Good Life Living Green Fall 2011

REPORT ON CLEANTECH • How to Invest in Cleantech

FRESH SHEET • B.C. Salmon

LIQUID ORGANICS • Organic Viticulture

ECOTOURISM

• Argentina’s Ecological Wonderland

to

ak ge e r d r B oLo e te Ec pl n i y eo W on 0 P n ” e re armfor 1 AL C G H a e’s hts D IN r ig IN W atu 3 N “F N

n at u r e c o n s e r va n c y o f c a n a d a

FOR NATURE, FOR NOW, FOR EVER. photo by Cherie Westmoreland

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Good Life Living Green Volume 2 | Fall 2011 www.GoodLifeLivingGreen.com Publisher Terry Tremaine Editor Connie Ekelund Advisory Board Terry Tremaine Christine Beevis Trickett Kimberly Button Bob Mann Marcus Von Albrecht Production Christie Smith Copy & Proofs Editor Anya Levykh Advertising Terry Tremaine Sales Representatives Shirley McClune Maureen O’Brien Garry Ferris Robert Setter Marie Richards Marketing Synergy CMC Photography Connie Ekelund Canadian Office: Fusion Publishing Inc. #317 – 1489 Marine Dr. West Vancouver, BC Canada V7T 1B8 888.925.0313 USA Office Fusion Publishing Inc. 145 Tyee Dr. Pt. Roberts, WA USA 98281-9602 888.925.0313

Departments 10

Everything Matters Waste Reduction Week in Canada

12

Fresh Sheet B.C. Salmon

by Chef Julian Bond

18

Liquid Organics Organic Viticulture

by Katherine McEachnie

22

Natural Choices Soy—The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

by Sandra Tonn

26

Earth Friendly Eco Personal and Home Products

by Connie Ekelund

30

Eco Tourism Argentina—An Ecological Wonderland

by Terry Tremaine

38

Green Home Building a Green Home

by Walley Foster-Pelzer

42

Eco-Chic Design Colour’s Potency in the Workplace

by Laura Burns-Lambert

46

Mind, Body & Spirit Love It or Lose It

by Alice Inoue

48

Cleantech Company Report Investing in Canadian Cleantech

by John McIlveen, SVP Research, & Khurram Malik, Research Analyst

Profiles

Subscriptions www.GoodLifeLivingGreen.com

36

Social Media www.facebook.com/goodlivegreen www.twitter.com/GLLivingGreen

Report On Cleantech 52 54

Nature Conservancy of Canada

AirTest Technologies Inc. QSolar Limited

Good Life Living Green is published four times a year by Fusion Publishing Inc. © Fusion Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.

Any reproduction or duplication without prior written consent of Fusion Publishing Inc. is strictly prohibited.

The information in Good Life Living Green has been carefully compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed.

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Fall 2011 | Good Life Living Green |

5

c Contributors

Chef Julian Bond - The current Executive Chef, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA), British-born and trained Chef Julian Bond was professionally recruited to Canada in 1995. Since then Chef Bond has been behind award-winning restaurants, mentored over 2,000 culinary school graduates, and pioneered forward for conservation initiatives such as Ocean Wise, a Vancouver Aquarium Conversation program, and Green Table Network. Proudly, PICA is a founding culinary school member for both. Chef Bond’s endless energy and creative talent, along with his passion to educate the next generation of culinary professionals, has led him to be the President of the Chefs’ Table Society of B.C. Chef Bond doesn’t just promote our culinary industry, he is working for change for the better. Julian@GoodLifeLivingGreen.com

Laura Burns-Lambert - Laura is a Design Specialist with Ambius in San Francisco, and considers the entire world her canvas. During Laura’s tenure at Ambius, her work has garnered many industry awards including four Plantscape Industry Alliance awards for outstanding retail and mall design work.

Laura has also been recognized by her peers for outstanding performance and leadership. Prior to joining Ambius in 1996, Laura founded and ran her own successful landscaping company. Laura@GoodLifeLivingGreen.com Walter A. Foster-Pelzer - As an environmental and biological sciences consultant, Walter has 20 years experience in managing and monitoring the environment in one of the most environmentally volatile industries, with research and knowledge of the factual macro and micro effects of wastewater, air and soil pollution, land development, and resource extraction on the environment, Mr. Foster has developed environmentally sensitive systems for residential buildings, specializing in wastewater management and alternative energy sourcing. These systems have been adopted by leading green residential builders and general contractors in British Columbia, Alberta and the Yukon. Walter@GoodLifeLivingGreen.com Alice Inoue - Alice of Alice Inoue Life Guidance, LLC, is a life guide who uses the modalities of feng shui, astrology and spirituality in her work. Her offerings include award-winning, mind-body-spirit themed books, as well as a series of feng shui instructional DVDs. For more information visit www.aliceinspired.com Sign up for her newsletter to receive monthly articles on feng shui, astrology and life wisdom. Alice@GoodLifeLivingGreen.com Khurram Malik - Khurram has been in equity research for over nine years at both bulge bracket investment banks in New York and boutique firms in Toronto. He has covered a variety of global industries over this period including non-life insurance, specialty financials, conglomerates, civil/military aviation, transportation and technology (hardware). For the last four years, he has specialized in clean technology, and recently launched coverage of the global water sector. Khurram@GoodLifeLivingGreen.com Katherine McEachnie, AIWS, CSW - Katherine is a Wine Consultant and IWSC Judge (International Wine & Spirits Competition in London, UK). Her wine consulting firm is katherinethegrape.com and she is currently in her second year of studies with the Institute of Masters of Wine. Katherine worked as a Liquor Inspector for the BC Liquor Control and Licensing Branch for eight years. Katherine began wine studies in 2006 with the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) and subsequently completed the WSET 4 Diploma. Katherine has also become a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators in the USA. Katherine@GoodLifeLivingGreen.com John McIlveen - John has 25 years experience in public equities research, private equity and term lending. He is a published business professor (B.Com, MBA). John is SVP Research at Jacob Securities in Toronto, an investment bank focusing on renewable power and cleantech. He is also Treasurer of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association. John was the first analyst in Canada to focus exclusively on renewable power and was instrumental in raising investor awareness in North America. He is a frequent speaker at renewable and cleantech events in North America and is recognized in the International Who’s Who for his efforts in renewables. John@GoodLifeLivingGreen.com Sandra Tonn - Sandra is a registered holistic nutritionist, natural health journalist, whole food nutrition teacher, and yoga instructor living in Powell River, B.C. She grows her own food and supports local, organic farmers. Her passions also include kayaking, hiking, and hospice volunteering.

Sandra@GoodLifeLivingGreen.com

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c Editor’s Statement

We have worked hard to make Good Life Living Green Magazine with a refreshed vision of sustainability and a “do the right thing attitude.” In doing so, we have recruited industry specialists and organizations to our editorial advisory board. They will serve as the steering committee, keeping us focused on our overall mission; to “Inform and Inspire” while remaining an unbiased publication.

Additionally, we are very proud to have aligned with The Nature Conservancy of Canada. This worthy cause has proven over the long term that sustaining our wilderness is not only critical for the wildlife that roam freely, but for the overall health of our planet.

Please read the article on page 36 for a greater understanding of the types of things you can do to help this organization. Donations to NCC are always greatly appreciated as well!

Be sure to enter our contest on the following page with fabulous prizes from our sponsor! We hope you enjoy the magazine and we welcome your comments!

Connie Ekelund Group Editor

Visit us on Facebook and Twitter for exclusive contests and offers:

Editorial Advisory Board Terry Tremaine - As Group Publisher of Fusion Publishing Inc., Terry keeps a very busy schedule juggling several magazines at a time. He has been in publishing for longer than he cares to remember, having first discovered the wonder of ink on paper in his school days. Currently the only writing he does is travel features, deeming them too onerous to delegate. Terry@GoodLifeLivingGreen.com Christine Beevis Trickett - Christine is the editor of digital and print publications for the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC).

Ever since she can remember, Christine has been fascinated by the natural world and with writing, and has sought to use writing to help spread the word about the importance of protecting nature. She sees her role at NCC as one of searching out, then sharing stories about NCC’s conservation work with the general public. Christine@GoodLifeLivingGreen.com Kimberly Button - After many years of debilitating medical conditions, Kimberly Button realized that, by going green and more natural in all aspects of her life, her health substantially improved. Button is the founder of greenWell, a green lifestyle consulting company that shows families and businesses how to create healthier and greener living and working environments. Kimberly is also a frequent speaker and workshop presenter. Kimberly@GoodLifeLivingGreen.com Bob Mann - Bob Sustainalytics in the fall of 2007 and quickly launched the Sustainability Services team. In addition, Bob worked with Canadian Business for Social Responsibility, to help corporate leaders improve their understanding of how corporate responsibility performance was measured. Recently, has been asked to sit on the judging panel for the CERES Sustainability Reporting Award.

Bob is also part of the advisory committee for the University of Toronto’s Environmental Finance Professional Development Program and on the board of directors for The Sustainability Network. Bob@GoodLifeLivingGreen.com Marcus Von Albrecht - Marcus is a professional chef, consultant and food manufacturer (www.mavafoods.com) with over 27 years in the food and hospitality industries. He lectures on both management and professional culinary training at colleges in British Columbia and sits on the boards of the British Columbia Chefs’ Association, Canadian Food Safety Management, North American Grand Prix, Culinary Tourism Society of B.C. and AREGALA, (the culinary associations of Latin America). Marcus was also the first Canadian chef to cook on the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa. Marcus@GoodLifeLivingGreen.com

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| Good Life Living Green | Fall 2011

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Contests Find Cal: Similar to “Where’s Waldo”. Cal is our Ecological Ladybug Mascot. Search out Cal and send us an email with the page location and be entered to win great prizes from our sponsors, see the following page. Enter contest here: www.GoodLifeLivingGreen.com/findcal.html

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c Everything Matters

Waste Reduction Week in Canada

W

October 17-23, 2011

aste Reduction Week (WRW) in Canada is intended to raise public consciousness about waste and its environmental and social ramifications.

The WRW theme, “Too Good to Waste,” is about conveying an appreciation for the richness and beauty of our diverse world and the importance of working toward ecological sustainability by conserving resources and curbing wasteful practices.

The ultimate goal is to educate, engage and empower Canadians to reduce waste through provision of access to relevant information, opportunities and options.

WRW in Canada is coordinated by a coalition of 13 recycling councils and sister organizations from across Canada. Collaborating on a national level, this partnership promotes waste reduction on provincial/territorial and local levels. View current programs and contests here: www.wrwcanada.com

Participating Organizations:

Recycle your cell phone: Recycle My Cell links participating cell phone recycling programs together, making it easier for you to determine how and where you can dispose of your used wireless device.

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| Good Life Living Green | Fall 2011

By using Recycle My Cell, you’ll be able to find a drop-off location in your area that will accept your device—cell phones, smart phones, wireless PDAs, batteries and pagers—regardless of brand or condition. And if you can’t come to one of their locations, they will gladly accept your device through the mail, free of charge.

Why recycle? Keeping your cell phone out of the local landfill helps the environment and supports some great causes. A small effort on your part makes a big difference. www.recyclemycell.ca c www.GoodLifeLivingGreen.com

c Fresh Sheet

B.C. Salmon

By Chef Julian Bond

A

fter travelling thousands of miles through international waters, five wild salmon species find their way home to our B.C. waters, almost like clockwork. After one to five years depending on species, they return with a steely resolve to the very river or stream in which they started out as tiny fry.

Along the way they encounter many and, unfortunately, mounting adversities, which include pollution, environmental degradation and overfishing, as well as natural predators.

With conservation awareness a preeminent factor, British Columbia’s fishing fleets have come to acknowledge more sustainable harvesting practices that adhere to a conservationbased fisheries management regime. Enforcement of a selective harvest of abundant wild salmon stocks serves to protect the weaker stocks and aggressively preserve all future struggling and priceless natural salmon resources. Even with these regulatory sanctions, certain salmon stocks may be in eminent danger due to overfishing, pollution or environmental distress. In pursuit of salmon stock preservation we will need to embrace and support the development of sustainable and energy-efficient aquaculture systems.

12 | Good Life Living Green | Fall 2011

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Chef Julian Bond and student

Chinook

Chum

Sockeye

Pink

Coho

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Fall 2011 | Good Life Living Green |

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c Fresh Sheet

Globally, aquaculture farms contribute over 100 species, farmed in everything from highimpact, open net-cage systems and off-shore closed containment ponds to high-tech recirculation tank systems. Each farming system has its own distinct environmental footprint.

As a consumer, whether commercial or individual, we need to understand each format’s footprint and choose seafood from environmentally conscious aquaculture farms and production systems that strive to continually improve and reduce their environmental impact. Distinguishing which practice has real negative effects on wild salmon stocks has been a longstanding debate that has clouded our willingness to support and contribute to the healing of our ocean environments.

Embracing this movement for change in our fishing industry is B.C.’s own pioneering practice of flash-freezing seafood at sea.

This preservation method instantly preserves the quality of the wild fish while serving to reduce dramatically the distribution carbon footprint of fresh ice-packed fish shipped in one-timeuse Styrofoam containers. Put to true test this last fall at the 2010 Canadian Chefs’ Congress, held on Vancouver Island, 500 chefs from across the country gathered to discuss the fate of our global oceans. Given two properly-prepared salmon samples, one flash frozen and the other fresh, this discerning group of palates struggled to recognize the difference.

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| Good Life Living Green | Fall 2011

Not stopping there, Canadian chefs and restaurateurs continue to put their best foot forward in the support of sustainable seafood options. Recognizing that most of the world’s highly valued seafood was purchased to be consumed at our own tables, an awareness initiative was forged alongside Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise conservation program. Now a national organization with over a thousand partners, Ocean Wise educates and empowers local restaurants, suppliers and food services on how and where to purchase and support sustainable seafood. Participating food purveyors benefit from the most current scientific information regarding oceanfriendly purchasing options. These choices are reflected on Ocean Wise member menus and supply lists with a distinctive Ocean Wise logo.

With an important resource that is this priceless, we must immediately look for change in order to protect all wild salmon stocks. Wild salmon is a magnificent and natural food source that is rich in flavour, and provides naturally heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. Whether served simply, smoked, cured, canned or in sushi, all wild B.C. salmon plays a significant traditional and economic role in Canadian cuisine, and is an extremely important natural resource that we all should support the preservation of. www.GoodLifeLivingGreen.com

c

Fresh Sheet

Each salmon species is distinctively different by taste, colour and texture. The five wild B.C. salmon stocks are as follows: Chinook (a.k.a. Spring, King or Tyee) are fished April to September and on a limited basis October to March. Chinook is the largest of B.C.’s wild salmon, with firm flesh and the richest flavour.

Chum (a.k.a. Silver-bright or Keta when canned) is fished July to November and has a creamy pink flesh colour, offering a milder, more delicate flavour, with low fat content.

Coho (a.k.a. Silver) can be found fresh mid-June to October, with a firm, fine-textured flesh offering versatile flavour.

Pink (a.k.a. Humpback or Humpie) fishing season is July to September and is the smallest in body mass of all the salmon stocks, giving it a delicate flavour, softer texture and lighter colour. It is also low in fat.

Sockeye (a.k.a. red salmon when canned) is the most popular choice for its balanced rich flavour and deep red, firm flesh, making it the easiest to prepare. Fishing season is June to August. c

225 Degree Salmon with Pickled Cucumber Salad

By Chef Julian Bond, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts Serves 4 INGREDIENTS: Salmon: 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 4 (1.5 to 2 inches/4 to 5 cm thick) wild B.C. salmon fillets, skinned (1.5 lb/750 g) Smoked sea salt

2. Rub olive oil on both sides of fillets. Place on foil-lined baking sheet, bake in 225°F oven for 20 minutes or until salmon feels springy to the touch. Remove from oven and season with smoked sea salt.

3. Add watercress to carrot and cucumber mixture and toss to combine.

4. Place salmon on a warm plate and top with salad.

Drizzle excess pickled salad mixture around the edges.

5. Enjoy!

15 minute Pickled Carrot and Cucumber Salad: 1 lemon, zested and juiced 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp liquid honey 1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cucumber, julienned 1/2 carrot, julienned 4 cups watercress, trimmed

COOKING TIP: As a chef, I highly recommend cooking the salmon until it flakes easily into moist sections, about 8 minutes per inch (measuring at the thickest part of the salmon) if fresh or fully thawed for optimal enjoyment.

METHOD: 1. In bowl, whisk together lemon zest, juice, vinegar, oil, honey, hot pepper sauce and salt. Add cucumber and carrot; stir to coat. Salad can be prepared to this point, covered and refrigerated until salmon is cooked.

PURCHASING TIP: Whether buying your fish in a retail outlet or from a restaurant menu, never be afraid to ask where the fish comes from and whether it is sustainable. If they don’t know, don’t buy it. For a list of Ocean Wise seafood purveyors and restaurants, visit www.oceanwise.ca. There is also a convenient and free iPhone app as well.

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COOKING IMPLIMENT: Ditch the inexpensive non-stick pans for durable stainless steel ones. A well seasoned and nonpotentially harmful stainless steel pan used in conjunction with proper pre-heating and washing will provide a lifetime of nostick cooking.

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c Liquid Organics

Organic Viticulture Vina Cono Sur Winery Estate

By Katherine McEachnie, AIWS, CSW

T

he Cono Sur Winery Estate is setting world trends and getting international recognition for their numerous environmental management programs. Here is a summary defining organic viticulture, what it takes to go 100 percent organic, why Cono Sur is considered a pioneer in sustainability and carbon neutral delivery, and how they achieved so many prestigious international certifications.

Geographical location is important when deciding to commit to organic viticulture. Climatic conditions, soil chemistry, aspect to sun and wind, irrigation, proximity to neighbouring properties, topography and geography all impact decisions to farm organically.

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| Good Life Living Green | Fall 2011

Chile is a viticultural paradise surrounded on all sides by isolating natural barriers such as the omnipresent Andes mountain range to the east, Pacific Ocean and coastal range to the west, the inhospitable Atacama desert to the north (the driest place on earth窶馬o measureable rainfall has ever been recorded) and finally, the inhospitable Antarctic ice fields in the south. This natural isolation, along with strict quarantine policies enforced by the Chilean government, has allowed Chile to remain free of many diseases and aphids. These ideal growing conditions make it easy to practice organic viticulture, reducing the need to turn to chemical intervention. www.GoodLifeLivingGreen.com

Gansos

Adolfo Hurtado en Leyda

“Organic viticulture requires that Chile is a narrow country with cool morning breezes coming off the Pacific ocean and forming fog in the valley between the coastal mountain range and the Andes, which then blankets the grapes from the hot sun that eventually gives its warmth and light in the afternoon. The cool night air then flows off the Andes from the other direction, providing a cooling effect which encourages good air flow and healthy retention of acidity in the grapes.

The Andes are also responsible for the majority of irrigation, from snow melt run off to vineyards in Chile. The diurnal range between night and day can vary 25 degrees and this is essential for the development of polyphenols, the cells of the skin which hold important components such as flavonoids, tannins and anthocyanins. Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants and bring flavour to the wine whereas anthocyanins (softer cells found in the inner layers of the grape skin) bring colour to the wine. Chilean vineyards are blessed with geo-climatic advantages that supply an abundance of these important constituents.

Organic viticulture requires that entirely natural methods are used for controlling insects, fungus and weeds. Progressive and natural farming techniques must be at the heart of the system.

No herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers can be used, and only naturally-occurring substances are applied in an approved format. Sulphur dioxide is allowed as an antioxidant and antiseptic in much smaller doses than traditional winemaking. Organic vineyards must be separated by areas of natural vegetation or forest to eliminate the risk of contamination from the chemicals used in other vineyards. www.facebook.com/GoodLiveGreen

entirely natural methods are used for controlling insects, fungus and weeds.”

When buying certified organic wines, you are assured that every vineyard and winery activity is under the scrutiny of an accredited body with mandatory annual inspections as well as the following: • No harmful or synthetic chemicals have been applied to the land for at least three years • Non-toxic, environmentally-friendly materials and methods have been employed to grow the grapes • Non-toxic equipment sanitization and pest control methods have been used • There has been no exposure to prohibited materials during bottling One winery comes to the forefront when organic viticulture is being discussed and that is the Cono Sur Winery Estate in Chimbarongo, Chile (150 km south of Santiago). The name Cono Sur refers to the winery’s geographic position in the “southern cone” of South America on the western edge of Chile’s gifted wine valleys. In 1993, when Vina Cono Sur was founded, its goal was to explore foreign export markets with expressive and innovative wines from the new world. In 1994, its first year of trading, Cono Sur sold over 30,000 cases of wine to Canada, the U.K. and Japan. Now, after 17 years, it sells over 4,000,000 cases of wine to 65 countries on all five continents.

Fall 2011 | Good Life Living Green |

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c Liquid Organics

The cornerstone of Cono Sur Vineyards and Winery is innovation.

The company defines itself by three main features: the creative use of technology; orientation towards quality; and respect and commitment to the environment. Cono Sur is leading the way in pushing the boundaries of viticulture and winemaking in Chile.

In 1998, Cono Sur Vineyards began switching from conventional agricultural methods to sustainable practices, favouring natural alternatives for pest, weed and disease control. They also began organic viticulture, which has grown steadily to include over 300 hectares of vineyards from San Antonio to Chimbarongo in Colchagua Valley. Year 2,000 was the first year of official organic vineyard management. In 2002, ISO certifications were achieved, ISO-9001 for quality and ISO-14001 for environment. In 2006, Cono Sur achieved a “Clean Production Agreement” certification, an initiative that was promoted by the Chilean government.

“No mechanized equipment is permitted in the vineyards...”

In 2007, a very impressive development at the winery began with their commitment to neutralize their carbon footprint for transportation of all its products from Chile to all global export markets. Cono Sur is the first winery in the world to attain the CarbonNeutral delivery status through CEMARS certification.

CEMARS (Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme) is a prestigious international program that validates the actions taken by an organization in sustainability matters and is recognized by the top 54 export markets. With this achievement, Cono Sur became the first company in Chile to measure its entire carbon footprint backed by an internationally recognized certification. This means that the CO2 emissions produced by shipping wines have been measured and balanced to net zero through GHG (Green House Gas) reduction projects, supporting renewable energy programs. Cono Sur continues verifying and certifying the winery’s carbon footprint, while assuring transparency, strength and accuracy to the calculations that the Department of Sustainable Development has put together with a multidisciplinary team in charge of ISO 14064-2006.

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| Good Life Living Green | Fall 2011

In 2008, Cono Sur Winery started implementing an agricultural research project called “Wine, Climate Change and Biodiversity” in collaboration with the IEB (Ecology and Biodiversity Institute). This project aims to develop new management practices that promote multiplication of existing native flora and fauna, in order to preserve the ecosystem and mitigate climate change where possible.

In 2009, Cono Sur began reducing the amount of energy and manufacturer materials, and minimizing the weight of transport by implementing eco-friendly, lightweight bottles on its entry level products, therefore reducing carbon emissions.

In 2010, Cono Sur was the first winery in South America and third winery in the world to achieve the official ISO 140642006 certification. This new norm specifies the principles and requirements for designing, developing, reporting and managing greenhouse gas inventories at the organizational level, as well as demanding the establishment of annual reduction objectives and their continuing improvement. Chief Winemaker and General Manager of Cono Sur, Adolfo Hurtado stated that this was a very ambitious goal for Cono Sur, because it is such a large company.

He says: “It is a very complex process that comprises the proactive collaboration of representatives from all areas of the company.”

www.GoodLifeLivingGreen.com Ducks keep the vineyards fertilized, weeded and pest controlled.

Cono Sur organic wine logo is this bike.

Cono Sur is 100 percent owned by Conch Y Toro, however, Cono Sur’s administration, winemaking, marketing and sales run independently. Bottling, shipping and customer service are handled

by Concha Y Toro to Cono Sur. Support from the holding company helps to ensure volumes and includes future plantings, securing premium grape supply and capital investment for winery expansion.

At Cono Sur, integrated vineyard management is not only a way of rationalized farming, it is defined by policy. For pest and disease prevention, they follow proper foliage management, allowing good exposure to sunlight and adequate ventilation to eliminate growth of mould and mildew. The winery has specialized meteorological stations with related software that allows them to foresee any development of botrytis, oidium and mildew. These are funguslike diseases that rot the grapes and suffocate the leaves, eventually killing the vine. The most common pests found are called Burritos.

Cono Sur minimizes the use of all artificial chemical pesticides and instead they employ sustainable farming methods to reduce pest invasion. They establish biological corridors between the vines in order to entice the settlement of natural predators. Geese run freely and eat the burrito bugs before they get to the vine trunk and grapes.

They routinely wrap yellow strips coated in glue, garlic and grease around the trunk of each vine so that the Adolfo Hurtado burrito bug cannot climb, it has to stay at soil level, thereby allowing the geese easy access to eat them. The geese serve as triply duty in vineyard management, by performing as pest control, natural weed eaters, and, when nature calls, they provide natural fertilization. www.facebook.com/GoodLiveGreen

With respect to environmental protection practises, Cono Sur grows helpful native cover crops and plants indigenous trees. They follow strict organic waste management practices. Pruning waste is crushed and grape and foliage wastes are used to enrich the water held in natural reservoir pools, which in turn provides natural nutrients rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus back to the soil through irrigation. Only biodegradable Pita Fiber is used to secure vine shoots to minimize waste.

It is an extraordinary experience to visit this winery in Chimbarongo. The stately manor is situated on a century-old plantation and the moment you step onto the property, there is an immediate calming that embraces you. Bicycles are the only mode of transportation provided to visitors and vineyard workers all ride bikes to tend to their duties. No mechanized equipment is permitted in the vineyards. The bicycle on the label of Cono Sur wines represents organic farming and the use of organically grown grapes only and that the wines are certified organic. On the plantation, next to the Manor, there is an old bicycle standing alone in the grass that was the inspiration for the drawing on each label of organic wine.

The winery is a pioneer in sustainability. Not only are Cono Sur wines 100 percent organic, they are winning awards for their quality in wine competitions around the world from Decanter World Wine Awards, International Wine Challenge, Japan Wine Challenge, London Wine Challenge—too many gold medals and trophies to mention. Their Pinot Noirs are gaining world acclaim.

Chief Winemaker Adolfo Hurtado has also been recognized as 2008 Riedel Award Best White Winemaker, 2010 International Wine Person of the Year, 2008 Chilean Personality of the Year, 2002, 2006 and 2007 Winemaker of the Year, etc. Japan, Denmark, Ireland & Chile issued the awards.

What is ahead for Cono Sur? Well, they have produced a Cono Sur App for iPhone. This application comes with a barcode scanner to be used in stores to scan Cono Sur Wines. This will provide the consumer with a photograph and instant information about the selected Cono Sur wine, including useful tasting notes, vintage, barrel aging, awards information and it will also offer meal suggestions to pair with the wine scanned in the store. Now that’s innovation!

Will wine made from organically grown grapes be next for you? c Fall 2011 | Good Life Living Green |

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c Natural Choices

SOY:

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

By Sandra Tonn, RHN

S

oy food manufacturers promote their products as a wonder food that can treat and prevent a seemingly endless list of ailments and diseases, including hormone imbalance, osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, prostate problems and menopausal symptoms. Despite a lack of consistent evidence, most consumers also believe that soy can help prevent cancer, too, especially breast cancer.

“The truth is, the benefits of soy are controversial at best.”

The truth is, the benefits of soy are controversial at best. Before we stock up on blocks of tofu, choose the tofu dog, add soy to our latté and use soy milk with our cereal, we’re best advised to consider the many sides of the soy story—including the good, the bad and even the ugly.

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| Good Life Living Green | Fall 2011

Soy the Good?

The latest research on soy appears to be good news. According to a 15-year study of more than 35,000 women in Singapore, daily, moderate consumption of soy may reduce risk of breast cancer by 18 per cent in post-menopausal (but not pre-menopausal) women.

So, is this good news? It may or may not be. To date, there have been four other quality studies done on the link between soy and breast cancer risk. Three of the four studies found no association, and one study found that the risk of developing breast cancer was actually increased with intake of soy.

Where, then, do soy manufacturers get their good news with which to sell and advocate eating large quantities of soy? They look to the East, pointing to the good health and low breast cancer rates of Asian women. However, a study by the Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety and Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention showed that the average soy intake of rural adult women in China was between 0 and 35 milligrams (0.001 ounces). Other sources show the average consumption of soy foods in Japan and China is 10 grams (about 2 teaspoons) per day. Unlike Canadians, who often eat soy to replace meat in a meal, Asians consume soy foods in small amounts as a condiment.

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In Canada, the average package of tofu weighs 400 grams (14 ounces) or more. Add a glass of soy milk at breakfast or on your cereal, soy in your latté, soy yogurt for a snack, soy ice cream for a treat, and the large amounts of soy used as a cheap filler in processed foods and energy bars, and soy intake is off the charts.

“When people consume soy in high amounts, their hormones might be affected.”

Associate Professor Koh Woon Puay, co-principal investigator of the National University of Singapore (NUS) where the Singapore soy-breast cancer study was conducted, pointed out that while soy may reduce cancer risk, “It doesn’t mean the more soy people consume, the better it is. When people consume soy in high amounts, their hormones might be affected.”

Why do we eat too much soy in the West? Well...because soy marketers tell us to. According to research from the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, soy products are heavily marketed to postmenopausal women for relief of menopausal symptoms, despite the absence of consistent clinical data demonstrating any such benefit in human trials.

Is it possible that soy is a good, healing food and that we’re simply eating too much of it?

Soy the Bad? According to some health experts, including Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig, PhD, of the Weston A. Price Foundation, soy should not be eaten at all.

Their research suggests that soy naturally contains many antinutrients that reduce mineral absorption, interfere with protein digestion—causing pancreatic damage, and disrupt endocrine function, which may cause the development of infertility and breast cancer. Fallon and Enig also describe soy’s active ingredient, called phytoestrogen, as extremely harmful to the thyroid. www.facebook.com/GoodLiveGreen

Recent Soy Studies Say Soy protein does not lower LDL cholesterol, according to research done by the Nutritional Physiology Research Centre at the Sansom Institute for Health Research at the University of South Australia and published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Aug, 2008).

Soy products may bring on early-onset menopause in women, according to a study done by North Carolina State University and published in the journal Neurotoxicology (July 2008).

Men who eat soy on a regular basis may produce significantly less sperm than men who never eat it, according to research done by the Harvard School of Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School and published in the journal Human Reproduction (July 2008).

Those who eat tofu at least once a day may have an increased risk of dementia or memory loss, particularly if they are over age 65, according to research done by Loughborough and Oxford Universities last month, funded by the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, and published in the journal Dementia and Geriatric and Cognitive Disorders (July, 2008).

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Natural Choices

In addition to thyroid damage, scientific studies suggest the side effects of soy consumption may also include DNA damage, accelerated aging of the brain, including dementia and memory loss, and hormone disruption, including early menopause in women and decreased sperm production in men.

Soy the Ugly?

Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN, nutrition expert and author of The Whole Soy Story (NewTrends Publishing, Inc.), agrees with the foundation’s warnings. In a recent interview with health guru Dr. Joseph Mercola (www.mercola.com), Daniel expressed her concern about the many women she sees who have thyroid problems as a result of what she believes is regular soy consumption.

She also speaks about the many well-meaning parents who give their babies soy formula until they discover that its consumption has been linked to autoimmune thyroid disease.

Whether viewed as good or bad, there are some ugly truths connected to soy’s story.

Because soy has become a big seller it has also become an agricultural cash crop in North America. Many farmers have given up the practice of diversification and are practicing monocropping, which means they plant the same large crop of soy year after year. Monocropping damages the soil, resulting in the use of more synthetic fertilizers. Most soy farmers are also using liberal amounts of pesticides, since the majority of the soy grown in both Canada and the US is genetically modified.

Aside from the potential harm agri-business and GM farming

“Fermented soy products... offer easier digestion and liberated minerals.” causes the soil, the farm workers and us consumers, there is the very real threat of GM soy seeds contaminating the nearby organic and diversified farms we rely on for clean, safe food.

Soy grown outside of North America is also a concern.

Independent research, as well as reports from non-profit groups such as Greenpeace and The Nature Conservancy, says that growing soy beans to feed to cattle that will be served at North America’s many fast food chains is among the most damaging actions behind rainforest destruction. Such devastation kills off millions of species of birds and animals and threatens our global environment, too, since the world’s tropical rainforests act like the lungs of the Earth.

Another ugly truth is that due to the big soy business, soy crops are replacing traditional crops in third-world countries. Such countries are losing out on both food that they used to grow and the value of processing it. Now their work benefits multi-national corporations, not their local populations. The same is true of corporations paying third-world countries to plant soy for bio-fuel.

Good Quality Counts Since soy is now so readily available, it has become a common ingredient in processed foods. If you read labels, which you need to if you want to ensure you’re not overloading yourself with soy, you’ll see that it’s found in most packaged products including soups, cereals, crackers, bread, candy and energy bars. Soy is cheap filler, an inexpensive source of protein and is also desirable to manufacturers because it’s high in fat, providing a cheap source of oil.

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If you do your homework and decide that soy, in moderation, is a healthy choice for you, the next step is to choose only high quality products. Avoid the soy in processed foods. It will not provide the potential benefits found in traditional diets. Even nicely packaged tofu may be more harmful to your health than not. The more processed soy is, the more difficult it is to digest. There are also many questions about how the processing of soy affects its safety. Some soy, for example, is processed using aluminum. The way a food is grown and prepared makes a world of difference in relation to its safety and health benefits.

The best way to enjoy soy is in as traditional a form as possible. Choose organic products, which cannot contain GM soy or any of the toxins that accompany non-organic farming and processing. Choose fermented soy. A recent study that showed eating tofu at least once a day in senior years led to memory loss (Dementia and Geriatric and Cognitive Disorders, July, 2008), also reported that those who ate fermented soy products had an increase in memory.

Unfermented soy products, such as tofu, still contain antinutrients that make the food difficult to digest and prevent the bean’s minerals from being absorbed into the body. Fermented soy products, on the other hand, offer easier digestion and liberated minerals. Fermented soy products include tempeh, miso, natto and tamari. Look for them in health food stores and learn how to use them in small amounts.

Some Really Good News If you’re after health benefits from a bean, but are hesitant about soy, have no fear—there are many other healthy legumes to choose from. Legumes are known to significantly lower cholesterol levels, help control insulin and blood sugar levels, aid in lowering blood pressure, alleviate hemorrhoids and improve bowel disorders, help prevent colon disorders, and may even help inhibit cancer.

Legumes, which include beans, chickpeas, peas, and lentils, are also considered one of nature’s near-perfect power foods because they offer so many nutrients and in such a good balance.

They are a rich source of protein, iron, calcium, zinc, B vitamins and fibre.

To prepare legumes the traditional way, which makes them easier to digest and makes their many minerals more available, soak one-part legumes in four parts water for 12 hours or overnight. Throw away the soaking water, and use fresh water to cook them in. To cook, cover the legumes with water and www.facebook.com/GoodLiveGreen

There are many questions surrounding soy. Those who do not have a stake in the industry are quick to point out that there really is not enough research to support black and white answers. For now, the smartest approach we can take is to be aware of the good, bad and ugly, instead of being blinded by the many marketing campaigns attempting to sell us this controversial bean. c

add another inch or two of water to the pot. Bring them to a boil. With a large spoon or ladle, remove and discard the foam that forms on the water. By removing the foam, you remove digestive discomfort. Once legumes have boiled and you’ve removed the gas-causing foam, reduce to a simmer (so water is gently bubbling), cover and cook for about one hour, or until soft. Adding a bit of fennel or cumin during cooking will also aid digestibility.

Legumes are extremely versatile and can be used in hundreds of ways including baked, in soups, casseroles, stews, vegetarian patties and burgers, salads and more. There is a long list of legumes to choose from, including adzuki beans, black turtle beans, Great Northern beans, lentils, Lima beans, navy beans, split green peas, pinto beans, kidney beans and garbanzo beans (chick peas). Lentils cook the quickest.

If legumes are a new item on your menu, don’t be surprised if it takes a few months for your digestive system to get used to them. Be sure to follow the soaking and cooking directions above and then chew well. Buying dry beans in bulk is extremely affordable and they will last for up to a year.

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c Earth Friendly

Eco Personal and Home Products

By Connie Ekelund

Dahlia Drive The Dahlia Drive slip dresses are made of vintage, salvaged, pre-loved slips, shirts and fabric remnants, and resurrected by hand-dying, screen printing, embellishing and using rusting techniques to create original pieces of wearable art. $170. www.dahliadrive.com

We3 This hot little number is the perfect dress.

The boat neck is elegant but not wide enough to interfere with bra straps, while the extended shoulder seams balance the silhouette. Two ties sewn down at the natural waist can be tied to gather the fabric into the centre, camouflaging the midsection in an interesting detail, or tied to the back for a belted look. This 1x1 ribbed fabric is a luxurious blend of 66 percent viscose from bamboo, 28 percent organic cotton and six percent spandex and is We3’s heaviest weight of the season.

Convolution dress, $129. www.we3.ca

Freewaters is a small group on a mission to improve the quality of life through superior product experience and creative humanitarian initiatives. More specifically, they are on two parallel and fully integrated campaigns: to design the best sandals ever seen and to help find solutions to the global drinking water pandemic. One pair of sandals provides clean drinking water for one individual for an entire year. Capetown sandal, $26. www.freewaters.com

Okabashi is a family-owned business that has focused on designing and manufacturing extremely comfortable shoes for more than 25 years.

Okabashi shoes are 100 percent recyclable, designed with superior foot support and a massaging insole, antimicrobial, dishwasher safe, and backed by a two-year guarantee. $15. www.okabashi.com

Fashion

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Health Health Enterprises has recently introduced their Spa Therapy Line featuring the TheraTOES and TheraPED. Both products provide soothing hot or cold relief for cramped, achy feet. Perfect for women who are on their feet all day looking to relax and pamper their toes when they get home. Place in the freezer for cooling relief or warm in the microwave for targeted heat therapy. Both items are lined with Therma Gel to deliver soothing relaxation, while the spacers in the TheraPED gently realign toes. TheraTOES and TheraPED, $8-$10. www.healthenterprises.com Paula’s Choice Beautiful Body Butter

Dry, itchy flaky skin is uncomfortable and unsightly. This decadent treatment cream forms a protective barrier and provides rich emollients to heal severely dry or cracked skin. The result?

Smooth, beautifully healthy skin that’s touchably soft! Use it on elbows, heels, knees and anywhere you want to seal in moisture and make skin feel protected. $16.95/4 oz. www.paulaschoice.com

Bioflavia From organic wine to antioxidant-rich health product—a green solution to handle pomace or “wine waste”. An all-natural product, Bioflavia organic red wine grape skin powder is a totally new and innovative product which boasts a host of health promoting

benefits. A daily 10g serving of Bioflavia has 11,000 ORAC units, which provides a powerful boost of health-promoting antioxidants. $30. www.bioflavia.ca www.facebook.com/GoodLiveGreen

Juni Gentle Body Bar by XANGO Gently cleanses and exfoliates the skin without stripping away natural oils. Botanicallybased cleansing agents.

Natural humectants enhance skin’s moisture. $10. www.xango.ca/products/juni-story

Mouthwatchers Colloidal Silver Anti-Bacterial Toothbrush It is the first toothbrush with bristles made of colloidal silver to eliminate germs on the mouth, teeth and gums as well as keep the toothbrush itself free from germs. Considering that more than 100 million microorganisms normally exist on a regular toothbrush, contributing to illness and tooth and gum disease, it’s worth the modest cost. $5. www.mouthwatchers.net

WaterGeeks, an amazing “on-thego” water filtration bottle perfect for those with an active lifestyle. They’ve recently come out with a portable and affordable solution to filtering out the infamous chromium-6, on top of all of the bad odours, tastes and contaminants found in our tap water. $20. www.thewatergeeks.com Fall 2011 | Good Life Living Green |

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Eco Mist Solutions Healthy cleaning products that are truly green. Made from processed natural ingredients such as corn, tree sap, processed coconut extract, sugarcane, grains, potatoes, soy and non-chlorinated water. $5-$12. www.ecomistsolutions.com

Imprint Comfort Mats Perfect for the kitchen, laundry, bathroom or garage, the ergonomic Imprint Comfort Mats are waterproof and washable.

They come in three designer patterns, four sizes and up to five colours. $60. www.imprintmats.com

Bio+Green Crystals is a water-soluble sachet of cleaning crystals that are 100 percent biodegradable and are contained in recycled packaging. The entire cleaning process reduces the user’s carbon footprint. The Bio+Green Crystals product line includes Glass and Window Cleaner, All-Purpose Cleaner, Natural Degreaser, Bathroom and Odour Neutralizing Cleaner, Stainless Steel Cleaner, Child-safe Multi Surface Toy Cleaner, and a Fruit and Vegetable Wash. Just add the sachet into a water bottle, fill with water, shake and use. $6. www.biogreencrystals.com

Sanistar Wall Hung Macerating Toilet This modern, shaped, self-contained, vitreous china toilet emulates the European wallhung toilets that are so popular. It can be used to install a half-bathroom up to nine feet below the sewer line, or even up to 100 feet away from a soil stack. It flushes four litres of water compared to six litres or more in a standard toilet. Lots of water conservation! Approximately $1,000. www.saniflo.ca 28

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Delta Addison with Touch20 Technology The Addison PullDown kitchen faucet with Delta Faucet’s intuitive Touch2O Technology allows the homeowner to start and stop the flow of water with just a simple tap anywhere on the spout or the handle. Touch2O Technology makes it easier to turn on the water flow when hands are messy or turn off the water when it is not needed between tasks, saving water. The Addison kitchen faucet design was inspired by the fluted scallops of a seashell. Its delicate curves add a romantic touch with a subtle hint of Art Deco design. $627. www.deltafaucet.ca

No k e r o (short for No Kerosene) develops environmentally-friendly solar products that eliminate the need for harmful and polluting fuels used for light and heat around the world, and most importantly, are affordable to the communities that need them. $15-$20. www.nokero.com

As of October 1st, 2011, recycle your old and broken small appliances at one of over 100 Unplugged drop-off locations across B.C. Visit unpluggedrecycling.ca or call the Recycling Council of B.C.’s Hotline at 1-800-667-4321 for further information.

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c Eco Tourism

Argentina: An Ecological Wonderland

By Terry Tremaine Photos by Connie Ekelund

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“The falls are truly spectacular and the care taken to protect the park environs is very reassuring.”

A

rgentina is a remarkable, geographically diverse country with a national park system that protects a number of unique ecosystems. In the north, Iguazu Falls lies on the border with Brazil and Paraguay. The greater portions of the falls are within Iguazu National Park, in Argentina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The falls themselves comprise some 275 different falls, although half of the flow is through Devil’s Throat. Upon seeing Iguazu, the United States’ First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly exclaimed “Poor Niagara!” Not surprising, since, unlike Niagara, the falls are surrounded by a rain forest rather than city streets. From the air one sees the flow of water through spectacular green forests, while from the falls a cloud of moisture rises.

Argentina is actively seeking tourists and the park surrounding the falls is a good example of their efforts. It has an area of 550 square kilometres. Apart from waterfalls, there are a series of trails with a wide variety of animals and plants. Almost 500 species of wild fowl, 80 species of mammals (some, like the jaguar, are endangered) and an immense variety of reptiles, fish, insects and butterflies live in this ecosystem. We were quite taken with the butterflies; apparently there are over 300 varieties in the park. Though relatively small in size, they are amazingly colourful. One variety, when its wings are closed, has what would appear to be the figure 88 on its wings in black and white.

Although it’s a bit of a hike to walk the trails to the falls rather than taking the eco-friendly tourist train, the opportunity to see all the wildlife is well worth it. The falls are truly spectacular and the care taken to protect the park environs is very reassuring. As an example of how Argentina intends to attract tourists the country has to be commended. www.facebook.com/GoodLiveGreen

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In the middle of the country, Mendoza, one of the driest regions on the planet, is well known as the wine growing region, but head a little further into the Andes and you can visit Aconcagua Provincial Park, home to the tallest mountain peak in the Americas. Luckily for those not wishing to have to make the climb to the top, the view from the base in the park is extraordinary. Though, surprisingly, even at this modest height, the lack of oxygen is noticeable, so an easy stroll is recommended.

A little further south in the foothills of the Patagonia Andes is Nahuel Huapi National Park, the oldest national park in Argentina. The region is known for being the best skiing area in South America. It’s dominated by the peaks of the Andes and so contains everything from glaciers, waterfalls, mountain streams and lakes and actually borders Chile. There are a number of well developed trekking routes which have accommodation facilities at several locations and the treks’ distance varies from a minimum of 12 kilometres to a maximum of 45 kilometres involving anywhere from one to more than four days of trekking. The treks are graded under four categories depending on the terrain and the difficulty of climbing rugged hills of heights varying from 200 to 3,000 metres. The fauna is stellar with magnificent views and home to a large variety of wildlife—some of which are endangered. There have even been numerous sightings of a lake monster in Nahuel Huapi Lake, likely related to the Loch Ness monster.

Much further south is El Calafate, gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. Its spectacular beauty, the scientific interest it provokes and the endangered species still living in this area, made UNESCO declare this park a World Heritage Site in 1981.

A major draw to the park is the opportunity to actually walk on Perito Moreno Glacier.

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“The fauna is stellar with magnificent views and home to a large variety of wildlife—some of which are endangered.”

The drive to the ferry that takes visitors across the lake to the base for hiking the glacier is about an hour from El Calafate. The terrain is rolling hills with brown scrubby grass that somehow supports cattle and sheep. If you intend to hike the glacier, make sure to come with proper warm clothing. Rentals are available in El Calafate. Your glacier guides will install spikes on your boots.

It’s quite windy on the glacier so a wrap around for your head will be appreciated, plus good sunglasses, as the glare is very strong.

The hike itself is not particularly taxing, though without the spikes to assist in climbing over the undulating frozen snow, it would be treacherous. It’s a remarkable experience which includes going into caves within the glacier.

It’s interesting to note the glacier is about the same distance from the equator as London England is on the north side. Further, according to the guides, the size of the glacier is unchanged in the last 100 years. No testament to global warming here.

After the hike, it’s well worth going into the main entrance to the park to get a good view of the glacier. Again, the government has recently completed an extensive system of wooden boardwalks to allow visitors to roam broadly along the complete side of the glacier. It’s an extraordinary sight. We noticed numerous visitors who were simply standing staring, seemingly in complete rapture with what sat in front of them. If lucky, you’ll see the glacier calving.

Argentina is not a huge country but the geographical variety is likely greater than most. Likely after a first visit you’ll be thinking of returning again and again. c www.facebook.com/GoodLiveGreen

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c Eco Tourism

Ecotourism is a consciousness of the impact of travel. Sustainability in tourism has different aspects: environmental, cultural, biodiversity (natural), and social. Depending upon the destination some aspects are more relevant than others. Social aspects are extremely relevant in poor countries with underdeveloped social security systems and weak labour laws, while tourism close to sensitive natural areas must take the local environment into account. The limitation of energy use and waste production might be more relevant in mass tourism resorts, while respect for local traditions and culture is essential when visiting indigenous peoples.

Categories

Rating System

• Environment

s Fair

• Culture

s s Good

• Nature

s s s Excellent

• Social

Argentina Eco-Tourism Rating Environment: s s Argentina has four natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Los Glaciares, Iguazu National Park, Peninsula Valdes, and Ischigualasto/Talampaya National Parks. There are 14 sites designated as Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance.

Culture: s s Argentineans are passionate! Expect warm and inviting people, where tradition is very important, particularly in the provinces.

Nature: s s s Argentina is characterized by its high biodiversity.

Argentina is one of the rare places on earth where you can really see it all; from tropical rainforests to arid deserts to ancient glaciers. A must-do for any naturalist.

Social: s s The truly indigenous people are scarce in Argentina, living mostly in rural regions and comprising three to five percent of the total population.

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Argentina Contacts: Abercrombie & Kent www.abercrombiekent.com Argentina Tourism www.turismo.gov.ar LAN Airlines www.lan.com www.GoodLifeLivingGreen.com

the sun slowly revealed the majestic beauty of Torres del Paine during our early morning stroll. the sun slowly revealed the majestic beauty of Torres del Paine during our early morning stroll.

®

DISCOVER CHARMING CHILE on an Abercrombie & Kent journey through this South American country that has it all — breathtaking

® natural wonders, cosmopolitan flair and incredible hospitality. With A&K, delve into the ancient dunes of the surreal Atacama Desert with a private guide or lodge in the heart of Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park. Explore Santiago, ranked the #1 place to visit in 2011 by The New York Times, and the surrounding vineyards, savoring top-notch wines produced at the foot of the majestic Andes.

DISCOVER CHARMING CHILE on an Abercrombie & Kent journey through this South American country that has it all — breathtaking natural wonders, cosmopolitan flair and incredible hospitality. With A&K, delve into the ancient dunes of the surreal Atacama Desert with a private Every A&K Chile luxury vacation is carefully crafted by our experts to showcase the country’s arresting allure from an insider’s perspective. guide or lodge in the heart of Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park. Explore Santiago, ranked the #1 place to visit in 2011 by The New York Times, Discover Chile on journeys such as Signature Chile, Andean Peaks & Atacama Sands, or Wonders of Chile, Argentina & Brazil. and the surrounding vineyards, savoring top-notch wines produced at the foot of the majestic Andes.

For reservations or more information contact your travel professional, call Abercrombie & Kent at 800 323 7308 or visit abercrombiekent.com.

Every A&K Chile luxury vacation is carefully crafted by our experts to showcase the country’s arresting allure from an insider’s perspective.

Discover Chile on journeys such as Signature Chile, Andean Peaks & Atacama Sands, or Wonders of Chile, ©2011 Argentina & Brazil.

Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC CST#2007274-20 For reservations or more information contact your travel professional, call Abercrombie & Kent at 800 323 7308 or visit abercrombiekent.com. ©2011 Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC CST#2007274-20

Nature Conservancy of Canada

The Nature of Happiness W

hat is it that drives so many of us to want to be near nature? Carleton University professor John Zelenski, a researcher in experimental psychology who actively studies our connectedness to nature, believes that beyond its environmental benefits such as clean air and water, nature has an impact on our psychological well-being and our happiness.

“Nature is good for us; it makes us happy because we evolved in a way that makes it an optimal environment for us,” says Zelenski. “But because we spend so much time indoors or in cities disconnected from nature, we fail to anticipate how good it will feel until we actually get out there and experience it,” he adds.

Perhaps it is this nature of happiness that draws so many of us

to want to protect the places that bring us joy. For Brenda Willy and Sam (Sargent) Horwood, there’s something about nature that keeps them coming back, and that makes them want others to be able to enjoy it, too.

“Beyond its environmental benefits such as clean air and water, nature has an impact on our psychological well-being and our happiness.”

A few years ago, Brenda Willy was sitting by the side of Porcupine Creek in Alberta’s Kananaskis country, watching the water flow by and enjoying the silence. Suddenly, she spotted movement out of the corner of her eye. Looking up, she saw a cougar approaching the stream to drink.

These are the kinds of moments the Calgary resident and retired Canada Post letter carrier treasures. Willy has always felt a deep connection to nature, whether it is to Fish Creek Provincial Park on the western edge of the bustling city she lives in, or to her favourite place in the south end of the highway pass in the mountains near Lethbridge, where she likes to ride on horseback among the wildflowers and spot the occasional moose, elk or grizzly bear.

Sam Horwood and his wife Ruth Ann at the Musquash Estuary, NB; Photo by NCC.

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Ruth Ann Horwood, Sam Horwood and Chris Curry (Bird Studies Canada) at Port Jo

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“There’s something out there that always draws me. It’s peaceful; connected to what is real,” reflects Willy. “It’s a spiritual experience—there’s power and medicine in the mountains.”

But these places were also becoming harder and harder to find. “I’ve been out and about for 40 years,” Willy says. “I’ve seen so many places developed and gone, and the bears and the wildlife are gone, too. That’s why I believe in what the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) does.”

About 10 years ago, Willy began supporting NCC, the country’s largest land conservation organization, because she wanted to protect habitat for the species she had come to love.

It seemed like the perfect fit for her concerns. In fact, since 1962 the non-profit organization has conserved more than two million acres (800,000 hectares), coast to coast.

A few years later, Willy contacted NCC to declare that she will be leaving a bequest of her life insurance and her estate to the organization in her will. Not having any children, she wanted to see her money go to something worthwhile and lasting. “I’m giving back to the Earth for all of the things she’s given me and all of the wonderful days I’ve had in nature,” she explains.

John Zelenski suggests that “having these places available so that people can have experiences in nature is required to have optimal well-being and develop a sense of connection with it.”

For retired physician and supporter Sam Horwood, time spent in nature is always full of special moments. “I’m almost 80 and I seem to have had a long relationship with nature and have found it nourishing in many ways. I’m drawn to return to it,” he says.

Horwood has made several gifts of stock to NCC and has expressed an interest in exploring the possibility of making a bequest to the organization. “The idea of being able to preserve these incredible locations has a lot of meaning to me,” says Horwood. “I definitely feel good after I contribute to NCC.” Horwood recalls a trip to NCC’s Musquash Estuary property in New Brunswick with his wife Ruth Ann last spring. As the early morning fog lifted over the estuary, islands began to poke through the mist. “We weren’t in a bus. We were out there. Our shoes were in touch with the ground and it was immediate. It had a lot of meaning for me,” he adds.

In fact, each time Horwood leaves an NCC property, he does it with a sense of joy—“joy that these incredible natural resources are going to be available for hopefully as long as anybody’s around.”

People like Horwood and Willy are an important part of Canada’s natural legacy, says Marcella Zanella, the director of NCC’s planned giving programs. “We are grateful to people like them and many, many other NCC supporters, for entrusting us with such extraordinary gifts of the work of a lifetime,” says Zanella. “They give us the confidence and the means to protect the land far into the future.” oli, NS; Photo by NCC. www.facebook.com/GoodLiveGreen

Plan a gift for nature, forever There are many ways to provide support for the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s (NCC’s) current and future work through a planned gift, including: ÇÇ ÇÇ ÇÇ ÇÇ ÇÇ ÇÇ

gifts in a will named endowment funds gifts of life insurance charitable gift annuities gifts of RRSP and RRIF charitable remainder trusts

If you wish to receive more information on making a planned gift to NCC, we would be happy to speak with you and your advisors to ensure your planned gift fits your wishes, financial objectives, family needs, tax situation and our funding objectives. We can answer any of your questions with complete confidentiality, and without any obligation on your part.

For more information on making the Nature Conservancy of Canada part of your legacy and protecting our country’s endangered species and natural places, contact us.

Finding happiness in your own backyard A recent Ipsos Reid poll, conducted on behalf of NCC, revealed that 87 percent of Canadians agree that the more connected they feel to nature, the happier they are.

The poll also showed that 85 percent of Canadians are worried that our country’s natural areas will not endure for future generations. Faced with the possibility of the compromised happiness of their children and grandchildren, it is not surprising that 75 percent of Canadians say that it’s personally important to them to conserve natural areas.

Thanks to the passion of individuals like Willy and Horwood, and so many more across the country who have made a planned gift to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, other Canadians will be able enjoy the quiet and happiness of these places; whether standing at an estuary’s shores, rambling through mountains on horseback, wandering through a shady forest or hiking through prairies so wide not a tree can be seen for miles and miles. n

Nature Conservancy of Canada 800.465.0029 ext. 276 planned.giving@natureconservancy.ca www.natureconservancy.ca/legacy Fall 2011 | Good Life Living Green |

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c Green Home

Building a “Green Home”

By Wally Foster-Pelzer

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hat does it mean, really? What’s with the word “sustainable?” How does it apply to my house? What about carbon footprint and green house gases and, most important, the cost?

When contemplating these prevalent issues, many people get overwhelmed—and turned off. With busy careers and other interests, it seems it would take too much time and effort to sort it all out.

I have always wanted to build my own house—something big enough for two people and designed to meet our needs; comfortable, not too expensive and low maintenance. I was surprised when some of my learned colleagues, upon retirement, built large homes in the order of 3,000 to 4,000 square feet for two people. Most, after a couple years of living in only 30 to 40 percent of the house, realized the error of their ways.

I like the concepts of “small is beautiful,” “form follows function”, and “keep it simple,” and I wanted money left over to enjoy my retirement.

“...form follows function...”

When I started to think seriously about building my home, “green” was not on my list of priorities, nor were concepts like “sustainable,” greenhouse gases or carbon footprint. The important things to me were costs—the cost to build, maintain, heat, and the cost of water and sewer. Surprisingly, all these costs directly or indirectly affect greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint.

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Interestingly, buildings, which include our homes, are responsible for 40 percent of energy consumption globally. With modern green building techniques, we can reduce that by up to 80 percent. When I was building, I discovered that keeping things simple and cost effective ended up fulfilling “green criteria.” Is it possible, whether a house is old or new, to make it green? Then the question is to what extent? How much money do I want to spend? Which green systems suit my lifestyle? Which systems provide the most bang for my buck?

The whole green movement around buildings actually started in Canada in the 1970s during the time of the first oil crisis. The R-2000 building system was created to address the high energy costs associated with heating homes during our long, cold winters.

Since then almost every country in the world has developed “green building standards” for their particular climate and to address heating or cooling in an efficient and cost effective manner.

There are two streams of consciousness with respect to green systems that are not necessarily mutually exclusive: the “cutting edge” new technology discussed henceforth, and “affordable, effective systems” couched in European philosophies that have been practiced for centuries. Applications from both approaches will be highlighted and discussed in subsequent issues.

Some of the more common standards used in North America are R-2000, LEED and BuiltGreen. In Europe PassivHaus and Minergie are leaders in the field. I researched these systems, and many more, to get an idea of what building green meant to all these different people and places. www.GoodLifeLivingGreen.com

They all claim to be unique but are basically all the same. Simply put, they all strive to reduce the consumption of energy.

Systems like R-2000 and PassivHaus focus on energy reduction.

LEED and BuiltGreen are more encompassing and include such things as site location and preparation, water consumption, access to local transportation and supply infrastructure and the amount of construction waste.

The common denominators in all these green building systems can be reduced to three critical considerations. These focal points will give you the biggest and best bang for your buck. To build green, you must start with the following: • • •

Envelope Tightness Insulation Windows

Envelope tightness refers to the “blower door test.” Your house is pressurized and the number of air changes per hour is measured.

It’s not uncommon to have older houses test at 15 to 20 air changes per hour. More recently-built houses will test at about three or four air changes per hour. Compare these numbers to a certified R-2000 home at 1.5 air changes per hour or PassivHaus at 0.6 air changes per hour. Getting a house this tight costs money. To reach the PassivHaus standard you can add approximately 15 percent to the cost of building the house.

There are two main reasons for this premium: building materials and building systems available in Europe are not readily available in North America, and the majority of general contractors are not experienced in these envelope techniques, resulting in increased labour costs. Blower door tests can be done to any house at any time and are an essential step before any renovations take place.

Taking advantage of government subsidies can reduce the cost of the blower door test to approximately $150.

An important point to consider is that because the houses are becoming so tight, air changes have to be managed to control air freshness and humidity. A “heat recovery ventilator” (HRV) is required to vent stale air and humidity and transfer the heat from the outgoing air to the fresh air coming in. Check the efficiency ratings and select one with a rating as close to 80 percent as possible. Using an experienced green builder, you should be able to bring either a new or renovated home down to less than four air changes per hour at a reasonable cost. Tightening the envelope and installing an efficient HRV could reduce heating costs by up to 50 percent.

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c Green Home

The second consideration is insulation, or to be more specific, “super insulation.” PassivHaus probably has the most rigid insulation standards. They require the following: • • • •

Roof R-60 Walls R-38 Foundation R-45+ Under Slab 14” Rigid Insulation

Notice they insulate everything, including the foundation and under the slab. The most expensive item here is the under slab insulation. At roughly $2 per square foot, a 2,000 square foot home would require about $4,000 worth of insulation in the slab alone.

In our moderate coastal climate I would suggest that the under slab insulation could be at least halved without much consequence.

The third consideration, triple glazed windows, addresses heat loss in a house. Heat loss through windows can account for up to 30 percent of your heating bill. The first step, and the most effective, is site selection to ensure that you have a southern exposure. Design so that most of your windows are on the south side.

Buying triple glazed windows with membranes and gas is very expensive for a limited increase in R value. There are more cost effective ways to look at this. Given that the average exterior wall has an R value of 20, our objective should be to get close to that. A typical triple glazed window will have an insulating value of about R3.23. A double glazed with low E will be about R3.13. Double glazed windows with low E, suspended films and xenon gas can have R values between R5 and R11. These windows will cost in excess of $100 per square feet.

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A more cost effective approach would be to supplement a reasonably priced double glazed window with an R3 or R4 rating with interior insulated shades (R5) and exterior insulated shutters with 2” foam (R15) for a total insulating value of R24.

So, we’ve minimized our air leaks, added an efficient Heat Recovery Ventilator, beefed up the insulation and brought the window openings to the same R value as the walls for an overall energy savings in the range of 90 percent over homes built just a few years ago. This simple, affordable approach to energy reduction will have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint and resource sustainability as it reduces the output of CO2 from burning coal, oil or natural gas to generate power to heat our houses.

We now have a relatively “green home” that is inexpensive to heat or air condition. Green certification through the aforementioned national rating systems adds several thousand dollars to the cost.

For example most certification processes add about six percent to the overall cost of construction, for example, $36,000 for a 2,000 square foot house.

Certification (LEED, R-2000, etc.) requires a third party to ensure that your house is built to exact standards. This requires frequent site visits to monitor the builder, blower door testing and various other tests and monitoring of materials and building practices.

There is a certain prestige to having your house certified green and based on real estate statistics it does improve the resale value.

In my opinion, an experienced and certified green builder is a more cost effective way to go. www.GoodLifeLivingGreen.com

I like to use the checklists of these certification processes as a guideline to building green. They cover all the relevant areas on a point system, allowing you to focus on the most important areas that align with your individual lifestyle.

The three main considerations discussed are deemed the most important by all rating systems. In future articles we’ll look at the actual construction of a unique green home as it relates to the Canadian LEED checklist. Fascinating systems that improve our personal health, community infrastructure, and the environment as a whole will be revealed including the following in order of priority: • • • • • •

Living in an environmentally sensitive home does not preclude luxuries, does not always incur high premiums, and does not require more maintenance. We are in the beginnings of a major paradigm shift and with an increase in access to information, we shall attain our residential energy reduction. In fact, 1998 to 2008 saw a 33 percent net increase in new homes, yet total energy use in homes only grew by 14.3 percent. Greenhouse gas emissions grew by 0.3 percent. Building green can turn these figures into negatives and, by default, reduce the overwhelming amount of loading on our community infrastructures. c

Energy and Atmosphere Indoor Air Quality Site Sustainability Materials and Resources Water Efficiency Innovation

“Living in an environmentally sensitive home does not preclude luxuries...”

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c Eco Chic Design

Colour’s Potency in the Workplace Events, Environment, Entertainment, and Economy

By Laura Burns-Lambert

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ompanies spend small fortunes to not only make their workplaces safe, but also warm, attractive and comfortable.

With the average North American spending more and more hours in the workplace, it’s no surprise that a growing number of companies are realizing the importance of ensuring that the workplace is more of a “home away from home,” complete with hues that provide inspiration and serenity.

Contemporary office design focused on employee comfort as well as ergonomic functionality is now seen by many businesses as one key to retaining quality personnel, increasing productivity, maintaining a competitive edge and having the right corporate image. As an experienced designer and landscaping professional, I see the profound effect of colour in the workplace and how the hues of the colour palette are affected by fashion and world events.

It can almost be rolled into four simple words: Events, Environment, Entertainment and Economy.

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After the cataclysmic events of 9/11, bright interior workplace colours fell by the wayside, replaced by muted earth tones, including espresso brown and even black. In China, the colour red, corresponding with fire, symbolizes good fortune and joy. Red is found everywhere during Chinese New Year and other Chinese holidays and at family gatherings. The hosting of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing inspired red hue palates around the world as workplaces found new and inventive ways to feature the colour red in their furnishings, wall hangings, plant colours and containers, etc.

Bamboo’s long life makes it a Chinese symbol of longevity and bamboo is widely used in landscaping due to its ability to grow quickly in thick, tall sections. It makes an excellent privacy barrier, while also providing a nice aesthetic. When China was hosting the Olympics, bamboo became a globally significant aesthetic that was highly coveted across workplaces worldwide. In addition to the bamboo plants becoming a fixture in the workplace, the colour of bamboo itself—which is green when fresh and tan/brown when dry—became a favoured palette. The green movement has kept bamboo in style as bamboo’s eco-friendly positioning in the market favours that it is a quick-growing renewable plant in the grass family, and that it is a natural fibre that doesn’t require chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers.

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In general, workplace colour trends tend to lead in five-year increments. The pre-Olympics excitement surrounding China hosting this global event began in 2006 and lasted through the 2008 Olympics to extend through 2011, heightened by the continual news reports on China. My retail, hospitality and commercial building clients frequently favour designs that include flashes of red woven with bamboo undertones.

The dark and earth tone colours featured in the workplace in the five years following 9/11, closely mirrored our grief-stricken national consciousness. Employees were in a reflective mood and many of the bright and bold-coloured dot-com companies that had launched jubilantly prior to 9/11 had fallen victim to a souring economy.

Similarly, the roaring 20s favoured flappers wearing extravagant, sparkling outfits in bold colours such as hot pink and purple. The arrival of the depression turned the pallet dusty with subtle pastels, which is very similar to what we are experiencing today in 2011.

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Eco Chic Design

Workplace colour trends follow what is featured in fashion. The Pantone Fashion Colour Report for Fall 2011 “takes its cues from the grand masters, sepia tones of old Hollywood, Chinese opera, cityscapes and countryside” with “designers paying close attention to texture, contrast and colour.” “Designers take a painterly approach to fall 2011 by artfully combining bright colours with staple neutrals, reminiscent of how an artist would construct a stunning work of art,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute. “Much like a painter’s masterpiece, there is a certain romance to this season’s palette.”

I see romance and optimism emerging in the colour palettes which workplaces are gravitating toward. As I work with clients to plan their workplace designs, clearly much of the Pantone fall/ winter season palette is coming into favour. It includes a radiant emberglow, which is a traditional autumnal tone that emanates the warmth of a glowing fire, partnered with splashes of coffee liqueur or honeysuckle hues for a retro vibe and bamboo to bring a warm and exotic flavour to the workplace.

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Pantone also points to a deep purple trend combined with cedar, deep teal or coffee, a lighter version of the dark espresso we have seen in previous years, with grey/taupe undertones, that is also taking hold across workplaces. Plants that favour this purple hue, as well as being touched by pink and deep reds, include the Philodendron Red Congo, whose leaf petioles remain reddish-purple to bright pink with long-lasting petiole sheaths and the Aglaonema Red Valentine, which is a colourful Chinese evergreen variety.

Quarry, a medium grey colour, remains a dependable staple both for fashion this fall and in workplaces.

Looking to the future, we will see gold, muted metals, bright and burnt warm colours. As defined on Wikipedia, “the Mayan calendar is a system of calendars and almanacs that is used in the Maya civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and in some modern Maya communities in Guatemala and Oaxaca, Mexico.”

Some people believe this calendar predicts that December 21, 2012 will feature a fascinating astronomical occurrence where the sun will be seen in a conjunction with the crossing point of the galactic equator and the ecliptic which is referred to by the Mayans as the Sacred Tree. As this Mayan calendar comes into focus, the design emphasis of the Mayans will be taking hold in some workplaces.

Businesses are looking for crafted wood products, turquoise hues, natural stone colours and textures, and succulent plants.

Holiday colour requests also provide an excellent prognosticator of popular hues for the coming season. In 2009 and 2010, purple was a popular request for workplace holiday installations. By 2011, purple and other brighter colours have moved front and centre as coveted hues in general workplace interiors, as well as hospitality.

Colour is full of emotion. When looking at a bright yellow wall, I pick up positive energy and feel a bit more retrospective and downcast when looking at grey wall. I consider the entire world my canvas. I’m attracted to any form of physical media I can use to get my point across visually, including painting, woodwork, metalwork and sculpting. Taking inspiration from our physical environment, whether it is indoors or out, can be an excellent catalyst and medium for art. The structures and colours that are created naturally in the forest and countryside can be awe-inspiring. Whether I’m finding new ways to stage plant material with interesting top-dressing and decorative accents, building terrariums or getting festive with holidays, I look to honour the potency of colour with innovative and one-of-a-kind designs. c

www.GoodLifeLivingGreen.com

Stop losing money to an inefficient home

Ne gaspillez plus votre argent à cause d’une maison inefficace

Get up to $5000 to make your home more energy efficient

Obtenez jusqu’à 5000 $ pour rendre votre maison plus éconergétique

The Government of Canada’s ecoENERGY program is creating jobs and helping Canadians save money now and on future energy bills. Act now, don’t delay. Your evaluations and retrofits need to be completed before March 31, 2012.

Le programme écoÉNERGIE du gouvernement du Canada crée des emplois et aide les Canadiens à réaliser des économies à court et à long terme. Agissez maintenant, ne tardez pas. Vos évaluations et vos rénovations devront être complétées avant le 31 mars 2012.

Visit ActionPlan.gc.ca/homes or call 1 800 O-Canada to learn more.

Visitez plandaction.gc.ca/maisons ou appelez au 1 800 O-Canada pour plus d’information.

Bank note images used and altered with permission of the © Bank of Canada

L’utilisation et la modification des images de billets de banque ont été autorisées par la © Banque du Canada.

c Mind, Body & Spirit

Love It or Lose It

By Alice Inoue

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ake a good look around your home. Do you see things you love and cherish, or things that are just there “because?” I often see items on display in homes that I’m curious about, and when I ask the occupant to tell me about them, a common response is, “Oh, my mother-in-law (who she says she can’t stand) gave us that, and I really don’t like it.” Or, “I don’t know. The landlord had it there when I moved in, so I kept it.”

Remove what doesn’t support you To “up” the energy in your environment, make a commitment to take away anything you do not absolutely love, so that what you have left will support you energetically. Note that if there are things that you acquired during a time of sadness, that energy of sadness is still being “beamed” into your environment. Everything holds the energy of the time and space it was brought into your life. Keep this in mind when you are deciding whether or not to keep something.

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“We are always afraid that the gift giver is going to come back and say, “Hey! Where’s that woolly mammoth statue I gave you?”

However, you disempower yourself by putting it in your environment if you know it doesn’t support you.”

www.GoodLifeLivingGreen.com

How an item holds energy Some items in your environment can be considered neutral— such as a CD player. You may like its style, but basically, it is there to play music. Imagine that one day you and your spouse get into a heated argument about an issue you just can’t agree upon. You become emotional and, in turning your body, you bump a lamp that falls onto the CD player, leaving a gash on it. It still functions, but now holds the emotional energy of that negative interaction.

Each time you put a CD in that player from this day forward, you are reminded (consciously or subconsciously) of that issue and the argument that ensued. That CD player is now no longer a neutral item. It is not supporting you in your environment, and can energetically drain you instead.

What if my spouse and I disagree about an item?

When there are two or more people in a household, a difference of opinion often arises as to whether something is energetically supportive, especially an item in a common area. Let’s imagine the item in dispute is a funky wall hanging that you absolutely love, but your spouse thinks is unsightly. How can you come to an agreement?

One way is to reassign the meaning of the wall hanging to represent the love and respect you have for each other.

First, I would suggest that you rate the wall hanging on a scale of one to 10 as to how much you love it, 10 being the highest score.

Then have your spouse rate the same wall hanging, but with 10 being the highest amount of dislike for it. If you rate it a nine and your spouse rates it a seven, then based on this rating, you love it more than your spouse dislikes it.

Next, I would ask your spouse if he or she loved you enough to allow the wall hanging to represent your love. If so, your spouse has the opportunity to transform it from an “eyesore” into a gift of love because you like the wall hanging more than he dislikes it.

The wall hanging takes on a new symbolic meaning, as a reminder of love instead of an instigator of disharmony. Each time you see it, you are grateful and see it as a gift, while each time your spouse sees it, they remember how much they love you.

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Gifts you do not like Finally, if you receive something you don’t like, don’t display it!

We are always afraid that the gift giver is going to come back and say, “Hey! Where’s that woolly mammoth statue I gave you?” However, you disempower yourself by putting it in your environment if you know it doesn’t support you.

I always say to honour the intent of such a gift, feel the love behind the gift, be thankful, and then give it away or donate it. It is okay to do this. By not doing this, you neglect to honour yourself, the most important person in your life. c

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Cleantech Report

Investing in Canadian Cleantech

By John McIlveen, SVP Research, and Khurram Malik, Research Analyst Jacob Securities Inc. Clean Technology Market on TSX and TSXV

I

n Canada, there are 131 cleantech listings on the TSX and TSXV. The following link provides a spreadsheet and market $18B data: www.tmxmoney.com/en/sector_profiles/cleantech.html Total Market Cap This group had a combined total market cap of $18.1 billion at mid-2011 and raised $723 million of equity capital across 43 132 financings in the first half.

Companies The S&P/TSX Clean Technology Index (symbol OTXCT) has 21 listings. You cannot trade the index yet, but the TSX is working on 11it.

Exhibit 1 lists the individual stocks included in the index. The index New Listings has lost 6.7 percent year-to-date, which is the same loss as the S&P/ $1.3B TSX Composite Index. The index had been a slight outperformer Equity Capital against the Composite, but markets are volatile and cleantech has Raised been hit harder than the broader market during August.

Exhibit 2: S&P/TSX Clean Technology Index Members by Category Waste Reduction & Water Management 21%

Low Impact Material & Products 20%

Energy Efficiency 24%

32%

Renewable Energy Technology & Manufacturing 16%

Renewable Energy Production & Distribution 20%

of TSX Issuers Graduated from TSXV

Exhibit 1: S&P/TSX Clean Technology Index as at August 12, 2011

As at and YTD December 31 2010

1

Source: Jacob Securities

We sorted the index members by dividend yield to make a point—the Dividend-Paying index members have suffered smaller declines than the Non-Dividend members. In a market fraught with uncertainty, investors seek refuge in dividend-paying stocks.

The TSX classifies the 131 cleantech listings by business line (Exhibit 2). Waste reduction and water management comprise 21 percent of the total, renewable energy technology and manufacturing 16 percent, renewable energy production and distribution 20 percent, energy efficiency 24 percent, and low impact material and products 20 percent. For our purposes, we classify the listings as Non-Dividend, Dividend-Paying and Technology & Manufacturing. We have purposely not included our specific recommendations on individual stocks so as to encourage the reader to seek the most current information.

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Source: TSX

Non-Dividend Paying Developers In the Non-Dividend group we will focus on the renewable energy developers (Exhibit 3). The renewable energy developers are mostly cash flow negative or at least do not generate sufficient cash to have a meaningful organic growth rate. These companies need cash to complete projects. All power generation is expensive to build—geothermal costs about $4 million per deliverable megawatt, wind $7 million, hydro $8 million and solar $30 million (for reference, a megawatt can power 800 homes). The market in 2011 has been punishing companies that need to raise equity capital.

The Non-Dividend developers are clearly a higher risk class of assets. The risk spectrum ranges from start-up to shovel-ready.

The milestones a developer has to achieve include 1) resource rights, 2) resource verification, 3) a power purchase agreement, 4) local support, 5) a slew of permits and 6) debt and equity finance.

Shovel-ready has completed all these milestones. Each milestone costs money and time, and can derail a project.

Once a project is shovel-ready, its construction costs, timeline and profitability are fairly predictable and readily lends itself to valuation analysis (geothermal being an exception until the well-field is drilled). We value developers only on what is fully financed, so we know the downside should the next project not get favourable financing. For junior oil and mining companies, the market gives value for what is in the ground, for example, dollars per barrel of oil. Renewable energy is not there yet—the market attributes little to no value for assets “in the ground.” www.GoodLifeLivingGreen.com

Exhibit 3: Renewable Energy Developers (Non-Dividend)

Source: Jacob Securities

Dividend Paying Developers The Dividend-Paying developers are comprised mostly of the Independent Power Producers (“IPPs”) which are the former income fund trusts (the first six listed in Exhibit 1 plus three others). An IPP develops and operates power-generating facilities, typically using renewable sources such as hydro, wind, solar, biomass, (although use of natural gas is also common) and generally sells the power to utilities under long-term (20-plus years) power sales contracts. It may also sell it directly in the competitive wholesale power market (merchant market) although this route has higher risks.

IPPs face the same milestones as the junior developer, although their greater resources, consisting of in-house bench strength and capital-raising power, decrease the cost of overcoming these hurdles. Once the asset is operational, IPPs typically generate predictable long-term cash flows, which are then either returned to the investors in the form of a dividend and/or reinvested back to grow the portfolio of assets.

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The most critical measure in evaluating a dividend-paying IPP is the question “Can the company maintain its dividend?”

These companies’ valuations are determined like bond prices— the market decides what the yield should be and that yield drives the share price. Dividend sustainability is measured by the payout ratios. Two typical payout ratios are 1) cash dividend divided by cash flow from operations before working capital changes and 2) cash dividend divided by free cash flow (FCF). FCF is the cash flow from operations before working capital changes as in 1) but also less scheduled debt repayment and maintenance capex. The lower the ratio, the better, and a ratio above one implies the company will have to cut its dividend (a disaster) or raise new equity capital or refinance its debt to lower scheduled repayments.

Technology and Manufacturing When looking at junior technology companies, a good rule of thumb is to focus on players that are developing disruptive solutions and not incremental improvements. To be disruptive, the technology has to be both better and cheaper than the technology it displaces (Exhibit 4). This is the sought after hockey stick sales curve. A better but more expensive technology will barely lift off the x axis because efficiency is measured in dollars, not units of output per unit of input. This upsets would-be entrepreneurs, but the market prefers a cheaper solution to a superior technology.

Thus “cheaper not better” has a faster adoption curve than “better not cheaper.”

We breakdown the clean technology landscape into over one hundred categories with each one having its own unique drivers that produce distinct profiles of risk and potential. The following are some of the broader silos that contain the easiest ways to gain pure-play exposure to clean technology:

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Cleantech Report

Exhibit 4: Technology Adoption Curve

Solar Appeal: Every minute, enough solar energy reaches the earth’s surface to meet mankind’s requirements for an entire year. Costs are coming down faster than other forms of generation.

Caution: The Chinese have brought large amounts of quality production online in the last few years, which has rapidly commoditized the solar value chain and driven down margins for most companies.

Wind Appeal: A more established form of renewable generation than solar. Its generation costs are a lot closer to those of more traditional forms of generation. Less susceptible than solar to rapid commoditization from low cost countries.

Caution: It still requires significant government support (i.e. tax credits, grants, etc.) to make the numbers work in many locations.

The future of this support remains uncertain in many key markets, which are dealing with the global economic downturn.

Energy Storage Appeal: If someone cracks the storage nut, then suddenly intermittent forms of renewable generation could become more appealing by transforming into a production profile that is base load (24/7 like coal).

Caution: Batteries have not changed much in over a hundred years and have many limitations today. Most stocks in this space are either really early stage or focused on niches that require significant amounts of capital expenditure and could be drastically altered in the near future by larger players.

Source: Jacob Securities

Transportation Appeal: The largest source of man-made CO2 emissions after power generation. This silo also carries some of the highest trading multiples because, frankly, many companies have exposure to electric/hybrid cars, buses, and trucks (never discount the impact of sizzle in the technology space).

Caution: The potential is there, but we are in the early days of the electrified/highly efficient drive train and mass adoption is a ways off due primarily to the shortcomings of energy storage solutions.

Energy Efficiency Appeal: It is cheaper to reduce demand by 10 percent through implementation of efficiency technology than building another solar or wind farm to increase production by that same amount.

Caution: It is really difficult for a small company to carve out a sustainable competitive advantage in this rapidly evolving silo. A safe way to play this sector is to look at companies that provide a solution that could be acquired by larger players (i.e.

GE, Philips and Honeywell) in the next one to two years.

Water Appeal: More money will be spent on water infrastructure than the sum total of power, roads, and ports combined. Water is also more defensive than even power in volatile markets. Products and services companies in this space tend to outperform those catering to other sectors over the long-term.

Caution: The primary customer in this space is water utilities, which can place large orders, but getting that initial commercial traction can be a very long and unpredictable process. n

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www.GoodLifeLivingGreen.com

Report on CLEANTECH

AirTest Technologies, Inc.

Building for the Future M

ost buildings are dumb. This means that they don’t really have the intelligence or capability to perform in a way that maximizes energy conservation, comfort and sustainability. To be fair, this is not the result of some big conspiracy theory, it is related to the fact that 80 percent of the buildings in North America were built more than 20 years ago when energy was cheap, the Internet did not exist and the idea of electronic devices and controls was in its infancy. Today the buildings sector consumes almost 36 percent of all electrical energy and 21 percent of fossil fuels in North America.

The great interest in energy conservation, green building practices and sustainability is built upon the realization that many of our buildings, and the systems within them, are inefficient and outdated.

In our amazing world today, new buildings are actually being built to have a net zero energy impact, but the real impact on overall conservation and sustainability will come with application of new technologies to the existing buildings market. The opportunity for savings is large for technologies that can cost effectively be applied in both new and existing buildings.

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“You cannot control what you do not measure.”

(Bill Hewlett, cofounder Hewlett Packard) This is the mantra of Delta, B.C.-based AirTest Technologies Inc. (TSX: AAT.V), which specializes in providing a wide variety of unique air monitoring sensors to better control appliances and systems inside buildings. Many buildings today have a plethora of energy-wasting systems that run at a constant level regardless of actual need or demand. Other systems are manually set and have no sensor feedback to indicate if a system falls out of adjustment or loses its efficiency.

AirTest enables control for optimum operating efficiency and energy conservation in buildings by providing reliable hightechnology sensors that constantly monitor and adjust how building systems are operating. To paraphrase Bill Hewlett, “sensor measurement is critical to enable control for efficiency and energy conservation.” www.GoodLifeLivingGreen.com

Saving Building Energy By Controlling Outside Air Here is a good example of one way AirTest can deliver energy savings in buildings. By code, all commercial buildings must bring in a prescribed amount of outside air for each person in the building. As a result, most buildings bring in air for full occupancy, which then has to be heated or cooled, even when actual occupancy may be much less. AirTest offers a carbon dioxide sensor that is installed like a thermostat in different rooms in a building that measures for the number of people breathing out CO2 in the space and uses this information to ensure that enough outside air is provided for the actual number of people in the space. While it can be used in all types of buildings, it is particularly effective for spaces with high density and variable occupancy like schools, retail, theatres, conference areas, hospitality and restaurant venues.

This approach saves energy but also makes sure there is enough fresh air to ensure good air quality.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority estimates CO2-based ventilation control can deliver savings of 10 to 80 percent. AirTest’s experience with retrofitting sensors in schools and retail applications has shown that savings can exceed 6,000 kWh per year per sensor, which translates into a reduction of 3,200 lbs of CO2 emissions per sensor. Because of these savings, many jurisdictions like California are now requiring CO2 sensors in all new construction where occupancy densities are high. The popular LEED green building rating system also provides “points” for integrating CO2 sensing. Many utilities are offering rebates to encourage greater application of this technology.

According to George Graham, President of AirTest, “Almost all buildings are candidates for this energy saving approach, but we are at the base of the curve where only about three percent of buildings have integrated CO2 control.” Graham adds, “The fact that our sales for the first half of this year have increased 75 percent over the previous year is testimony to the growing popularity of this approach.”

Dramatic Energy Savings in Parking Garages Underground and enclosed parking garages use a tremendous amount of energy to ventilate out automobile fumes and provide a safe environment for garage visitors. Often these ventilation systems are designed assuming most cars in the garage will be operating. In reality, only a very few cars are operating at any one time. AirTest has developed a proprietary system for garages that measures for the gases given off by vehicles. The sensor readings are used to determine the number of vehicles operating and regulating the ventilation to actual vehicle activity. A recent AirTest installation in a garage in San Francisco was able to reduce overall energy use by 94 percent and reduce energy demand by 96 percent as verified by the local utility PG&E. AirTest’s estimate is that this sensor system can save 64,000 kWh annually in a 100car garage, which translates to a reduction of 40,000 lbs of CO2 annually. Energy payback can be less than two years.

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Many Sensor Opportunities To Save Energy and Improve Efficiency These are just two examples of how AirTest’s sensor technologies are making our world more energy efficient and sustainable. There are a wide variety of other sensor technologies that AirTest offers that address other energy savings opportunities.

The company is constantly researching and developing new sensor technologies and control approaches needed by the market. For example, the company is in the process of developing long lasting gas sensor technology that eliminates the need for calibration. This technology is designed to be very low cost and has the potential to be applied to many different gases. Applications for these sensors range from fire detectors that are false alarm resistant, to sensors for furnaces that measure and adjust efficiency and shut down the furnace if they detect the presence of dangerous gases. AirTest is also developing sensors that speak all the different communication protocols that building control systems speak so that they can easily be integrated into virtually every building.

AirTest sells its products to building owners, contractors and energy service companies targeting the buildings market.

The company also works with a number of major equipment and controls manufacturers who incorporate AirTest sensor components into their products.

Most building have already picked the low hanging fruit of energy conservation that include lighting retrofits, reflective window films and higher efficiency office equipment. The installation of sensors for more efficient control of building systems represents a growing second wave of energy conservation initiatives that offers a tremendous opportunity to impact the environment and significantly reduce the energy use and costs of millions of buildings worldwide.

AirTest Technologies Inc. 9-1520 Cliveden Avenue Delta BC Canada V3M 6J8 604.517.3888 mike.schell@airtest.com www.airtest.com TSX: AAT.V Hi/Low: 0.06 / 0.02 Fall 2011 | Good Life Living Green |

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Report on CLEANTECH

QSolar Limited

QSolar Limited Q

Solar Limited is an innovative, 21st-century producer of unique, leading edge, technologically advanced solar panels. They are exclusively positioned to take advantage of the huge growth forecast for this industry. QSolar is proud to have the smallest carbon footprint of any solar manufacturer on the planet or, as they state it, “The Greenest of the Green.” The company was established in January 2007 with a focus on improving the existing solar panel technology standard at that time, as panel design and manufacturing processes had been largely unchanged for 40 years.

According to the CEO, Mr. Andreas Tapakoudes, “We felt there must be a way to advance the process such that the quality of the product could be improved while doing so with lower costs.” They spent three years developing a revolutionary process that reduced costs, increased panel productivity, lowered the price and utilized colour for the first time ever. The panels they manufacture remain constant during their 25-year life span while producing double the voltage of competitors’ panels. QSolar’s panels also continue to produce and store electricity long after the older technology panels shut off in the afternoon due to decreasing voltage levels that fall below the minimum cut-off point.

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According to Mr. Tapakoudes, “Some of the older products were inefficient energy wasters whereas our products reduce energy loss because of superior design. This results in a greater return on investment, for any application of our panels.” The bottom line is more energy is produced for the same initial investment, plus QSolar has a very unique and compelling product suitable for any market. Mr. Tapakoudes notes, “QSolar is proud to be a viable and competitive firm without any outside subsidies, which bodes well for our future.” In May, QSolar set up their own manufacturer in China and, by July, had begun shipping product from their wholly-owned production facilities.

QSolar has thus far have been primarily in the bulk sales business, providing panels for large installations used for the generation of large-scale saleable power. Their key product is a family of panels for these large installations with a return on investment competitors simply can’t match. Perhaps even more exciting is the uniqueness of the product. As Mr. Tapakoudes explains; “Our product does not go on the building like the others, but rather into the building. One example is a panel only QSolar manufactures that is simultaneously both a window and an energy generator that can be ordered in any colour the client wishes.”

Their unique application procedure allows them to spray on the panel in layers in the creation of custom units for any size required by the customer. While their competitors have limitations due to the machines used in manufacturing, QSolar can produce virtually any size, shape, and colour a client requests. Since QSolar can produce panels in any colour or shape, installations can blend in and even enhance existing landscapes, such as corporate buildings. That is just one reason why business has been brisk for this leading edge firm.

Mr. Tapakoudes says, “We presently have $250 million in letters of intent that we can’t satisfy, so we are going to be aggressively expanding the company in order to take advantage of the growing markets.”

In 2011 the market was $60 billion worldwide and is forecast to grow to $600 billion by 2020. These estimates were prior to the earlier events of this year that put some competing industries under severe scrutiny. The backlash from the Japanese nuclear incident has caused some European countries to shelve their nuclear programmes and shift their focus to greener energy sources. China has recently implemented incentives for the adoption of solar and America is also starting to move in the same direction. The solar panel market estimate for 2020 will likely prove to be conservative as the trend towards efficient, cost-effective, green energy solutions continues to accelerate worldwide.

Mr. Tapakoudes sums it up: “Growth is coming at an exponential rate as we have changed the manufacturing process, which has impacted both the economics and aesthetics of the product we deliver. We saw an opportunity to make improvements in an area we have decades of expertise in and have delivered. Perhaps our biggest challenge may be keeping up with demand.” Mr. Tapakoudes feels QSolar has been growing quickly and will continue to do so because of the unique products only they can provide. As the overall market continues to expand the competition will find it difficult to compete with QSolar’s more efficient technologically advanced custom panels.

To get a firsthand look at the future of solar panel technology, visit their website at www.qsolar.net.

QSolar Limited 850, 401-9th Avenue SW Calgary, AB, Canada T2P 3C5 403.775.1266 info@qsolar.net www.qsolar.net CNSX: QSL Hi/Low: 0.17/0.50

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YESTERDAY’S PLASTIC, TODAY’S FLEECE.

MEC Trek Jacket made from 85% recycled content.