Eat your green: the 100 Mile Diet
December 15, 2007
When Canadian families get together in the coming weeks for holiday meals, much of the food they share will have traveled at least 1500 miles. This reliance on long-distance food damages rural economies and, with the huge quantities of fuel consumed and emissions spewed in transportation, contributes to global warming. In spring 2005, Alisa Smith and James MacKinnon began a simple experiment: to buy and eat food and drink from within 100 miles of their Vancouver home. Within weeks of their announcement on their blog at The Tyee, word of their 100 Mile Diet had spread around the world.
Slow food
December 14, 2007
Where was that apple in your lunch bag grown? Many of us don’t often stop to think about where our food actually comes from. Enter the Slow Food movement: a non-profit, eco-gastronomic and member-supported organization founded in resistance to fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s diminishing awareness of what they eat, its origins, its taste and the effect our food choices have on the rest of the world.
Lights out, Toronto
December 14, 2007
Torontonians will participate in Earth Hour next spring by turning off lights and appliances from 8 to 9 p.m. on March 29 to symbolize a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. “Every person, every business and every government has a shared duty to fight climate change,” says Toronto Mayor David Miller. “Where national governments fail to lead, cities can and must lead.”
Green event listings
December 13, 2007
Green events for the week of Dec. 13 to Dec. 20
League Of Lovers And Thieves Ethical Winter Fair Sip on organic hot apple cider and browse sustainable, handmade clothing, accessories, jewelry, soaps, teas and more. Noon-8 p.m., Saturday, December 15. Free. Studio 406, 251 Sorauren. www.thieves.ca.
Global temps higher than ever
December 13, 2007
The Japan Meteorological Agency announced today that this year’s average global land surface temperature will be the highest on record. The average land surface temperature from January to November was higher than in the past in all regions except southern South America. The ocean surface temperature was also higher in most areas, except in the eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator.
U of T voted Canada’s most vegetarian-friendly university
December 12, 2007
More than 10 000 students have spoken, and the University of Toronto has been voted the most vegetarian-friendly university in Canada in an online competition sponsored by peta2 - the world’s largest youth animal rights organization. At a university with more than 63 000 undergraduates, it can be tough to meet the needs of the large vegetarian population on campus, but because of the efforts of the student group UTCARE (U.T. Coalition for Animal Rights and the Environment), the University of Toronto offers the best vegetarian and vegan options in Canada.
How about a walk?
December 12, 2007
An effort is underway for a ban or moratorium on drive-thrus at fast food restaurants across the country. Long line-ups at coffee shops and other drive-thrus are so long that they stretch out of parking lots and spill onto public streets, and politicians are alarmed by emissions spewed by idling cars, trucks and SUVs. If we are serious about air quality and climate change issues, we shouldn’t mind parking and walking into a restaurant for lunch or coffee.
New city budget includes big environmental projects
December 12, 2007
Under a budget approved Tuesday by city council, Toronto will go deeper into debt next year to pay for new transit, clean-air projects and other initiatives including bike lanes and local parks. Changes to transit account for 47% of the new capital budget, with $753.5 million for new buses and down payments on light-rail expansion and new subway cars.
Product labeling
December 11, 2007
With the flood of products in the marketplace labeled as natural, organic, certified organic and made with organic ingredients, it’s hard to know a grain-fed turkey from a pesticide-free apple. Calling a product “organic” is a valuable marketing tool in today’s consumer market. However, many of us don’t stop to consider what it actually means.
Where fashion meets ethics
December 11, 2007
Looking for a pair of stylish yet eco-friendly wide-legged jeans? Or a comfy hoodie that’ll warm you up this winter but keep the planet cool? Check out Toronto online retailer green is black. Launched when the founders wanted to incorporate fashion into their green lifestyles but had trouble sourcing sustainable and fashionable goods, green is black stocks clothing, shoes and accessories for men and women created by cutting edge designers who use hemp, organic cotton, bamboo and soy, as well as reclaimed, recycled and vintage materials.
