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The Heat Beneath Our Feet: Unlocking the Potential of Geothermal Power
The planet is electric. It is literally filled with ways for us to create renewable energy and power our lives. Not only can renewable energy provide us with electricity, but it can also help us move away from a dependence on fossil fuels. Our Power, Our Planet is the theme for Earth Day 2025, which carries a focus on “harnessing renewable energy to build a healthy, sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for us all.” With this theme in mind, we are focusing our next few weeks on the different types of renewable energy options. This renewable energy series will take a look at the good, the bad, and the encouraging…
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The Power of the Sun: How Solar Energy is Lighting Up Our Future
The planet is electric. It is literally filled with ways for us to create renewable energy and power our lives. Not only can renewable energy provide us with electricity, but it can also help us move away from a dependence on fossil fuels. Our Power, Our Planet is the theme for Earth Day 2025, which carries a focus on “harnessing renewable energy to build a healthy, sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for us all.” With this theme in mind, we are focusing our next few weeks on the different types of renewable energy options. This renewable energy series will take a look at the good, the bad, and the encouraging…
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8 Things You Should Buy Secondhand Instead of New
Part of the reason for this post was the uncertainty I’ve been feeling about possible changes to the afforability of life in Canada. Thrift stores and online marketplaces are both great ways to obtain needed items at reasonable prices, so I started to take stock of what future needs I could meet by scouring my local thrift stores. But shopping secondhand isn’t just about saving money—it’s also a great way to reduce waste, find unique pieces, and support local businesses like consignment stores. While some items are better bought new for safety and hygiene reasons, many products are just as good (or even better) when purchased from a thrift or…
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Planning for next year’s garden: 5 ways to make it a great year
I know, I know, it seems too early…But I had my copy of the Westcoast Seeds Gardening Guide dog-eared and was ready to order my seeds last month! I can’t be the only one… Whether you’re a long-time gardener or a first-time grower, getting ahead of planning and organizing in the fall and winter months can lead to a fantastic garden in the coming year… Which means that now is the perfect time to start planning! So as I’m going through these steps myself, I thought I’d share what I consider each year to prepare for the coming season. 1. Reflecting on past years’ gardens Before diving into planning for…
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Solar panel update & 6 things you might not know about solar panels
In 2019 my family took the plunge and installed solar panels. Over the years I’ve shared about our experience of getting started with solar panels as well as updates on our solar power generation. To read through past posts, check out this link here! Today I thought I’d share an update on our power generation this year, as well as the totals related to our output over the years. The application related to running our system and tracking output creates some useful graphics to monitor performance – which I love! Our generation by month for 2024 is shown “Monthly Energy in Current Year” table below, and it’s been a reasonably…
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Climate Change Collective: Teaching Kids About Climate Change
Teaching kids about climate change is an essential part of raising a generation that understands the importance of environmental conservation. As Jamie points out in his post, climate change education in schools is not consistent, but there is still lots of opportunity to have these important conversations at home. Though my kids have both come home from school as recycling experts! Children are naturally curious and open to learning, and when we make climate change lessons fun and interactive, my kids become very engaged in the topic. As such, I thought I’d share some creative and engaging activities to introduce kids to the concept of climate change and environmental responsibility.…
