The Green Review
Eco-friendly gifting: Ultimate sustainable gift guide
UNB Sustainability
Posted: December 5, 2024 12:00:00 AM AST
Category: Opinion
The holiday season is just around the corner, offering an incredible opportunity to make a positive impact on our planet by celebrating with sustainability in mind. It’s easier than you think to introduce your friends and family to eco-friendly products─ while also on a budget. This year we can take the focus away from excessive items and substitute them with practical items that are great for the environment. By being mindful about sustainability, we can make thoughtful choices...
How houseplants boost your well-being and tips for growing your green oasis
Brianna Orr
Posted: November 25, 2024 12:00:00 AM AST
Category: Opinion
Houseplants have always been cherished for their aesthetic appeal, but their usefulness extends far beyond adding to your home’s décor. From enhancing mental well-being to boosting productivity, these green companions offer more than meets the eye. This article delves into the benefits indoor plants provide, shares sustainable care tips, recommends easy-to-maintain varieties, and showcases a few exemplary plant spaces on the Fredericton campus. 1. Enhance overall...
Eco-friendly alternatives to traditional laundry detergent
Brianna Orr
Posted: June 18, 2024 12:00:00 AM ADT
Category: Opinion
Laundry, that age-old chore we all know too well, has a significant impact on the environment. Have you ever stopped to think about it? Traditional washers and dryers consume quite a bit of water and energy, putting a strain on conservation efforts and increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Although modern machines exist that prioritize water and energy conservation, most of us don’t own them due to their hefty price tags. So, what can we do to make our laundry practices more...
Summer sustainability bucket list
Zoe Monroe
Posted: May 22, 2024 12:00:00 AM ADT
Category: Opinion
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors and soak up the sun. However, the warmer months can also take a toll on the environment. Nevertheless, the warm weather opens the opportunity to make small and/or big sustainable changes that can have a positive impact on the environment. These small actions can be done anywhere, whether at home or in your community. Individual actions Use reusable straws for your iced drinks. Use reusable cups and water bottles. Use reusable cutlery and...
Tips for making more sustainable New Year’s resolutions
Sam Allen
Posted: December 13, 2023 12:00:00 AM AST
Category: Opinion
This September, we started the semester off with our new campaign, Sustainably Me, focused on our individual sustainability journeys. As 2023 draws to a close, we may be reminded of the goals we’ve set and resolutions we made around this time last year or the year before. The following are our tips to making resolutions that are more sustainable for the planet and for yourself: Be kind to yourself: When making resolutions, it is important to do so in a way that helps you meet your...
Tips for sustainable landscaping
Sam Allen
Posted: September 5, 2023 12:00:00 AM ADT
The leaves are starting to turn, and the harvest will soon be upon us! Did you know that fall is the ideal planting time for certain species? Or that some do better growing indoors over the winter? It’s never the wrong time of year to start planning out the future of your lawn or garden, should you have one. Why not beautify and make your green space Green? Here are some ideas to consider for a sustainable property that is right for you! Choose native plants for your landscaping and...
Reconsider our approach to lawn maintenance
Sedona Cluett
Posted: May 15, 2023 12:00:00 AM ADT
Category: Opinion
Lawns all over the province are growing, and it can be tempting to want to keep up with the Joneses and have a 'pristine' lawn; however, as we become more aware of our actions' environmental impact, it's time to reconsider our approach to lawn maintenance.One simple step towards sustainable lawn maintenance is to resist the urge to mow our lawns in May. Participating in the No Mow May initiative will give our lawn plants more time to produce nectar. The initiative's primary goal is to support...
How the Menstrual Health Society used the Student Sustainability Fund
Kate Palmer
Posted: March 8, 2023 12:00:00 AM AST
The Student Sustainability Fund (SSF) provides students at UNB Fredericton with hands-on learning and experience in a fast-growing sector. The projects by students and their partners help cultivate a culture of sustainability on campus and allow students to make a meaningful impact in their community. The Menstrual Health Society recently utilized the SSF to purchase sustainable menstrual health products for the UNBF community. In their entry, they provide an overview of their society, the...
Travelling with sustainability in mind
Krista Harris
Posted: March 6, 2023 12:00:00 AM AST
Category: Opinion
To get away from the cold weather, most Canadians travel south, but it is critical to travel with sustainability in mind; not only will this help save money, but more importantly will ensure your ecological footprint is minimal. Krista Harris, the Executive Director for the University of New Brunswick Graduate Student Association, discusses how helpful it was to have her own UNB Sustainability cutlery set and the sustainability opportunities she took while travelling to Colombia. "In February...
Personal Sustainability Tips
UNB Sustainability
Posted: January 1, 2023 12:00:00 AM AST
Any behaviour change is challenging and rarely follows a clear linear path. Typically, people get lost, question their methods or choices, and lack the energy to invest in healthy, sustainable behaviours. Indeed, some days are more complex, but the key is accepting that people make mistakes and still persevere. 1. Buy local Locally produced items have a less environmental impact than products produced elsewhere because of the reliance on fossil fuels during transportation. Shop at farmers'...
How to Become a WWF Living Planet Leader
WWF Living Planet Leaders
Posted: March 24, 2022 12:00:00 AM ADT
Category: Opinion , Programs and Updates
Living Planet Leader (LPL) is a self-guided certification that will enhance your resume as well as recognize your sustainable efforts while at university. To earn this title, you must complete a set of actions in four categories outlined by the WWF. Each category is listed below, along with a brief description of how our current LPLs achieved them. Campus, Community or Global Volunteerism To complete this category, students must volunteer 40 hours of their time towards an environmental,...
What's old is new again
Marc Bragdon - Head of the Research Commons
Posted: February 10, 2022 12:00:00 AM AST
Category: Programs and Updates , Opinion
Fix it Mondays at the Fabrication Lab As new initiatives go, the Fabrication Lab on the third floor of the Harriet Irving Library, part of the Research Commons, is a throwback and a step ahead. The 3D imaging and printing technologies you’ll find here are heralds of a revolution in manufacturing and material learning whose implications are only beginning to reveal themselves. But some of the more traditional equipment on hand hints at an equally intriguing future....
2022 – Make it a Green Year
Sustainability Engagement & Education Officer - UNB Sustainability
Posted: December 21, 2021 12:00:00 AM AST
Category: Opinion
We’re starting another year and it’s that time to reflect on last year and reflect on how you want next year to be and why not look at making it a Green Year! Here are 10 ideas for your new year resolutions for 2022… Spend more time in Nature Spending time in nature can help you create a more sustainable attitude and has been shown to have huge benefits for your mental health. It has been well documented that spending time in nature has an important function for your...
Happy Sustainable Holidays
Sustainability Engagement & Education Officer - UNB Sustainability
Posted: December 2, 2021 12:00:00 AM AST
Category: Opinion
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… but not if you’re the planet! In Canada 545,000 tonnes of waste is generated from gift-wrapping and shopping bags each year, while using over 6 million rolls of tape! Plus, within 6 months, only 1% of everything the average person buys is still in use, the other 99% has been discarded! So, what can we do? Decorations In the US, holiday lights use more electricity than some less-developed countries use in an entire year (Center for...
Bliss Island Beach Clean-up
Maddie Carr
Posted: September 23, 2021 12:00:00 PM ADT
Category: Opinion , Programs and Updates
Marine pollution has devastating impacts on both human and wildlife populations in coastal areas. Bliss Island is a small isle in the Back Bay region of New Brunswick, which has been greatly impacted by marine pollution, especially due to its remote location. While only a twenty-minute boat ride from mainland, nobody has permanently lived on the island since the lighthouse was decommissioned in the 1900s, meaning that the marine debris has been allowed to accumulate for years. To combat this...
Sustainable Spots in Fredericton
Sustainability Interns
Posted: September 16, 2021 12:00:00 PM ADT
Category: Opinion
This summer, we (the Sustainability Interns) went on a tour around Fredericton, where we learned about various places, located on the North and South side of the Saint John River practice sustainability. Several experts and fellow interns shared how sustainability plays an important role in the production and transportation of their products. To truly experience Fredericton, the capital of New Brunswick, we highly recommend that you explore how its community integrates...
The Green Packing List
Jacquie Nsubuga
Posted: August 25, 2021 12:00:00 AM ADT
Category: Opinion
Without a doubt, living in residence is one of the best ways to get involved in campus events and make new friends while navigating a new space or even a new country for international students. It’s also a great opportunity to start or advance your sustainable efforts with a wider community. As you pack for your move, even if this isn't your first year at UNB, I wanted you to keep in mind that you should think about your sustainable options as you pack. You have the chance to foster a...