Eco-friendly Ottawa
August 31, 2009
Ottawa, being the capital, naturally aspires to being a leader among Canadian cities.
Good leadership means not just being a good role model, but also the first to try new ideas and pave the way for greener possibilities. With the addition of a bike-share program, and the country’s first ever Ethanol gas station, they’re doing just that.
The Public Bike System has two stations in downtown Ottawa, and two in Gatineau, sharing a total of 50 bikes for its trial launch period. In the future, they hope to have as many as 500 bikes available for users in the National Capital Region.
A $3 user fee applies. Users swipe their credit cards, and are given a code to unlock a bike. The first half hour is free, but to encourage a quick turnaround, additional charges apply after 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, for one month, ethanol will be offered at a Shell station on Merivale road. It’s actually blend of 1/10 ethanol and 9/10 regular gas, and will not cost extra. This may seem like a small change, but for its developer, Iogen, it’s a milestone.
Since the ‘70s, Iogen has been working on a cellulostic biofuel. That means it uses plant material – husks and stalks rather then the edible corn itself – thereby not affecting food sources. Based in Ottawa, local farmers supply Iogen the material.
Is it working? Many government vehicles already use Iogen’s locally produced ethanol, in mixes as great as 85 per cent ethanol. That said, both the bikes and the ethanol are trial versions. They’ll determine public interest and ascertain feasibility.
However, with good consumer response, they may return in full force.
Gary Doer boosts PM’s bid to go green
August 31, 2009
Toronto Star Columnist relooks at Doer’s earlier Halifax speech, now in the context of his decision to take on the role of U.S. Ambassador, especially in light of upcoming international negotiations for a new global greenhouse gas emission reduction regime
Arctic methane seeps increase
August 31, 2009
This is as good an illustration of a vicious circle as any: global warming causes permafrost to melt and trapped methane is released into the atmosphere, thereby exacerbating the issue of global warming
Garbage in, energy out
August 28, 2009
It smells like the town dump, but instead it’s a leading-edge technology centre. It’s the Plasco Energy Group Inc. building and it’s like a 21st century form of alchemy: garbage in, energy out
Full Story [The Globe and Mail]
Big blue dreams of a big green battery
August 28, 2009
Spike Narayan watched a Tesla electric sports car rocket from zero to 60 mph (100 kph) in less than four seconds and knew batteries would be the next big thing.
Friday Facts
August 28, 2009
Canada is home to one of three tidal power plants in the world and the only one in the Western Hemisphere. Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Tidal Generating Station in the Bay of Fundy has an installed capacity of 20 megawatts and annually produces about 50 gigawatt-hours of electricity.
Source: Nova Scotia Power 2008
Leading the way in efficiency
August 27, 2009
Here are some thoughts from one Yellowknife resident who is building the first energy-efficient LEED accredited house in Canada’s North. Oh, and for the record, he doesn’t like to sniff glue or any other chemicals
Full Story [Northern News Services]
U.S. goes with the flow of Alberta crude
August 27, 2009
This columnist pontificates on Washington’s decision, which, to the chagrin of environmentalists, will see the construction of pipelines from Alberta to the U.S., saying “Washington leaves Canada’s environmental policies to Canadians and greenhouse gas emissions to broad international agreements.”
Full Story [TheChronicleHerald.ca]
Networking site provides forum for a sustainable Calgary
August 27, 2009
This Calgary bio-resources engineer wants to paint Calgary’s business community green, and she’s creating a networking site to do it
I’m Fantastic Bioplastic
August 27, 2009
The latest in eco-friendly attire to make its way down runways and bike trails in all the hottest fashion houses of New York, Milan and Hoboken: potato raincoats. That’s right. Soon you too could be the proud owner of your own spud duds.
We’re assuming that it takes a heck of a lot of energy to manufacture plastic, so this eco-friendly alternative is right up our hiking path. This waterproof coat is made entirely of potato starch bioplastic and other natural resources, which makes it a 100% biodegradable and compostable.
But don’t worry: it won’t mean that the coat will start biodegrading right off your back at the sign of the first heavy rain; it only starts biodegrading under very specific conditions. And this coat is more than just a pretty face: it educates every passer-by on bioplastics by telling them “I was a potato”.
Not all ‘biodegradable’ products are compostable and those with oxodegradable additives are frequently labeled improperly. That means that when the plastic disintegrates, its harmful components go into the earth.
But wait! There’s more: the coat can be planted once it’s no longer needed! The seeds are contained in a small clay ball which is integrated right into the raincoat.
The coat’s seeds contain Mediterranean herbs, flowers, trees and bushes. The product is a real European collaboration: produced in Spain with German bioplastic made out of more than 20 varieties of French potatoes.
Ah oui, oui. Be good to the Earth: plant a raincoat.