Thursday, May 28, 2009

From seatbelts to ecofabulous bags!

Sometimes the greatest ideas just come when you least expect it. Husband and wife, Dana and Melanie Harvey are the best example to prove it.

In March 1997, while installing seatbelts into their 1950 Buick, the couple had the fun idea of making Melanie a matching handbag. Everyone loved hers so much that they decided to make more...and there was born Harvey handbag store.

I think they are doing a marvelous job at recovering old car items, who would have thought they’d make such nice handbags?

Here is one of my favorite piece of their collection a seatbelt wallet in grey tones.

To see the entire collection visit Seatbeltbags.com

Get Outside

It’s so simple, but sometimes we just need a reminder that “being green” also means getting outside and connecting with nature.

Those of us who make an effort to participate in outdoor activities have a greater environmental appreciation and are generally happier and more productive. How so? A little fresh air and Vitamin D can help you deal with stress and anxiety and make you appreciate a peaceful way of life. Or, depending on your energy level, promote vitality and sporty activities!

Here are some outdoor activities that help you appreciate your natural world:

* Take lessons in a new outdoor activity like dragon boat racing, kayaking or gardening (I play beach volleyball weekly on Lake Ontario);

* Enjoy a picnic! Go to a nearby park, beach or your backyard;

* Go for regular walks, hikes, bike rides or paddle boat rides in natural settings;

To read full article visit:www.simplegreenaction.ca

Canada: petro-state or prosperous nation?

Canada: petro-state or prosperous nation?

By David Suzuki with Faisal Moola

Imagine a Canada with an abundance of nature and wildlife, clean air and water, healthy citizens, and a prosperous economy. Sounds close to what we have, doesn’t it? But it may not be for long if we keep heading down the road we’re on.

Author Andrew Nikiforuk has argued that Canada is becoming a petro-state. “Without long-term planning and policies, Canada and Alberta will fail to secure reliable energy supplies for Canadians, to develop alternative energy sources for the country, or to create valuable resource funds for the future,” he writes in his best-selling book Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of a Continent. Because of the response of Alberta to Pierre Trudeau's National Energy Plan, Canada doesn't even have a national energy plan.

The reality is that our government is putting all its eggs in one basket, relying on the tar sands to fuel the economy. And although the government has at least come around to acknowledging that global warming is a problem, it hasn’t acted as if it’s a problem worthy of much attention. Its energy and environmental policies show that it is willing to let the economics of the fossil fuel industry trump concern for our common future.

That was made clear with the release of an audit report by the federal environment and sustainable development commissioner on May 12. Scott Vaughan’s report found that the government has overstated expected reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, is unable to monitor actual reductions, lacks transparent plans, and is failing to meet its international obligations under the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act.

The audit also found that the government is failing to adequately protect fish habitat. Vaughan charged the government with not knowing much about fish habitat in Canada, failing to implement some parts of the 23-year-old policy, and failing to even identify what it must do to stop harmful pollutants from being discharged into waters where the fish live.

This ongoing failure on the part of those elected to serve our interests is bad from both an environmental and an economic standpoint. A briefing note prepared for Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt last fall and recently obtained by Canadian Press warns that a lack of clarity and certainty regarding the government’s climate change policies is jeopardizing investment in Canada’s energy sector. The government promised new regulations more than two years ago but now says it is “reworking” its plan.

The briefing note says the government should have policies that facilitate investment in green equipment, buildings, and infrastructure.

But it appears that the government is really only interested in facilitating the ability of the fossil fuel industry to squeeze every drop of oil out of the ground until we are left with depleted energy supplies, devastated landscapes and polluted waters, and an economy that can’t compete with those of nations that have invested in renewable energy.

Read full article at www.davidsuzuki.org.

New York City + free transport = liberty!

There’s no better way to visit a city than to explore it by bike. Many North American cities are implementing new ways to make it easier for residents and visitors alike to stroll around their favorite city at their own pace.

New York City isn’t behind on the trend, and the Downtown Alliance is currently hosting its second annual “Bike Around Downtown” where between now and September 30, 2009 you can rent a bike for free.

If you want to score your free set of wheels you’ll need to sign up. The 30 free bikes will be available seven days a week, during three daily sessions. There’s no limit to how many times you can sign up, but reservations are made on a first come, first served basis.

Let’s hope the program will be so popular that they’ll add more bicycles next year!

Learn more about Bike Around Downtown.

[Photo: edmundv, Flickr.com]

Today’s Green Tip from the Sierra Club

Today's Green Tip from the Sierra Club !

Raise your glasses: We'd like to propose a toast (or three) to the green life. This week we'll give you green tips about ecofriendly drinks.

Thursday tip: Mix Organic

The next time you're playing bartender, start with sustainable spirits. Batiste and Flor de Cana are two rum brands with eco-cred.

For vodka, try Square One or Prairie Organic. Tequila drinkers can opt for Casa Noble or 4 Copas.

Find more organic booze suggestions at Cocktail Organico. Mix liquor with organic juice and fruit. Check out what's seasonal in your region, and adjust drink recipes to make the most of local ingredients.

Share your tips: What is your favorite local or sustainable liquor?