Last Saturday was Earth Hour. This is an annual conservation of energy event that takes place globally. Each year many cities and individuals turn off their lights, and any appliances that are not being used, to take a stand against climate change. However, Earth Hour is just a prelude to Earth Day which is also held annually on April 22nd.
Last Saturday, millions of people in some of the world's largest cities united and switched off their lights for one hour for Earth Hour - sending a powerful national and global message to take global action on global warming. Events like Earth Hour will send a strong signal that people all around the world are deeply concerned and expect their leaders to take action before it’s too late.
Climate change is a global challenge that requires global solutions and it’s clear that the people of this planet, that chose to participate in Earth Hour, are ready to get involved and help government find the answers.
The one thing that makes Earth Hour a unique event is that it brings together governments, business and individuals, who all play a part in switching off the lights. Working together, individual households alongside of the world’s most iconic landmarks can make an impact in the fight against climate change.
Canada was a driving force last year in the global Earth Hour movement with more than half the adult Canadian population turning out their lights. This year, we had more cities and towns signed up than any other country.
Each of us can and must play a part in reducing and solving global warming. If each of us does at least the little things that are within our power, it will add up to millions of small things and make a real difference.
Lisa Emery, B.A. is currently living in Amherst. Lisa invites comments to her column. You can contact Lisa at: emeryvine@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/emeryvine, or view her blog at http://emeryvinegrapevine.blogspot.com
Friday, April 2, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Earth Hour 2010
In case you have not noticed from the change in weather the month of March is always associated with the season of Spring. In North America the first day of the Spring season was last weekend (March 20th). Let’s keep our optimism up that the warming trend will continue as last winter we had a severe ice storm close to Easter.
Severe weather most often occurs during the Spring, when warm air begins to invade from lower latitudes while cold air is still pushing from the Polar Regions. Flooding is also common during this time of year due to snowmelt, many times accelerated by warm rains. The one thing that we can count on during this season is the awakening of nature – and allergies.
This year, Earth Hour is March 27, 2010 from 8:30 to 9:30pm. Since the climate change conference in Copenhagen did not ratify a new agreement between the world leaders regarding climate change, this year the celebration of Earth Hour becomes a very important action to tell world leaders that we want action taken on climate change.
Earth Hour is more than just switching off your lights for one hour, once a year. It is about giving people a voice for the future of our Earth and sending the message to our political leaders that action must be taken in regards to climate change. Canada is in the spotlight this year as Prime Minister Harper will be hosting the next meeting of the G20 Countries where the talks on climate change must continue.
As individuals you probably wonder if the small changes that you make really make a difference. While at the global level the problem seems unsolvable. If you do your part, by one simple action, like turning off the lights for one hour and encouraging others to do the same, can make a difference. Simple actions can add up fast if we all do them.
Everyone will have to take part in this initiative, governments, businesses, industries and each one of us. Reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that you create can be as simple as lowering your thermostat, unplugging any unused appliances or chargers or walking to work. After all, actions speak louder than words.
Here are some simple tips on how to make and environmental difference every day of the year:
1. Bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store.
2. Hang your clothes to dry instead of using a dryer. Take advantage of the Spring air.
3. Try to eat local food which does not have to travel for thousands of miles and is over packaged.
4. Join your local community garden to grow some food for yourself or to share with others.
For more information regarding Earth Hour you can go to their website at: http://www.EarthHourCanada.org.
Lisa Emery, B.A. is currently living in Amherst. Lisa invites comments to her column. You can contact Lisa at: emeryvine@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/emeryvine, or view her blog at http://emeryvinegrapevine.blogspot.com
Severe weather most often occurs during the Spring, when warm air begins to invade from lower latitudes while cold air is still pushing from the Polar Regions. Flooding is also common during this time of year due to snowmelt, many times accelerated by warm rains. The one thing that we can count on during this season is the awakening of nature – and allergies.
This year, Earth Hour is March 27, 2010 from 8:30 to 9:30pm. Since the climate change conference in Copenhagen did not ratify a new agreement between the world leaders regarding climate change, this year the celebration of Earth Hour becomes a very important action to tell world leaders that we want action taken on climate change.
Earth Hour is more than just switching off your lights for one hour, once a year. It is about giving people a voice for the future of our Earth and sending the message to our political leaders that action must be taken in regards to climate change. Canada is in the spotlight this year as Prime Minister Harper will be hosting the next meeting of the G20 Countries where the talks on climate change must continue.
As individuals you probably wonder if the small changes that you make really make a difference. While at the global level the problem seems unsolvable. If you do your part, by one simple action, like turning off the lights for one hour and encouraging others to do the same, can make a difference. Simple actions can add up fast if we all do them.
Everyone will have to take part in this initiative, governments, businesses, industries and each one of us. Reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that you create can be as simple as lowering your thermostat, unplugging any unused appliances or chargers or walking to work. After all, actions speak louder than words.
Here are some simple tips on how to make and environmental difference every day of the year:
1. Bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store.
2. Hang your clothes to dry instead of using a dryer. Take advantage of the Spring air.
3. Try to eat local food which does not have to travel for thousands of miles and is over packaged.
4. Join your local community garden to grow some food for yourself or to share with others.
For more information regarding Earth Hour you can go to their website at: http://www.EarthHourCanada.org.
Lisa Emery, B.A. is currently living in Amherst. Lisa invites comments to her column. You can contact Lisa at: emeryvine@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/emeryvine, or view her blog at http://emeryvinegrapevine.blogspot.com
Spring Cleaning Workshop
In case you have not noticed from the change in weather the month of March is always associated with the season of Spring. In North America the first day of the Spring season was yesterday afternoon (March 20th).
There are two events that everyone seems to take part in at this time of the year. The first is the changing of their clocks; remember Spring Forward one hour and the second is the Spring Cleaning of their homes.
Natural, Green, Eco-friendly, Botanical… You will find these words on many product labels. But in fact, there are no legal definitions for these words. Often manufacturers of hazardous products dress up their containers with pretty pictures of flowers and fruit to play on our desire for more natural products.
Some companies will list ingredients as being derived from plants, like coconut or corn. But the plant may have gone through so many chemical processes, sometimes involving toxic solvents, that the resulting ingredient bears little resemblance to the original plant material. Natural is not always non-toxic. Some natural ingredients can have harmful effects.
It’s important to know how to read a label. Note: Ingredient lists may not contain all ingredients. On some product only the “active” ingredients, those whose primary purpose is to achieve the main objective of the product, may be listed. Other ingredients which may have harmful health effects may not be listed at all. In Canada, manufacturers are not required to list ingredients on labels of personal care products or household cleaning products.
Many ingredients in household cleaning products become airborne and become part of the air we breathe at home, at work and in schools. Any substance which is airborne can have an impact through inhalation. Some substances are volatile in any state, others become airborne when heat is applied, and still others become airborne when used as sprays. Aerosol sprays are of particular concern, as the particles they produce are very small.
Chemicals can become airborne either as tiny particles, as gases or as vapours. Inhalation of particles depends upon their size and shape; the smaller the particle, the further into the respiratory tract it can penetrate.
Many of the products used to clean homes include ingredients that are harmful to people and the environment. Choosing less toxic cleaners does not have to be expensive. Using ingredients that are in most people’s homes already can be a safe, inexpensive and effective way to clean all areas of the home; and they can be easily made.
Safe Cleaning Ingredients
• Baking soda – Is an odor absorber and a mild abrasive. Can also be sprinkled on carpets just before vacuuming to remove odors.
• Lemons or lemon juice found in most kitchens, the strong citrus scent is great at removing odors.
• Vinegar – Will remove grease, soap scum and mineral deposits and also acts as a deodorizer. Can be used effectively on windows and mirrors. Be sure to use white, distilled vinegar.
An All Purpose Cleaner
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle to clean counter tops, floors, walls or carpet.
• ½ cup of vinegar and 1 cup to 1 quart of warm water. A Litre of vinegar only costs $1.99.
• Dissolve 4 Tablespoons of baking soda in one quart of warm water.
Laundry
Instead of fabric softener, use ½ cup of baking soda in the rinse cycle. Or one to two cups of vinegar in the rinse cycle will also soften and deodorize fabrics. You can use a piece of aluminum foil in the dryer to help remove static cling. Equal Parts vinegar and water can be used to remove tough stains such as grass, perspiration, rust, coffee, wine, beer or pet stains among others.
Carpet Cleaner.
Carpet cleaners can contain perchloroethylene, a known human carcinogen which can have immediate central nervous system (CNS) effects including dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, tremors and disorientation as well as long term CNS effects. Carpet cleaners may also include butyl cellosolve, a central nervous system toxin, propylene glycol methyl ether which is an eye, skin and respiratory irritant, and they may also include detergents which can irritate skin.
A homemade alternative may include: Mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax and vinegar. Rub paste into carpet and leave for a few hours then vacuum. You can ask commercial carpet cleaning companies to clean using only water and baking soda, steam, or club soda. Chem-Dry Cleaners in the Halifax area uses less toxic cleaning solutions for carpets and upholstery.
Note: Baking soda removes odours from your refrigerator but it will also soak up odours from your carpet. You can sprinkle a little on before vacuuming.
Air Freshener:
Far from freshening air, chemical-based air fresheners and deodorizers add dangerous chemicals to the air we breathe. Air fresheners work by using a nerve-deadening chemical that interferes with our sense of smell, by coating nasal passage with an oily film, by masking an offending odour with a different odour, or by deactivating the odour.
Some solid deodorizers include the pesticide paradichlorobenzene, a carcinogen which can also cause liver and kidney damage. Aerosol air fresheners release chemicals as tiny particles which can be inhaled deeply into lungs and transferred into the blood stream. Plug in air fresheners break chemicals into even smaller particles.The key to freshening air is to remove or dilute the offending odor (by cleaning, ventilation or absorption), not to cover it with another chemical.
Some alternatives may include:
• Baking soda in an open container will absorb odours in enclosed spaces.
• Zeolite, a mineral, will absorb odors as well as heavy metals
• Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove.
• Place bowls of fragrant dried herbs and flowers in room.
• Green leaf plants can also filter interior air
Add a little greenery. Install a living air filter—houseplants! Some of the most efficient air-cleaning houseplants include Spider plants, English ivy, rubber plants, and peace lilies. You’ll need 15 to 18 medium-sized (6 to 8-inch diameter container) houseplants for the average 1,800 square foot house. If that sounds like a lot, place a few plants in the room where you spend the most time.
Dusting:
Removing dust and dust mites is important, as they are a common trigger of allergic reactions. It's important to dust in a way that really removes dust, rather than raising it into the air where it will resettle later.
• Microfibre cloths are excellent for dusting. They are untreated and reusable.
• The soft attachment on a vacuum can be used to remove dust from hard surfaces, the small hard attachment can be used on upholstered furniture, drapes and mattresses. Make sure the vacuum you use doesn't release particle ridden air into the room.
• Dust with a damp lint-free cloth. Or mix 1 teaspoon olive oil with 1/4 cup vinegar and apply with soft cloth.
Glass Cleaners:
Most glass cleaners are made of ammonia, a strong irritant, and coal tar dyes. Aerosol products create small particles which are more likely to be inhaled or irritate eyes. Consumer Reports found plain water to be more effective than half the glass cleaners on the market.
Some home-made alternatives may include:
Eyeglass Cleaner
A microfibre eyeglass cloth and plain water does an excellent streak-free job and eliminates the need for any chemical cleaners.
Window Cleaner II
A half-and-half mixture of water and vinegar poured into a refillable non-aerosol spray bottle.Lemon juice can be substituted for vinegar for those who cannot tolerate vinegar.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
Sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl and add vinegar. Let sit for a couple of minutes before cleaning with a toilet brush.
Drain Cleaner
- 125 ml baking soda
- 1 cup white vinegar
- Boiling water
Pour baking soda down the drain and follow with vinegar. Cover the drain. A few minutes later, pour boiling water down the drain to clear.
Ditch the paper towels. Save trees, cash and landfill waste. You can buy specially-made, washable cleaning and dusting cloths (in all types of fabrics from cotton to microfiber). But better yet? Use what you already have and give an old piece of cloth (stained towels, ratty sheets and pillowcases, too-small T-shirts, etc.) a new life. Simply cut or tear your old item into smaller squares (if you want to get fancy, finish the edges with a sewing machine), and voila! Pop them in the washing machine with your laundry to clean, and use them again and again.
Cleaning up your home for spring doesn’t have to be dirty work. When you implement some of these ideas and products, you can rest assured that you’re benefiting your body, your home and the planet all at once.
In conclusion I would like to say that Vinegar and baking soda will clean almost everything. If you add warm water you will have an all purpose cleaner. Lemon juice can act as a cleanser as well. Also you should note that if you add a little red die to your vinegar and baking soda you can make a volcano for your kids.
There are two events that everyone seems to take part in at this time of the year. The first is the changing of their clocks; remember Spring Forward one hour and the second is the Spring Cleaning of their homes.
Natural, Green, Eco-friendly, Botanical… You will find these words on many product labels. But in fact, there are no legal definitions for these words. Often manufacturers of hazardous products dress up their containers with pretty pictures of flowers and fruit to play on our desire for more natural products.
Some companies will list ingredients as being derived from plants, like coconut or corn. But the plant may have gone through so many chemical processes, sometimes involving toxic solvents, that the resulting ingredient bears little resemblance to the original plant material. Natural is not always non-toxic. Some natural ingredients can have harmful effects.
It’s important to know how to read a label. Note: Ingredient lists may not contain all ingredients. On some product only the “active” ingredients, those whose primary purpose is to achieve the main objective of the product, may be listed. Other ingredients which may have harmful health effects may not be listed at all. In Canada, manufacturers are not required to list ingredients on labels of personal care products or household cleaning products.
Many ingredients in household cleaning products become airborne and become part of the air we breathe at home, at work and in schools. Any substance which is airborne can have an impact through inhalation. Some substances are volatile in any state, others become airborne when heat is applied, and still others become airborne when used as sprays. Aerosol sprays are of particular concern, as the particles they produce are very small.
Chemicals can become airborne either as tiny particles, as gases or as vapours. Inhalation of particles depends upon their size and shape; the smaller the particle, the further into the respiratory tract it can penetrate.
Many of the products used to clean homes include ingredients that are harmful to people and the environment. Choosing less toxic cleaners does not have to be expensive. Using ingredients that are in most people’s homes already can be a safe, inexpensive and effective way to clean all areas of the home; and they can be easily made.
Safe Cleaning Ingredients
• Baking soda – Is an odor absorber and a mild abrasive. Can also be sprinkled on carpets just before vacuuming to remove odors.
• Lemons or lemon juice found in most kitchens, the strong citrus scent is great at removing odors.
• Vinegar – Will remove grease, soap scum and mineral deposits and also acts as a deodorizer. Can be used effectively on windows and mirrors. Be sure to use white, distilled vinegar.
An All Purpose Cleaner
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle to clean counter tops, floors, walls or carpet.
• ½ cup of vinegar and 1 cup to 1 quart of warm water. A Litre of vinegar only costs $1.99.
• Dissolve 4 Tablespoons of baking soda in one quart of warm water.
Laundry
Instead of fabric softener, use ½ cup of baking soda in the rinse cycle. Or one to two cups of vinegar in the rinse cycle will also soften and deodorize fabrics. You can use a piece of aluminum foil in the dryer to help remove static cling. Equal Parts vinegar and water can be used to remove tough stains such as grass, perspiration, rust, coffee, wine, beer or pet stains among others.
Carpet Cleaner.
Carpet cleaners can contain perchloroethylene, a known human carcinogen which can have immediate central nervous system (CNS) effects including dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, tremors and disorientation as well as long term CNS effects. Carpet cleaners may also include butyl cellosolve, a central nervous system toxin, propylene glycol methyl ether which is an eye, skin and respiratory irritant, and they may also include detergents which can irritate skin.
A homemade alternative may include: Mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax and vinegar. Rub paste into carpet and leave for a few hours then vacuum. You can ask commercial carpet cleaning companies to clean using only water and baking soda, steam, or club soda. Chem-Dry Cleaners in the Halifax area uses less toxic cleaning solutions for carpets and upholstery.
Note: Baking soda removes odours from your refrigerator but it will also soak up odours from your carpet. You can sprinkle a little on before vacuuming.
Air Freshener:
Far from freshening air, chemical-based air fresheners and deodorizers add dangerous chemicals to the air we breathe. Air fresheners work by using a nerve-deadening chemical that interferes with our sense of smell, by coating nasal passage with an oily film, by masking an offending odour with a different odour, or by deactivating the odour.
Some solid deodorizers include the pesticide paradichlorobenzene, a carcinogen which can also cause liver and kidney damage. Aerosol air fresheners release chemicals as tiny particles which can be inhaled deeply into lungs and transferred into the blood stream. Plug in air fresheners break chemicals into even smaller particles.The key to freshening air is to remove or dilute the offending odor (by cleaning, ventilation or absorption), not to cover it with another chemical.
Some alternatives may include:
• Baking soda in an open container will absorb odours in enclosed spaces.
• Zeolite, a mineral, will absorb odors as well as heavy metals
• Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove.
• Place bowls of fragrant dried herbs and flowers in room.
• Green leaf plants can also filter interior air
Add a little greenery. Install a living air filter—houseplants! Some of the most efficient air-cleaning houseplants include Spider plants, English ivy, rubber plants, and peace lilies. You’ll need 15 to 18 medium-sized (6 to 8-inch diameter container) houseplants for the average 1,800 square foot house. If that sounds like a lot, place a few plants in the room where you spend the most time.
Dusting:
Removing dust and dust mites is important, as they are a common trigger of allergic reactions. It's important to dust in a way that really removes dust, rather than raising it into the air where it will resettle later.
• Microfibre cloths are excellent for dusting. They are untreated and reusable.
• The soft attachment on a vacuum can be used to remove dust from hard surfaces, the small hard attachment can be used on upholstered furniture, drapes and mattresses. Make sure the vacuum you use doesn't release particle ridden air into the room.
• Dust with a damp lint-free cloth. Or mix 1 teaspoon olive oil with 1/4 cup vinegar and apply with soft cloth.
Glass Cleaners:
Most glass cleaners are made of ammonia, a strong irritant, and coal tar dyes. Aerosol products create small particles which are more likely to be inhaled or irritate eyes. Consumer Reports found plain water to be more effective than half the glass cleaners on the market.
Some home-made alternatives may include:
Eyeglass Cleaner
A microfibre eyeglass cloth and plain water does an excellent streak-free job and eliminates the need for any chemical cleaners.
Window Cleaner II
A half-and-half mixture of water and vinegar poured into a refillable non-aerosol spray bottle.Lemon juice can be substituted for vinegar for those who cannot tolerate vinegar.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
Sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl and add vinegar. Let sit for a couple of minutes before cleaning with a toilet brush.
Drain Cleaner
- 125 ml baking soda
- 1 cup white vinegar
- Boiling water
Pour baking soda down the drain and follow with vinegar. Cover the drain. A few minutes later, pour boiling water down the drain to clear.
Ditch the paper towels. Save trees, cash and landfill waste. You can buy specially-made, washable cleaning and dusting cloths (in all types of fabrics from cotton to microfiber). But better yet? Use what you already have and give an old piece of cloth (stained towels, ratty sheets and pillowcases, too-small T-shirts, etc.) a new life. Simply cut or tear your old item into smaller squares (if you want to get fancy, finish the edges with a sewing machine), and voila! Pop them in the washing machine with your laundry to clean, and use them again and again.
Cleaning up your home for spring doesn’t have to be dirty work. When you implement some of these ideas and products, you can rest assured that you’re benefiting your body, your home and the planet all at once.
In conclusion I would like to say that Vinegar and baking soda will clean almost everything. If you add warm water you will have an all purpose cleaner. Lemon juice can act as a cleanser as well. Also you should note that if you add a little red die to your vinegar and baking soda you can make a volcano for your kids.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Erin Go Braugh
The saying above means Ireland forever. Even people in our midst that are not Irish tend to enjoy the festivities of St. Patrick’s Day. People wear green, decorate with green shamrocks and even drink green beer. Do you know what happens if you do not wear green on St. Patrick’s Day – You get a pinch. However, if you were to pinch a person that is wearing green you can get pinched back by that person ten times over.
So why is it only one day of the year that everyone thinks green? I am not suggesting that you dress like a leaperchaun everyday. My only question is, if you can think green for one day, why not everyday?
The Dictionary definition of green is: a colour between blue and yellow; concerned with environmental issues; unripe; envious, immature or gullible. When it comes to being “green”, which of these descriptions would you choose?
Helping to change the world by going green is one of the most important items on the agenda for 2010, and since St. Patrick’s Day is here perhaps you can celebrate by going green! This St. Patrick’s Day, the “wearing of the green” takes on more significance than ever. The earth’s climate is changing. Resources such as fresh water are under pressure. The Kyoto Protocol is about to expire with no real solution after the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen back in December.
Why not take going green to heart and plant something in your garden or plant a tree. If you are concerned about your carbon footprint you can plant trees to help offset the carbon dioxide you tend to generate annually; however, it may take more than just a couple of sprigs to do this. Another thought regarding planting is to scatter some clover seed in your garden area or lawn area. It is attractive, bee-friendly and helps hold moisture in the soil.
Did you know that the first scientific article linking the burning of fossil fuels to global warming was published in 1896 by Nobel Prize-winning scientist Svante Arrhenius. Also, the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are higher today than at any time in measurable history.
St. Patrick's Day can be a lot of fun, and it can be more then just Irish green, when you go environmentally green with your St. Patrick's Day. Admittedly, St. Patrick’s Day isn’t the most elevated of occasions. It’s a tip of the hat and a green beer to Ireland and its national patron — and an opportunity for everyone, Irish or not, to have a bit of fun.
This year, why not let your St. Patrick’s Day celebration include making eco-friendly choices that can leave you with a clean (green) conscience, too? On a final note, celebrate responsibly “Don’t Drink and Drive”!
So why is it only one day of the year that everyone thinks green? I am not suggesting that you dress like a leaperchaun everyday. My only question is, if you can think green for one day, why not everyday?
The Dictionary definition of green is: a colour between blue and yellow; concerned with environmental issues; unripe; envious, immature or gullible. When it comes to being “green”, which of these descriptions would you choose?
Helping to change the world by going green is one of the most important items on the agenda for 2010, and since St. Patrick’s Day is here perhaps you can celebrate by going green! This St. Patrick’s Day, the “wearing of the green” takes on more significance than ever. The earth’s climate is changing. Resources such as fresh water are under pressure. The Kyoto Protocol is about to expire with no real solution after the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen back in December.
Why not take going green to heart and plant something in your garden or plant a tree. If you are concerned about your carbon footprint you can plant trees to help offset the carbon dioxide you tend to generate annually; however, it may take more than just a couple of sprigs to do this. Another thought regarding planting is to scatter some clover seed in your garden area or lawn area. It is attractive, bee-friendly and helps hold moisture in the soil.
Did you know that the first scientific article linking the burning of fossil fuels to global warming was published in 1896 by Nobel Prize-winning scientist Svante Arrhenius. Also, the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are higher today than at any time in measurable history.
St. Patrick's Day can be a lot of fun, and it can be more then just Irish green, when you go environmentally green with your St. Patrick's Day. Admittedly, St. Patrick’s Day isn’t the most elevated of occasions. It’s a tip of the hat and a green beer to Ireland and its national patron — and an opportunity for everyone, Irish or not, to have a bit of fun.
This year, why not let your St. Patrick’s Day celebration include making eco-friendly choices that can leave you with a clean (green) conscience, too? On a final note, celebrate responsibly “Don’t Drink and Drive”!
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