Trees and Pulp, Eco-thusiasts, Filthy Oceans – GC News #637

637: 22 June 2009 – Published by Green Communities Canada

CALGARY NEWS. Clean Calgary Dear Ashley answers questions about greenhouses. "Our industrial food model consumes ten calories of fossil fuel energy for every one calorie of food it creates" … Clean Calgary seeks three communications volunteers. Skills required: graphic design, Photoshop, media relations. Applications due 6 July.

TREES AND PULP. Green Venture has silver maples left over from a project. "We are giving them away for free although we would never turn down a donation!", says executive director Pete Wobschall … Greenpeace iPhone application helps choosing the greenest toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, and paper napkins sold at the supermarket.

T.O. AGM. Toronto Green Community‘s Annual General Meeting is followed by a Speaker’s Series on Local Food Issues. 25 June.

MUST WATCH. See Municipalities Win National Water Award With Well Aware, by Federation of Canadian Municipalities … Home Energy Assessment – a brand new video produced by Dave McLeod, Project Manager of GCC Home Performance Department – features Vince Hughes, a certified energy advisor since 1994. Make the video available from your website … The Most Terrifying Video You’ll Ever See explains the consequences of action – and inaction – for climate change.

ECO-ENTHUSIASTS. Some 11 000 volunteers participated in EcoSuperior’s Spring Up To Clean Upmonth and 75 businesses (750 people) participated in the 20-Minute Makeover last May… EcoSuperior was commissioned to write Net-Zero business guide for Earthwise Thunder Bay. Booklet is designed to get small businesses on the right path to becoming net-zero.

RE-INVENTION. Stratford-based Perth County Greenworks wants to re-invent itself as a county-wide environmental organization and is looking for new board members and volunteers from all parts of Perth County. Open house 25 June.

ECO-ACTIVISTS. Eco-writers between the ages of 15-40 are invited to contribute The Next Eco-Warriors, a collection of tales from 21st century eco-activists around the world. Deadline: 31 July … Get Involved is TVO’s interactive website about community action … See Greenpeace Energy [R]evolution videos.

FUNDING. Shell Canada provides grant up to $100,000 towards four major initiatives that improve and preserve the Canadian environment, and $10, 000 grants to grass roots, action-oriented projects … Earth Day Canada Community Environment Fund provides Ontario not-for-profit organizations and schools with up to $20 000 in financial support for local environmental initiatives. Deadline: 31 August and 28 February … Ontario Power Authority Conservation Fund provides funding for sector-specific electricity conservation pilot projects, and Technology Development Fund helps promote the development and commercialization of technologies improving electricity supply, conservation or demand management. Applications due 26 August.

VIRTUAL LIBRARY. Canadian Nonprofit Library Network, piloted in Ontario and Alberta, provides a list oftitles in locally-held community collections.

FILTHY OCEANS. The world’s seas are filthier than ever, says a United Nations study. Plastic bottles and bags are the most pervasive type of marine litter, followed by cigarette butts and wrappers … 300 million pounds of dry-cleaning bags end up in U.S. landfills and waterways annually … SeaSick, a book by Canadian Alanna Mitchell, explains how the global ocean is undergoing vast chemical changes at the hand of humans.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY. Ottawa Green Buildings & Workplaces Challenge addresses buildings’ GHG emissions by establishing green teams … Realtor Chris Chopik talks about home energy efficiency.

CHILD-FRIENDLY CLIMATE. Earthchild Institute’s website is dedicated to children and the environment… First Nation Children’s Environmental Health manual looks at environmental issues affecting First Nation children on and off reserve.

JOBS. Green Communities Canada, Quality Assurance Assistant Manager/Home Performance Department. Peterborough, due 8 July … EcoSource, Educator/Youth and Local Food Program. Peel & surrounding Regions, due 3 July … Ontario Hospital Association, Program Manager/Green Hospital Champion Fund. Toronto, due 3 July … Sierra Youth Coalition, Ontario Colleges Coordinator for Sustainable Campuses, due 3 July.