Toronto veggie hotspots
November 27, 2007
Vegetarians are environmentalists by default. The environmental impacts of a meat-based diet are wide-reaching and potentially disastrous, including the consumption of massive amounts of energy, food, and water and the pollution of our air and waterways.
Mayor flushes bottled water tax
November 27, 2007
Toronto mayor David Miller quashed a proposed tax on bottled water Monday, citing a lack of jurisdiction. Reps from water bottling companies, grocery chains and small retailers showed up at the council meeting to voice their opposition to the proposed 5- or 10-cent levy.
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), close to 1.5 million tons of plastic are expended in the bottling of 89 billion litres of water every year, with no end to growth in sight.
Study to detect pollutants in pregnant women
November 27, 2007
Over the next five years, researchers will track chemical pollutants in nearly 2000 pregnant women and their babies in Toronto and other Canadian cities. The $3.9 million research study was announced last week by federal health minister Tony Clement. The study will test volunteer pregnant women for the presence of synthetic chemicals in the first trimester of their pregnancies and will follow them through to the birth of their children and the eight weeks following.
Get your organics delivered
November 27, 2007
We’re guessing that if you’re green and you live in Toronto, you probably already know about Green Earth Organics, but since we’re compiling a list of green businesses in the city, we thought we’d give them a shout-out.
Stars go green
November 27, 2007
On Monday night we caught the first of four Stars shows at the Phoenix in Toronto, and while checking out the merch were thrilled to see the band promoting the “greening” of their tour.
Is our water hurting us?
November 27, 2007
A small but growing number of environmentalists and medical professionals are raising concerns over flouridation, the process of adding flouride to public water supplies with the intent of making teeth more resistant to tooth decay.
The six sins of greenwashing
November 26, 2007
The recent hand-slapping of Vancouver’s Lululemon over false claims touting the health of its seaweed-fibre clothing by the Federal Competition Bureau has called attention to the growing practice of “greenwashing,” or the “act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service” (www.terrachoice.com).
Ban the plastic bag in Toronto
November 26, 2007
In early May, the Ontario government announced a voluntary plan to reduce the use of plastic bags by half over the next five years. Why not take it further? There’s no reason not to follow San Francisco and Leaf Rapids, Manitoba’s leads in banning the bag altogether.
Contribute to our Flickr Pool!
November 25, 2007
Are you an amateur photographer looking to see your work published? The owner of a vast collection of images? Or just love snapping shots of Toronto? Let us put them to use! We have created a Flickr pool for anyone who wants to share their photos of our vibrant and diverse city.
Ethical Yoga
November 25, 2007
Defined, yoga means “union” in Sanskrit, but more broadly interpreted, most people practicing the asanas (postures) of yoga are following a path to health and self-awareness. Physical health requires more than just exercise; our bodies depend on clear air, clean water and nutritious food to function and thrive, and so a natural connection exists between the well-being of the body and that of the outer environment.
