The following is the second in a series of four environmental articles appearing in local papers in the month leading up to Earth Day...
Thinking of Renovating Your Home? Think Green.
By: Aaron Dent, LEED AP, P.Eng, Halsall Associates Ltd., Sudbury
There are many reasons why people renovate – to make a room more functional, to get rid of that 1970s wallpaper or carpeting, to get ready for a new family member, or to raise the value of your home before selling. Better yet, you might be renovating to improve the energy efficiency of your house – a great step. But is making your home “green” the same thing as making it energy efficient? There are other important questions besides those related to energy efficiency that you should ask yourself before starting your next renovation. Are the materials you plan to use healthy for your family? Will they last a long time, or are you going to have to repair or replace them in the next 5-10 years? Are they made from vinyl? Do they come from forests that are managed properly? All of these are important questions too.
While making your home more energy efficient is the most important thing you can do - both for your pocket book and for the environment - there is already much existing information in Sudbury about how to make your home more energy efficient. Visit www.city.greatersudbury.on.ca/earthcare and click on Efficient Sudbury for more information. Also, a great program to help you pay for the upfront costs of improving your home is the government’s ecoENERGY program, found at www.ecoaction.gc.ca/ecoENERGY. You can contact Canspec Inspection Services (693-5587) in Sudbury to book your home energy audit today.
Apart from energy efficiency, making your home a healthier place to live is one of the best things you can do at your house or apartment. One of the most common renovation projects at your home is simple – painting. Anyone who has painted their house knows about that “new paint smell”. This smell is the paint releasing harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, creating poor air quality in your home. VOCs have been linked with headaches, skin irritations, lung damage as well as increased chemical sensitivities. Thankfully, there are many paint companies that have created paints that are just as durable, washable, and colourful as regular paints, but do not release any VOCs into the air. While the big hardware stores often do not have environmentally friendly paints, any specialty paint store in town, like Barrydowne Paint and Wallpaper, will have low VOC paint, like Benjamin Moore’s EcoSpec. With these paints, there may be some colour restrictions, as dark colours have more VOCs. If you can’t find a colour that you are happy with, there are some special paints that have no toxic chemicals in them, and can be made in any colour. These often come at a cost premium and must be ordered from outside Sudbury, but they are the most eco friendly paints available. You can order these from an Ottawa store, the Healthiest Home (www.thehealthiesthome.com), which carries many environmentally friendly products.
This is just one way to renovate green – there are hundreds more. If you are interested in learning more, check out the book Your Green Home by Alex Wilson available at most bookstores. Or, visit the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival at Market Square on April 19th, 2008 from 10-5 and speak to representatives of green businesses specializing in products and services for your home. See you there!
Showing posts with label downtown sudbury events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label downtown sudbury events. Show all posts
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Earth Day celebrations growing like a weed, say organizers
Earth Day celebrations growing like a weed, say organizers
Northern Life
Date Published | Feb. 29, 2008
BY BILL BRADLEY
Every year more city residents want to go green on Earth Day.
Scott Card, chair of the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival Organizing Committee, told city council Wednesday the popular eco-festival was growing like a weed.
"Two years ago we had 2,500 attend our event at Market Square. Last year we had 5,000, so even more people are expected Saturday, April 19 again at Market Square," said Card.
"This is a clear sign that the environment is a priority to our citizens," he said.
Because so many attend, congestion was a problem last year, said Card.
"This year we expect close to 100 businesses and organizations to have booths explaining how people can attain a greener lifestyle. We will move some activities outside in tents such as children's events and entertainment. That will help to ease congestion," said Card.
Citizens are often surprised at how the green movement is developing in Greater Sudbury.
"Last year the Eat Local booth was a big hit because people had no idea of the opportunities for buying local produce. Each year we try and offer new vendors that educate people on how to be green."
Earth Day has spin-off effects.
"We notice that when you attract so many people to the downtown that there is a positive effect on surrounding shops, cafes and businesses. In fact we are working with merchants to offer Earth Day sales so as to integrate the festival more into the downtown area," said Card.
Councillors were so impressed with the success of Earth Day that they clamored to either move it around to their wards or have spin-off activities in the outlying areas.
"Why can't you hold it at the Anderson Farm in Lively? That is a great venue for community events," said Ward 2 Councillor Jacques Barbeau.
"I was there last year and enjoyed myself. I would like to see Earth Day type activities in Azilda, Chelmsford and Rayside Balfour and in the schools," said Ward 4 Councillor Evelyn Dutrisac.
"I wish it was held over two days so as to include many more events and workshops in many other areas,î said Joscelyne Landry-Altman.
Card was taken aback by the enthusiasm of council.
"Currently the festival is run by volunteers. We get some funding from EarthCare Sudbury and services in kind from the city, but I foresee the need to obtain enough funding for a full time coordinator for the event next year," he said.
Last year 50 volunteers helped make Earth Day a success. For more information, phone 674-1685 or visit www.gsen-regs.ca.
Northern Life
Date Published | Feb. 29, 2008
BY BILL BRADLEY
Every year more city residents want to go green on Earth Day.
Scott Card, chair of the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival Organizing Committee, told city council Wednesday the popular eco-festival was growing like a weed.
"Two years ago we had 2,500 attend our event at Market Square. Last year we had 5,000, so even more people are expected Saturday, April 19 again at Market Square," said Card.
"This is a clear sign that the environment is a priority to our citizens," he said.
Because so many attend, congestion was a problem last year, said Card.
"This year we expect close to 100 businesses and organizations to have booths explaining how people can attain a greener lifestyle. We will move some activities outside in tents such as children's events and entertainment. That will help to ease congestion," said Card.
Citizens are often surprised at how the green movement is developing in Greater Sudbury.
"Last year the Eat Local booth was a big hit because people had no idea of the opportunities for buying local produce. Each year we try and offer new vendors that educate people on how to be green."
Earth Day has spin-off effects.
"We notice that when you attract so many people to the downtown that there is a positive effect on surrounding shops, cafes and businesses. In fact we are working with merchants to offer Earth Day sales so as to integrate the festival more into the downtown area," said Card.
Councillors were so impressed with the success of Earth Day that they clamored to either move it around to their wards or have spin-off activities in the outlying areas.
"Why can't you hold it at the Anderson Farm in Lively? That is a great venue for community events," said Ward 2 Councillor Jacques Barbeau.
"I was there last year and enjoyed myself. I would like to see Earth Day type activities in Azilda, Chelmsford and Rayside Balfour and in the schools," said Ward 4 Councillor Evelyn Dutrisac.
"I wish it was held over two days so as to include many more events and workshops in many other areas,î said Joscelyne Landry-Altman.
Card was taken aback by the enthusiasm of council.
"Currently the festival is run by volunteers. We get some funding from EarthCare Sudbury and services in kind from the city, but I foresee the need to obtain enough funding for a full time coordinator for the event next year," he said.
Last year 50 volunteers helped make Earth Day a success. For more information, phone 674-1685 or visit www.gsen-regs.ca.
Youtube video of 2007 Earth Day Festival
To whet your appetite for more content, here's video of the crowds and fun at last year's festival!
Welcome to Earth Day!
Welcome to the official blog of the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival! Here we will post video and photos of previous years, keep you updated on developments for this year's event (such as the entertainment line-up & interesting demonstrations), and post environmentally related articles we write or see, and of course festival news releases. Most importantly, we want to hear from you what you think of the event, and hear your stories and get your pics and video about how our community event has impacted you! Enjoy!
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