Author: Cam Proctor

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.

2006 A.D. Latornell Conservation Symposium

- Cam Proctor 2 Comments

“Why did the chicken cross the road? Because global warming shifted the climate and the only suitable habitat for chickens is up North.”

“We spent all this money developing tools to identify conservation areas, learning how to manage these areas and trying to acquire enough of them to have some sembelance of an ecosystem, and it was all for naught because of climate change.”

“How do you conserve a species, lets take a bird that eats caterpillars as an example, when climate change causes caterpillars to lay their eggs early and by the time the young birds hatch all the caterpillars are now butterflies?

These are just some of the questions I heard at the 2006 A.D. Latornell Conservation Symposium. This year’s theme was – Creating a Climate for Change – refering to the actions that conservationists are taking in order to meet the challenges of climate change. A lot of really good discussion happened at this conference . Tough questions were asked and the people on the floor stood up to answer them. Canada might not have a government that is working against climate change, but it has at least one dedicated group doing it.

Ship it Good!

- Cam Proctor

Aside from the invasive species catching a free ride every now and again, the transport industry causes a huge volume of carbon dioxide emmissions annualy. A Maryland-based non-profit, Carbonfund.org, came up with a neat way of offsetting these emissions by launching a Carbonfree Shipping program, which allows retailers to reduce some of the carbon footprint created by shipping packages to customers. Four companies — BetterWorld.com, Evogear.com, 3R Living and alonova.com — have joined the program.

The UK, so advanced

- Cam Proctor

In another move that proves its not all about the GDP, the UK is moving forward to regulating energy effeciency. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has been working on replacing “ineffecient” goods. This would set minimium standards for 14 energy using products, including commercial lighting. With a competative advantage such as this, the UK stands to make real progress in the environmental, financial and social fields.

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