Software Tip

Great tip from the Daily Green on saving resources, not to mention time, by downloading software online instead of buying it - packaged - in store. According to ElectronicsRecycling.org, more than a billion unwanted computer disks are tossed out each year...

Obesity Costly Problem For Airlines

It might come as a surprise that the World Health Organization now says obesity afflicts more people in the world than malnourishment. But it’s no surprise to airlines, which are well aware they are carrying larger and larger passengers. This may not seem like fodder for this blog, but a new estimate suggests global carriers are spending an additional $673 million in fuel costs to lift the extra pounds - and burning more carbon for it. Read more>>

Toronto and Sustainable City Transit

As part of Toronto city council's works committee next week, efforts are being made to make the city more pedestrian, cyclist and public transportation-friendly. This pleases me personally as on my daily bike-commute to work today I rode past what looked like the remnants of a major car crash from the road onto the very same bike path that I was riding on. If I had been riding half an hour earlier, I would have been toast. While the article states that decreasing use of cars in favour of more sustainable forms of city transportation will require initiatives, they are ones that I will whole-heartedly support.

Possible solutions brought to the table are a pedestrian-only street, pedestrian crossing at intersections that allow for all directions of travel (including diagonally) to prevent risk from turning cars, increasing rush-hour parking times to keep traffic moving, and a city spanning bike lane from Etobicoke to Scarborough.

I must say, however, that Toronto has been doing a fairly good job thus far of encouraging walking, biking, ans public transit use. I am a frequent visitor to Chicago and, as beautiful as the city is, would be wary to ride in those narrow downtown streets.

Lawn Care not Green

An article in today's Globe and Mail states, while many towns and cities in Canada have outright banned pesticides for your lawn, the green grass may not be as green as you had thought. Gas-guzzling lawn mowers can emit the same amount of smog in one year as a car travelling 3,300 km. While in Canada only 15% of homes use pesticides, the quest for that perfect lawn still persists.

What the article does not mention is that lawns are one of the most inefficient plants to cultivate on your property. They take up a lot of water, most of which in Canada would be otherwise potable water. Lawns do not soak up nearly as much carbon dioxide as, say, a tree or an herbacious garden. They also allow for runoff and land degradation as the root structure is not very deep.

If you must have a lawn, watering early morning or evening is better than mid-day when the sun cannot dry up the water as quickly. Let grass clipping lie (In Toronto, it is now a by-law) as they help shelter out drying sunlight, protect roots, and eventually compost to help nourish the soil naturally. Let grass grow to at least 4 inches before cutting. The longer blades will create more shade and shelter roots. Mix in small gardens and trees throughout your lawn for shade and plant variation.

Article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070926.wlawns0926/BNStory/National/

Events with a Smaller Shoe Size

Traditional events - weddings, corporate functions, birthday parties - place a sizable strain on the environment, a fact conveniently overlooked by most planners. That's why we give two thumbs up to compananies like Vancouver-based Greenprint Events, who work with clients to incorporate environmentally friendly practices into every step -from setting up recycling and composting systems, to finding alternatives to disposables, sourcing local caterers and examining transportation options.

"big impression. small footprint." That's what we like to hear.

Brick Works Farmers’ Market, Toronto

Saturday’s until October 27th. 8:00am to 1:00pm. Planet and family friendly. Ontario produce, socially & environmentally conscious goods, artists, entertainers, storytelling and educational activities. Part of the inspriring Evergreen project to transform Toronto’s historic Don Valley Brick Works factory from an underused, deteriorating collection of buildings into a thriving environmentally-based community centre that engages visitors in diverse experiences connected to nature. See you there!