Preface | September 2013

Planet, People, and Profits. “In the lives of young people, exercises in making and saving money may be good but when wealth becomes an object of worship for wealth’s sake . . . there is not much to be said for it and there are many better shapes for a lifetime purpose.” —Dr. J. W. Grant MacEwan

By Eloisa Perez, Academic Chair, MacEwan University

Acknowledgement | September 2013

Dean’s Message. The Dean and Associate Dean of MacEwan University express their gratitude to those involved in both the publishing of this special edition of Earth Common Journal and the hosting of the first Canadian PRME regional meeting.

By Elsie Elford & Mike Henry, Dean and Associate Dean of MacEwan University

Corporate Sustainability | September 2013

The Risks and Rewards of IFRS & Fair Value. What is the optimal method for valuation of investment products? The authors determined a reliable and representationally faithful method of valuation that will balance the needs and requirements of all stakeholders and provide transparency in accounting.

By Glynis Milne & Eloisa Perez de Toledo

Corporate Sustainability | September 2013

Women, Barriers, & Positions of Power. By understanding the interplay between external and internal obstacles, women who wish to assume positions of leadership can more easily navigate the labyrinth of gender inequality, and their male colleagues can better recognize the ways that they can either remove barriers or encourage equality.

By Dee-Ann Schwanke

Climate Adaption | September 2013

Canadian Homeowners & Environmental Risk. In an era of accelerated climate change, Canadian homeowners face growing financial exposures to environmental risks, and climate-related property damage now represents the largest aggregate cause of losses in the global insurance industry.

By Adam J. Henley

Education | September 2013

Romanian Ecological Education. On the 22^nd of December, 1989, Romania freed itself from the Nicolae Ceausescu communist regime, and entered into a new era of freedom of information, democracy, and the right of propriety. Romanians have the power to change their faith, but also the power to destroy it.

By Mia Isabela Deleanu

Conservation | September 2013

Selling Ourselves Short. Who owns our water, anyway? Resource management policies have to balance industrial, municipal, and environmental needs when regulating the distribution of water. While industry may be at the heart of the problem, pairing industry with conservation may be the solution.

By Derek Neil Pluim

Sustainability | September 2013

Urban Gardening. Urban gardening can not only feed your soul, it can feed an individual, a community, a city. This multimedia project pairs documentary photography with research to explore Edmonton’s appetite for urban gardening and it’s impact on individual, community, and city-wide tables.

By Tami Ambury, Sherece Burma, Molly Kassian, & Nick Larson

Sustainability | September 2013

Collaboration. Building a community that inspires individuals from different backgrounds to collaborate in favour of sustainability lies at the heart of Earth Common Journal.

By Dr. Lucille Mazo, Managing Editor

Earth Common Journal

An online journal dedicated to supporting and promoting student research projects on the topics of sustainability, conservation and climate adaptation