Find out how the world is getting greener. News and advice from around the globe about the major issues facing our planet. Canada’s Green 30 companies for 2012 The Green 30 is based on how employees perceive their employer’s environmental efforts. Maclean’s magazine recently asked each organization that made the 2012 list to highlight some of the key programs and practices that earned them high marks. http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/04/27/canadas-green-30-for-2012/ Focus shifts to policy as Canada marks Earth Day Environmental policy was on the minds of politicians and activists who used Earth Day as an opportunity to critique the Conservative government's record on green issues. In a statement issued Sunday, Liberal environmental critic Kirsty Duncan criticized the federal government for its decision to pull out of the Kyoto Protocol and change the rules on environment assessments, among other moves. http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120422/canadians-mark-earth-day-120422/20120422/?hub=WinnipegHome Eco-activists stage demonstrations across the world to mark Earth Day, the global day of environmental awareness Our planet earth is the only planet we've got and some say that if we're not careful we risk destroying it. With that fear in mind, millions of people all over the world staged protests and events to mark International Mother Earth Day, the global day of environmental awareness. In its 42nd year, Earth Day marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in the U.S. This year the occasion's organisers have called on people worldwide to pledge “one billion acts of green”, ranging from switching off lights at home to eating locally grown food. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2133607/Eco-activists-stage-demonstrations-world-mark-Earth-Day-global-day-environmental-awareness.html?ito=feeds-newsxml Green careers increasingly varied - and rewarding According to Michael Kerford, vice president of ECO Canada, environmental employment has grown three-fold over the past decade, from 221,000 in 1999 to 682,000 in 2010. ECO Canada is the federally funded environmental sector council responsible for overseeing the development and certification of environmental professionals (EPs) across Canada. http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Green+careers+increasingly+varied+rewarding/6502627/story.html Luxury brands group PPR announces a five year sustainability plan Luxury brand group PPR has launched a five year plan with a series of environmental targets aimed at reducing its footprint. The five year plan, which covers all the company's brands, ranging from Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen to Balenciaga and Stella McCartney, includes reductions of CO2, waste and water, the sourcing of raw materials and hazardous chemicals and materials. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/blog/ppr-group-sustainability-plan-environmental-targets?newsfeed=true Every Canadian’s eco-rights need Charter protection Every Canadian should have the right to clean air, water, food and land. Most of us think we do, but in reality we don’t. Canadians enjoy freedom of expression, equal protection from discrimination and the right to life, liberty and security under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This makes the Charter, which turns 30 this week, one of Canada’s most powerful laws for protecting our human rights and collective quality of life. But the Constitution is silent on safeguarding our air, water and food, which are the very elements of our survival. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/every-canadians-eco-rights-need-charter-protection/article2405657/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Politics&utm_content=2405657 What does it take to boost a company’s green cred? Wade Janzen has a worm composter under his desk. Most employers might discourage vermicomposting at the office, but the Vancouver Aquarium is an exception. “I learned how to make a compost [in a workshop] on my lunch hour,” says Janzen, 30, the aquarium’s coordinator of curriculum. He plans to give away the worms (which process organic waste into fertilizer) to teachers as an outreach project in local schools. The Vancouver Aquarium is one of this year’s “Green 30”—organizations whose employees are most positive about their record of environmental stewardship. http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/04/27/eco-friendly-bottom-lines-2/ Conservation Tip Save energy needed for ironing by hanging clothes in the bathroom while you're bathing or showering. By doing so, you can steam some wrinkles out and cut down on ironing time. > join live clean   Sign up and receive coupons, e-blasts and the latest information about new things from Live Clean. Join now. > how to live clean   Live Clean is your daily routine. Take these steps to make eco-concious choices in your daily life. Learn more. > earth news   Find out how the world is getting greener. News from around the globe about the major issues facing our planet. View latest news. > green events   Find local eco-events in your area and find out what others around the world are doing. View events.