A well funded group of front groups and organizations are working around the clock to cause confusion and perpetuate mis-information around the science of global warming. Using the same tactics that were employed by tobacco companies in the nineties to distort the link between health issues and smoking, these skeptics cast doubt on scientific facts by highly politicizing the issue and challenging the truth with confusing rhetoric and inaccurate statements on climate science.

At least 30 scientific socieites and academies of science, including all of the national academies of science of the major industrialized countries, as well as the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, agree that global warming is a huge threat to the planet and that humans are causing it through increasing greenhouse gas emissions. 

The DeSmogBlog exists to clear the confusion that these front groups sow and sets the record straight around the reporting of global warming, by exposing the inner workings of these organizations including where their funding comes from and their motivation for subverting the truth. The blog is referenced by major news outlets around the world and is considered a credible source on global warming by organizations like Greenpeace, Grist Magazine and Expose Exxon. A critical component in the fight against global warming skeptics the DeSmogBlog has recently embarked on a fund-raising campaign to be able to deepen their efforts in Canada, the US and world wide. Please click here to donate and be a part of the campaign to expose the skeptics and win the battle against global warming.

I just started ordering all of my office supplies from Frogfile.com. My business card holder is made from 100% recylcled content (38% post consumer), my file folders are 100% post consumer recylced, and I just bought bulk Seventh Generation TP and cleaning products at a great price. Delivery is free over $50 and the site is very easy to use. It’s incredible how much we use in our daily that can be replaced with a greener proudct without noticing a difference. Who knew filing could be so good for the environment!

Last October when the Federal Government introduced Bill C-30 addressing climate change, it was largely seen as inadequate and lacking any real action. On the advice of Jack Layton, the PM allowed the bill to be re-written by a newly created legislative committee which rose to the challenge creating a set of new recommendations. These recommendations include ‘absolute caps on greenhouse gas emissions’ to Kyoto levels as well as tough regulations around vehicle fuel consumption bench-marked by international best practices.

The bill now sits on the table waiting for the Conservative government to bring it back to the house for a vote. If they don’t the bill will die and Canada will continue to lag behind the rest of the world in environmental action, innovation and leadership.

Voters Taking Action on Climate Change (VTACC) has created a post card campaign to send a message to the Conservative Government that Canadians want to see this bill brought before the house for a vote quickly. Click here for more information on the campaign and how to participate and send a message to Steve letting him know how you feel about his inaction.

My toothbrush begged for me to put it out of it’s misery the other day so I found myself contemplating the waste that would present itself by tossing out that tired, electric pink, piece of plastic. That thinking took me to my local organic retailer, Capers, where I found a toothbrush by Recycline made from 100% recycled plastics derived from Stonyfield farm yogurt containers. The sleek design was developed by dentists and engineers and the minute I used it I felt transformed and rejuvinated! OK, maybe not that good but there’s absolutely no difference in brushing my teeth and the price is right on par with drugstore brands.  A bonus - the case that it comes in is made from a hard plastic and doubles as a travel case. The best part of the kit is that both case and brush consider their life cycles. If you go to Recycline’s website you can download a pre-paid postage PDF that you can affix to an envelope to send your case and brush back for further recycling into plastic lumber products like park benches. So the next time you’re sitting in a park enjoying the view don’t be surprised if you feel a smile coming on!!

I’m looking at my big pile of laundry and I’m wishing I had a big pile of laundry quarters because I love, love, love my Seventh Generation laundry soap. It’s scented with Lavender. Lavender people! It’s relaxing, it’s soothing, it’s all natural and it sure beats the hell out of sniffing tide (which makes my eyes burn and my skin itch). Are there any people out there using non-biodegradeable laundry soap? Because I’m just not getting why. And as Marnie pointed out in one of her comments, Capers is having a sale on eco-products so you have no excuses. (Other than you just didn’t know which I’ll let you get away with. )But now you know so you will only buy biodegradeable laundry detergent. And don’t get me started on all natural cleaners b/c it’s way past my bedtime. Until next time……sleep tight.

I stopped drinking coffee about 3 months ago (no shakes or headaches so I know it was meant to be). But that actually put more pressure on my pocketbook since I went from $1.50 coffees to $5 soy, chai lattes. I’ve tried to limit myself to weekends but at the rate I’m going, every day is Saturday. Suffice to say I spend a lot of time at Starbucks and I noticed a really cool little item for sale. It’s a reusable mug (seriously - it’s time to stop throwing out your paper cups people) that allows you to customize the pattern. There’s a template inside the casing of the mug that you remove and then you can add your own personal design to it. I know mine will have every picture of my dog available all over it. Anway - it’s a great way to not only kick your useless paper cup habit but by personalizing it you’ll just be that much more attached.