EPIC EXPO VANCOUVER - Sustainable Living

Today's generation wants to live in a "green" and "sustainable way". EPIC EXPO Vancouver focuses on sustainable living.

EPIC EXPO show cases products and services from over 300 exhibitors. This is the 6th year in presenting earth friendly ideas.

Come with an open mind and be impressed with the options we have to live "green".

EPIC EXPO runs from May 11 - 13 in the new convention centre in Vancouver.

www.vancouver.epicexpo.com

Oil Pipeline is dirty technology

With the new Federal Budget the government of Canada has made it clear, that the oil pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia is inevitable.

There is so much wrong with how this is being handled, I almost don't know where to start.

The budget has given Revenue Canada $8 million so that they can audit any charity that the government believes are too overtly political. This means that a charitable agency that may protest the pipeline might come under audit and be shut down. Green Peace comes to mind. This doesn't sound very fair or democratic!

What about the possible environmental damage if something goes wrong? As far as I know "murphy's law" still exists. Something inevitably always goes wrong whether big or small. With oil something going wrong can be devastating.

What about our Ocean? With tankers carrying the bitumen from BC's north coast to Asia there lies the big possibility of an oil spill.

Canada has the opportunity to be a world leader in alternative energy development. Why not follow other western nations in changing our dependency on oil? The oil pipeline is old and dirty technology, building it sets any advances in alternative energy back.

Also since we have the oil sands why not develop jobs by processing it here, instead of shipping raw oil overseas, and then buying it back in it's refined form? Someone is not thinking this through. Let's let the government know that we don't support this!

Effects of Deforestation in China

Due the deforestation of the forests of Northern China over one million tons of sand blows in on Beijing from the Gobi desert every year. This can cause the sky to turn yellow at times. And this airborne sand makes the air pollution in Beijing even worse.

Recycling glass

Did you know that by recycling one glass bottle, enough energy is saved to light one 100 watt light bulb for 4 hours.

Cost of Earth Safe Living

When it comes to Earth Safe Living, people need to use their common sense.

Lately Translink has proposed another tax on the car drivers to fund expansion of the Skytrain system. The new line will be called Evergreen. The hopes are that it will connect Coquitlam with the downtown core and reduce cars on the road.

In today's economy when people are having trouble keeping their jobs and paying their mortgage bills, it's incredulous to think that burdening them with more taxes is the answer.

Yes, using Skytrain "seems" more environmentally friendly than individuals using their cars to get to work. Seems is the operative word. However when the cost of such a system is more than the taxpayer can handle, then it needs to be rethought.

There is no built in accountability structure in Translink. That's why the trains built in 2000 are 1.5 inches higher off the platforms and make it hard for wheel chairs to get in and is also a tipping hazard at the platforms. Seems like someone wasn't paying attention to the proper design and execution of it. This is just an example of misuse of public funds by Translink.

If Translink wants public support then they need to trim their costs and streamline like everyone else has to do.

The case for getting cars off the road is becoming somewhat hard to endorse when so many car companies are making hybrids, electric and high MPG vehicles.

The cost of earth safe living has to be tempered with what the people can afford. Listen if taxpayers can't pay then who will? There has to be a sustainable plan that we all can live with instead of the stupid plans of Translink.

Gas Prices Making You Think?

Have gas prices made you change when it comes to driving? Years ago in the mid 1990's when I had my own business, I was paying about $800 per month on fuel. Today that would translate into about $1600.  Wow that is a lot of money.

Today I don't drive for my business but I'm very cognizant of my personal fuel costs for my car. I've changed.  I wouldn't buy a vehicle with a large V8 engine in it. In fact the VW turbo diesels and the Toyota Hybrids are very appealing. Imagine driving 1100 Kms on one tank of fuel for $100. This price is with today's fuel costs.

I like to drive and don't want to go to the poor house to do so.  If my vehicle produces less pollution and gives great gas mileage then I'm happy.

Oddly enough I know people who will go out of their way to find a "sporty"and "powerful" vehicle that sucks gas like an alcoholic sucks booze. Burnouts are their specialty. These same people complain about not getting ahead financially. Well you and I know the answer. Stop driving something that is killing your finances and harming the environment!

Oil Oil Everywhere

We all know that our motor oil comes from the earth. Have you checked lately under your car to see if it is leaking any oil? Go to a shopping mall parking lot, you'll see oil stains on almost every parking stall. Now that's a lot of oil being returned back to the earth. Problem is that the oil ends up being washed by the rain into the drains and if you live where I do it gets sent out into the ocean. This is called pollution and causes environmental damage.
Birds and fish alike get affected negatively.
Just think that the fish we eat are swimming in the stuff that lubricates our car engines. You wouldn't drink the oil yet your food is swimming in it and consuming it!
If you see your car leaking oil get it checked and repaired. Your contribution to keeping the earth safe will be greatly appreciated.