Lower Footprint

National Parks Experience Shutdown

2013-10-21T21:40:00.003-03:00

Now that the shutdown in the US is over, National Parks Rangers and Staff offer a striking view of their parks and the experience of being told to keep people out.

Share on Facebook

Solar Hot Water is Coming!

2013-08-26T23:27:00.004-03:00

It's been a long time since I've done any updates on this blog. I am so pleased to see that there is still regular traffic here, looking at some of the old projects and some of the ideas that get shared around.

After a long wait, my hot water solar system is going to be installed in the next few weeks. I've very excited about this and will definitely do some special posts about it. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, I think I should probably be reading Solar Power Your Home For Dummies so that I know what to expect. Probably a little more DIY what than what I have planned, but it might be good nonetheless.

Do any of you have experience with hot water solar? Any tips for a newbie?

All the best!

Sustainability Leadership Certificate for Employees

2012-09-28T13:32:00.003-03:00

It's been a while since I've had a chance to post anything here, so I thought I'd give a little update.

Last Friday, I was one of the first ten recipients of Dalhousie's Sustainability Leadership Certificate who presented their projects and received their certificates from Rochelle Owen, Dal's Sustainability Guru. It was a fun project and series of classes over the summer and I strongly recommend it to anyone who works at Dal when it is run next!

Share on Facebook

Could a New Can Change Everything?

2011-10-19T13:34:00.001-03:00

A new can design, specifically one that uses a micron-thin polymer, could dramatically change the environmental footprint for drinking cans everywhere.

As seen in this article 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!

Share on Facebook

Cloud Computing and Carbon Footprint

2011-10-17T07:00:00.000-03:00

Spotted an interesting article on the cloud and its carbon footprint on the weekend. Have a look for yourself!

The cloud and your firm’s carbon footprint

The school of thought that cloud computing can help businesses globally reduce their carbon footprint needs to move from notion to fact...

From Silicon Republic.

Share on Facebook

Tonight: The Oil Sands: Economic Saviour or Environmental Disaster?

2011-10-14T08:00:00.000-03:00

From Dal's Sustainability News:

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 Friday at 7 p.m. at the Potter Auditorium, Rowe Management Building, 6100 University Avenue.

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.

Share on Facebook

Tonight:Counter Culture or Consumer Culture?

2011-10-13T10:21:00.005-03:00

Dalhousie Green Week Keynote Lecture: Andrew Potter ESS (Environment, Sustainability and Society)

Thursday Night Lecture Series Co-sponsored with DSUSO (Dalhousie Student Union Sustainability Office)

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.

7 p.m. Ondaatje Auditorium, Marion McCain Building, 6135 University Avenue
Free of charge. Open to the public. Seating is limited, so please arrive early.

Share on Facebook

You Are Traffic

2011-10-07T11:45:00.000-03:00

Another cool message about traffic and bicycles...

Share on Facebook

2011-10-05T18:00:00.000-03:00

I think the idea of a keychain shopping bag is a great idea, as I mentioned yesterday.

I'm guilty as all get out about not remembering to bring my shopping bags into the grocery store with me. So why not take one everywhere?

Chicobag offers just this product, and in a variety of sizes and styles! Very cool! And if you even only have the one bag with you, it'll be one or two bags less that you need!

Share on Facebook

2011-10-04T18:05:00.000-03:00

Everyone needs a reminder from time to time. How about a short slide show that helps you combat day-to-day eco-mistakes? I love the idea of the keychain shopping bag. More on that tomorrow!

Quick fixes for common eco errors | Homes Slideshow | Green Living

Share on Facebook

2011-10-03T18:00:00.000-03:00

This article jumped out at me from today's Metro News. Nice to see high-efficiency homes are being modeled locally. No reason this shouldn't be the standard for new home construction.

Pushing the envelope on energy efficient homes

Share on Facebook

Study debunks myths on organic farms

2011-09-30T21:55:00.000-03:00

This is an exciting article on recent findings on the economic benefits of organic farming. Check it out!

Study debunks myths on organic farms

Share on Facebook

2011-09-29T22:30:00.001-03:00

It's been close to forever since I've posted, so I thought I'd rectify that with a simple post for today:

An artist in NY is spray painting this on sidewalks and buildings.

Share on Facebook

Green Ideas for 2010 Calendar Contest

2010-08-06T18:00:00.000-03:00

I'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.

Later on, I'll be looking for recommendations for printers that are as environmentally friendly as possible.

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.

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!

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!

Share on Facebook

2010-07-12T18:01:00.001-03:00

This bit of text came to me via the Green Peace mailing list. I'm not a member, but whatever your politics, I think this is a good reminder of things that we can all do to reduce our dependence on oil.

In the wake of the ongoing catastrophe of the Gulf oil spill, lots of people have been asking us how they can reduce their oil consumption in their daily lives. Here's our top ten:
1. Carpool, cycle or use public transport to go to work.
2. Choose when possible products packaged without plastic and recycle or re-use containers.

3. Buy organic fruits and vegetables (fertilisers and pesticides are based on oil more often than not).
4. Buy beauty products (shampoo, soap, make-up) based on natural ingredients, not oil.
5. Choose when possible locally produced products (less transport involved).
6. Buy clothes made out of organic cotton or hemp - not from oil derivatives.
7. Use non-disposable items in picnics and summer festivals.
8. Quit bottled water.
9. Fly less.
10. Demand that your government encourage renewable energy instead of oil.
(11. Register at our new website and add to this list, then forward it to a friend.)
-Juliette

p.s. Did someone forward this mail to you? Sign up for action alerts and ways you can help here.

Share on Facebook

President Obama's Oval Office Address on BP Oil Spill & Energy

2010-06-16T09:38:00.000-03:00

I'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.

Share on Facebook

Halifax Curbside Giveaway Weekend

2010-06-04T22:44:00.000-03:00

This weekend is Halifax's first go at the Curbside Giveaway Weekend. 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!

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...

Share on Facebook

Energy Use Update

2010-05-18T19:05:00.000-03:00

Just 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!

Share on Facebook

The Story of Bottled Water

2010-05-14T22:00:00.001-03:00

Well worth a few minutes of your time! Please watch this before your next bottle!

Share on Facebook

Halifax's Dump and Run 2010

2010-05-01T12:00:00.003-03:00

Halifax'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!

Check out the website for any last minute details!

Halifax Dump and Run

This is a great event and an opportunity to repurpose and recycle some interesting things for your new apartment or your home!

Share on Facebook

Happy Earth Day

2010-04-22T17:59:00.008-03:00

How are you celebrating Earth Day 2010?

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.

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!

Share on Facebook

Building a Bat House

2010-04-09T21:53:00.000-03:00

Have you got bats in your belfry? Do you want some?

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!

Everything you need to know is at the website for Bat Conservation International. I'll report on my progress when I get to building my first bat house, but here's what attracted me to the project:

Bat Houses work best when built from recycled wood... well weathered old barn wood is best
Bats are natural insect killers. This makes camping time more enjoyable with less reliance on bug spray and insecticide.
Habitat for bats is under pressure by human activity. Building them a bat house helps them too!

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!

Share on Facebook

Recycling Your Stuff

2010-04-08T22:12:00.000-03:00

Stuff 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.

Books just taking up space? Try Book Crossing 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.
Everything else? If it is something you no longer need but is still in good working order, help it find a new home through Freecycle. 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!)
Are you in Halifax? Check out the Dump and Run at the beginning of May. It's Halifax's largest community yard sale!

Do you have a unique or novel way of recycling your precious but unwanted items? Drop us a comment below!

Share on Facebook

Energy Savings Tips by Dal Students

2010-04-07T23:39:00.000-03:00

I wanted to post a link to this article in the Dal News, 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.

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.

I'm glad to see that students are still getting to do this kind of project in their Nature Conservation course!

Share on Facebook

Canadian Feds End Home Energy Retrofit Program

2010-04-02T23:23:00.001-03:00

Unfortunately, this wasn't PM Harper's idea of an April Fool's day joke: On Thursday it was announced that the Federal Home Energy Retrofit program has been suspended. 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.

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.

Bottomline: Bone head move. This program was an economic stimulus targeted specifically at smart, green renovations.

Share on Facebook