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Welcome back to the Planet Forward blog for another edition of our weekly green news highlights. This week: the EPA maps out the worst greenhouse gas emitters; 15 resolutions for a greener New Year; and 8 steps to a healthy home: the key for a healthy body and planet. Just click on the links to learn more.
The EPA maps the worst greenhouse gas offenders in the US. The EPA has developed an interactive map to help you understand who the major greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters are in the USA. “EPA’s online data publication tool allows users to review information quickly and easily by filtering GHG data in a variety of ways including by facility, industry, location, or gas. The tool displays data in two distinct sections: “Direct emitters” are facilities that combust fuels or otherwise put GHGs into the atmosphere directly from their facility. This data is the default view for the tool. “Suppliers” are those entities that supply certain fossil fuels or fluorinated gases into the economy which, when combusted, released or oxidized emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This data may be found by accessing the suppliers section of the publication tool.”
15 Resolutions for a Greener New Year. There are lots of zero cost green resolutions on the list from the Daily Green created by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Green basics like recycling, using reusable bags over plastic, and banning bottled water in favour of reusable bottles and good old fashion tap water make for excellent resolutions that are also easy to implement. One resolution that I immediately followed up on for my own household was to stop receiving those unwanted catalogues, which I seem to unintentionally stockpile and then eventually recycle. 19 billion catalogues are mailed in the US annually which requires 53 million trees to produce, not to mention the carbon footprint to deliver it to your mailbox. It’s time to get off those mailing lists sending you catalogues you aren’t even looking at. Besides, what’s in the catalogue is also available online which is a much greener way to shop anyway.
8 Steps to a Healthy Home: The Key for a Healthy Body and Planet. This article from the Huffington Post is a nice compliment to the green resolutions from the NRDC. Again, simple green tips for a healthy planet and healthier you. In fact, some of the steps suggested are also on the green resolution list like avoiding toxic chemicals and green cleaning with vinegar and baking soda instead; or eliminating bottled water with tap water and reusable bottles; or simply buying local and organic.
Got any green resolutions of your own? Sound off in the comments. Stay tuned for more green news.
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Lights out to support Earth Hour 2011
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This Saturday, March 26 at 8:30pm, the global community turns their lights off for Earth Hour 2011. Earth Hour started in 2007 in the beautiful Sydney, Australia by the WWF-Australia (World Wildlife Fund) and it has evolved to become a worldwide movement to raise awareness about climate change and the threat from rising greenhouse gas emissions. Basically, for the hour, countries participating around the world are lights out. This includes numerous iconic landmarks and monuments like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Colosseum in Rome, the CN Tower in Toronto, Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, and the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) in Beijing. For Earth Hour 2011, well over 1 billion people will demonstrate their solidarity and support to this global initiative.
Since it all began in 2007 in Sydney, the growth is remarkable. Here is an Earth Hour time capsule:
Earth Hour 2007 – It all begins in Sydney, Australia
“WWF-Australia, in partnership with advertising agency Leo Burnett and Fairfax Media, initiated the first ever Earth Hour. The idea was to make a bold symbolic statement about the critical issue of climate change and to engage Australians in taking action. Approximately 2.2 million people and 2,100 businesses in Sydney took part in this first year, switching off their lights in a clear signal to government and industry that there’s a demand and a need for change.” (earthhour.org.au)
Earth Hour 2008 – Earth hour becomes a global sustainability movement with over 35 countries and 50 million people participating by turning off their lights.
Earth Hour 2009 – Hundreds of millions of people in over 4000 cities in 88 countries pledged their support by switching off to support the planet. This officially made Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.
Earth Hour 2010 – Earth Hour 2010 was supported by 1.3 billion people worldwide. A record 128 countries and territories united making it the largest voluntary action ever observed. The long-term health of our planet can symbolize world unity as participation continues to grow from Asia to Africa to the Americas.
Earth Hour 2011 – On March 26 at 8:30pm you can show your support for the planet by the simple task of turning off your lights for one hour. A voluntary one hour blackout. Easy, right?
Can’t visualize the impact? Check out the pictures of the Las Vegas Strip (the city of lights) during Earth Hour 2010.
Living in Ontario, Canada, I wanted to learn if we’re living up to our friendly Canadian image by acting environmentally friendly. I was pleased to discover that over half of the Canadian adult population participated in Earth Hour 2010. Even my local energy supplier reported at 9.1% reduction during Earth Hour 2010.
Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on climate change. It’s a call to action and the action is simple – you have the ‘power’ to make it happen. Join the fight against global warming. On March 26th at 8:30pm, pledge your support to Earth Hour 2011 and turn off your lights for one hour.
Take inspiration from these words in the WWF ads endorsing Earth Hour 2011 (watch the ad on youtube below).
In only 3 years
What started as a simple act in one country
Has become a global call to action
On climate change
By over 1 billion people worldwide
Switch off your lights and join the movement
Towards clean energy






