David Suzuki Foundation - Small Steps

David Suzuki's Small Step of the Week

Wed, 02 Apr 08 07:00:00 UT

Since 1960, the amount of packaging in garbage has increased 80%. Plastic debris is hazardous to wildlife. Each year more than 2 million birds, turtles, whales, dolphins and seals become entangled in floating plastic debris, or mistake it for food. Tip: choose products with less packaging and buy in bulk whenever possible.

Small Steps

Thu, 31 Dec 09 08:00:00 UT

As warmer weather approaches, many will take to the water for personal enjoyment and recreational activity. Boaters can make an enormous difference in reducing marine engine emissions. Good management improves fuel economy and lowers pollution caused by boats. To reduce engine pollution, keep your engine well-tuned, eliminate unnecessary idling, and install a drip pan under the engine. Choose four-stroke outboard engines over the two-stroke variety, as they pollute less. For more information click here.

Small Steps

Thu, 24 Dec 09 08:00:00 UT

Not many of us enjoy doing the laundry, but of course, it's essential. Several tips to reduce your ecological footprint exist. If you do not need a fabric softener, skip the petroleum-based dyes and artificial perfumes and instead, add 125mL of white vinegar, baking powder or borax to your rinse cycle. If you have to use a dryer (hang-drying your laundry is best), make sure you clean your lint trap. Not only is a clogged lint trap a fire hazard, it can cost you 30 per cent more energy as well.

Small Steps

Thu, 17 Dec 09 08:00:00 UT

For a practical tip, vacuum the coils at the back of your refrigerator. Accumulated dust can act as insulation, inhibiting the heat exchange and making the compressor work harder and draw more power. Combined with keeping it fairly full to minimize air space and keeping the door closed as much as possible, these three tips can save you energy.

Small Steps

Thu, 10 Dec 09 08:00:00 UT

Three in every four car trips involves transporting a single occupant -- the driver. If public transit, cycling or walking are not in the cards, strongly consider car-pooling wherever possible. It's an excellent way to save money, reduce emissions, and gives you a chance to acquaint yourself with your neighbours a bit better. For people travelling out of town, don't forget that many highways even have special car-pooling lanes to encourage the practice. Click here for more information.

Small Steps

Thu, 03 Dec 09 08:00:00 UT

Disposable plastic water bottles are largely unnecessary in today's world. What most people don't realize is that nearly all plastics are made from petroleum. The Container Recycling Institute says that it takes more than 1.5 million barrels of oil each year to make enough water bottles just for people in the United States alone.

Small Steps

Thu, 26 Nov 09 08:00:00 UT

Most of your clothing can be washed in cold water. Not only does cold-water washing save about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide a year, it stops your colours from fading and prevents shrinking. To conserve water, consider a front-loader, which will minimize the quantity of water needed to effectively wash your clothes.

Small Steps

Thu, 19 Nov 09 08:00:00 UT

Did you know each Canadian tosses away nearly half a kilogram of packaging daily? Fresh produce wrapped in plastic and encased in Styrofoam is largely unnecessary. Ask your grocer to limit the amount of packaging -- this message can often times reach the producer. After all, the customer and the environment are always right.

Small Steps

Thu, 12 Nov 09 08:00:00 UT

Did you know it takes 550 litres of water to produce enough flour for one loaf of bread, but up to 7,000 litres of water to produce 100 grams of beef? Choosing to eat lower on the food chain by eating less meat and more vegetables is a significant way to lower your impact on the environment. Kilogram for kilogram, livestock requires more water, land, fossil fuel and human investment than grains and vegetables. It's all about moderation

Small Steps Feb 20 2008

Wed, 20 Feb 08 08:00:00 UT

A screen saver is not necessarily an energy saver. The average desktop computer consumes between 60 to 250 watts a day. Compared with a machine left on all day, a computer that is in use four hours a day and turned off the rest of the time would save you about $70 a year, not to mention the enormous reduction on CO2 emissions. So make it a habit to turn off your monitor when you leave your desk and shut down your computer when you're leaving for the day