Greens walk their talk
canadian1971 @ Sat Dec 10, 2005 2:58 pm
$1:
DAVID Chernushenko doesn't wear Birkenstocks.
The high arches hurt his feet. He doesn't hug trees, either, unless he's hamming it up for a photographer.
He owns a car and ... wait for it .... has been known to drive it.
Although he biked to every debate during the last federal campaign, the Green Party candidate for Ottawa Centre was forced to drive to one. Immediately following he had an event almost an hour away.
"A woman came out of that debate and said, 'That's not a very green car,' " Chernushenko recalls in his best female voice. "I rolled down my window and said 'When you only drive it once a month, it doesn't really matter.' I wish I had as witty a comeback as that all the time."
There is a cliche associated with being Green. Chernushenko doesn't fit it. Yes, his car is parked most days, with his family preferring to cycle or car-pool. And yes, his home office and living room are powered by solar panels on his roof.
NOT HOLIER THAN THOU
But it's not about being holier than thou, he says. He walks his talk and feels good when he does, but he's also able to say, "Oh, forget it. I can't do that today."
He's had neighbours apologize to him for driving to the corner store for milk, which leaves him baffled.
"We all live real lives. I say do something green each day, but don't beat yourself up if you can't do everything right every day. I don't do everything right every day."
He would have earned "greenie" points yesterday, though. The Sun caught up with Chernushenko in his basement as he completed a home energy audit, with his clothes drying on lines nearby. No one in politics wants their dirty laundry aired, but as is fitting for a greenie, this laundry was "clean."
Chernushenko has had insulation blown into the walls, put more caulking in place and installed an on-demand water heater. He's invested about $4,000 to receive an $800 government rebate, but it will save him at least $500 a year in water heating, gas and electricity.
Everything he's done has been filmed and will be posted on the Green Party's website next week. He wanted to show people simple ways of reducing their energy bills and greenhouse-gas emissions.
"For the most part, it's easy to be green. It isn't about going back to live in a cave with a horse and buggy," he says.
Just ask the International Olympic Committee. After writing the book Greening our Games in 1994, Chernushenko and his green-consulting business were recruited by the IOC to do just that. He's since written Sustainable Sport Management and has just stepped down from the IOC's environmental advisory commission, which saw him work on Toronto and Vancouver's bids, as well as the Sydney Games.
Chernushenko says the Olympics can show people even (sporting) events can be greener.
Funny, it was just the other day a guy on his hockey team wanted a sign.
The high arches hurt his feet. He doesn't hug trees, either, unless he's hamming it up for a photographer.
He owns a car and ... wait for it .... has been known to drive it.
Although he biked to every debate during the last federal campaign, the Green Party candidate for Ottawa Centre was forced to drive to one. Immediately following he had an event almost an hour away.
"A woman came out of that debate and said, 'That's not a very green car,' " Chernushenko recalls in his best female voice. "I rolled down my window and said 'When you only drive it once a month, it doesn't really matter.' I wish I had as witty a comeback as that all the time."
There is a cliche associated with being Green. Chernushenko doesn't fit it. Yes, his car is parked most days, with his family preferring to cycle or car-pool. And yes, his home office and living room are powered by solar panels on his roof.
NOT HOLIER THAN THOU
But it's not about being holier than thou, he says. He walks his talk and feels good when he does, but he's also able to say, "Oh, forget it. I can't do that today."
He's had neighbours apologize to him for driving to the corner store for milk, which leaves him baffled.
"We all live real lives. I say do something green each day, but don't beat yourself up if you can't do everything right every day. I don't do everything right every day."
He would have earned "greenie" points yesterday, though. The Sun caught up with Chernushenko in his basement as he completed a home energy audit, with his clothes drying on lines nearby. No one in politics wants their dirty laundry aired, but as is fitting for a greenie, this laundry was "clean."
Chernushenko has had insulation blown into the walls, put more caulking in place and installed an on-demand water heater. He's invested about $4,000 to receive an $800 government rebate, but it will save him at least $500 a year in water heating, gas and electricity.
Everything he's done has been filmed and will be posted on the Green Party's website next week. He wanted to show people simple ways of reducing their energy bills and greenhouse-gas emissions.
"For the most part, it's easy to be green. It isn't about going back to live in a cave with a horse and buggy," he says.
Just ask the International Olympic Committee. After writing the book Greening our Games in 1994, Chernushenko and his green-consulting business were recruited by the IOC to do just that. He's since written Sustainable Sport Management and has just stepped down from the IOC's environmental advisory commission, which saw him work on Toronto and Vancouver's bids, as well as the Sydney Games.
Chernushenko says the Olympics can show people even (sporting) events can be greener.
Funny, it was just the other day a guy on his hockey team wanted a sign.
link
All too often we as Canadians have seen politicans say one thing and do another...nice to see a change...speaking of change...VOTE GREEN!
Down with Larry, Curly and MO...and Gilles too! Hence forth my political batlle cry!
