But seriously, what were you doing that can’t wait? Canadians are becoming more and more concerned with the issue of global warming and what they can do about it. In all honesty, there is only so much you or I can do. You recycle, you try to walk most places or take the TTC -- maybe you’re a one-car family, and you buy locally. Earth Day Canada has a brand new campaign that will help your voice be heard. We're asking every Canadian the one question they’ve never been asked before - GLOBAL WARMING: WHAT DO U WANT CANADA 2 DO? The greatest part of this campaign is that we really want to know your answer.

how2interrupt:

1. Write down your answer to the question on your hand, a used napkin, a whiteboard, a sidewalk, whatever you choose.... Be inventive! Snap a picture of you with your answer using either a camera phone or digital camera. Email it to sorry@earthday.ca.
2. Interrupt your friends and family with texts and emails and ask them what they want Canada 2 Do.
3. Browse the sorry2interrupt page on Earth Day Canada's website to see your pic and find out what other Canadians are saying.

And, if you don’t have a camera phone or digital camera, just email a picture of yourself along with your answer to the question to sorry@earthday.ca. Then check out all of the answers at earthday.ca/sorry. Some may surprise you! So, let’s do something totally un-Canadian. Let’s start interrupting – interrupt everyone you know.

So let’s do something totally un-Canadian. Let’s start interrupting: interrupt everyone you know. Oh, and sorry2interrupt - but if we didn’t, who would?

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This year’s Earth Day festivities are bringing out the best in communities all across the country from Vancouver to St. John’s. On Sunday, April 22, Canadians will come together to celebrate the environment, and at the same time, get involved in their community. Everyone is celebrating the Earth; school groups, community groups, associations, clubs, corporate groups, and enthusiastic individuals who are eager to make a difference.

Canada’s west coast is busy with a variety of community and corporate events. On April 22, SharedVISION Magazine, a sustainability and healthy living publication based in Vancouver, is hosting an event about the importance of green transportation. This fun-filled day for all SharedVISION readers and any interested members of the community includes test driving all of the Hybrids, Gas, Flexfuel and Gasoline 07 model cars they are showcasing. In addition to information displays about Wind Power and Carbon credits, Zack Spencer of Global TV´s Driving Television Show there will hold hourly Q&A´s about making green choices. This will be a positive experience for all to know just how a little effort can make a big difference to our Global Environment.

On the other side of the country, preparations for Earth Day are moving right along. The Newfoundland and Labrador Environment network is hosting an event for families in the community on April 22 in St. John’s. The event will have films, games, demonstrations, face painting and environmental displays. As well, locally grown organic food items are available for lunch and ecologically friendly merchandise is available for purchase - A full day of activities that the whole family can enjoy!

In Toronto, all of the excitement takes place on April 22 at the annual Earth Day Downsview Park Tree Planting Eco Fair. Earth Day Canada, Parc Downsview Park and Toronto and Region Conservation invite everyone to come with family and friends to plant a tree, browse through dozens of environmental displays, participate in free interactive children’s activities, and see the Earth Rangers Animal Ambassadors. School, children’s, community and corporate groups are all invited to participate. Citytv's CityNews Meteorologist, Michael Kuss is launching the event, and singer/songwriter, Emm Gryner will perform her engaging music as well. Come out and join in the fun!

Earth Day is a day that everyone can relate to. We all play a huge part in the health of our environment. Hopefully, this Earth Day will bring Canadians across the country together to celebrate the Earth, take part in their community, and move towards a greener way of living.

Don’t forget to REGISTER your event!
Make Earth Day a meaningful and memorable experience by organizing an event in your school or community. Register your event by visiting earthday.ca. You will receive a certificate of thanks from Earth Day Canada!

EARTH DAY 2007 MERCHANDISE
Make sure you visit earthday.ca for all your merchandise needs. Some items are already selling out, so don’t delay!

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Do you know any “Hometown Heroes” in your community?

Earth Day Canada is still accepting nominations for the 2007 Hometown Heroes Award, which rewards Canadians who are committed to local environmental concerns and have made a positive impact on their communities. Feel free to nominate yourself or someone else you know.

This year’s winner will be honoured at the fourth annual Earth Day Canada Gala on Friday June 1, 2007 in Toronto.

To learn more about the environmental achievements of past winners and finalists, please visit earthday.ca/hometown. We’re accepting nominations until April 20, 2007 so spread the word today! To learn more about the annual Earth Day Canada Gala visit earthday.ca/gala.

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Making a Difference for the Earth and the community

All across Canada, schools and youth groups are taking action to positively impact the environment and their communities. Earth Day Canada’s EcoKids program recognizes the efforts and accomplishments of these groups through the Great EcoKids Challenge.

Previous challenge entries have included activities such as energy efficiency campaigns, schoolyard gardening, and waste reduction projects. All elementary schools and youth groups in Canada are eligible to enter the challenge. Sony of Canada Ltd. provides great prizes for the top three entrants including a Vaio notebook computer, a digital handycam camcorder and a digital camera. All entrants receive a free EcoKids Club membership.

If you are an elementary school teacher or youth group leader, (including Girl Guides, Scouts, YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs or other youth groups) start thinking about your Great EcoKids Challenge project today.

The deadline for applications is May 11, 2007. Please visit ecokids.ca for information and to fill out the online application.

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1. PARK IT!
Leave your car at home for a day (or a week or a month) and try walking or biking. And, if work is too far away to walk, take public transit or carpool. One city bus eliminates the emissions of 40 cars

2. SHUT DOWN!
Turn off the lights, the computer and the TV when they are not in use. Using only highly efficient and money saving appliances can reduce the electricity consumption of an average household to one tenth of the US average.

3. WHERE’S THE BEEF?
Try eating meat-free at least one day a week. A meat-based diet requires seven times more land than a plant-based diet. Livestock production is responsible for more climate change gasses than all the motor vehicles in the world.

4. EAT IT!
Choose foods produced organically, locally and in season. Support your regional farmers & farming industry. Buying locally and in season is better for the environment than buying foods that have been shipped hundreds of kilometres to your local market.

5. LET IT ROT!
Put a composter in your backyard or use your green bin to reduce household waste. Composting organics has two key benefits: it reduces the amount of waste going to landfills and when added to your garden, helps nourish soil and plants.

6. DON’T BE IDLE!
Turn off your car’s engine if stopped for more than 10 seconds. If every driver of a light duty vehicle avoided idling by five minutes a day, collectively, we would save 1.8 million litres of fuel per day, almost 4500 tonnes of GHG emissions, and $1.7 million in fuel costs each day (assuming fuel costs are $0.95/L).

7. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE TEMPERATURE!
Set your thermostat above room temperature in the summer and below room temperature in the winter. For each degree you adjust, you can save five per cent on your utility bill and one per cent on your energy use.

8. BRIGHT IDEAS!
Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). A CFL uses only 25 per cent as much energy as an incandescent bulb and lasts 10 times longer.

9. DON’T DUMP IT! BLUE BOX IT!
The simple act of recycling has more impact on the environment than the average Canadian thinks. The amount of wood and paper North Americans throw away each year is enough to heat five million homes for 200 years.

10. TELL SOMEONE!
This is a great opportunity to brag! Tell someone what you’re doing to make the world a better place. Support the cause. Encourage them to get involved too!

These are just 10 of the things you can do right now to help save the environment. Find out more and learn exactly how much greenhouse gas, water, electricity and money you can save: visit ecoAction Teams today.

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The work we do to help Canadians deal with challenges like Global Warming is made possible only through our generous funders and sponsors.  We have been very fortunate to have support from some of Canada’s most prominent corporate citizens, individuals from across Canada (including Earth Day Canada staff and board!), and some of Canada’s great foundations. In addition to this monetary support, we also receive goods and services in kind, as well as the very important work done by office and program volunteers.  We sincerely thank every person and organization that has supported us in helping steer Canada towards a healthier future.

Environmental issues are dominating the news and government debates. The time to take action on environmental challenges has never been better. Supporting Earth Day Canada is an opportunity to deal with these issues head on. Please contact our Development Coordinator, Trevor Zimmer, at fundraising@earthday.ca to donate or take advantage of sponsorship opportunities. Or, donate through our online form.

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