Quiz: How much food do we throw away every day?

Earth Rangers

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November 11, 2022

Quiz: How much food do we throw away every day?

Which do you think is worse for the planet: 2 million cars on the road or all the food Canadians throw out in a year? If you guessed wasted food…ding ding! You’re right!

Food waste is a big problem, and as Canadians, we waste a lot of it—2.2 million tonnes of food a year, to be exact. That’s like throwing away the weight of 1000 elephants worth of food every day! As that food breaks down, it releases more greenhouse gases than 2 million cars.

Can you guess how much food we throw out every day in Canada?

Slow and Steady Planters

Creative Corner

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November 10, 2022

117

Slow and Steady Planters

Time:15 min

Difficulty:Medium

One of the trickiest things about growing plants indoors is figuring out how much water they need. This self-watering slow and steady planter will take the guesswork out of watering!

Here’s what you need:

An old plastic bottle
Something to cut the bottle with
A drill
A string
Water, soil, and seeds
An adult to help

Here’s how you make it:

Step 1: Ask an adult to cut off the top third of your bottle.

Step 2. Ask an adult to drill a small hole in the cap.

Step 3. Pull the string through the hole.

Step 4. Pour some water into the bottom part of the bottle.

Step 5. Flip the top part upside-down and put it into the bottom part.

Step 6. Fill the top part with soil and plant your seeds.

How it works:

You won’t have to worry about watering your plant from above! That’s because the string soaks up the water and carries it up into the soil. All you need to do is add more water when the bottom is empty.

Stop Dreck’s Trek!

Earth Rangers

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November 9, 2022

85

Hey, Earth Rangers! It’s me, your old pal, Dreck. Do you see that white bag in the picture? That’s me! That’s when I was hanging out with all my litter friends, polluting the environment. Ah, good times! But know where I really wanted to be? The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Never heard of it? Let me fill you in.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of floating trash in the Pacific Ocean. It’s mostly made of plastic, and it contains everything from toys to toothbrushes to abandoned fishing nets. It’s party central for garbage like me! And this big bash never ends because plastic doesn’t go away. It just breaks down into tiny pieces called microplastics, so our party can go on forever!

My friends and I were all ready to join the celebration in the Pacific. All we needed was a gust of wind to blow us into a stream or river, then eventually we’d get to the ocean. But then someone snatched us up! They were wearing rubber gloves, carrying garbage bags, and picking up trash! I guess they heard about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and wanted to stop it from getting any bigger.

You see, as fun as our party is for my friends and me, it isn’t so great for sea creatures. Turtles, birds, and fish sometimes mistake us for food, which can make them really sick. And those fishing nets? They are like traps for animals to get tangled up in.

So after I was picked up, can you guess what happened to ol’ Dreck next? I was picked up by an Earth Ranger. Now I’m at the recycling centre. I don’t think I’ll ever get to visit the ocean, all because of people like YOU.

You can organize your own cleanup and get rid of litter like Dreck! Check out the Stash the Trash Mission on the Earth Rangers App to learn more.

Generously supported in Ontario by:

Picky Eaters

Earth Rangers

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November 9, 2022

47

You might want to think twice before you invite a koala over for dinner because they are very picky eaters. Koalas only eat certain species of Eucalyptus trees and are even picky about which tree they collect leaves from! The size of the tree, the neighbourhood it is found in, and the taste of the leaves matter the most to koalas looking for a tasty snack.

Say yes to ugly vegetables!

News

Earth Rangers

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November 8, 2022

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Our NEW Project 2050 Challenge is tackling the issue of food waste and we have lots of ideas to help. The goal of each Challenge is to encourage families to adopt climate friendly habits in the home that have the potential to change the world if we all work together. Our All Taste, No Waste Challenge has just launched in the Earth Rangers App.

One particular habit we’re suggesting is to rethink how you look at veggies. Next time you’re in the grocery store, think about choosing that misshapen carrot or awkward pepper. Since many of us are drawn to more perfect looking produce, these oddly shaped but still perfectly tasty vegetables get tossed away.

In Canada, we throw out 2.2 million tons of food a year. We’re not talking about bones, eggshells, fruit cores and peels, but food that was meant to be eaten, like leftovers or forgotten fruits that hid in the back of the fridge. All of this wasted food produces a huge amount of greenhouse gases. But we can make a difference when we work together. Adopting a few new habits can go a long way to help planet earth. Cool rewards are up for grabs including a sustainable cookbook in collaboration with Maple Leaf Foods Chef Sam!

Check out this video to learn more:

Project 2050 is named after Canada’s climate goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Ask an Expert: Arctic Fox Researcher Interview

Earth Rangers

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November 4, 2022

124

Ask an Expert: Arctic Fox Researcher Interview

In our last “Ask an Expert”, we asked you to send in questions for real-life Arctic fox researcher, Kayla Buhler. Wow, did you ever listen!? We got over 200 questions! Now, we couldn’t ask Kayla all of them—that interview would take all day—but we did get to ask her a whole bunch!

Press play to check out the interview! You’ll find out if your question was asked AND learn a lot about fluffy white foxes from the north. Psst! You’ll also get to meet one of our FASTEST Animal Ambassadors!

Want to support Kayla’s research? Look for the Arctic fox in the Adoptions section of the Earth Rangers App.

You’ll have another chance to “Ask an Expert” at the end of November.

Our next “Ask an Expert” will be all about peatlands and the amazing animals that call it home: wood frog, polar bear, and caribou. Start thinking of your questions now!

The Arctic fox project is generously supported by:

Beverly Beaver’s Dam Breakdown

Earth Rangers

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November 3, 2022

24

Hello, Earth Rangers, Beverly Beaver here!

I’m taking a break from building my lodge because an interesting thought occurred to me: which is better, a beaver dam or a hydroelectric dam? And what’s the difference, anyway?

Let’s break it down!

Beaver Dams

Beaver dams are made by beavers (obviously). Why do we make them? Well, think of us as ecosystem engineers. We build dams because we want to stop flowing water and create a nice, still pond where we can build our lodge (home, sweet home)!

When we dam up a river, we’re not the only animals that appreciate the calm, watery wetland that results—other creatures like frogs, fish, and birds also benefit. That’s the reason beavers are a keystone species. Without us, wetlands would look totally different (and some of them wouldn’t even exist)!

Hydroelectric Dams

Now, what about hydroelectric dams? Those are built by people, and the goal is to create electricity.

A hydroelectric dam is built in a river. Damming the river creates a reservoir of water that flows into the dam to spin a turbine. That turbine is connected to a generator that produces electricity. The more water that flows through the dam, the more electricity can be generated. Because water is a renewable resource, this is a cleaner, greener way to power up homes and businesses.

So, I guess beavers and people aren’t so different after all: we’re both great at building dams. I think I’ll stick to making mine from logs and mud!

Want to learn more about renewable energy and make a wind turbine, water wheel, and solar oven? Accept the We’ve Got the Power Mission in the Earth Rangers App!

Generously sponsored in Ontario by:

Bighorn Sheep Hike

Creative Corner

Earth Rangers

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November 3, 2022

61

Time:60 min

Difficulty:Easy

Get outside and explore by taking a hike inspired by bighorn sheep!

Layer Up!

Bighorn sheep have thick wool that keeps them warm in the chilly temperatures on the mountain! Make sure you bring a sweater or a jacket during your hike so that you can layer up or take it off!

Bring Snacks!

Bighorn sheep are foragers and graze on grasses and shrubs as they move through their habitat! Make sure you pack some trail mix, fruits, and other snacks in case you get hungry!

Wear Comfortable, Sturdy Shoes!

Bighorn sheep have strong hooves that help them to balance on the steep, rocky terrain. Wear sturdy running shoes, sneakers, or hiking boots to protect your feet and help you balance! In the winter, you can wear snow shoes or winter boots!

Stick Together!

Bighorn sheep travel in herds and are always on the lookout for one another. Make sure you stay with your hiking buddies.

Bring Along Supplies!

Bighorn sheep are always alert and on the lookout for things around them. A notebook, binoculars, and an animal tracking guide are great hiking companions. They can help you discover the nature you see along the way!

Enjoy your hike and don’t forget to let us know how it goes!

Two New Missions ignite eco-action

News

Earth Rangers

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November 2, 2022

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Building DIY renewable energy sources like wind turbines and running a home audit for ecolabels are just two of the new ways kids and their families can take part in the Earth Ranger Missions program. We’ve Got the Power and Certified Green launched in the app this fall with enormous success! Missions empower kids to help the planet through environmental action and hands-on activities. Missions build confidence by reminding children that every little bit helps!

Forget the EasyBake oven—Earth Ranger Esme made s’mores in her very own solar oven! It’s one of three DIY renewable energy devices the kids can make when they take part in the We’ve Got the Power Mission. With the amount of energy we use every day, it’s helpful to find out where it all comes from, and how greener energy can help reduce our carbon footprint. There’s solar, geothermal, wind and more!

We’ve Got the Power is about the amazing climate-friendly benefits of renewable energy. Ready to get charged up?

JOIN NOW

Generously sponsored by:

Organic! All natural! Fair Trade! Made with recycled materials! Ecolabels like these can be found on just about every product these days, but what do they actually mean? And are they really better for the planet? The Certified Green Mission helps your family decode the many ecolabels found on products, and learn which ones are truly more environmentally friendly.

It starts with a personal green check. With the help of a checklist, the kids can take charge of a home ecolabel inspection and keep track of which products have an ecolabel and which don’t. Then it’s time to mobilize! Take the Mission’s Ecolabel Guide with you every time you and the kids hit the stores, and make a difference with your wallet. Get started today!

JOIN NOW

In partnership with:

When is my child ready to walk to school alone?

Parenting Blog

Karen Horsman

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November 2, 2022

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When is my child ready to walk to school alone?

“You’re causing problems for me you know, Karen!” My neighbour laughed as she said this to me as we chatted on her driveway one day after work. There may have been a smile in her voice but I detected something else. She went on to explain that her nine-year-old daughter was asking to walk to school by herself just like my youngest child. Jenna was also nine at the time and had been walking on her own for a couple of months. My neighbour went on to say, “I just don’t think my daughter is ready and it adds a lot of pressure when other kids are allowed this kind of freedom. Besides, I’m nervous about it and I want her to be safe.” You couldn’t ask for a more honest perspective and I appreciated that she was vulnerable enough to share it with me. I explained the preparation we did beforehand which included practicing the route and running through a list of scenarios. For the first few weeks, I stood at the end of the driveway to watch Jenna until her figure disappeared. And little by little, I let go.

This isn’t just about independence. According to a recent CBC report, encouraging kids to walk to school is becoming part of the climate change discussion. Annual events like “Walktober” and International Walk to School Month encourage families to reduce their carbon footprint by leaving the car at home to walk or cycle to school. Brianna Salmon, the executive director of Green Communities Canada, told the CBC that since parents don’t seem to be transferring their knowledge from when they were kids about biking and walking, today’s children need more walking and cycling education. That’s where organized community events come in. They can inspire new habits and the momentum can grow from there. Walking to school isn’t a fit for every family. Not everyone lives within a reasonable distance and some routes may involve crossing busy streets. Tight work schedules can also interfere with timing and the list goes on. There are also two separate stories here. The one that involves a parent walking with their child to school and allowing them to walk alone.

My neighbour had an issue with the second. During our conversation, we spoke about the “legal” age to grant your child this kind of independence. According to several experts including Parachute, a charity focused on injury prevention, it’s believed that children around the age of nine are less impulsive, more attentive, and have the cognitive ability needed to cross the street safely. Equipping your child with the tools is a key step. Not only did my daughter and I practice and role play, we took baby steps by walking the route half way together for a few days. I also believe that you know your child. I’ve often heard it said by parents who have more than one child, “Oh, my youngest daughter would be ready for that but not my oldest.” Maturity and a willingness to stick to the rules is a key part of the decision.

At the root of this issue is fear. Every parent wants to protect their child from harm. It’s figuring out a balance between innate parental worry and the need to nurture confidence. To this day, my two youngest children have fierce independent streaks! As they grew, they were always looking for ways to do things on their own. I had to learn to breathe and trust that they could tackle these new challenges. I needed to fight the urge to hold on tight. I struggled with when to say no and when to let go. More often than not, I leaned into letting them try. What helped me in the tough times? I would remember how much independence I had when I was a child. As I grew into a young adult, at times, I was scared to try new things, but I was confident I could handle the outcome. I would inevitably jump right in, nerves and all! Big and little tastes of freedom can do that for a child. We just have to learn to trust and let go.

Earth Rangers

Earth Rangers

Quiz: How much food do we throw away every day?

Can you guess how much food we throw out every day in Canada?

Slow and Steady Planters

Slow and Steady Planters

Here’s what you need:

Here’s how you make it:

How it works:

Stop Dreck’s Trek!

You can organize your own cleanup and get rid of litter like Dreck! Check out the Stash the Trash Mission on the Earth Rangers App to learn more.

Generously supported in Ontario by:

Picky Eaters

Say yes to ugly vegetables!

Ask an Expert: Arctic Fox Researcher Interview

Want to support Kayla’s research? Look for the Arctic fox in the Adoptions section of the Earth Rangers App.

You’ll have another chance to “Ask an Expert” at the end of November.

The Arctic fox project is generously supported by:

Beverly Beaver’s Dam Breakdown

Beaver Dams

Hydroelectric Dams

Want to learn more about renewable energy and make a wind turbine, water wheel, and solar oven? Accept the We’ve Got the Power Mission in the Earth Rangers App!

Generously sponsored in Ontario by:

Bighorn Sheep Hike

Layer Up!

Bring Snacks!

Wear Comfortable, Sturdy Shoes!

Stick Together!

Bring Along Supplies!

Enjoy your hike and don’t forget to let us know how it goes!

Two New Missions ignite eco-action

When is my child ready to walk to school alone?

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