Teachers, Honoured Guests and Fellow Classmates - It’s speech time! If you or your kids having trouble coming up with a speech topic, Green Cricket is here to help with 8 suggestions on green topics that are not only interesting but also raise awareness about the environment.

1.       Clean but not very green - what is really in the soap we use? We all know that soap helps us get clean when we have a bath, shower or wash our hands, but what chemicals are in soap and are they safe for us? SLS and SLES are 2 to be concerned about.  Here are some links to get you started:

http://chemistry.about.com/od/cleanerchemistry/a/how-soap-cleans.htm http://www.kitchendoctor.com/essays/soap.php

http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/sodium-lauryl-sulfate.html

2.       Hot air? What alternative energy sources really work? Whether you are talking about electric, hybrid or hydrogen power for vehicles or wind, solar and tidal energy for power generation, alternative energy is being used to lower our reliance on fossil fuels. Which of these sources is the most cost effective? Which produces the most power? Do these alternative sources have impacts on the environment?

http://www.planetfriendly.net/energy.html

http://netpilot.ca/aes/

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/transportation/hybrid-cars/

3.       Common scents and health risks. You may have seen the signs- Scent Free Zone,  please refrain from wearing scented products due to allergy reasons. Why are scented products a problem? Is there a need for fragrance free products? Check out some of these links to find out more:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500165_162-57349626/can-scented-products-make-you-sick/?tag=facebook

http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/pdf/legal_sensitivity_en.pdf

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/queen-of-green/2011/06/companies-wont-disclose-parfum-ingredients/

4.       The dirt on recycling-it’s not working. We all know that recycling is important to save our environment. Is the program doing what it’s supposed to?

http://www.scienceclarified.com/Qu-Ro/Recycling.html

http://www.itworldcanada.com/news/canadian-it-pros-face-recycling-challenge/135914

http://www.environmentalindicators.com/htdocs/execsum.htm

5.       Going green at home. What sorts of things can the everyday person do at home to be green? There are tonnes of quick and easy ideas as well as some bigger ones. Lowering the thermostat a degree or two in winter can save energy. Switching to energy efficient lightbulbs also conserves energy. Installing a living wall helps provide healthier air to breathe. Learning about the ingredients of products you buy and where they come from is another way to go green at home.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/interactives/cp-fluorescent-bulb/

http://www.greenovergrey.com/living-walls/overview.php

http://www.saskenergy.com/saving_energy/tips.asp

6.       Carbon footprints and food-the 100 mile diet. How does our food get to us? Transport trucks drive from Florida to bring us oranges, bananas are shipped by boats from overseas. This increases our carbon footprint which we would all like to reduce. The 100 mile diet is one way to reduce that Footprint. It’s another name for eating local.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/time-to-lead/global-food/part-4-is-the-100-mile-diet-a-pipe-dream/article1813387/

http://www.ecolife.com/health-food/eating-local/100-mile-diet.html

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/reduce-your-carbon-footprint/

7.       Walk, drive or take the bus-costs and benefits. Places to go, people to see. How do we choose to get there? Distance, cost, time, convenience, impact on the environment? All of these are considerations when we need to get somewhere. What is the best choice?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_transport

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/environment-commuteroptions-menu-519.htm

8.       Green Buildings. What defines a building as green?  What technology is out there to reduce energy use?  What are the benefits of a green roof or living wall? What is LEED? Windows, insulation, furnaces and water heaters-can these help? An overlooked part of Green buildings are the products used inside them-are they environmentally friendly and safe for the user?

http://www.cagbc.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&Template=/Templates/EnglishHome.cfm

http://www.greenovergrey.com/living-walls/overview.php

 http://vancouver.ca/sustainability/building_green.htm

It’s not good for you, or the environment, to idle your car

Although it’s tempting on frosty mornings to start your car long before you’re ready to hop in it and go, letting it idle in the driveway pollutes your neighbourhood, wastes gas, and isn’t any better for your car than driving away thirty seconds after you start it in the first place.

But warming up the car is a Canadian habit. Based on research by the Department of Natural Resources, in the peak of winter many Canadian motorists idle their vehicles for about eight minutes a day. Nation-wide it amounts to more than 75 million minutes of idling a day, wastes over 2.2 million litres of fuel and produces over five million kilograms of greenhouse gases.

Idling is such a pollution problem in big cities that some, like New York, have passed no-idling laws. Although our communities are not densely populated idling is still a pollution problem and a public health issue since many of the places where people idle are public areas where there are more people around to breath in the fumes. As well, you inhale exhaust if you’re sitting in an idling vehicle.

An idling vehicle emits CO2 (the primary greenhouse gas) and a mix of other gasses that have been linked to increased rates of cancer, heart and lung disease, asthma and allergies. Children and the elderly are more at risk. The environmental Defense Fund calls idling the second-hand smoking of the outdoors.

Warming your vehicle on cool mornings is only one of the reasons why Canadians idle their vehicles. Empty vehicles idle in public places while the driver runs an errand, people sit in idling cars in store parking lots, presumably while someone does the shopping, and people idle while they chat.

If you have a habit of idling, being mindful of its effect on your health and on the environment might make it easier to stop. Natural Resources Canada has some other suggestions too:

Your car doesn’t need to idle to warm the engine. In fact, the best way to warm your engine is to drive your car at a moderate speed. About 30 seconds is all that’s needed before you put it in gear and drive away. As well, driving your car gets the heater going more quickly so you won’t have to wait too long for the car’s interior to warm up.

Don’t leave your car running while you run an errand. It will only take a minute for your vehicle to warm up again once you return.

Instead of sitting in a parking lot with the car idling while someone is in getting groceries, turn off the car and go into the store. It saves on gas, reduces green house gas emissions and you won’t be breathing fumes that leak into the car.

As a general rule, if you’re stopped for more than 10 seconds, turn off your engine. It has a minimal impact on the starter switch, and idling for over10 seconds uses more fuel than it would take to re-start your engine.

[written by guest blogger Bridget Oland]

Well, it’s that time of year where everyone’s focus turns to finding that perfect gift. Whether it be for a loved one, co-worker or child in your life, the desire to go green has picked up enormous momentum, and this has spilled over into everything we do, including shopping! With so many options and so many claims of green labels, it can be a bit overwhelming as you head to the stores. However, here are a few suggestions to help you in your search:

1 - The gift of time. Ever thought about offering to be someone’s babysitter so parents can enjoy a night out? How about helping with other chores - dog walking, snow shoveling or even visiting!

2 - Personal basket of home-cooked meals. Why not make some of your specialties and package them up in a reusable box or basket? Everyone loves a homemade lasagna, baked pie or jams and jellies!

3 - Gently used gift exchange. Pre-establish with friends and family a theme (ie. books) and have each person select an item from their own collection that they’d be willing to part with.

4 - Rain barrel for the avid gardener. Not only saves the water, but saves the home owner money as well – it’s a win win situation!

5 - Books promoting outdoor activities and/or sustainable living. Could include hiking on local trails, camping, bird watching or greening a garden with water efficient plants.

6 - Organic personal products. Because so much of what we use becomes a part of us via our skin, introduce someone to the benefits and pleasures of natural ingredients.

7 - Solar or “people” powered gadgets - whether it’s a phone charger or crank flashlight, the impact made by reducing energy use is worth the gesture!

8 - Charitable gift in someone’s honour. Whether it be to a local charity that supports environmental initiatives or an international organization that encourages sustainable living on a global scale, this is an ideal option for the person who has everything.

9 - Fair trade, organically grown coffee for that coffee lover on the list!

10 - Basket of environmentally friendly (and appropriately certified!) household products. This is a great way to introduce friends and family to the benefits of unbleached, recycled paper towels or the idea of beeswax candles!

Finding the right green gift for someone can be a challenge, but by doing even a small amount of research, you not only do your part for the planet, but your thoughtfully selected gift might just be the most unique thing they receive all season!

So…In summary:

a) Buy local. This minimizes the need for items to be shipped, thus reducing emissions.

b) Reduce packaging. Consider wrapping items in reused material, cloth gift bags or even sections of the comics from the newspaper!

c) Offer your services rather than a material gift.

d) Shop online as much as you can to reduce the need to travel to stores and shopping malls. Be sure to research, however, where the items are shipped from.

Happy shopping and have yourself a green Christmas! ……….From all the Green Cricket Staff

[written by Guest Blogger: Katrina Dudar]

Bio for Katrina:
As an avid environmentalist, Katrina is honoured to be contributing to
this wonderful space as a guest! Currently working at an environmental
education charity for children, Katrina spends her days trying to find
fun and innovative ways to inspire children to care about our planet and
to do small things everyday to make a positive difference. Some might
think this sounds challenging, but when you take the time to think about
just how impressionable young children are, her job instantly becomes
easier! As a mom to a youngster who has had his fair share of health
issues, she is happily forced to invest a significant amount of time
staying informed about emerging environmental issues and searching for
ways to minimize her own footprint while encouraging others around her
to do the same.

Fall has always seemed like a good time to paint. I suspect it’s because we’re suddenly indoors more so can’t ignore scuffed walls, or are in need of a change before settling into winter.

Slapping on a coat of new paint is one of the simplest and least expensive ways to renovate, a quick and easy way to lift your spirits. But while fresh paint may look wonderful, as you may have guessed from the smell of it, a freshly painted room can be toxic. Paint off-gasses VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which are toxic chemicals that can cause everything from headaches and dizziness to respiratory tract irritation, memory loss and visual impairment. Many VOCs have been shown to cause cancer in animals and are suspected of being as dangerous to humans.

The toxicity of these fumes can depend on a few things. Dark coloured paint emits more VOCs, some people are more sensitive to these chemicals, and the ventilation in the area where you’re painting will impact toxicity.

Before you get paranoid about repainting the kitchen there are a number of low or zero-VOC paints available locally that can have you breathing easier in your home. Last fall we repainted two-thirds of our home’s interior. After doing a little research we chose Home Depot’s Natural line (CIL brand) of water-based latex zero VOC paint for our trim and walls. It’s the base that has no VOCs. Tinting the base will add VOCs so sticking with pale colours is your safest bet. This line of paint is EcoLogo certified.

Another option is Benjamin Moore’s Natura line of zero-VOC paints. These are more expensive (almost twice the price of the Home Depot paint) but according to Benjamin Moore the base and the tints are both zero VOC. If you’re looking for deeper tints this might be your best option. Although these paints are zero VOC, they can still pollute waterways when washed down the drain. To minimize the impact to the environment when cleaning up after a painting project consider the following:

· Wipe the brushes with newspaper before washing in water.

· If you’re mid-job (or just taking a break) wrap your paint-laden brush in plastic.

· If you’re taking a break for more than a day, wrap your wet brush in plastic and place it in the freezer.

If you have used paint to get rid of, look for your nearest household hazardous waste depot. Changes are the depot near you offers a recycling program that sees old paint recycled into new and even the paint cans recycled. This recycled paint (www.boomerangpaint.com) comes in 16 colours and is available at a variety of retailers. Old paint cannot go in the garbage.

So … What’s Wrong with Plastic?

First it’s important to understand that not all plastics are created equal.  Some plastics contain harmful chemicals that can leach out into our bodies, with a host of negative side effects.  Understanding which plastics are safe, and for what uses, is no small feat.

Here’s a little rhyme I heard to keep in mind when shopping.  5 and 4, 1 and 2 – all the rest are bad for you.  So check for the number inside the little recycling triangle on the bottom of your stuff and avoid the 3’s, 6’s and 7’s.   Just to be on the safe side, you’ll likely want to go easy on the 1’s as well.

What’s the problem?  Well, plastics contain a whole host of toxic substances that are put in there to make them strong, clear and flexible.  From phthalates, to BisPhenol A, to antimony, these chemicals are accumulating in the environment and in our bodies, causing reproductive challenges and cancers to name but a few issues.  And no one knows for sure how much is okay, which makes it very difficult to regulate and protect the public.

One of the best guides that I’ve seen to plastics is on the healthy child website http://healthychild.org/5steps/5_steps_5/?gclid=CIjg5df6s5wCFSMSagodPRuwnQ

This guide walks you through each of the various types, gives you some examples, and tells you about the challenges.

So what can you do with your lunches?

1. Avoid plastic – there are other options available, including stainless steel and glass.  Where its feasible, consider switching out.

2. Use only the “safe ones”.  Since an all stainless steel lunch can weigh several pounds, it may not be a great choice for the little ones, but particularly for your food containers, choose the safe options only.

3. Never, never, EVER heat food in plastics.  Heating increases the rate of leaching, and puts it directly into your body.

4. Be extra careful with babies.  Glass bottles are not much more expensive, and are a much safer option.

5. Limit use of cling wraps and baggies – these plastics can be less stable, not to mention less environmentally friendly.

It sounds daunting, but a little knowledge can help you significantly reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals in plastic.

THE CAMP BUZZ IS ON- HOW TO DEAL WITH BUGS THIS SUMMER

Presumably, you’re sending your kids to camp because you want to give them the opportunity to reconnect with nature.  It makes sense then,to pack them away with stuff that protects the nature they’re going to visit.

So where do you start?  Well the first thing that comes to many peoples’minds when they think of camp is the bugs.  So let’s start by addressing them.  There are a few simple tips to minimize bites of all kinds, before we get to creams and potions.

1) Choose light-coloured clothing –  Not only are these much cooler in the sun, but mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours, and much less likely to bite you in lightly coloured clothing.

2) Go for coverage – A light, long-sleeved shirt is not much hotter than a t-shirt, and can drastically reduce the number of bites that kids get.  Light, long pants can offer the same kind of protection, and there’s even the kind that convert to shorts if you’re out of the woods and get too hot.  Socks are important too.  Don’t choose the low kind that leave your ankles bare.  Bites on the joints can be some of the itchiest and most annoying for the kids, so we want to avoid them as much as possible. And finally, a hat is a great way to keep the bugs from burrowing in the kids’ hair and feasting.

3)  Don’t wear anything “stinky” – Send the kids with unscented shampoos, creams and sunscreens, and try to wash their clothes in unscented detergents before they leave.  All of these things attract bugs in droves.

If you still want some kind of a bug repellent, I’d suggest using something without harmful chemicals in it.  This protects both your childrens’ health, and the plants and animals that they’re going to visit.  DEET, while quite effective as a repellent, is a toxic chemical, and should be used sparingly if at all.   The challenge is that there are so many “natural” solutions out there that really don’t work, so are hardly worth the expense and effort.  Repellents containing either eucalyptus and citronella, or both seem to be the most promising.

How about the sun? Again the first strategy is to avoid it first.  Hats and long sleeved clothing are a great start. They even have clothing that contains a high spf, so that you can avoid putting on sunscreen underneath them.  .

Smart camps will schedule activities that keep the kids out of the sun during the 11am -1pm time frame when the suns rays are most harmful.

Just like bug sprays, sunscreens have come under a great deal of scrutiny in the past few years for their chemical content, and the jury is still out on many of the specific ingredients.  We’ll stick to a few guidelines here:

1) You’ll want to avoid parabens, as you would in other skincare

products.

2) Choose something “natural’, without a huge list of chemicals in it.

3) Avoid “nanotechnology”.  We’ll address this later in a separate blog, but essentially it means that the particles are so small that they can be absorbed right into your bloodstream – not a good thing.  Avoid products that say things like “micronized”. (more…)

Candles have become a staple of the décor of many homes over the lastdecade.  While going green has come to the forefront of things like cleaning and personal care products, you may not have even consideredgoing green with your candles.  You should.  The story isn’t pretty.

Conventional candles aren’t green, and they definitely aren’t healthy.  The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that approximately 40% of candles have lead wires in the wicks which ensure that the wick stands up tall.  Unfortunately, lead wicks also mean that the air quality in your house is severely compromised – as much as five times the amount deemed hazardous for children.  Lead poisoning has some serious side effects including hormone disruption and cognitive dysfunction to name a few.

Candles are also typically made of paraffin – most people don’t realize that paraffin is actually a petroleum product.  Burning candles indoors creates some of the same pollutants that come from your tailpipe.  If you see soot build-up around the jar, or on the ceiling above the candle, it’s a good indication of what might also be happening to your lungs.

There is a better way. Candles made from Beeswax burn much cleaner and are therefore better for the planet and for your health.  100% vegetable-based candles are also non-toxic and a good option.  Lead-free is an absolute necessity, so make sure that the wicks are made from cotton and labelled lead-free. Lastly – avoid synthetic scents, they may smell great but most are carcinogenic. Don’t buy candles from the dollar store.  Many will fail all of these tests.

You don’t need to give up candles to be green, but you may want to choose to be more strategic in the candles that you choose.  In candles, you pay for what you get – truly green candles that won’t compromise your health are more expensive to manufacture, and hence more expensive to buy.  We think it’s worth it.

Have you ever read the warning label on a tube of toothpaste? Are you alarmed that toothpaste even has a warning label? I’ll guess that few people have bothered to read the safe use instructions on the package, including not swallowing the toothpaste and, on some popular brands, “Recommended for adults and children over 12 years.”

Why should we all be concerned about this? Because most people haven’t a clue what’s in toothpaste and digging up a list of ingredients takes more than a little effort.

You might be surprised to discover that conventional toothpaste contains the artificial sweetener Saccharin. Health Canada banned the use of Saccharin in food 30 years ago due to animal studies that linked consumption to an increased risk of bladder cancer. (They are currently rethinking that ban, due to heavy lobbying from the diet-food industry, but many scientists continue to recommend against lifting the ban.)

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This year has been a challenging year to champion the need to take action on Climate Change.  It’s not that people don’t believe that it’s happening – Canada is currently out suntanning during our warmest, driest winter on record.  It’s that many people feel that if this is climate change – then they’re all for it.

Not everyone shares our enthusiasm…  If you headed to Florida, or even Cuba this spring break, you likely saw some uncharacteristically (and unwelcome) cold weather this year.  Herein lies the challenge of climate change – it makes for very unpredictable temperatures and weather patterns – and one heck of a time vacation planning.

So how do you pick a vacation destination?  If you’re green-minded, adding planet- friendly as a criterion can make this difficult job even more challenging.

So what actually constitutes an eco-friendly vacation?

1. Close to home – one of the biggest impacts of a vacation can be the air travel, so consider a “staycation” instead – where you explore options that are little more local.  Everyone has a place close by that they’ve always wanted to check out and just haven’t had time – even a moderate drive is much less harmful to the planet.
2. Consider a “Green Hotel” – the hotel industry has been quite slow to join the environmental movement, but through associations like Green Hotels you can choose accommodations that keep the planet in mind.
3. What about an Eco-Tour?  The EcoTour Directory considers an Eco-Tour to be “a trip that causes minimal impact to the environment and local people. The site is usually culturally and biologically diverse and attracts tourists who have a common interest in nature, wildlife and culture.”  But buyer beware. Many so-called eco-tours specialize in exploiting the very resources they are intended to protect.  Do your research carefully, and get good references.
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