Has any Toronto resident or visitor noticed these somewhat new City of Toronto ad campaigns? These posters are seen all over the city. I've noticed them on bus shelters, while riding the subway and in many printed publications. Looks like the city is trying to get us to think about how we consume water.

The ad on the left is of a family in their kitchen. They are all dressed in lab coasts and are drinking tap water. The caption reads: "It's what a scientist would drink. Toronto tapwater. It travels trough five layers of filtering and treatment before it arrives in you glass. And is continuously tested for quality. Trust science; not fashion. Choose tapwater. Filtered fresh."

The one on the right is of a woman who appears to be (more...)

You've all heard the news: the price of gas has been skyrocketing. Statistics Canada just released a report that states the price of gas rose almost 9 per cent in one month's time this May. But, according to Statistics Canada, there was only a 2.2 per cent rise in the amount consumers spend on gasoline. To my surprise, Canadians are actually responding to the price of gas and, in turn, driving less. I'm happy with these results, but I'm a bit perturbed (more...)

A study has been released by the US-based Center for Health, Environment and Justice that says that PVC shower curtains - those plastic ones with the accompanying plastic smell – release toxic chemicals that can contribute toward a number of health problems.

Looking for a replacement? Try to find options that are PVC-free; Grassroots offers a curtain made of hemp, and if you prefer plastic over fabric, IKEA carries a range of curtains made from PEVA, an alternative to PVC, as well as polyester and polyester/cotton-blend curtains.

Read more:
• Make your bathroom eco-friendly
• Raise your baby the eco-friendly way

As reported in today's Globe and Mail, the federal government has just announced more than $75 million worth of funding for Car Heaven, a program that provides incentives for drivers to retire their old (pre-1995), gas-guzzling vehicles with newer, cleaner versions.

The pros? New vehicles are subject to much stronger emissions standards than in the past, meaning you'll contribute to far less smog by driving a new car – especially if it's a hybrid.

The cons? It takes a lot of energy and raw product to make a car – possibly more than what you're saving in gas – although the Globe quotes Ersilia Serafini of the Clean Air Foundation as saying that the incentives may be applicable toward bicycles and transit passes as well as new vehicles – perhaps even toward car-sharing programs.

What do you think? Is this a good program or just a lot of hot air?

Congratulations to Joelle Withers of Edmonton, the winner of our big Green Challenge contest. Joelle has a beautiful GE Profile dishwasher coming her way!

The 2008 Canadian Living Green Challenge is now over – thanks to all of YOU who made it such a great success. I hope you've found the stories we posted inspiring and the advice helpful.

We're currently in the process of choosing the winner of the GE dishwasher – stay tuned for the winner's name and for more stories on how we can all live a little greener.

After reading this post, don't forget to enter our contest – you could win a new dishwasher. Plus, do you have your own story to tell? Send it to greenchallenge@canadianliving.com (no more than 300 words, please), and you could win one of 30 daily prizes.

Global food prices are rising dramatically, according to news sources such as cbc.ca and the New York Times, due to a number of factors including drought, high oil prices and the transfer of many crops to produce biofuels rather than food.

How big of a problem is it? Well, for most of us in Canada, the percentage increase in our food bills will likely be small – after all, we spend a very low percentage of our income on food, something around 10%. But in poorer countries, where people can spend half or more of their money on food, it's a real crisis. There have been protests and riots recently – even deaths – in countries as diverse as Egypt, the Philippines and Haiti.

It's a tough question whether anything we do in our daily lives can make a big impact. But there are definitely many things you can do to lessen your dependence on the global food chain, and to help others in need. (more...)

After reading this post, don't forget to enter our contest – you could win a new dishwasher. Plus, do you have your own story to tell? Send it to greenchallenge@canadianliving.com (no more than 300 words, please), and you could win one of 30 daily prizes.

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Consider taking time out from 8 to 9 pm on Saturday (local time) to celebrate Earth Hour by switching off your lights.

Earth Hour, if you haven't heard of it before, started last year as an initiative in Sydney, Australia, and this year has spread around the globe, with Canadians being among its primary supporters. The concept is simple: turn off your lights for an hour to protest climate change. To show your support for Earth Hour, visit earthhour.org and sign up as a participant. (Be patient: their site is really slow due to heavy traffic.)

In Toronto, Nelly Furtado will be giving a free concert in Nathan Phillips Square, and many Canadian cities and businesses have pledged to turn the lights off during Earth Hour. (Please share any events in your community in the comments.) But if you don't have an event to attend, here are a few suggestions on fun ways to celebrate. (more...)

Last year, in conjunction with Canadian Living Magazine's green issue, we invited you to sign up for 30 days of tips on greener living. The feedback was phenomenal and we couldn't help but come back with something bigger and better for 2008.

Our inspiration was this: instead of just offering tips on greener living, let's go one step further and share our stories of how we're trying to live more environmentally friendly lives. So for the next 30 days, that's what you'll be hearing about: our attempts and our failures, our eco successes and our eco sins. (more...)

This year, we're not just dishing out the advice – we're taking it. Read our Green Living blog starting March 22 to find out how Canadian Living's editors are making their lives greener. Then enter to win a GE Energy Star dishwasher!

Plus, tell us about the challenges you've faced in making your own life greener. We'll choose our favourite 30 stories and post them on the Green Living blog. Each of the 30 winners will win an eco-friendly prize from one of our sponsors.

Check back on March 22 for our first post and a link to the contest entry form.

Read more:
• Canadian Living guide to greener living
• Healthy home: How to improve indoor air quality
• Is Canada eco-friendly?