The article also points out that research has shown that consumers don’t respond simply because something is environmentally friendly. “Being green in and of itself isn’t a differentiator except with a small group of consumers,” says Joel Makower, executive editor of GreenBiz.com and author of “Strategies for the Green Economy.” “Green succeeds only to the extent that it means better — it’s cheaper to buy, it operates better, it lasts longer, it’s cooler for my image. People do want to do the right thing, but they don’t want to go out of their way to do that. They love ‘change’ when it’s a noun; they hate it when it’s a verb.” (Entrepreneur.com)

To read the rest of the article  click here.

As part of today’s Parks Day celebrations, the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced the launch of the new Parks Canada Discovery Pass, which gives access to Parks Canada’s national system of heritage places, at a special new price.

“Our Government reduced the price of the Parks Canada Discovery Pass in order to provide Canadians with a more affordable way to enjoy Parks Canada places,” said Minister Prentice. “Now a family can have unlimited access to all of Parks Canada’s national parks and national historic sites for less than $140 a year. This has to be one of Canada’s best tourism values!”

Parks Canada manages a network of 42 national parks, 167 national historic sites and four national marine conservation areas. The new Parks Canada Discovery Pass provides unlimited opportunities to enjoy Canada’s 27 world-renown national parks and the 77 national historic sites administered by Parks Canada that charge entry fees. The Parks Canada Discovery Pass is priced 20% lower than the previous pass option.

In recognition of the 125th anniversary of Canada’s first national park, the Parks Canada Discovery pass features an historic photo of Lake Louise in Banff National Park, which was established 1885.

“Parks Canada has also frozen its entry fees, as well as fees for camping at national parks, lockage and mooring at historic canals and several other national fees for basic services,” added Minister Prentice. “This price freeze makes some of Canada’s major tourism destinations more affordable to the millions of Canadians and internal visitors who visit our national parks and national historic sites every year which consequently also supports the Canadian tourism industry and local economies.”

For additional information on the Parks Canada Discovery Pass, the fee freeze or the 125th anniversary celebrations please visit http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/index.aspx

Congratulations to Parks Canada on a job well done. To learn more about what is going on in your area please visit http://www.parksday.ca/eng/canadamap.html

ETHOS and British Columbia were chosen to lead the development of the Canadian Based National Sustainable Tourism Certification Program in collaboration with Green Tourism UK Ltd.

Over 100 operators from across British Columbia have requested to participate in our upcoming program pilot. A shortlist of 24 operators from across the province, representing a range of sectors have been chosen to be the participants in our BC Pilot of the National Sustainable Tourism Certification Program.

http://www.ethosbc.com/ethos-leading-british-columbia-pilot-national-sustainable-tourism-certification-program-canada

No Bossy Adults Allowed!

“You can help if you want but if you are bossy you can’t join.”  That was what I was told by these three little girls, from the Save the Earth Club, (pictured above) last week while I was in Rocky Harbour, NL.  I was blown away with the insight these three young activists had about the environment and what they could do to improve the world they live in – apparently one in which bossy adults have made a mess of!   This club meets quite regularly and engages other young people to do local environmental projects like beach sweeps, and recycling initiatives around the national park.   They have signs up around the town asking for volunteers to help out as well as looking for ideas for future activities.  If you happen to be in Gros Morne National Park and want to help out you should stop by the post office to see their volunteer sign up sheet, but please no bossy adults!