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October 2008 E-news
Monthly Tips
Here are some interesting facts about food and consumption (thanks to a very cool environmental website: treehugger.com):
Did you know...
- Shipping a pound of apples from a farm in Iowa to a market in Washington requires 30% more fuel and releases 30% more greenhouse gases than shipping those apples to a local market in Iowa.
- The average US meal comes from five different nations.
- Food today travels between 1,500 and 2,500 miles from farm to market. That’s 25% farther than it traveled two decades ago.
- It is estimated that making a litre of orange juice requires 958 liters of water for irrigation, and 2 liters of fuel for tractors, water-pumping, pesticide spraying, and the occasional electric heater to ward off frost.
- A study found that to gather all of the ingredients needed to make strawberry yogurt in Germany, 8,000 km worth of travel were required to bring everything into one place.
Also, check out www.eattheseasons.com. If you click on the “North America” link, you can see which foods are in season. Buying and eating food in season reduces the ecological footprint of your everyday meals!
Resource Review – The Otesha Book
By Rachel Ginsberg, YAC Member
Published in 2005 by the Otesha Project, the Otesha Book is an amazing resource for students, teachers, individuals and people of all ages and backgrounds. Focusing on 6 themes – Water, Clothing, Media, Coffee, Food and Transport – it addresses a huge range of social and environmental issues in a variety of fascinating and accessible ways. It is interesting and lively enough for youth, while still informative enough to hold the attention of an adult. Its range and variety mean it is suitable for those who are knowledgeable about world issues as well as those who are not.
Each themed chapter contains four sections: Removing the Blinders, Mirror, Empowerment and Action. These sections are meant to inform readers about issues, allow them to read a personal story, inform them about what can be done and what they personally can do to create change. The overall message is that our daily actions can create change.
This book is an eye-opener and an amazing educational resource which discusses topics that are not typically found in a textbook. It also includes a list at the end of each chapter suggesting further resources to look for including books, websites and videos. It contains compelling arguments and myth-busters balanced with realistic action projects and tools to make change.
The best part is, it’s free! Anyone can view the Otesha Book online for free on the Otesha Project’s website: www.otesha.ca where more information about the Otesha Project can also be found. If you prefer a print version, it can be ordered from the same website (in English or French) in exchange for a donation in the amount of your choosing ($20 recommended). A teacher insert is also available.
Your Guide to an Environmentally-Friendly Halloween
By Payal Patel, YSC Member
With autumn coming in and the colours of the leaves changing, there’s a very special holiday that is close to every kid’s heart. Yes, that holiday is Halloween. But if you’re considering having an environmentally friendly Halloween, here are some ideas for small changes you can make to your regular Halloween routine.
Instead of using disposable plastic bags, opt for a more reusable candy-carrying container. Use pillow cases, reusable baskets, and special Jack-o-lantern totes. You can even use the canvas bags that you can find at most groceries stores for about a dollar. These reusable bags are stronger, and will last longer. They will also ensure that when you come back with a bag full of candy, the bag won’t break and all your candy will be on the floor, where your little sibling will steal it all.
Instead of buying a new costume every year, mix things you already have around the house and make something unique. Use bits from past costumes, old clothes and jewelry and other things you have lying around. Instead of buying a whole Halloween make-up set, borrow your mom or sister’s eyeliner, eye shadow and mascara and smudge it around your face to give you the dark look. Find a really bright blush and use that as your red or pink.
For decorations, you can use things lying around at home instead of buying and throwing out new things. Use stockings that have been ripped as spider-webbing. Turn over cardboard boxes and drape them in black cloth to make them look like tombstones. Take the leaves that have fallen off the tree and blanket the walk-way to your house with them so it gives a mysterious feeling to the house.
If you’re thinking of getting a pumpkin, try to buy one from a local farm or a farmer’s market. When you decide to turn it into a Jack-o-lantern, save the insides and bake the seeds. They make a yummy treat, and if you’re not into pumpkin seeds, opt to compost them instead of throwing them out.
Go to www.worldwildlife.org/sites/pumpkins/
index.html to get ideas for fun and interesting stencil designs for your pumpkin. Now you’re set to have a great and environmentally friendly Halloween!
One Million Acts of Green
www.onemillionactsofgreen.com
Canadians, the challenge has been set.
CBC's late night talk show, The Hour, is launching a one year challenge to Canadians. The challenge is to get Canadians to track their individual actions to create One Million Acts of Green. You do the math. That's one action per 30 Canadians. Let the ideas start kindling in your minds! The campaign begins October 21st, 2008 and runs until June 2009.
The Hour is encouraging everyone to partake in this challenge, politicians, students, celebrities, teachers, athletes, families, schools, universities, communities and businesses. George Stroumboulopoulos, along with other CBC programs, is kick-starting a nationwide movement to encourage Canadians to critically think about their lifestyle and their impact on the environment.
As you may have guessed, Green Street is also partnering with the Hour; therefore, the Youth Action Centre wants to highlight Youth initiatives throughout the year. Send us your story! Send us how your school or community, or even how YOU are going to commit to a green action.
Along with Green-Street, several key organizations are jumping on board to make this initiative happen. Our very own Green-Street, a program organized by the Canadian Teachers' Federation is teaming up with The Hour. Other partners include: Cisco (www.cisco.com); Clean Air Foundation (www.cleanairfoundation.org); David Suzuki Foundation (www.davidsuzuki.org/NatureChallenge); Earth Day Canada (www.earthday.ca); Environmental Defence (www.environmentaldefence.ca); Evergreen (www.evergreen.ca); The Climate Project-Canada (www.climateprojectcanada.org) and Green Nexxus (www.greennexxus.com).
Green-Street is very excited to have two of our program providers, Earth Day Canada and Evergreen as part of this collective action!
The press release sums the goal of this initiative nicely, "One Million Acts of Green exemplifies what Canadians do best, being part of a collective… to be bigger than the individual, and to see what can be achieved by working together in a human network, is intrinsically Canadian."
To kick-start your thinking, here are a couple of suggestions for the Youth Action Centre as to what YOU can do to make your lifestyle green:
- Ride your bike, walk, and carpool or take public transportation instead of driving everywhere
- Start recycling or composting (After raking the lawn be sure to compost your leaves in a designated area- don’t leave them in the landfill!)
- Naturalize your community, school or backyard
- Bring your own cloth bags when you go shopping to avoid using plastic bag
- Re-use and recycle your clothes by making crafts or new clothes, or donating them to a thrift store or charity
- Have your home audited for energy efficiency and see where you can improve!
Upcoming Events
November 26-28
International Education for Sustainable Development Conference in Winnipeg.
Check out: www.walkingthetalk.bc.ca/node/1776 for more details!
November 30
Youth Conference on Climate Change (for schools in River East Transcona, Seven Oaks, and Winnipeg School Divisions (and private, independent and out of town schools close to these areas). Email Susan Lindsay (susan@climatechangeconnection.org) for more information!
Check out www.studentsonice.com for upcoming polar ice expeditions!
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