Action Day Blog - Earth Pirates

"If you're not spending every waking moment of your life radically rethinking the nature of the world - if you're not plotting every moment boiling the carcass of the old order - then you're wasting your day." - Douglas Coupland, Girlfriend in a Coma

When it comes to Mother Earth....we are all her Pirates: raping, pillaging, looting and polluting. There are innumerable damages that we have caused and must very soon put right - or suffer the consequences. Sometimes the damage seems so vast, it feels hopeless.


Hopelessness is not the goal here. In fact, precisely three times in as many days I have encountered a spark of hope by the means of complete strangers. Each spark re-kindled the memory that humankind can be exactly that - kind. Today I met a kindred spirit who reminded me that there are more and more people who care. There are so many issues that face us today, as we urgently scramble to undo what we have desecrated. What can I say that has not been said a thousand times today? All I know is that all of us know, whether through admittance or denial, that we must change our ways...after all, isn't the only constant change? If we all admit to what we know deeply to be right, then we can set and example for our children, who can then turn our world around into a world living in harmony. I know it is possible. Anything is.

" And if you help everyone else in your worlds to do that, by helping them to learn and understand about themselves and each other and the way everything works, by showing them how to be kind instead of cruel, patient instead of hasty, cheerful instead of surly and above all, how to keep their minds open and free and curious... then they will renew enough to replace what is lost through one window." - Philip Pullman, The Amber Spyglass.

IT is Electric

Price and Options Info, as promised:

DYNASTY ELECTRIC CAR CORP.

Manufacturers Suggested Price
(X-FACTORY)

LSEV BASE VEHICLE
Year 2007: 4 Door (utility is 2 door, tropic has no doors), Seats, Seat Belts, Traction Batteries, 110 Volt AC Charger, Side and Turn Signals, Halogen High/low Beam Headlights, Back-up Lights and Alarm, Windshield Wipers and De-mist, Rear view and side mirrors, Battery Level Indicator, 12V accessory plug, Front Disc/ Rear Drum Brakes, 4 wheel Independent Suspension, Heavy Aluminum Underbody Frame, Infusion Molded Fiberglass Body, Molded Plastic Bumpers, Laminated Safety Glass Windshield.
- Range up to 30 Miles, Road Speed 25 MPH
MSRP $CAN

Sedan $19,000
Sport $19,000
Van $19,000
Utility $19,000
Tropic $11,995

Options:
Kenwood FM/CD Sound System w/ 5 ¼” speakers $600
Kenwood FM/CD/MP3 Sound System $650
w/ 6 ½” speakers And wireless remote control

Wheel Covers $ 75
Mag Wheels $ 1100
Maintenance-free Batteries $ 700
17ft GFCI extension cord $ 50
A/C Drive system (range up to 40 miles) $3100
- increased acceleration (top speed in 6.5 seconds)
- increased hill climbing ability
72 Volt 3 speed heater $ 350
Air Conditioning System (only draws 7 amps) $3,100
Dashboard with glove box $ 150
Battery Equalizer System (recommended) $ 390

Shipping Extra – Quote required

There is no Dealer in Vancouver but you can buy direct from Dynasty however there are no financing options. The other option is to purchase through a Dealer (Western Canada Dealers listed below - for others go to Dynasty web site www.itiselectric.com)

Arbutus Repair & Communications
Louis Vallee
Mayne Island, BC, Canada
Phone: (250) 539-5317
Fax: (250) 539-5317
Email: valleel@island.net

Maxwell´s Auto Service Ltd.
Doug Maxwell
249 Westminster Ave. W.
Penticton, British Columbia, Canada
V2A 1K1
Phone: (250) 492-6723
Fax: (250) 492-7278

What's Solar Cookin' Good Lookin'?

I took my daughter to the Solar Road Show this past weekend (June 9). There were so many things to do this weekend, it was really difficult to decide and we in fact had a much busier day planned. Then came the rain washing away all other possibilities. We were going to go to the Electric Vehicle meet in Spanish banks, but seeing as there are no buses that run that way (ahem, what's the deal with that?) and I don't drive and we weren't about to cycle in the pouring wet onslaught, we chose a safe and dry trip to Granville Island for some fun, imaginary sun, activities.
The Solar Oven Road Show was held in the Kids Only Market and, as you can imagine, was extremely loud (recommendation: make sure you have had lots of rest before going to this place!).
It was difficult to hear the presenters though they made themselves available to help everyone make a unique, functional (? - haven't exactly tried it yet) solar oven. Materials provided were an assortment of shiny aluminum paper squares, staplers, strings, springs and straws. They demonstrated what worked and what didn't using a bright flashlight and fake chocolate. We opted for something we could both set up and fold up again easily. I guess you could say it worked but my daughter and I have yet to work out the kinks before we market our design.

Break Time

I have come to the decision to stop "Take Action Daily" postings - at least for now. I simply don't have the time at present. I will however continue with product reviews and, when possible, event feedback.

Take Action Daily - Cool It

This one is perfect for the summertime. The more you use hot water, the more energy you waste. Fortunately for Big Momma, there are dollar saving options that everyone, everyone, can incorporate easily into their daily life. Try washing your laundry in cold or at least warm water. It's also better for your clothes. Have a shower instead of a bath. If you don't believe me, plug the tub while you shower and see how much it fills up until you are done. It takes a pretty long shower to equal the water consumption of a bath. If you do use a dishwasher, make sure it is full before you start it. If washing by hand, fill the sink halfway rather than washing under running water. Lastly, wrap a blanket or towel around you hot water tank and have it serviced regularly to maximize it's efficiency - aka, money in your pocket.

Electrified

Vroom, Vroom.....

Two weeks ago I decided to take it upon myself to investigate the foggy situation shrouding the response to alternative fuel vehicles. I have been going to dealerships and scouring the Internet and magazines for any realistically viable choice for the common person to choose a vehicle fuelled by anything other than gas. It's no wonder everyday folk such as you and I aren't already actively involved. The options just aren't up to speed - yet.

Though I've had some difficulty seeking purchasable, pollution-less local quadrupeds, there are headlights just around the corner.

It was one of those regular dreary, damp mornings that Vancouverites have gotten so used to. Two buses, one seabus, and a quick shot on the skytrain landed your questful explorer on the corner of Cliveden Avenue and Chester Road in Annacis Island. Just a couple short blocks down Chester Road and there it was in all it glory....da-da! The factory for our future - Dynasty Electric! Alright, so it wasn't exactly spectacular from the outside, but what do you expect, it is a factory after all. It was with mixed feelings of nervousness and excitement that I approached the looming building. Before I reached the door a friendly figure stepped outside. Danny Epp, Engineer of Dynasty Electric, greeted and welcomed me inside. Although large, the building was not huge and was filled mostly with large work trucks equipped with custom electric arms which is actually the company's main staple of business. But there, right smack in front of me, was the entire assembly line of tomorrow's transportation.

The company makes four models based on the same chassis called the IT. Available are the Sedan, Pick-up Truck, Van, and the open Tropic. In various stages of production were a truck and two tropics. These petite vehicles are surprisingly spacious and very stylish. While the machines are equipped similarly to regular gas guzzlers, front wheel drive, e-brake and a suspension system mimicking that of a Porche or BMW, they are quite sparse otherwise.The reason for being so minimalistic is to keep the cars light. The heavier they are, the more energy they need, therefore the less distance one can run. The IT has a payload of approximately 1,000-1,045 lbs. and an extra battery hook-up option is available allowing you to travel further. Currently the battery is lead acid which the company hopes to switch to lithium in the future once the cost goes down. There are two options for your battery, one being the normal flooded cell or the no-maintenance cell for an extra cost.

Safety features, such as air bags and crash absorbing frame, are practically non-existent save for the low-impact bumpers. Again, one reason being weight, but the main reason is cost. Protection equipment and crash testing are all very expensive and would drive the price of the vehicle to unreasonable rates. To combat this problem, the IT's speed limit has been capped off at max 40km/hr. as a Low Speed Electric Vehicle (LSEV) in the Motor Vehicle class Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle (NEV). Obviously when the speed limit is 50km and you can only go 40km, governments are realizing this proves a hazard in itself. There are two states so far, Montana and Washington, who have recognized this and passed legislation allowing for Medium Speed Vehicles up to 60km/hr. That, at least is a more realistic start, if only others will follow.

Danny was kind enough to let me get behind the wheel and cruise around the lot for a feel. I was electrified! It was really weird because there is no shift, only a knob you turn instead to go forwards or back, yet I kept trying to shift the darn thing. When you turn the key, one expects some rev but there was none, merely a quiet purr. Even as I stepped cautiously on the gas (?) pedal, the car was very quite, almost eerie. If it wasn't for the fact that we were moving, I wouldn't even know it was on. When not in motion, say at an intersection for example, no energy is used at all and the car is dead silent. Very cool.

Despite the lack of gusto and security, the IT is extremely popular. In fact, they are so popular that Dynasty just can't keep up with the production, being merely a small operation. It's the old Catch-22 that so many businesses fall into: In order to make more money, you need to keep up with demand; In order to keep up with demand you need more money. This is where wise investors come in (hint hint). It's a no-brainer when a product is so successful that the company needs expand, if one were to invest in that company, chances are high that one would also be successful.

As far as options, prices, and wait lists go for the average person, I am still working that out. So stay tuned for another addition of IT Is Electric! www.itiselectric.com

Take Action Daily - Life Unplugged

Maybe you've heard the term "power vampires" splashed around in the green world jargon or maybe you haven't. What might spring to mind is an ominous, lusting creature vying for ultimate power and supremacy, while sucking the life out of life itself. Ok, so that's not exactly what it is, although the real power vampires may truly be sucking the life out of life itself. If you turn off your stereo once the music is over, is that it, the end? Kaput? Not a chance. Life is still buzzing and alive as a steady trickle of energy is uselessly, needlessly, sucked up and evaporated by your boombox. But it's just a little, minuscule, teeny weeny drop of energy, surely it can't be that big of a deal - can it? You bet your bill it can. How many vampires do you have plugged in right now, that you aren't even using? A toaster? Lamp? DVD player? Cell phone that is already charged? Now what about your neighbour? And their neighbour? What about all the power vampire living and sucking energy from all the homes in Canada? The World? All of a sudden the teeny tiny amount becomes a very large amount of wasted energy.
Get Unplugged!
Sounds simple at first, and some things are, but most of our electrical gadgets are plugged in and tucked away behind or under other large objects. Couches, TV's, Fridges, Computers, etc. So another option, if you can't reach the outlet, plug groups of gadgets into a power bar and turn the off switch when you are finished using everything from that group. This stops the flow of energy and works especially well for computer systems and TV set ups. If you really want to get extreme about it, one environmentalist in the group which I am a member (http://www.meetup.com/ - Environmental Activist Network, Vancouver - EAN), suggested switching off select room breakers. Obviously you don't want to do this in the kitchen, although it could work for the living room. I haven't tried it myself as it is a bit extreme, however it is a great idea if you will need nothing in a certain room for a while. There was actually quite a heated debate about the validity of this suggestion on the group's forum. We all thought real blood was going to be shed! If you sign up with the group you can read all about it. For everything else accessible, all that is required to do some good is a simple, tiny, little action - unplug it.

*** Tonnes of happenin' events going on this weekend people, it would be hard to decide - if I didn't have to work :( But for those of you who aren't check out June's Events link (sidebar).

Take Action Daily - Diluted Delusions

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With careful planning and waterwise splashing, that's how every garden should grow. As languorous sunny days span with scorching heat, our luscious green gardens sizzle. Contrary to common belief, our beloved blankets of nature do not need constant dousing to quench the drought. The average British Colombian saturating their lawn, uses an estimated 677 litres of water. This method of consistent drenching actually does not help our gardens to cultivate a deep-rooted, tolerant system for which to flourish. Instead, the opposite is achieved as the roots grow along close to the surface, rather than seeking moisture deep within the earth. This leads them vulnerable to disease and infestation. Rather, measure the amount you water by placing a tin can in the soil. Once the tin is filled to approximately one inch, you have your optimal watering measurement. Do this once a week in the morning (as opposed to evening or afternoon) to retain moisture without giving the plants a chill. Use mulch to increase moisture containment, protect plants and squash weeds. Also consider alternatives to the thirsty lawn such as tastefully designed landscapes using mulch, stones, and small, purposefully placed, decorative shrubs and herbs (which you can use in your cooking also). When done properly, you will have a self dependant, esthetically pleasing as well as functional yard that you will be proud of and want to hang out in. For ideas try looking at http://www.landscapingbynature.com/

For great gardening tips this book is a must:
A Year on the Garden Path : A 52-Week Organic Gardening Guide
by: Carolyn Herriot. $24.95
found in stores or at www.earthfuture.com/gardenpath

Take Action Daily - Blowin' In The Wind

Hot, Hot, Hot! And yet to get hotter still. Are you prepared? Got your finger on the A/C dial? Well get it off! You should know better than that by now. Not only do air conditioners breeze through energy, emitting GHG's, their use blows through your wallet while they are at it. Makes a lot of sense. Not. At least not when there are alternatives. Let's face it, it gets hot here, but we're not exactly in the freakin' desert. There are many fans available that are extremely efficient, affordable, use a minuscule amount of energy in comparison, and actually cool you down. One thing to look for when purchasing a new fan is it's CFM factor (that is the Cubic Feet per Minute of air that the fan can move). Bigger truly is better in this situation, so look for the highest number here. One little trick to save you money and keep your place chillin', surprisingly is not to keep your fan running 24/7. As it oscillates round, the swirling air mixes with pockets of warmer air and eventually all you are doing is blowing hot air. So give it a rest, turn it on for awhile, then off when you leave, and your fan should be able to do it's magic efficiently. If you have air conditioning at home and feel you absolutely, must, for the love of Jupiter man, must use it, use it only complimentary with your fan. The fan will help swish the A/C air, maximizing the cool factor. This will ease up on your chill bill and the great green globe.

Take Action Daily - Conserve Your Energy

Lights Out!

Summer is fast upon us and it is going to be a hot one! With so much daylight time now, is there really a need to have all those lights on? Most apartments I have lived in have provided enough windows for decent natural light. I have always been a fan of this type of ambient lighting as it makes me feel calm and connected, whereas once the light switch goes on....eeeckh, I am suddenly electrified into the chemical world. Obviously if you can't see, then you need some enlightenment, but please be wise about it.

By now, most people are aware that CFL's (aka compact fluorescent bulbs) are more efficient than their wasteful counterparts, but is this really enough incentive to spend $5 versus $1-2 for a bulb that isn't even as esthetically pleasing and actually rather glaring? What if they knew that the government offers an incentive up to 50% off the price of each CFL bulb? Would that help? Or how about the fact that one light bulb will save you roughly $50 during the course of it's life? What if they also knew that if each household in Canada replaced just one regular bulb for a CFL it would be equivalent to removing 60,000 cars off the road for one year? Australia has committed to eliminating the sale of incandescents lights by 2010. Canada has also announced it's decision to phase out these inefficient lights as well by 2012. If the rest of the world were to follow suit, this small act alone would enable the closure of 270 coal-fired plants (including 80 in the U.S.).
"But there is mercury in CFL's," you argue. Yes, my innocent one, this is true. Do you know what else has mercury in it? How about your mouth? Try your watch battery too. The fact is, compact fluorescents have a fraction of the amount of mercury found in a watch battery (about one fifth) and considerably less than the amount spewed into our atmosphere by the coal-fired power plants. Of course these lights need to be treated and recycled respectively, though it seems like a small inconvenience compared to the damage caused by the un-recyclable, uncontrollable mercury poison emitted by the smokestacks.
Go to the government incentives and rebates link I posted along the side under "environment". There you can get all the juicy details about how they will give you money back for saving the environment.

***Remember Tomorrow is the Commuter Challenge. Register your workplace to win an electric scooter or other really cool prizes. Check under the June events link along the sidebar.

GVRD Zero Waste Challenge Proposal

For whatever reason, I am unable to attach the link I promised I would to the "NO Fuss, NO Muss" post regarding GVRD's zero waste proposal. So here it is anyway. The image with the information is rather large and awkward to read and I apologize as there didn't seem to be any options to post it smaller with optional zoom in tool. So this seems to be the only way to post it so it is readable.

http://nautical.lion.googlepages.com/gvrdzerowastechallenge

Take Action Daily - Disposable Disaster

"Convenience is the Enemy" - Dee-Lite

Living in this fast-paced, gotta-go society, we need the products we purchase to keep up with us. Enter disposable packaging and life just got better! Or did it? After all the cup-o-soups, trays of rice crackers with the crinkly non-recyclable plastics holders, coffee cups, and tetra packs that are recyclable at some places but not others and even then it depends, after they are all finished, that's it, the end. Sure you can use some for certain things or donate them to schools who can, as suggested in the previous post, but how far can that go? Is it very convenient? No. So most people will do what comes easiest, throw it away. Why don't manufacturer's create packaging that can be easily recycled, like a cardboard box or plastic (bio plastic of course) container? There is simply no excuse for using such items as non-recyclable plastic, Styrofoam, and disposable wax paper cups. None. A few weeks ago I wrote to a couple certain soy beverage companies whose milk I quite like to consume. I wrote a brief friendly letter inquiring as to why they do not use more conveniently recyclable packaging. One company did not reply at all, the other wrote with some not-so-well thought out excuses that she probably thought made sense. The woman responding told me that the milk came in the packages they did for two reasons:
1. Because milk is a vital source of nutrition it must be affordable for even low income families and therefore cannot have a deposit on the container. Sure, fair enough, but have you ever bought a two litre of soy? It costs $4. That's twice the cost of cow's milk. Secondly, I don't believe I have ever paid a deposit on a jug of dairy, be it a two litre or four, and I can easily toss it into my "containers" blue bin.
2. The nutrients enriching soy milk are sensitive to light rendering them fruitless if exposed for extended periods of time. This excuse is rather silly because the company has already solved this. If purchasing plain (yucky) soy milk, one has the option to buy a two litre or four in a white (not clear) plastic jug. But who likes plain soy milk - honestly. If a person is testing new waters or trying to convert from dairy to soy, chances are they will never change if they try plain soy milk first. Most people I have met who drink plain got there by starting with vanilla and mixing lesser and lesser parts with regular.
Once I kindly pointed out these two flaws in her reasoning, I never heard back again. Sigh. Well that was a battle lost, but the war is not over.
If possible, pay attention to what you buy, and more importantly, what it comes in. Is there an alternative available with better packaging? Are you really dead set on that particular item? If so (such as the case with my soy milk - yes I still buy it after all that for I have no option), why not write a quick email asking why they make what they do the way they do. Offer suggestions for possibly a better way. All products have written on them a contact number or email address. It's there for a reason - use it.

Take Action Daily - No Fuss, No Muss

Yesterday, May 30 /2007, was the second Zero Waste Challenge Workshop provided by the GVRD. It was a follow-up session from the first one held in November 2006, during which ideas, possibilities and information was gathered. The emergent outcome of this initial meeting were five points of action to achieve zero waste:
1. Compost food and organic waste
2. Educate the public and promote services
3. Manufacturer's responsibility for the life end of their products
4. Government Action
5. Study and learn about waste management programs throughout the world

Naturally, yesterday's discussion was a culmination of the resulting efforts from the first. The GVRD's director Marvin Hunt, together with San Francisco's Zero Waste Environmental Coordinator, Jack Macy, presented the audience with an aggressive plan to combat waste and greenhouse gas. Included are goals to start by minimizing waste generation and maximize reuse, recycling, and energy recovery, with the only byproduct being job creation through spinoff businesses and services. The San Francisco state's waste goals are to achieve 75% reduction by 2010 and ultimately 0% by 2020. So far, they are well on their way. Residences and businesses are supplied with three bins, blue (all recyclables), green (organic waste) and black (everything else). Businesses are also given small combo bins for offices with the garbage bin being the smallest. The only bin that costs any money is the ominous black bin which is available in different sizes for varying prices. Near expired food is collected for food banks and anything unusable is then processed into farm animal feed. Food waste is dumped at a station where it is composted in odour sealed bags and then sold to farmers as rich fertilizer. There is much more going on and it is so amazing an inspiring to be living in this time of transition. I feel extremely lucky and happy to be a part history where man learned to change and live in harmony with mother nature and her cohabitants. Once all these systems and programs are in place however, it is up to us ("if you build it they will come"). Our current recycling program is, for the most part, pretty convenient for most of us, yet many individuals and corporations still don't. Why? Laziness? Lack of eduction? Lack of incentive? Thankfully, tackling this issue is on the list for the GVRD. Thank-you GVRD for all your efforts.
Let's show our appreciation for all their hard work at keeping our world clean. Think about that item in your hand before you casually toss it in your garbage and out of your mind. Do you really need to throw it away? Can you save it in a recycling box to take back to manufacturer or depot? Maybe a school could use it for art projects? Or maybe it can be donated to a shelter or food bank? You would be surprised at what can be used. Look at the GVRD's 101 things to do with your old stuff listed on their website :
www.gvrd.bc.ca

Take Action Daily - Teddy Bear's Picnic

"If you go out in the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise..." a big brown bear wiping his furry behind with non-recycled toilet paper. Okay, probably not. But what you may start to realize is how valuable our forests are. Sadly though, we are losing one of our most precious resources, and greatest defense against not only global warming, but also disease - rapidly. Every time we choose a fresh roll of toilet paper, napkins, or paper towels, we are adding to the desecration. Why we continue to manufacture and purchase freshly chopped and milled paper waste products is beyond me. There are plenty of reasonable alternatives. Sure, many recycled paper products are not as soft as their virgin nemesis', however, given time and popularity, there is no reason they can't be.
Soak in these fast facts:
* If each household in Canada replaced 1 roll of virgin toilet paper with just 1 roll of recycled toilet paper, we could save:
- 47,962 trees
- 3,204 cu. metres of landfill space, equal to 181 full garbage trucks
- 65.5 million litres of water - a year's supply for 135 families of four
- avoid 4,567 kilograms of air and water pollution
http://www.greenpeace.org

Try some of these pre-loved alternatives instead:

- Cascades
- Seventh Generation
- Planet
- Green Forest
- Marcal
- Natural Value
- Earth Friendly
- Whole Foods 365 Brand
- Fiesta / Atlantic
- CVS
- Capri
- Decor
- Doucelle
- New Horizon
- North River
- Perkins
- Pert
- SofPac

for more info:
http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/05-03/clear-cut-old-growth-forests-article.htm


Products to avoid buying due to clear-cutting of old growth forests:
Kimberly-Clark Company:
- Kleenex Facial Tissues
- Scott Toilet Paper and Paper Towels
- Cottonelle Toilet Paper
- Viva Paper Towels

Excellent Book for Children:
Just A Dream
by Chris Van Allsburg
Stunning illustrations, beautiful message, and interesting easy-medium read.

Take Action Daily - Infiltrate

Who's working for who? The company you work for probably says they care about you and perhaps that is really true. But do they care about your one and only home or the future of your children? Chances lean towards no. Big business is in it for the money and they have to care about you, their worker bee, or they wouldn't make any (at least not for very long). When you work for someone, you see all the goings on, whether good or bad. You also have the right to voice you opinions and ideas to upper levels about these goings ons. Recently I wrote a suggestion to my employer about their poor recycling system. One week later they have implemented a large scale e-waste program - Yay! While I'm sure they were working on it before, at least they know there is a demand and desire for it. I have now added to my list suggestions regarding the use of biodegradable plastic bags and new water-based stickers on the plenitude of paper we use so we can recycle them. We have yet to see the response. I have worked many jobs and all of them had differing levels of recycling, ranging from poor to non-existent (and that was a recent job too - yikes!). There is hope to this situation though, because every place I worked at, at least half the staff agreed that the lack of available recycling left something to be desired and they would do their part were the means available. I had every intention of doing something while I was at each place, however, I never lasted long enough, trying to find somewhere I was happy.
So, the moral of this story is, talk to your co-workers, ask them how they feel and whether or not they would use recycling systems should the program be in place. Ask them if the current system could be improved and write a letter to management or head office to have your voice heard. If everyone voiced their suppressed feelings about what goes on behind the scenes, the world would be a much better place for it.

Twarted

One would think that it would be easy as pie to go for a joyride in some dealership's shiny new machine. Oh no no, my friends, such is not the case. Indeed, I have attempted twice now, only to be foiled each time.
First, I had an appointment in Delta to test drive a fully electric car from Dynasty www.itiselectric.com but unfortunately had to reschedule. In the meantime I figured I would simply go to any local dealership, talk to a salesperson and drive a hybrid car. Well, that just isn't how it went.
Being no stranger to car dealerships, as I used to sell the four wheeled hunks of metal myself, I had no problems waltzing into any showroom confidently. Yes, me, the dreaded car sales person. In a desperate attempt to make money for school, I left a potential dream job at the Aquarium (it didn't pay much at the time but there were possibilities to move up to a really cool position). Lured by an ad to make over $65,000 a year, I jumped on board for a life of sales, sin, and cigarettes. For one year I sold my soul to the devil, but the devil plum didn't take it, just threw it back. I thought maybe I could appease my guilt by infiltrating the system from within, becoming so good that I could rise to power and usher in a new cleaner era of vehicles. What a fantasy. Not a chance. I totally sucked. Not being able to get over my conscience, I finally left after a group of protesters surrounded the lot and I realized I was on the wrong side of the fence. Now you know my story, lets get back to what happened as I attempted a test drive.
The first dealership I went to, I was completely honest. As it turns out they had no hybrids in stock anyway as they are in hot demand, which of course is a very good thing. The salesman was polite enough, but seemed as though he could rather care less about the environment, or helping me any further. It seemed to me as though all this bothersome global warming nonsense was nothing more than a nuisance to him. At least he was nice about it.
The next place I went to, I was more deceptive in my approach, going in as an unwitting little girl with an interest in purchasing an environmentally friendly vehicle. While the salesman was much more helpful, they too, did not have any hybrids in stock. Although, he did say there is one due to arrive in a couple of weeks, so I left my number and now I must wait.
As for other options, I am still doing research and contacting companies. I will keep posting my experiences, and once the information is gathered, I will give you the low down.

Take Action Daily - Time For A Little R & R - & R

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle ( you can stay in your pj's too )

By now most of us do this naturally. At least when it comes to paper, tins, plastic, etc. But what about those other things? I'm referring to such items as batteries, electronics, ink and toner cartridges, cfl light bulbs, all those chemically worrisome products that we so unassumingly toss in our trash. Computers for example contain hazardous carcinogens like lead, and arsenic. These are extremely dangerous and unfortunately have been handled wrong. If indeed they are recycled many are shipped to poor countries via the guise of charitable donations where desperate men, women, and children melt down the useless pieces to access the valuable gold and silver bits. Many of the children have up to 20% brain damage as a result. There's nothing sustainable or humane about the retardation of those in need. We're not even that bad here.
So what is to be done? We, can't dump it in the trash, we can't trust just anyone to recycle it, and e-waste usually makes for pretty ugly paper weights, what can we do with it?
The answer of course is to recycle it. First you must find out where in your neighbourhood you can take specific items, then you must find out who their recycler is and look in to the company. Once you are comfortable with their process, it is easiest to set aside a box somewhere at home to put this junk, so the next time you are going that way you just grab the box and go.
London Drugs recycles many electronics and their batteries, and the stores are close to most neighbourhoods. The company they use is called Genesis Recycling based in Abbotsford, and they are committed to being leaders in ethical and environmentally friendly electronic recycling. www.genesisrecycling.ca London Drugs accepts most electronics, however, for a complete list you will probably have to call the store nearest you. They have just recently upgraded their program and now take in a lot more than before. I checked out their website but did not find any information regarding their recycling program (which is a shame really, it is something they should seriously promote). www.londondrugs.com
If their is no London Drugs near you, then check out local hardware stores, grocery, or drug stores, repair shops, etc. If you still come up with nothing, try the GVRD website as they have complete listings on where to recycle anything and if you can't find a place they have a number to call and they will tell you where you can go. www.gvrd.bc.ca They even have zero waste workshops. So hang to your crap until the next time you go into town or near a recycling depot store because sooner or later you know you will have to.

www.genesisrecycling.ca
www.londondrugs.com
www.gvrd.bc.ca

Take Action Daily - Just Do It

Nike at least got something right with that slogan - Just Do It - Seriously. You know you should drive less, you know you should exercise, cycle and walk more, you know you should take the bus. But you just don't. Why? Only a very small persentage of people actually can't take any of these actions for whatever their reasons may be, but the rest of us? Who are you kidding? You either can't be bothered, you've never tried so you don't know how easy and refreshing it is, you did try once and had a bad experience so you don't try again, or, you just plain don't want to. Whatever your excuse, drop it. No more excuses, just make the commitment to one day a week for a month. Next month, two days a week. Maybe even go so far as to cut back your nasty driving habit by tree days the next month. Or not. Even if you stick with only two days a week, it shouldn't inconvenience you and at the end of the month that equals eight fresh air days for you and the air you breathe. At the very least, just try it for one month. If after that it is truly too difficult to bike, walk or take the transit more often for your errands or going to work, then by all means, jump into your polllution mobile and happily chug away. At least you gave it an honest go.

Take Action Daily - Take A Hike

Where so you drive to daily that's the furthest? Work probably? What about shopping, groceries or otherwise? Having a car is definitely useful. Ok, those are freebies. What about the rest? You know, like when you go rent a movie, or have a sudden uncontrollable urge for a jalapeno taquito, or go meet a friend for coffee. For most of us urbanites, the trip is no more than a few blocks, and yet we still drive. Even on nice days, or evenings. How lazy have we become? Whatever happened to a nice evening walk? Or why not get out for a couple hours in the afternoon, walk around, strut your stuff, go meet a friend.
Chew on this: one litre of gasoline equals about 2.5 kg of C02 emitted. A typical late-model sport-utility vehicle driven 20,000 km a year produces about six tonnes of carbon dioxide, compared to four tonnes for a recent mid-sized sedan, and just two tonnes for a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. In fact, driving 10 per cent less can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 0.2 to 0.8 tonnes per year, depending on the vehicle.
So here's your goal: Stop driving those short distances and only drive when you really need to.
This should be easy, now that the summer is fast approaching. In fact, I think I will take my own advice and get out there now, it is just too nice to stay inside. I am on my way to attempt to test drive Vancouver's alternative fuel vehicles. This should prove to be interesting.

Check these links on more gas facts:

http://climatechange.gc.ca/plan_for_canada/challenge/index.html
http://www.ec.gc.ca/EnviroZine/english/issues/26/feature1_e.cfm

Take Action Daily - The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round

Have you ever actually calculated just how much you shell out for gas each month? Or do you simply close you eyes and fork over the cash every couple days or so? Either way, if you drive every day, you know you spend a lot of dough just to keep going.
Before prices catapulted, I calculated that I was spending roughly $160/month on gas (and that doesn't include insurance, maintenance, rising prices, or repairs). Sure that doesn't seem like a lot, but I didn't drive very much either. Being an ex-avid cyclist and a newbie at driving (yes I have the "N"), my long forgotten conscience soon started creeping back (that pesky thing!). So I have now retired my vehicle to the garage and have re-familiarized myself with the wonders of public transportation. True, it's certainly far from peachy, but it's not so bad. I actually enjoy the time it gives me to relax, read, and hang out with my daughter, rather than stress and yell at everything because I left at the last minute in my vehicle and then there's construction (and there is always construction). The Vancouver Transit system is pretty good, although it could always be better. It is the elusive catch 22 that the system doesn't improve because not enough people use, and more people don't use it because it is not convenient enough. So there lays the conundrum.
Driving is expensive on our wallets and the environment and transit can be inconvenient.
What's a person-who-wants-to-do-their-part-but-just-doesn't-have-the-darn-time, to do?
Never fear, solutions, are always near.
It's not rocket science, and I'm sure you've probably figured it out yourself, but here it is for those who haven't...(drum roll please)
Try Taking The Bus!!!!!
Ok, ok, keep your excuses, I'm only talking about a commitment to a couple trips of week here, no big deal. An adult can purchase a pack of 10 tickets for a mere $18 for 1 zone, $27 for 2 zone, or $36 for 3 zone. These tickets do not expire at the end of the month and what's even better is that whenever you purchase a bus ticket (or monthly pass), the government gives you a tax credit at the end of the year. I'm sure you don't get anything back for driving your car except bills. Take the money that you would spend on one week on gas, get yourself a faresaver book, and decide on one or two days a week that you will take the bus instead (and remember to bring a book). Your first few trips may be stressful as you step timidly into the unknown, but be brave young grasshopper, once you find a routine, you may come to enjoy or even cherish the time you have to relax, read, whatever. By substituting some of your car trips, you help the transit system to become more efficient, possibly save a couple bucks, and definitely, give Mother Nature a break. All that in one day. Give yourself a pat on the back!
I've provided a link to help you plan your route, including bus numbers and names, where they stop and when, and where to link to your next bus should you need one.

www.translink.bc.ca/

Below is a link that may be of interest:

www.vancouver-ecodensity.ca/

Take Action Daily - Spin Your Wheels

Cycling around Vancouver is so easy, it's no surprise we have such a vast bike culture. With gas prices the way they are, combined with the gorgeous pre-summer weather we've been enjoying, what better time to dust off those wheels of yours hiding in your storage locker. If you don't have a bike yet, there are lots to be found, whether by perusing craigslist, local papers, sports junkies, or scoring from your local bike shop, now is the perfect time to look. I've added a map of cycling routes in Vancouver for a quick glance, and have also added links at the top of the blog for a more detailed look as well as links for sub Vancouver maps. These links are in PDF. format so you may need to download free Adobe Acrobat Reader software (www.adobe.com) if you don't already have it.
Now that you know where to go, rather than hopping in your gas guzzling, air polluter for a jaunt to the store, grab your newly greased up two wheeler and get a splash of fresh air. Trust me, it may seem like a pain at first to get going, but once you do, you will love it.
Before long you'll be ready to peddle with the rest of the cycling cult at Critical Mass, a large scale cycling group that meets up around 5-5:30pm at the Georgia side of the Vancouver Art Gallery on the last Friday of every month. The name "Critical Mass" is taken from Ted White's 1992 documentary film about bicycling, "Return of the Scorcher". In the film, George Bliss describes a typical scene in China, where cyclists often cannot cross intersections because there is automobile cross-traffic and no traffic lights. Slowly, more and more cyclists amass waiting to cross the road, and when there is a sufficient number of them -- a critical mass, as Bliss called it -- they are able to all move together with the force of their numbers to make cross traffic yield while they cross the road. The idea started in San Francisco in 1992 and has since spread throughout the world. Every place has a different feel to their rides which I imagine says a lot about each individual city. Here in Vancouver, the rides are as diverse as is the city. From people riding with barbecues and delicious food, to BMXers, to stylish cruisers, to hard core cyclists, most people come out to have fun and enjoy the company and the view from a new perspective. If you live in Vancouver or have friends visiting, it is a great way to spend an evening!

Take Action Daily - Hosers

Who's hosing who?
Gas prices are skyrocketing! OH NO! We must put a stop to this madness! We want our deserved right to pollute!
Seriously people, get a grip. The only way we will ever kick our own asses into choosing alternative fuels is by paying a fortune for the luxury of pollution. I read a rather frightening article a while back when gas prices first started to climb. The article told of a one very worried G.W. Bush who thought he outta bring the gas prices back down so people would forget about such vehicles as hybrids, fuel cells, electrics, or bio diesels. Once people had forgotten about these alternative options, he would be able to slowly bring the prices up again. How sick is that? What is even sicker, however, is the behaviour of our fellow Canadians who are actually demanding prices be lowered!
What!?
Recently I read a reader's feedback letter in the little free paper 24 Hours. The man wrote about how, while the gas prices affect him too, rather than cry and whine about the gouge, he would be more interested in signing a petition demanding the Government end the creation of new gasoline cars, requiring instead, car makers start making sustainable vehicles. Hmmm, I wonder if he has read my petition?

For the next couple weeks, I will be reviewing alternative vehicles and posting the information on this site. I will be test driving these cars and trucks, giving price quotes, where to buy... all the necessary low-down for the enlightenment of inquiring minds.

Good Green Fun

Last night (May 18) was the eco-themed club night held at the Waldorf Tiki Lounge. The place is perfect for a night like this with two rooms complete with palm trees, eerie masks and bamboo wall coverings. The event cost a mere $12 at the door ($10 if you pre purchased) and started out with a screening of Thin Ice. The documentary features the life of the Inuit and how climate change is drastically affecting their way of living. Where conditions are the most cold and extreme, these people are seeing first hand how rapidly our warming planet is changing and realise just how important it is to protect it.
Following the film, DJ Timothy Wisdom kicked in the jams, stirring lethargic environmentalists from their cushy seats. DJ Wisdom mixed a variety of music for all sorts of tastes from hip hop, to house, some old school and even some new school like Lily Allen. After every one's dancing feet were warmed up Third Eye Tribe brought the funk to the house with a positive message to lift spirits. Sadly not many people were dancing, although perhaps if there were more nights like this, word would spread bringing more of the eco-friendly and eco-curious out to play in the name of positive change.

Under Construction

Hey Eco Fans,

I'm working on some changes so I won't be writing for awhile, but check back in a few weeks, hopefully I'll be up and with it then.

Chiao

Take Action Daily - Buying Power

Shop Your Mind

And speak it too. Notice how more and more products are available in organic? Or how about how more grocery stores have larger natural foods sections? It's not a coincidence...it's all you baby. You, me, everyone. We tell producers what consumers want by everyday choices. So now it's swell to see more and more natural, organic, free-range, choices, but what about the packaging? So first we take our health to heart, now how about Mother's...you know, miss au natural herself. What do you do when the product you want comes in non-eco friendly wrap? You speak your voice. All products have a contact or questions line, email, or address. With email today it's really very simple and only takes a moment for a quick inquiry or suggestion. Today I emailed two organic companies whose product I consume but am unable to readily recycle the containers (I also suggested they try out biodegradable plastic, not just recyclable...biodegradable plastic really needs a push from consumers now - especially plastic bags). This has bothered me for a long time now and so I finally did it and you know, it was quick and easy. So now I just wait for a response. I think I will try to do this with more products. If these companies hear about packaging issues from more and more people, it will put the pressure on. They need to know what we want. So tell them.

Events June 2007

Clean Water Classic
June 2-3
Pro Surfing competition to benefit the Pacific Northwest chapters of the Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to the protection and preservation of the world's oceans and beaches.
Westport, Washington
www.cleanwaterclassic.com

North Shore Neighbourhood House Garden Party
Sat. June 10
1-4pm
Enjoy a garden tea party and an electric car show
Lower Lonsdale Community Garden
E.2nd ST. and St.Georges

Take Action Daily - Here Fishy Fishy

Red Fish, Blue Fish, One Fish, None

"Eat more fish" touts almost every health and fitness magazine and article. Yet stocks are disappearing fast - really fast. Some scientists predict the oceans will be devoid of sea life come 2050 (a mere 40 years). This seems extreme, however we are already seeing proof. Coastal fishing villages, who have put pressure on governments for years not to restrict their livelihood, are now now facing consequential collapse. We can see these symbolic villages rapidly falling apart. We cannot see the lack of fish found in the ocean. We do not see the horrific by-catch, suffocated, useless and wasted, thrown back, destroyed carelessly. We also don't see the cruelness of the shark hunt, where fishermen fin a shark alive and allow it to sink helplessly to the bottom of the ocean to die slowly and painfully (if anyone has seen a show on this, it may just bring you to tears. You forget your preconceived notions that it is just a shark and see it for what it is, a living, feeling creature, just trying to survive like the rest of us). Check out a good Canadian documentary called Sharkwater. www.sharkwater.com
"My big fear is that it may be too late" says Spanish marine biologist, Sergi Tudela, about the decline of the great Bluefin Tuna. "I have a very graphic image in my mind. It is of the migration of so many buffalo in the American West in the early 19th century. It was the same with the bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean, a migration of a massive number of animals. And now we are witnessing the same phenomenon happening to giant bluefin tuna that we saw happen with America's buffalo. We are witnessing this right now, before our eyes." - National Geographic
As consumers, we MUST show and enforce our buying power here, - NOW. You don't have to stop eating fish entirely, but we need to slow down and be responsible and ethical. If you are dining out, take a moment to get acquainted with responsible restaurants (even if you don't plan to eat fish, it's good practice to support them because of what they support). If you are buying fish yourself for home, do a little research first. Have a list of questions to ask the clerk (find out where it is from and how it was caught, ex. if you are buying shrimp you want to make sure it is cold water shrimp)and if they can't answer, chances are you don't want to eat their fish.

for more info :

www.seachoice.org
www.oceanwise.org

Take Action Daily - School Gardens

Give A Man A Fish - He'll Eat For A Day
Teach A Man To Fish - He'll Eat Forever

A child may or may not want to eat that carrot being forced upon her, but had she grown it herself, guaranteed (at least 90%), she would want to eat it. Not only would she want to eat it, she would care about it, where it came from, how it was treated, etc. She would also in the process learn to love the good bugs, and how to control the pests without the chemicals, and love the land from which the carrot grew. She would begin to understand why polluting our earth is so bad and most likely care to make changes in her life and those around her. School gardens are a fabulous way to inspire respect for the earth, encourage healthy eating habits, and incorporate school curriculum. Talk to your child's school about the idea. There is funding available from certain sources. Here are a few sites to help you get growing:

http://www.cityfarmer.org/
http://www.kidsgardening.com
http://www.landscapingbynature.com
http://www.littlegreenthumbs.org/
http://www.spec.bc.ca
http://www.eya.ca

Take Action Daily - Local Grub

As a newbie in the blog game, just fumbling my feeble way through, I have come to the realization that I am all over the freakin' place. And hence, through a little pondering, I've decided to have theme weeks. I pilfered the idea of an Action A Day, from the website (which is my home page), A Word A Day, who also have weekly themes. So it only makes sense to continue with my copy-cat style, and besides, there are so many avenues upon which to expand any action, that one can take.

So being that the Winter Farmer's Market is coming this Sat. April 7 (see April events down the left side or in Feb. archives), I figured it is an appropriate action theme to start off. The farmer's market is a great way to get local organic food, and lots of it, and support our farmers without the mark-up of big grocery stores. And the other great thing is you don't have to travel far to get it as it is being held at 1882 Adanac St. Ok so maybe you're like me (and most people) and you're really super busy, or you have to work on Saturdays....never fear. There are two great little companies who, not only delivers fresh, local, organic food to your door, they pedal-power it to you on their cycles....how cool is that? The companies are called SPUD and Green Cycle, and they are reasonably priced. So check it out, now you have NO excuses...myself included!

www.spud.ca
www.greencycle.ca

Take Action Daily - Get That "Hydrogen" Clean Feeling

Keepin It Clean

It's officially spring and time to get out those rusty dusty bikes (unless you're one of those hard-cores who ride all year round). After you've tuned and lubed your green machine, why not take it for a spin down to Vancouver's (and North America's) most Eco-friendly car (and bike, and dog, and heck, why not a shower too while you're at it) wash. There are many reasons why EasyWash is so wonderful, and it starts with hydrogen fuel cell power. That's right baby, the first in North America. It was built to be part of the Hydrogen Highway initiative to promote fuel cell commercialization for the 2010 games (good ol' commercialization at it's finest!). However, the good stuff doesn't stop there, oh no my friends, it gets better....not only does it use water recycling and rain water collection so that not a drop of city water is used, but this bad boy was built using 97% recycled materials. And it's a damn funky place too. Phew. Now that's what I'm talking about. Seriously, we have the technology (think bionic woman here), we need to keep showing a demand. So lets support those who support a green and happy planet.
Easy Wash is unmistakably located on the beautiful North Shore just on the other side of the Second Narrows Bridge, on Main St. and Mountain Hwy.
www.easywash.com

Response: The Great Global Warming Swindle

Here are some responses to this documentary that I recieved:

http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/climate_change/article2355956.ece

http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/climate_change/article2347526.ece

www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/Science/Skeptics.asp

www.desmogblog.com/the-great-global-warming-swindle

www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2007/03/swindled/

http://www.ipcc.ch/

Carbon Footprint Calculator Results

Drum roll please...

My results from http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/calculator/english/
was 1.5 tonnes
My results from http://www.bp.com/carboncalculator.do?categoryId=9008641&contentId=7025802
was 2 tonnes.
As it turns out I didn't like this one as much as the other one(and no,not because I got a higher rating). I found the first one easier to use and a little more detailed.

So there you have it folks. I roughly emit 2 tonnes of CO2 per year, give or take a few lbs. (it's probably really about 3 because it's not completely accurate and leaves out a few things, but I believe it's close). I have made a lot of changes in a year so had I done it last year, I probably would have been at least 5. And the funny thing is that I don't even really notice the changes much (except the one where I take the bus now instead of drive). They seem to be so inconsequential, all it takes is a little awareness and consideration, and realizing just how much we waste needlessly.

Take Action Daily - How Big Is Your Foot (print)

Carbon Footprint Calculator

OK, so the website I previously posted regarding calculating your personal carbon footprint isn't working.... so here are a couple that do. One is for Canada and one for Europe. I will try them both. I liked the start of the European one because it also calculated how much CO2 one would save by making certain changes, that's why I put it in. I havn't gone all the way through them yet, but I will.

http://www.bp.com/carboncalculator.do?categoryId=9008641&contentId=7025802 (this is the best one so far)
http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/calculator/english/ (this one is also the best too)

http://www.safeclimate.net/calculator/
http://www.mycarbonfootprint.eu/

here's an article on treehugger about their results:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/12/bps_carbon_foot.php

Events September 2007

The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
Sept. 15-23, 2007
Powered by Canadians, this program allows people from all regions and all walks of life to make a positive difference to their environment. Last year alone, over 40,000 Canadians registered to clean up 966 shorelines removing 84,708 kg of harmful shoreline litter.
More than just a program to pick up trash, we collect valuable data from each cleanup which then allows us to determine the major (and minor) causes of shoreline litter in each region.
Garbage in our waters will block movement of any migratory species, like fish. That’s why it is critical to keep waterways clean and healthy!
Our waterways are not dumping grounds, yet Canadians year in and year out keep using them for just that.
The TD Canada Trust Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is the perfect opportunity for school groups, community groups, families, and concerned individuals to get involved in a hands-on conservation program. It provides a chance to be a part of an activity that has a real, measurable effect on the environment, both locally and globally. Cleanups are more than just collecting trash, they are examples of communities working together to create solutions that ensure our oceans and waterways are kept clean.
Cigarettes contain over 165 chemicals – all of which leach into the water when left on the shoreline. Cigarette filters typically take 5 years to biodegrade.
"Pollutants dumped into the environment don’t just disappear, or remain suspended in air and water: they enter the tissues of the living things. The pollutants are then passed up the through the food chain and increase in toxicity, a process known as bioaccumulation."-David Suzuki Foundation

Register Now!
www.vanaqua.org/cleanup/home.php

Take Action Daily - Speaking of Investments

Earlier I posted some quick blurb-like advice regarding investments. So here is some real scoop, in case you haven't been able to do some digging yourself. We need to push ourselves out of the Stone Age and into the Solar Age, and one of the best ways is through investments. So here is a list of some of the big wigs in renewable energies:

- AstroPower - solar cells and modules
- Avista - hydrogen fuel cells
- Ballard (BC) - hydrogen fuel cells
- BP Solar - photovoltaics (PV's)
- DTE Power (one of Plug Powe's owners)
- Enron - renewable energy
- Go-Green.com - green energy utility
- GreenMountain.com - green energy utility
- Kyocera (Japan) - solar
- Plug Power - hydrogen fuel cells
- PowerSource - green energy utility
- Seimens - solar manufacturing
- Spire - solar equipment
- Vestas Wind Systems (Denmark) - wind turbines
- ZeTek Power (UK, Belgium) - hydrogen fuel cells

(courtesy "Stormy Weather" by Guy Dauncey and Patrick Mazza)

So Where to Invest ????

- Campaign Exxon Mobil:
www.campaignexxonmobil.org
- Calvert Group:
www.calvertgroup.com
- Clean Edge:
www.cleanedge.com
- Clean Environment Fund (Canada)
www.cleanenvironment.com
- Coop America:
www.coopamerica.org
- Dexia:
www.dexia.com
- Domini:
www.domini.com
- EcoMall:
www.ecomall.com
- Good Money Magazine:
www.goodmoney.com
- Green Century:
www.greencentury.com
- Green Money Journal:
www.greenmoney.com
- Merril Lynch New Energy Technology:
www.mlim.co.uk/fund-centre/ff-973793.asp
- New Alternatives:
www.newalternativesfund.com
- Sane BP:
www.sanebp.com
- Sentry Select Alternative Energy Fund (Canada):
www.sentryselect.com
- Social Funds:
www.socialfunds.com
- Social Investment Forum:
www.socialinvest.org (USA)
www.uksif.org (UK)
- Social Investment Organization (Canada):
www.socialinvestment.ca
- South Shore EcoBank:
www.eco-bank.com
- VanCity Savings Credit Union (BC):
www.vancity.com/vancity/csr

(courtesy "Stormy Weather" by Guy Dauncey and Patrick Mazza)

Take Action Daily - Carbon Calculator

Calculated Consequences

It has been calculated and averaged out that most Canadians spew out 5 tonnes of CO2 per year- each. So, do you want to know just how much of it YOU are spewing? Well lucky day, now there is a way! To calculate just how much greenhouse gases you are responsible for, check out
www.climcalc.net
and let's be honest with our answers here, folks :)
I will try it too and post my answer so we will all know just how much I am spewing too ( aha, the dreaded moment of truth!)

Take Action Daily - A Little Help Please

So spring break is over and we're all well rested (hopefully) and looking forward to the leisures of summer. But not everyone gets a break. For many people, animals, and the environment, everyday life is a constant and painful battle that never ends. Even harder than most of us , even the struggling ones, can imagine. I know we are all sick of being bombarded with "save the whales" and "please help" campaigns for donations, but a very little can go a long way, if it comes from a lot of people. For only $10, many non-profit companies will grant you membership which keeps you informed in topics you care about and you can feel good without breaking the bank. Even a simple act, like donating a measly $2 to your grocery bill for the food bank, baking some muffins for a local shelter, or buying a bag of animal food for the SPCA, can mean a world of difference to many people (or animals)

and remember to sign petitions, like

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/globalwarmingactions

they are free and every signature represents 100 people in the eyes of the government

Take Action Daily - You are what you eat

To keep animals, lots of animals, alive and somewhat healthy, takes an enormous amount of energy. Think of a large factory farm chicken coop. We've all seen the pictures of those over stuffed, disease ridden, brightly lit, metallic enclosures. The lights are usually kept on at all times to keep chickens producing eggs. If every person were to dedicate one day to eat no meat, not only would we save a lot of suffering, but we would also give mother nature a much needed break too.
For some yummy recipes try
http://www.vrg.org/

"Raising animals for food requires more than half the water used in the United States each year and one-third of all raw materials, including fossil fuels. The meat industry is the single greatest polluter of our waterways and is directly responsible for 85 percent of US soil erosion.It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce a pound of meat, producing just one hamburger uses enough fossil fuel to drive a small car 20 miles. Fifty-five square feet of rain forest may be razed to produce just one quarter-pound burger. ."
excerpt from PETA's web site

Take Action Daily - Live and Learn

Do your research...learn both side of the story. I have just been watching a video called the Great Global Warming Swindle. Does anybody have more info on this? Sure the video seems to have some merit and I believe that in order to know the truth you need to listen to and find out about the other side, the one you don't agree with. Whether global warming is happening and whether or not it is caused by us (let's face it, I'm no scientist), does this give us the right to go on happily polluting? Should we not look to alternative and renewable energies? Should we support developing nations to build more coal fired factories or should we help them live sustainably? Whether or not you believe in Global Warming, it does not erase the fact that it has brought to our attention that the way we live needs to change, we still need to take care of our planet and each other.
Think about it.

Take Action Daily - Election Time

Time to pick your poison. While I personally have never been into politics, being that it is all just a load of corrupt bs in my eyes, the sad fact is these self-serving groups also dictate our quality of life. So we must choose the lesser of the evils. Even if the party you most agree with is unlikely to win, vote for them anyway, at least they will get some standing and have a say in what should (or shouldn't) be done.

Take Action Daily - Invest Wisely

Put your money where your mouth is. I felt very responsible when I opened up my first RESP account. Figured I was finally doing the right thing. But I started hearing things about where investment money goes....tobacco, alcohol, and yes.....OIL. AHHHHHH! Immediately I made and appointment with an Ethical Fund Specialist. As it turned out, I was indeed supporting and making money from big oil companies, I was no better than our government or the car companies. So I withdrew my account and am now happy to be making money with a clear conscience. I invest now with Vancity, so far the greenest of banks. But other banks have investments that have nothing to do with oil too. Sure it's a slightly less return (but not very much) but what good will money be if there is no where to spend it?

Take Action Daily - Clean Up Your Act

Hopefully everyone had a great weekend. I know there was a lot going on, St, Patty's, the EPIC expo, among others. I must say, going to the EPIC expo certainly did bring a glimmer of hope seeing so many people doing our world some good. Now it's just another rainy gloomy monday and time to get back to reality. So let's start at home (as usual). When you are cleaning up after an eventful weekend, look into using products which are not extremely toxic chemicals. I know it's hard to find good ones. I use Seventh Generation, they are pretty good. Still don't work as good as the harsh chemical cleaners, but at least I'll still have a home to clean years down the road because of it.

Take Action Daily - Rain Rain Go Away

Well, Vancouverites may or may not be used to rain, but the worms sure love it! They also love left over food. Worm Composting is cheap and easy to set up anywhere, even apartments. Kids love them and so does the earth. So rather than having all that nutrient rich compost go to wasted methane energy in the dumps, try saving it for your own plants or to give back to the planet.

check out www.cityfarmer.org

Also Remember today is the start of the First Ever sustainable living expo EPIC only $12 adult ($8 online) and kids under 12 are free. it goes all weekend.

www.epicvancouver.com

Take Action Daily - Are You Feeling Lucky?

Go Green, Drink Green

What better way to celebrate the festivities of St. Patty's day than with a bottle of truly "green" beer - Home brew! (you can add colour if you want too). Homebrew is cheap to make, obviously local, you can buy organic ingredients which can later be composted, and you can experiment with all sorts of flavors. Of course to brew the perfect beer takes time , so you might want to stock up on some premade from the store ...but you will at least be ready for oktoberfest :)
There are lots of sites avail. for homebrew help and advice.
www.breworganic.com
www.mrbeer.com
www.homebrewtalk.com

Also if you want to meet like minded people, come to Green Drinks at Steamworks (375 Water St. - Gastown) 5:30 pm Wed. March 21

Take Action Daily - Get Fresh....and Local

When choosing some lunch or food for dinner today, take a look through the organic sections first (not just produce, but everything). You may find prices close to those foods treated with chemicals. Next have a look at the labels. Where did the food come from? How far has it travelled? Most dinners have travelled an average of 1,500 miles. That's a lot of CO2.
"Locally grown produce tends to be fresher and contain higher levels of vitamins than the imported variety. Food that has to be transported long distances is often preserved with waxes, irradiation, gases and synthetic chemicals, such as fungicides and sprout inhibitors. Yuck!"
(taken from David Suzuki's website)
"In a week-long (or more) delay from harvest to dinner table, sugars turn to starches, plant cells shrink, and produce loses its vitality."
(taken from the Appalacian Sustainable Agriculture Society www.asapconnections.org)

Take Action Daily - Get Out! (side)

Go for a walk, a jog, a cycle OUTSIDE, rather than in the sweating humid gym.

They say you have to love yourself before you love anything else, and preceding the growing trend of personal care, we now see a concern for our environment, so perhaps there is truth in this statement. For a change, try going outside for your cardio. Sure it may be hard at first, after all it is still cold and dark in the morning and rains a lot, but if you just get out and try it, you may just find yourself feeling a thousand times more rejuvenated and energized than had you been in the gym waiting for your turn on the treadmill, wasting unnecessary energy.

Take Action Daily - Jivin' Java

One A Day

So I am sitting here thinking to myself, what now? What can I write about that people will be interested in. What can I say to motivate others, without bitching and wining. So as I am sipping on my delicious fair trade Peruvian organic coffee from Bean Around the World, I think..."by crikey, that's it!!!" Experience tells us that people don't adjust well on their own by taking huge, life altering leaps....it is much easier to digest small increments...molded over time like malleable clay sculpted with love.
So here is my goal, to provide for anyone interested, a small step that anyone can do each day to better their lives and our shared world. An Action A Day Keeps Imminent Demise And Destruction Away (geez, if that's not doom and gloom i don't know what is !).
So here is todays action : Coffee....
seems appropriate to start here. Be Consious of what you consume. If you are out, bring your own to go mug (save the landfills from mountains of non-biodegradeable, toxic beverage cups). If you make coffee at home, organic is only a couple bucks cheaper ($8 vs. $6) and fair trade organic is the same price as organic (i shop at bean around the world because it is close and delicious, but many other coffee shops and grocery stores offer organic coffee). And don't forget to unplug that coffee maker when your done to save a tiny bit more energy!

Petition

Please sign the petition I posted of the Letter fo Action I wrote previously.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/globalwarmingactions

I will try to keep it there for 4 weeks and then send it.

Ongoing Events

Critical Mass
Last Friday of Every Month
Meet Georgia side of Vancouver Art Gallery
meet 5-5:30pm
Bicycle around Vancouver. Support Alternative transportaion. Dress up funky, bring your camera. There is even a cyclist with a BBQ! Loads of fun, google it to see pics!
www.velolove.bc.ca

Mondays 6-9pm volunteer and meetings (snacks and refreshment provided on volunteer nights)
Wednesdays 6-9pm Speakers and Documentay screening
The Green Party Office
The Dominion Building
301-207 W Hastings Street
604 689-9200

Mind and Body Wellness (free)
Wednesdays 11am-1pm
For Girls age 13-18 to help develop self-confidance and self-esteem. An hour of discussion is followed by an hour of yoga.
John Braithwait Community Centre
145 W.1st ST. North Van.
604-984-3854

Museum of Anthropology
The Village is Tilting: Dancing AIDS in Malawi
until Sept 3, 2007
6393 NW Marine Dr.
604-822-5978
www.moa.ubc.ca/exhibits

What Can You Do ?

Chances are most people know how to cut back on their consumption, but just in case you don't, this is for you:

1.) Change your light bulbs to CFL (compact florescent light).
They last longer, save you money (est. $40 per light life span), and if every person where to change one light in their house in North America, it would reduce greenhouse gases equivalent of removing 66,000 cars off the road. If this isn't enough incentive, well, the government also gives you 50% of the cost back to you if the light bulb is $5 or more.

www.incentivesandrebates.ca/gc

2.) Drive Less (we all know this one)
Chew on this: every 1 litre of gas you use is equal to @ 2.5 kg of CO polluting our air. Don't idle you car when you do drive, car pool, walk, bus or cycle, get some fresh air and keep it fresh too. Again, the government also gives tax breaks on bicycles and and equipment, as well as on transit monthly passes. So keep all your receipts! If we want better bus systems and cycle routes, we must support what we have now.

http://www.icarpool.com/
http://www.erideshare.com/
www.kijiji.ca/vancouver
these seem to be easy and free to join (?) (i haven't gone all the way with the trip planning)

www.incentivesandrebates.ca/gc

3.) Turn Down the Heat or A/C
By simply turning down the heat when out or at night (or in the day whatever you prefer). Just lowering a few degrees can save a lot of energy and money (and you thought you were broke - cha-ching!). Like my father used to tell me...."put a sweater on!!!" In the summer, rather than heating things up while cooling yourself down, opt for a fan instead of using the A/C. I know they don't work as well, however some newer models work decently for a fair price and without the cost of the planet. Seems like fair trade to me. If you are able to, install energy saving windows and appliances, then check out the gov.'s incentive and rebates web page (above) to get some of your hard earned cash back. Maybe even look into installing solar, it has a much better return on investment than any GIC.

4.) Save The Hot Water
Heating water is #4 on the energy drainer's guide and so easy to fix. Wash your clothes in cold (preferably) or warm. It is better for your clothes anyway. Wrap a blankie around your hot water tank. Surprisingly this can save you up to an est. 33% of hot water. (who knew saving the world could save your pocket book too?) Also make sure your tank is maintained properly.

5.) Eat Less Meat; Eat Organic
The food industry another one of the big bad polluters and consumers, especially factory farmed meat and non-organic produce. By choosing to have one or two (or more) meat-free meals a week, you save tonnes in waste water, methane, chemicals, feed, electricity, and of course one sad sorry animal's life of cruelty and pain. When you do eat meat, try to buy free range meats. They are becoming less expensive and more plentiful. Same with organic produce. I always peruse the organic isles first to see what is affordable and surprisingly, it is sometimes cheaper or at least close to the same. And it tastes better too. Delish!

6.) Be Consumer Savvy
You have buying Power - so use it. When you purchase organic, sustainable, eco-friendly products you tell manufacturers to change and create products that do not have the hidden cost of the destruction of our only home. Cotton, for example is not only the most heavily sprayed crop but also the chemicals used are some of the most toxic substances in farming. In 2000, 84 million pounds of chemicals were dumped on 14.4 million acres of US cotton fields. And you don't have to look like a hippie either (unless you want to). Lots of organic clothing companies make really funky and comfortable styles.
Check this site out for some local stores:

http://www.fashionhigh.ca/

7.) Recycle and Re-Use (as if you aren't already)
So we've been doing this for a while, Great! However many aren't. Especially businesses (and they waste a lot!). Encourage your place of work to start a recycling program. If your home or apartment building doesn't have any blue bins, find out how to get some. Look for food packages that can be recycled. Encourage coffee shops to use biodegradable cups, or even better, bring your own. The GVRD has a guide called 101 things to do with all your old stuff (and where to take it).

http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/

8.) Compost
It's easy and cheap and anyone, anywhere can do it.

http://www.cityfarmer.org/

9.) Invest Wisely
You cycle, recycle, eat organic etc. So why are you supporting Big Oil? You pay close attention to how well your investments are doing but you should also pay attention to what you are investing in. After all, what good will that $$$ be in 30, 40 years if our Earth is in shambles.

http://www.greenmoneyjournal.com/
www.sustainablebusiness.com/progressiveinvestor

10.) Write
Write to your government. Write to consumer manufacturers: Food, Cars, Clothing, etc. You don't have to be eloquent with the ink, just tell them what you like and don't like about what they are doing. Offer suggestions for change.

Events April 2007

Events April 2007

Seedy Saturdays - Running until the end of April throughout the province. Full list.
Bringing together home gardeners, seed savers, native plant collectors, agriculture conservation groups, and community gardeners as well as local seed companies that sell open-pollinated varieties of vegetables, fruits, flowers, grains and herbs.
Visit Seedysaturday.ca

Pulp Fantasy
Until April 21
Jane Vilimek's works consist of 3D suspended, wall-mounted and free-standing sculptures created from recycled materials and paper mache.
Art+Soul Gallery
Pacific Pallisades Hotel
1277 Robson St.
604-874-7797

Fee, Fi, Faux, Fun: Fakery in Fashion
Sun, April 1, 2pm
Explore historic fashion fabulous and not-so-fab fakes. Presented by the Original Costume Museum Society.
Hycroft, 1489 McRae Ave.
$10-$20 at door

Nepali Film Festival
Sun, April 1, 11am-6pm
5 recent films from Nepal. Proceeds go to development projects in Nepal.
Langara College
100 W.49th Ave.
$10/$7 - one screening
$15/$11 - two screenings
$20/$15 - all day
tix @ Cafe Kathmandu or at door
604-224-5133
www.tras.ca/filmfest


Full Moon Meditation (free)
April 2 /2007 (Aries) 7:30pm
@ SPEC 2150 Maple St.
6th and Maple (2 blocks West of Burrard St.)
bus routes (#4, #7, #9, #17, #16) and 2 bike routes (Cypress and 7th Avenue). www.transmissionmeditation.org
http://www.taracanada.org/

Tuesday, April 3, 2007, 7:45 PM
Italian Cultural Centre
3075 Slocan St.
Tickets $12 at Ticketmaster
Join scientist and broadcaster Dr. David Suzuki, renowned marine scientist and Director of the University of British Columbia's Fisheries Centre, Dr. Daniel Pauly, and Chef Robert Clark of C Restaurant for a friendly discussion about options for maintaining the health of Canada's oceans and the sustainability of our seafood industries.
The event will commence with the presentation of a short documentary, "Can the Oceans Keep Up with the Hunt?" It's a compelling examination of the global fisheries crisis, and highlights the urgent need to restore fisheries and protect essential fish habitat.
Following the formal presentations, the audience will be invited to participate in a question and answer session with the panel.

Parks Canada Speaker Series: Marcia Morash - Gwaii Haanas Marine Reserve (free)
Wed. April 4, 7:30pm
Find out how a national marine conservation area reserve would protect this special place from mountain top to deep sea.
Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch
604-331-3602

AUTHOR, ACTIVIST, VEGAN, PHILOSOPHER
DR. Dr.STEVEN BEST
When: Thursday, April 5, 7:00 PM
WHERE:Lecture Hall 328 South Building,Emily Carr Institute,
1399 Johnston Street, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC
A truly unique evening regarding animal rights & environmental ethics... A community speaking engagement with one of the most eloquent and empowering voices of our time.
AUTHOR, ACTIVIST, VEGAN, PHILOSOPHERDR. Dr.STEVEN BEST
http://www.drstevebest.org/

Winter Farmers Market
April 7, 10am-2pm
Over 20 farm vendors representing 1,530 acres of BC agricultural land. Fresh herbs, frozen berries, grass-fed meats, jams, baked goods.
W.I.S.E. Hall
1882 Adanac St.
604-879-3276
www.eatlocal.org

Sleep, Dreams, and Desire: The Spring of Passion in Song (free)
April 7, 2pm
Baritone singer and psychoanalyst Dr. Cliff Ridley and Pianist Danielle Marcinek explore the deeper currents in our lives through music.
Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch
604-331-3602

Afghanistan: Images of War and Culture
April 11, 7:30pm
A multi-media presentation featuring frontline photos of Canadian troops in combat and behind-the-scenes images of an imperiled people. A benefit to Women for Women in Afghanistan.
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
1100 Chestnut St.
$15 at door
604-299-2546

David Suzuki Lecture
The Centennial Theatre
Upper Lonsdale, North Vancouver
April 11, 7:30pm
Free

Revealing Our Ocean Secrets With Venus (free)
April 12, 7:30pm
Nature Vancouver presents UVIC professor and Canada Research in Deep Oceans, who talks about the Victoria Experimental Network Under the Sea, which would give researchers and the public access to ocean data, videos, images, and sound.
Vancouver Museum
1100 Chestnut
www.naturevancouver.ca

Fair Trade Carpets
Friday April 13 7pm
An info night featuring artisan stories. Refreshments served
Ten Thousand Villages
1387 MArine DR. West Van
RSVP - Pat 604-913-0844

The $76 Billion Case for Diversity and The Results of the 2006 Census (free)
April 13, 6-8pm
The Vancouver Multicultural Society presents a talk by Nick Noorani from Canadian
Immigrant Magazine.
Hodson Manor
1254 W.7th
604-731-4648

Lynn Valley Community Association - Trail Clean Up
April 14- 9am-12pm
Basic trail work, planting, filling holes, and improving drainage.
Meet at South end of Allen Rd. on the Ross Rd. elementary school playground.
604-984-8401

STEP IT UP VANCOUVER_DO FOR THE WORLD __JOIN US
When: Saturday April 14th, 2007
Where: The Vancouver Art Gallery - 750 Hornby St. http://endtheheat.org/
Show the world that the people of Canada are united against this Global Problem.

World Peace Forum: Beyond 2006
April 14, 9am-5-pm (social w/bar 5-7:30pm)
The World Peace Society Board hosts a "stategic visioning" meeting for the discussion of building alliances in orfer to work toward a peacful,just,and sustainable world. A social event with cash bar follows 5-7:30
CAW, Canadian Union Hall
326 12th st. New West
Admission by donation
info@worldpeaceforum.ca


Moving The Earth: Car Culture and Global Environmental Politics (free)
April 14, 2007
8:15pm
UBC Woodward Instructional Resources Centre Lecture Hall #2
http://www.psg.com/~ted/vaninst/
directions:
http://www.psg.com/~ted/vaninst/ViDirections.html

Building Social Capital & Civic Engagement In A Changing World
April 14, 8pm
The Dalai Lama Centre for Peace and Education, in cooperation with the Vancouver Board of Trade and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, presents a talk by political scientist, Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone
Chan Centre for Performing Arts
6265 Crescent Rd. UBC
$22 at ticketmaster
www.ticketmaster.ca


Swap-O-Rama
Sunday, April 15
11:00 - 4:00 pm
Heritage Hall 3102 Main Street
Have a passion for do-it-yourself fashion?
Bringing together local artists, designers, and crafters for a day of creativity and fun. The day will feature:
- Our signature clothing swap (all genders, all ages welcome)
- Fashion entertainment featuring local, innovative,and eco-friendly designers
- Hands-on silkscreening demos with Yuriko from Blim
- Knitting tutorials courtesy of the East VanRevolutionary Knitting Front
- Alteration stations to embroider, embellish, andrefresh your clothing finds
- Live music by DJs Pyxis and Xyn of XyntheticNetlabelVisit
www.swaporama.org for details
or emailhttp://ca.f329.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=van.swap@gmail.com&YY=12618&y5beta=yes&y5beta=yes&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b to join our mailing list.
$5 admission plus a bag of clean wearables to swap.
Vancouver Swap-O-Rama-Rama is brought to you by TrueStitches and the Work Less Party.

Gardening With Kids
April 16- May 14
May 28- June 25
Mondays 3:30-5:00pm
A creative and fun way to garden with kids 9-12 yrs., including composting and the envirionment. Rainy days will be spent indoors creating crafts relating to flowers and plants.
North Shore Neighbourhood House
$38
604-987-8138

Volunteer Action And The Fight Against Poverty (free of course)
April 17, 1-3pm
Volunteer BC hosts a celebration of innovative programs
Vancouver Public Library
350 W. Georgia
www.volunteerbc.bc.ca/events/week.html.


The North Shore Gogos
April 21, 8:30am-2pm
Fundraising Garage Sale to support Stephen Lewis's fund to help grandmothers raising AIDS orphans in Africa
2309 Inglewood Ave.
West Vancouver

What: Earth Day Vancouver 2007
When: Saturday, April 21, 11:00 AM
Where:Jericho Beach Park from 11am to 5 pm
Event Description: Make Earth Day Matter
Join the global party for the planet by taking part in this year's Earth Day Vancouver Celebration. This free family-oriented event will have tons of fun eco-friendly activities for kids and adults and you'll be able to help restore Jericho Beach Park at the same time!
Raffi Cavoukian, singer, author and ecology advocate is the Honorary Chair of Earth Day Vancouver Celebration 2007. Raffi will launch the hight-energy Earth Day Stage, programmed by The Vancouver Folk Music Festival.
for details and the entertainment lineup:
www.evergreen.ca
Learn more here:
http://environment.meetup.com/237/calendar/5642104/

The Story Of Extreme Waves
April 22, 2:30pm
Sailor Craig Smith presents an illustrated lecture about rogue waves and tsunamis, based on his book Extreme Waves
Vancouver Maritime Museum
1905 Ogden
Free w/museum admission
604-257-8300

April 23-29
Pitch in Canada Recycling and Clean up Action Week. Get yourself involved, get your school involved. To register go to http://www.pitch-in.ca/Pitch-In.php
or call 604-536-4726
for even more info check out http://environment.meetup.com/237/?gj=sj4
meetup.com's environmental activist group in vancouver bc. and talk to Jennifer

Mental Health and Addictions: How to Seek Treatment and Access Services in Vancouver
April 24, 7-8:30pm
Panel presentation and community discussion with members of the public and health professionals.
Gordon Neighbourhood House
1019 Broughton 604-708-5320

Events March 2007

Events March 2007

March 2-8 9:15 pm
The Five Ring Circus (the untold 2010 olympic story in vancouver)
The RIO Theatre
Commercial and Broadway

www.thefiveringcircus.com

March 8, 8 pm (reception and silent auction at 7 pm)
Kay Meek Centre (1700 Mathers Ave., West Van.
Canadian a capella group the Nylons performs at a benefit for the Coalition to Save Eagleridge Bluffs.
Tix $50, info 604-913-3634

(March 9-11, 2007
Matthieu Ricard, the world's "happiest man",discusses cultivating life's important skill, happiness. Internationally renowned Buddhist monk, author, and researcher Matthieu Ricard, Ph.D. (Biochemistry) comes to Vancouver for the first time to give four free talks on how changing your thought processes can help make you happier. In his new book, Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill (Little,> Brown), Ricard describes in accessible language how the regular, long-term practice of "mental training," or meditation, significantly enhances one's ability to concentrate, manage stress, and enjoy life. And the researchbacks up his ideas - MRI test results from Ricard and other Buddhist practitioners recently led the British newspaper The Independent to dub Ricard the"world's happiest man". See the website at www.ricard.cfis.ubc.ca for more details and to RSVP for a chance to win a signed copy of Happiness.

March 17 - Out of Afganistan - Into Kyoto Rally
12:30 - meet English Bay (Denman & Davie)
1:00 - march
2:00 - rally Art Gallery (Georgia & Hornby)

March 15 - Melanie Mark – (Peter Kaye Room, Lower Level)As President of the Board of Directors of the Urban Native YouthAssociation, Melanie Mark is the driving force behind the capitalcampaign to build a fifty million dollar project to serve as acornerstone for the Native community.Growing up in a disadvantaged environment, Melanie has made it herwork to be an advocate for at-risk Native youth. Whether through herwork at Covenant House, or as a board member for variousorganizations, she is devoted to empowering Aboriginal youth - leadingby example, sharing her vision, giving her time, and working towardspositive change.

March 16-18, 2007
EPIC: The Sustainable Living ExpoVancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver BC GLOBE Foundation of Canada presents EPIC (Ethical Progressive Intelligent Consumers). This event is expected to attract 30,000 visitors and have over 250 exhibitors promoting their products and services. www.epicvancouver.com

March 20 - Daniel FrancisDaniel Francis explores the colourful and ultimately tragic story ofprostitution in Vancouver, in his new book, Red Light Neon: A Historyof Vancouver's Sex Trade. Working in long overlooked archives anddrawing on personal interviews, Francis shows how in some wayscommercial sex has been both a reflection and a result of Vancouver'sessential character, with its tolerant social mores, ethnic diversity- and political opportunism. It's a tale that takes in mayors andmasseuses, police chiefs and pimps, judges and johns.Daniel Francis is BC's leading popular historian. He is the editor ofthe Encyclopedia of British Columbia which was the recipient of two BCBook Prize honours.

March 22, 2007 8am-12pm 12-1pm
Sustainability Purchasing Network: Managing Carbon Emissions in Your Supply Chain Workshop & LuncheonCanada Export Centre, 602 West Hastings, Vancouver BC The business case for reducing carbon emissions; An introduction to measuring the carbon footprints of products and services; How to identify the carbon 'hot spots' in your supply chain; Best practices of leading companies, offering practical examples, tools and resources. More info...

March 28-29, 2007 4th BC Power SummitVancouver BC The Province's anticipated Energy Plan II is likely to stand high on the horizon, promising significant implications for every participant in the B.C. power sector. This event is a unique opportunity to gain information valuable to your business on an element of strategic importance to the British Columbia economy. More info...

BC Provincial Parks: Can The Image Be Restored?
March 29, 7:30pm
Guest Speakers will discuss the objectives of our parks and the protected areas system, linking people toparks through recreation, stewardship, staffing, and communication.
St. Mary's
2490 W.37th Ave.

History Speaks Lecture Series: Climate Change
March 29, 7-8:30pm
Join CLimate Change researcher in exploring the future potential impact of climate change in our communities.
Surrey Museum
17710 56A St.
$5
pre-register: 604-592-6956

March 30. 7:30pm
Blaxploitation Rarities 2
Evil Film School
Screening of 2 films:
Black Shampoo (1976)
Savage (1973)
Blim, 197 E.17th Ave
near Main St.
vancouver
$5-$10
www.evilfilmschool.com

"Seeds In The City- The Greening Of Havana" film screening
plus…Delicious Food to help you spring into action!
Learn About The Edible Garden Project and how you can get involved!
WHEN: FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2007 6:30pm – 9:00pm
WHERE: St. Andrew’s United Church, 1044 St. George’s Ave., North Vancouver.
1 block east of Lonsdale, between 10th & 11th Streets.
Visit Translink for travel options: Seabus, Bus #229 Westlynn or #230 Upper Lonsdale DETAILS: Tickets $20 each.
Available from: Whole Foods Market (Park Royal Shopping Centre, West Vancouver) or on VISA by calling FarmFolk/CityFolk at 604-730-0450.
This is the remarkable story of how the people of Havana have pulled themselves back from the brink of disaster. Faced with food shortages and widespread hunger, city dwellers began growing food on rooftops, in schoolyards, and in front of office buildings. Now there are 20,000 urban farms in a city better known for its music, dance and nightlife. Yet more than a million tons of food is produced within the city limits, about half of Havana’s nutritional requirements. Most of it is organic. The green revolution has changed communist Cuba in other ways, leading to the legalization of food markets and small businesses. Join us on a visit to Havana rarely seen…. to ration shops, hospitals, and the homes of ordinary Cubans. And find out what the greening of Havana means to our own food security.

March 30, 7:30pm (free)
Umoyo (Life) & Grandmothers: The Unsung Heroes of Africa A screening of two documentary films:In Umoyo, two young Zambian women fighting to reclaim their lives fromthe spectre of AIDS meet three young Canadian women confronting theserealities for the first time. They struggle to understand oneanother's worlds and are transformed.Grandmothers highlights the role African grandmothers play in caringfor AIDS orphans, and holding their families and communities together.The film invites the world to listen to the stories of four Africangrandmothers and take action.
Filmmaker Rebecca Levere Umoyo) will be in attendance.
Vancouver Public Library Central Branch


Seedy Saturdays - Running until the end of April throughout the province.
Full list. Bringing together home gardeners, seed savers, native plant collectors, agriculture conservation groups, and community gardeners as well as local seed companies that sell open-pollinated varieties of vegetables, fruits, flowers, grains and herbs.
Visit Seedysaturday.ca

First Nations Cultural Day
Sat. March 31, 10 am
Traditional Pow-wow featuring dancing, drumming, singing, storytelling, food, vendors, carving, weaving, and silent auction.
Earl Marriott Secondary School
15751 16th Ave Surrey
info: Micheal 604-531-8354

Exposing Truth
Sat. March 31, 7-10pm
A photo essay insight into the daily life of Sherp in Kenya by Jordan Campbell.
Delaney's Coffee House
2424 Marine Dr. West Van
www.truerhythms.com

19th Annual Vancouver International Jewish Film Festival
The best of Isreali Cinema, award-winning documentaries and dramas.
Various venues; until Sunday April 1. 2007
604-266-0245
www.vijff.com