I get a lot of letters that are directed to all five national party leaders -- Questions to Harper, Ignatieff, Duceppe, Layton, and me on a wide range of topics. The question of what we have each done in our own lives to reduce our ecological footprint is inspired by the Million Acts of Green programme. I got a pretty challenging email from Marcus Riedner of Calgary (and he has given me permission to share our correspondence!):
"Dear Prime Minister Steven Harper, the heads of the major parties in Canada, and the Hon. Lee Richardson,
Canadians have shown that they care a great deal about the future of our planet. All across this country people made small changes that have added up to a huge cumulative change. Over 1,000,000 acts of green have been done through the One Million Acts of Green web initiative ( http://green.cbc.ca ), and the number continues to grow. Over 1,000,000 small, but meaningful changes by Canadians, meant to help protect the future of our country, families, and environment.
As I write this email to the political leaders of our country, Canadians have saved, roughly, 56.7 MILLION kg of greenhouse gases. Clearly Canadians are working hard to build a greener Canada.
So my question to each and every one of you, our leaders, is 'What have you done?'"
I wrote back and said: Did you really want a list of what I have done?? And got this answer:
"Hello Elizabeth,Thank you for responding, I know how busy people get, let alone politicians who have a lot of running around and face time to deal with. I think it would be fantastic to see a blog post on the Green party web site about some of the acts of green you have done, or even for you to participate in the 1 million acts of green initiative. In all honesty I sent the email because George Strombolopolous dared Canadians to do so when he was on CBC News a few days ago, asking Canadians to take what has happened with the 1 Million Acts of Green website and wave it around at a few politicians. I am horribly prone to taking dares, particularly politically motivated ones. I am one of those so-called apathetic dot-commers and gen Xers who lurk around waiting for someone to jar us into action. I just happen to be easily jarred.
A special congratulations to you as well, you are, so far, the only politician to respond. You are also the first. You may have secured my vote for the Green Party once again. :D
Cheers,"
So prompted by Marcus, I have pulled together my list. This is what I have tried to do, but (I freely admit, the amount of travel I have to do as leader gives me a way too large impact. The party buys off-sets, but I don't think off-sets the emissions as meaningfully as not having emissions in the first place.)
- Vegetarian diet, with some seafood, if sustainable, not loaded with heavy metals or PCBs, and not farmed. Dairy products organic and eggs, free-range.
- Household recycling and composting always (and well before curb-side pick-up).
- From 1980-2007 I did not own a car, relying on mass transit. In 2007 I bought a Prius in order to be able to reach all parts of my riding (that's right, in order to be Green Party leader, I bought a car.)
- I never buy unnecessary paper products -- no paper towels, paper serviettes.
- My home relies on linen and cotton reusable items. I buy toilet paper with recycled content.
- Water conservation: I have a front loading washer, a real water miser.
- Careful use of water for hand washing dishes, and no electric dish washer. Mini-rapid-shower, no wasting water in long showers.
- Solar panels on roof for pre-heating hot water.
- Energy efficient furnace.
- All bulbs in my home are compact florescent.
- Replaced (and recycled) old fridge with most energy efficient model on market.
- Energy audits and insulation. Full One Tonne Challenge!
- Four years ago, we gave up any vacation that involved flying. We go where we can for recreation by ground, mass transit.
- House-cleaning: no toxic cleansers. I rely on baking soda, vinegar and borax to clean surfaces.
- No pesticides, anywhere, ever. When my daughter was small, I became expert at lice treatments with tea tree oil.
- Paint: I only buy clay-based paints. Farrow and Ball. Worth recommending.
- I cook from scratch. Home made organic whole wheat bread is a household staple. I buy flour in 10 kg bag. No processed, over-packaged foods.
- Coffee and chocolate, only fair trade and organic. No bananas unless organic.
- Try to eat in season, Root veg in winter, salads and what is fresh and local in season.
- Clotheslines – inside and out used in preference to the drier.
- Speaking of drying: no blow drying hair. Wastes electricity.
- Canvas bags for groceries.
- Walking to stores with little bundle buggy.
- Taking the bus. Taking trains in preference to flying wherever possible.
- I ALWAYS carry a travel mug.
- Refuse throw away items.
- Reduce electronic stuff – no microwave, no CD player, no flatscreen tv. Have all instant on appliances on power bar to shut off when not in use.
- I take responsibility for recycling items when I travel, carrying home any cans, paper items if I cannot recycle on the road.