Change Your Lightbulbs

Publicado por: Victor Scarlato

By Maryanne Murray Buechner

The hottest thing in household energy savings is the compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL), a funny-looking swirl that fits into standard sockets. CFLs cost three to five times as much as conventional incandescent bulbs yet use one-quarter the electricity and last several years longer. They are available virtually everywhere lightbulbs are sold. Most labels don’t say “CFL” (GE calls its bulbs Energy Savers), and in some cases the telltale twist is enclosed in frosted glass. The wattage gives them away: many 7-watt CFLs are comparable to a regular 40-watt bulb, 26 watts is the typical CFL equivalent of 100 watts and so on. Or just look for the Energy Star label.

CFLs have come a long way since they were first introduced in the mid-’90s (they don’t flicker as much when you turn them on, for one thing), but because each bulb still contains 5 mg of mercury, you’re not supposed to toss them out with the regular trash, where they could end up in a landfill. So the bulbs are one more thing for you to sort in the recycling bin.

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs (see item 4), don’t have this problem, but they can require a bit of DIY rewiring. LEDs work great as accents and task lights, and you can also buy LED desk and floor lamps. But if you’re just looking to put a green bulb in your favorite table lamp, CFL is the way to go.

Source: Time Magazine “51 Things We Can Do to Save the Environment”

Click here and learn what else you can do.

By Maryanne Murray Buechner

The hottest thing in household energy savings is the compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL), a funny-looking swirl that fits into standard sockets. CFLs cost three to five times as much as conventional incandescent bulbs yet use one-quarter the electricity and last several years longer. They are available virtually everywhere lightbulbs are sold. Most labels don’t say “CFL” (GE calls its bulbs Energy Savers), and in some cases the telltale twist is enclosed in frosted glass. The wattage gives them away: many 7-watt CFLs are comparable to a regular 40-watt bulb, 26 watts is the typical CFL equivalent of 100 watts and so on. Or just look for the Energy Star label.

CFLs have come a long way since they were first introduced in the mid-’90s (they don’t flicker as much when you turn them on, for one thing), but because each bulb still contains 5 mg of mercury, you’re not supposed to toss them out with the regular trash, where they could end up in a landfill. So the bulbs are one more thing for you to sort in the recycling bin.

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs (see item 4), don’t have this problem, but they can require a bit of DIY rewiring. LEDs work great as accents and task lights, and you can also buy LED desk and floor lamps. But if you’re just looking to put a green bulb in your favorite table lamp, CFL is the way to go.

Source: Time Magazine “51 Things We Can Do to Save the Environment”

Click here and learn what else you can do.

By Maryanne Murray Buechner

The hottest thing in household energy savings is the compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL), a funny-looking swirl that fits into standard sockets. CFLs cost three to five times as much as conventional incandescent bulbs yet use one-quarter the electricity and last several years longer. They are available virtually everywhere lightbulbs are sold. Most labels don’t say “CFL” (GE calls its bulbs Energy Savers), and in some cases the telltale twist is enclosed in frosted glass. The wattage gives them away: many 7-watt CFLs are comparable to a regular 40-watt bulb, 26 watts is the typical CFL equivalent of 100 watts and so on. Or just look for the Energy Star label.

CFLs have come a long way since they were first introduced in the mid-’90s (they don’t flicker as much when you turn them on, for one thing), but because each bulb still contains 5 mg of mercury, you’re not supposed to toss them out with the regular trash, where they could end up in a landfill. So the bulbs are one more thing for you to sort in the recycling bin.

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs (see item 4), don’t have this problem, but they can require a bit of DIY rewiring. LEDs work great as accents and task lights, and you can also buy LED desk and floor lamps. But if you’re just looking to put a green bulb in your favorite table lamp, CFL is the way to go.

Source: Time Magazine “51 Things We Can Do to Save the Environment”

Click here and learn what else you can do.

Province targets plastic bags

Publicado por: Victor Scarlato

The provincial government wants Ontarians to cut in half the number of plastic shopping bags they use over the next five years.

Today, Environment Minister Laurel Broten will announce a partnership with the Recycling Council of Ontario and grocer and retail associations to come up with a system of consumer incentives to meet the target, the Toronto Star has learned.

“Each of us can help clean up our environment by doing little things like reducing the number of plastic bags we use,” a provincial source said.

The program will be voluntary but if the carrot approach doesn’t work, the province has the ability to drag out the stick in the form of mandatory per bag charges or outright bans.

The recycling council will work with all retail businesses – from large grocery chains to small corner stores – to provide incentives such as store points that can be redeemed for products, air miles or cash to customers who use reusable cloth or canvas bags. A shopper carries plastic grocery bags along with a reusable one at the Loblaws store at Lake Shore Blvd. and Leslie St.

Source: Toronto Star

Read complete article at:
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/211921

The provincial government wants Ontarians to cut in half the number of plastic shopping bags they use over the next five years.

Today, Environment Minister Laurel Broten will announce a partnership with the Recycling Council of Ontario and grocer and retail associations to come up with a system of consumer incentives to meet the target, the Toronto Star has learned.

“Each of us can help clean up our environment by doing little things like reducing the number of plastic bags we use,” a provincial source said.

The program will be voluntary but if the carrot approach doesn’t work, the province has the ability to drag out the stick in the form of mandatory per bag charges or outright bans.

The recycling council will work with all retail businesses – from large grocery chains to small corner stores – to provide incentives such as store points that can be redeemed for products, air miles or cash to customers who use reusable cloth or canvas bags. A shopper carries plastic grocery bags along with a reusable one at the Loblaws store at Lake Shore Blvd. and Leslie St.

Source: Toronto Star

Read complete article at:
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/211921

The provincial government wants Ontarians to cut in half the number of plastic shopping bags they use over the next five years.

Today, Environment Minister Laurel Broten will announce a partnership with the Recycling Council of Ontario and grocer and retail associations to come up with a system of consumer incentives to meet the target, the Toronto Star has learned.

“Each of us can help clean up our environment by doing little things like reducing the number of plastic bags we use,” a provincial source said.

The program will be voluntary but if the carrot approach doesn’t work, the province has the ability to drag out the stick in the form of mandatory per bag charges or outright bans.

The recycling council will work with all retail businesses – from large grocery chains to small corner stores – to provide incentives such as store points that can be redeemed for products, air miles or cash to customers who use reusable cloth or canvas bags. A shopper carries plastic grocery bags along with a reusable one at the Loblaws store at Lake Shore Blvd. and Leslie St.

Source: Toronto Star

Read complete article at:
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/211921

Stop Watching. Take Action!

Publicado por: Lucas Ribeiro

Ontario goes solar

Publicado por: Victor Scarlato

The Ontario government has given approval for a California company to construct a massive solar “farm” near Sarnia that will blanket an area larger than all three Toronto islands with hundreds of thousands of sun-soaking panels.

It will be the largest solar power station in North America and among the most expansive in the world to use photovoltaic cells that produce electricity when exposed to sunlight. Once complete, the 40-megawatt Sarnia project will be able to supply enough emission-free electricity to power between 10,000 and 15,000 homes on sunny days.

“This is certainly the most exciting thing I’ve ever worked on,” said Peter Carrie of OptiSolar Farms Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Hayward, Calif.-based OptiSolar Inc. “We want to take solar mainstream.”

The Ontario Power Authority has agreed to purchase the electricity under a 20-year contract that will see the clean power go into the provincial grid. An official announcement is expected today from the energy ministry.

The current world record-holder is the 12-megawatt Erlasee solar park in Germany, though another 40-megawatt park is under construction in the same region. On Monday, the largest U.S. project was announced: A 15-megawatt solar PV system to be built at an air force base in Nevada.
Ontario is proposing a solar farm similar to this one Amstein, Germany. The Ontario plant will be able to supply enough electricity to power up to 15,000 homes on sunny days.

Source: Toronto Star

To read the complete article visit:
http://www.thestar.com/article/207415

The Ontario government has given approval for a California company to construct a massive solar “farm” near Sarnia that will blanket an area larger than all three Toronto islands with hundreds of thousands of sun-soaking panels.

It will be the largest solar power station in North America and among the most expansive in the world to use photovoltaic cells that produce electricity when exposed to sunlight. Once complete, the 40-megawatt Sarnia project will be able to supply enough emission-free electricity to power between 10,000 and 15,000 homes on sunny days.

“This is certainly the most exciting thing I’ve ever worked on,” said Peter Carrie of OptiSolar Farms Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Hayward, Calif.-based OptiSolar Inc. “We want to take solar mainstream.”

The Ontario Power Authority has agreed to purchase the electricity under a 20-year contract that will see the clean power go into the provincial grid. An official announcement is expected today from the energy ministry.

The current world record-holder is the 12-megawatt Erlasee solar park in Germany, though another 40-megawatt park is under construction in the same region. On Monday, the largest U.S. project was announced: A 15-megawatt solar PV system to be built at an air force base in Nevada.
Ontario is proposing a solar farm similar to this one Amstein, Germany. The Ontario plant will be able to supply enough electricity to power up to 15,000 homes on sunny days.

Source: Toronto Star

To read the complete article visit:
http://www.thestar.com/article/207415

The Ontario government has given approval for a California company to construct a massive solar “farm” near Sarnia that will blanket an area larger than all three Toronto islands with hundreds of thousands of sun-soaking panels.

It will be the largest solar power station in North America and among the most expansive in the world to use photovoltaic cells that produce electricity when exposed to sunlight. Once complete, the 40-megawatt Sarnia project will be able to supply enough emission-free electricity to power between 10,000 and 15,000 homes on sunny days.

“This is certainly the most exciting thing I’ve ever worked on,” said Peter Carrie of OptiSolar Farms Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Hayward, Calif.-based OptiSolar Inc. “We want to take solar mainstream.”

The Ontario Power Authority has agreed to purchase the electricity under a 20-year contract that will see the clean power go into the provincial grid. An official announcement is expected today from the energy ministry.

The current world record-holder is the 12-megawatt Erlasee solar park in Germany, though another 40-megawatt park is under construction in the same region. On Monday, the largest U.S. project was announced: A 15-megawatt solar PV system to be built at an air force base in Nevada.
Ontario is proposing a solar farm similar to this one Amstein, Germany. The Ontario plant will be able to supply enough electricity to power up to 15,000 homes on sunny days.

Source: Toronto Star

To read the complete article visit:
http://www.thestar.com/article/207415

Top 5 Things You Can Do While In the Great Outdoors

Publicado por: Victor Scarlato

Unfortunately, people are not always good stewards of our natural world. Overfishing and overhunting can disrupt a habitat’s balance. Mountain bikes and horseback riders can alter the landscape. Even hiking and camping leave their mark. Following are our Top 5 guidelines every outdoor enthusiast should try to follow while enjoying the best that nature has to offer.

1) Plan ahead. Camping or hiking responsibly requires knowing the environment you’ll be occupying – including marked trails, designated campgrounds, animals you may encounter, and more. Be prepared!

2) Stay the course. If you’re hiking in a muddy area, it’s easy to create secondary paths as you try to sidestep the wet stuff. Avoid this by walking on rocks or logs. If you have no other choice, stay on the designated trail and walk through the mud. Use an existing campsite. Don’t create a new campsite when you can use an existing one.

3) Keep fires small. Most areas have rules about how big your campfire can be. You can minimize your fire by using smaller pieces of wood.

4) Think reusable and clean up. Pack your food in reusable, collapsible containers instead of taking along disposable boxes and cans, and leave your campsite clean for the next group.

5) Don’t bother wildlife. Aside from the fact that some animals can hurt you, you could also disrupt mating or nesting seasons. Feeding wildlife is always a bad idea. Once wild animals associate food with humans, a dangerous situation is created for both groups.

Source: Conservation International

Unfortunately, people are not always good stewards of our natural world. Overfishing and overhunting can disrupt a habitat’s balance. Mountain bikes and horseback riders can alter the landscape. Even hiking and camping leave their mark. Following are our Top 5 guidelines every outdoor enthusiast should try to follow while enjoying the best that nature has to offer.

1) Plan ahead. Camping or hiking responsibly requires knowing the environment you’ll be occupying – including marked trails, designated campgrounds, animals you may encounter, and more. Be prepared!

2) Stay the course. If you’re hiking in a muddy area, it’s easy to create secondary paths as you try to sidestep the wet stuff. Avoid this by walking on rocks or logs. If you have no other choice, stay on the designated trail and walk through the mud. Use an existing campsite. Don’t create a new campsite when you can use an existing one.

3) Keep fires small. Most areas have rules about how big your campfire can be. You can minimize your fire by using smaller pieces of wood.

4) Think reusable and clean up. Pack your food in reusable, collapsible containers instead of taking along disposable boxes and cans, and leave your campsite clean for the next group.

5) Don’t bother wildlife. Aside from the fact that some animals can hurt you, you could also disrupt mating or nesting seasons. Feeding wildlife is always a bad idea. Once wild animals associate food with humans, a dangerous situation is created for both groups.

Source: Conservation International

Unfortunately, people are not always good stewards of our natural world. Overfishing and overhunting can disrupt a habitat’s balance. Mountain bikes and horseback riders can alter the landscape. Even hiking and camping leave their mark. Following are our Top 5 guidelines every outdoor enthusiast should try to follow while enjoying the best that nature has to offer.

1) Plan ahead. Camping or hiking responsibly requires knowing the environment you’ll be occupying – including marked trails, designated campgrounds, animals you may encounter, and more. Be prepared!

2) Stay the course. If you’re hiking in a muddy area, it’s easy to create secondary paths as you try to sidestep the wet stuff. Avoid this by walking on rocks or logs. If you have no other choice, stay on the designated trail and walk through the mud. Use an existing campsite. Don’t create a new campsite when you can use an existing one.

3) Keep fires small. Most areas have rules about how big your campfire can be. You can minimize your fire by using smaller pieces of wood.

4) Think reusable and clean up. Pack your food in reusable, collapsible containers instead of taking along disposable boxes and cans, and leave your campsite clean for the next group.

5) Don’t bother wildlife. Aside from the fact that some animals can hurt you, you could also disrupt mating or nesting seasons. Feeding wildlife is always a bad idea. Once wild animals associate food with humans, a dangerous situation is created for both groups.

Source: Conservation International

Oprah’s Green Show

Publicado por: Victor Scarlato

Oprah went green today in honor of Earth Day. She has on Simran Sethi who is now host for Sundance Channel: the Green, as her environmental expert.

Oprah’s Tip #1: Paper or Plastic: NEITHER. Bring your own bag!
It’s one of our fave tips, too, Oprah. And, of course, you can get the Oprah “GrOceries” bag made of organic cotton for $9.50. Well, you could have. They are currently out of stock. Oprah said that they are charging what it costs to make them, as she doesn’t need money from bags, “I’ve got enough pairs of shoes”. Of course, she told the audience that they don’t need her bags – any bags will do, just bring your own!

Oprah’s Tip #2: Bring Your Own Bottle.
Again, we talk about this all of the time. Simran loves the Sigg bottle, as do I. I got mine at Reusablebags.com.

We then saw a clip with Laurie David & Sheryl Crow, who are currently on their Stop Global Warming Campus Tour. Which we’ve talked about plenty around here lately.

Then, it was on to Matt Damon with a tip to Stop Your Junk Mail. It’s really easy to do it yourself, though there are companies who can do it for you. Matt was promoting one such company called GreenDimes. For a dime a day, these guys will take care of most of it for you, plus plant a tree each month. He said he loves the service so much, he joined the Board. Seems like a new development because as of last month, his name wasn’t really on the list. We love this tip, as well. Do it yourself, or through GreenDimes, but get rid of all of that junk mail! (Thanks, Linton, for the screenshot!)
Oprah’s Tip #3: Clean Green.
They went through some green, non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaners such as Method, Seventh Generation, Shaklee, and Mrs. Meyers.
I only caught the first half of the show. There were also some tips about using fewer paper napkins and using a smart strip or power strip to manage your electronics that go on standby. I’ll watch the rest later and will update this post if there is anything earth shattering. I really thought there would be more celebs in the studio for the Earth Day show. Oh well! The tips were great ones and the ones I repeat over and over. They are the easiest and will make a huge impact if we all take part

Source: Ecorazzi
http://www.ecorazzi.com

Oprah went green today in honor of Earth Day. She has on Simran Sethi who is now host for Sundance Channel: the Green, as her environmental expert.

Oprah’s Tip #1: Paper or Plastic: NEITHER. Bring your own bag!
It’s one of our fave tips, too, Oprah. And, of course, you can get the Oprah “GrOceries” bag made of organic cotton for $9.50. Well, you could have. They are currently out of stock. Oprah said that they are charging what it costs to make them, as she doesn’t need money from bags, “I’ve got enough pairs of shoes”. Of course, she told the audience that they don’t need her bags – any bags will do, just bring your own!

Oprah’s Tip #2: Bring Your Own Bottle.
Again, we talk about this all of the time. Simran loves the Sigg bottle, as do I. I got mine at Reusablebags.com.

We then saw a clip with Laurie David & Sheryl Crow, who are currently on their Stop Global Warming Campus Tour. Which we’ve talked about plenty around here lately.

Then, it was on to Matt Damon with a tip to Stop Your Junk Mail. It’s really easy to do it yourself, though there are companies who can do it for you. Matt was promoting one such company called GreenDimes. For a dime a day, these guys will take care of most of it for you, plus plant a tree each month. He said he loves the service so much, he joined the Board. Seems like a new development because as of last month, his name wasn’t really on the list. We love this tip, as well. Do it yourself, or through GreenDimes, but get rid of all of that junk mail! (Thanks, Linton, for the screenshot!)
Oprah’s Tip #3: Clean Green.
They went through some green, non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaners such as Method, Seventh Generation, Shaklee, and Mrs. Meyers.
I only caught the first half of the show. There were also some tips about using fewer paper napkins and using a smart strip or power strip to manage your electronics that go on standby. I’ll watch the rest later and will update this post if there is anything earth shattering. I really thought there would be more celebs in the studio for the Earth Day show. Oh well! The tips were great ones and the ones I repeat over and over. They are the easiest and will make a huge impact if we all take part

Source: Ecorazzi
http://www.ecorazzi.com

Oprah went green today in honor of Earth Day. She has on Simran Sethi who is now host for Sundance Channel: the Green, as her environmental expert.

Oprah’s Tip #1: Paper or Plastic: NEITHER. Bring your own bag!
It’s one of our fave tips, too, Oprah. And, of course, you can get the Oprah “GrOceries” bag made of organic cotton for $9.50. Well, you could have. They are currently out of stock. Oprah said that they are charging what it costs to make them, as she doesn’t need money from bags, “I’ve got enough pairs of shoes”. Of course, she told the audience that they don’t need her bags – any bags will do, just bring your own!

Oprah’s Tip #2: Bring Your Own Bottle.
Again, we talk about this all of the time. Simran loves the Sigg bottle, as do I. I got mine at Reusablebags.com.

We then saw a clip with Laurie David & Sheryl Crow, who are currently on their Stop Global Warming Campus Tour. Which we’ve talked about plenty around here lately.

Then, it was on to Matt Damon with a tip to Stop Your Junk Mail. It’s really easy to do it yourself, though there are companies who can do it for you. Matt was promoting one such company called GreenDimes. For a dime a day, these guys will take care of most of it for you, plus plant a tree each month. He said he loves the service so much, he joined the Board. Seems like a new development because as of last month, his name wasn’t really on the list. We love this tip, as well. Do i
t yourself, or through GreenDimes, but get rid of all of that junk mail! (Thanks, Linton, for the screenshot!)
Oprah’s Tip #3: Clean Green.
They went through some green, non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaners such as Method, Seventh Generation, Shaklee, and Mrs. Meyers.
I only caught the first half of the show. There were also some tips about using fewer paper napkins and using a smart strip or power strip to manage your electronics that go on standby. I’ll watch the rest later and will update this post if there is anything earth shattering. I really thought there would be more celebs in the studio for the Earth Day show. Oh well! The tips were great ones and the ones I repeat over and over. They are the easiest and will make a huge impact if we all take part

Source: Ecorazzi
http://www.ecorazzi.com

Be aggressive about passive

Publicado por: Victor Scarlato

By Stephanie Kirchner

Georg Zielke, his wife and kids share a five-bedroom “passive house” in Darmstadt, Germany, with heating costs 90% lower than their neighbors’. Extra insulation and state-of-the-art ventilation recycle the energy from passive sources such as body heat, the sun and household appliances to warm the air. When it gets really cold, the Zielkes just turn on the TV.

The German government has thrown its weight behind the idea, guaranteeing low cost loans for people who want to build a passive house. They cost about 5% to 8% more to build than a standard one. Invented in a German-Swedish joint-venture in he early 1990s, about 10,000 have been built in Europe so far, most of them in Germany-and just three in the U.S.

Source: Time Magazine “51 Things We Can Do to Save the Environment”
Click here and learn what else you can do.

By Stephanie Kirchner

Georg Zielke, his wife and kids share a five-bedroom “passive house” in Darmstadt, Germany, with heating costs 90% lower than their neighbors’. Extra insulation and state-of-the-art ventilation recycle the energy from passive sources such as body heat, the sun and household appliances to warm the air. When it gets really cold, the Zielkes just turn on the TV.

The German government has thrown its weight behind the idea, guaranteeing low cost loans for people who want to build a passive house. They cost about 5% to 8% more to build than a standard one. Invented in a German-Swedish joint-venture in he early 1990s, about 10,000 have been built in Europe so far, most of them in Germany-and just three in the U.S.

Source: Time Magazine “51 Things We Can Do to Save the Environment”
Click here and learn what else you can do.

By Stephanie Kirchner

Georg Zielke, his wife and kids share a five-bedroom “passive house” in Darmstadt, Germany, with heating costs 90% lower than their neighbors’. Extra insulation and state-of-the-art ventilation recycle the energy from passive sources such as body heat, the sun and household appliances to warm the air. When it gets really cold, the Zielkes just turn on the TV.

The German government has thrown its weight behind the idea, guaranteeing low cost loans for people who want to build a passive house. They cost about 5% to 8% more to build than a standard one. Invented in a German-Swedish joint-venture in he early 1990s, about 10,000 have been built in Europe so far, most of them in Germany-and just three in the U.S.

Source: Time Magazine “51 Things We Can Do to Save the Environment”
Click here and learn what else you can do.

Power to the people

Publicado por: Victor Scarlato

Olivia Chow isn’t thinking of starring in a home renovation program on one of those specialty TV channels, but she has become a media celebrity with a show of her own on the popular YouTube website.

It can be seen by going to youtube.com and entering “Olivia Chow green house” in the search bar to see some of the energy-saving renovations she and husband Jack Layton, national leader of the New Democratic Party, have made to their downtown Toronto home.

“Over the years,” the NDP Member of Parliament for Trinity-Spadina says, “people ask me questions about retrofitting, like, `How is it done? Is it possible? Can you actually put a solar panel up? What if there isn’t enough sun?’

“So I figured the best way is to actually show people what it looks like. Talking in theories and figures doesn’t quite work. Now when people ask about energy retrofitting your home and reducing energy bills, I can actually tell them to go to youtube.com and check it out.”

The video includes Chow with seven rooftop solar panels the couple installed over the years to produce electricity and heat their hot water. Also included is a meter that produces a smile on their faces when it spins backward. That means they’re helping to generate electricity that will go back to the grid for others to use. Other stops on the 4 1/2-minute tour of their home show energy-smart kitchen appliances, triple-paned windows and a low-flow toilet.

Source: Toronto Star

Olivia Chow isn’t thinking of starring in a home renovation program on one of those specialty TV channels, but she has become a media celebrity with a show of her own on the popular YouTube website.

It can be seen by going to youtube.com and entering “Olivia Chow green house” in the search bar to see some of the energy-saving renovations she and husband Jack Layton, national leader of the New Democratic Party, have made to their downtown Toronto home.

“Over the years,” the NDP Member of Parliament for Trinity-Spadina says, “people ask me questions about retrofitting, like, `How is it done? Is it possible? Can you actually put a solar panel up? What if there isn’t enough sun?’

“So I figured the best way is to actually show people what it looks like. Talking in theories and figures doesn’t quite work. Now when people ask about energy retrofitting your home and reducing energy bills, I can actually tell them to go to youtube.com and check it out.”

The video includes Chow with seven rooftop solar panels the couple installed over the years to produce electricity and heat their hot water. Also included is a meter that produces a smile on their faces when it spins backward. That means they’re helping to generate electricity that will go back to the grid for others to use. Other stops on the 4 1/2-minute tour of their home show energy-smart kitchen appliances, triple-paned windows and a low-flow toilet.

Source: Toronto Star

Olivia Chow isn’t thinking of starring in a home renovation program on one of those specialty TV channels, but she has become a media celebrity with a show of her own on the popular YouTube website.

It can be seen by going to youtube.com and entering “Olivia Chow green house” in the search bar to see some of the energy-saving renovations she and husband Jack Layton, national leader of the New Democratic Party, have made to their downtown Toronto home.

“Over the years,” the NDP Member of Parliament for Trinity-Spadina says, “people ask me questions about retrofitting, like, `How is it done? Is it possible? Can you actually put a solar panel up? What if there isn’t enough sun?’

“So I figured the best way is to actually show people what it looks like. Talking in theories and figures doesn’t quite work. Now when people ask about energy retrofitting your home and reducing energy bills, I can actually tell them to go to youtube.com and check it out.”

The video includes Chow with seven rooftop solar panels the couple installed over the years to produce electricity and heat their hot water. Also included is a meter that produces a smile on their faces when it spins backward. That means they’re helping to generate electricity that will go back to the grid for others to use. Other stops on the 4 1/2-minute tour of their home show energy-smart kitchen appliances, triple-paned windows and a low-flow toilet.

Source: Toronto Star

An Inconvenient Truth: Oscar Winner

Publicado por: Victor Scarlato

Like nearly every Grey’s Anatomy episode, the Oscars generally make me cry and laugh out loud at least twice. This year of feel-good internationalism and “every nominee is a winner” egalitarianism was no exception. However, a brand new, twist complicated the customary emotional roller coaster: greenness. An Inconvenient Truth (unsurprisingly) won Best Documentary. At the podium: Laurie David (producer), ecstatic, and Al Gore emphasizing the nonpartisan nature of the climate change threat. Additionally, the Academy seems to have teamed up with the NRDC to make Oscar’s molten foot leave a lighter print, and teach viewers to tread softly as well. Wow. Weird. Love it that millions of people around the world saw that a chunk of Hollywood wants to do something about the U.S.’s imbalanced CO2 contribution. Not so happy that the running Gore candidacy announcement jokes make such an obvious Hollywood/Liberal/Environmentalism punditry target. None-the-less, an amazing night for the folks at Participant Productions and the climate change message. An Oscar win can only mean more people seeing what could have just remained a former Vice President’s slide show. ::Oscars

Source: Tree Hugger
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/an_inconvenient_8.php

Like nearly every Grey’s Anatomy episode, the Oscars generally make me cry and laugh out loud at least twice. This year of feel-good internationalism and “every nominee is a winner” egalitarianism was no exception. However, a brand new, twist complicated the customary emotional roller coaster: greenness. An Inconvenient Truth (unsurprisingly) won Best Documentary. At the podium: Laurie David (producer), ecstatic, and Al Gore emphasizing the nonpartisan nature of the climate change threat. Additionally, the Academy seems to have teamed up with the NRDC to make Oscar’s molten foot leave a lighter print, and teach viewers to tread softly as well. Wow. Weird. Love it that millions of people around the world saw that a chunk of Hollywood wants to do something about the U.S.’s imbalanced CO2 contribution. Not so happy that the running Gore candidacy announcement jokes make such an obvious Hollywood/Liberal/Environmentalism punditry target. None-the-less, an amazing night for the folks at Participant Productions and the climate change message. An Oscar win can only mean more people seeing what could have just remained a former Vice President’s slide show. ::Oscars

Source: Tree Hugger
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/an_inconvenient_8.php

Like nearly every Grey’s Anatomy episode, the Oscars generally make me cry and laugh out loud at least twice. This year of feel-good internationalism and “every nominee is a winner” egalitarianism was no exception. However, a brand new, twist complicated the customary emotional roller coaster: greenness. An Inconvenient Truth (unsurprisingly) won Best Documentary. At the podium: Laurie David (producer), ecstatic, and Al Gore emphasizing the nonpartisan nature of the climate change threat. Additionally, the Academy seems to have teamed up with the NRDC to make Oscar’s molten foot leave a lighter print, and teach viewers to tread softly as well. Wow. Weird. Love it that millions of people around the world saw that a chunk of Hollywood wants to do something about the U.S.’s imbalanced CO2 contribution. Not so happy that the running Gore candidacy announcement jokes make such an obvious Hollywood/Liberal/Environmentalism punditry target. None-the-less, an amazing night for the folks at Participant Productions and the climate change message. An Oscar win can only mean more people seeing what could have just remained a former Vice President’s slide show. ::Oscars

Source: Tree Hugger
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/an_inconvenient_8.php

Bloom goes green with new home

Publicado por: Victor Scarlato

Jet-setting Orlando Bloom is using pre-Oscar parties to wave his green credentials.
The Pirates Of The Caribbean star has revealed he is building an environmentally friendly house in London.

He is also telling fellow stars to do their bit for the planet by ditching their limos and travelling to Oscar events in eco-friendly cars.

The 30-year-old admits not everyone can live a totally green lifestyle but says even the stars should unplug their mobile chargers and turn off their TVs when they are not using them.

Source: Metro (UK)
http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=38567&in_page_id=7

Jet-setting Orlando Bloom is using pre-Oscar parties to wave his green credentials.
The Pirates Of The Caribbean star has revealed he is building an environmentally friendly house in London.

He is also telling fellow stars to do their bit for the planet by ditching their limos and travelling to Oscar events in eco-friendly cars.

The 30-year-old admits not everyone can live a totally green lifestyle but says even the stars should unplug their mobile chargers and turn off their TVs when they are not using them.

Source: Metro (UK)
http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=38567&in_page_id=7

Jet-setting Orlando Bloom is using pre-Oscar parties to wave his green credentials.
The Pirates Of The Caribbean star has revealed he is building an environmentally friendly house in London.

He is also telling fellow stars to do their bit for the planet by ditching their limos and travelling to Oscar events in eco-friendly cars.

The 30-year-old admits not everyone can live a totally green lifestyle but says even the stars should unplug their mobile chargers and turn off their TVs when they are not using them.

Source: Metro (UK)
http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=38567&in_page_id=7

New towers paint the town green

Publicado por: Victor Scarlato

Office towers aren’t what they used to be. True, they’re as tall as ever, if not taller, but now they mean something different – the symbolism has changed.

The edifice complex hasn’t exactly disappeared, but today it’s tempered by the sustainability reflex.

Originally, the skyscraper was all about corporate might – mine’s bigger than yours. Now it’s about doing what’s right. There are examples everywhere. In New York, the Bank of America is building the tallest green tower in the world. In Europe, green skyscrapers have been around since the 1980s.

Finally, Toronto’s getting into the act, and in a big way. After an absence of 10 or 15 years, when the only high-rises built in this city were residential – i.e., condos – the office tower is making a comeback. Last year 180 Queen St. W. was completed, though at 17 storeys it barely qualifies as a tower. And we mustn’t forget the SAS Building, 280 King St. E., a mid-rise corporate headquarters notable for its “sustainable” features.

But three skyscrapers now under construction are all tall and green: Brookfield Properties’ Bay-Adelaide Centre (50 storeys), Cadillac Fairview’s RBC Centre (43 storeys) at Simcoe and Wellington Sts., and the Telus Tower (32 storeys) at 25 York St. near the Air Canada Centre (a joint venture of Halcyon Partners Fund, Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan and Menkes Developments).

All three are going for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certification. That green building rating system, which has become the North American standard for evaluating sustainable architecture, is based on criteria such as materials, heating and cooling efficiency, green roofs and water recycling. The highest rating is platinum, followed by gold.

This 32-story structure is going up at 25 York St., near the Air Canada Centre.

Source: Toronto Star
To read the full article visit:
http://www.thestar.com/article/182962

Office towers aren’t what they used to be. True, they’re as tall as ever, if not taller, but now they mean something different – the symbolism has changed.

The edifice complex hasn’t exactly disappeared, but today it’s tempered by the sustainability reflex.

Originally, the skyscraper was all about corporate might – mine’s bigger than yours. Now it’s about doing what’s right. There are examples everywhere. In New York, the Bank of America is building the tallest green tower in the world. In Europe, green skyscrapers have been around since the 1980s.

Finally, Toronto’s getting into the act, and in a big way. After an absence of 10 or 15 years, when the only high-rises built in this city were residential – i.e., condos – the office tower is making a comeback. Last year 180 Queen St. W. was completed, though at 17 storeys it barely qualifies as a tower. And we mustn’t forget the SAS Building, 280 King St. E., a mid-rise corporate headquarters notable for its “sustainable” features.

But three skyscrapers now under construction are all tall and green: Brookfield Properties’ Bay-Adelaide Centre (50 storeys), Cadillac Fairview’s RBC Centre (43 storeys) at Simcoe and Wellington Sts., and the Telus Tower (32 storeys) at 25 York St. near the Air Canada Centre (a joint venture of Halcyon Partners Fund, Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan and Menkes Developments).

All three are going for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certification. That green building rating system, which has become the North American standard for evaluating sustainable architecture, is based on criteria such as materials, heating and cooling efficiency, green roofs and water recycling. The highest rating is platinum, followed by gold.

This 32-story structure is going up at 25 York St., near the Air Canada Centre.

Source: Toronto Star
To read the full article visit:
http://www.thestar.com/article/182962

Office towers aren’t what they used to be. True, they’re as tall as ever, if not taller, but now they mean something different – the symbolism has changed.

The edifice complex hasn’t exactly disappeared, but today it’s tempered by the sustainability reflex.

Originally, the skyscraper was all about corporate might – mine’s bigger than yours. Now it’s about doing what’s right. There are examples everywhere. In New York, the Bank of America is building the tallest green tower in the world. In Europe, green skyscrapers have been around since the 1980s.

Finally, Toronto’s getting into the act, and in a big way. After an absence of 10 or 15 years, when the only high-rises built in this city were residential – i.e., condos – the office tower is making a comeback. Last year 180 Queen St. W. was completed, though at 17 storeys it barely qualifies as a tower. And we mustn’t forget the SAS Building, 280 King St. E., a mid-rise corporate headquarters notable for its “sustainable” features.

But three skyscrapers now under construction are all tall and green: Brookfield Properties’ Bay-Adelaide Centre (50 storeys), Cadillac Fairview’s RBC Centre (43 storeys) at Simcoe and Wellington Sts., and the Telus Tower (32 storeys) at 25 York St. near the Air Canada Centre (a joint venture of Halcyon Partners Fund, Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan and Menkes Developments).

All three are going for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certification. That green building rating system, which has become the North American standard for evaluating sustainable architecture, is based on criteria such as materials, heating and cooling efficiency, green roofs and water recycling. The highest rating is platinum, followed by gold.

This 32-story structure is going up at 25 York St., near the Air Canada Centre.

Source: Toronto Star
To read the full article visit:
http://www.thestar.com/article/182962