592: 5 August 2008
ON AIR. Peterborough Green-Up‘s manager of Energy Efficiency Services, Alex Mortlock, was on CBC Ontario Morning with Michael Emery 22 July. During the 40-minute open-line show, Alex explained how ecoENERGY works and answered callers’ questions. EcoENERGY is tremendously successful in Peterborough”, says Alex. “We are fully booked 8 to 10 weeks in advance”.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRESS. The recent recent meeting of Canada’s first ministersrecognized the importance of energy efficiency and called for the long-overdue addition of energy efficiency as a core objective of the National Building Code of Canada. The premiers also called for performance standards for more energy-using products, green building policies for new government-funded facilities, sustainable procurement guidelines for energy and water use and implementation of a “public or private mechanism in each jurisdiction so that individual homeowners have access to energy efficiency home audits and assistance with energy efficiency retrofits.” A conference on energy efficiency is planned for September in Nova Scotia.
TRANSPORTATION DOLLARS. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities accepts applications for Green Municipal Fund loans and grants for capital projects that facilitate shifts to sustainable modes of transportation. FCM will award up to $10 million in low-interest loans and $1.5 million in grants. Eligible applicants can request up to $2 million in loans and $400,000 in grants for each project. Applications due 3 November.
ENERGIZED TENANTS. Saving Energy: The 6-Step Guide to Tenant Action is the Toronto Environmental Alliance‘s new guide to tenant-led energy conservation activities. Includes examples and tips from real-world experiences, and resources.
HEALTH/ENVIRONMENT. The website of the new Canadian Network for Human Health and the Environment features information on policy initiatives, research, conferences, and funding. Great links to resources for air, water, soil, consumer products, pesticides, climate change, and health issues related to the diversity of Canada’s populations. New members welcome.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS. Boards should hold executive sessions without staff present to discuss issues such as internal board conflicts, executive director perfomance and salaries. Executives sessions help to ensure truly independent governance, and help boards develop a sense of themselves. Establishing routine board-only sessions avoids uneasiness and apprehension. (Source: Blue Avocado)
WATER ON FIRE. Jessica Ernst in Rosebud, Alberta, can light her tap water on fire. A big oil and gas company is operating close to her house.
WARNING: ADDICTIVE. Browse yourself silly with the Flock Browser: Eco-Edition. Comes pre-loaded with daily updated news, content, and media on global matters affecting the planet. Flock will donate 10% of search proceeds to an environmental charity.
FREE STORIES. Web portal WaterWebster provides safe drinking water and wastewater news, research and information, free of charge.
GREEN VIDEOGRAPHERS. Youth Camera Action! is an environmental video production camp for youth (14-18 years). Toronto, 11-22 August. Projects premiere at the Green Sprouts Showcase at the Planet in Focus Festival.
HANDS-ON. How to Build an Earthen Floor and Make your own Biodiesel are among workshops offered byEverdale Environmental Learning Centre, which operates an organic farm and teaches sustainable living practices.
NET-ZERO COMMUNITY. Echo Haven is a 25-home development near Calgary that will have zero greenhouse gas emissions and reduce water use by up to 75%.
BBQ FOOTPRINT. Climate Change Central advices on reducing your barbecuing footprint. On 4 July holiday, Americans fire up 60 million barbecues, burning enough emission-producing fuel to power 20,000 homes for a year.
MONSANTO. A National Film Board production, The World According to Monsanto tells the story of this world leader in genetically modified organisms and creator of PCBs and Agent Orange. Shown in Torontoand Vancouver. See trailer.
BLACKOUT THURSDAY. Use 20% less power than normal on 14 August to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the 2003 blackout, the largest in North-American history.
Initiated by Conservation Council of Ontario and Blackout Day Group.
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