50 Facts About Your Environment (for Kids!)

Most children know some facts about the environment: they know recycling is good, they know pollution is bad, and they know we need to take care of the Earth if we want to continue living on it. What they may not know is why recycling is good, how bad it could be if we didn't do it, and what other problems there are on the planet that could lead to actions as important as recycling. To give some context we have compiled a list of 50 facts and tips about green living and environmentalism for kids.  These are meant to give everyone a fresh perspective of our world and exactly what it means to be green!  Hopefully, with the help of our kids, we will be able to turn all of our bad environmental practices into good ones.

Recycling

The average North American uses 700 lbs. of paper a year.  This equals approximately 465 trees per person, just for paper!  Learn more.

Recycled paper only creates 25% of the pollution that new paper creates when making it into new products.  Learn more.

A glass bottle will take 40,000 years to decompose if it’s not recycled.  Learn more.

Recycling a single aluminium can will save enough electricity to power a TV for three hours.  Learn more.

The United States throws away enough iron and steel to supply all auto-makers continuously.  Learn more.

Enough aluminium cans are thrown away each year in the United States

Recycle your newspaper.  The Sunday edition of the New York Times takes 75,000 trees to print.  Learn more.

In 1993, the United States had more paper recycled than was thrown into a landfill, the first year this landmark ever occurred!  Learn more.

Recycling a single glass bottle will save enough energy to power a light bulb for four hours.  Learn more.

1987, California began a beverage container recycling program.  Today, they have recycled over 120 billion bottles and cans, enough to circle the Earth 375 times!  Learn more.

Plastic take 450 years just to begin decomposing.  It takes another 50 to 80 years to be completely decomposed.  This also means that every single piece of plastic even made has not even started to decompose.  Learn more.

It only takes 25 recycled plastic bottles to make a brand new fleece jacket.  Learn more.

Enough steel and tin cans are thrown out daily in the United States to make a pipe from Los Angeles to New York, twice.  If a tenth of these cans were recycled, it would equal 3.2 billion cans recycled each year.  Learn more.

Only 1% of plastic shopping bags are recycled.  Learn more.

Most plastic bags they go into landfills do not stay there.  They are caught by the wind and enter trees, oceans, and other parts of nature.  Learn more.

When a newspaper is recycled, it takes only seven days from to become a brand new newspaper!  Learn more.

All newspapers in the United Kingdom at 100% recycled paper.  Learn more.

Many clothing companies now use recycled materials in their clothes.  Check their labels to see if you’re buying clothes that were once something else!  Learn more.

Reusing

Just because you’re finished with a toy doesn’t mean that another kid won’t enjoy it.  Donating your old toys is a great way to save the environment and make another child happy.  Learn more.

In one person’s lifetime, using a cloth bag will save over 22,000 plastic bags! Learn more.

Just because you stopped wearing old clothes doesn’t mean that someone else can’t benefit from it.  Donate you old clothes that are still in good shape to a shelter or charity.  Learn more.

The zinc in old cellphones can be used to build ships.  Learn more.

Your old video game consoles have gold.  They can be recycled into new jewellery and other fine items.  Learn more.

Water

40% of drinking water comes from plastic bottles.  Learn more.

The Earth’s surface is 70% water, but many people go without access to fresh water every day.  Turning the faucet off when you’re brushing your teeth and taking quicker showers will use less water and leave more for others to use.  Learn more.

Saving

Turning your home’s thermostat down by a single degree can save your family 8% in heating costs.  Learn more.

Using energy efficient appliances can save enough money from less electricity usage that it can pay for the entire appliance!  Learn more.

Every three months, people in the United States throw away enough aluminium cans that they could rebuild all the airplanes in the country.  Learn more.

13 billion plastic bags are made every year, about 300 per adult.  Use cloth bags to help reduce the number of plastic bags made.  Learn more.

By recycling paper and cardboard, the United Kingdom is able to save 11 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from ever being created each year!  That equals the exhaust of 3.5 million cars!  Learn more.

For every tonnes of paper recycled, 17 trees are saved.  Learn more.

Paper bags are not really better than plastic bags.  Approximately 14 million tress are cut down each year for paper bags.  Remember to use your cloth bags!  Learn more.

The state of California spends $300 million just on cleaning garbage from their beaches.  Try to do your part and pick up after yourself!  Learn more.

Science and Nature

1.6 billion people do not have access to electricity.  Learn more.

2.5 billion people do not have access to proper sanitation.  Learn more.

Almost 1 billion people don’t have enough to eat.  Learn more.

The United States generates enough garbage each year that the garbage trucks used would stretch halfway to the moon.  Learn more.

Food scraps and other organic garbage creates methane, a greenhouse gas 20 times stronger than carbon dioxide.  Learn more.

The United Kingdom uses enough paper each year to deforest an area the size of the country of Wales!  Learn more.

What Can I Do

Remember to Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle.  There is a reason we say these in this order.  We always want to reuse things first.  If we can’t, then we try to reduce what we use.  Recycling is the final step where we give out old things to someone else to make new things.  Learn more.

Turn off the water when brushing your teeth.  The more people who turn off water faucets when not in use, the more water there is for emergencies.  Learn more.

Turn of lights when you leave a room.  If no one is in a room, there is no reason for a light to be on.  Learn more.

Play outside.  Video games and computers use a lot of energy and have you sitting all day.  Be active outdoors and use less energy, have more fun, and be more fit!  Learn more.

Print on both sides of the paper when using your computer’s printer.  You will only end up using half the paper you normally do!  Learn more.

A child will create 67 lbs. of garbage per year just from using a disposable lunch.  Make your own lunches from home using reusable containers.  Learn more.

For your school lunch, use a reusable lunch box and thermos.  Wash it at night and its ready to go for tomorrow!  Learn more.

Carpooling to school, extracurricular activities, and friends’ houses will lower greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.  Learn more.

Start being a green kid now.  The habits you create will last as you grow up into an adult.  Learn more.

Use a compost.  Over 30% of all garbage thrown away could go to better use in composting.  Learn more.

On average, people buy three new electronic devices each year.  Remember to recycle or sell your old devices instead of throwing them in the garbage.  Learn more.

Additional Sources: Scholastic, Arbor Day Kids, Stratham Library, Home Dental, Alcoa Recycling, Busch Systems, Africa, She Knows, Dewson School

São Tomé and Príncipe: A Tiny Nation with an Environmental Perspective

São Tomé and Príncipe is a small nation in the Gulf of Guinea off the west coast of Africa.  Its name was given for the two main islands that comprise the country, the largest of each archipelago that it is made of.  While such a tiny nation would not normally register for its green record, looking at what they have done to improve their environment shows that no country in the world is exempt from caring for it. 

As a developing nation, São Tomé and Príncipe’s needs are different that those of Canada or Europe.  However, they still strive for sustainability, economic growth, and cultural expression, just like any other.  In pursuing this, they are working with other nations and organizations to ensure that their growth is not only economically sustainable, but that it is environmentally viable as well.  This article seeks to explore the Small Island Developing State (SIDS) that is São Tomé and Príncipe and show how every nation is responsible for protecting this world.

Food Security

As a part of the National Poverty Reduction Strategy, São Tomé and Príncipe are working to reduce poverty by half and add annual real GDP growth of 5% per year.  As a part of this, the African Development Bank has invested in São Tomé and Príncipe’s fisheries.  The goal is to reduce the food deficit in the country through sustainable practices that will ensure a lasting supply of food for the population as well as maintain environmental standards that will make it lasting.

São Tomé and Príncipe estimates it could bring in between 23,000 and 29,000 tonnes of fish per year.  This would help lower the current 22% of citizens who do not have enough food resources.  Environmental awareness actions within the program are meant to educate fishery workers on sustainable and green practices in order to ensure that a consistent stock is available every year.  This has been received through the Environmental and Social Management Plan, designed based on previous African Developmental Bank initiatives in other nations.  Such measures include:

• Cleaning of runoff water before re-entry into the ecosystem;
• Repopulation of old fishing tracks in order to protect historical and cultural fishing areas as well as ensure sustainability within existing water systems; and
• Ensuring proper disposal of waste and toxic liquids through controlled landfills and incinerators.

Implementation of this plan is also a part of the island nation’s National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, signed in 2005.

Ocean Protection

Much of São Tomé and Príncipe can be classified as coastal.  The country has a rich diversity of undeveloped coastal areas; however these are threatened by deforestation, coastal erosion due to mining, desertification, unregulated tourism development, and a general lack of township planning.  There is also a newly emerging offshore petroleum industry that is growing and contributing to environmental concerns.  This is why a National Ocean Policy has been proposed by the United Nations for São Tomé and Príncipe as well as all SIDS nations.  This is important as continued erosion is damaging environments as well as tourism and fisheries development.

To counter growing oil production, the government passed the Oil Revenue Management Law, which is now considered a model for other nations.  Through the aid of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and the World Bank, a percentage of oil revenues are diverted to future environmental needs.  This means that any offshore oil development must is required to contribute to environmental protection of the surrounding ocean area.

The Rio Convention of 1992 deals with sustainable development on a global level in dealing with resource development.  While non-binding, it has been used in the case of São Tomé and Príncipe to manage economic growth from natural resources in coastal areas while ensuring sustainability in the environment where it is being conducted.  The 1994 UN Conference on Sustainable Development of Small Island developing states, held in Barbados, is also being used to establish programs that take into account coastal and ocean issues for any new construction development on the islands.  This includes paying attention to coral reef habitats, wetlands, and life-support systems for marine wildlife.

National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA)

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Article 4.9, recognizes a classification of nations known as Least Developed Countries (LDCs).  These nations, of which São Tomé and Príncipe is a part of, have special needs when it comes to how they are able to incorporate climate change initiatives while continuing to develop other areas of their country.  Article 4.9 states, “The Parties shall take full account of the specific needs and special situations of the Least Developed Countries in their actions with regard to funding and transfer of technology.”  The use of NAPAs in such nations enables foreign aid for adaptable changes that place an emphasis on climate variability.

There are two NAPAs currently operating in São Tomé and Príncipe.  First, there is the Adaptation to Climate Change initiative that was begun by the World Bank.  The second is the Strengthening of the Adaptive Capacity of Must Vulnerable Sao Tomean’s Livestock-Keeping Households, initiated by the African Development Bank.  Key environmental vulnerabilities were outlined in six sectors: agriculture, forests and livestock; fisheries; public works, infrastructure and tourism; energy and water; health; and public safety and civil protection.  By working on climate change initiatives as well as certain social areas, the goal is to improve both the environment and the standard of living.  The UNFCCC is also coordinating their efforts, as well as those of the World Bank and African Development Bank, through the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Rio Convention on desertification and biodiversity.  Additional funding for these programs have also come from the Japan Adaptation Programme.

It is important to note that this is only the beginning of the work that NAPAs wish to do in São Tomé and Príncipe.  There are a total of 22 projects currently outlined for the island nation.

The Future of São Tomé and Príncipe

As a SIDS and LDC nation, São Tomé and Príncipe has severe restrictions on what it is able to accomplish environmentally.  However, through external aid, such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the United Nations, they have been able to implement new strategies and begin projects to ensure a higher standard of life, meet basic needs of the population, and do so through sustainable and environmentally sound methods. This environmental transformation is also helping economically as new and existing industries are strengthened and can have an environmentally sound future.

Sources: UNFCCC, AFDB, Eco Bank, UN.org, Rolas Furnas Geysir, West Africa, World Bank, Vintage Jhan BlogSpot Image

How to Go Green at Work

Much like going green at school, going green at work can sometimes have a larger impact than going green at home due to the number of people that can be involved. By helping your office make better eco-choices, you can also encourage your colleagues to make similar changes in the rest of their lives!

Encourage your company to develop a greenhouse gas inventory

An inventory includes a list of emission sources as well as the amount of standardized accompanying emissions. The majority of a company’s emissions tend to come from building heating and cooling, fleet vehicles, electricity use, and employee travel. Small companies can calculate their emissions and carbon footprint here. The EPA’s Center for Corporate Climate Leadership is a resource center to help organizations identify and achieve cost-effective GHG emission reductions. Environment Canada also has resources for businesses about sustainable development planning, reporting, and programs.

Use renewable and sustainable power

Though some regions generate their grid power from cleaner energy sources such as hydropower other regions source their grid power from emission-heavy fossil fuel powered plants. Consequently, emissions from electricity generated from fossil fuels can have a significant impact the environment and your organization's carbon footprint. Green power is electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources such as wind, sun, geothermal, and biomass. Purchasing your power from renewable energy sources is an effective way for your organization to reduce its carbon footprint and environmental impact. Visit the EPA's Green Power Partnership for information on how to purchase green power in the United States. In Canada your business can purchase green power from Bullfrog Power.

Use public transportation, bike, walk, or carpool to work

Instead of using your car, why not save your gas money and get a little exercise at the same time by biking or walking to work! If you do need to drive, organize a carpool or take public transit to limit the number of cars on the road. A smaller number of cars on the road mean less carbon emissions. Leaving your car at home just two days a week can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by an average of two tons per year.

Telecommunicate instead of travelling on a plane to meet clients

Flying is resource intensive and produces large carbon emissions; you can prevent the need to fly by phone, audio and video conferencing instead. You can also save money, time, and reduce stress by teleconferencing. If you must travel consider alternate less carbon intensive modes of transport such as trains. Train travel is estimated to produce 90 percent fewer emissions than flying. You could also consider telecommuting for your everyday work if possible; this could also reduce your emissions and save you waiting in traffic every day.

(Learn more about airplane emissions in our article about The Green Passport Initiative!)

Install smart power strips to turn off electronics completely

The energy used to power electronics in offices can be greatly reduced if they are turned off when not needed instead of left on standby to continuously suck up energy. For example did you know that a 600-watt photocopier left on standby for 24 hours a day uses about $750 of electricity in a year? If it is turned on only during normal working hours, two thirds of this electricity could be saved.

Smart strips turn off devices and prevent phantom energy from continuously flowing through them. Electronics such as computers, printers, scanners and copiers should be plugged into smart strips which stop drawing power when your gadgets are on standby or are turned off. For example, when a printer plugged into a basic smart strip goes into standby mode, its power consumption drops. Consequently, the circuitry detects the change and cuts the power to that outlet but the rest of the outlets in use stay on. As a result both energy associated emissions and costs will be reduced.

Switch to energy efficient lighting and turn lights off when not in use

Refit your workplace with energy saving light bulbs labelled ENERGY STAR® to help the environment as well as help your company save money on the electricity bill! Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer. Light emitting diode (LED) lights are an emerging technology and are also 75% more efficient than incandescent bulbs. LEDs can last even longer than CFLs—lasting 15 to 20 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

If your workplace occupants are having difficulty regularly turning off the lights you can install motion or occupant sensors, which automatically turn off lighting when no one is present and come back on when they return.

Recycle everything you can

Recycling reduces the size and affect of landfills, helps conserve natural resources, decreases pollution, and saves energy. Ensure that your company recycles paper products, batteries, and printer cartridges. Additionally, make sure the office’s old electronics (e.g., computers, monitors, cell phones, TVs) are recycled. There are many different programs including leasing programs, manufacturer and retailer take-back programs and municipal programs your company can utilize to ensure the reuse and/or recycling of your electronics. In the US your company can participate in the EPA’s WasteWise program which helps its participants meet goals to reduce and recycle municipal solid waste and selected industrial wastes.

Go paperless

• Go a step further than just recycling your paper; avoid initially using it whenever possible. 
• Set 'double sided' as the default setting on your printer.
• Go electronic instead of using hard copies: phone and email, use overheads and power point presentations, get e-subscriptions, and use web resources.
• Replace paper towels with hand dryers in the bathrooms.
• Switch to cloth towels and napkins in kitchens.
• Use reusable mugs and plates in the company kitchen.
• Switch to a metal mesh reusable coffee filter in the company kitchen so you do not need disposable paper ones.

Use non-toxic green cleaning products in your work area or office

Using green products for cleaning your workplace can be better for the health of the planet, yourself, and your employees. Green products are typically made with natural ingredients and can reduce the amount of harmful toxins you inhale each day. Green products are also often packaged in recycled or biodegradable materials and offer bulk options to reduce waste. Research and read the labels of your green products, looking for words such as biodegradable, 100% recycled, certified organic, and green certified, to chose the ones that are right for you.

Choose foods that are local, organic and sustainable for lunches, meetings and catered events

Produce that is grown in your area requires lower inputs to get to the store/farmers’ market/restaurant, and by buying seasonal produce you’re more likely to get produce that’s local. A good way to know if your food is sustainably produced is to talk to the farmer!  Buy farm-gate produce or shop at farmers’ markets whenever it’s possible.  Ask the farmer how they grow their crops. The farmers that are passionate about sustainable practices will enthusiastically share their knowledge.

 

(You can read more about sustainable agriculture on our blog here!)

Choosing food that is organic ensures that it is pesticide and GMO free and thus that there are no negative impacts on the surrounding soil, water, air, or organisms. Eating organic also may prevent a number of negative human health problems linked to pesticide use.

Pack waste-free lunches

Through packing a waste-free lunch at home (and not getting take-out) your energy emissions, meal costs, and the waste you produce are all reduced. The average child is said to produce 67 pounds of trash at lunch a year and you are creating the same if not more at work!  Switch to reusable utensils, containers, napkins, water bottles and lunch boxes to avoid trash generation. When shopping for reusable lunch wares remember that some may actually contain lead and/or PVC which are not safe to be in contact with food. Reusable containers made of glass, stainless, and lead-free ceramic are the safest options.

(Read specific examples on how other companies have gone green on our Green Companies from the Ground Up and Going Green in Business pages!)

Sources: Green Office, Green Office Certification, Got Tech, Recycle for Change, Entrepreneurs for Change, Telecom, Interesting Energy Facts Blog, Autowale.in, PC Mag, Industry Canada, Slacker Saver, Chicago Tribune Local, BC Living, Go Green in Stages

Vertical Farming: The Rise of Food Sustainability

You may or may not have heard about a new type of farming called “vertical farming”; yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like! Vertical farmers utilize unique space by farming upwards, in and on top of skyscrapers and tall buildings. Vertical farming is a great way towards a more sustainable alternative to regular crop farming because it means you can buy locally grown food while not using up any land. This can reduce emissions created from food products that travel long distances and, with an abundance of buildings, it’s possible to have hundreds of thousands pounds of vegetables and herbs produced annually and sold locally!

Dickson Despommier, a professor at Columbia University, describes here why vertical farming could, and should, change the world: 

(Learn more at verticalfarm.com) 

With Vancouver vying to be one of the greenest cities in the world by 2020, vertical farming can be one of those ideas that really puts a city over the top. Enter Alterrus Systems Inc., a Vancouver based company that was formed for the very purpose of creating North America’s first ever “VertiCrop” farm. VertiCrop is a technological innovation that revolutionized farming by allowing vegetables and herbs to grow vertically without any soil, pesticides, or herbicides. VertiCrop can change the way we farm by providing fresh produce to local communities quicker than ever before. The first-ever VertiCrop farm in North America will be located on the roof of a parking lot located in downtown Vancouver and will produce around 150,000 pounds of green produce annually. The food will then packaged and sold locally under the brand name “Local Garden”.

A Problem of Sustainability

The world’s population is increasing. But we are running out of land for farming. 70% of all fresh water on the planet is used for agriculture. yet the runoff is unusable due to contaminants in the soil. To sustainably create the amount of food the world will require, farming needs to be modified. We require a combination of solutions and a paradigm shift in how we grow and distribute healthy food.

The World Needs to Grow Up

Vertical farming addresses the problems of increased demand for sustainable, nutritious food. Vast areas of underutilized urban space, such as empty buildings and rooftops, can be used to grow fresh produce at or near to where it is to be consumed. Contrast this with the status quo that ships produce to grocers from an average of 1,500 miles away. Transporting produce over such long distances not only generates carbon emissions, but a dependence on foreign oil. In addition, closed-loop vertical farming environments don’t require the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides, which totally eliminates contaminated runoff. And with only the minimal amount of water needed to grow a variety of fresh, healthy produce, this sustainable farming method helps conserve our planet’s most precious resource.

- Alterrus

In the United Kingdom, the team at Vertical Veg are teaching people how to grow vertical farms themselves, right on their balconies! By following their blog or attending classes, individuals can learn how to grow food to feed themselves, their families, and more. Depending how much space each person has, they can grow as little as a one plant to as much as the creators themselves! Vertical Veg reports how much they grow by weight and dollar value so readers can really see the difference this sustainable innovation can make. Check out their Growing Diaries to learn more.

If you're interested in growing your own food try searching local information to ensure you grow the proper crops at the appropriate times of year for the greatest success. Be sure to review your building and city bylaws as well to ensure you are operating within your limits! There are also many other sustainable agricultural projects popping up around the world so if you're interested in participating be sure to keep an eye out. In Vancouver the Strathcona Community Gardens and SOLEfood Farm are doing their part to support the greenest city. Restaurants such as the Forage are also going green by using local foods, emitting zero-waste, and installing solar panels. There are also food trucks that are being set up that sell food products made from local ingredients and utilize renewable energy. 

Learn more about sustainable eating with Farm-To-Table: Local Sustainability and Sustainable Agriculture - what it is and how you can support it.

Sources: Alterrus, The Economist, The Star News, The Georgia Straight News, Gadling, VertiCrop JPEG, VertiCrop.com, 1 Sole, Strathcona Gardens, Vancouver, Vertical Veg

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