Ian's Messy Desk

I've been working to do my bit for the One-Tonne Challenge. Mostly, I've reduced the amount of driving I do each week. However, Glenda will probably tell you I'm meeting the challenge by keeping the household temperature around the "refrigerator" level. (Not so, I say.) Here are some energy-saving tips courtesy of Owens Corning, the Pink Fiberglas people.

(NC)—"Most Canadians are concerned with protecting the environment but many don't know that one of the best ways to help reduce personal greenhouse gas emissions is by properly insulating your home. A well insulated home uses less energy for heating and cooling, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions produced from energy use and saves money on energy bills," says Pierre Cyr, Insulation Expert, Owens Corning.

Recently, the Government of Canada introduced the One-Tonne Challenge – a program designed to motivate Canadians to reduce their personal annual greenhouse gas emissions by one tonne. Every year each Canadian produces an average of five tonnes of greenhouse gases, of which 29 per cent results from space heating and cooling*.

Follow these simple steps to maximize your home's energy efficiency and you'll be well on your way to meeting the One-Tonne Challenge:

Upgrade your insulation

Upgrading insulation is one of the easiest do-it-yourself projects and is one of the best ways to maximize the energy efficiency of your home. In fact, insulating your attic and basement walls can reduce your energy bill by as much as 28 per cent. When purchasing insulation products, look for the GREENGUARD logo. Products meeting the strict standards of the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, such as Owens Corning PINK FIBERGLAS insulation, are certified to help maintain better, cleaner indoor air quality. For more information on do-it-yourself insulation renovations, consult an expert at a local building supply store or call 1-800-GET-PINK.

Regulate household temperature

During winter, for every 1°C you lower your thermostat, you save 2 per cent on your heating bill. A reduction of 3°C at night and when you are away during the day provides optimal savings. During the summer, set your air conditioner at 24°C and raise it when you go out. For each degree set below 24°C you use 3 to 5 per cent more energy. Following these recommendations will provide the most comfort for the least cost*.

Install an energy efficient furnace

An energy efficient furnace can save up to 25 per cent* of your home heating costs each year, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Install a ceiling fan

Ceiling fans help to maintain an even temperature throughout the house and are particularly beneficial for homes with high ceilings. Ensuring an even temperature distribution throughout the house minimizes the effort required for you and your furnace to regulate household temperatures.

"Most Canadians are already very conscious of conserving energy, but why not go one step further and upgrade your home's insulation," encourages Mr. Cyr. "Reducing your energy consumption will save you money while helping to meet the goals of the One-Tonne Challenge."

For more information on household insulation, call 1-800-GET-PINK or visit www.owenscorning.ca.

* www.climatechange.gc.ca/onetonne

- News Canada

Macleans.ca | Culture | Reege and The Donald pair up on Regis Philbin Christmas Album

NEW YORK (AP) - Here's something you don't hear every day: Regis Philbin and Donald Trump singing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

The duet by the daytime talk-show host and the real estate mogul-TV reality star is featured on The Regis Philbin Christmas Album, Hollywood Records announced Tuesday.

Everything you need to know and more about the upcoming Disney release, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis.

Link from Kathy

They weren't ready for what happened in New Orleans? Read this article from the October 2004 National Geographic Magazine.

link from Richard

I quickly slapped together a little dog-ear graphic for the top-right corner of my page. Clicking the image will take you to The Salvation Army USA National web-site donation page. The page is loading very slowly —I'm assuming due to traffic volume. You can also make a donation at the Canada and Bermuda Territory web-site, but you need to select Other from the Donation Options and specify hurricane Katrina relief in the box.

Update: Here's another SA dog-ear at Andrew Ferguson dot net (he's done a better job of the graphic).

Today is marks the centennial of Alberta becoming a province of Canada.

Saskatchwan celebrates its centennial on Sunday, September 3, 2005.

"Christianity at one time made grand contributions to science, literature, the arts, architecture, philosophy and politics. Now we're happy with Scripture-clad Clorets knockoffs and health food promising to make you more spiritual for eating it. And you don't have to limit yourself to these examples. Check out your local Christian bookstore for any number of other inane and pitiful products hyped as "Christian.""

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Saskatchewan and Alberta becoming part of Canada. Jordon has posted a photo of a corn maze in New Brunswick that celebrates those centennials.

Richard points to the first podcast from the Methodist Church in Great Britain.

"The first podcast from the Methodist Church. A discussion on: a first timer's view of the Methodist Conference, websites, Pray Without Ceasing. You can listen to this using i-tunes podcasting software (or similar) or use the links below to stream or download. If you want to use podcasting software click the 'RSS PODCAST' (not the XML) link at the top of the page and use that URL."

link CBC Arts

A group of musicians at the University of Melbourne has performed a snippet of a lost choral work by 18th century composer Antonio Vivaldi for the first time in modern history.

Counter-tenor Christopher Field and the school's baroque ensemble performed Dixit Dominis for choir and soloists – a portion of a lost Vivaldi manuscript – before an audience of music students, academics and journalists in Melbourne Tuesday.

July 2005 RENOVARE Perspective now available

Posted by Robert Snedegar, Technical Solutions Engineer
>
>Today marks the launch of Current TV, which will let television viewers (like you, for example) broadcast their own videos to the world. Amidst this content contributed by viewers, Current TV produces segments which use Google Zeitgeist data to highlight trends in what people search for using Google. Ever wonder what the most popular searches are for animals? The answers may surprise you (liger, anyone?) Jointly created by teams at both companies, these Zeitgeist segments are aptly named Google Current.
>
>Congratulations to the Current TV team. We wish them the best of luck in their admirable effort to empower television viewers!

Lights, camera, action

what a great idea reader contest

That brilliant idea you came up with saves you so much time you’ve been patting yourself on the back ever since. Or maybe that gadget you MacGyver’d out of a piece of this and a hunk of that lets you breeze through chores so fast you’re practically bored now.

We’re looking for your best time-saving, problem-solving, stress-reducing, or money-saving idea or invention. If we choose it as one of four first-prize winning ideas, you’ll receive a $10,000 cash prize, and you will be featured in the pages of Real Simple’s February 2006 issue. Four runners-up will snag $2,500 each.

Scotty beamed up one last time.