One Million Acts of Green

Have you heard of One Million Acts of Green? I heard about it on The Hour. George is getting all his Canadian guests to participate (including David Suzuki!)

It’s a program through the CBC. You create a profile, and then you can pick from lists of green acts that will lower the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) that you create. So far they’re only at 220,786. Workin’ on it.

I signed up but had a hard time finding acts that I a) wasn’t already doing or b) could reasonably do while renting/not owning a car/moving in two months. But after reading some of the site I feel it’s ok to add things you’ve already made a part of your lifestyle. You’re already making a difference, so feel good about it by having the site tell you how much GHG’s you’ve not made. Wee!

One that I wasn’t already doing and will now be doing is always running the washer on the shortest setting. I usually try and gauge how dirty that load of clothes is to decide but come on, I’m not that dirty anyway.

So log on and find at least one that you aren’t doing yet. Even the little ones make a huge difference, like using a refillable coffee cup. Have you ever looked around to see how many people are holding a disposable, in-the-landfill-forever cup? It’s gross really. Plus reusable cups keep your coffee warm longer!

If you end up making a profile and start a new act of green leave me a comment…because getting someone else to sign up is one of the acts! haha

Blood = Cookies

Ok everyone…you must have heard about the dramatic decrease in Canada’s blood supply. DRAMATIC. This affects you. You, a friend, a family member could get in an accident at any time. Just take a couple mintues to think about that, I know it’s not pleasent but sometimes we need that kind of kick in the butt.

Giving blood is something I hold near and dear. I’ve given blood I think 9 times now and plasma once (FYI giving plasma is super fun…you actually get to see the blood get pumped back into you…COOL!). I figure I probably used a bunch of blood when I had my heart surgery once upon a time and other people have to have those kind of surgeries all the time.

I know a lot of people who are eligable to give blood and don’t and I’m sure they have lots of reasons. Too busy, don’t like needles, haven’t taken the time to think about how important having a large enough blood supply is. Well get off your butt and donate! We need it, all Canadians do! It only takes like 10 mintues (30 min probably if you count all the form filling in) and they are peak freans at the end! I love those things.

I’m currently not able to give blood because of my summer trip to Mexico so I hope that at least one person who hasn’t given before goes to donate. DO IT! 🙂

Call 1-888-2-DONATE or visit http://www.bloodservices.ca/ to make an appointment or find a clinic near you.

Welcome to carolynm.com!

Hello!

So for my birthday my wonderful boyfriend created carolynm.com. Wee my own little piece of the internet. I’m going to try to use this blog for a couple different uses.

#1 to document my upcoming travels to China and Australia, to keep my friends and family informed about where and am and what I’m doing and to give advice to anyone who might also want to plan a similar type of trip.

#2 to spread information about issues I find interesting and important. This is probably going to consist of mostly environmentally based issues, as my family and most of my friends will agree I am a hippie/tree hugger/crunchy granola, etc.

Stay tuned, my first real post is in the works.