tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60040153353027816202012-01-12T22:50:06.845-04:00The goal is to continue to lower my footprint in 2011. This will be the record of what I do. Have any ideas?Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125blogspot/uIuAhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-47324839200539520242011-10-19T13:34:00.001-03:002011-10-19T13:34:37.005-03:002011-10-19T13:34:37.005-03:00A new can design, specifically one that uses a micron-thin polymer, could dramatically change the environmental footprint for drinking cans everywhere.<br /> <br /> As seen in <a href="http://www.environmentalleader.com/2011/10/19/polymer-coated-cans-lower-energy-use-berlin-distributes-eco-bottle/">this article </a>at environmentalleader.com, the 2011Can of the Year Award winner changes a lot of the way cans are made and subsequently, the number of chemicals and processes involved in their manufacture. Clearly a step in the right direction!<br /> <br /> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a> </td> <td width="150px"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> <td width="50px"><script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> </tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-4732483920053952024?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/e7aVbZ2OLhD22bYEDVnHV6SianM/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/e7aVbZ2OLhD22bYEDVnHV6SianM/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/e7aVbZ2OLhD22bYEDVnHV6SianM/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/e7aVbZ2OLhD22bYEDVnHV6SianM/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/YL7eCsdNV38" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com0http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2011/10/could-new-can-change-everything.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-6614187665571132512011-10-17T07:00:00.000-03:002011-10-17T07:00:14.589-03:002011-10-17T07:00:14.589-03:00Spotted an <a href="http://www.siliconrepublic.com/cloud/item/23875-the-cloud-and-your-firms/">interesting article</a> on the cloud and its carbon footprint on the weekend. Have a look for yourself!<br /> <blockquote> <br /> <h1> <span style="font-size: small;">The cloud and your firm’s carbon footprint</span></h1> </blockquote> <blockquote> <i>The school of thought that cloud computing can help businesses globally reduce their carbon footprint needs to move from notion to fact...</i></blockquote> From <a href="http://www.siliconrepublic.com/cloud/item/23875-the-cloud-and-your-firms/">Silicon Republic</a>. <br /> <br /> <br /> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a> </td> <td width="150px"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> <td width="50px"><script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> </tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-661418766557113251?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/__QK8RIcmpR408O9XMEDoKEUUK0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/__QK8RIcmpR408O9XMEDoKEUUK0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/__QK8RIcmpR408O9XMEDoKEUUK0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/__QK8RIcmpR408O9XMEDoKEUUK0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/Ct-062cdtzk" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com0http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2011/10/cloud-computing-and-carbon-footprint.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-52333706174650684662011-10-14T08:00:00.000-03:002011-10-14T08:00:08.403-03:002011-10-14T08:00:08.403-03:00From Dal's Sustainability News: <br /> <blockquote> <i>A reminder to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity to hear Dr. David Schindler (Killam Memorial professor of ecology at the University of Alberta), this </i><b>Friday at 7 p.m. at the Potter Auditorium, Rowe Management Building, 6100 University Avenue.&nbsp;</b><br /> <br /> <i>David is arguably the most prominent ecologist in Canada and the most outspoken scientific voice on the oil sands development. With all the recent attention on insufficient environmental impact assessments and the controversy around the proposed keystone pipeline, this is a timely topic.</i>&nbsp;</blockquote> <br /> <br /> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a> </td> <td width="150px"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> <td width="50px"><script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> </tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-5233370617465068466?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VHQIvkIOiRyUPSt9uB4hXViuDz8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VHQIvkIOiRyUPSt9uB4hXViuDz8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VHQIvkIOiRyUPSt9uB4hXViuDz8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VHQIvkIOiRyUPSt9uB4hXViuDz8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/06Ldz3nMQrA" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com0http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2011/10/tonight-oil-sands-economic-saviour-or.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-38410647047355072482011-10-13T10:21:00.005-03:002011-10-13T10:21:56.355-03:002011-10-13T10:21:56.355-03:00Dalhousie Green Week Keynote Lecture: Andrew Potter ESS (Environment, Sustainability and Society)<br /> <br /> Thursday Night Lecture Series Co-sponsored with DSUSO (Dalhousie Student Union Sustainability Office)<br /> <br /> Andrew Potter is a Canadian philosopher, author, and magazine columnist, best-known for co-authoring The Rebel Sell: How the Culture Can’t Be Jammed (2004), with Joseph Heath. He was the national news editor for the Ottawa Citizen for nearly three years, and is now a public affairs columnist for Maclean’s and a features editor for Canadian Business.<br /> <br /> <b>7 p.m. Ondaatje Auditorium, Marion McCain Building, 6135 University Avenue <br />Free of charge. Open to the public. Seating is limited, so please arrive early.&nbsp;</b><br /> <br /> <br /> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a> </td> <td width="150px"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> <td width="50px"><script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> </tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-3841064704735507248?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JpmcH6St_W0q-kfwZ99Tbe0YBho/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JpmcH6St_W0q-kfwZ99Tbe0YBho/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JpmcH6St_W0q-kfwZ99Tbe0YBho/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JpmcH6St_W0q-kfwZ99Tbe0YBho/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/3wkf5ymdv0c" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com0http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2011/10/tonightcounter-culture-or-consumer.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-67462811571728208832011-10-07T11:45:00.000-03:002011-10-07T11:45:11.955-03:002011-10-07T11:45:11.955-03:00Another cool message about traffic and bicycles...<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VzhrpVgos-A/To8QY4aaeBI/AAAAAAAAKNo/Abn0jWIbR4s/s1600/301588_10150341787278419_253818488418_7908181_1957927461_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VzhrpVgos-A/To8QY4aaeBI/AAAAAAAAKNo/Abn0jWIbR4s/s1600/301588_10150341787278419_253818488418_7908181_1957927461_n.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a> </td> <td width="150px"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> <td width="50px"><script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-6746281157172820883?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/PILom2vQXbs_Ow2qwdyl4ITtHco/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/PILom2vQXbs_Ow2qwdyl4ITtHco/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/PILom2vQXbs_Ow2qwdyl4ITtHco/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/PILom2vQXbs_Ow2qwdyl4ITtHco/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/ZQBjybx9Vug" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com0http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2011/10/you-are-traffic.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-64269562656707525812011-10-05T18:00:00.000-03:002011-10-05T18:00:03.018-03:002011-10-05T18:00:03.018-03:00This is an exciting article on recent findings on the economic benefits of organic farming. Check it out!<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/story.html?id=5462520">Study debunks myths on organic farms</a><br /> <br /> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a> </td> <td width="150px"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> <td width="50px"><script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-5916460197513803585?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LPGxeyIrZpcQ7zrp6U0J0EK5umQ/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LPGxeyIrZpcQ7zrp6U0J0EK5umQ/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LPGxeyIrZpcQ7zrp6U0J0EK5umQ/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LPGxeyIrZpcQ7zrp6U0J0EK5umQ/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/8i9UxOyQYsU" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com0http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2011/09/study-debunks-myths-on-organic-farms.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-85789396844264043132011-09-29T22:30:00.001-03:002011-09-29T22:35:36.616-03:002011-09-29T22:35:36.616-03:00I'm going to be working on a project over the next little while to produce an artistic calendar for 2010. I'm currently soliciting suggestions for shot ideas to include in the calendar. <br /> <br /> Later on, I'll be looking for recommendations for printers that are as environmentally friendly as possible.<br /> <br /> To enter the contest, you should send me a concept for a photo and a brief note explaining the concept. What would the photo look like? What idea is it promoting? You should include a brief paragraph that might get overlayed on the photo.<br /> <br /> Winners will receive a veritable plethora of recognition. If your concept is used, your name will be included in the calendar as the submitter of the concept and/or text. You'll be mentioned on the blog as well! And I'll send you a copy of the completed calendar!<br /> <br /> The only restriction is that the ideas promote the same values and concepts as the blog and that the photo concept can be shot by me in the Nova Scotia area. It need not even be outdoors - studio ideas are just fine!<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <table border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a> </td> <td width="150px"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> <td width="50px"><script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> </tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-1289759579266921479?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hoZKyZkMjk5Xj0qA2aRFRtAWsaI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hoZKyZkMjk5Xj0qA2aRFRtAWsaI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hoZKyZkMjk5Xj0qA2aRFRtAWsaI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hoZKyZkMjk5Xj0qA2aRFRtAWsaI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/3sAtr1v4LZU" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com0http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2010/08/green-ideas-for-2010-calendar-contest.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-85676682351824200532010-07-12T18:01:00.001-03:002010-07-12T18:01:00.240-03:002010-07-12T18:01:00.240-03:00I'm not one for hyperbole, but last night's speech from the Oval Office may represent an actual turning point for the environmental movement. Have a watch for yourself.<br /><br /><object style="background-image: url(&quot;http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/Gh76oepKFc8/hqdefault.jpg&quot;);" height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gh76oepKFc8&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gh76oepKFc8&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="295" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /><table border="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td width="75px"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"></a></td><td width="150px"><a name="fb_share" type="button_count" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php">Share on Facebook</a><br /><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script></td> <td width="50px"><script type="text/javascript">digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff';</script><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-3931504527674770255?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ueSsF0gS5ofaUqCY-VT7DAWJm7g/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ueSsF0gS5ofaUqCY-VT7DAWJm7g/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ueSsF0gS5ofaUqCY-VT7DAWJm7g/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ueSsF0gS5ofaUqCY-VT7DAWJm7g/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/i_9K01IV0nw" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com0http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2010/06/president-obamas-oval-office-address-on.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-65836886297300867582010-06-04T22:44:00.000-03:002010-06-04T22:44:37.697-03:002010-06-04T22:44:37.697-03:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mIhvavcs66k/TAmr6Es-CQI/AAAAAAAAEGk/ZwgoFMdTwLo/s1600/NGpageheadingGRFX.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mIhvavcs66k/TAmr6Es-CQI/AAAAAAAAEGk/ZwgoFMdTwLo/s320/NGpageheadingGRFX.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This weekend is Halifax's first go at the <a href="http://www.halifax.ca/wrms/curbsidegiveaway.html#rules">Curbside Giveaway Weekend</a>. Your good, well-used and recyclable items can be placed curbside from now until Sunday at dusk. They should be marked "free" and with any luck, a new home will find them. Just watch out for the rain that is coming!<br /> <br /> Follow the link for the rules and remember that everything has to be brought back in by Sunday at dusk. Avoid putting out things that you won't want to bring back in after Sunday's rain...<br /> <br /> <table border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a> </td> <td width="150px"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> <td width="50px"><script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> </tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-6583688629730086758?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/XoiKwgbtvVe6zRxgJA4VaR2w2xk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/XoiKwgbtvVe6zRxgJA4VaR2w2xk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/XoiKwgbtvVe6zRxgJA4VaR2w2xk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/XoiKwgbtvVe6zRxgJA4VaR2w2xk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/DcRzDWYoi7I" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com1http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2010/06/halifax-curbside-giveaway-weekend.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-52464864026048761812010-05-18T19:05:00.000-03:002010-05-18T19:05:56.936-03:002010-05-18T19:05:56.936-03:00Just a really quick update. Another power bill arrived and the period for March 15th to May 14th was 25% lower than the same period last year. It takes a while to see a complete ROI (return on investment) for insulation and window purchases, but I think it's pretty reassuring to see some savings every month, even when the weather and outside temperature was improving!<br /> <br /> <table border=0 width=100%><tr> <td width=75px> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" style="border:0"/></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"></a> </td> <td width=150px> <a name="fb_share" type="button_count" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script> </td> <td width=50px> <script type="text/javascript">digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff';</script> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script> </td> </tr> </table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-5246486402604876181?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/As63gEyQHMPXHgoO2FzQSft0MKc/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/As63gEyQHMPXHgoO2FzQSft0MKc/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/As63gEyQHMPXHgoO2FzQSft0MKc/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/As63gEyQHMPXHgoO2FzQSft0MKc/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/tM5pYAgADYg" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com0http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2010/05/energy-use-update.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-67864571196150300542010-05-14T22:00:00.001-03:002010-05-18T19:02:07.875-03:002010-05-18T19:02:07.875-03:00Well worth a few minutes of your time! Please watch this before your next bottle!<br /> <br /> <object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Se12y9hSOM0&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Se12y9hSOM0&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /> <br /> <table border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a> </td> <td width="150px"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> <td width="50px"><script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> </td> </tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-6786457119615030054?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/2i9dh6EO1HSOCJTTm2Gsp1jbiAI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/2i9dh6EO1HSOCJTTm2Gsp1jbiAI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/2i9dh6EO1HSOCJTTm2Gsp1jbiAI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/2i9dh6EO1HSOCJTTm2Gsp1jbiAI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/2JW4c4yZwmk" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com0http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2010/05/story-of-bottled-water.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-42194285227669302672010-05-01T12:00:00.003-03:002010-05-01T12:00:04.176-03:002010-05-01T12:00:04.176-03:00Halifax's largest community garage sale is happening tomorrow, May 2nd from 8am to 4pm! Items of all shapes and sizes will be available and the proceeds fund all kinds of interesting charities both local and international!<br /> <br /> Check out the website for any last minute details!<br /> <br /> <blockquote><a href="http://www.halifaxdumpandrun.webs.com/">Halifax Dump and Run</a></blockquote><br /> This is a great event and an opportunity to repurpose and recycle some interesting things for your new apartment or your home!<br /> <br /> <table border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><br /> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a></td> <td width="150px"><br /> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> <td width="50px"><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script><br /> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> </tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-4219428522766930267?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/f7_QCETh9IYQnNNVOIdI47W2MxE/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/f7_QCETh9IYQnNNVOIdI47W2MxE/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/f7_QCETh9IYQnNNVOIdI47W2MxE/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/f7_QCETh9IYQnNNVOIdI47W2MxE/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/YTJysdFw70E" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com0http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2010/05/halifaxs-dump-and-run-2010.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-38742623057937925312010-04-22T17:59:00.008-03:002010-04-22T17:59:00.138-03:002010-04-22T17:59:00.138-03:00How are you celebrating Earth Day 2010?<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mIhvavcs66k/S9CI-sjx_rI/AAAAAAAADo4/MITRuDhI7dU/s1600/IMG00030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mIhvavcs66k/S9CI-sjx_rI/AAAAAAAADo4/MITRuDhI7dU/s320/IMG00030.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>I decided to end my illicit affair with Roll Up the Rim coffee cups and started the day with my new ReThink re-usable mug. I also made a point to get out for a walk at lunchtime, taking in the sweet spring air and did a little bit of geocaching as well.<br /> <br /> Tonight, I will be out walking the dog and thinking about what is next in my plans to lower my own footprint in the coming weeks! Stay tuned!<br /> <table border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><br /> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a></td> <td width="150px"><br /> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> <td width="50px"><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script><br /> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> </tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-3874262305793792531?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z9oEV-E28oUUIn9K0KuRIoM2_Zg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z9oEV-E28oUUIn9K0KuRIoM2_Zg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z9oEV-E28oUUIn9K0KuRIoM2_Zg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z9oEV-E28oUUIn9K0KuRIoM2_Zg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/kbMGou9ADUo" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com0http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2010/04/happy-earth-day.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-25704954197176494172010-04-09T21:53:00.000-03:002010-04-09T21:53:38.976-03:002010-04-09T21:53:38.976-03:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mIhvavcs66k/S7_L1Tw66uI/AAAAAAAADi4/NMRoabeUiCY/s1600/bhouselogo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mIhvavcs66k/S7_L1Tw66uI/AAAAAAAADi4/NMRoabeUiCY/s320/bhouselogo.gif" /></a></div>Have you got bats in your belfry? Do you want some?<br /> <br /> It's hard to believe that mosquito season is nearly upon us. This year, I plan to combat the pesky varmints in a natural way: by attracting bats!<br /> <br /> Everything you need to know is at the website for <a href="http://www.batcon.org/index.php/get-involved/install-a-bat-house.html">Bat Conservation International</a>. I'll report on my progress when I get to building my first bat house, but here's what attracted me to the project:<br /> <br /> <ul><li>Bat Houses work best when built from recycled wood... well weathered old barn wood is best</li> <li>Bats are natural insect killers. This makes camping time more enjoyable with less reliance on bug spray and insecticide.</li> <li>Habitat for bats is under pressure by human activity. Building them a bat house helps them too!</li> </ul>If you're not interested in building your own bat house, you can purchase one online or from a local craftsman. Kits and completed house are available in a lot of garden stores. Check yours! <br /> <br /> <br /> <table border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><br /> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a></td> <td width="150px"><br /> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> <td width="50px"><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script><br /> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> </tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-2570495419717649417?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/v8CAahEdzA6OPAk3thlUZhcWkWM/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/v8CAahEdzA6OPAk3thlUZhcWkWM/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/v8CAahEdzA6OPAk3thlUZhcWkWM/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/v8CAahEdzA6OPAk3thlUZhcWkWM/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/0zbJqyIntS4" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com1http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2010/04/building-bat-house.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-7086378520852223332010-04-08T22:12:00.000-03:002010-04-08T22:12:29.413-03:002010-04-08T22:12:29.413-03:00Stuff is all around us and it's often this time of year - spring cleaning and the end of the school year - that we begin to notice just how quickly it accumulates. I thought I'd share three ideas for getting rid of your excess in a simple and environmentally-friendly way.<br /> <br /> <ul><li>Books just taking up space? Try <a href="http://bookcrossing.com/">Book Crossing</a> to find them a new home or send them on an adventure! Simple print a label and find a good place to stash the book.<br /> </li> <li>Everything else? If it is something you no longer need but is still in good working order, help it find a new home through <a href="http://www.freecycle.org/">Freecycle</a>. Find a local group and be sure to follow the rules. (Warning! Freecycle can generate a lot of incoming e-mail - you've been warned!)<br /> </li> <li>Are you in Halifax? Check out the <a href="http://www.halifaxdumpandrun.webs.com/">Dump and Run</a> at the beginning of May. It's Halifax's largest community yard sale!</li> </ul>&nbsp;Do you have a unique or novel way of recycling your precious but unwanted items? Drop us a comment below!<br /> <br /> <table border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><br /> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a></td> <td width="150px"><br /> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> <td width="50px"><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script><br /> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> </tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-708637852085222333?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/6e53yOcluWtdTx3Qj1mrDcsn5jY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/6e53yOcluWtdTx3Qj1mrDcsn5jY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/6e53yOcluWtdTx3Qj1mrDcsn5jY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/6e53yOcluWtdTx3Qj1mrDcsn5jY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/3HMdH8_o2mo" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com0http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2010/04/recycling-your-stuff.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-12958259150586347982010-04-07T23:39:00.000-03:002010-04-07T23:39:49.327-03:002010-04-07T23:39:49.327-03:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mIhvavcs66k/S71Bhn5n_hI/AAAAAAAADiw/tWdzIIedzfw/s1600/DNMarch10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mIhvavcs66k/S71Bhn5n_hI/AAAAAAAADiw/tWdzIIedzfw/s200/DNMarch10.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>I wanted to post a link to this <a href="http://dalnews.dal.ca/2010/03/31/conserve.html">article in the Dal News</a>, not because it contains any really new information for Lower Footprint readers, but because this class was one of my first opportunities to learn and act in a green way.<br /> <br /> Unlike these students who are able to spread their message through the vast internet, my project was presented in class to Dr. Martin Willison circa 1995. Our project, titled, "So You Wanna Compost?", highlighted the benefits of a backyard composter for a city that wouldn't see green bins for another few years. We distributed our little brown brochures at the local grocery store.<br /> <br /> I'm glad to see that students are still getting to do this kind of project in their Nature Conservation course!<br /> <br /> <table border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><br /> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a></td> <td width="150px"><br /> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> <td width="50px"><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script><br /> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> </tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-1295825915058634798?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/73at7jAswG9IkpAdtoWQp712ueI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/73at7jAswG9IkpAdtoWQp712ueI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/73at7jAswG9IkpAdtoWQp712ueI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/73at7jAswG9IkpAdtoWQp712ueI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/9-3r_Zp-I9U" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com0http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2010/04/energy-savings-tips-by-dal-students.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-83011721105565563602010-04-02T23:23:00.001-03:002010-04-02T23:23:56.081-03:002010-04-02T23:23:56.081-03:00Unfortunately, this wasn't PM Harper's idea of an April Fool's day joke: On Thursday it was announced that the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yz3znzm">Federal Home Energy Retrofit program has been suspended</a>. Over the last three years, home owners who submitted to an energy audit and completed the necessary changes could earn up to $5000 in rebates and credits. Reports suggest that this is a money saving move as the program was three times more popular than initially expected. This suspension means the program ended about a year earlier than scheduled.<br /> <br /> I could be the first to cry sour grapes as I did the initial audit but failed to complete the work in my 18-month window nor did I know I could have applied for an extension, but I still think the program was valuable enough to motivate a lot of people to move to a greener position. I fear though that people who would have counted on this rebate or could only afford to do upgrades when the rebates were available, will now be forced to wait or simply not do the upgrades. This results in wasted energy, higher costs, higher GHG emissions and more waste. <br /> <br /> Bottomline: Bone head move. This program was an economic stimulus targeted specifically at smart, green renovations. <br /> <br /> <br /> <table border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><br /> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a></td> <td width="150px"><br /> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> <td width="50px"><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script><br /> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> </tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-8301172110556556360?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IiVzti9ItXRRD6bVqUMFZm75JfA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IiVzti9ItXRRD6bVqUMFZm75JfA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IiVzti9ItXRRD6bVqUMFZm75JfA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IiVzti9ItXRRD6bVqUMFZm75JfA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/NpAmNYIt0CU" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com0http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2010/04/canadian-feds-end-home-energy-retrofit.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-33869435437361231982010-04-01T07:55:00.002-03:002010-04-01T08:53:02.642-03:002010-04-01T08:53:02.642-03:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mIhvavcs66k/S7P2o08FP7I/AAAAAAAADio/lJafvW7eJfk/s1600/greatkilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mIhvavcs66k/S7P2o08FP7I/AAAAAAAADio/lJafvW7eJfk/s200/greatkilt.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Those Scots had it right all along! In a report published today in the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/53d7r">Journal of Climate Change</a>, scientists found that climate change is dramatically slowed in the remote areas of Scotland where the kilt is still worn regularly instead of trousers.<br /> <br /> "Accounting for all of the differences in terrain, prevailing weather patterns, and historic fossil fuel usage," reported lead climatologist, Dr. Clarence McLeod, "the only causal factor that remained was the lack of pants worn in the region." The scientists compared 42 different regions that shared many similar characteristics like latitude, altitude, and population density and found that the kilt-wearing areas (of which there were 2 in the study) had the lowest change in historic temperature in the last 200 years and the lowest production of GHG (green house gases).<br /> <br /> Clearly, it was more than the wearer's loins that were being cooled in these areas. Further modelling will be done with this study's massive data set. Scientists hope to be able to determine whether kilt-wearing is powerful enough to reverse the effects of climate change. The potential for the mass adoption of the pleated garment in areas most at risk is being considered.<br /> <br /> <table border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><br /> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a></td> <td width="150px"><br /> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> <td width="50px"><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script><br /> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> </tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-3386943543736123198?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/r1vcsP8UXNJLUvHLjjaqjlGIjJ0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/r1vcsP8UXNJLUvHLjjaqjlGIjJ0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/r1vcsP8UXNJLUvHLjjaqjlGIjJ0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/r1vcsP8UXNJLUvHLjjaqjlGIjJ0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/USsoOUbmt8s" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com1http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2010/04/pants-harmful-to-environment.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-33465693155694433472010-03-31T21:25:00.000-03:002010-03-31T21:25:47.475-03:002010-03-31T21:25:47.475-03:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mIhvavcs66k/S7Pf3ycLosI/AAAAAAAADik/cg11A7iOze8/s1600-h/41kK++qb2bL._SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mIhvavcs66k/S7Pf3ycLosI/AAAAAAAADik/cg11A7iOze8/s200/41kK++qb2bL._SS500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I just finished reading James E. McWilliams' new book, "Just Food: Where Locavores Get It Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly." I have to say I'm still having a hard time deciding how much he's convinced me... On the surface, reading chapter headings and such, I was immediately struck by just how contrary McWilliams seemed to be to most of what I accept as green ideas. But a simple scan of the book would leave you with a very worrying impression: that he's anti-locavore (or 100-Mile Diet), that he's pro-GMO (genetically modified organisms or Frankenfood), and that he is anti-organic. <br /> <br /> McWilliams' argument needs to be understood at the outset and he gives an excellent and rewarding summary near the end of the book. If we are accepting of the prediction that our planet's population will reach 9 or 10 billion people by 2050, then we are going to have to rethink our cherished "green" ideals in order to feed everyone - and he proposes a way to do that that is also green and sustainable.<br /> <br /> First, while eating local is a grand idea, McWilliams points out the obvious: not everyone can eat local and the 100-mile diet necessarily means a lot of compromise depending where you live, whether for climate or for sheer population numbers. Imagine a large city like Phoenix, Arizona having to live off the Arizona desert. Applied on a large scale, locavores appear to be isolationists that fail to account for the need to feed the world's poorest and over-estimate the actual costs of transportation compared to the ecological damage done to grow locally at any cost (high pesticide or fertilizer use).<br /> <br /> Second, McWilliams argues that organic farming is also a luxury afforded to those who live in appropriate areas. If organic farming were applied on a scale needed to feed the masses (instead of just the wealthy), then we might be sacrificing actual wilderness in order to have sufficient land to grow organic food which (McWilliams argues) has much lower output than traditionally grown food.<br /> <br /> Third, Just Food takes an optimistic view of GMOs, with no apologies for the way they have been used in their early days. Whether we like it or not, most of the corn and soy we consume in North America has been GM for some time. McWilliams suggests that with proper testing, appropriate controls, the benefits of GMOs far outweigh the <i>potential</i> risks. For example, <i>Bt</i> infused corn already uses far less pesticide than its traditional counterpart. McWilliams believes that irrational fear is holding us back from embracing and steering GMOs in a sustainable, eco-friendly direction. Worse yet, we're allowing multi-national corporations make these decisions without us.<br /> <br /> These are some of the green community's sacred cows and McWilliams is tearing them down with some strongly compelling arguments. Tomorrow, I'll tell you what he proposes as a remedy to our growing need for food and how it can be done in a safe and sustainable way.<br /> <br /> Have you read Just Food yet? Let me know what you think! Is McWilliams a Green Good Guy or a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing? Weigh in!<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <table border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td width="75px"><br /> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/uIuA" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"></a></td> <td width="150px"><br /> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share on Facebook</a><br /> <script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> <td width="50px"><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> digg_skin = 'compact';digg_window='new';digg_bgcolor='#ffffff'; </script><br /> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"> </script></td> </tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br/> <br/> <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com"><img / src="http://www.mytechdept.com/images/Green_sitting_frog.png" border=0 valign=middle></a> For more articles like this, please visit: <a href="http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com">http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6004015335302781620-3346569315569443347?l=lowerfootprint.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5ievTB7qi0wj9LhMmmLUzsSnvn8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5ievTB7qi0wj9LhMmmLUzsSnvn8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5ievTB7qi0wj9LhMmmLUzsSnvn8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5ievTB7qi0wj9LhMmmLUzsSnvn8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/uIuA/~4/cWcOTHnJ-C8" height="1" width="1"/>Mateo Yorkehttps://profiles.google.com/107332429508027875593noreply@blogger.com1http://lowerfootprint.blogspot.com/2010/03/just-food-where-locavores-get-it-wrong.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004015335302781620.post-8014391128682063262010-03-30T21:06:00.000-03:002010-03-30T21:06:12.384-03:002010-03-30T21:06:12.384-03:00Did Nova Scotia actually do well during Earth Hour 2010? At first glance, the reported numbers sounded pretty good, but my neighbourhood didn't seem to be paying all that much attention to it. Time for a reality check.<br /> <br /> I always understand energy savings best when I convert it into dollars and cents. So let's do the math.<br /> <br /> <blockquote>18-megaWatts saved over one hour = 18,000kWh<br /> <br /> 1 kWh costs roughly 11 cents so 18,000kWH x $0.11/kWh = $1980</blockquote><br /> This is, unfortunately, trivial. And not in the good, this will be a question later, way.<br /> <br /> This amount of savings is roughly half of one household's electric use for the year (if they have electric heat) and akin to removing 19 or 20 dryers from the province for a year. Or removing 35-40 stoves from daily operation for one year.<br /> <br /> NS Power's 1.4 million lightbulb figure is also a bit misleading. While it would take 1.4 million 13-watt bulbs to be turned off to account for the savings, it shrinks dramatically if it were measured in 100 Watt incandescent bulbs (only 180,000), or in 42" televisions (only 36,000). Think of the environmental impact we would have if every Nova Scotian gave up watching one 3-hour hockey broadcast per year.<br /> <br /> Similarly, 1.4 million bulbs over one hour is the same as turning off a measly 384 13-watt bulbs for only ten hours a day for a year... That one light store featured yesterday could probably tackle that kind of savings by installing a few timers. As would any single grocery store that leaves its lights on all night. <br /> <br /> While I still firmly support the message behind Earth Hour, I think my initial applause should be muted. The real success of the event will be to see others change their habits on a regular basis through the year. Is it necessary for our bridges to be lit every night from midnight to 6:00am? (The road lights were still on, so it's not a safety issue.) Is there more that we should be doing on an ongoing basis? Definitely. <br /> <br /> Earth Hour is done for 2010, and it appeared to raise a lot of awareness but evidentally, not much actual energy savings. Let's use this information to make some real changes on a daily basis. I for one will be installing a new clothes line in the next few days. 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