National Geographic. The Gold Standard In Conservation Information

National Geographic is one of those institutions that seems to have been around forever. And regardless of their original motives, they have grown into  one of the most powerful pro-conservationist organizations in the world.

They tell amazing stories of the people and creatures that populate our planet and they have done more to inform the world of the fragility of the ecosystem that connects us all to each other and the earth.

Through their highly rated TV specials, IMAX movies, video sales and to a lesser extent, their monthly magazines, they are able to reach millions and millions of people around the world with what is a very positive message. They are truly an important part of the solution.

Their web site, like everything else they do, is strictly first class. Simple, elegant and straightforward and one of the sites I actually enjoy visiting on a regular basis. Because it makes me feel more connected to the world at large.

For anyone who wants to stay informed about the world and all the truly important things that are going on it it, this site is a weekly must-visit.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com

All The (Green) News That’s Fit to Print (Post)

One of my principal sources for ideas for this blog come from twitter. I have three twitters that I keep going. These include:
http://twitter.com/OurGreenDirctry
http://twitter.com/BuyGreenTO

These two are for tweets related directed to Our Green Directory.

But I have another personal Twitter account (http://twitter.com/JMsJournal) that for some reason also manages to attract fair number of green organizations. Not sure why because most of the tweets I do from this location have to do with sports and entertainment.

Anyway, one of the most interesting green sites on personal twitter is called Green Energy News.

This  site is kind of, but not exclusively geared towards people who are interested in investing in green technology or products and covers off a number of popular areas of the green business world.

I’d encourage you to check out the site and follow them on Twitter. You can find them at:

http://www.renewable-energy-news.info

Green Can Be Fun at Environmentteam.com

One of the best thing about Twitter is getting introduced to people and web sites that you probably wouldn’t stumble upon on your own, by reason of the fact that there are way too many sites out there. So imagine my delight when I saw a tweet from http://www.environmentteam.com.

This site isn’t big on preaching the environmental mantra, but instead operates on the adage that a picture is words a thousand words, maybe more. This site will show you all the coolest new green gadgets, tell you cool green factiods, and connect you to a blog that will allow you to delve deeper into all of the aforementioned and more.

Environment Team is an extremely interesting site, especially if you’re interested in what’s out there on the cutting edge of green technology and where to find it.

One Of The Best Re-Use Ideas Ever

My wife put this article on my desk that was written by Mr Chris Spence who is the Director of Education at the Toronto District Board of Education.

In the article he outlines on the the most ingenious and practical ideas I have heard of in quite some time.

While there is always a certain amount of enlightened self interest at work here, this idea is basically quite sound and could definitely work to the betterment of the community in a very green way through the re-use of existing facilities  (ie schools).

I’d encourage everyone in the community to read this article and do whatever you can to get behind this idea and make it happen.

Because, let’s face it, great ideas don’t come along every day.

This article is posted on the Star web site at http://tinyurl.com/26ngwje

The Canadian Water Summit — Dive Into It!

If you’re concerned at all about the sustainability challenges facing one of Canada’s most plentiful resources, then this is an event you should be attending.

It’s The Canadian Water Summit and it takes place at the International Centre on Airport Road on June 17th.

By framing global water sustainability challenges in a uniquely Canadian context, the 2010 Canadian Water Summit will empower you to:

• Build a stronger understanding of the important linkages between water and critical business issues like energy, climate change, corporate risk, and sustainability strategy.

• Access a first-rate forum for exploring strategies to meet our regional and global water sustainability challenges.

• Share perspectives and expertise on the latest issues, best practices, technology and policies driving the water agenda.

• Foster collaborative working relationships aimed at realizing your projects and Canada’s potential to become a leader in delivering 21st century water solutions.

Confirmed Speakers include:

Wayne Galliher, Water Conservation Project Manager, Waterworks Division, Environmental Services, City of Guelph

Nicholas Parker, Executive Chairman, Cleantech Group LLC

Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Assistant Professor, Aboriginal Studies, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto

Opening Keynote Speaker: The Honourable John Milloy, Ontario Minister of Research
and Innovation

For more info:  http://www.watersummit.ca/

Buying Canadian — It’s a Real Win Win

This is a little off topic, but I thought it was an important issue to keep in mind, because many of the ‘green’ products we promote on  Our Green Directory, are made locally.
This is an email that my wife received from a friend of hers.

PS: The image you see to your right is an ad I did back in the 1970s. I found it when searching for a ‘Buy Canadian’ graphic to accompany this posting. For a few seconds there, I felt kinda famous. But the feeling passed.

Buy Canadian

A physics teacher in high school, once told the students that while one grasshopper on the railroad tracks wouldn’t slow a train very much, a billion of them would. With that thought in mind, read the following, obviously written by a good Canadian.

Good idea.  One light bulb at a time …

Check this out . I can verify this because I was in Lowe’s the other day for some reason and just for the fun of it I was looking at the hose attachments . They were all made in China. The next day I was in Home Hardware and just for the fun of it I checked the hose attachments  there. They were made in  Canada!  Start looking.

In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else – even their job. So, after reading this e-mail, I think this lady is on the right track. Let’s get behind her!

She said: My grandson likes Hershey’s candy . I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more . My favorite toothpaste, Colgate, is made in Mexico now. I have switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything .

This past weekend I was at Wal-Mart. I needed 60W light bulbs . I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off-brand labeled, “Everyday Value. ”  I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats – they were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in – get ready for this -in  Canada in a company in Ontario. Their Equate products are also made in Canada, and are very good.

So throw out the myth that you can not find products you use every day that are made right here.

My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in Canada. The job you save may be your own or your neighbours! (Your children & grandchildren also)

If you accept this challenge, pass it on to others in your address book so we can all start buying Canadian, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies!

(We should have awakened a decade ago.)

Let’s get with the program. Help our fellow Canadians keep their jobs and create more jobs here in Canada.

If President Obama insists on a “Made in America ” policy, which is commendable of him, to support American workers, we should do likewise.  BUY CANADIAN!  Read the labels. Support Canadian jobs.

Environmental Stewartship In Schools

http://www.gogreeninitiative.org/

The Go Green initiative program is designed to change the attitudes of young people towards the environment in a way that is relevant and relateable to a very hard to impress segment of society.

If you have a green link you would like to have posted on our blog, just send it along, with a short description and we’ll post it for you. Email: jim.murray@ourgreendirectory.com.

Small Town Big Green

http://www.eastgwillimbury.ca/Environment/Thinking_Green_Initiatives.htm

How small town Canada is going green. It’s a real source of inspiration for the green movement how smaller towns, communities and municipalities are establishing and remaining remarkably committed to green initiatives. They say every little bit helps and it’s true.

If you have a green link you would like to have posted on our blog, just send it along, with a short description and we’ll post it for you. Email: jim.murray@ourgreendirectory.com.

The Urban Guide To Greener Living

http://green101.experience.com

Green 101 is excellent green blog for city dwellers with lots of info on going green both on and off campus.

If you have a green link you would like to have posted on our blog, just send it along, with a short description and we’ll post it for you. Email: jim.murray@ourgreendirectory.com.

One Million Acts Of Green

http://green.cbc.ca/

The One Million Acts of Green Site, sponsored by Cisco Systems is a really good example of how big business is getting behind the green movement. Not so sure what the CBC has to do with any of this, but there you go. It’s an interesting and informative link nonetheless.

If you have a green link you would like to have posted on our blog, just send it along, with a short description and we’ll post it for you. Email: jim.murray@ourgreendirectory.com.