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
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Thursday, April 5, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
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
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
"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
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
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
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
Monday, April 2, 2007
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
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
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