May 12, 2008

Peter Robinson, the Foundation's new CEO, answered Globe and Mail reader's questions this morning during an online Q&A.

As CEO of Mountain Equipment Coop for seven years he bring a wealth of experience on what makes a business truly sustainable.

Check out Peter's answers here.

Posted by elijah v at May 12, 2008
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April 28, 2008

Food shocks, biofuels and green solutions

Food prices are soaring. Your bill at the grocery store in Canada has gone up and people in many other countries where up to half of incomes are spent on food are even worse off. The reasons are diverse, ranging from hikes in crude oil and labor costs, poor harvests and regulatory policies in various countries (North Queensland Register).

The biofuels industry is a factor, even if its significance is overstated. As corn gets diverted to fuel production, there is less for people to eat. Less supply along with increased demand means higher prices at the grocery store.

But aren't biofuels the eco-friendly panacea that will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and help lower the threat of global warming?

Actually, biofuels are not necessarily all that green. They may certainly play an important role in a sustainable, eco-friendly economy.

Photo by ohad* via a
Creative Commons license

Technologies like using cellulosic ethanol made from woody debris are a cause for optimism in the long term.

But new laws to improve the efficiency of our homes, transportation and industry, along with protection and conservation of existing forests, grasslands and savannas really have the most potential for reinforcing sustainability.

Jonathon Narvey is the Principal Consultant at WRITEIMAGE. He blogs about politics and life in Vancouver at Currents.

Posted by elijah v at April 28, 2008
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April 22, 2008

Why bother?

That's a question that can plague even the most committed people. If you're swapping CFL bulbs for incandescents and shrinking your carbon footprint and composting and recycling, but your neighbors aren't doing any of that, you might think your efforts are for naught.
Michael Pollan takes on that question in the front-of-the-book section of this week's Green Issue of The New York Times Magazine. There are a lot of intriguing ideas -- current and historical -- in Pollan's essay, as well as an idea that can help and has helped in the past.

Posted by Justin Smallbridge at April 22, 2008
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April 22, 2008

We could be more Swedish

Sweden is one of the greenest countries on the planet. The strategies, processes, policies and approaches they've developed are all inspiring, working examples that other countries could follow. NBC's Anne Thompson has the details.

Posted by Justin Smallbridge at April 22, 2008
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April 21, 2008

Put ol' smoggy to sleep

Here's a surprising fact: a standard gas mower can emit the same amount of common air pollutants in one hour as driving a new car for over 550 kms!

The Clean Air Foundation has already retired 16,000 of these dirty beasts, and to encourage you to join this year's campaign they have partnered with Home Depot to offer a $100 rebate to offset the costs of replacing your polluting lawn mower with a push or electric model.

Or you can join the lawn-less revolution and replace your imported grass with native plants. Natural species need little or no watering, and you'll never have to mow the lawn again!

http://nature.ca/plnt/wycd/actcat_e.cfm#npga

Posted by elijah v at April 21, 2008
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April 21, 2008

An Inconvenient Truth: the sequel!

Al Gore has revised his famous presentation for the amazing TED conference.
Global warming may be happening faster than Gore thought, but he's more optimistic than ever that a mass movement is about emerge.

Posted by elijah v at April 21, 2008
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April 17, 2008

Green sound all around

We listen to the radio show Studio 360 every week. Not just because it's eclectic. Not just because it's the work of Kurt Andersen, whose work we've enjoyed since before he co-founded SPY, and not because one of us contributed to it, but because even when the show covers something we don't think we'll like or be interested in, it proves us wrong, and we are interested. When the show covers something we already know and like -- The Great Gatsby, Moby-Dick, Miles Davis's Kind Of Blue -- we learn something or get a fresh perspective.
The program's mandate is "covering creativity, pop culture and the arts." And this week it's looking at how environmental smarts and concern manifest themselves in those arenas. And thanks to the Internets and the podcasting, Studio 360 is on your device on your schedule on your terms.

Posted by Justin Smallbridge at April 17, 2008
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April 17, 2008

A better way to log

Cutting down timber for lumber doesn't have to mean clearcutting. One California lumber company has a better way to get wood. The story from NBC's Environmental Correspondent, Anne Thompson.

Posted by Justin Smallbridge at April 17, 2008
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April 15, 2008

Silent spring cleaning?

The winter clouds have lifted, the sun is shining, and the trees and flowers are in bloom. Spring is in the air.

Of course, this means it’s time for the annual operation known as Spring Cleaning. A few plucky neat-freaks have already gotten an early start – but most residents on the rainy West Coast have likely put it off for the moment, setting aside the new and unfamiliar sunny weekends for fun outdoors.

Photo from Delgoff on Flickr

There’s no avoiding it, though: the big clean is going to happen. And it doesn't have to be an environmental disaster.

Every year, tons of eco-unfriendly antibacterial products, corrosive liquids, and toxic chemicals contaminate our homes and filter into the environment. Cleaning your house should never mean giving yourself headaches, depression, and digestive problems. And there's no reason why marine animals ought to be put in harm's way because you want a shiny bathroom.

Bet you didn't know that you could make furniture polish out of olive oil and lemon juice. Or that you can just use baking soda and water to clean your oven.

There are plenty of excellent green cleaning products available – and keep in mind that even "natural" cleaning products can be dangerous if used in improper quantities and combinations. Here are some recipes for making your own greener cleaning products from common household items.

Jonathon Narvey is principal consultant at WRITEIMAGE. He blogs about politics and life in Vancouver at Currents.

Posted by elijah v at April 15, 2008
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April 15, 2008

Hooting for joy

David Suzuki's Nature Challenge for Kids is in Owl magazine this month! And I couldn't be more excited.

Like so many Canadian kids, I got my love of nature from two sources: Owl magazine and David Suzuki's The Nature of Things.

My grandmother was responsible for that. She gave me a subscription to the magazine every birthday and was dead-set against TV unless it was the latest episode of Dr. Suzuki's long-running series.

It's a special thrill to see these two inspirations come together this month, and I know my granny would have been so proud.

You can check out the David Suzuki's Nature Challenge for Kids program on our website and join the community by subscribing to our monthly newsletter.

Owl magazine scan

Posted by elijah v at April 15, 2008
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