thegreenpages - Prince Edward Island

PEI's Global Wake-Up Call

2009-09-19T16:32:52Z

Charlottetown, PEI - People are invited out for a "Global Wake-Up Call" in Prince Edward Island's capital city on Monday September 21, at 12:00 noon. The gathering will coincide with other such events in public places all around the world. These flashmob "wake-up call" events are designed to raise awareness and encourage our leaders to take action on climate change.

The event will appropriately take place at the Jean Canfield Building, a federal government facility in Charlottetown that is targeting a LEED-Canada Gold certification or possibly the highest Platinum level.

This project consists of a four-story office building, located on a brownfield site. The building is anticipated to reduce by 55% energy expenditure compared to conventional efficient buildings, an 80% reduction in water use, the use of recycled building materials, and designs that employ solar heating and natural light.

The design of a cast-in-place concrete flat plate structure with exposed columns and slab soffits was selected to help maximize daylight penetration and for ease of churn management. The concrete of the slabs also acts as a heat sink to maintain temperature stability and house the mechanical system's heating/cooling pipes and allow for radiant heating and cooling.

Recycled materials are used in the structure and throughout the building and include fly ash, recycled steel in rebar and structural steel and recycled aggregate. The project includes many other sustainable features such as the east coast's largest photovoltaic cell array, fuel cell for emergency power, geothermal heating and cooling, collection of rain water and an in-slab radiant piping system. The materials have all been selected for no or low VOC, to create a healthy and inspiring interior work climate.

A split-level, centrally-located atrium will provide secure and inviting public access to the building's main level and encourage interaction among the 500 employees. This carefully orchestrated feat of sustainable architecture and structural engineering will become an exemplar for future government projects and, hopefully, raise the bar so that LEED certification becomes the rule and not the exception. RJC aims to work again in this capacity as we grow our portfolio of leading edge, environmentally-responsible building design.

Please join us for a tour of one of the few environmentally designed buildings in town and to show your support for actions that support environmental sustainability.

Island Energy

2009-09-11T11:10:34Z

ECOPEI (http://www.ecopei.ca) - Island Energy (http://www.islandenergy.ning.com/) is created by Rob Paterson and is Prince Edward Island's own online social network. On this community site, members can have their own blog, join and create forums, and add video and pictures. Rob hopes that by working together we can use this site to share views, ideas and stories about how we can reduce our energy consumption and start to create our own local resources.

This site is powered by Ning and it is quite easy to build your own social network.

PEI contributes $120,000 to Leard's Pond Restoration

2009-07-28T00:35:29Z

PEI Premier Robert Ghiz recently announced provincial support for the restoration of Leard's Pond.

Premier Ghiz and Environment, Energy and Forestry Minister Richard Brown traveled to Coleman to meet with the Leard's Pond Environment Committee and to inform them that the government of Prince Edward Island will provide $120,000 to allow the committee to complete restoration and reflooding of the pond. The province has provided $60,000 to restoration of Leard's Pond over the last two years and the project has also been supported by local fundraising, volunteer work and support from Ducks Unlimited.

"The members of the Leard's Pond Environment Committee have donated money, volunteered countless hours and made equipment available to help restore their local pond. We're pleased to be able to support the local community when it takes on a cause that will both beautify the area and provide wildlife habitat," said Premier Ghiz.

The Premier and Minister also thanked O'Leary-Inverness MLA Robert Henderson for his efforts in making the announcement a reality.

Leard's Pond was built in 1888 to supply power to a lumber and stone, mill owned by Peter Warren Leard. The provincial government acquired the pond in 1954 and declared the pond and surrounding areas a Natural Area in 1993.

In recent years, sedimentation and an overgrowth of plants - caused by excess nutrients - have hurt the pond's suitability as a home for fish and wildlife. Rising temperatures have increased the challenge of keeping the pond healthy and viable.

"With this excavation work, restoration of the fishway, and reflooding of the pond, we hope to see Leard's Pond cooler, deeper and healthier as a habitat," said Minister Brown. "This project is putting some life back into a well-loved natural area."

Eco-Friendly Fashions at Affordable Prices

2008-08-14T16:14:35Z

As green clothing retailer Fashion & Earth gears up its inventory of organic clothing for its September opening, shoppers can sign up to receive notifications and an early bird discount at FashionandEarth.com.

EMYVALE, Prince Edward Island - July 14, 2008 - Green clothing continues to rise in popularity, but still many shoppers are held back by a lack of variety in designs coupled with high prices. Fashion & Earth, a green clothing retailer, is about to change that with the launch of its new website www.FashionandEarth.com. The company is determined to make eco-friendly fashions accessible to everyone who has ever wanted to buy organic clothing but hasn't been able to find suitable options. Set to open for clothing sales in September this year, FashionandEarth.com will be a one-stop-shop bringing together a variety of popular brands under one roof selling eco-friendly fashions and green clothing at affordable prices.

"Finding green clothing that's stylish, affordable and lasts well can be a challenge," says Adrian Desbarats, president of Fashion & Earth. "Even though many people want to make clothing choices that are healthier for themselves and also better for the planet, they don't always know where to turn. We aim to make it easier for everybody to access high-quality eco-friendly fashions that look and feel great to offer a truly sustainable solution to the environmental problems of the traditional garment industry."

The green clothing site will feature stylish yet comfortable everyday basics and career-wear including tops, jeans, jackets and shoes, as well as dresses, skirts and accessories from a variety of socially and environmentally responsible brands. The brands are subject to a stringent evaluation process to ensure alignment with Fashion & Earth's requirements for organic fabrics, environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and fair trade practices, in addition to undergoing what Desbarats calls the "everyday person" test. "We aim to carry green clothing items that the everyday person loves to wear and can afford to buy," he says. "The quality and fit of the organic clothing we offer means these garments will quickly become wardrobe favorites that can hold up over time."

Prices are expected to range between $30 and $120 for women's eco-friendly fashion tops and sweaters, and pants and jeans are expected to run between $60 and $100. To help make its eco-friendly clothing even more affordable, FashionandEarth.com will offer free shipping on all orders, including for returned items. Says Desbarats, "These prices are similar to what a shopper might expect to pay for quality conventional clothing. But Fashion & Earth offers the added peace of mind that all the clothing is organic and fair trade. So, you can look good and do good at the same time."

To be among the first to shop the affordable lines of organic clothing and also receive a special offer of 20 percent off when the store opens in September, shoppers can visit FashionandEarth.com and join the company's mailing list. The company is already making available information to the public including its policies and additional information of interest such as the types of green fabrics used in its organic clothing, how to recycle used clothing, etc.

While the eco-friendly fashion retail website will be launching a selection of women's clothing in September, men's and children's green clothing lines won't be far behind. "We expect to make available green clothing for the entire family by the end of 2009, as we also continually expand our women's line," noted Desbarats.

About Fashion & Earth

A green clothing retailer looking to make organic clothing choices easier for online shoppers, Fashion & Earth draws together exciting brands at www.FashionandEarth.com with two-way free shipping that delivers throughout North America in as little as three days. Launching in September 2008, the site offers a range of eco-friendly fashions including tops, jeans, jackets, dresses, shoes and accessories. A stringent environmental policy ensures that each green clothing brand adheres to requirements for organic fabrics, environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and fair trade practices, so consumers can shop eco-friendly fashions confidently. Five percent of the company's profits are pledged to help the earth. Fashion and Earth serves shoppers across North America from picturesque Prince Edward Island, Canada.

For more information, please call Adrian Desbarats at 902.675.2217 or email pr@fashionandearth.com.

Chef Michael to Host Fall Flavours - Prince Edward Island

2008-06-21T15:16:58Z

(Charlottetown, PE - June 16, 2008) - Chef Michael Smith is an Island original and Host of Food Network's new series Chef Abroad. From September 30 - October 5th, 2008 he's inviting food lovers to visit his home, in Prince Edward Island, to enjoy over 100 interactive culinary events as part of Fall Flavours - Prince Edward Island.

"Fall Flavours is a new Island-wide fine food festival set amidst a sea of sunflowers," says Kim Green, CEO of Tourism Charlottetown. "Charlottetown will act as the primary host for the festival, with Direct to the Source Product Experiences, Interactive Taste Workshops, an Island Dining Program and a selection of new Signature Events created exclusively for the festival taking place in communities across the province. Over $110,000 in marketing funds will be leveraged with media partners to promote this festival nationally through outlets like Food Network Canada and the Globe and Mail. Prince Edward Island is set to capitalize on the growth in culinary tourism, with over 15,000 visitors expected to attend during the off-season."

Take in one of many Interactive Taste Workshops like pickling & preserves or the fine art of cheese and wine pairing. On October 4 and 5, The Culinary Institute of Canada will offer 4 Taste Workshops including Culinary Boot Camp, Breads of the Old World, and Smoking and Curing at Home, as well, Chef at Home Live with Chef Michael Smith. These are just a taste of the education opportunities in store during the Festival.

You can also join local hosts and pick potatoes, dig clams, catch lobsters or harvest oysters as part of our Island Direct to the Source Product Experiences. Festival organizers teamed up with Experience PEI to create twelve unique experiences that will be launched during Fall Flavours. "It's our hope that many of these experiences will be offered in the future throughout the summer to visitors as part of an overall culinary experience," adds Green.

"Prince Edward Island is a chef's paradise," boast Chef Michael Smith. "We have a lot to be proud of and the new Fall Flavours Festival is our chance to share our best with the world. I am proud to be a part of it and look forward to welcoming foodies from everywhere to our beautiful island paradise!"

Visitors will also be treated to fine Island cuisine with featured Fall Flavours Menus at select restaurants across Prince Edward Island. Our chefs and food artisans will create Table D'Hote menus that will offer a unique and interactive dining experience. All menus will showcase PEI products and producers, with wine pairing options. Participants will also have the opportunity to interact with the local artisans to learn more about our food and producers. Eighteen restaurants have been selected to participate.

Sunflowers are among the most recognized and popular flowers in cultivation and are a sure sign of the beginning of autumn and the fall harvest. A Sea of Sunflowers will greet visitors to Fall Flavours. From the time people enter the city limits, they'll be impressed with the backdrop of sunflowers created just for the Festival. There are many different food festivals every where and the sunflower theme is a sure way to make Fall Flavours distinct and unique. There will also be harvest displays in the downtown, with corn stalks, hay bales and lots of pumpkins. Along with private gardens, sunflowers will be on display all over Charlottetown on city property. One of the more impressive sights will be along the Water Street Parkway, one of the main entrances to the city, with over 23,000 feet of sunflowers. And at the end of September, flower baskets and planters will be replaced with barrels full of miniature sunflowers. Watch for your complimentary packet of sunflower seeds to arrive in the Guardian on June 21st. Large varieties of sunflowers should be planted between June 15 - 27 and dwarf varieties should be planted the end of July to be in perfect bloom for the festival.

The Shops of Confederation Court Mall and the Urban Eatery will be a featured venue during Fall Flavours. "We know from research that there is a strong connection between culinary tourism and shopping," says Tanya O'Brien, General Manager of The Shops of Confederation Court Mall. "The mall will be offering live Island entertainment and culinary demos on the Flavours Stage upstairs at the Urban Eatery during lunchtime daily, as well as a cookbook signing session with Chef Michael Smith and other local authors, Island Photo Exhibit and other programming that is still in development."

All inclusive hotel packages are available online at www.fallflavours.ca. These packages offer a One Stop Shopping Experience. When visitors book by September 15th they will receive a complimentary O.8 L Paderno Pot - based on a 2 night stay minimum and the opportunity to attend an Exclusive VIP Reception hosted by Chef Michael Smith. Booking must be made online at www.charlottetowntickets.com or by calling Prince Edward Tours direct at 1 877 286 6532.

All of the culinary activities can be purchased a la carte and will range in price from $15.00 - $175.00, plus taxes and service fees. For more details visit online at www.fallflavours.ca or call the Aliant Festival hotline at 1 800 955 1864.
Background:

Fall Flavours - Prince Edward Island is a project of Tourism Charlottetown. This year marks the inaugural year for the Festival. It is estimated this festival will draw 15,000 visitors to Charlottetown over 6 days.
Media Contact:

Tracey Singleton
Director of Marketing and Development
Tourism Charlottetown
Tel: 902-566-2549 | E: tsingleton@walkandseacharlottetown.com

Sharon Labchuk: A Force of Nature Leading the Green Party of PEI

2008-05-27T05:04:06Z

Sharon Labchuk is a force of nature. She is the founder and leader of the Green Party of PEI. She served as the campaign manager for Elizabeth May's successful campaign to become leader of the Green Party of Canada. And she served as the Co-Chair of the GPC Shadow Cabinet for the last two years that I was leader of the party.

Sharon was one of the first people to say she would come to London North Centre by-election where she served as one of the campaign managers (there were a number of us).

In 2004 she got the highest percentage vote of any candidate East of Montreal.

In 2005 after founding the Green Party of PEI, Government decided to deny Sharon her request to sit in the the Legislature while the Throne Speech was read.

The "official reason" given was that the extra chairs on the floor of the Legislature were being reserved for veterans -- because 2005 was the "year of the veteran." This was done, of course, to put her in the awkward position that if she argued for a seat the Government would then be able to spin it that the Green Party was denying a veteran a seat. So Sharon said nothing.

On the actual day of the Throne Speech, just a few minutes before the ceremony began, from the Gallery Sharon noticed that there were a number of empty chairs on the floor of the legislature. So she rushed down, and with media all around her she demanded one of the empty seats. With the journalists eagerly hoping for a confrontation -- the Government relented and Sharon Labchuk, the new Leader of the Green Party of PEI, took her seat on the floor of the legislature for the Throne Speech, making history.

The veterans of the wars died defending democracy, something Sharon stood up for that day.

Visit the Green Party web site to learn more.

The Enviro Church Conservation Project

2008-03-10T17:25:51Z

Congregations in PEI are making themselves parables of success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Churches are notoriously drafty buildings. But Prince Edward Island parishioners have seen the light when it comes to warmer pews on Sundays. With EcoAction support, dozens of the province's congregations have retrofitted their places of worship to reduce energy use, and make the link between faith, fuel oil and climate change.

Read more from EcoAction - Environment Canada

More background info:

Reports about environmental issues now form part of the content of every major newspaper, radio and TV news broadcast in Canada. These reports reflect the growing concern by environmentalists and, indeed, Canadian citizens to pollution and its negative effects on human health and the natural world.

Given this widespread concern about the environment, many environmentalists are puzzled by the silence and inaction of the religious communities to the mounting threats to God's creation. For the most part this situation is true. However there are initiatives, such as the Enviro Church Conservation project, by the Diocese of Charlottetown, which are seeking to create environmental awareness and undertake action in the faith communities.

The purpose of the Enviro Church Conservation program, which began in February 2002, is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the ways and means the 57 Catholic parish properties in Prince Edward Island can reduce energy use and thus pollution emissions from in space and water heating, lawn care, and transportation. Beyond the energy assessments and the followup support required to improve energy conservation, the project is also working with various parish communities to inspire and support parishioners who wish to undertake individual and community actions that will reduce pollution.

For those interested in knowing more about the project they may contact the project manager David MacKay.

(source: http://www.dioceseofcharlottetown.com)

Carbon credits - Farmers Helping Farmers

2008-03-08T06:49:46Z

Farmers Helping Farmers carbon credit program helps offset consumers ecological footprint by helping farming programs in Kenya reduce their emissions by updating technology.

Related news stories....

P.E.I. charity launches carbon offset program

Farmers Helping Farmers, a P.E.I. group that supports communities in Kenya, is launching a carbon credit program. 'It saves them cutting down trees. ...
www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2008/01/14/farmers-carbon.html

Carbon credits help farmers

Bruce Johnstone, The Leader-Post

Published: Monday, October 30, 2006

Saskatchewan farmers are finally getting credit for their environmentally friendly, 'no-till' agricultural practices -- carbon credits, that is.

And the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) is providing a marketplace where buyers and sellers of carbon credits can do business -- and do good for the environment in the process.

"The premise (behind CCX) is to find the least-cost ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,'' Mike Walsh, senior vice-president of the CCX, said in a recent interview with the Leader-Post.

Farmers Helping Farmers is a nationally recognized, award-winning organization of community-minded people with an agricultural background from Prince Edward Island, Canada. Our goal is to assist Kenyan farmers in becoming more self-reliant in agricultural food production. Together, we develop small-scale, practical agricultural projects, focusing on direct, person-to-person interaction, with little or no government structure. Members of Farmers Helping Farmers volunteer their time to coordinate projects and help raise the necessary funds. Most projects that are undertaken are partnered with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). They financially support the projects by contributing three dollars for every dollar raised.

Newswire: Province can't buy local food only, gov't says

2008-01-28T11:25:28Z

A request from the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture that the province buy local food exclusively would jeopardize trade agreements and be expensive, says the P.E.I. government.

Newswire: Tour de P.E.I. named Canadian cycling road event of year

2008-01-18T10:28:00Z

Prince Edward Island's newest international cycling event has been awarded the sport's highest honour.

Newswire: Environment Northeast opening new office in Charlottetown: Leslie Malone will head offive, serving as link to eastern organizations

2008-01-08T23:37:00Z

The Maine-based non-profit research and advocacy organization Environment Northeast (ENE) announced the opening of a new office in Charlottetown Tuesday.

Newswire: Ottawa must do further studies on how rising sea levels will affect P.E.I.: Downe

2008-01-07T23:47:00Z

A Prince Edward Island senator is urging Ottawa to do more research on the impacts of rising sea levels in Prince Edward Island.

Newswire: Buy local promotion missing key retail name: Sobeys unable to adapt uickly enough for campaign

2008-01-07T23:47:00Z

Organizers of a buy local promotional campaign say Sobeys, one of the largest food retailers in the region, just wasn't able to adapt quickly enough to be part of the initial effort.

Newswire: Island Nature Trust reprints booklet on etiquette in the out-of-doors

2008-01-07T23:47:00Z

A new outdoor etiquette booklet teaches people how to respect P.E.I. lands. The Island Nature Trust has received a $2,300 grant from Shell Environmental Funds to reprint a booklet on outdoor...

Newswire: This spud's for you: UN unearths year of the potato

2008-01-02T20:05:33Z

Be it ever so humble, the potato will be in the global spotlight this year with the United Nations declaring 2008 in its honour.