Ecodriver, fungi compost, alternative power – GC News #633

633: 25 May 2009 – Published by Green Communities Canada

ECODRIVER RALLY. EcoSuperior‘s annual EcoDriver Road Rally offers: driver-education simulator; test-driving of fuel-efficient cars; student car-wash and BBQ; free emissions testing and tire pressure checks; driving safety info from police. 30 May.

HOME RATINGS. Ontario’s Green Energy Act received Royal Assent 14 May, making home energy audits and ratings mandatory for sellers – unless the buyer waives the requirement in writing. "Uunfortunately, the rating won’t be required earlier, when the home goes on the market. That would allow buyers to comparison shop and help to create value for energy efficiency in the marketplace," said Clifford Maynes, Executive Director of Green Communities Canada. "It’s also difficult at this point to predict whether waiving the requirement will become routine or exceptional."

SUSTAINABILITY PLAN. Severn Sound Sustainability Plan, developed by Severn Sound Environmental Association and member municipalities, represents the aspirations of hundreds of watershed residents, businesses, stakeholder organizations and governments.

ALTERNATIVE POWER. Renewable Energies for Canada – A Transatlantic Policy Tour focused on the role of decentralized renewable energy in stimulating regional development and creating jobs, with a focus on the German experience. Equiterre was one of the organizers. See paper Feed-In Tariffs in America.

MASTER CLASS. The second stop of the Canadian Walkability Master Class, in Moncton, got great media coverage again on Rogers Cable TV and CBC Radio.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED. Toronto Green Community‘s organic vegetables and native plants Eco-garden needs caretakers in between May and September.

CELEBRATIONS. The Elora Environment Centre – formerly Elora Centre for Environmental Excellence – celebrates the kick-off of its new Green Hotline, a source of practical environmental information for people living in Wellington and Dufferin Counties. 11 June. RSVP: 1-888-380-7337 … Bruce County is contributing $20,000 funding support to allow Elora Environment Centre to enhance their Well Awareprogram in 2009. The funding will assist with marketing, staffing, travel, and public outreach booth space.

FUNGI COMPOST. Rideau Environmental Action League (REAL) sells mushroom compost: $5 a bag or five bags for $20.

WELL AWARE. REEP-Waterloo water guides Brendan Schaefer and Susan Bryant advice to keep well water supplies safe and secure. See local paper article.

DIRTY PICTURES. Winning pictures of ACAP Cape Breton‘s Illegal Dumping Photo Contest will be displayed on ACAP website, and the "winning site" will be cleaned up … ACAP Cape Breton is participating in National Commuter Challenge: communities and workplaces across Canada compete for the highest percentage of participation during Clean Air Day and Canadian Environment Week.

NONPROFIT FUNDING. See the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s report Challenges and Opportunities for Ontario’s Not-for-Profit Sector During Tough Economic Times. Recommendations include: consultation and partnerships with networks to support information-sharing within and between communities and sectors; online community of resources; and collaboration with local funders around community investment strategies. See section on the environmental sector.

BAG BACKLASH. A plastics industry study warns consumers that reusable grocery bags can become contaminated with fungus and bacteria if not properly washed. Germs were found in bags used to carry diapers and gym shoes. Lesson: don’t carry groceries and poopy nappies together!

BEAUTIFUL DESTRUCTION. See Canadian photographer Louis Helbig’s aerial photos of the Alberta Tar Sands.

JOBS. Rideau Environmental Action League, Volunteer Coordinator. Due 22 June … Safe Drinking Water Foundation, two positions: Executive Director, due 30 May; Science Education Program Assistant, due 25 May … Sierra Youth Coalition, Regional Project Coordinator/Sustainable High Schools. Ottawa/Champlain region, due 9 June.