Jack Johnson and farm folk/city folk
July 21, 2008
WIN TICKETS TO JACK JOHNSON CONCERT & Support FarmFolk/CityFolk!
Group advocates butt tax
May 21, 2008
What happens after a cigarette butt is casually flicked onto a street, trail or beach? Typically, wind and rain carry it into the water supply, where toxic chemicals leach out into land and aquatic ecosystems. Three BC men hope to make provincial sidewalks, playgrounds, roadsides and parks butt-free by launching a campaign to impose a 10-cent tax on each cigarette butt sold in the province and aim to bring their plan to provincial legislators.
The green goods
May 21, 2008
Cool green stuff we stumbled across this week:
Green My Ride! Facebook has another new green application that allows you to show all your friends how you’re saving the planet, this time by the specific eco-friendly products you use.
An ordinance unanimously adopted by Malibu’s city council this week will soon make plastic bags a thing of the past among its 13,000 residents and four supermarkets. The action follows a number of other efforts in California to ban plastic bags, including a vote in February by Santa Monica’s council to draft similar ordinance. If they can do it, why can’t we?
What will you do with your climate-change cheque?
May 16, 2008
Every British Columbian will receive a $100 Climate Action Dividend this June, before the carbon tax takes effect. People are encouraged to use this money on purchases that reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and, in the process, reduce the amount they pay in carbon tax. “We’re hoping the cheques start to go out by the end of June,” B.C. Finance Minister Carole Taylor said yesterday.
Bottled water backlash
May 16, 2008
Chi-chi restaurants are now banning bottled water. How did the ubiquitous accessory become the latest environmental sin? It’s not just daft, it’s decadent. In 2007, Canadians spent over $670 million on bottled water, consuming an amazing 2.3 billion litres of it. But, if early indications of the recent backlash are any indication, what was once a fashion accessory is becoming a fashion crime.
Canada Post goes green
May 14, 2008
Canada Post says it needs to crack down on junk mail in order to save the environment and - its bottom line. After issuing its first annual corporate responsibility report yesterday, the Crown corp launched a new campaign to encourage more sustainable mailing practices for businesses and consumers.
Welcome aboard, Victoria!
May 14, 2008
We are proud to announce the launch of Living Green Victoria, the third of our Living Green sites in Canada. The Victoria site will chronicle all things green in BC’s capital city, from city planning to culture, business, arts, events and food. Got eco-conscious friends or family on the island? We’d love for you to share the news. Stay tuned for more Living Green launches in other cities across the country.
Vancouver residents want more transit
May 10, 2008
A new poll shows 69 percent of Metro Vancouver residents support redirecting money away from road expansion projects toward a better public transit system. The Synovate poll, conducted for the David Suzuki Foundation and the Livable Region Coalition, also showed 60 percent of Vancouver residents would choose rapid transit to Coquitlam, expanded bus and rapid transit service in Surrey and rapid transit out to UBC instead of twinning the Port Mann Bridge and widening Highway 1.
Green word watch
May 10, 2008
ecolonomics (noun) \E-ko-low-NAW-miks\
1. A blend of ecology and economics. Sustainable living through environmentally friendly business practices. Simply put, ecolonomics means maintaining natural resources in ways that are economically sound. There is even an Institute of Ecolonomics, founded by actor Dennis Weaver, whose mission is “to demonstrate that creating a symbiotic relationship between a strong economy and a healthy ecology is the only formula for a sustainable future.”
Green your spring clean
May 6, 2008
The arrival of spring means fresh leaves, fresh air, and freshly cleaned homes for many Vancouverites. But when it comes to cleaning your house or apartment, what does clean really mean? Many people associate cleanliness with the scent of ammonia, pine or chlorine bleach. The majority of the conventional cleaning products we grew up with are petroleum-based and full of colourants, perfumes and toxic VOCs - risking not only our own health, but that of the environment. We’ve put together some alternative ideas to help you “green” your spring clean and lessen your impact on the planet.