Downsize Your Impact

Check out our new blog!

2009-12-29T11:04:00.000-08:00

We've moved!

http://downsizeyourimpact.wordpress.com/

Darfur in 10 Minutes: An Overview of the Conflict in Sudan

2009-10-09T15:06:00.000-07:00

Coal mining ravages Appalachia mountains

2008-02-26T12:40:00.000-08:00

They're ripping the tops off mountains in West Virginia coal country to feed our insatiable appetite for power. It's cheaper that way. And the trees and the animals and the flooding? It may not be pretty, but we've got all those dishwashers to run

Click here for full article

This is pretty darn cool!

2008-02-19T08:57:00.000-08:00

Forget moving around stuff you don't even need. Keep it simple with this easy to use, reusable apartment in a box. Talk about making an easy move. Awesome student investment.

Apartment in a box

Use air instead of fuel!

2008-02-14T12:51:00.000-08:00

2008-02-14T10:01:00.000-08:00

Get a green bike this year! I know we are!

Product information

The Zenn Car

2008-01-10T11:20:00.001-08:00

The Zenn Report with Rick Mercer

ZENN on CBC's The National

Zenn Savings Calendar:

Is Harper Killing the Canadian Electric Car?

2007-12-20T14:05:00.000-08:00

There are two electric car manufacturers in Canada - and the government is killing them both. The one in BC has already shut down operations and is moving elsewhere, and the one in Quebec says they may soon go, too. Is this the Avro Arrow all over again? Canada comes up with world-leading technology, and our government caves to American corporate pressure to kill off what could be an entry for Canada into the new green economy of the future?

They are shutting down because the government won't let them sell in Canada - even though they can sell in the United States, which has the same standards. And they're selling in other countries, and the cars have won awards, and the cars cost thousands less than fossil fuel burning cars. The government is preventing Canadians from being able to buy Canadian designed and manufactured cars - that are less expensive and much better for the environment.

No wonder Mr. Harper says we can't meet Kyoto - he's doing what he can to sabotage our chances, and to keep us forever subservient to foreign corporations.

This is a signature issue that the Green Party should be for, and we should be very loud and clear about it. So much of the time, we are painted as lacking economic solutions, as being a protest party, yet here is an issue that will show Canadians what we stand for, not just what we're against. It will also force Mr. Harper to show his true colors, namely that he is hypocritical and flat-out wrong about economy and environment.

Here is a link to the Zenn Car website's petition urging all provinces of Canada to adopt electric vehicle friendly legislation that would allow the ZENN to be driven on-road...

http://www.zenncars.com/letsgo/

UN summit in Bali

2007-12-14T10:16:00.000-08:00

Right now, a major UN summit in Bali has just a few days left to hammer out an agreement on stopping catastrophic climate change. But instead of helping out, Canada is actually sabotaging the talks! On Saturday, experts gave us the global "fossil" award for being the worst country in the world on climate change.

There's still a few days left to save Canada's reputation -- and the climate -- but we need a massive democratic roar to remind our Prime Minister what Canada is all about, and stop him from blocking the world at Bali. Click below to sign the petition, which will be advertised with the number of signatures in an ad campaign across Canada this week. The goal is to get 25,000 people to sign in the next 3 days -- before the ads run. After you sign, forward this email to all your friends and family right away:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/another_canadian_climate_crime/98.php?cl_tf_sign=1

Prime Minister Harper's short-sighted, undemocratic and big oil-driven policy on climate change is damaging the world and destroying our image as a good country. We're supposed to be the nice guys, who try to do the right thing in the world.

The vast majority of Canadians are hopping mad on this issue -- we can win this. We just need to show Harper how serious we are that he change course. Sign up now and forward this email to everyone you know - we've got just 3 days to hit 25,000 signatures!

Thanks for you help. Courtesy update: Avaaz

PS - Here are links to some more info on this:

David Suzuki (the Nature of Things) calls the government's spin on climate change "humiliating" and "ludicrous"
News/article/283829

The former editor-in-chief of CBC news discusses the damage done by Canada's climate policy to our international reputation:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_burman/2007/12/canada_flounders_on_issue_of_c.html

Twenty minutes to change the world!

2007-12-13T09:51:00.001-08:00

Have you seen the "Story of Stuff" It's one of my favorites sites now, with a fun, easy to understand 20 minute dialog with Annie Leonard. Annie spent 10 years traveling the globe looking at how we, as consumers live and let go of waste; how it affects the planet and how we CAN make a difference by implementing simple steps to try to mend and avoid future destruction of the planet. I love this site and the video she made. The cartoon are awesome and they making learning the "ins and outs" of the truth, easy.

Take a few moments. Check it out and be sure to pass this one on. It may be the best 20 minutes you invest in your future this week!

http://www.storyofstuff.com/index.html

Kids GREEN Christmas Books

2007-12-02T20:48:00.000-08:00

I love this series of books for little tykes and the earth conscious parents who love them. The below links are great books for little activists in the making. Additionally, ordering from the below links will give a percentage back to (Wo)Men Speak Out.

Cartoon Guide to the Environment
The Lorax (Classic Seuss)
One Less Fish

The Hour is here

2007-12-02T19:38:00.000-08:00

CBC's "The Hour" is one of my favorite sources for news. In this video, host George Stroumboulopoulos interviews environmentalist, David Suzuki. More information on the Suzuki Foundation HERE

Water for the wee ones

2007-12-02T18:08:00.000-08:00

Here's a cool site for kids to learn about water offering sites and information that focus on what you can do to protect water quality and the environment.

Click here: http://www.epa.gov/water/kids.html

It's their future.

Microwave Oven?

2007-12-02T17:39:00.000-08:00

I have been talking about getting rid of my microwave oven for years now, but laziness always got the best of me and I never got around to it. I have often thought about the potential side-effects that may exists from having some a radioactive monster on my counter top but in times of hurriedness, I rejected the idea to research my thoughts on line. Today, my microwave died so I decided to venture out and see what bad things have been doing to myself and the ones I love. Needless to say, I won't be purchasing another microwave and perhaps, after reading the attached article you may very well consider saying goodbye to yours. Food for thought.

FindArticles - Why You Should Avoid Microwave Cooking - review of health concerns and side effects of microwave cooking

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, June, 2001

Be flexitarian, or flexible vegetarian

2007-12-02T17:25:00.000-08:00

I myself live a vegetarian lifestyle. I choose not to eat meat or meat by-products for spiritual, ethical and health reasons. But for some, pure vegetarianism or veganism isn't an option for them, yet. So, what about trying it on for size first? Linked is a really cool article by CAROLYN O'NEIL that talks about the non-whole meat eater. Take a look, say what's on your mind. We all have to start somewhere.

Click here to read.

For those want to venture further but need an extra push on the reality of what meat means for animal rights, click below. Be forewarned that the following video may be disturbing to come, but it changed my life and armed me with the truth I needed to choose vegetarianism.

The CoolDrivers Campaign

2007-12-02T17:19:00.000-08:00

The CoolDrivers Campaign

You can easily make your driving continuously climate neutral! Choose an average level of offsets for your car size at the above link, or use their simple calculator to determine your own impact. Cool site. Simple to use. Like they say, you don't have to stop driving to help the planet....just be smart.

Can I borrow a buck?

2007-12-02T17:03:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I know that I have been in many a situation where money has been tight and I have had to borrow money from friends to get through the gap in cash. But what would have happened if I didn't have friends to fall back on? Where would the money have come from and what would I have done if there was simply no one to lean on in lean times? I can only imagine. That's why organizations such as Modest Needs really strike a cord. They allow people like you and me to give "small change donations" from $5-100 at a time for those who need it for emergency expenses. When you "sponsor" a small business, the loan is monitored and you get to see where your money has gone. The loans usually get paid back in 6-12 months. As the loans are repaid, you get the money back. Simple, you helped a person in need and helped yourself in the karma department.

Check it out: MODEST NEEDS

Trees for the Future

2007-12-02T16:47:00.000-08:00

Trees for the Future plants and re-plants forests. What a fantastic, waste free, eco-friendly gift giving idea for the holdays. Learn more here: for more information.

While you're at it, check out this report: http://www.treesftf.org/projects/reports/THE%20GREEN%20ZONE%20PROJECT.pdf

An Inconvenient Truth

2007-12-02T13:00:00.001-08:00

If you haven't already, you need to watch this documentary. No matter what your political preference, this documentary is a must-see as we all inhabit this earth and need to wake up to the impact we are having on it. We are all guilty of the contributing factors to this ever-growing global crisis. The time to act is now. Do your part. Start by educating yourself as to what is truly happening to the earth.

Give a dime

2007-12-02T12:53:00.001-08:00

Did You Know?

* Your name is typically worth 3- 20 cents each time it is sold for a direct mailing

* 100 million trees are cut down each year to create the approximately 4.5 million tons of junk mail in the United States

* 28 billion gallons of water go into the production of American junk mail annually

Do something about it!
Adopt a greener conscience and adopt a greener alternative to junk mail.

Green Dimes takes away the 41 pounds of useless junk-mail that the average person receives per year and puts it back into the earth by plating trees!

Memberships are a great gift for holidays and special occasions. In this time of mass consumerism, choose something else. Give the gift of giving back while paying it forward.

Visit: http://greendimes.com/

From plastic to power

2007-12-02T12:51:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time coming, but more and more people are now beginning to embrace the concept that plastic is bad for the environment. Shocking, I know. But alas, at least the madness is dissipating to a small extent. My household adopted paper from plastic quite a while ago and have opted out of that, switching to eco-friendly carry bags.

Living in Seattle, it's not hard to join the hoards of people trying to do their part in saving Mother Earth. If you haven't already, below are some cool resources for bags that you can order to save the ozone.

If you have your own links, please feel free to add them.

Chico Bags
Eco Bags