Canadian cities embrace Earth Day Canada conservation program

On the cusp of another week celebrating our connection to the environment (Canadian Environment Week, June 1st through 7th), a number of cities and towns across Canada have partnered with Earth Day Canada’s EcoAction Teams program to implement a year-round program of conservation actions any citizen can take.

Full Story [CNW]

Put energy in the bank during your home renovation

Some of the trendiest interior designers in the business are keen on green. Witness HGTV’s show, World’s Greenest Homes, which highlights the best of the best eco-wise homes.

Although the homes featured on the show resemble green versions of MTVs Cribs, don’t be discouraged – you can make trendy, earth-friendly changes to your humbler abode too.

Thinking about tearing out the old carpet? Instead of replacing it with new carpet, look into green flooring options like bamboo, eucalyptus or cork. Not only are these floor covering options made from sustainable harvested materials, cork flooring reduces heat loss which will help you conserve energy.

Once you’ve got the floor down, think hard about the appliances you’re going to perch on top of it. You can save even more energy with new ENERGY STAR appliances. Appliances with the ENERGY STAR rating can save you $80 a year on your energy bill. ENERGY STAR appliances that use water will also help you save on your water bill. Appliances that meet the regulations will use any where from 10 to 50 per cent less energy and water than your standard model.

And don’t forget to recycle when possible. Before you haul off the old to the landfill, try selling or donating your old appliances, recycle what you can and reuse what you still love.

Eco-friendly renovations and projects can cost a bit more, but think about taking steps to achieve your overall goal of greening your home. Set your priorities and make your renos over time. Not only will this help spread out the financial burdens of renovations, it will relieve the stress of large home-building projects.

Efficiency efforts mean soaring oil prices just don’t bite like they used to

The average refrigerator is 70 per cent more energy efficient and nearly a third larger than in the early 1970s.

Full Story [Report Business.com]

Financial incentives available for getting energy smart

The price of oil may be at record highs, but in John Graham’s mind it’s not high enough.

Full Story [The Intelligencer]

Prowling the Pumps – May 27, 2008

On the case, lurking at service stations across the country to find the lowest and highest gasoline prices in Canada.

Average across Canada

Prices are on the rise again, up 4.2 cents per litre from last week. So, our hypothetical 80-litre gas tank cost $3.36 more to fill up this week.

Least Expensive Gasoline in Canada (per litre)

Kingston is the least expensive place In Canada to buy gasoline for the sixth week in a row. I think it’s time somebody slapped a huge tax on Kingston gas so some other city can enjoy the cheapest gas in the country. And Winnipeg came out of nowhere to join the low-cost five for the first time since we began prowling the pumps. If it wasn’t for taxes and Kingston, Winnipeg would have bragging rights.

Most Expensive Gasoline in Canada (per litre)

Taxes and Kingston – that’s all that keeps Gander from having the least expensive gasoline in Canada. But because of those two factors, it has the fourth highest gas prices. Really, of all the members of the pricey five, only Yellowknife has expensive gas. But unlike its compatriots, it also has low taxes.

Back to our proverbial 80-litre gas tank. If you live in Labrador City, but bought your gas in Kingston, you would have saved $19.12 this week.

This week’s excuse for high crude oil prices: Trouble in Nigeria

Canadian Energy Pipeline Association annual dinner supports Engineers Without Borders

The Canadian Energy Pipelines Association (CEPA) recently held its annual dinner; this year supporting Engineers Without Borders, a Canadian based organization focused on helping people in developing communities gain access to technologies that will improve their lives.

The keynote speaker for the evening was the Honourable Jim Prentice, Federal Minister of Energy and Minister responsible for pipelines. In his speech, Minister Prentice emphasized the importance of pipelines, not only for transporting crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas, but also as a crucial part of the economy and our trade with the United States. He pointed out that the U.S. imports more oil from Canada than from any other country, and Canada’s pipeline network makes this possible. He also spoke on the Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline and the economic impact it will have on the north.

In his remarks about Canada’s present and future pipelines, Minister Prentice stressed the necessity of a rigorous environmental assessment process.

Also speaking at the dinner was George Roter, one of the founders of Engineers Without Borders. He described how Canadian engineers are working in sub-Saharan Africa on drinking water, sanitation and agricultural projects, calling their efforts “turning dreams into hope.”

Murray Birch, Chair of the CEPA Board of Directors used the event to announce the appointment of Brenda Kenny, P.Eng, PhD as CEPA President. Prior to her appointment as President, Brenda was CEPA’s Vice President, Regulatory & Financial. Prior to joining CEPA, she held a number of progressively more responsible positions at the National Energy Board.

New website helps pair up Halifax commuter

Halifax wants more commuters to carpool to help cut down traffic congestion and the emission of greenhouse gases.

Full Story [CBCNews.ca]

Climate change and beer: this argument just got personal

Now here’s a story that has beer drinkers hopping mad: In early April, Dr. Jim Salinger, a climate scientist at New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research announced to the London-based Institute of Brewing and Distilling that climate change will likely lead to a rise in the cost of beer at the pub over the next 25 years. The resulting media frenzy may have been the most active discussion on the effects of climate change in quite some time.

We’ve heard that climate change may mess with our ice caps and local weather, but now we’re concerned. To learn that a favourite brew might cost a pretty penny more is not just an inconvenience or a mildly disturbing hypothetical result of increased greenhouse gas emissions—it could be a terrifying inevitability unless something is done right now.

See the connection? Dr. Salinger sure does, and he’s not just pulling our lager on this one.

Dr. Salinger’s career is based on the study of our current climate. He knows and publishes research about the effects of climate change on our world. It’s not just wheat and barley (and, by extension, beer) that feel the effects of a changing climate, it’s everything, and Dr. Salinger knows it. But it seems that the “everything is affected” argument doesn’t generate the same attention as something as tangible, something that apparently matters as much, as the effects of climate change on our alcoholic consumption choices.

Dr. Salinger has tapped into an important thread in the climate change debate with the hope that the rising price of beer might inspire beer drinkers to take action on the issue. He may have started a trend as this discussion moves forward. Stay tuned for climate change announcements about the rising price of our other favourite vices.

Word on the street – scooters are “in”

Let’s face it – fuel prices are driving us up the wall! At an average price of $1.27/litre or so, it’s no surprise that Canadians are looking for a new, more fuel-efficient, way to get around.

That’s where scooters come in. More than just an easy way for seniors to get to the post office – these gas-saving, guzzle-free two-wheelers are the hot eco-friendly, moneysaving way to get around town. Forget about those husky, heavy SUVs. According to Ideal Bite, eco-friendly scooters not only consume gasoline at a dramatically lower rate, they also produce up to 80 per cent less C02 than their four-wheel counterparts.

But before you scoot to commute, beware – some scooters are more eco-friendly then others. If that scooter you’re diggin’ has a two-stroke instead of a four-stroke engine, it will likely produce more emissions, consume more gas and oil and be harder to care for. Also be wary of zero-emission or electric scooters. Although they don’t produce emissions directly, don’t forget it takes energy to power the scooters.

So if you’re looking to ditch the high gas bills, look into a scooter. It’s a vehicle alternative that’s fashionable, fun and fuel-efficient.

Province is Mobilized and Ready to Take Action

Ontarians from every corner of the province will help celebrate the power of conservation during the first Ontario Energy Conservation Week, May 25-31, 2008.

Full Story [CNW Group]

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