Pat Bougie is a Ski Patroller/Avalanche Technician with a keen interest in design and sustainable living due to a longtime passion for the outdoors. Pat grew up in Montreal, the Laurentians and the Ottawa area. Later, he moved west to Lake Louise in Banff National Park after graduating from Carleton University to pursue a mountain lifestyle. Recreating in nature naturally sets you on a journey of environmentalism; it makes you realize what could be lost. You can see changes in the ecosystem first hand. You can’t help being an ambassador for our environment.
Living in Lake Louise, Pat met his beautiful wife Miriam, she was instrumental in opening his eyes to the ability to make a difference and reduce their environmental footprint. Together they moved to Whistler, British Columbia in late 90’s and now share their life with two sweet daughters. They have seen the effects of Climate Change first hand on the melting glaciers, changing seasons, smokey summers… As Yvon Chouinard Founder of Patagonia says “If you are not part of the solution, you are still part of the problem”. Be part of the solution by consuming less but better!
You might ask what design and minimalism have to do with environmentalism and Zero Waste principals? The amount of waste and resources used in a product are determined in the design phase. Moreover, waste and overuse of resources are design flaws. Everyone will be better off using high quality reusables instead of cheap disposables. The minimalist principles of ‘more with less and less is more’ fit right into a sustainable lifestyle.
Living in a resort with limited housing and astronomical real estate pricing can force you into small living. Making the best of it can make you realize that less is more and that everything you bring into your life should be well designed, good quality and last a lifetime. Good design can make a small space into an amazing home with a smaller environmental footprint. Maximizing every square foot without cluttering it is a goal that can be achieved with design and minimalism. For example, Life edited, Graham Hill’s website is a great resource for living in a small spaces.
For our daughters, all kids and future generations, we will do the best we can. By making small changes, we can all make a big difference. As we have seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, we are all in this together. Whether it’s our shrinking winters, growing plastic problems or our overconsumption of resources, we can all make a difference. Every little bit counts.
Generations to come should have the opportunity to enjoy our amazing planet. Breathing clean air, enjoying beautiful beaches, forest and everything our ecosystem has to offer. Surfing perfect waves in crystal clear water, marvel at the sight of old growth, hike and climb peaks, experience the magic of winter or simply enjoy nature… Future generations deserve their chance as well!
“Enjoy experiences, simplify your life, consume mindfully and take care of each other” Pat Bougie.
