National Parks Experience Shutdown

Now that the shutdown in the US is over, National Parks Rangers and Staff offer a striking view of their parks and the experience of being told to keep people out.

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Solar Hot Water is Coming!

It's been a long time since I've done any updates on this blog. I am so pleased to see that there is still regular traffic here, looking at some of the old projects and some of the ideas that get shared around.

After a long wait, my hot water solar system is going to be installed in the next few weeks. I've very excited about this and will definitely do some special posts about it. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, I think I should probably be reading Solar Power Your Home For Dummies so that I know what to expect. Probably a little more DIY what than what I have planned, but it might be good nonetheless.

Do any of you have experience with hot water solar? Any tips for a newbie?

All the best! 

Sustainability Leadership Certificate for Employees

It's been a while since I've had a chance to post anything here, so I thought I'd give a little update.

Last Friday, I was one of the first ten recipients of Dalhousie's Sustainability Leadership Certificate who presented their projects and received their certificates from Rochelle Owen, Dal's Sustainability Guru. It was a fun project and series of classes over the summer and I strongly recommend it to anyone who works at Dal when it is run next!

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Could a New Can Change Everything?

A new can design, specifically one that uses a micron-thin polymer, could dramatically change the environmental footprint for drinking cans everywhere.

As seen in this article at environmentalleader.com, the 2011Can of the Year Award winner changes a lot of the way cans are made and subsequently, the number of chemicals and processes involved in their manufacture. Clearly a step in the right direction!

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Cloud Computing and Carbon Footprint

Spotted an interesting article on the cloud and its carbon footprint on the weekend. Have a look for yourself!

The cloud and your firm’s carbon footprint

The school of thought that cloud computing can help businesses globally reduce their carbon footprint needs to move from notion to fact...

From Silicon Republic.

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Tonight: The Oil Sands: Economic Saviour or Environmental Disaster?

From Dal's Sustainability News:

A reminder to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity to hear Dr. David Schindler (Killam Memorial professor of ecology at the University of Alberta), this Friday at 7 p.m. at the Potter Auditorium, Rowe Management Building, 6100 University Avenue. 

David is arguably the most prominent ecologist in Canada and the most outspoken scientific voice on the oil sands development. With all the recent attention on insufficient environmental impact assessments and the controversy around the proposed keystone pipeline, this is a timely topic. 

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Tonight:Counter Culture or Consumer Culture?

Dalhousie Green Week Keynote Lecture: Andrew Potter ESS (Environment, Sustainability and Society)

Thursday Night Lecture Series Co-sponsored with DSUSO (Dalhousie Student Union Sustainability Office)

Andrew Potter is a Canadian philosopher, author, and magazine columnist, best-known for co-authoring The Rebel Sell: How the Culture Can’t Be Jammed (2004), with Joseph Heath. He was the national news editor for the Ottawa Citizen for nearly three years, and is now a public affairs columnist for Maclean’s and a features editor for Canadian Business.

7 p.m. Ondaatje Auditorium, Marion McCain Building, 6135 University Avenue
Free of charge. Open to the public. Seating is limited, so please arrive early. 

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You Are Traffic

Another cool message about traffic and bicycles...

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I think the idea of a keychain shopping bag is a great idea, as I mentioned yesterday.

I'm guilty as all get out about not remembering to bring my shopping bags into the grocery store with me. So why not take one everywhere?

Chicobag offers just this product, and in a variety of sizes and styles! Very cool! And if you even only have the one bag with you, it'll be one or two bags less that you need!

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Everyone needs a reminder from time to time. How about a short slide show that helps you combat day-to-day eco-mistakes? I love the idea of the keychain shopping bag. More on that tomorrow!

Quick fixes for common eco errors | Homes Slideshow | Green Living

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This article jumped out at me from today's Metro News. Nice to see high-efficiency homes are being modeled locally. No reason this shouldn't be the standard for new home construction.


Pushing the envelope on energy efficient homes

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Study debunks myths on organic farms

This is an exciting article on recent findings on the economic benefits of organic farming. Check it out!

Study debunks myths on organic farms

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It's been close to forever since I've posted, so I thought I'd rectify that with a simple post for today:

An artist in NY is spray painting this on sidewalks and buildings.

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Green Ideas for 2010 Calendar Contest

I'm going to be working on a project over the next little while to produce an artistic calendar for 2010. I'm currently soliciting suggestions for shot ideas to include in the calendar.

Later on, I'll be looking for recommendations for printers that are as environmentally friendly as possible.

To enter the contest, you should send me a concept for a photo and a brief note explaining the concept. What would the photo look like? What idea is it promoting? You should include a brief paragraph that might get overlayed on the photo.

Winners will receive a veritable plethora of recognition. If your concept is used, your name will be included in the calendar as the submitter of the concept and/or text. You'll be mentioned on the blog as well! And I'll send you a copy of the completed calendar!

The only restriction is that the ideas promote the same values and concepts as the blog and that the photo concept can be shot by me in the Nova Scotia area. It need not even be outdoors - studio ideas are just fine!

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This bit of text came to me via the Green Peace mailing list. I'm not a member, but whatever your politics, I think this is a good reminder of things that we can all do to reduce our dependence on oil.

In the wake of the ongoing catastrophe of the Gulf oil spill, lots of people have been asking us how they can reduce their oil consumption in their daily lives. Here's our top ten:
1. Carpool, cycle or use public transport to go to work.
2. Choose when possible products packaged without plastic and recycle or re-use containers.

3. Buy organic fruits and vegetables (fertilisers and pesticides are based on oil more often than not).
4. Buy beauty products (shampoo, soap, make-up) based on natural ingredients, not oil.
5. Choose when possible locally produced products (less transport involved).
6. Buy clothes made out of organic cotton or hemp - not from oil derivatives.
7. Use non-disposable items in picnics and summer festivals.
8. Quit bottled water.
9. Fly less.
10. Demand that your government encourage renewable energy instead of oil.
(11. Register at our new website and add to this list, then forward it to a friend.)
-Juliette

p.s. Did someone forward this mail to you? Sign up for action alerts and ways you can help here.

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President Obama's Oval Office Address on BP Oil Spill & Energy

I'm not one for hyperbole, but last night's speech from the Oval Office may represent an actual turning point for the environmental movement. Have a watch for yourself.

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Halifax Curbside Giveaway Weekend

This weekend is Halifax's first go at the Curbside Giveaway Weekend. Your good, well-used and recyclable items can be placed curbside from now until Sunday at dusk. They should be marked "free" and with any luck, a new home will find them. Just watch out for the rain that is coming!

Follow the link for the rules and remember that everything has to be brought back in by Sunday at dusk. Avoid putting out things that you won't want to bring back in after Sunday's rain...

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Energy Use Update

Just a really quick update. Another power bill arrived and the period for March 15th to May 14th was 25% lower than the same period last year. It takes a while to see a complete ROI (return on investment) for insulation and window purchases, but I think it's pretty reassuring to see some savings every month, even when the weather and outside temperature was improving!

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The Story of Bottled Water

Well worth a few minutes of your time! Please watch this before your next bottle!

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Halifax's Dump and Run 2010

Halifax's largest community garage sale is happening tomorrow, May 2nd from 8am to 4pm! Items of all shapes and sizes will be available and the proceeds fund all kinds of interesting charities both local and international!

Check out the website for any last minute details!

Halifax Dump and Run

This is a great event and an opportunity to repurpose and recycle some interesting things for your new apartment or your home!

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