The Blue Dot Tour – Maybe The Worthiest Cause Of All.

This is the initiative started by the David Suzuki Foundation to help bring the country together around the issues of our right to clean air, clean water and a safe environment.

This tour has been moving across the country to packed houses and has garnered an incredible amount of support among concerned Canadians.

We would like to add our voice to that chorus of concern. Our Green Directory isn’t just an online shopping experience for people who are looking for eco-friendly alternatives. We like to think that through our blogs we are actively working to create awareness for the efforts of all those whose ingenuity and innovation are helping to make the earth a better place to live.

We applaud the efforts of Mr Suzuki and the Blue Dot initiative for its ambition, its scope, its audacity and its power to help bring about change.

Find out more at http://bluedot.ca

Wolves In Yellowstone National Park

We all are pretty much aware of just how delicate the world’s ecosystem actually is. And just how relatively easy it is to upset that balance.

In fact, it’s pretty much a fact of life that we are currently experiencing that imbalance, as the earth’s climate starts to change, due in part to a number of disrupting human factors. Not the least important of these factors are the virtually unchecked burning of fossil fuels and the unrestricted clear cutting of large rainforest areas around the world.

This four minute film on SFGlobe.com is a classic example of how a single element, that was missing in the eco system of Yellowstone National Park, was returned to the park and, in a very short span of time, started to restore its eco-balance.

The missing element was wolves. The changes that the reintroduction of a group of wolves to the park has made are truly remarkable. In a strange way, it shows you just how much change can be affected simply by restoring balance to any eco system.

This film takes about 4 minutes to watch. But honestly it will fill you with a sense of joy and hope that maybe, if we can stop repressing progressive technologies like wind and solar, if we can start incorporating technologies that already exist that to make fuels burn cleaner and reduce carbon emissions to ridiculously low levels, and if can get industries and countries to incorporate pollution controls religiously, then the earth’s whole eco system might just stand a chance.

View the film here.

http://sfglo.be/dO0

Stay Cool & Be Green–Innovations in Air Conditioning Technology

This is another in our series of guests posts…this one comes from Audrey Clark and will give you some insights into how to make air conditioning your home and or workplace more environmentally friendly. Please note, we have an open door policy for blogs. If you are interested in posting on our site, email me at jim.murray@ourgreendirectory.com and I will send you the submission criteria. 

Here’s Audrey’s post…hope you enjoy it.

High-efficiency is the name of the game in green living, especially when you’re talking air conditioning. Today’s cooling systems are worlds above those old, cantankerous window units of old. Using new, exciting and innovative technology, manufacturers are taking the art of home cooling to the next level.

Remote Programmable Thermostats

If you forgot to turn the air back before you left for the day or the weekend, never fear. A remote, programmable thermostat allows you to complete the task from the convenience of your mobile device. A device like this can save you up to 15 percent on your annual home utility bill, according to the U.S. Energy Department. You can also program your thermostat to automatically cut back on energy usage during certain hours of the day or night.

EverClean Flexible Duct

Higher-quality ductwork translates into better energy efficiency, and according to information provided by Home Depot, the EverClean brand of flexible duct ranks near the top of the list. EverClean duct features the following advantages over plain old ductwork:

• A layer of insulation between the core and the outer shield–making this ductwork more immune to the growth of mold and mildew
• Fiberglass composition–making for quieter and more fire-retardant operation
• The use of low VOC (volatile organic compound) materials
• Energy-Star certification

Homeowner Contribution

It’s not a new invention, but more emphasis is now falling upon the homeowner when it comes to operating in the green. Speaking with your HVAC installer about upkeep and maintenance of your home cooling system can help save money, and helps you to keep your ventilation system working efficiently, according to Refrigeration School, Inc.

• Planting shade trees and shrubs around your home and outdoor air conditioning unit helps keep temperatures at bay, making it easier to keep the air inside your home cooler.
• Keeping windows and blinds these drawn on the hottest days of the year.
• Keep ceiling fans circulating to help move cool air around your rooms.
• Keep lamps away from your thermostat. These can fool your cooling system into thinking your home is warmer than it actually is.
• Using cool roof materials or coatings, as well as white blinds or backing behind your curtains helps to reflect heat back outside your home. So do solar shades at the windows.
• Installed correctly in your attic space, radiant barriers help keep the heat from your roof from transferring into your attic.

Author Bio:

Audrey Clark is a skilled freelance blogger covering a range of topics from careers and finance to travel and leisure, along with everything in-between. When not writing, she’s always on the lookout for her next adventure. Connect with Audrey on Twitter and Google+.

Two words you will never hear on your weather forecast.

These words are ‘climate change’. And the reason why you won’t hear them is that in Canada , our country is governed by people who have, it would seem, completely sold their souls to to the interests of big energy.

Think of it this way. If you believe that carbon emissions from all the fossil fuel driven machinery  from cars to factory turbines, is playing a big part in the climate change we are experiencing, then it’s not rocket science to conclude that reducing those emissions through the use of non-polluting energy sources like solar and wind would be able to have a positive effect on climate change.

The problem here lies in the question of who controls those resources. Right now big oil and big energy and their powerful lobby groups have many governments, including, in my opinion, ours, in their pocket. So any legislation that promotes in any significant programs to help develop alternative energy businesses, has pretty much a snowball’s chance in hell of getting passed. 

This has nothing to do with what anybody believes about alternative energy sources. It has to do with who controls them and can charge us for them on a per use basis. After the initial installation of a renewable energy source, the energy costs nothing to harvest. And you can bet that there are a bunch of extremely greedy people out there that don’t want to see that happen on any sort of scale.

This article is talks primarily about climate change and the Canadian government’s complete willingness to turn a blind eye to it.  Hope it makes you as angry as it does us.

https://news.vice.com/article/the-canadian-government-has-forbidden-meteorologists-to-discuss-climate-change

Landscape Ontario’s Idea Of A Green Time Around The Old Swimming Hole.

Here’s an interesting article that Terry came across on the Landscape Ontario. It’s an article by Toronto freelance writer Brian Slemming, and it’s all about a creating a chemical free alternative to the traditional back yard swimming pool. Traditional pools are kept clean with chlorines and bromines, neither of which are beneficial in anyway to the environment. The creation of swimming ponds is quite ingenious and a much simpler process than creating traditional pools. Mr Slemming’s article will give you a really good idea of how this is achieved and how you can have it done in your back yard.

http://landscapeontario.com/a-dip-in-the-pond

Asbestos…It really is a four letter word.

I have to tell you I’m really thrilled at the number of guest bloggers our site is beginning to attract. While most people want to post good advice and information on the ‘green’ things that that you can do to make life and the environment better for yourself and those around you, every once in a while you hear about something that really makes you think about how the ignorance of the past is still haunting us today.

This email came to me from a man named Cameron Von St James and it’s about the cause of asbestos awareness that he has taken up big time. Please read his note and check out this web site: mesothelioma.com/heather/awareness

This is a great story and one that should inspire hope in all of us.

***************
Hi Jim,

My name is Cameron Von St. James and I wanted to reach out to you to share something very special to me. I noticed your blog has a focus on the environment and living naturally and I was hoping you could help me with a very important cause!

Eight years ago, my wife Heather was diagnosed with mesothelioma; a rare cancer caused only by asbestos that kills most patients within 2 years of diagnosis. She had just given birth to our daughter Lily, and was only given 15 months to live. After undergoing a risky procedure, she beat the odds and we began our mission to spread awareness regarding the dangers of asbestos.

In honor of Asbestos Awareness Week (April 1-7), we created a webpage dedicated to raising awareness. Although the week has passed, Earth Day is coming up and we really wanted to make a last push to get the message out there that asbestos is not still banned in the US. We would love it if you would be willing to share it on your blog to help educate and protect your readers from this preventable disease!

Best,
Cameron
—
Cameron Von St. James
http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/cameron/

30 of the World’s Most Impressive Social Housing Projects

This link comes from OGD friend Scarlett Jackson. It’s posted on a rather interesting blog called Best MSW Programs which is a guide finding the best Masters of Social Work programs. Social work in an of itself is related to sustainable practices, in that, for example, a number of new social housing projects are being built to high LEEDS standards. As the intro to this post states:

“As populations grow and cities become more crowded than ever, public housing has become an increasingly important issue for governments around the world. However, social housing is no longer limited to characterless blocks of concrete. These days, the aim is often to provide low-cost housing to individuals and families who need it – while still affording them the dignity of well-designed and distinctive homes.
These modern public housing projects frequently incorporate eco-conscious designs and elements, as efficient energy usage tends to be a priority. Here we look at 30 of the world’s social housing developments that break the mold, undoing negative stereotypes and serving as remarkable works of architecture in their own right.”

This is a fascinating look at how the world of public housing design and construction is helping to relieve the energy consumption burden of those whose taxes support these developments, while also making public housing more attractive and liveable for residents.

Check it out. It makes for some fascinating reading: http://www.bestmswprograms.com/impressive-social-housing-projects/.

Image source: http://www.koz.fr/indexhibit/index.php/project/lastrolarbre/

Energy Efficiency Put to the Test: Keeping Green in the Winter

This is a guest post by Ken Myers. Thanks Ken.

Air conditioning in the summer can easily drive the electric bill to high levels. However, winter can easily surpass the energy used to keep yourself warm. Unlike the summer, the cold of winter can be relentless and has fewer ways you can adapt. If you want a method to determine how efficient your energy use is, the winter months are where you could set the bar.

Gas and Electricity Used in Conjunction
In order to produce cold air during the summer, homes and offices will utilize pure electricity to drive appliances. While some homes may rely on a completely electrical heating system for the winter, many more rely on burning gas for heat and then electricity to divert the warm air to various locations around the establishment. In this instance, gas and electricity are used as an energy source to provide that warmth.

Preventing Heat from Escaping
During the winter, the heat can escape the home or office through various means. This could include everything from windows to even the walls themselves. Insulation doesn’t just keep the cold air out, but it’s supposed to help keep the warm air in. What are some items to look at in your home or office?

• Windows: Having double-paned windows is a good way to keep more of the heat in and cold out. If you’re unable to install such, covering the windows with cardboard or other covering can help keep heat in. When the Sun is shining, open these coverings to allow the sunlight to heat up your home or office.
• Doors: Not having a proper seal around your door frames can easily cause problems for efficiency. Cold air can enter while warm air exits. Make sure you have a tight seal on your doors using self-adhesive weather stripping and properly fitted door jams and thresholds.
• Inadequate Insulation: Not having proper insulation can also be detrimental. If you are unable to check how well your insulation covers your walls and ceiling, there are radiant thermal barrier paint additives you can coat them with to add an additional layer of insulation.

Filters
Keeping the filters clean on your heating system is another way to increase your efficiency that many people overlook. When dust collects onto the filters, it restricts the flow of air that furnaces use to heat the area of a room or office space. Without this airflow, the heating system will continue to waste resources in an attempt to increase the temperature of the room according to the thermostat. A clean filter will allow the air to pass through allowing the system to work as intended and heat the facility or house quicker.

Winter can be extremely harsh on both you and your pocketbook. By going around your home or office, you can easily tell where weak areas are for heating efficiency from feeling the temperature. For rooms that are not used that often, keep the door closed in order to reduce the need for heat. If these rooms are near your thermostat, they could cause your heater to kick on even if no one is using them.

Author Bio:

Ken holds a master’s in business leadership from Upper Iowa University and multiple bachelor degrees from Grand View College.  As president of  morningsidenannies.com, Ken’s focus is helping Houston-based parents find the right childcare provider for their family. When he isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his three children and his wife.

Guest Bloggers Welcome

If you have an idea for a green blog post, email me at jim.murray@ourgreendirectory.com and I will send you the submission critieria.

Attacking the Plastic Waste Epidemic Head On

We were very pleased to discover this organization called the Plastic Bank. 

It’s predicated on the idea that waste plastic, which is one of the world’s most daunting environmental challenges, possesses what they believe to be an “abundance of opportunity”.

Their site, www.plasticbank.org, lays out the argument in very lucid terms and you come away feeling that you are looking at a very well meaning and more importantly, well structured organization.  

We don’t have to tell you just how much plastic wastes is created in the world every single day. But it’s easily in the millions of tons. It’s something that concerns everyone and should. But the vision of this group is to create plastic exchanges all over the world and be able to sort and funnel this waste plastic to wherever it can be most easily re-purposed.

This is an admirable mission. And probably something that would be of great interest to a number of different types of recycling organizations.

The world is changing and it’s big ideas like this that helping that change be a change for the better.