What Works

From Alaska to California, people are creating successful enterprises that are low carbon, attuned to the ecology, locally rooted. They’re employing, training, producing, sustaining. Here you’ll find regular reports on what works for the economy we need.

flowerfeature

The Pandemic Left Her Reeling. So She Turned to Growing Flowers.

See how a frontline medical worker found new life in farming and selling pesticide-free blossoms.

By: Josh Kozelj and Quinn Kelly

Read Story
RealmRefilleryDispensers

The Grocery Store the Earth Needs

How package-free markets like Portland’s Realm Refillery change how we shop and reduce plastic waste.

By: Josh Kozelj

Read Story
anticaterrawinehero

She Learned to Make Wine Without Cutting Down Trees

White oaks once ruled the now vineyard-blanketed Willamette Valley. Maggie Harrison shows they don’t have to be sacrificed to grapes.

By: Hannah Wallace

Read Story
canesugar

Want to Save Trees? Put Some Sugar in Your Printer.

Social Print’s founder wanted to protect forests. So his British Columbia company makes paper from sugar cane.

By: Josh Kozelj

Read Story
babiesbiocharhero

She Changes Diapers. Into Climate-Friendly Biochar.

Billions of disposable diapers end up in North American landfills yearly. Carrie Pollak’s firm is trying better ways.

By: Andrew Engelson

Read Story
OceanLegacyShreddedPolypropylene

A Second Life for Pacific-Clogging Plastics

Ocean Legacy recycles “ghost gear” and other trash into deck chairs, picnic tables, and more.

By: Katie Hyslop

Read Story
geodomeexpo

Science World Is Now One Big Climate Experiment

See how the Vancouver landmark is getting a dramatic retrofit to cut emissions. A Tyee short video.

By: Inder Nirwan and Josh Kozelj

Read Story
‘This idea of land restoration.’ shíshálh Nation member Aaron Joe is helping to build regenerative food systems on BC’s Sunshine Coast. Photo for What Works by Hilary Angus.

A Brilliant Community Farm Rises from Brambles

Sechelt imports almost all its food. This Indigenous-led effort wants to show a better approach can take root.

By: Hilary Angus

Read Story
Skipper Otto’s Sonia Strobel: ‘I’m not trying to take over the seafood world. I want a system that works for people and planet that pays living wages.’ Photo for The Tyee by Josh Kozelj.

Subscriptions to the Sea

How Skipper Otto and other community-supported fisheries are increasing transparency and providing quality seafood to members.

By: Josh Kozelj

Read Story
LED lighting is the key to vertical farming, allowing growers to get the ‘right wavelength of light’ for optimal growing conditions ‘at pretty low energy costs.’ Photo via UP Vertical Farms.

Moving Farming Inside and Up

This BC-based vertical farm is growing fast. One reason: tariff and sovereignty threats to Canada.

By: Josh Kozelj

Read Story

The Essentials

Learn & Support

Areas of Interest

Grab a paddle. It’s time to work together.

Sign up for Magic Canoe’s twice-monthly newsletter to stay in the loop. Get stories, updates, events, and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox. No spam.