As Canada Day approaches, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on what our country has had to offer to the global environmental movement. We should be proud — because Canadians have made significant green contributions to business, academia, policy, and science.

No list of Canadian greenies would be complete without David Suzuki, of course. As a television broadcaster and writer, he raised our awareness as to The Nature of Things and the problem of climate change. He has received 22 honourary degrees and The David Suzuki Foundation has become a watchdog organization that is respected around the world. His daughter Severn Suzuki is an activist in her own right who electrified the 1992 World Summit in Rio De Janeiro at the age of eleven, by making a passionate deputation demanding that children’s voices be heard as we consider how our actions determine their future.

And of course, there is Greenpeace. This Vancouver non-profit sprang out of the consciousness-raising hippie movement of the sixties and seventies. Its founders brought a media-savvy, in-your-face kind of activism to the battles against whaling, old growth clear-cuts, nuclear power, and genetically modified foods.  And Pollution Probe in Toronto created a model for public interest environmental groups that has been copied around the world.

Canadians have also been pioneers in passing tough and effective legislation that protect both our own natural world, and the planet at large.  In the 1970s, Ontario passed two pieces of legislation, the Environmental Assessment Act and the Environmental Protection Act, that are still considered to be among the toughest worldwide. More recently Ontario passed the Endangered Species Act, created a greenbelt around Toronto, and introduced The Green Energy and Economy Act.

Ontario is not the only Canadian to pioneer progressive environmental legislation. Out west in British Columbia, the very first carbon tax in North America was introduced only a year ago. And our Atlantic provinces, along with Quebec, were the first to create a Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative with their neighboring New England states.

Our federal government has also made great strides in developing technologies for a cleaner greener world. Engineers from Natural Resources Canada developed world-class software to develop renewable energy called RETSCREEN. It’s available for free download in 35 languages and is currently used by NASA, among many others around the globe.

So this Canada Day, as you fire up your barbecue and sip on your Alexander Keiths beer or your Niagara Reisling, meditate on all these achievements and be extra proud to be Canadian.

Exclusive to Green Cricket

I had the honour of being able to interview Howard Kremer, one of the writers on ABC’s “The Goode Family.” (Fridays, 8:30/7:30 Central.) We talked about how Hollywood approaches telling the story of how a green family tries to be good.

The Goode Family is a show which follows Gerald and Helen Goode, an environmentally-conscious family who live by the code “WWAGD?” (What Would Al Gore Do?) The Goodes cope every episode with the trials of constantly working towards being greener.

As you know, green Cricket is a company dedicated to making a greener lifestyle achievable and affordable.

“It’s a really good thing to be doing, because the affordability thing is a huge issue, as you know.”

There is an impression that being Green is an upper class pursuit, but the Goode’s are a more middle-class family. Was that a deliberate choice?

The idea was for “what are the struggles for the common man who attempts to integrate green stuff in to his everyday life?” And it’s becoming a more average person’s burden now.

Los Angeles is a hotbed of people who are both religiously fervent about environmentalism and also a love of one-upsmanship. How have you brought your experiences with that behaviour to the show?

I think the way that comes out is through Helen and Margot. In an early episode, Helen has a moral dilemma at the grocery store when she forgets her reusable bags. She spots Margot, and knowing she can’t ask for paper bags, decides to carry her groceries out by hand.

Where Green Cricket is based, there is a bag tax. We have to pay 5 cents per bag. We have experienced this exact dilemma because you have to “resign” yourself to paying the tax and sometimes you get a hard time for “not being prepared.”

Really? That’s hilarious… the pressure that’s put on people. Most of these laws ideas… I support them. I think we shouldn’t have plastic bags clogging landfills, and I think we understand that these ideas come from a good place, but what is interesting to us is how close these rules can come to fascism. When you’re not even allowed to carry around a plastic bag without everyone else ostracising you or coming down on you?

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“No more pencils, No more books, No more teachers’ dirty looks”…

Do children still sing this end of school rhyme?    It is that time of year again:  school will soon be out for the summer.  Once again we are faced with the challenge of finding a gift for teacher to take on the last day.  One of the important things our children are learning both at home and at school is to care for the environment: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Often the children are the ones calling the adults to account, reminding us about the three Rs!  So, when it comes to choosing a gift, why not consider giving an environmentally friendly gift?  It is easy to go green with teachers’ gifts:  from Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance coffee (teacher will have time to enjoy a good cup of morning coffee without having to rush off to school!) to home spa items like a bath soak or a body lotion (soak away those report card writing stressful deadlines!) to a practical recycled tote bag (teachers will still need to shop during the summer!).   It is a win-win situation all round:  the children see that we are serious about the environment, the environment benefits with every green gift and the teacher receives a lovely gift!  Go ahead:  give green!

We are proud to be teaming up with Amici Camping Charity , where they have been sending thousands of underprivileged kids to camp for almost 45 years. By purchasing one of our GreenCricket camper promotions, parents save 15% on environmentally friendly camp products, AND we donate 5% of the proceeds to Camp Amici to continue their great work! Only until June 24, so act quickly!!

Camps and campers know how fragile our environment is, so make sure that you only take biodegradable, reusable or recycled product with you up North this summer.

Here are some camping essentials:

 Biodegradable Shampoo and Conditioner 

Biodegradable Dish Soap 

Parabens Free, SPF 30 Kids Sunscreen

Preserve Recycled Toothbrush (6 pack set) 

Citronella Milk Lotion (130ml) 

Have a safe and wonderful summer……and don’t forget to support Kids at Camp with Green Cricket and Camp Amici.

Susan Mey  

There is a great deal of discussion today about sunscreen. We know only too well that the suns rays can be harmful, at the very least, to give us a burn and, worse, with prolonged exposure, the risk of skin cancer. We look then to “cover up” – and especially we look out for our kids. We want to look for sunscreen products that are effective in protection but, also perhaps today, we are challenged to be more careful about the products we choose – its impact on our health and also whether these products are friendly towards the environment.

There are many choices…so what are the issues?

The sun produces both visible and invisible rays. The invisible (short-wave UVA and long-wave UVB) rays cause most of the problems (suntan, sunburn and sun damage). The longer the exposure over time - the worse the effects. Experts say that there is no such think as a “safe” tan. (more…)

My favourite thing to do at the cottage can now be done guilt free!

Ever since I was kid I can remember jumping into the lake, lathering up with shampoo and conditioner and watching all the suds float around me. At the time I was completely oblivious about the damage I was doing to my giant swimming pool. As I grew up and cottagers like myself became more aware of the environment, we realized that the baths we were taking in the lake were totally polluting it. So, I was forced to go back to the traditional mode of cleansing in the shower.

But there’s good news for me and the rest of my friends up here this cottage season- we are back to the basics! Green Cricket’s new personal care line offers amazing, sudsy biodegradable shampoo & conditioner.  These products are definitely going to be a staple on my dock, as it should be for everyone that is going to enjoy the water this year.  If you are camping, boating or cottaging this year why wouldn’t you want to keep our lakes and rivers as clean as can be!

I am one of the many women that aren’t afraid to splurge when it comes to great hair. With this GC combo your hair will come out detangled, smooth and with a great glow. Promise!

You can find the shampoo and conditioner at several stores up north including the Chameleon in Bracebridge, Country Charm in Baysville, Pharmasave in Huntsville and a few more gems up here.

I can’t tell you enough about the benefits of using this line.  Give it a go for yourself this summer and dive-in!

Signed,

Your fellow cottager
Jamie Hitchon

Ever been to countries where you can be by a lake and enjoy the outdoors without the fear of being bitten by a black fly, mosquito or some other bug? Well I have, but alas that country is NOT Canada (unless of course that lake is frozen)!  After a long winter, Canadians are anxious to enjoy the outdoors – camping, the cottage, and the garden BUT without being bitten.  So, what repellents are safe for us and for the environment?

DDT used to be the answer in the mid 1900’s.   The chemical was hailed as a solution, especially in countries where mosquito-carrying diseases such as malaria were a problem.  Initially it was declared safe, but it became evident that DDT was toxic to the environment and, furthermore, mosquitoes could become immune to its effect!  In 1962, Silent Spring by American biologist Rachel Carson listed the environmental impacts of the indiscriminate spraying of DDT in the US and questioned the logic of releasing large amounts of chemicals into the environment without fully understanding their effects on ecology or human health. (Its publication was one of the signature events in the birth of the environmental movement.  Silent Spring resulted in a large public outcry that eventually led to most uses of DDT being banned in the US in 1972 and subsequently banned for agricultural use worldwide.  

Let’s talk about DEET.  The chemical is N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide. It is the most common active ingredient in many insect repellents.  It too, has been used since World War II and works to combat insects.   But prolonged exposure can give health problems and studies suggest it should be used sparingly and only where essential to avoid insect carrying diseases.

So what can you do?  Avoidance is best of course:

•  Keep away from stagnant pools of water 
• If you have a pond, add a turtle as a pet (they love mozzies!)
•  Use fragrance-free and essential oil lotions or shampoos, as some artificial fragrances attract mosquitoes
• Cover up or stay indoors at dawn or dusk

But wait! Have you tried CITRONELLA based products?

Oil of Citronella shows little or no toxicity.  When used according to label instructions, citronella does not pose health risks to people, including children and other sensitive populations.
  Oil of Citronella poses minimal or no risks to wildlife and because of the low toxicity and limited uses of Oil of Citronella, it is not harmful to the environment. It is perhaps one of our best options to enjoy Canada in bug season!! 

Cottage Testimonial from Green Cricket staff member, Jamie Hitchon :

“I did the unthinkable.  I went down to my dock with no protection and watched the black flies and mosquito’s swarm me. Then I applied the bug repellent and not one fly landed on me! I have been trying different products forever now and I am happy to say I have found one that actually works and smells good!”

As the father of a five-year-old the calendar is no longer divided by the twelve months or the four seasons but rather into two segments: school and camp. With the school year winding down, the past few weeks have been a flurry of registration for various sports, arts and outdoor activities to keep my little guy busy with each camp providing a list of articles to pack when we send him off. In addition to the usual items like trip t-shirts and bathing suits are a number of items that provide the opportunity to green his summer.

Sunscreen

While the importance of slathering on sunscreen (even on cloudy days) cannot be overstated, protecting your child from UV rays need not expose them to other risks. Avoid products with preservatives such as parabens, which have been linked to cancer or petroleum-based emollients such as mineral oils.  Look instead for products with milder preservatives like potassium sorbate and which contain natural softeners such as sunflower oil, jojoba oil and shea butter.

Insect Repellent

The active ingredient in most insect repellents is N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, commonly known as DEET. Identified as a contributor to seizures in a small percentage of the population, exposure to DEET may also cause skin irritation, moodiness, impaired cognitive function and insomnia. Non-toxic alternatives to DEET include eucalyptus and citronella oils, both of which have been documented to be effective in repelling insects, particularly mosquitoes.

Water Bottle

Keeping hydrated while active in the sun is critical for fun at camp. Instead of sending water and juices in disposable containers that add to waste or plastic bottles which may contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a potentially toxic additive found in many plastics, make use of an aluminum, or better yet, stainless steel bottle to reduce both what ends up in the trash and the amount of toxins in your child’s body.

For those with older children, overnight camps offer even more opportunities to be environmentally responsible, whether it be through biodegradable toiletries that lessen their impact on the lake, organic towels and wash cloths or recycled stationary your kids can use to keep in touch.  Summer always seems to go by so quickly, make sure your kids get the most out of their camp experience by keeping them green!

It is getting complicated as we steward resources used for carrying groceries and for garbage!

Waste management programs around the GTA have been in effect for some time aimed at reducing landfill burdens. We are now getting used to sorting our waste into separate containers for recyclables, compostable organics, garden waste and any remaining miscellaneous garbage. It is only the latter garbage, we are told, ends up in landfill. The Green Bin program for organic waste has received good press in The New York Times.  However with the praise comes a note of caution: The Toronto Star claims that not all authorities around Toronto are ideally set up to sort non-compostable plastic bags that are often mixed with much of the Green Bin material. As Toronto stores in June 2009 start charging customers a fee for every plastic bag used, our thoughts go again to using reusable bags or bins for our groceries. But even then, there might be a hitch. A May 2009 National Post article cites potential health risks from reusable cloth bags that touch food - so an argument is made for staying with plastic!

What should the environmental and health conscious consumer do? Here are some thoughts:

* Make full use of waste segregation available in your municipality

* Minimize plastic bags used in your Green Bin

* If required, use biodegradable plastic bags in the Green Bin for odour control

* Be aware that often there is not a perfect solution even with biodegradable plastics [see Blog (C) by Niagara College students].

Perhaps that best advice is to minimize all garbage and extra packaging in the first place.  There’s some food for thought!

After some cooler temperatures last week, it’s finally starting to feel like spring! The perennials in my garden are coming up, and the heirloom tomato seeds that I planted this winter are ready for re-planting. I love the idea of having fresh heirloom tomatoes all summer, but I’m not much of a gardener so I’m just crossing my fingers that this experiment will work. For those of you with more of a green thumb who are looking to be inspired by a some urban gardening, check out what Sarah has been up to over at her blog,  Diggin’ the Dirt.

Raised beds are a great idea for gardening in the city, especially when soil quality is a concern. They can be any size, and can even be built on a balcony, drainage is better than a traditional garden, and so is removing weeds and pests. Also, seedlings can be planted closer together than in traditional gardens, so raised bed gardens are a great use of space. Now that I’m feeling inspired, I’m going to pick up some potting soil and some fertilizer and do some potted plant gardening this weekend!