Update: Since this blog was originally posted, the Chevy Volt driven by Mayor McCallion became a Bullfrog Power edition! As seen in the Bullfrog Buzz, Mayor McCallion became one of the first to drive a Volt Bullfrog Power Edition.

There’s noticeable butterflies in my stomach. I haven’t been this nervous about meeting someone for quite some time, but then again, I haven’t met anyone as instantly recognizable as her since I ran into Rick Mercer back in my University days.

2013 may be worst year for bees, say beekeepers.

Reblogged from The Extinction Protocol: 2012 and beyond:

January 26, 2013 – ENVIRONMENT - “We’re facing the extinction of a species.” That’s what one Midwest-based large-scale commercial beekeeper told me last week at the annual gathering of the American Honey Producers Association (AHPA). And he meant it. Bee losses have been dramatic, especially in recent years. And beekeepers are feeling the sting. According to many who manage hives, commercial beekeeping won’t pencil out in the future unless things change, and soon.

7 billion, unpacked -- a comic

Reblogged from Grist:

The world population is hitting 7 billion. But what does that really mean? In this comic, we unpack some of the numbers and nuances. Click the image below to view the comic, and then click on each page to go to the next one:

For those without javascript enabled, here are links to each page:

50 Creative Ways to Repurpose, Reuse and Upcycle Old Things

Reblogged from TwistedSifter:

If you're like me, you probably have a lot of old stuff just lying around your house. It's not doing anything but taking up space, but you're either too busy (or lazy), sentimental or just have more important things to deal with. Well if you're looking for a little inspiration or a new DIY project, here are 50 creative ways to repurpose, reues and upcycle old things.

Idle No More: About Those Indians

Reblogged from Elyse Bruce:

Thank you to Aboriginal Press News and Aboriginal Press
for republishing this blog article in their respective
online editions of January 6, 2013.

Thank you to The Journey and Green Press
as well as Hope= Change for re-posting this
blog article on their respective blog sites.

Thank you as well to Pechanga.net and
Vancouver Island's CHEK News
on the West Cost for linking to this article.

Absolve old, resolve new – move forward.

Hi everyone,

Your star is not like any other, it will shine and follow it's own path.

I hope your new year is off to a grand start and you are productive, ambitious and positive – a new year should be a new leaf and your chance to renew, refresh and reboot!

For me this year will be full of it’s fair share of challenges, twists & turns and hopefully, some triumphs.

Though I never really made (or followed) resolutions in the past, I made a concerted effort last year with a fairly long list. I mused that committing myself in public view (through my facebook page) would give me the drive to achieve these goals and improve focus – it worked! 2012 gave me plenty of new opportunities but also very meaningful support and relationships where I could share goals, stories, trials and tribulations and everything in-between with friends both near and far. I have to give a special shout-out to my friends Selina and Tammy who, even a world away, kept in touch with me as we all shared stories of our adventures in new parts of the world and new experiences back home.

As I feel last year was a success, not it will be put to the test. Below you will find my resolutions from last year, exactly as I wrote them to face

book (and I guess only now, truly public). I have given the “answer” to those 2012 resolutions, my best estimate of how far I got down my goal to set me up for – you guessed it – 2013! Below the goals past you will find my new list of resolutions for the year after the world ended, I hope it can inspire just a little if not motivate you to create a list as well!

2012 Resolutions and Results:

Keep moving, you'll get where you need to if you follow your passion!

My New Years resolutions:

-Eliminate my carbon footprint (multiple steps and methods…) => Neutralized my flight emissions and then some with stewardship…but still got a long way to go!
-Eliminate OSAP debt => 60% complete!
-Double the backyard garden => DONE!
-Reduce garbage to one bag (10kg) a year => Just wasn’t ready to plan or prove
-Start a community garden => Supported community gardening at my new job (but definitely did not start!)
-Finish a half-marathon => Did a 10km run and it was a blast!
-Return to Atlantic Canada, 3 weeks + 1 week to Montreal and Ottawa => Returned to Ottawa but the others, not yet!
-Read 15 books…not including school => Read 11 amazing books – a bit too ambitious!
-Pursue meaningful photography => Now a lifetime passion!
-Start a photo blog and publish 52 posts in total (1 for each week!) => Blog started and thriving, but only churned out 40 posts!

2013 Resolutions:

-Offset my carbon footprint through stewardship by atleast 100%
-Neutralize my transportation footprint
-Eliminate OSAP debt
-Get into a Masters program for Urban Planning
-Exercise with a passion
-Double the backyard garden (again!)
-Finish a half-marathon
-Trip to Atlantic Canada and B.C
-Read 15 non-school books
-Reach 10 000 combined views on my 2 blogs (currently 3 400)
-Create an invention to support global sustainability and try to bring to market

Despite what I have said earlier above, the most important thing is not to make a list, but to live your life fully and freely. Always try and find focus and peace in your life and stay determined… use whatever network you have – no matter the size, to keep you inspired towards your true passion and interest in life…it will take you places!
Indeed, happy new year everyone, this year is for you! :]

December 28, 2012 by winterseeker

Canada & Winter – An unnecessary dichotomy.

To many new Canadians, seeing their first winter ever is a miracle to behold, it is a treasure. Appreciation is never higher then from those who need it most…

For farmers, winter is a blanket, a source of renewal and health and a fickle friend that can give and take away, just like any season.

Winter renews the groundwater, provides fresh life into our waterways and keeps the flow strong well into the spring. It helps keep pests in check, and directly sustains the lives of thousands of northern plants and animals – whether it be using the sea ice to hunt, cold waters to live or permafrost to grow within.

For nature, winter is a precious gift. One of four equally valuable seasons in a cycle of life and death, preservation and consumption…All species in Canada depend on winter to some extent, it helps maintain balance both between species and between seasons.

Winter is ultimately the reason our country holds such a vast quantity of water – nearly all our lakes, ponds and wetlands can be traced to one of the grandest displays of winter in history – the ice age!

And yet…we are so disconnected today. Why does nearly everyone complain about winter? We try so hard to avoid it, salt it, not touch it, wish for it in the summer yet bemoan when it arrives. Even our forced connection to winter is unstable…we forget to use winter tires, wear fashionable clothes that don’t even insulate, pretty boats that make us slip and shovel our driveways all hunched over (bend with your knees!)!

What has happened to all the community, outdoor recreation and winter fun that we used to enjoy? We take advantage of what winter provides and sadly, very soon, it will just as easily be taken away.

We are losing winter, so much more than just a season.

Take a minute to appreciate that wonderful state of water falling outside – you should hope it keeps falling, because winter is not what is used to be, and it may not stick around much longer. As with the disruption of all other parts of our climate system, winter is becoming an increasing luxury – and should be treated as such: protected, preserved, enjoyed and understood.

Turn that indoor fear into some outdoor joy.

Go out and experience winter, here for a limited time. Thanks.

December 19, 2012 by winterseeker

Tips for Going Green this Holiday Season!

Reblogged from mississaugalivinggreen:

It’s that time of the year where the weather outside may be frightful, but your holiday habits don’t have to be. Here’s a list of green holiday tips. They have been checked twice and you won’t find these tips more naughty than nice.

1. Use Energy Saving Holiday Lights

The use of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights these holidays can save you up to 90% on your electricity bill as they don’t get hot and lose energy to the surroundings.

Oil and gas lobbying dominates in Ottawa, dwarfs other industries: study

Reblogged from Financial Post | Business:

OTTAWA — Heavy lobbying by the oil and gas industry has far outstripped any other interest group seeking to influence the Harper government over the last four years, according to a new study that examined the lobbyist registry.

The left-leaning Polaris Institute contends that the more than 2,700 meetings between oil and gas lobbyists and federal office holders since 2008 have helped turn Canada into a “petro state.”

Trees Are Freaking Awesome!

Reblogged from Goblins, Ghouls and Geography:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BickMFHAZR0

A film by 1veritasium

Wonderful, amazing and fantastic tree's - they are wonders of nature that need to be protected! :]

greenpress~

Learning, exploring, keeping nature at heart

Author Archives: winterseeker

My Sustainable Day-Cation in Mississauga Part 6: Hurricane Hazel Goes Electric