victoria Store Manager Stacey and her husband Sean, and Meghan of Sweet Heirloom Photography, all prepped to capture our day from behind her lens. 

With everyone piled in, we got our rich, locally roasted Fernwood Coffee brewing on the boat's propane stove. The boat's collection of Falcon Enamelware Mugs were topped up and passed around to warm fingers and bellies. Paired with incomparable delights from Victoria's Crust Bakery, our day was off to a pretty great start.

We couldn't have asked for better weather. The sun, the wonderful winter sun, was as bright as could be above our heads. It bounced off the water and made everything sparkle, and luckily stayed with us all day. It was a beautiful West Coast scene.

We pulled the crab traps up from the depths to find all kinds of crawling critters inside. Apparently chicken bits make excellent bait, which was news to many of our staff. We loved that this day was getting our team together, but also getting them out into the environment that we hold so dear. Even though the ocean is at our fingertips so often living on the coast, not everyone has the opportunity to get out on a boat (that's not a ferry) to interact with the sea.

Speaking of the boat, you have definitely seen pictures of her before on our Instagram. Her name is Tralee. She was born in 1952 in Nanaimo, BC of Canadian labour and yellow cedar. Her current Captain is the third owner she has had; her history is long and we're sure she would have some great stories to tell. At one time, she could have been seen trawling along the coast with a fishing crew. Now she is more of a pleasure craft, providing peace of soul to our Owner Jessica and her partner, and on this day, a way for us to make our group adventure day a reality.

Our final destination was Sidney Spit, a long sandy stretch of beach located on the north end of Sidney Island, part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Many of our staffers, even the ones who had grown up nearby, had never been to the spit. We loved sharing one of our favourite spots with them!

Our first task after unloading was to get a fire roaring so that we could cook. The menu for the day was probably one of the main reasons everyone was excited to come along. Our inspiration for the food was of course the ocean, and Sarah Glover's WILD Adventure Cookbook. Sarah is a chef with talents hailing from restaurants on multiple continents, but her real love is cooking outdoors. This woman's outlook on food and creative cooking techniques will inspire you and change the way you approach your food. She offers you simple, delicious recipes that get you outside and connect you to what you're eating. From WILD, we chose to make the Smashing Pumpkin, Sea Pizza Sticks, and Chargrilled Cheeses with Endive & Wild Honeycomb. We may not have followed every one down to the tee, but they were all executed with joy and the results were mouthwatering.

Nearly every recipe we made was contributed to by the ocean, and the ones that weren't, probably got sand in them at some point anyways, but we didn't mind much. On top of Sarah's recipes, we also had the fresh crab, and oysters, which we topped with Salt Spring Kitchen Co's Roasted Habanero Hot Sauce (and thus began the collective addiction to this decadent spicy elixir). Everything was cooked either in or right over top of the beach fire. Cooking on the open flame was so satisfying!

Everyone said that the recipes we tried would change the way we cooked. It really opened up our idea of what it meant to cook outdoors. Even when you camp, you still pack so much stuff to make a meal, but the things we made and ate required very little equipment and only a few ingredients each. They expanded everyone's concept of cooking on the go, cooking outside. And they all washed down nicely with a can of Salt Spring Island Ales Heather or Golden ale. 

When we weren't toasting ourselves around the fire and downing every delicious thing in sight, we did get to play a little with new product, and get our staff to roam the sand and tall grasses in styles we were really excited to bring to our line this year, like our Ren Button Ups. Having our staff wear our clothing helps show us how the styles perform, and connects everyone to the fabrics that we use. It's extra fun to do it as a group and talk about our favourite pieces, and how we each style them. 

Even though the day itself was chilly, having the fire going made you forget about your tingly toes. We had warmth coming from so many places: from the sun, the fire, the hot sauce, the new friendships being made. As the sun began to hide away for the night, we covered our fire, packed up everything we brought in, and filed back to Tralee in the dinghy. Huddled in the cabin together, we gathered around a cast iron pot filled with WILD's Nuts For Buns with Oozing Orange Choccy (sort of like a citrusy, chocolatley, rustic bread pudding) that was cooked in the fire earlier in the day. It was the perfect treat to end our day of feasting.

Throughout the day, Jessica asked everyone in attendance what their favourite part of the day was. It was great to hear the different things that made an impact on each individual. Top votes were the cozy fire, the fresh + creative food, being by the ocean, and getting to know each other. A big part of our brand philosophy at SALT is about valuing our people. We want our team to always be a collection of humans that believe in what we stand for. Making time to connect with them and create experiences that show them the lifestyle that SALT wants to promote is part of how we show we value them and appreciate the way they show up for us.

A big thank you to all our staff for such an incredible day, that will be a collective memory for us all to enjoy. A thank you to the ocean, for all that it gives to us, and the many ways it sustains us. 

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/salty-social-team-bonding

HOLIDAY IMPACT | Zero Waste, Not Haste

Gift giving. Gift getting. It has been a part of the Christmas tradition since Frankincense and Myrrh. Not all winter holidays have a history of gift giving, but some have adopted the custom due to the pressures of commercial consumerism that have become associated with the Christian celebration.

For the most part, it is a nice tradition. Picking out something really special for someone you care about, being excited to give it to them because you know they are going to love it. We love that feeling too! When gift giving starts to take a turn though, is when gifts are given without the careful consideration of the receiver, or the planet. That is where the trouble lies.

There is a lot of pressure to make a big list at Christmas and give everyone at least something. That pressure leads to the production of a tonne of unsustainable, often tacky, plastic junk. The gag gifts that are only good for a few laughs, then forgotten; the obligation gifts that you put no thought into and grabbed at random; the gadgets and widgets that have little to no purpose, and will likely be discarded.

Between the decorations, the wrapping, the "enjoy-it-for-a-moment" gifts, and everything else, Christmas alone creates literally millions of tonnes of waste that end up in landfills, or worse, our oceans. We not only encourage, but plead with everyone to help us turn the tides, and strive for more mindful consuming during the holidays (and always!).

Be Conscious - The easiest place to start here is by being picky about where you shop. It is pretty easy to discern if a store doesn't have the planet's best interests in mind. Do a little research before you hand over your dollars. Next, be cautious about what you're picking up off shelves. Check labels and tags, only choose items on the basis of sustainability and mindful production. It might take you slightly longer to find the perfect thing, but in the end, it's really worth it. And on your way out the door, politely decline the offer of any unnecessary wrapping and packaging. 

Item Longevity - Buy for a long time, not just a good time. Don't buy anything that isn't going to last for years, unless it's a food product of course. And we don't mean just physically on this Earth (we all know plastic is here to stay, unfortunately); when we say 'last' we mean it actually sustains a purpose for an extended time so as to reduce the need to replace it, therefore reducing overall production and waste. This concept seems to get lost this time of year (and in general). So many items on the shelves only last for 6 months, whether it is because of quality or design. Just say no!

No single-use items either. This goes for immediate use, as well as long term use. An item with only one purpose is an item you could probably do without. Tried and true example is a mason jar; so many uses! This principle doesn't have to apply to everything, especially if the item brings you consistent joy, but it is a good filter to keep in mind when shopping.

Shop Locally Made - This strategy could backfire if you live somewhere that specializes in making plastic do-dads and whatsits. However, we know you savvy readers know that we mean look for small batch or handmade items that were created at or close to home. These items are bound to be more unique and usually more sustainable. Plus you might get the opportunity to actually meet the person who designed and/or made them, and feel good about supporting someone in your town. In our communities, there are no shortage of holiday markets to attend that are ripe with creative output. There are also smaller, locally owned shops who focus on sustainable goods (hint, hint) that really appreciate the support, and sincerely want all your gifts to be something thoughtful and consciously produced.

Give From Yourself - Lists can get long and the expectation to get around to everyone can be tough, especially with a budget in mind. Think about what skills you have. Can you make something? Source from materials you already have? Maybe you're handy with wood, metal, paint, clay, or another workable substance.  Homemade cooking, baking, and preserves make excellent gifts for anyone, and are things you can make multiples of to have on hand for anything unexpected. Not every gift has to be a physical item. What strengths do you have? You could give someone a few hours of inside or outside chores, help them re-organize their home or garage, offer them some technical consultation, fix up their car, whatever you have the ability to do. For some people, that kind of thing means so much more than a physical gift.

Sometimes, the most valuable thing we can give is our time. That person who you always miss out on seeing because you're both so busy? The relative that wishes you could see each other more? Make a plan with them to set aside some quality time together. They will appreciate the effort and it will give you both something to look forward to. 

Give the Gift of Giving Back - At it's roots, the holiday season is all about giving. Giving back, giving to others, giving kindness. There are so many easy ways to do it, so many great causes. This season we wanted to give back a little more to one of the most important things in our lives: the ocean. $5 from the sale of each of our Polar Sea Gift Boxes (details) will be donated to The Ocean Foundation and will go towards their many efforts to protect our seas. We figure that even better than giving a gift is giving one you know is making a difference. We think those receiving them will feel the same!

Having the best of intentions can be easier than executing them. Don't panic! Set aside a little time to do a bit of the leg work ahead of your shopping, so you don't feel the need to stray from your plan and shop impulsively for the sake of getting it done. Keep the joyful spirit of giving alive and make a difference while you do it!

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/christmas-the-ocean

SALT's FAVOURITE THINGS | Staff Picks

When we wander through our stores, we want everything in them to reflect what we stand for. We stand for beauty + function, long-lasting, multi-use items, passion driven endeavours, and ocean conservation. We do our best to represent those things in our stores and in our lives, especially with the products we carry. 

Every item we create or bring into our stores are carefully crafted and chosen and we love them all. We wanted to give a little extra shout out to a few items that we are super jazzed about! We figured what better way than to ask some of our team what their favourite things are right now (and we swear, we had to pair down their choices!).

Our owner and designer Jessica could easily pick every item in the store, but currently she is crushing on the following few items.

Salish Sea Candle 

As a lover of candles herself, Jess was really excited to work with Salt Spring Island Candle Co to bring her own to stores. Having candles with scents we were able to collaborate on fills our hearts, homes, and shops with sweet + woodsy comfort. 

Ren Button Up | Onyx

Bringing button ups to our line was a goal we were looking forward to for the better part of the year. Jess loves the way the hem on Ren is so versatile and the way the tencel falls. We also introduced Rio, our uni-sex button up done in cozy cotton. Having two options that can be styled so many ways makes us feel like our wardrobes are complete.

Shore Pant | Kelp

This was a new colour in a core style. We don't use too many colours in our line, and we are so glad we chose this one to bring to this year's palette. Jess describes these pants as "On point!" We're pretty sure that means she's happy with them. Cuffed, or full-length, they look cute with boots of any height and are a perfect holiday party option (in any colour). 

Our Victoria Store Manager Stacey's top picks are the Pacific Sweater and the Cari Basic Tank. The Pacific Sweater has been with us since day one and as Stacey puts it,  is "hands down" the favourite long sleeve in the shop. We love that it suits men and women, worn loose or fitted. Plus, it is just so darn comfy! The Cari Tank is a great base layer, one that Stacey says is a part of her outfit almost everyday.

SALT SSI veteran Alix has seen the birth of every item in store and has many favoured styles. A few from her list are the Hydra Bralette + Oceana Cardigan. Our racerback Hydra Bralette recently went through a style update plus we added a neutral cream colour that hides well under light colour tops. With simple support and soft seams, it is an easy everyday option. The Oceana Cardigan's long hem makes it easy to pair with any top and it's cozy bamboo french terry keeps Alix warm during her store shifts! 

Robin and Claire of our Victoria and Salt Spring stores respectively are both fans of our Best Selling Basics. Robin favours the Ula V-Neck Tee with it's finished hem and pointed neckline. Claire is partial to our Nerio Tee. A round neckline and a longer, side-split hem makes it easy to style with anything, including tucked into a high-waisted skirt or pair of jeans. It is an everyday staple in her wardrobe. They are not alone either - we have seen customers return to buy both styles in every colour!

Madi in Victoria is loving our Fjord Box Top with it's drop shoulders and looser, flowy fit. A great long sleeve option for these chillier days! Hayley from our Media Team has our Mizuko Jumpsuit on her Christmas wish-list. It's cuffed ankles keep it in place, and the loose fit makes it a comfortable one-piece option suitable for lounging or for a day out and about. Throw it on over a tank or tee and your outfit is good to go!

Our Community Manager (and blogger) Emily has too many favourites but if she had to choose, right now it would be the Marine Crop Top, Kai Long Sleeve, and Hali Bralette. Even though it might be getting a little chilly, the Marine Crop Top is still a perfect mate to any high-waisted pant, paired with a sweater to keep the cold at bay. The Kai Long sleeve is Emily's first choice for longer sleeves. The soft bamboo cotton and the closely fitted arms make it feel like wearing a gentle hug. The Hali Bralette, the straight strapped cousin of Hydra, is just such a super comfy support option to go under any top.

(She is also really digging the Ula Tee in Navy, which is a new colour for us, and wants to collapse into a pile of all the button ups because they are so soft!)

 

There are plenty of items on our shelves these days that we didn't create, but are (almost) equally enamoured with. 

WILD Adventure Cookbook by Sarah Glover

This woman's outlook on food and creative cooking techniques will inspire you and change the way you approach your food. Simple, delicious recipes that get you outside and connect you to what you're eating.

Dans le Sac Zero Waste Kit

This little collection provides you with two large and one small bulk bags and a bread bag, all in natural cotton. These sustainable items will help you create better habits and decrease household waste. Plus, they are made in Canada by an awesome female duo who is committed to a greener, healthier planet.

 

Convivial Planters

We love everything Convivial does, but we have been especially into their planters lately. Looking at photos of these ceramics being handcut and glazed by the dedicated team who creates them makes us feel like not only are we holding a useful household item, but a delicately crafted piece of art. So much precision goes into each item, and yet, each one is unique. And they give our plants such neat homes!

Bonnetier Camp Socks

Bonnetier Socks got multiple votes for one of the coziest things in the store. A solid pair of wool socks goes a long way on a cold day. 

We clearly have a lot of love for the things we have in our stores. Keeping our homes and our bodies adorned with sustainable, beautiful items is a priority we take seriously, that we want everyone to share in. We might not have the whiskers of kittens to bring delight to your day, but we bet that any one of these items gifted in a brown paper package tied up with string will keep you from feeling anything but sad.

Enjoyed getting to know a little bit about our team? Stay tuned! We hope you get to know them a little better in the coming months.

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/salts-favourite-things

IRIS HANTVERK | Visually Empowered

 

How many brushes do you have in your house? It's probably not a question you stop to ask yourself very often. Think about it now. Which rooms do you most often use them in? How often do you need to replace them? What are they made out of? 

The unfortunate truth is that most households probably own at least two if not more brushes that are made out of plastic. Every time you have to replace one of them, they are likely being tossed into the garbage. Plastic brushes are usually designed with multiple materials, be it different plastics or the addition of a handle in rubber, making them difficult to recycle. Frustrating!

Iris Hantverk has been doing their best not to contribute to that conundrum for over 100 years. Established in 1870, they started as a small collective of visually impaired craftsmen scattered across Sweden. Supporting and employing the visually impaired community was a pillar of their company, one that still stands strong today even though the company has changed hands. Transitioning ownership in the past decade we imagine wasn't easy, but the current owners seem to have a true love for how the company is run and what they create. They have pushed beyond their borders for production, and now also collaborate with a team of visually impaired workers in Estonia. Their inclusive efforts are supported by Blindas Väl, a Swedish association that helps create and support employment opportunities for the visually impaired.

It is truly remarkable that the craftsmen that put these items together never get to fully appreciate the beauty of the work they create. We have to imagine that these hand drawn brushes are done mostly by feel; by sensitive fingers that have built an intimate knowledge of the machines and materials over years of use. Employees will stay with Iris Hantverk for a very long time, even decades, honing skills and benefitting from an excellent employment opportunity where they get to be creative.

Creating sustainable household options might not have been their main goal when the company was started, but it is inherent in their products. All their items are made with mostly natural materials. The oak, beech, and birch wood for their brushes comes mainly from Sweden, as does the linseed oil they use to treat the wood. The bristles are made mostly from horse hair, and attached using wire. (For some really interesting footage of the construction of the brushes, check out this short video.)

We love that Iris Hantverk has such a rich history, and that the current owners are so invested in keeping the purpose and integrity of the company intact. They are an inspirational company bringing sustainable, beautiful goods to market that take us back to the most important and basic principles of creating: timeless design, simple materials, and quality construction.

It really is easier to choose more sustainable options for household necessities than people seem to think. You just have to look in the right places. The more you are conscious of these kinds of things, the more you notice them, and the less of an impact your household will have on our planet.

We are excited to stock up on all our Iris Hantverk favourites for the holidays, plus a few fun new items - like Soap on a Rope! Check them out here. 

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/iris-hantverk

COOL DOWN | Changing Seasons, Changing Climates

As we come into winter, we notice the wind nipping at our noses, frozen fingertips fumble with keys and shopping bags, and leaving the house without a jacket is no longer an option. While our attention is pulled towards this frosty weather, the awareness we have around climate change may wane. There (thankfully) aren't forest fires, droughts, and hurricanes on the news every day reminding us that the world has become a more volatile environment. Here in the Pacific Northwest, at least the southern part, we don't see much of the extreme cold snaps that other parts of the world experience, although we know they're happening. 

The easiest term to associate with Climate Change is Global Warming, which often makes people think of summer, of hot, hot heat, and limited water. However, during the colder, often wetter months, these issues don't go away, they are just less prominent. As winter sets in, dropping temperatures don't fix the damage that has been done, nor do they mean that the changes are slowing down. It is important for us to keep in mind year round the impacts our consumption has on the globe, perhaps especially so when these changes aren't consistently brought to our attention.

When we think cold, we think of white landscapes, thick ice, snowy tundra, and frigid waters. Realistically, all of those things are high on the list of the items most indisputably affected by human driven climate change. And they are all intricately connected.

Ice Caps & Glaciers

It's difficult to ignore the disappearing ice caps and glaciers; we can see it happening so clearly. As they melt, the resulting rush of fresh water has to go somewhere, and that somewhere is mostly the ocean. This contributes to rising oceans that threaten a large degree of our coastal population (as Islanders, this really concerns us!). It can increase erosion, interfere with freshwater sources, disrupt currents, and contribute to extreme weather occurrences. It also deteriorates the ecosystems of land dwelling animals residing in ice covered tundras and polar habitats. With the rising temperatures, summers lengthen and these geological features don't have the time they need to recover and are slowly fading away.

Chionophiles

These are animals that thrive in cold weather conditions. They have adapted to living with at least some level of ice and snow all year round. Now their survival is being challenged with summers that take away nearly all the ice they depend upon, and not enough is returning in the winter. As their food sources and living areas shrink, so do their populations. Animals like Arctic Foxes, Caribou, Narwhal, the Beluga Whale, the Pacific Walrus, and the iconic Polar Bear are threatened by the changes in their habitats, not only from Climate Change, but other human driven activities. We have already lost so many species, we need to fight for those that remain.

Oceans

Though we know that the dark winter waters would be freezing to our touch, even in the colder months the temperature increases in our oceans are still effecting every organism that resides in our salty waters. As National Geographic tells us, marine ecosystems seem to react more sensitively to changes than land environments. That means even though they are changing slowly, when they do, the consequences may be even more drastic. Like an entire coral reef dying, or food sources disappearing, causing species extinction (We urge you to give their findings a deeper read!). Some of the smallest species in the ocean, like phytoplankton, are very sensitive to shifts in their environment. Considering that "half of the world's oxygen is produced via phytoplankton photosynthesis..." (National Geographic), we should be taking these changes very seriously.

The implications that these changes have are far greater than we can briefly discuss, and there are so many more we haven't even touched on. We bring them to your attention though, to encourage everyone to live more mindfully, especially with the cold holiday season approaching. This time of year, we are tempted to leave our cars idling to keep them warm, purchase novelty gifts that will quickly end up in the bin, and make choices of convenience to avoid dealing with the weather. We're asking you to keep your mindfulness cap on (switch it for a toque if you need to), and make decisions with the greater good of our environment in mind. We all live here, we all need to continue doing so, we can all do our part. 

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/changing-seasons-changing-climates

COOL DOWN | Changing Seasons, Changing Climates

As we come into winter, we notice the wind nipping at our noses, frozen fingertips fumble with keys and shopping bags, and leaving the house without a jacket is no longer an option. While our attention is pulled towards this frosty weather, the awareness we have around climate change may wane. There (thankfully) aren't forest fires, droughts, and hurricanes on the news every day reminding us that the world has become a more volatile environment. Here in the Pacific Northwest, at least the southern part, we don't see much of the extreme cold snaps that other parts of the world experience, although we know they're happening. 

The easiest term to associate with Climate Change is Global Warming, which often makes people think of summer, of hot, hot heat, and limited water. However, during the colder, often wetter months, these issues don't go away, they are just less prominent. As winter sets in, dropping temperatures don't fix the damage that has been done, nor do they mean that the changes are slowing down. It is important for us to keep in mind year round the impacts our consumption has on the globe, perhaps especially so when these changes aren't consistently brought to our attention.

When we think cold, we think of white landscapes, thick ice, snowy tundra, and frigid waters. Realistically, all of those things are high on the list of the items most indisputably affected by human driven climate change. And they are all intricately connected.

It's difficult to ignore the disappearing ice caps and glaciers; we can see it happening so clearly. As they melt, the resulting rush of fresh water has to go somewhere, and that somewhere is mostly the ocean. This contributes to rising oceans that threaten a large degree of our coastal population (as Islanders, this really concerns us!). It can increase erosion, interfere with freshwater sources, disrupt currents, and contribute to extreme weather occurrences. It also deteriorates the ecosystems of land dwelling animals residing in ice covered tundras and polar habitats. With the rising temperatures, summers lengthen and these geological features don't have the time they need to recover and are slowly fading away.

These are animals that thrive in cold weather conditions. They have adapted to living with at least some level of ice and snow all year round. Now their survival is being challenged with summers that take away nearly all the ice they depend upon, and not enough is returning in the winter. As their food sources and living areas shrink, so do their populations. Animals like Arctic Foxes, Caribou, Narwhal, the Beluga Whale, the Pacific Walrus, and the iconic Polar Bear are threatened by the changes in their habitats, not only from Climate Change, but other human driven activities. We have already lost so many species, we need to fight for those that remain.

Though we know that the dark winter waters would be freezing to our touch, even in the colder months the temperature increases in our oceans are still effecting every organism that resides in our salty waters. As National Geographic tells us, marine ecosystems seem to react more sensitively to changes than land environments. That means even though they are changing slowly, when they do, the consequences may be even more drastic. Like an entire coral reef dying, or food sources disappearing, causing species extinction (We urge you to give their findings a deeper read!). Some of the smallest species in the ocean, like phytoplankton, are very sensitive to shifts in their environment. Considering that "half of the world's oxygen is produced via phytoplankton photosynthesis..." (National Geographic), we should be taking these changes very seriously.

The implications that these changes have are far greater than we can briefly discuss, and there are so many more we haven't even touched on. We bring them to your attention though, to encourage everyone to live more mindfully, especially with the cold holiday season approaching. This time of year, we are tempted to leave our cars idling to keep them warm, purchase novelty gifts that will quickly end up in the bin, and make choices of convenience to avoid dealing with the weather. We're asking you to keep your mindfulness cap on (switch it for a toque if you need to), and make decisions with the greater good of our environment in mind. We all live here, we all need to continue doing so, we can all do our part. 

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/cold-weather-impacts