The Earth needs all the friends it can get!

  Earthwords

Friends of the Earth CANADA E-Newsletter                 February 2007-Issue 16

Canadians shouldn’t have to choose between feeding their children and heating their homes. That’s why Friends of the Earth (FOE) decided to create the Energy GreenBox program - an innovative new pilot project that aims to help low-income families across Ontario tackle climate change while conserving energy, saving money and improving home comfort. About 20,000 Energy GreenBoxes, which are filled with energy conservation tips, two compact fluorescent light bulbs, rolls of insulating foam to seal doors and windows, draft excluders for

Canadian action on climate change is unfocused, ineffective and way too complicated. There is, however, a straightforward mechanism that with fairness, predictability and certainty, would put a substantial cork in our carbon emissions.

A simple carbon tax would harness $15 billion a year to pave Canada’s path toward a green industrial revolution based on a low-carbon economy.

First, a basic fact: in 2004, nearly 50 per cent of Canada’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were courtesy of just a few hundred facilities (see chart) . It is much easier to corral emissions from these large facilities than to round up Canada’s 18.2 million passenger cars and trucks, which accounted for 9.7 per cent of Canada’s 2004 GHG emissions.

Here’s how it would work.  Read More...

Opinion: Powering Canada’s Green Industrial Revolution

 by Toby A.A Heaps, FOE-Canada board member and Beatrice Olivastri, CEO

 

 

Climate Concern Turns to Practical Action— “Energy GreenBoxes” Delivered Across Ontario

power outlets and an offer for a complimentary membership in FOE, were sent out to various food banks throughout December and January. In association with the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) and sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Energy, Union Gas and Enbridge Gas Distribution, the reusable box and its contents offer practical ways to decrease energy consumption and costs over the winter months. Read Press Release

From left to right: Toby Heaps, FOE Board Member; Beatrice Olivastri FOE CEO; Geoff Love FOE Board President; Honourable Dwight Duncan, Ontario Minister of Energy; Adam Spence OAFB Executive Director; Patricia Squires, Enbridge Gas Distribution Manager-Residential Market Development; Paul Green, Enbridge gas Distribution Director-Market Development