Environmental group on the grow
May 2, 2008
Are you a young professional concerned about the health of our planet? Toronto’s Young Environmental Professionals (YEP) is on the hunt for new chapter leaders. If you have the drive to save the earth and the ambition to network and make environmental contacts across Toronto, you may be just what they’re looking for.
Gas prices to soar
April 24, 2008
The price of gas will soar to $2.25 a litre over the next five years as global oil supplies continue to deplete, says Jeff Rubin, chief economist with CIBC World Markets in Toronto. “Whether we have already seen the peak in world oil production remains to be seen, but it is increasingly clear that the outlook for oil supply signals a period of unprecedented scarcity,” Rubin said in a statement. “Despite the recent record jump in oil prices, oil prices will continue to rise steadily over the next five years, almost doubling from current levels.”
Major retailers to pull pesticides
April 23, 2008
After yesterday’s announcement that Ontario will ban the use of cosmetic pesticides on residential lawns and gardens, several Canadian retailers are making the move toward offering greener gardening supplies.
Starbucks and Earth Day
April 21, 2008
Hooked to skinny mochas or double Americanos? Get your Earth Day caffeine fix from Starbucks and help conservation efforts in the coffee-growing regions of Chiapas, Mexico. For every purchase made with a Starbucks card on April 22, Starbucks will donate 5 cents to Conservation International, an organization dedicated to preserving global diversity. Every $10 donated equals 10 trees planted in Chiapas.
GTA energy audit firm celebrates 25 years
April 18, 2008
Members of Green$aver, a leading environmental energy audit firm in the Greater Toronto Area, marked the opening of their new office Friday with friends and colleagues, including Ontario’s minister of energy, the chief energy conservation officer of Ontario and local politicians.
Greening your office
January 15, 2008
We may be living “green” at home, but how does your office or place of work measure up? Many businesses are slow to join the green revolution - keeping the lights and office equipment switched on at all times, printing single-sided pages, encouraging employees to drive by providing free parking and using snail mail instead of opting for paperless communication. We’ve compiled a list of things you can do at work to lighten your office’s ecological footprint.
Get it to go green
January 10, 2008
Tired of scouring grocery store shelves for products that aren’t overpackaged? Sick of seeing your take-out lunch encased in Styrofoam? So were the founders of NaturoPack, a Toronto-based not-for-profit group that works to raise awareness, educucate and advocate for the promotion of environmentally responsible packaging. According the the Recycling Council of Ontario, Torontonians are tossing half a kilogram of packaging every day. But excessive packaging doesn’t just clog up our landfills - it exacts a heavy toll on our health and that of our planet.
Clean and green
January 9, 2008
In the heart of Toronto’s Beaches district, Beach Solar Laundromat is one of the city’s most successful sustainable enterprises. Five years ago, the building at 2240 Queen Street East underwent a mechanical retrofit that included the installation of eight solar panels, quickly followed by the implementation of a cold-water air-conditioning system and high-efficiency lighting.
Earth-friendly furnishings
January 7, 2008
When you buy a piece of furniture, bring it home and set it up in a room, it doesn’t just sit there. No matter what it’s made from, chances are, it’s off-gassing. Canadians are exposed to toxic chemicals everyday through commonly used household items, including shampoos, air fresheners, cleaning products, furniture and appliances. Making environmentally conscious choices in furnishing your home or office can make a big difference in your impact on the planet and your health.
Gas-fired plant to power up in June
January 4, 2008
A controversial new gas-fired power plant at the foot of Leslie Street Spit is slated to be operational by June. The Portlands Energy Centre will be the only significant source of power within Toronto’s boundaries. The city councillor whose ward encompasses the plant fears that emissions from its gas turbines will only add to the neighbourhood’s air pollution.
