Loblaw Makes Commitment to Source 100 Per Cent Sustainable Seafood by 2013

BRAMPTON, ON – May 20, 2009 – Today, Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) makes a commitment to source all seafood sold in its retail locations from sustainable sources by the end of 2013. The commitment covers all canned, frozen, fresh, wild and farmed seafood products, in all categories. The Loblaw Sustainable Seafood Policy Initiative represents Loblaw’s commitment to conservation of marine resources and a healthy ocean environment.

More here, http://wwf.ca/newsroom/?3680 or here, www.loblaw.ca/seafood.

Local Cheese for Eastern Ontario

Hey all, I was just recommended to a local cheese company in Eastern Ontario.

Their milk is produced in a 100 mile radius, non GMO feed, antibiotic free and humanly raised.

Check them out, http://www.fifthtown.ca/

Green + WIRED = Sexy

Now that almost everyone across the political spectrum agrees that we are facing an ecological crisis, the main challenge for the green movement seems to be getting people actually change behaviors. More here, http://friendsofliveearth.ning.com/profiles/blogs/green-wired-sexy

Earth News

Hi all,

I just want to take a moment to send my thanks to all of you for your decision to do your part to protect the planet we call Earth. I also appreciate your support of this group. Without your participation and feedback my efforts would be lost.

I have a few items I’d like to share with you.

If you live in Ontario, we’ve had devastating news with the recent announcement of new development near Bradford. 500 hectares of prime farmland in the Holland Marsh will be lost and much more threatened by the industry expected to move there. This actually violates Ontario’s own Places to Grow plan and will contribute to urban sprawl. More important, this poses a serious risk to the existing farms in the area due to pollution and contamination of an already delicate “Greenbelt”. I urge you all to write the province and voice your displeasure. You can read more here, http://www.thestar.com/article/634129

There’s also a 393 megawatt gas power plant going in rather than a more sustainable choice.

On a positive note, Toronto should be going ahead with a major expansion of the Light Rail Transit network throughout the city. New low floor streetcars will replace hundreds of buses and reach most areas of the city.

The David Suzuki Foundation has a few events, Take the Living Room Challenge! and events to support World Oceans Day 2009. Check out the DSF page for details, http://www.davidsuzuki.org/About_us/Volunteering/livingroom.asp

Lots of communities have local clean up days. Get out and support your town or city.

My good friend Mike decided he liked Earth Hour so much he’s going to do it every month. We’ve created a fan page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Hour-By-The-Dozen/88569523342 and event http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=98038411564 to promote the idea. Check them out.

Finally, please post or send me news and events in you corner of the globe. I really don’t know what’s happening without your help. If you forward me a news article, please try to include the URL so I can post it for all to read.
Thanks for your time and remember to invite your friends.

Spring Painting?

Spring is a time when many people spruce up their habitat by doing a bit of painting.
If you’re planning on painting, choose low or zero VOC’s (Volatile organic compounds) paint.

Low VOC’s contain 160 grams of VOC’s per litre or less. VOC’s emit vapours at room temperatures that give off strong odours and can be hazardous to your health. Symptoms can include dizziness and nausea and prolonged exposure can lead to cancer or liver damage.

World Oceans Day 2009

World Oceans Day 2009 is on June 8, 2009. A lot of communities are organizing events to celebrate the day. In Canada, you can check out the David Suzuki Foundation at http://www.davidsuzuki.org/oceansday
You can do a lot by choosing fish that was caught wild as opposed to farmed fish.
Farmed fish are usually fed an unnatural diet, and are subject to overcrowding, disease, such as sea lice, and are fed antibiotics. Farmed fish also have higher levels of cancer-causing toxins like PCBs and dioxin.

Ask your fish monger to buy wild fish and remember not all wild fish are good for the environment either. There are some regions over fish or use destructive methods to catch fish resulting in habitat destruction.
You can download a pocket guide to help you decide at the Environmental Defence Fund’s website here, http://www.edf.org/documents/1980_pocket_seafood_selector.pdf

Do you have a dishwasher?

Dishwasher detergents account for about 1/3 of the phosphates which leads to algae overgrowth. Buy detergent that is chlorine free and does not contain phosphates or surfactants. Phosphates are considered carcinogenic by the US EPA.
There's lots to choose from, not all do a great job.
Most of you know what my products of choice are but if you need a reminder, email me.