Greenr

Research Finds that a Stroll in the Park Helps Mind and Body

Amoy — Mon, 03 May 2010 15:53:20 +0000

For years now, experts have been encouraging kids to engage in physical exercise and abandon their x-box, even just for an hour a day, with slogans like “get outside”, while we, as adults, workout either within the confined spaces of our living rooms or at the nearby gym. However, there’s now reason to believe that humans of any age should: get outside!

The fact that there is a strong co-relation between physical activity and mental wellbeing is well-documented; exercising in a ‘green’ space is even more beneficial, according to researchers, even if it’s just for five minutes a day.

The importance of getting sufficient exercise each day has become mainstream ideology, but not so stressed is the fact that our exercise should take place in natural, green surroundings for optimum mental benefits and overall wellbeing.

U.K. researchers conducted ten studies involving 1,250 people in various outdoor activities, including walking, cycling, gardening, boating, etc. and found quick improvements in mood and self-esteem, especially among young people. The effect was even greater in an area with some ‘blue’, such as a lake or a river.

‘Green’ exercise was also seen to do wonders for the mentally-ill. These disorders, according to experts, are on the rise, with 1 in 4 people predicted to be afflicted with a mental disorder at some point in their lives. While tests cannot conclusively say that this is a result of our ‘green’ space being swallowed up by cement-encased cities, ‘green’ should definitely be part of the treatment as a drug-free form of therapy. That’s why it’s vital that urban areas have parks and ‘natural’ areas. Those suffering from high-stress jobs could also benefit greatly from short periods of ‘green’ exercise. Study leader Jules Pretty from the University of Essex says: “Employers, for example, could encourage staff in stressful workplaces to take a short walk at lunchtime in the nearest park to improve mental health.”

It’s free. It’s natural. And it’s therapeutic. Green environments are apparently the perfect ‘gym’ in which to carry out our exercise activities. Who knew? So before I head out for a stroll in the park, let me just say, “get outside!”

Ecological Disaster Looming in Gulf of Mexico

Clinton — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 22:14:55 +0000

Apart from the cumulative repercussions resulting from millions of automobiles burning oil for fuel the world over, there are also the sudden catastrophes which result from time to time when massive oil operations spill their lethal load. This threat became reality last week when the rig Deepwater Horizon, operated by BP, exploded and then sank off the coast of Louisiana.

The massive oil spill is predicted to reach land by Friday, and, after discussions with five Gulf state governors, the U.S. Government declared the oil leak a disaster of ‘national significance’. While pledging immediate aid to counteract the situation, U.S. officials say the primary responsibility, and ultimately the price tag for recovery efforts, rests squarely on the shoulders of the oil company BP PLC.

But the company has been slow to acknowledge the urgency of the situation, only conceding Thursday that the leak may be as bad as government estimates say it is. The U.S. Coast Guard says that a new leak has been found which looks to be five times greater than what was previously thought and estimates that as much as 5000 barrels a day are escaping. In the end, as much as 100,000 barrels or 4.2 million gallons of oil could be spewed into the Gulf, before rescue operations successfully halt the leak. However, the worst oil spill in U.S. history, the Exxon Valdez, leaked 11 million gallons in 1989 off the south coast of Alaska.

Emergency measures to deal with the spill include using booms, chemical dispersants and attempts to burn the oil off the surface of the water. However, bad weather has hampered efforts. As well, after failing to halt the leak by trying to activate a shut-off device with submersible robots, officials are considering drilling another well to control the flow, but this would require much time and effort as the well head is at a distance of 5000 feet underwater.

The amount of resources and funds required for cleanup is huge. Industries such as shrimp and other seafood businesses will be negatively impacted. But the heaviest implications will be ecological. As the spill moves ominously closer to the mouth of the Mississippi, biologically diverse coastal areas and fragile wetlands from Florida to Texas are at risk. Fish, birds, and other wildlife could die by the thousands.

The situation in the Gulf of Mexico is a reminder of the poor marks we deserve for stewardship of the earth. Grave environmental consequences resulting from accidents or human error cannot be undone overnight – they leave a permanent smudge on our ‘caretakers’ report card.

An Apricot Tree in the Family

Christina Ray — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:55:06 +0000

My landlord, Stanko Matic, planted the apricot tree that shades my backyard. Stanko, a gentle giant in his seventh decade, immigrated with his wife to Canada from Yugoslavia many years ago.

Every summer he fills my yard with tomato plants grown from heritage seeds from the old country. Peppers, cucumbers, garlic and leeks accompany the tomatoes in his strictly organic garden. He urges me to harvest my fill.

He planted the apricot tree 10 years ago: “before that… was cherry tree, but the birds eat. Before cherry was apple tree, small green apple, kind that nobody eat.”

Looking out over his piece of the urban forest, he says our apricot tree won’t be around much longer. We’ll get maybe three or four more years from it. It does look a bit ragged. Last summer a windstorm snapped off a large limb and hurled it into my neighbour’s yard. Hardened gobs of amber resin now ooze where the bark has split. In the three years I’ve lived here we’ve had just one true apricot harvest. The squirrels beat us to most of the fruit before it was even ripe.

Despite its imperfections, this gnarled, sap-clotted tree brings me such happiness. Its blossoms burst open in the spring earlier than those of any of Ontario’s other fruit trees. We’ve eaten countless summer meals at the picnic table in my backyard, shaded by its boughs. And the apricot pie my daughter made during the year of the great harvest is the stuff of gastronomic legend.

Soaring food costs have inspired most of us to rethink our food-gathering strategies. Besides the decadent pleasure of eating fruit plucked fresh from the branch, a tree like this can bolster a family’s pantry year round, with homemade jellies and syrups to last through winter.

For those struggling with the challenge of picking their fruit tree’s bounty, the Toronto organization Not Far From the Tree offers a residential fruit picking program that dispatches volunteer teams to aid in the harvest.

To know exactly where your fruit comes from and how it was grown, to taste its nectar explode in your mouth as your teeth pierce skin still warm from the sun – these are privileges, precious and rare.

And though when planting in your own yard, it is always best to consider native species – it is nonetheless important to nurture and care for all of urban forest. After all it is the diversity that contributes to the richness of Toronto’s urban spaces.

A fruit tree is a long-term commitment, but one so utterly worthwhile, even in an urban forest.

Local vs. International: A Merging of Flavors and Ethics

Amoy — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 18:45:11 +0000

The debate is on, with implications as far-reaching as the lusts and desires of your expectant tastebuds.

Just as an exquisite meal satisfies the soul and nourishes the body, the standards by which we ‘create’ food can impact our society. Which food ethic is more nourishing and beneficial to a community and even to the planet as a whole? Should we continue to indulge in the vast array of culinary choice, delighting in the foods of the world? Or should we adopt a more local approach and embrace a form of culinary xenophobia?

Arguments for both sides are persuasive. In the end, though, the flavor that should accent every dish is, balance.

Locavores, or proponents for eating local food, correctly claim that such a trend benefits the local economy by supporting businesses and farmers within a certain area. The movement also positively impacts the environment in that less transporting of food means less greenhouse gas emissions. Last, but not least, is the argument that local food is fresher and ‘in-season’, bringing a heightened taste experience to the table.

Others believe ‘food’ to be a cultural experience, as much an exploration of the multicultural society we are connected with as a revelation of flavors.

The world has become a very small place thanks to modern technology. It’s now possible to sustain summer’s bounty all year long, importing whatever a chef might desire to round out the menu.

But, according to history, change has always been a part of local cuisine. Dishes we now deem traditional to a certain country include ingredients that did not originate in that region, such as tomatoes and basil in Italian food, or peanuts in Thai food. Yet, after being introduced to a community at some point in history, certain flavors become synonymous with a region or people.

That’s why some culinary experts support a ‘broadening of tastes’, creating a fusion of flavors in which culinary art emerges from the melting pot of food culture.

Chef Peter Gordon, author of the book Fusion: A Culinary Journey, is one such proponent. Seeing the potential for culinary success by embracing the amazing cuisines of other countries, Gordon even points out that the carbon footprint of some imported foods could be lower than their homegrown counterparts because of having ideal growing conditions, such as more sunshine, in a foreign growing location. Balance is key, though. There are a few ingredients he refuses to buy ‘out-of-season’ as the locally grown crop provides superior quality.

Jamie Kennedy is a chef based in Southern Ontario and is an advocate of local cuisine. Again, while ethics, environmentalism, and community, the cornerstones of the local food movement, all factor into his stance, so does balance. He says it’s important not to be dogmatic, but rather, to celebrate what’s possible locally.

An abundance of varieties of food can be grown locally and thus should find their way into kitchens within that 100km local range. While still enjoying fair-trade tastes from abroad (who wants to give up coffee or tea?) Kennedy finds that, far from being restrictive, concentrating on regional tastes gives him inspiration to focus on a plethora of local options and to become ‘known for something’.

In all fairness, the world has a lot to offer. So do local gardens and farmers markets. By serving up balance, both ideologies can co-exist in harmony on the platter of culinary delights, complimenting each other the way a little ethnic spice from a distant land spruces up those homegrown potatoes.

A Barterer’s Paradise: SwapSity Officially Launches

Amoy — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:37:38 +0000

It’s a barterer’s paradise, and it’s officially here!

As if the age-old adage “one person’s ‘junk’ is another person’s treasure” wasn’t enough, current environmental concerns require that we all show greater awareness about how we consume and then ‘un-consume’, or discard of our possessions. A great way to demonstrate personal responsibility is to reduce, reuse and recycle. That’s where SwapSity comes in.

It may be as easy as snapping your fingers, but it’s not magic. With SwapSity, you can easily convert your unused possessions into things you really want, while satisfying your eco-conscious and budget-savvy desires.

The Canadian online consumer bartering site allows you to use your assets as ‘money’ or collateral to swap for items you really need or want but perhaps have been holding out on in hopes of finding a bargain. The bartering community allows those adopting a ‘greener’ lifestyle to be able to freely negotiate the value of items and skills and facilitates fair exchanges.

What’s the best thing about SwapSity? It’s hard to extol just one virtue of this online bartering haven, but one bonus is that swapping is free of charge, so you can trade as many times as you like. As well, SwapSity uses a unique matching tool that makes it easy to find local swappers in your area.

The site comes complete with swap success stories and tales of the more interesting or unique deals. From cottage getaway swaps to exchanging home renos for cars, there’s no limit on what can be traded.

Founded by Marta Nowinska, the bartering site focuses on a user-friendly experience and includes video listings, wish lists with email alerts, and proximity tools to make swapping easy and enjoyable. Users can even join swap group communities to trade between certain common-interest individuals or groups.

Maybe you’re searching for a deal on a particular item. Or maybe you’ve decided it’s time for spring cleaning and will be clearing out things you no longer use. Why not give SwapSity a try? You never know what treasures you’ll find, for a great price. And in the process, you’ll tread a bit lighter on the planet.

World’s Wild Tiger Population ‘On Verge of Extinction’

Amoy — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:28:04 +0000

For an animal that’s religiously revered in many cultures and is legendary in literature, the tiger has not received royal treatment by the planet’s caretakers.

A United Nations group now reports that, in the wild, the tiger is on the “verge of extinction”. Asia is now home to only 3,200 tigers in the wild, whereas 20 years ago the figure was 100,000. Though humans have been successful at slowing or even halting the rapid decline of some other endangered species, they’ve failed miserably with the tiger.

Secretary General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Willem Wijnstekers says that building strategies and cooperation with international agencies is imperative to end illegal trade and poaching. As has been the case throughout history, tigers are prized for their skins and body parts used for decoration and traditional medicines.

The 175-nation CITES Conference being held in the Persian Gulf city of Doha, Qatar, March 13-25, has many issues on its agenda, ranging from discussing an all-out ban on the export of bluefin tuna, a fish highly sought after for traditional sushi in Japan, to banning trade in polar bear skins.

For the tiger, however, one of the world’s most recognizable and idolized megafauna, the future looks uncertain. It may soon be that your only glimpse of one will be at a zoo, though reports show that it’s no 5-star resort for tigers caged up in captivity, and even here, their lives are in danger.

Flying into Death: Mirrored Highrise Fatal Trap for Songbirds

Amoy — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:23:52 +0000

The pleas to turn off office lights during migration season sound loud and clear each year. But what about buildings that are, essentially, mirrored death traps, designed to reflect the sky, both day and night? The ominous 3-towered office complex at Consilium Place, Scarborough, Ontario, is such a trap.

We’ve heard comedians laying the blame squarely on the heads of the dying songbirds ‘stupid enough to fly into buildings.’ However, there are others who say that building structures that mirror the surrounding atmosphere and confuse and ultimately kill tiny feathered creatures is innately cruel and amoral.

So unethical, in fact, that environmental groups Ontario Nature and Ecojustice Lawyers have launched a private prosecution against the Consilium Place management for infractions under the Environmental Protection Act and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Because the GTA is a migration thoroughfare for birds during spring migration, beginning next week and running until early June, as well as during fall migration, from August to the end of October, thousands of birds are in lethal danger.

But the Consilium Place towers, reaching as high as 17 stories, are especially deadly, covered from ground to sky with mirrored glass and standing alone in an area with very few highrises.

Everything from Golden-Crowned Kinglets to Hummingbirds, White-throated Sparrows, and Juncos have met a painful end flying into what bird safety advocate Michael Mesure terms “the most reflective glass windows of any building in the city.”

In 2001, Mesure recalls an avian nightmare when FLAP volunteers recovered 500 dead or injured birds in only six hours. In October 2005, they picked up 400 birds in two days. In the 2008-2009 seasons, over 800 birds were recovered. Most collisions happen between ground level and the fourth floor, where sky and trees are perfectly reflected in the glass.

Caroline Schultz of Ontario Nature says the point of the lawsuit is to set a precedent, forcing business owners and building managers to take the problem seriously and realize their legal responsibility.

The Consilium management company, Menkes, will appear in court this month, after being reluctant to take strong measures to mitigate the problem, likely because, ultimately, it would require changing the actual aesthetics of the office towers. Meager attempts to improve the situation were made, such as employing scare tactics using hawk silhouettes and hanging things in surrounding trees.

Greater changes, though, may become necessary should the case for the birds come off victorious.

Eco-friendly Tips for Greening Your Spring Cleaning

Clinton — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:14:40 +0000

As rejuvenation outside begins, those of us concerned with the domestic angle may realize that chirping birds and blooming tulips herald the time of year for freshening up inside. Yes, spring cleaning time is upon us and hopefully we have the energy and determination to tackle it, thanks to longer days and extra sunshine.

Spring cleaning may take on many forms and may include many different tasks for each of us, but we all have one thing in common: to perform our yearly ritual in as ‘green’ a manner as possible. So dispose of the clutter of conventional cleaning techniques, and open the drapes to cleaner, greener tips for spring cleaning.

Use Natural Substances: Harsh chemical cleaners are not only harmful to your health and to the environment, they don’t have anything on natural substances like salt, water, vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice. Use these various ingredients to remove stains and fight odors.

Speaking of Odors: Chemical air fresheners are said to be a leading environmentally unhealthy ‘home’ product. And they’re unnecessary if you try natural baking soda or essential oils. Why mask or hide bad odors? Want fresh air inside? Open the windows! Let spring breezes circulate and freshen your indoor atmosphere. You can also try planting various houseplants that have exceptional air-purifying abilities

Clear Out the Clutter: Have a yard sale or visit a swap shop to get rid of items in good shape that you no longer use. Don’t forget about online classifieds like Craigslist or that old favorite, the ‘free-to-a-good-home’ sign. Your now unloved or unused possession may be just what someone else is looking for.

Recycle: Remember to take electronic waste like old cell phones and computers to appropriate recycling depots in your community. Some areas have specific drop-off locations on certain days, so check online. Going through old papers and magazines? Don’t forget to recycle these as well, instead of tossing them in the trash.

Eco-friendly Renos: Dreaming of a new daffodil yellow hue to spruce up your walls? If you’re considering repainting your rooms, choose a paint with a low VOC (volatile organic compounds). This will ensure a minimum amount of indoor air pollution, which can cause serious health problems.

Laundry: If you have large drapes or blankets to wash, hang them outside to dry or set up a special clothesline inside, perhaps in your basement or in a warm area of the house. The energy used to heat your home can do double duty by drying your laundry as well, and save you money on your power bill.

Organization: Proper organization can make life so much easier. But instead of stacking up on plastic bins, consider using neatly labeled (and even decoratively wrapped) shoe boxes or bamboo baskets. You can make your own cloth bags out of the fabric of old clothes to hang things in your closets.

Go Paperless: This is one tip that will ease the workload, not just for spring cleaning, but for everyday tidying up as well. Switch to online banking and keep track of other expenses by receiving messages or bills online.

Use Reusable Cleaning Tools: There may be times when paper towel is very convenient, but most wiping up and scrubbing down can be done with rags from old t-shirts or towels, or by using reusable sponges instead of using disposable mops or sweepers.

In the Dirt: While perhaps not a cleaning tip, it’s a great time of year to think about starting to grow herbs, tomato plants, or other favorite foods indoors so that when spring cleaning is but a distant memory, you’ll be relaxing in the summer sun, eating fresh, homegrown produce!

What are some of your favorite spring cleaning tips?