consumption

Primer on Consumption

- Cam Proctor

This book should be on every environmentalists Christmas list…..although it might change your views on this jolly time of year. To every person who spends more time shopping this season than spending time with their family, I say the booklet Consume This – Buying That Matters is for them. The Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention (C2P2), through the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, has developed this booklet to teach youth on the topic of sustainable consumption. The 40-page booklets teaches youth to understand that where, how, when and what the consume has an impact on the environment, empowering youth to make environmentally friendly choices. The book outlines simple ways to reduce personal environmental impacts and participate in sustainable comsumption activities.

Visit the C2P2 website to download a FREE electronic version. Although I strongly suggest memorizing the electronic copy, full colour printed copies can be ordered using the online order form on the website or by calling 1-800-667-9790, or e-mail info@c2p2online.com. The booklet is printed by an EcoLogo Certified printer on 50% post consumer paper with vegetable based inks

Energuide Resurrected

- Cam Proctor

A pilot program has been announced by Ontario’s Chief Energy Conservation Officer to offer private low income home owners energy audits, education programs and upgrading or replacing ineffecient equipment and appliances. This $2.9 million initiative will target private single, semi-detached and row houses in 16 communities across the provinces. The low income housing sector was the hardest hit by the death of the Energuide program as the poor use the least amount of electricity, but pay a disproportionate amount since the price of electricity in Ontario is tied to capacity and peak consumption by large users.

If you interested in energy issues come out with the Young Environmental Proffesionals this Tuesday (Nov 28th) at the Duke of York pub to discuss the Portland Energy Center.

Microsoft Has Green Potential, Linux Currently Green

- Adam Clare

Over at the geek-news site Slashdot there recently was a post about how Microsoft can save energy by changing some minor code. Slashdot readers also had a neat discussion regarding power consumption and computers. The community (not surprisingly) concludes that Linux is just as good – if not better – than Windows at conserving energy.

“The author figures that the upgrade would affect 100 million computers and that the power cost savings could hit $7 billion per year. CO2 emissions would be cut by 45 million tons. But what about the impact on computing?”

House of the Future

- Agasel 1 Comment

Students at the University of Nottingham are moving into a new, futuristic house.  This three-storey home is being built as an example to the world on how people can cut carbon dioxide emissions.  Over a period of 20 years, students will live in the house and monitor heat, light, and water consumption.  The goal of the experiment is to cut CO2 emissions by 60 percent.univhouse.jpg

The house features an earth-air heat exchanger for heat; a grey water management system to reuse shower water for the toilet; a rainwater-harvesting system to collect water for the washing machine, shower and gardens; solar heating; and a ventilation / heat recovery system.

Mike Hinman of Stoneguard, the company building the house, states, “This building is, quite simply, 44 years ahead of its time.”

Car Sharing in Toronto

- Adam Clare 1 Comment

logosThe Torontoist has a great look at two car sharing companies that are fighting it out on the streets of Toronto. Car sharing has been around for years and is quickly becoming a staple of the urban experience. Yet, in North America car sharing is not nearly has strong as it is in Europe.

The Torontoist looks at the benefits of car sharing and how the two companies have slightly different strategies. I like how there is now competition in this market in Toronto because it has made more people aware of car sharing. Ever shared car equals to about 10 less cars on the road!

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