After 120 days at sea, the Plastiki boat made from 12,000 plastic bottles has finally reached Australia! David de Rothschild sent a dispatch out today saying that the boat had successfully crossed the great waters of the Pacific and is now en route to their final destination of Sydney, Australia. The expedition set out across the Pacific from the blue waters of San Francisco in a valiant attempt to draw attention to the issues of waste and pollution by sailing right through the Pacific Gyre garbage patch — a great mass of garbage concentrated by currents in the Pacific ocean.

From the ring to the reception, say “I do” to a green celebration.

With the arrival of warmer weather, eager homeowners are buffing up their exteriors. But are these creative facelifts pleasing to our planet? Give yourself the green light to proceed with these eco-friendly products that will not only wow the neighbours, but will make Mother Earth happy, too.

Pondering paints

For homes that just need a boost, a fresh coat of paint or stain may do the trick. But which product will be best suited and safest?

Low-VOC paints

Love to grow vegetables, but simply don’t have the room? Sure you can grow vegetables, no matter where you live.

Gone are the days of very large vegetable gardens, requiring hours and hours of weeding and watering. If you live in an apartment, you can grow veggies in containers. If your house has a small yard, you can grow a small space vegetable garden. Apartment gardens Apartment dwellers can raise vegetables in containers on a windowsill or balcony.

Start with vegetables that don’t need a lot of room, such as carrots, radishes, lettuce, tomatoes and peppers, and perhaps some herbs, such as chives and parsley. Root and leaf crops can take some shade, but vegetables grown for their fruit need at least five hours of direct sun each day.

Spurred by the Obama administration and public pressure around the world, this industry will have to change -- and fast. New environmental regulations are emerging from Washington and Europe that are compelling the industry to change its ways and play a bigger role in the fight against global warming.

The stakes couldn't be bigger: the industry accounts for a growing amount of pollution. If it fails to act, these companies could very well emerge as the next environmental villains.

Karma Index – Measuring Real Growth
Date: June 2nd, 2010 (6:30pm-8:30pm)
Location: Multifaith centre (569 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON Canada)

24 years ago today the Chernobyl nuclear disaster sent a radioactive cloud over Europe. But as countries struggle to meet CO2 emission reduction targets, nuclear power is making somewhat of a comeback. Last year Belgium decided to extend the operation of its three newest nuclear power plants by ten years. And while the German government contemplates a similar move, over one hundred thousand protesters took to the streets on Saturday to voice their opposition. Cinnamon Nippard has more from Berlin.

Health Canada is warning parents that an American "all natural" baby wipe liquid is contaminated with Micrococcus bacteria. 

Simply put, we drink what we put into our water system. So I would suggest that we should refrain from pouring chemical products into our sink/drains/toilets, etc.

Saving the planet isn’t limited to driving hybrids or reducing the useof plastic bags. Buying local and organic foods is also a crucial step to becoming a serious greenie. Here's our list of farmers’ markets in Toronto:

*St. Lawrence Farmers’ Market
The large marketplace offers a large selection of meat, poultry, specialty items, baked goods, organic products, fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants and dairy products. Open Saturdays from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Runs year round. 

*Trinity Bellwoods