I am sometimes disheartened by the enormity of climate change and how insignificant the impact of one person can seem when considered on a global scale. Last night I was doing some research into green building practices and I came across the Climate CoLab and I was reminded why my actions matter – because it’s not just me.…
It’s been a busy week, so I’m a little behind on writing about my sustainable habits. The week started with Meatless Monday. I’m not a really big meat eater, but to save time planning and preparing balanced meals I’ve been using a lot of ground beef and other meat lately. Well no more laziness. It’s time…
I hate the idea of watering the lawn. We wouldn’t do it if our landlord didn’t ask us to (and it’s her house and property value, so we oblige). It’s a waste of water, just to keep up appearances. So this year, we’re going to do everything we can to avoid watering the lawn, without…
Since I started this challenge, I’ve had a list of possible activities and habits that I’ve been adding to as I think of things and removing items as I adopt new habits and write about them. At the top of the list is the one habit that I knew I would have to do, but…
The other day, while I was trying to decide what my 20th sustainable habit was going to be, I received an email from the David Suzuki Foundation about their 30×30 Challenge. The basic premise is a pledge to spend 30 minutes outside, everyday for 30 days (the month of May). It seemed like a great fit…
While looking into battery recycling for my 18th post, I realized that waste disposal was a huge topic on its own. I also realized that although I’ve been trying to decrease the amount of trash I put out at the curb, there are things in this house that will still need to be disposed of…
But so many children’s toys need them. Before having a baby, I could probably count on one hand the number of devices we had in the house that required batteries to operate. Most of those were remote controls. Now it seems, I’m constantly pulling out a screwdriver to switch out batteries on one noise-making-lights-flashing-probably-bouncing-or-vibrating device…
My seventeenth habit will be to do an inventory of how we’re using electricity in the house and see if we can make some changes. My husband has a handy-dandy meter-thingy (note to self – ask him what it’s actually called and listen to the answer this time instead of instantly forgetting). It plugs into…
Yesterday was Earth Day and it rained most of the day here in Ottawa. While looking out at the rainwater dripping over the edges of the garage gutters I decided on my sixteenth sustainable activity for the month, waste less water. Despite the fact that 71% of the Earth’s surface is ocean, we are currently faced…
Activity 15 is to stop buying excessively packaged food. For the most part, I like to eat whole, healthy foods, but I’ve gotten a bit lazier with my food preparation lately and our garbage and recycling is now full of wrappers. I’m hoping that the kitchen garden will help with this in the coming months,…
between nature and culture 