Photo courtesy of EnviroExpo

Sustainable homes. Solar power. Safer fabric dyes. Just some of the green innovations from Canada’s brightest young high school and CEGEP scientists – all past EnviroExpo winners.

Wondering what eco-friendly ideas will make it to the top of this year’s Canada-wide science fair? Get involved. This May 17 – 21, 2010, join the 450 finalists (out of 25,000+ competitors!) in Peterborough, Ontario as they share their discoveries. I know I’ll be cheering as months of hard work pay off for the winners with cash prizes… plus some amazing $10,000 scholarships.

It gives you hope, you know? Seeing so many young Canadians caring so passionately about our earth, and working hard to make real-life changes, makes me believe Canada CAN be a leader for sustainability worldwide. So don’t just get involved – get inspired!

Find out how you can help by visiting: EnviroExpo.

Why choose the train over flying or driving? Find out below!:

1. Cheaper. Compared to airfare and gas prices, taking the train can be surprisingly cost-effective. Add in discounts plus hot deals, and you can save a bundle!

 

2. Convenient. With multiple departures, stable fares, and fast boarding, rail is a really handy way to travel.

 

3. Flexible. Missed your train? Catch the next… Last minute plans? Last minute tickets… Heading cross-country? Pick your pace with a rail pass…

 

4. Relaxed. Settle in and stretch out. Spacious seats, lounge and dining cars on longer hauls, and someone else at the wheel adds up to a pleasant trip.

 

5. Faster? Airport security processing times, baggage waits and cab rides. Or rush hour traffic snarls and roadside pit stops. Factor in these timewasters and train travel stacks up, especially over shorter distances.

 

6. Baggage. If you can bring along a canoe… Generous carry-on and checked baggage allowances makes for happy travellers.

 

7. Downtown. Forget far-flung airports. Most Canadian cities feature historic train stations smack dab in the middle of the action.

 

8. Green. Opting for the train reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and the carbon footprint is split among all passengers. Très sustainable!

 

9. Scenic. Canada’s trains cross spectacular landscapes, making what’s rolling by the window more than worth the trip.

 

10. Romance. That indefinable old-fashioned charm of the train – fine dining, private cabins, rollicking rails, attentive service – turns a train trip into an adventure in itself.

See you onboard soon!

Hey VIA Préférence members! Get closer to earning free train travel by shopping online at the VIA Préférence eBoutique. You’ll get one VIA Préférence point for each dollar spent, thus bringing you ever nearer to a free train trip with VIA — or maybe even the SNCF in France.

• Shop from over 85 quality online retaillers including Sears, the Apple Store and Avon.
• Double and even DOUBLE DOUBLE points offers from featured partners like Sony and Chapters.indigo.ca.

And the holiday season is just around the corner!

Start browsing the VIA Préférence eBoutique today!

Every spring, some 500,000 snow geese, Canada geese and ducks make a stopover in Baie-du-Febvre, Quebec on their migratory journey. Accordingly, every spring, I like to visit the Centre-du-Quebec region and show the birds my support!

Located just 140 kilometres northeast of Montreal, south of the mighty St. Lawrence, Baie-du-Febvre and the wetlands of St-Pierre Lake provide a natural haven for these magnificent birds as they travel from their winter homes in the Eastern United States. In fact, St-Pierre Lake has been named a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

When the birds take flight, it’s a mad cacaphony of sound and light that you’ll never forget.

For more details – and to watch videos! – visit a special Web page on the Bonjour Quebec site.

It gives me goosebumps just to think about it… Every April 22, some 1 billion people in over 170 countries celebrate Earth Day with activities and projects that address local environmental issues. That includes some 6 million Canadians!

Always a firm believer that we can change the world together, VIA Rail is proud to be supporting this worthy cause and is even offering travellers a limited-time 50% discount on Comfort class tickets* to help more Canadians discover a greener way to travel.

Earth Day is a powerful catalyst for change that has been transforming lives for almost 40 years. So get your 50% e-coupon now and then become your own catalyst for change by finding an Earth Day activity near you!

The coupon is only available until April 26 – so don’t drag your feet!

*Some conditions apply.

If you’ve never heard of Earth Hour, allow me to educate you

The concept is simple – if you want to express your vote for positive climate change, then turn off your lights on Satuday, March 28 between 8:30-9:30 p.m. It may not seem like much, but if this initiative reaches its goal of 1 billion “votes”, it will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

A mere two years old, Earth Hour began in Sydney when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In the following year, the movement spread to 50 million people worldwide. This is a global call for every individual, every business, and every community to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support during Earth Hour 2009.

So won’t you “vote” tomorrow? Visit the official website for more about what you can do.

Billed as “Earth friendly ideas for your travel”, Sonya scours the web for daily green travel news, green travel destinations around the globe, green gear that makes trips a cinch, and plenty of nods to fellow green travel bloggers and resources.

My personal favourite ? Green Places Canada, of course! A prediction that classis trips are THE travel trend for 2009 also caught my eye, give VIA’s amazine 50% off deal on cross-Canada adventures.

I know Sonia will definitely help me plan my next vacation!

Brought to you by: http://flickr.com/photos/krisdecurtis/

A friend recently told me about Earth911, a website dedicated to helping us earthlings make every day a little bit greener. In addition to useful recycling tips for everything from household cleaners to metal, from eyeglasses to motor oil, the site also features a slew of interesting articles for the holiday season.

What? You didn’t notice that it was December already? Catch up with these quick links:

• 5 tips to make your Xmas tree eco-friendly
• Holiday greetings made easy
• 2008 *green* gift guide

• Selecting the most ecologically-friendly means of transportation (remember, a bike is often a great way to get around your destination city)
• Visiting places where workers are adequately compensated
• Staying in energy-efficient accomodations (inquire about recycling and energy-conservation policies)
• Ensuring souvenirs or other products you buy do not endanger any wildlife
• Keeping water and forest areas clean

It’s no secret that train travel reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and although it may not be as fast as a jetliner, the advantages of riding the rails make the journey that much more rewarding. Yes, hopping aboard a train is making a statement for sustainable travel, but it also lets you see landscapes that you’d miss from the air.

A vacation should be a relaxing, pleasurable event, but it’s crucial to do some research on your destination and ask yourself some important environmental questions, like:

• What’s the best way to get there?
• What is the ecological environment like?
• Who can best address my environmental concerns?

Once your prep work is done, you’ll be ready for the most environmentally-friendly trip of your life (complete with Green Passport in hand!)

Visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwona_kellie/833524579/ for more!

So what are you waiting for? Park those cars for the winter and take the train instead. Consider the following statistics:

Brought to you by nightthree www.flickr.com/photos/nightthree/

According to Environment Canada, transportation accounts for approximately 30% of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions of which 50% are produced by private passenger vehicles. Passenger trains contribute a comparatively small amount, totalling only 0.03% of Canadian GHG emissions. Train travel reduces traffic congestion in large urban centres and, therefore, reduces GHG emissions. On short and medium distances the harmful emissions are approximately half of the amount generated by vehicles and about 40% of the amount generated by air transport.

Also, did you know?

• Cars are less fuel efficient in winter thanks to increased use of heating systems and idling.

• Winter road conditions increase the number of automobile collisions.

Come on Canadians – let’s keep each other inspired in the battle against climate change!

Add more reasons for taking the train this winter by leaving me a comment.