Since 1994, ethical environmental consulting has offered a wide range of affordable services in and around Vancouver. Now we also offer our services on Vancouver Island and Lasqueti Island, too!
Our newest offering is for parents: a coaching series, either 1-to-1 or in a group setting, entitled "Parenting with an Open Heart." Please read much more by clicking here.
Better Transportation for us means getting around by foot, bike, and transit. We know this isn't possible for every trip for everyone (yet), but we also know that the vast majority of our society's resources have been used to create only one viable transportation network (guess which one!). We can help create safe, efficient, affordable -- and even fun -- transportation networks for all the other ways humans like to travel. Kyoto is already passé; not because our governments refuse to adhere to it but because it is nowhere near enough! We need a 94% reduction in CO2 and ethical environmental consulting can help make it easy to change our ways. Don't believe it? Check out these incredibly well researched excerpts from George Monbiot's book, Heat.
Fare-Free Transit is one relatively quick way we, in any small or large community, can reduce emissions and move folks more efficiently: you can read all about Fare-Free Transit on the Tyee.ca or on Alternet.org or on Planetizen.com. But if you just can't give up the flexibility of a single occupant vehicle, then contact us to help you create your own ultimate commuting machine and reduce your emissions by at least 94%!
Natural Building is another passion; we've been hosting Cob Building workshops on Lasqueti Island since 2007. Every summer we host workshops where you can learn all the basics and get hands-on experience with building techniques that are affordable, fun, safe, and about as efficient as human-powered building can get.
And if you simply want to start building naturally and need some help, please contact us and we'll help you in the way that works for you!
Our Waste Reduction services include waste audits (i.e, we figure out what your garbage really is and where it comes from) and tailor-made waste reduction strategies (which can save you thousands of dollars). Reducing your waste is not only wise, it is cost-effective!
Our Computer Systems Support is used by dozens of progressive organizations and individuals. We source, setup, and maintain office networks for Mac, Linux and Windows platforms. All aspects of home and office environments are supported, from the single user to linking and networking separate machines to installing and administering servers for many client machines. We help you save money by supporting Free and Open Source Software as well as all the common corporate offerings. And if you aren't 100% confident about your backup system, contact us - before it's too late!
Our Computer Training focuses on the individual's needs. We can train one-on-one or in group settings, whatever works best for your needs. We can help almost anyone get more out of all the common office applications, like email, web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and database design.
We can also help you without even stepping into your home/office by connecting to your computer(s) remotely while you watch and learn! We'll work when it's convenient for you and you don't need to clean up a thing in preparation for our visit. The technology is safe and secure and we'll ensure you know how to turn it on and off.
Contact us anytime via email or phone: 604-216-6700 or 877-873-1797.
I welcome the opportunity to work with you to help make our world a better place for all...
ethical environmental consulting
...Better Transportation, Parent Coaching, Personal Counselling, Natural Building, Waste Reduction, Computer Systems Support and Training...since 1994
Who we HELP
Parents are the most important people in the world...after their children! When life becomes more wonderful for parents, everyone benefits.
People from all walks of life benefit from our personal 1-to-1 counselling service.
Our Better Transportation clients are typically government agencies but we are open to working with any progressive organization.
Our Natural Building clients attend our workshops and want to reduce their footprint on our planet. Their diversity make our workshops so much richer!
Our Waste Reduction services are used by non-profit organizations as well as institutions, governments, and progressive businesses. We support many different festivals throughout the City by providing composting services, while our waste audit service is of value to any organization.
Our Computer Systems Support and Training clients are primarily non-profit organizations doing critical work to improve our society; they also receive a 50% discount! We only take on corporate clients that are also clearly doing this kind of work.
We also support individuals, home businesses and offer a Senior's discount, too!
People from all walks of life benefit from our personal 1-to-1 counselling service.
Our Better Transportation clients are typically government agencies but we are open to working with any progressive organization.
Our Natural Building clients attend our workshops and want to reduce their footprint on our planet. Their diversity make our workshops so much richer!
Our Waste Reduction services are used by non-profit organizations as well as institutions, governments, and progressive businesses. We support many different festivals throughout the City by providing composting services, while our waste audit service is of value to any organization.
Our Computer Systems Support and Training clients are primarily non-profit organizations doing critical work to improve our society; they also receive a 50% discount! We only take on corporate clients that are also clearly doing this kind of work.
We also support individuals, home businesses and offer a Senior's discount, too!
What they SAY
Here are some of the comments that our computer clients have made...
"We have worked with Dave Olsen for the past 10 years, and have been very impressed with both his understanding of our work and how he applies technology so that it can be used to advance our sanity (i.e., technology that works without much effort from us) and our vision. We highly recommend Dave for any small, medium or large business or NGO. He is professional, dependable and highly knowledgeable."
Thank YOU for everything that you do for CPAWS. You've been a solid, resourceful, contientious and brilliant tech support person. I have really valued and appreciated your work.
Chloe O'Loughlin, retired Executive Director for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - BC Chapter
"I enjoyed how you let us experiment and fail and learn on the fly." - Luke '11
"You have no idea how excited I am that I now pretty much know how to build a house out of dirt." - Kate '10.
"Learning what we needed to know as we put it to practical use rather than spending a lot of time on theory was a useful approach for me." - Terry '09.
"When it was time to upgrade my computer, Dave Olsen helped me navigate through the high-tech jungle to get the best set-up for my needs. He made sure everything worked, loaded all the software and peripherals, and patiently trained me on how to use a myriad of exciting new features. In addition to being a principled professional, Dave is also a wonderful person and a lot of fun to work with. He is worth every penny of his (very reasonable) fee."
Lorna Visser, Principal, Carmanah Strategies
Phone/Fax: 250-358-2722 / carmanah@xplornet.com"We have worked with Dave Olsen for the past 10 years, and have been very impressed with both his understanding of our work and how he applies technology so that it can be used to advance our sanity (i.e., technology that works without much effort from us) and our vision. We highly recommend Dave for any small, medium or large business or NGO. He is professional, dependable and highly knowledgeable."
Doug Ragan, Senior Manager, Environmental Youth Alliance
Thank YOU for everything that you do for CPAWS. You've been a solid, resourceful, contientious and brilliant tech support person. I have really valued and appreciated your work.
Chloe O'Loughlin, retired Executive Director for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - BC Chapter
This is what people who attended our Cob Workshops have said...
"I enjoyed how you let us experiment and fail and learn on the fly." - Luke '11
"It was empowering! I really feel like in a short week like I can get going on building my own cob house!" - Jodi '11
"Transformative and empowering!" - Kate '10.
"Very instructive and hands-on." - Matt '10.
"You have no idea how excited I am that I now pretty much know how to build a house out of dirt." - Kate '10.
"Learning what we needed to know as we put it to practical use rather than spending a lot of time on theory was a useful approach for me." - Terry '09.
Here's what parents have said after Parenting with an Open Heart...
- Superb! Thank you for all the resources.
- I felt that the seminar was like an introduction to the majority of different concepts that together represent a natural, healthy way of parenting and living and then displayed how to apply these principles in a few specific real life examples by working through the scenarios each of us had brought. Overall, it felt like a good way to introduce people to some new concepts and then give them some real meaning by going through the specific examples brought by each of us.
- I enjoyed how things flowed into each other and you appeared to let them naturally lead into what you had planned next, but also moved things along in order to get to the next topic when appropriate. I enjoyed how you introduced it, followed with the more interactive part, and closed with a song. (and also invited any comments at any time). I thought the closing song was great as it felt like it kinda opened up one’s heart more to the experience and getting feelings flowing so things were more open as a whole, and therefore more receptive.
- food and snacks? Mmmmm, yum! Couldn’t have asked for better! Super yum and super yum because they were so healthy and energizing.
- I especially appreciated your emails leading up to the seminar. They gave me the impression that you were enthusiastic about the topic and really wanting people to come out and be engaged and that you were keen on building community, so that felt very welcoming.
- I’m attracted to your seminars in hopes of connecting with a community of like-minded parents.