Green Guelph

I had the privilege to interview Elizabeth May today. I am part of the Guelph Mercury Editorial Board and was lucky enough to meet with her, Guelph’s current candidate Mike Nagy and someone from the national team.

She was in Guelph today to kick-off her campaign to allow her to be a part of the televised debates that will occur for the next Federal election.

She had some valid points as to why she should be allowed:

1. They are a party that is running a candidate in every riding in Canada. Well, except one but I’ll talk about that later.
2. They are a Federally funded party receiving about $1.82 per vote for them. Last time they had about 600,000 people vote for them.
3. There were other points but I forget right now…but they seemed valid to me.

I am a huge believer in democracy. Now I don’t want this blog to turn into a political one, but I have to tell you about what was discussed so here I go…

I have a big problem with the fact that the BLOC only runs in Quebec, is a separatist party and they get to be on the debates.

The thing I like about the U.S elections is that any Tom, Dick or Harry or Sally can run. They all get a place on the debates and the ones that don’t cut it get booted out! I know it’s completely different than up here in the great white North, but I hope you get the point.

I asked her the following 2 questions:

1. Are you ticked that Stephane Dion stole your Carbon Tax platform?
2. If the idea of a Carbon Tax can do 2 things at once: ONE: Help reduce pollution and TWO: Give tax breaks to ordinary folks like me, if this is such a great idea, then why did the Liberals not bring this forward in the 12 years they were in government?

Her answers may be in the Guelph Mercury tomorrow so I will allow the article to come out first before I write more on this.

So just to say one thing about the “running candidates in every riding except one…” Well, Elizabeth and Stephane made a deal that they would not run an opposing candidate in each others ridings. Elizabeth was very adamant that the Green Party is about democracy. She talked about it probably half of the hour long interview. Yet she is taking away the right of one riding to vote for the Green Party completely. She did say that it’s been a “tradition” for leaders to do this but it still makes me upset as a voter.

Any comments from you great visitors is welcome!

Cam

Leader of the Green Party of Canada, Elizabeth May, will be in Guelph at the Guelph Youth Music Center from 7.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m on May 26th.

This is your chance to hear what she has to say!

I tried some of their food a couple of weekends ago and it was awesome! The presentation was also so good! Please consider calling Alex or Dan for your next party or get-together! You’ll be glad you did! Check out their info in the business directory or in the “links” section to the right!

Thanks folks!

Cam

We welcome back Canada’s

Stephen

Fearing

A Benefit Concert in Support of

Eden Mills Going Carbon Neutral

A project of the

Eden Mills Millpond Conservation Association

Friday, May 23, 2008

Concert Starts at 8:00 pm

Doors Open at 7:15 pm (General Admittance)

Eden Mills Community Hall

108 York St., Eden Mills, On

Tickets $20.00 @ Wild Rose Consignment Clothing

23A Macdonell St., Guelph

Phone Orders 519-856-1188

or e-mail emmpca@sentex.net

Don’t miss this breath-taking performance!

Here is an article from the Guelph Mercury today about ECO-DAY!

City sells out of rain-collection barrels

“We’ve been very busy, 400 cars so far,” said Bill Shields, supervisor of governance and compliance for solid waste resources, as he directed the lineup of cars into the e-waste drop-off area.

“We’re very environmentally friendly people in Guelph,” he said.

During three Eco Days this year — yesterday and the holiday Mondays on Aug. 4 and Oct. 13 — the city is offering free electronic waste recycling and selling rain barrels and backyard composters.

Yesterday, they sold out of rain barrels and started taking orders for more.

The e-waste drop-off area had mountains of used computer monitors and other out-of-date technology.

“It’s sent to St. Catharines, where they have a program for youth offenders where they teach them about electronics — teach them how to operate them, how do dismantle them, then teach the marketing business, the recycling business,” Shields said. “So it’s a win-win for everybody.”

Robert White, who lined up for the e-recycling drop off during one busy period, thinks the Eco Days are a great way to finish up some spring cleaning.

He dropped off a computer monitor, laptop and fax machine.

“It gets our stuff out of the house,” he said.

Ruth Bowes is “Going Green”Real estate representative Ruth Bowes is one of a small number of real estate representatives to focus her attention on Green Real Estate.

Bowes, a member of the Royal LePage Royal City Brokerage team of Rockwood, Ontario, became a licensed agent in November 2005. Since those first days Ruth was exploring how she could bring her environmental interest and desire to raise people’s environmental awareness into her real estate career. She began to look for resources that would help her journey and discovered a Toronto REALTOR in the beginning stages of creating what would later become the National Association of Green Agents and Brokers (NAGAB). When NAGAB offered its first of three mandatory courses last year – Bowes jumped at the chance to become more knowledgeable within the context of the housing market.

According to a recently released report by Royal Lepage and National Association of Green Agents and Brokers (NAGAB), “green” is a growing trend. The report found that 72 per cent of Canadians plan to make their next home purchase a green-improved one. Of those, 62 per cent said they would pay $5,000 to $20,000 more for green features. Another eight per cent would be willing to pay more than $20,000.

The National Association of Green Agents and Brokers, a registered non profit, dedicated to improving the professional competence of its members in Green brokerage. NAGAB offers an affordable GreenRealestate program leading to the Accredited Green Agent designation. This designation is awarded to those who meet the association’s requirements such as required Green building courses and involvement and service to the Association

Ruth’s “Going Green Business Practices” are as follows:

• Using and promoting clean energy sources where available (Bullfrog Power)
• Reducing emissions by carefully planning travel & purchasing offsets (Planetair.ca; planned purchase of Prius Hybrid)
• Reducing print materials through increased use of internet, e-mail, and through the use of new technologies (Tablet PC/VREO Software);
• Printing, when necessary, on FSC approved paper (Domtar Earth Choice); and
• Promoting reducing, reusing and recycling..

Several of her clients have chosen her because of her environmental values and most recently she worked with a family whose daughter has Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. Their search for a home with minimal renovations, low gassing off materials, was a learning experience and a challenge.

Ruth Bowes finds, many of Buyers are interested in energy efficiency and indoor air quality, while Sellers that have invested in “greener” technologies are looking to have these promoted. Eventually Bowes believes that homes will have to have an Energy Efficiency Audit before selling – similar to certifying your car!

She takes green several steps further, this year Ruth and her husband will build a Straw Bale home in Eden Mills. This is the first North America community striving to become Carbon Neutral. She believes they will fit right in to this community and it will give her the opportunity to learn first hand about selecting and buying greener building materials as well as living in a community striving to bring environmental issues to the forefront.

Thanks everyone! GreenGuelph.ca has just passed the 3000 hits mark. I continue to appreciate your support through comments and great dialog!

Cam

The April issue of Guelph Homes and Lifestyle featured yet another one of my articles. Here it is below:

Spring Greening, I mean Spring Cleaning!

It’s that time of year where you look outside and see less and less snow, birds waking you up in the morning and the sudden urge to clean. When it comes to spring cleaning this year, try to think of it as Spring Greening.

As I have been cleaning out my garage, basement, closets and the outside of my home over the last month I have come across some helpful tips that I’d like to share with you.

1. Try to recycle as much as possible. I usually start with asking my neighbours and family. So far some of my families’ clothes, kid’s toys and even a T.V have made their way into the hands of others that will be put to good use instead of ending up in the garbage.
2. How about making some money? Yep – Take some of your clothes to a consignment store.
3. Lots of charities would be glad to take your good used items. Local stores like the Salvation Army and Value Village can use your unused items. Don’t give them your garbage though. Too many times have I seen terrible stuff donated to these worthwhile shops. It’s not the dump folks.
4. EBay it! Too good to give away? Try selling it online.
5. I started cleaning my garage first. I did this so I could prepare for a garage sale that I want to have in May.
6. On those rare days this April where the weather is just fantastic – OPEN THOSE WINDOWS! I just can’t get enough of that fresh air. It’s been said that the air in our homes can be worse than outside. With several months of living in your boarded up home it’s nice to feel that wind blow through your house.
7. Take a look those cleaning supplies that you’re using. Is there a bunch of toxic chemicals in it? Many stores are now carrying eco-friendly cleaning supplies.
8. Try to get the whole family involved. I have 2 small children and they both enjoy filling bags of their toys that they don’t want anymore so they can give them to those who are in need.
9. After getting your bicycles tuned up, get out there! It’s a lot easier without that snow. Less emissions and good exercise,
10. Check those light bulbs outside. Often it’s once the snow is gone that you actually take a walk around your home. Those porch lights might need changing to the new energy efficient light bulbs.

Remember, at www.greenguelph.ca you can share your stories of Spring Greening!

Thank you,

Cam Guthrie

Owner of www.GreenGuelph.ca

I was in line last night at The Home Depot returning something and the guy in front of me did not look impressed. He was waiting with a large box in front of him and in that large box was…..a brand new cordless mower. So I had to ask…

“What happened?”

He said “it worked and then it lost it’s charge and I couldn’t figure out if it was the battery or the charging unit itself and my grass is really long now and I’ve been trying to fix it for 2 days and I’m going back to my old mower and…..” well you get the point.

I’m thinking the old push mower’s might still be the least problematic and most environmental way of still cutting the grass.

But I’m one to talk! I have a regular gas mower and a John Deer riding lawn mower!! I’ve got to admit it…I like it a lot!

Cam

I like vinyl. So if you have any old record players just bring them to me, or actually I ‘ll come and pick them up from you! If you have any Hi-Fi stuff at all – Just call me. Any other stuff you don’t need….bring it here:

The City of Guelph Solid Waste Resources division will host its first Eco Days event on Monday, May 19 at the Waste Resource Innovation Centre.
Guelph residents are invited to stop by 110 Dunlop Drive on Victoria Day between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to drop-off electronic waste items free of charge, take a tour of the recycling facility, or purchase a backyard composter. Guelph International Resource Centre will also be on-site selling rain barrels and accessory kits.

“Previous electronic waste drop-off events have been very popular, and I’m glad that this time, residents will also have the chance to pick up a composter or rain barrel and get a look behind the scenes at our recycling facility,” said Mayor Karen Farbridge.

City-wide ‘goods exchange’ will also take place over the long weekend. Residents are encouraged to find a new home for reusable items by marking them as ‘free’ and placing them at the curb after 7 p.m. on Friday, May 16. All leftover items must be removed from the curb by 7 p.m. on Monday, May 19.

Guelph Eco Days will take place again on John Galt Day (August 4) and Thanksgiving (October 13). For more information about Eco Days, including the list of e-waste items accepted at the event, recycling facility tour schedule, and goods exchange guidelines, visit guelph.ca/wetdry.