Detroit: A Transformation From Autos To Agriculture

What an incredible story of the transformation that will soon take over Detroit. The article sums up the events wonderfully. What a horrendous state of affairs that now rules this city, but with new vision, there is hope.
http://news.therecord.com/News/CanadaWorld/article/604062

Waterloo Region doesn't suffer from the same problems as Detroit. We are not similar in any respect really. However, the lesson here is that we need to reclaim greenspace and use it to strengthen community, and give a strong identity, where it is weak or non-existent. There are so many areas in K-W and Cambridge, and Guelph that could be re-identified and made to contribute to the health of our cities. A very interesting article indeed!

Local Food and Chef Festival!

Local restaurants and farmers are coming together for the 6th annual Taste Local! Taste Fresh! event. It will take place in Elmira on Sept. 20th. This is a great event with some great local chefs creating amazing dishes using local foods! Guests will get 20 different appetizers to try from 20 farmer-chef pairings. It will be a great afternoon!

http://www.elmiraindependent.com//news.php?id=1745

Check it out!

Green Pee!

How`s this for a GREAT GREEN INITIATIVE! Brazil`s public service announcements are way better than anything we have here! ENJOY the video!

Xixi no Banho - 1 Translation(s) | dotSUB

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Growing Green Roofs

I have been preaching their benefits for years. I started looking at them as a serious alternative seven or eight years ago. I still have yet to go ahead with my own, however, it has been due to the lack of knowledge in the roofing industry. This is beginning to change. Thank goodness.

http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/Local/article/524208

More and more communities will embrace the green roof trend over the coming decade. The benefits, outlined in the article out of the Guelph Mercury, are many. The disadvantages are only in cost.

Always, responsible, sustainable ideas, concepts, and necessities come down to cost. It is time to look at cost as more than simple dollars. We need to open our minds to complete costs of the decisions we make, notably the environmental cost associated with doing, or not doing.

Something to keep in mind with all your choices.

Out of the Dark - Check out this great eco event!!!

Out of the Dark: A Solar Information Night

Date: Thursday, August 13th 2009 (on the eve of the Great Blackout, August 14, 2003)

Time: 6:30-9:00pm (Presentation starts at 7pm)

Location: At Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, 101 Father David Bauer Drive

Learn how you can harvest free energy from the sun using solar technology. This information night will feature talks from guest speakers including Jed Goldberg, president of Earth Day Canada speaking on communities involved in sustainable energy, with Regional Chair Ken Seiling and Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran representing the support that the Region of Waterloo and the City of Waterloo have for solar energy. Information will be shared about an exciting opportunity in Waterloo Region: the Solar Initiative for Distributed Energy (SIDE) organized by Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW). Learn about this community bulk buy that allows homeowners, cooperatives, small business owners, and faith communities to access turnkey solar power systems for less than the retail price. Learn about the government grants and incentives available to anyone who installs solar power including the time limited 2009 Home Renovation Tax Credit. Various solar technologies will be discussed, including solar panels which generate electricity (called photovoltaic or “PV”) and others which heat water (called solar thermal). Solar installers will be on-hand to give demonstrations and answer questions. This event is hosted by Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW) and the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP). Admission is FREE.

Pre-Register at www.crewsolar.eventbrite.com

For more information visit www.crewzone.ca .

The Way Food Systems Should Be!

Growing Power is a national nonprofit organization and land trust supporting people from diverse backgrounds, and the environments in which they live, by helping to provide equal access to healthy, high-quality, safe and affordable food for people in all communities. Growing Power implements this mission by providing hands-on training, on-the-ground demonstration, outreach and technical assistance through the development of Community Food Systems that help people grow, process, market and distribute food in a sustainable manner.

It provides so much for its community, asking for so little in return! This is an incredible model for how a community can rally around a sustainable idea! http://www.growingpower.org/

Also, check out a similar idea for Toronto! http://foodcycles.org/ Lots of great ways to get involved and to learn!

I wish my next link was for Waterloo, but it isn't. Perhaps someday soon?

Green Roof Canada

A good piece on Green Roof technology in Canada,
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090605/green_roofs_090607/20090607?hub=TopStories



However, I really have to point out that the technology is available for private residences as well. We need to begin to push for this technology into our development regulations. It is perfectly safe, and does not compromise existing structures, stops storm water runoff, provides habitat, and creates a much more energy efficient home, both in the summer and the winter!

I had actually bandied about a business plan for the planning and installation of green roofs for awhile. Unfortunately, when I needed more education in the area, I couldn't believe how inaccessible such information was. More education in environmental technology, and alternatives that are available, is sorely needed. Thus this is a good piece in the news, and I am very happy to hear that Toronto is considering development regulations to make mandatory green roofing components! Time for Waterloo to jump on board!

Zero Energy Housing, and Commercial?!!! WOW

California Public Utilities Commission’s strategic plan calls for new homes to be zero net energy by 2020 and that standard will apply to new commercial buildings y 2030. Now that's exciting!

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/may/26/zero-net-energy-a-goal-for-every-home-and-in/

So when is the Most Intelligent Community in North America (that would be Waterloo!) going to catch up with the rest of the world? Start pushing the provincial government to develop some new development guidelines. If energy is a big issue in this province, then legislate less energy usage! Pretty straight forward. I don't have the source, but did you know that just by following the advice of a Home Energy Audit, the average home can cut their energy usage in half!

Oh dear, I once again am ranting at the government to take a lead in environmental protection. I firmly believe that there can be legislation that can push us far towards the light at the end of the tunnel. I firmly believe that almost all of us in Canada are spoiled rotten! Time to wake up and learn how to be responsible for one's actions!

PS - Thanks Jim Harris for the lead here. Great story!

Waterloo Is Out Of Cluck

http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/517143

The article is very informative. Check it out.

I don't know if I would want to have chickens in my backyard. Maybe, it would be great for my daughter to learn about. However, I don't think I am ready to tackle that responsibility. Oh, wait, I won't be able to because whether I want to or not, Waterloo has officially closed the debate.

I would be fine with neighbours having chickens, I just don't think I would. Why is it that we seem to refuse to look to a more sustainable, locally dependent economy!? I just don't get it!

Grand River Transit Includes Elmira

Great one year trial initiative by the GRT. The service has been extended to Elmira from the Conestoga Mall terminal. All the details are in the press release on the region's website. If you are in Elmira, consider this as an option! Please!

I am sure you wouldn't miss the traffic!

http://www.region.waterloo.on.ca/web/region.nsf/$All/16F748BDC7F5F9CA852575900053CB43?OpenDocument