Sustainability: Food Choices

Over the holidays, I have been devouring "Bottomfeeder: How to Eat Ethically in a World of Vanishing Seafood" by Taras Grescoe - an author from Montreal - who writes about choices we can make in the seafood we eat.  As a piscivore myself (a person who limits their flesh-eating to fish only), I am very concerned about the health implications and the environmental impacts of having my primary protein source come out of our oceans.   To the annoyance of my family I'm sure, I've been so amazed by the information in this book that I've been reading parts of it aloud for the last couple of weeks.  

From the dangers of farming carnivorous species (chemically-treated and antibiotic-laden salmon and shrimp farms are full of disease and destroying wild species), to the destructive fishing practices that are used to bring in certain other species (using dynamite and cyanide fishing for reef fish like grouper and wrasse, or bottom-trawling for monkfish), there are certain fish that should be avoided both for health reasons and in order to protect ocean ecosystems.  A lot of the book is simply horrifying and has turned me off of a lot of seafood that I have consumed on a regular basis before reading this book.  Nevertheless, the overall message of the book is very positive and Grescoe gives accolades to sustainable fishing practices around the world and advice on better species choices.  His writing throughout is captivating: while incredibly informative, each chapter represents a new area in the world and reads more like a foodies' travel diary with humorous anecdotes and personal stories of people working in various fishing industries.  

An interesting resource that is mentioned in this book is the Canadian website "SeaChoice: healthy choices, healthy oceans" that includes a wallet-card pointing out "red", "yellow" and "green" fish choices.  "Red" fish should always be avoided due to environmental concerns or harmful levels of toxins.  "Yellow" fish have some concerns and "green" fish are the best choices.  Each list shows the ocean where the fish comes from and the method of fishing that is used.  For example, shrimp and prawns show up in each category, "green" for trap-caught sidestripe and spot species from BC, "yellow" for trawled shrimp from Mexico or the Atlantic and "red" for international tiger and white shrimp caught or farmed by any method.  

* image from http://www.tarasgrescoe.com

The Immeasurable Carbon Credits

One of the most interesting things that I have noticed in the course of this carbon capture project is the number of people I know with very small environmental footprints already.  So many of my friends have sent me messages wanting to help out with this project, but finding themselves at a loss because they already are making conscious efforts to reduce their environmental impacts with every choice they make.  

For example, Jessica and Steve buy all of their groceries from a local farmers market, tote cloth bags and recycle like it's going out of style.  Gerry and Geeta are cloth bag carriers, eternal pedestrians and electronic gadget free (including cell phones!) Matt in Toronto is a composter, pedestrian, uses only reusable lunch materials and cutlery and has been doing paperless Christmas holidays with his family for years.  He even has been a part of his company's project to divert 95% of the waste going to the landfill into reuse and recycle options.  

I think that it's exciting to see that there are so many people who are making efforts to live their lives in a sustainable way.  This is exactly the kind of action that is going to make a huge impact on our environmental problems in the world today!

There have even been a lot of people sending me messages about activities that they are starting to do to reduce their carbon emissions but that I can't really measure in the type of project that I am doing over the timeline that I have.  For example, Vanessa has committed to routinely checking her vehicle tire pressure and doing regular maintenance to ensure that she is as fuel efficient as possible.  Paperless gift exchanging during the holidays is something that a lot of people are starting to do, but tough to measure the impact from!

We see and hear so many "doom-and-gloom" messages about the environment, I think that it is difficult for everyone to feel like we can contribute in some way and to truly have an impact.  From what I am hearing after starting this project, there is a lot of hope to be had about the future of our planet and the choices we are beginning to make.  

Cheers,

Candice

Solar Rider

Becoming a Solar Rider:
I found this great gadget from a small Canadian company (Twisted Rider Cycle Gear Inc.) that will let me charge some of the electronics I am planning on bringing along on the bike tour, namely my GPS! (Those who know me know I like to measure everything!) Key to this design is the lithium battery pack that attaches to the solar panels: you charge the battery pack while riding during the day then use its charge to power your devices at night.

The nominal output of the Solar Panels is 5.6 volt DC, 4.2 watt, 750 mA. The lithium-ion rechargeable battery in the Power Pack is rated at 3600 mAh.

The Solar Rider by Twisted Rider Cycle Gear Inc. (Toronto, ON) http://www.solar-rider.com

A local Toronto store that carries these items  has a number of other interesting "green" items from natural cleaners to organic mattresses that haven't been chemically treated.
http://www.grassrootsstore.com

Help me Capture Carbon

In an effort to travel more sustainably, I've published a website to try and have friends and family contribute activities that will reduce our carbon-footprints and help to offset the carbon generated by my flights to Australia and back.  Please check it out and send me an email if you'd like to help!  

http://www.quiltedheron.ca/CandiceCapturesCO2

Cheers,

Candice

Getting ready for the tour

I've got just over a month before I depart for Australia and start on the six-week cycling tour I am doing as a team member of the Otesha Project.  I'll be couch-surfing with friends in Calgary before heading home to Edmonton for the holidays and then off to Melbourne on January 11.  

Right now, I'm starting to think about the gear I'll need and how to get all of it across the Pacific.  Here's my gear list for the tour and where I'm at so far - I would love any advice seasoned cyclists have on how to be as light (and sustainable!) as possible on my bike.

Cheers,

Candice

PS> In the meantime, I'm reading through "Death by a Thousand Cuts: Impacts of In Situ Oil Development on Alberta's Boreal Forest".  A publication from the Pembina Institute discussing the mining and steam assisted gravity drainage projects in Northern Alberta and their impacts on the land area.  

Bike stuff:

- A bike - hmmm... pick one out here and fly it over or buy one there?  Any suggestions?

- Bike tools: repair kit and tools, tire pump, spare tire - seems to suggest disaster is imminent!

- Panniers and rack - for six weeks I am going to be supporting myself with 50 L of space!

- Crash helmet - again, for potential disasters

- Lights, bells and locks

I think most of this stuff I will get over in Melbourne before we leave, except for the panniers which I will try and fill here with the rest of my gear. 

Road stuff:

- Water holders - as you all know I'm going from -40°C to +40°C and will need a lot of H2O

- First aid kit - continuing with the potential disaster theme

- Tent - thanks to Margs & Phil, Rach and Mark and my lab group at the U of C (Josie) I'll be       outfitted with a mobile home

- Sleeping bag and mat - taken care of (thanks Jess!)

- Sunscreen - aka SPF 1000 for the pale Canadian

Clothes & other stuff:

- Shirts, shorts and shoes

- Waterproof clothing

- Kitchen stuff - fork, knife, spoon, mug and reusable food containers