The Green Room

Hi everyone, it’s exciting to be in the Green Room! I’m Elizabeth, a volunteer with the David Suzuki Foundation helping sift through the amazing amounts of email we’re receiving every day. I’ll be sharing hosting duties and look forward to reading what you have to say.

I aim to live as green as possible in Toronto, which looks pretty green this summer thanks to all the Vancouver-like weather we’ve had — although, I’d still like to see less traffic and cigarette butts on our streets, among other things! I’m in the heart of downtown and walk, bike, cab it or take public transit nearly everywhere. When I’m not producing television or writing for magazines, I’m shopping local at the St. Lawrence farmer’s market and the Healthy Butcher, checking out music festivals, and enjoying the outdoors like busing to Muskoka with a big group of friends for a canoe-camping trip on Moon River.

I grew up just outside of the city with a big backyard and vegetable garden where subdivisions today used to be huge pepper fields and horseback riding trails. Almost every summer weekend was spent camping in Haliburton, Ontario. After an exciting and memorable time at Carleton University in Ottawa, I completed my journalism degree at Ryerson in Toronto and have since worked in television for several years.

One of the turning points for wholeheartedly taking on eco-living unfolded for me two summers ago while I co-produced a half-hour documentary special on climate change. After listening to great thinkers and writers on the subject, including Tim Flannery, Al Gore, and our very own David Suzuki, I became determined to help make a difference for our precious planet Earth. It’s often challenging (especially living in a condo without green composting), but my husband and I do our best and participate in groups and the community to build positive and long-lasting change. The Green Room is a great opportunity to connect across the country, and I look forward to sharing and learning from you!

Hi, I’m Gail - your newsletter editor and Green Room host. Thought I’d tell you a little bit about myself.

I was a science geek in high school, dabbled in ‘pre-med’ but graduated in English Literature and Art History. I’ve always worked as a writer, but my favourite jobs involved science in some aspect - health care or the environment.

I was raised to believe that every person is obligated to participate in the healing of the world and volunteered for years with the David Suzuki Foundation before being invited onto the Nature Challenge team.

I have a 20-year-old son, a husband (of 30 years!) and an orange cat. I practice yoga, design and make quilts and take courses at UBC when I can find the time.

Looking forward to chatting with you all!

I thought it would be nice to introduce myself a little before I begin posting prolifically in the Green Room.

I’m one of many former Ontario residents who has transplanted themselves on Canada’s beautiful west coast. I’m currently living in North Vancouver, BC - the home of the North Shore mountains, and some of the most beautiful temperate rainforest in the world.

I take advantage of the proximity of said mountains as often as possible; hiking, mountain biking, maintaining sustainable hiking/biking trails, and camping whenever I can.

Next year I hope to add skiing (possibly backcountry?) to that list.

Being a freelance photographer, I also carry my camera almost everywhere I go.

Now for the exciting part! In a few months time, I will become a mom. This is nothing new for many people out there, but it’s certainly new for me.

Living green can be challenging enough for myself and my husband in our rented apartment; doing so with a newborn baby is bound to be an adventure. I’m looking forward to it, and I hope to share some of my experiences and gain some insight from you along the way!

The Green Room is the new blog from the David Suzuki Foundation’s Nature Challenge team. Check back soon for some great new posts on green living, made easy!