April 18, 2009
· Filed under Wise Consumption · Tagged consumer packaged goods, consumers, social responsibility, solidaime
With the rise of consumers’ environmental consciousness, eco-friendly attributes have been develop by many brands to fulfill their desire to take better choices for the planet and the future of humankind. However, we often forget about the importance of social considerations in our purchases as a way to make a statement about our desire to support company with ethic.
In France, a line of consumer products named “Solidaime” been developed by a non-for-profit organization to fulfill consumers’ desire to buy more responsibly. Each time one product of the line is bought (at a price lower that national brands), 10% of the price is given to a charitable organization. Solidaime invented a new form of donation simple and discrete.
April 2, 2009
· Filed under Green Education, Wise Consumption · Tagged choice, consumption, ecolabel, ecologo, green, Green Education, greenwise, how do I know a product is eco-friendly, how do I know a product is ecological, How do I know a product is green
March 27, 2009
· Filed under Activism, Green Events · Tagged activism; green living, Al Gore, climat change, environment, greenwise, movie, Toronto
more about “Al Gore’s new thinking on the climate…“, posted with vodpod
In this brand-new slideshow (premiering on TED.com), Al Gore presents evidence that the pace of climate change may be even worse than scientists recently predicted. He challenges us to act.
On Monday, March 30th, 7:30 – 9:30 pm, the Toronto West CRAG (Carbon Reduction Action Group) is holding a public forum to invite discussion and to encourage individual and community action on climate change. The forum will begin with a showing of Al Gore’s NEW film, “New Thinking on the Climate Crisis.” (26 minutes), followed by a moderated group discussion and short presentations by select organizations, all making a difference somehow. At the end of the evening, there will be time for break-out sessions for you to join with the group of your choice to start taking action.
Who will be there:Toronto West CRAG (Carbon Reduction Action Group), Green Neighbours 21, Green Together, KAIROS, LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forest), Live Green, Local Food Plus … and you hopefully!
When:Monday, March 30th7:30 – 9:30pm
Where:OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies Education)252 Bloor St. W. (St. George subway station)4th floor, room 414
Contact Information: torontowestcrag@gmail.com
March 6, 2009
· Filed under Green Education · Tagged book review, environment, Green Education, greenwise, sustainability
Sylvie Brunel recently published in France “A qui profite le developpement durable?” (who benefits from sustainable development?). In her book she explains how sustainability has become a trend that only rich people can follow and that stretches the gap between rich and poor populations. Only rich people and rich countries today can afford the cost of sustainable development.
She takes the time to define sustainable development (developpement durable in French), two words that are used today for almost anything and that lost their original meaning. Sustainable development is a mode of operations of human societies that allows them to meet today’s needs without compromising their future in exhausting resources. A classical representation of sustainable development shows 3 interlaced rings: Economy (production), Equity (repartition) and Environment (preservation). She explains that the limits of sustainable development is that corporations, states, and international financial institutions are concerned by the need to product more; Unions, anti-globalization advocates and humanitarian associations call for more sharing and equitable distribution; and ecologists want to preserve the environment. Her point is that one of the foundations of sustainable development is solidarity: solidarity with poor countries/populations and solidarity with future generations. But at the end of the day, the least developed countries are left behind with no way to catch up.
“A qui profite le developpement durable” is very well written and easy to understand. It puts into perspective current environmental issues and their impact in the economy, politics and media. Sylvie Brunel has a scientific and “disengaged” approach for a topic that is usually very sensitive and tends to be easily extrapolated. And although I don’t agree with everything, she makes many interesting points and I would recommend it to anyone… who reads French.
January 28, 2009
· Filed under Green Education · Tagged environment, green, Green Education, greenwise
Planet Green, the eco-lifestyle television network has a fun and interactive solution to test (and improve) your eco-knowledge : the online quiz game Go for the green.
However, I have a little regret about this game. It would be much more engaging if the answers were explained and the sources cited.
Go for the green is also a TV show that you can watch on Planet Green.
January 9, 2009
· Filed under Green Tips · Tagged Craft, Creative, green, greenwise, Reuse, Wise Consumption
The Greenupgraded website has a section with ideas about green Do-it-yourself ideas to put your ugly ugly plastics/computers/other bad stuff back to use and save them from their long and damaging death in the landfill. Here are some of my favorite:
the PET Bottle Purse
The Mac-O-Lanterns & PC Pumpkins
The Stainer and Tupperware Lamp Shade
The Magazine Table
Fun! Fun! Fun!
January 8, 2009
· Filed under Green Innovations · Tagged energy, green, innovation
One of Springwise‘ s favorite business ideas for 2008 is the remarkably innovative power generating see-saw invented by Daniel Sheridan, a British student at Coventry University.
The seesaw can create enough electricity to power a classroom by capturing the energy generated when children play on it. It would take just five to 10 minutes of play on the see-saw to light a classroom for a few hours.
Click here for more info.
December 19, 2008
· Filed under Wise Consumption, food education
