The Green Room

Terry Deck from Deck’s Geo-Electrical in Lumsden, SK writes:

Four years ago we installed geothermal to heat our buildings and now we have installed a wind turbine to offset the electrical energy that we use. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAD0QJdT9M4

Since geothermal runs on electricity, we felt the next step would be producing green electricity. The most natural way to do this in Saskatchewan is by using the wind. So this past summer we installed a 5Kw wind turbine that will generate almost all of our power needs. We have invested a lot of money and time, but are reducing our carbon footprint to nearly zero!

I also have a service truck that I use for my business that I have converted to run on vegetable oil. I collect the oil from local restaurants and filter it at home. The next plan is to convert a mini van to operate on electricity. We would plan to use the van for most of our small commutes around home. For long trips, we can then use my truck that will run on the vegetable oil.

Our planet gives us a lot and we feel we should give back so others will have it to enjoy for years to come. I have spent over 12 years working on green energy ideas and plan to spend many more. I invite anyone who may be interested in what I have done to offer their ideas and ask me questions. I am more than willing to offer advice if someone is interested. I truly have a passion for this and plan to continue my work to help our planet.

Craig and Layla Baird from Rossland, BC are on a mission to reduce their carbon footprint and aid the Earth along the road to recovery. The husband and wife team launched an initiative this spring to do something green every single day for a year. After organizing a successful Earth Day Celebration in Trail, BC, they decided to go big and live green for a year until April 22, 2009 — and every day after that.

From building a solar cooker and limiting showers to five minutes, to only drying clothes outside, switching to a manual lawnmower and bringing reusable containers for take-out food, the Baird’s have been blogging their inspiring adventures to help spread their message, garnering press along the way.

Devoted to raising awareness about the environment and all the things people can do to change how they live and affect the environment, Craig and Layla are open to ideas for living greener. It’s an important change and we applaud you! Keep up the great work!

“I am building an entirely energy efficient home on Lillooet Lake, in BC… (and) documenting my progress over the next six months on my blog Going Green Off The Grid . I have appeared on CBC’s Code Green… (and) on HGTV’s Healthy Home, spoken on numerous radio talk shows and taught seminars on a variety of topics relating to energy efficiency, comfort and health in the home.”

- Doug Rempel, Burnaby BC -