The Green Room

Lynn Keating from Calgary, AB writes:

For several years now, we have filled up our hybrid vehicles with fuel that contains ethanol, thinking this was the environmentally correct action.  However, lately I have been reading articles indicating this may not be so. What is your position on this controversial topic?

Ryan Kadowaki, Climate Change Administrator for the David Suzuki Foundation responds:

While our organization has not been directly involved with the biofuels issue, I would say that we foresee a niche market for these fuels. The large-scale use of biofuels, though, is problematic.

Biofuels are not capable of replacing oil entirely, and there is the very real concern about using farmland to supply fuel for vehicles rather than growing food for human consumption. For biodiesel, we absolutely support its production when the fuel source is recycled cooking fat (i.e. deep fryer grease), as this constitutes reusing a "waste" product (though of course there would be other potential uses for it).

For ethanol, we do favour lignocellulosic ethanol (made from straw, corn husks, forest residue, etc.) because it does not require arable land to produce and it also has a much higher net energy (although this may have negative consequences for soil nutrient levels). In terms of the net-carbon benefits of using corn-based ethanol, there is still considerable debate on this issue, but as of yet, the modest to non-existent greenhouse gas benefits do not appear to outweigh the issue of arable land use.

Additional insight on this issue can be found in a Science Matters article by Dr. Suzuki on September 14, 2007, "Biofuels not necessarily all that green" .

Sarah from Saskatchewan writes:

I don’t have a lot of money to make big upgrades for energy saving features, but I try and do little things. I still drive my car for errands, but instead of just hopping in and going whenever I feel like it, I plan my trips and routes to be more efficient and delay trips until I can carpool with someone else.

To save money, I ride my bike to work in the summer. In the winter, I ride the bus and actually enjoy it as I can read a book on the way home and relax. I unplug electronics when I’m not at home, and I turn off lights and electronics when I’m not using them. I am consciencious of how long I stay in the shower, and I don’t water my lawn (and it’s still green!). I get a good workout using a manual mower (and save money on gas) and pulling weeds by hand (no pesticides!). And I feel better for spending time outside.

I did spend money on a programmable thermostat, and that was well spent, as I have saved a lot on energy since. Throwing an extra blanket on the bed and turning down the heat by one more degree at night can make a big difference. I don’t hold the fridge open, I vacuum the coils regularly, and I use my own muscles to mix dough rather than running an electric mixer. I’m proud to say that I’ve made a difference doing the little things, and I hope I can encourage others to do the same and show them that they don’t have to spend money to go green.

Right now, one of the most important things all Canadians can do for the sake of the planet is participate in the upcoming Federal Election.

“If we fail to put the focus on the environment, the message to the next government - regardless of which party prevails - will be a mandate for more inaction.

We cannot let that happen. We do not have the time or the luxury.” David Suzuki, September 2008

Election Day will be here before you know it.

• Arm yourself with information.

• Ask candidates the hard questions.

• Vote.

We’ll help. Join the conversation at www.voteenvironment2008.ca .

Eating low on the food chain is better for your health and the planet’s. We invited readers tell us about their favourite veggie restaurants and we post them on our website here:

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/NatureChallenge/What_is_it/Food/Veg_restaurants.asp

but we didn’t have room for more info - until now! Readers, write in with your veggie faves, whether they provide organic selections, support local growers, etc.

Here are a few from Louis Desgrosseilliers of Waterloo Ontario:

"The chain first started off as Juice for Life , but then expanded its menu to become what is now the Fresh restaurant chain in Toronto. Their locations are at Spadina, Bloor, and Crawford in the Toronto core. They welcome reusable bags and takeout containers. Their menu is mostly vegan.
Check out www.juiceforlife.com .

In Waterloo there is also Lotus Tea House (on Regina St N) and Chill and Grill (which serves really great veggie burgers and soy chicken burgers/wraps as alternatives to their regular menu items, in the University Plaza at University Ave W and Philip St).

Vegetarian Fast Food is also in the University Plaza (in fact next door to Chill and Grill) and have tons of vegan hot dishes and really great lunch specials. They are also friendly to those who bring in tupperware for takeout rather than resorting to the usual, wasteful styrofoam dishes."

Todd Windley of Prince George BC wrote regarding The Green Spa issue of our newsletter:

I found this useless as I am a guy. Guys need a green car to get to work in the north though. One that will go up hill through some snow. Do you have any suggestions? Could you possibley do an EV shootout to see who has a practical green vehicle for the north and help solve a larger problem than cosmetic stuff?

Lindsay Coulter writes back:

Here’s a link with some general tips and suggestions:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/NatureChallenge/What_is_it/Transportation/

As a non-profit environmental organization, we cannot recommend brands. We don’t endorse any one make, model or technology…instead we try to workon policy to build sustainable communities, reduce emissions and improve alternative transportation options. Those who need some kind of vehicle, you can read about our position below here:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/Solutions/Transportation.asp

Here are some links specific to “green cars” that might interest you:
http://www.greenerchoices.org/pcategories.cfm?pcat=autos
http://www.treehugger.com/cars_transportation/

Any suggestions to help Todd on his quest for a snow-going green vehicle? Guys (and gals) - what other things would you like to read about in David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge newsletter?

Here’s two ways to do it:

1. Jack Johnson has donated 10 tickets to his August 21 concert in Vancouver (at UBC Thunderbird Stadium) to FarmFolk/CityFolk to help spread the word about sustainable food choices. To win a pair of tickets:

• Follow this link to the Jack Johnson web site: http://www.jackjohnsonmusic.com/allatonce/explore
• Scroll down to the FarmFolk/CityFolk show (bee on flower photograph)
• View the entire three-minute video. (FarmFolk/CityFolk gets $1 for every complete viewing.)
• Answer this question: What are the three things that Wendell Berry says to do wherever possible to support sustainable food choices?
• Send your answer to FarmFolk/CityFolk using this email address: contest@ffcf.bc.ca

Five correct answers will win a pair of tickets. Winners will be notified one week before the concert.

2. Go to http://www.jackjohnsonmusic.com/allatonce/explore and watch the entire FarmFolk/CityFolk video (scroll down to the picture of the bee on the flower) even if you won’t be anywhere near Vancouver this summer - FFCF gets $1 for every complete viewing. Tell your friends!

A clever group of friends in Victoria figured their $100 cheques would go further if they pooled them, and they’re challenging others to do the same:

"With the money we raise we will be performing ‘Random Acts of Rebate’ in our community. Activities planned include installing clotheslines, distibuting energy efficient lightbulbs and composters, funding carshare co-op membership and weekly organic food boxes for families in need…"

For more information, go to http://thegreatrebateecochallenge.blogspot.com/ .

What will you do with your rebate bucks? Let’s hear those green solutions!

I operate www.reyouzd.com which supports and profiles businesses who sell used, second-hand, reclaimed and recycled goods. The focus of the website educates that used goods require no new agricultural and industrial practices, no new manufacturing processes, no new packaging and no transglobal transportation to marketplace yet these goods serve our purposes more than adequately.

Lynne Taylor, Kincardine Ontario