Author Archives: Peter Marrier

We recently returned from our fifth annual fishing trip at Clark’s Camp on the Indian Lake Chain just north of Vermilion Bay, Ontario.  We spend mornings and evenings in a boat on the lakes catching fish, and afternoons relaxing in … Continue reading →

When we go to the grocery store in the dead of winter, there is just as much fresh produce available as there is at harvest time.  A little bit of this produce is local (root vegetables like potatoes and carrots … Continue reading →

Residential carbon dioxide emissions are almost four times higher now than they were in 1950.  Why the big increase?  Its not the result of an increase in fossil fuel use in the home.  Carbon emissions from home fossil fuel use are about … Continue reading →

It’s official.  A NASA report indicates that 2010 has tied 2005 as the hottest year since reliable global climate records began in 1880.  And, before anyone can bring out the tired objection that one hot year does not constitute a … Continue reading →

Book a flight or other travel online these days, and often you will be asked if you want to offset your carbon emissions.  The theory behind carbon offsets is that you can make your trip “carbon neutral” by paying someone … Continue reading →

Here’s a subject that could be a little touchy:  the funeral industry.  Funeral rites in the United States are responsbile for over 500,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. In North America, bodies are normally either cremated, or embalmed, placed … Continue reading →

In today’s economy, there are usually two reasons why cargo is transportated by air:  speed and remoteness.  While train and ship transport are far cheaper and have much lower carbon outputs than air cargo, aircraft are used to move cargo that … Continue reading →

Meet Sagnin Nwurba.  He lives in Nabu in the Nkwanta North district in the Volta region of Ghana, which has no electricity. He would like to purchase a home solar lantern to light his room at night, and to charge … Continue reading →

Just as a follow-up to my last post, here’s a link to a blog that is all about lightbulbs.  If you want more in depth and current information about the topic, it seems like a good source.  http://lightbulbcentral.wordpress.com/ The big … Continue reading →

I think by this point just about everyone knows that traditional incandescent lightbulbs are a very inefficient way to light your home.  Most people I know have made some move toward replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluourescent lights (CFLs).  A … Continue reading →