It is currently one of the biggest environmental concerns contributing a ton of harm to our planet - you've guessed it... carbon emissions. Where do these carbon emissions come from? Everywhere... Cars, Trucks, Factories, you name it!
Unfortunately in order to stop harming our planet, we need to reduce these emissions we are letting into the atmosphere by 80%!!! How might you ask...?
Cap N' Trade, a way to create a new Carbon Stock Market. Generally, the idea is that companies that have been releasing Co2 emissions into the atmosphere are going to be given a "cap" by the government on how much emissions they are legally allowed to produce. Once the company reduces their Co2 emissions they can apply for permits to produce more carbon emissions if needed. If they continue to reduce their carbon emissions they are able to sell their "remaining emissions" to other companies.
Sounds like a great way for businesses to come together and help save our planet, unfortunately there are some kinks that need to be worked out before Cap N' Trade can be successful.
One of the disadvantages includes the idea of "offsetting", where companies reduce their carbon emissions, apply for a permit to produce more and then sell them to another company for profit. In other words, the businesses that decide to "cheat" will be creating a carbon black market.
If Cap N' Trade can work out kinks such as offsetting, and be organized in a way that no one is able to "cheat" I think it could be a great start to saving our planet. The government can use the revenue created by Cap N' Trade permit purchases to fund other areas of the environment that need help. It only makes sense to put the money created by saving the planet back into saving it, or better yet preserving it one day. Not to mention it benefits our Canadian economy, and could possibly help boost it.
- M
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Shop Local!
Shopping local has many benefits for both sustainable development and our economy. What do I mean when I say shopping local - exactly that. I try my best to purchase my produce from local farmers.
No, I am not saying I drive out to an assortment of farms to pick up my fruits, veggies, dairy and meat (although if I could I would consider it). I do however make a conscious effort to read all my labels! At the grocery store the labels that name the type of produce and states the price also states where it came from! For example: Blueberries may be a "Product of Chile"
I try to pick "Ontario grown" produce, and if not at least produce that is a "Product of Canada" - these simple changes not only reduce Co2 emissions created from shipping blueberries from Chile (or any produce from any part of the world), it also supports Local Canadian Farmers (AKA: our Economy!!!). Why wouldn't you want to put your money back into our own Canadian economy??
Not to mention the health benefits - the less traveling the produce does, the more time it spent on its vine or plant, which also means more nutrients in the vegetable itself!!! Haven't you ever wondered HOW it is that they ship strawberries all the way from Florida without them spoiling?? Picking a fruit of vegetable before its ripened helps it last longer, but doesn't give it a chance to ripen and fill with all those good-for-you nutrients!
Other places to find Local produce in London include the Covent Garden Market right downtown (one of my favourites!!). There are many local vendors that sell produce of all kinds - but do still read your labels as some sell a combination of local and imported produce. Beginning in May (weather permitting) the Covent Garden Market also has an outdoor farmers market on Thursdays and Saturdays from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. www.coventmarket.com
There is also a Farmers' and Artisans' Market located on the Wester Fair Grounds on Saturdays from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm with over 70 vendors and 2 floors!!! If it's still there, check out the vendor that sells fresh baked pies and tarts - amazing!!! www.londonsfarmersmarket.ca
Not from London? Check out www.greenbeltfresh.ca a fresh produce search engine for Ontario!
- M
No, I am not saying I drive out to an assortment of farms to pick up my fruits, veggies, dairy and meat (although if I could I would consider it). I do however make a conscious effort to read all my labels! At the grocery store the labels that name the type of produce and states the price also states where it came from! For example: Blueberries may be a "Product of Chile"
I try to pick "Ontario grown" produce, and if not at least produce that is a "Product of Canada" - these simple changes not only reduce Co2 emissions created from shipping blueberries from Chile (or any produce from any part of the world), it also supports Local Canadian Farmers (AKA: our Economy!!!). Why wouldn't you want to put your money back into our own Canadian economy??
Not to mention the health benefits - the less traveling the produce does, the more time it spent on its vine or plant, which also means more nutrients in the vegetable itself!!! Haven't you ever wondered HOW it is that they ship strawberries all the way from Florida without them spoiling?? Picking a fruit of vegetable before its ripened helps it last longer, but doesn't give it a chance to ripen and fill with all those good-for-you nutrients!
Other places to find Local produce in London include the Covent Garden Market right downtown (one of my favourites!!). There are many local vendors that sell produce of all kinds - but do still read your labels as some sell a combination of local and imported produce. Beginning in May (weather permitting) the Covent Garden Market also has an outdoor farmers market on Thursdays and Saturdays from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. www.coventmarket.com
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| Covent Garden Market - London ON |
There is also a Farmers' and Artisans' Market located on the Wester Fair Grounds on Saturdays from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm with over 70 vendors and 2 floors!!! If it's still there, check out the vendor that sells fresh baked pies and tarts - amazing!!! www.londonsfarmersmarket.ca
Not from London? Check out www.greenbeltfresh.ca a fresh produce search engine for Ontario!
- M
Monday, 13 February 2012
the Never Ending list
This morning I was in the mood for some online shopping, well... more like browsing, being a student on a super low budget. Anyways, I have always LOVED Ikea... I love looking through Ikea catalogs, I wouldn't mind going to Ikea in the near future!! I have quite a few Ikea items in my home at the moment! It's cute, classy and cheap...
... perfect for my super low student budget ;)
Anyways... Lately I've been making it a point to check out what the businesses I'm shopping at are doing towards sustainable development. Hooray for Ikea (and my love for Ikea)... they are trying to make a difference through "the NEVER ENDING list"... check it out:
http://theneverendinglist.ikea.ca/en/What-is-the-List.html
So now not only is it cute, classy and cheap... it's also green!!!
Here are a few examples of what they're doing around the store:
Check out "Programs in Canada" under "What we're doing" on the link above!!
Ikea has also won Canada's Greenest Employers by Mediacorp Inc's "Canada's Top 100 Employers" 3 years in a row!!
Now, back to my online browsing :)
-M
... perfect for my super low student budget ;)
Anyways... Lately I've been making it a point to check out what the businesses I'm shopping at are doing towards sustainable development. Hooray for Ikea (and my love for Ikea)... they are trying to make a difference through "the NEVER ENDING list"... check it out:
http://theneverendinglist.ikea.ca/en/What-is-the-List.html
So now not only is it cute, classy and cheap... it's also green!!!
Here are a few examples of what they're doing around the store:
Check out "Programs in Canada" under "What we're doing" on the link above!!
Ikea has also won Canada's Greenest Employers by Mediacorp Inc's "Canada's Top 100 Employers" 3 years in a row!!
Now, back to my online browsing :)
-M
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Mountain Equipment Co-op
A quick post for tonight...
Here is a perfect example of a sustainable, green business... Mountain Equipment Co-op
Not only do they sell sweet clothes and awesome camping supplies or any supply for any outdoor sport imaginable (well... for the most part anyways), they also are constantly looking for ways to get involved and reduce their company's carbon footprint.
Check out how they stay green on their Sustainability page... click the link below!
www.mec.ca
What's one of your favourite green companies?
- M
Here is a perfect example of a sustainable, green business... Mountain Equipment Co-op
Not only do they sell sweet clothes and awesome camping supplies or any supply for any outdoor sport imaginable (well... for the most part anyways), they also are constantly looking for ways to get involved and reduce their company's carbon footprint.
Check out how they stay green on their Sustainability page... click the link below!
www.mec.ca
What's one of your favourite green companies?
- M
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
What Green Means to Me
Each person has their own concept of what green means to them, so I thought defining MY concept of green might be a good place to start.
Greening to me is not just the conscious act of recycling and reducing energy where possible, it is a lifestyle and a way of thinking. Every time I place something into the trash I think (if even for a brief moment) what impact is it going to have on our planet? I'm not saying I think of every scientific, environmental, or community impact... Just generally. Will this plastic bottle decompose in a landfill?...No... Does it take me that much effort to hold on to it or walk a few extra steps to recycle it?...No... SO, recycle it!!
At the grocery store I find it unnecessary to bag every vegetable/fruit I purchase. I am going to wash it before I eat it anyways! And same with reusable, cloth grocery bags... if you make it a habit, it's not that difficult to remember... even when making short trips to the store to grab milk! And it saves you the $0.05 spent on a bag. Double Win!
Beginning a green lifestyle or way of thinking is not only recycling, but reducing waste and consumption in general. Purchasing bulk foods usually requires less packaging, and purchasing green cleaning supplies in concentrate saves on both packaging AND takes up less space when being shipped across the country!
The planet has taken such a beating already, our natural resources are running out, it only makes SENSE for our new generations to think and live green if we want to have resources left for our future generations (yes.. that means your kids and grandkids, and MINE too!). It's the idea of living a sustainable life, and supporting sustainable development!
Small changes are a great start (like the ones mentioned above) and the more you get involved the more interest you will find in thinking of creative new ways to live sustainably. It also ties into ALL aspects of life, so greening can be done through interest, work, and school!
What are some things you do to try and live a more sustainable life? I'm interested to hear any tips for beginning a green lifestyle. Please comment below!
- M
Greening to me is not just the conscious act of recycling and reducing energy where possible, it is a lifestyle and a way of thinking. Every time I place something into the trash I think (if even for a brief moment) what impact is it going to have on our planet? I'm not saying I think of every scientific, environmental, or community impact... Just generally. Will this plastic bottle decompose in a landfill?...No... Does it take me that much effort to hold on to it or walk a few extra steps to recycle it?...No... SO, recycle it!!
At the grocery store I find it unnecessary to bag every vegetable/fruit I purchase. I am going to wash it before I eat it anyways! And same with reusable, cloth grocery bags... if you make it a habit, it's not that difficult to remember... even when making short trips to the store to grab milk! And it saves you the $0.05 spent on a bag. Double Win!
Beginning a green lifestyle or way of thinking is not only recycling, but reducing waste and consumption in general. Purchasing bulk foods usually requires less packaging, and purchasing green cleaning supplies in concentrate saves on both packaging AND takes up less space when being shipped across the country!
The planet has taken such a beating already, our natural resources are running out, it only makes SENSE for our new generations to think and live green if we want to have resources left for our future generations (yes.. that means your kids and grandkids, and MINE too!). It's the idea of living a sustainable life, and supporting sustainable development!
Small changes are a great start (like the ones mentioned above) and the more you get involved the more interest you will find in thinking of creative new ways to live sustainably. It also ties into ALL aspects of life, so greening can be done through interest, work, and school!
What are some things you do to try and live a more sustainable life? I'm interested to hear any tips for beginning a green lifestyle. Please comment below!
- M
Monday, 6 February 2012
Welcome
Welcome to my blog, A Green Adventure
Please bear with me, as I am new to the blogging world and still learning the ropes!
A new green post coming soon!
- M
Please bear with me, as I am new to the blogging world and still learning the ropes!
A new green post coming soon!
- M
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| Algonquin Park 2011 |
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