Issue link: http://resourceworld.uberflip.com/i/581931
o c t o b e r / n o v e m b e r 2 0 1 5 www.resourceworld.com 47 When I launched Resource Works a little over one year ago, I was aware we were doing something unusual. But little did I realize just how distinctive our little non-profit society has proven to be. Most efforts to point out the positive aspects of natural resources are public-relations efforts run by companies or, sometimes, governments. Too often, they are well executed yet faceless and devoid of person- ality. These campaigns are often created for defensive reasons, to guard against damage by environmental activist campaigns. My group is different. We wear our pride in responsible resource use on our sleeves and are not afraid to speak out. Resources bring Canadians good jobs and social services – who could be against those things? Yet our sup- porters are aware that Canada is increasingly perceived as a place not worth investing in because of the inevitable protests greeting any new project, be it a pipeline or a wind farm. Supporters have told me of their dismay at finding that anti-resource activist groups are funded by foreign cash. These activist campaigns may cultivate a low-budget look, but the fact is they are often executed with strategic finesse by some of the cleverest advertising gurus on the market. Ironically, the freedoms enjoyed by Canadians are based on the rewards of a strong and well-managed resource econ- omy – one that is now threatened by those opposing resource development. I've boiled down my elevator pitch for Resource Works to this: we study the resource economy, we talk about its impact, and we work to build a supportive movement. So far we have gained thousands of followers who love our newsletters and various digital products. As one of Canada's most influential think tanks, Resource Works has published the Citizens Guide to LNG, presented speaking engagements in Yukon, Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto, and has sent out some 7 mil- lion print and broadcast impressions. Though we continue to commission eco- nomic studies, our most popular effort was our "natural runners" program – where some buff young guys wearing nothing but flesh-coloured briefs and our "Without Natural Resources, We'd Be Naked" tempo- rary tattoos do the annual Sun Run event. I read recently that without a supply of about 60 different minerals, modern life would not be possible. We have a similar dependency on forest products and fuels. It's essential to do things right, but going without is not an option. Canada is not the only nation with an economic dependence on resource exports. As our movement hits its stride, there is growing hope that individuals and organi- zations appreciative of what we are doing will add their support. n Stewart Muir, an award-winning author and journalist, is founding executive direc- tor of the Resource Works Society based in Vancouver. www.resourceworks.com You might be surprised what Resource Works stands for by Stewart Muir • Permitted state-of-the-art heap leach processing facility • NI 43-101 compliant gold resource of 552,000 Measured and Indicated and 165,000 Inferred ounces of gold • Contiguous land package covering more than 25,000 acres PershingGold.com | PGLC FAST-TRACKED TO PRODUCTION miNiNG