The Green Room

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!

Gail Mills from Golden Lake, Ontario writes:

Our local paper is the Eganville Leader and when I read something that really bothers me, I tend to react by writing letters to the editor. Earlier this summer, there was a letter that talked again about global warming being a bandwagon that the Liberals recently jumped on and that scientists are paid by the government to sway the "simple-minded!" What a load! So I responded and my letter was published on August 6, which I wanted to share:

In response to Wed July 29, 2008 "Get Down from Global Ivory Tower"

It amazes me that there still are those who question the impact of the activities of human beings on our planet. Whether you want to believe that global warming is happening or not, the simple fact that we pollute the air, water, soil, and other living creatures on our earth every single day in so many ways is not open to debate by anyone. Anyone, including scientists, that call global warming complete nonsense, is missing the point. The real issue is pollution, and it needs to be addressed by everyone. Thank God that the Liberals and Kyoto are doing at least something - it won’t be enough, but it will be a start. Scientists have been trying to get governments and everyone to see the problems of pollution for many, many years (even since the 1600’s!). Spending money to help our environment is necessary, and is more important than ever before. Gas prices will not go down - alternative fuels and automobiles are coming, and new technology will hopefully help solve some of the problems that fossil fuel overuse has caused. (If you haven’t heard about compressed air engines, they are amazing - check them out on the internet! Imagine using air to run your engine, and filling up your tank using an air compressor! I can’t wait for the day that most of my hard earned money is not burned up in my car engine!)

The environment IS the biggest issue in Canada. The best thing you can do is learn more about pollution and start doing what needs to be done. I love looking out my window every morning and seeing the wonders of nature. I don’t want to think that my grandchildren will not see this same beautiful country. We need to do all we can to protect and care for our land, air, and water. Without these essentials, there is no future. Now that’s something to think about next time you fill up your gas tank.

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!

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!