What’s more important:
the challenges of doing business,
the environment,
or our personal health?

Actually, they’re all extensively and intricately linked. Doing business is certainly a stress provocateur in this day and age, when the value of the Canadian dollar, the economic downturn of our U.S. neighbour, the incredible speed of technological changes, government policies, company mergers and sales, and the ability to attract knowledgeable — and caring — staff are just a few of the problems that impact the daily life of management.

Add to that the overall picture of global warming. Even if you are still not a believer, information about the need to lower our carbon footprint, to design more environmentally-friendly buildings, to avoid pesticides and to recycle is all around us. Needless to say, these are all priorities of our elected representatives at the municipal, provincial and federal levels in one form or another.

Keeping ourselves and our families healthy is, and should be, priority #1. If we aren’t healthy, how can we cope with the stresses of life that these other challenges raise? Eating healthy and exercising are particularly important, as more and more research has indicated. A particularly worrisome aspect is that obesity is a major problem in a much too high percentage of Canada’s young people. In fact, it’s an issue with children as young as three years of age.

What’s behind it? A combination of unhealthy eating practices — and way too much time in front of television, computer and game screens, as seen in Canada’s newest Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. What did Canada score for 2008? A big fat D — for the fourth straight year.

Being overweight leads to numerous health problems. How can we expect our young people to cope as they enter the business world, when we have problems ourselves? Adults should be role models, yet how many of us spend too much time in front of a screen! More exercise and healthy eating can help us cope with the stresses that the business world brings.

This issue takes a look at business challenges, greening in the business world, health, and the benefits we gain from scientific research and exploration. I hope that you’ll find some information therein to help build a stronger Canada, both in terms of business and your personal life.

Have a great summer! And join us for our next issue in November.

Gail Chiasson
Editor