ENVR 2000 Blog

"The Forks Plans to Extend Skating Trail." Access Winnipeg, accesswinnipeg.com/2008/11/winnipeg-to-extend-river-skating-trail/. For the Jack Frost Challenge, I decided to go skating. I went to the Forks to get outside and enjoy a break from studying. This activity allowed me to relax, have fun and enjoy some time outside in the winter. I find spending time outside to be a perfect break from studying. Skating at the Forks allowed me to take a break and then return to my work, motivated to continue. Being outside in the cold air also made me feel refreshed and more alert. I had fun at the Forks and the only thing that could have made it better would have been having more time to enjoy the activity. I only spent one hour skating on the river trail. The trail was so pretty and there was so much to see. I would have liked to have spent even more time outside. I enjoy spending time outside and I would be very interested in participating in other outdoor winter activities such...

The first personal product I use is Herbal Essences Naked Volume, White Grapefruit and Most Mint Shampoo. This product's ingredients have an overall moderate risk. The EWG's rating for this shampoo is a 5. This product is considered a low threat for containing carcinogens and a low threat of causing developmental and reproductive toxicity, with EWG rating of 1-2. However, this product contains ingredients that are considered moderate-high risk for allergies and immunotoxicity such as, methylisothiazolinone, rated 7, and methylchloroisothiazolinone, rated 6. These ingredients can cause allergic reactions and contain ecotoxic substances. "Shampoo | Herbal Essences." Hair Care and Styling Products Herbal Essences, herbal essences.com/en-is/discovers-products/cleanse-and-condition/shampoo Another personal product I use is Herbal Essences Renew, Repair, Argan Oil of Morocco Conditioner. This product's ingredients have an overall moderate risk. The EWG's rat...

I have categorized my purchases for the week by good, bad and ugly. If the purchase is in the good category this means the product has a relatively low environmental impact and supports local or small businesses. A good purchase is a necessary item and not a financial burden. If the purchase is considered bad, it means that the product has a moderate impact on the environment and supports Canadian businesses. The bad category means the purchase was not necessary and there was a better more affordable or environmentally friendly option. Finally, if the purchase is categorized as ugly, then it means the product has significant negative environmental impacts. The ugly category means the purchase was supporting large corporate businesses or foreign companies. The purchases are also considered ugly if there is other more environmentally friendly options available. GOOD PURCHASES: - Bothwell marble cheese ($4.75) - I placed this in the good purchase category because I am supporting a loca...

"Electronic Waste Rising." TradeIT , trade.guru/?p=20723 My household e-waste gets recycled. I bring my old electronics to the nearest Staples to be recycled and properly disposed of. Old electronics are full of chemicals and toxins that should not be in landfills, but instead should be properly dismantled and disposed of. Recycling drop off centres will typically dismantle the e-waste and send the plastic parts to landfills. They will send recyclable metal overseas and they will dispose of any heavy metals in a safe manner. The transport of recyclable metals overseas poses a threat to the environment and to the people who are exposed to the harmful toxins that are present (NPR, 2010). E-waste needs to be properly disposed of and it is important to not just put these items in your trash can or recycling bin. Although the transport of recyclable metals has a negative impact on the environment it is important to recycle electronics at recycling drop off centres. I plan on ...

"Hamadryas Baboon Exhibit, Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia- Singapore Zoo." ZooChat,  www.zoochat.com/community/media/hamadryas-baboon-exhibit-great-rift-valley-of-ethiopia-singapore-zoo.53596/. I think zoos should play a role in conservation of animals. Zoos should bring in orphaned and endangered animals, allow them to grow and then release them back into nature. In order for zoos to be able to do this, they must have large exhibits and provide animals with real "wild" like surroundings. I also think zoos should play a role in education. Zoos should be interactive and provide a lot of information about the animals in the exhibits. Some people may have knowledge about certain animals, only from which zoos provide for them. It is important that zookeepers and exhibits educate people about animals in the zoo and provide an abundance of information to the people. I think it is ethical for animals to live in zoos. However, the animals must be treated correctly a...

Saanich Sunday Farmers' Market, saanichfarmersmarket.com What I like most about my food system is that I have access to a variety of nutritious food daily to keep me healthy. I am fortunate to have access to food stores that can provide me with a variety of nutritious and good tasting food. I like that food stores offer a variety of options for my food such as organic and locally grown. The thing I dislike most about my food system is the cost difference between packaged and healthy food. At super markets, it cost more to buy fresh fruit, fresh dairy products or meat than it does to buy packaged, unhealthy food. Also, cost of organic or locally grown is higher than food that has been imported from far away. I do not like that, during the winter months, most of our produce is imported, from other countries. This process is not good for the environment and contributes to carbon emissions. Another problem with my food system is the large amount of packaging that is associate...