We hear a lot about “Athabascan oil sands”, “bituminous sands” and other “tar sands”… Although we’re following the news closely, it can sometimes be difficult to define those obscure terms. To sum up, tar sand is a mixture of sand, water and mineral clay, a petroleum concentrate. In other words, the sand is covered in a layer of water where the bitumen film settles. The main reserves of tar sand are located in Canada, in the open-cast mines of Alberta. Exploiting those mines is extremely expensive and polluting: this synthetic form of petroleum produces three times more greenhouse gases than “traditional” hydrocarbons. Underground waters as well as rivers and lakes are contaminated because of how close the watering places are from the mining sites. Razed forests, destroyed grounds, acid rain, harmful gases, high risks of contracting cancer: Alberta is now the capital of air pollution. NGOs call it an ecological disaster, denounce the “shame of Canada”, whereas entrepreneurs forecast heavy economic consequences on the whole country if production should slow down. Soon enough, the state will have to wonder: should the economy of a country prevail over the preservation of its ecosystem?

To learn more: “Tar Sands: Dirty Oil And The Future Of A Continent” by Andrew Nikiforuk, Greystone Books

Since April 2nd, French TV channel France 2 has been broadcasting a series of 5-minute short programs on the general theme of sustainable development and especially on original and creative solutions to address the problems at stake. Embark on a journey to Thailand, Laos or Guadeloupe to meet those who are proof that it is possible to combine human activities to the preservation of biodiversity. This new program is hosted by Yolaine de la Bigne, founder of the neo-planete website.

“Et si on changeait le monde”, on Saturdays and Sundays at 10.30 pm until August 28th 2011, and from Monday to Thursday at 7.45 pm from June 6th to the 30th and from July 25th to August 11th 2011.

The disaster of the Fukushima power plant makes us wonder: although Japan is one of the most advanced countries in terms of technology, anyone can be confronted to a natural disaster. France has the world’s second biggest nuclear energy resources with 19 power plants and 55 active reactors. The country alone represents 17% of nuclear power worldwide and 80% of our gross electricity consumption relies on nuclear energy. With the disaster that occurred in March, the question of nuclear power has been reopened in political and social debates, during this pre-electoral period. Interrogations were also raised on our ways of producing and consuming energy, and on the possibility of doing without the nuclear. The French government announced that it would be unthinkable for the state to give up nuclear energy, but the French stock should undergo more severe controls from now on.

In terms of health, the ASEF (French Association for Health and Environment), composed of 2,500 doctors, condemns the long-term risks for men. The effects cannot be passed on from one person to another, but the environment stays polluted for long and contaminates the whole food chain. The risks of DNA mutations and contracting cancer have therefore highly increased.

Photo credit: energie.lexpansion.com

In case of a nuclear incident, the radioactive elements released are Iodine-131 and Caesium-137. The first one rapidly looses its harmful characteristics in the environment, but it sticks directly to the thyroid and thus significantly increases the risk of contracting cancer. Caesium-137, on the other hand, is a radioactive polluting agent which lingers in nature and grows in moss, in the ground… In France, we are exposed to approximately 2.4 millisieverts per year (radioactivity measuring unit). In comparison, the levels registered at the Fukushima power plant after the explosion were 400 millisieverts per hour. So the question remains: what will France do to prevent this type of disaster from happening? The debate for or against the nuclear could last another dozen years.

For more information, visit www.asef-asso.fr (in french).

Founded by two passionate women, Charlotte and Hélène, the brand La Queue du chat is aimed at mothers concerned about the well being of their baby’s skin. This organic apparel brand for children aged 0 to 10 only uses organic cotton certified EKO Sustainable Textile Standards (GOTS) for the collections. Grown without using any pesticides nor artificial fertilizers, this organic cotton is harvested by hand and doesn’t pollute the land, water or air. As for the dyes, they are heavy metal free, for instance, white is obtained with hydrogen peroxide. By the way, let’s not forget that traditional, non organic cotton is obtained from 75 grammes of pesticides and 2 kilos of artificial fertilizers! Even after several washings, clothes still hold traces of polluting agents. La Queue du Chat, aiming towards welfare, only sells hypoallergenic clothes. All you need to pamper your baby’s skin.

La Queue du chat
contact@laqueueduchat.com

Available at the Galeries Lafayette.
40, boulevard Haussmann
75009 Paris
France

Open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9.30 am to 8 pm, and on Thursday from 9.30 am to 9 pm.

Check out other green addresses in Paris.

When thinking about trash cans, it’s hard to imagine something pretty, elegant or design, although recent models have been adapted to our modern kitchens. A trash can that seems to come from out of space has recently been pleasing the very heart of the most fervent adepts of waste sorting: the Ovetto. Designed by Italian architect Gianluca Soldi, the Ovetto trash can is peculiar in that it looks like an egg, symbol of life and rebirth. As aesthetic as it is practical, it is set on a swivel base, making it easier to access the different compartments. Each compartment has a door for removing the 30-liter bag and a small opening for waste deposit. Another significant plus for the laziest: the crusher for plastic bottles, aluminum cans and milk cartons, fitted on the top of the egg! Of course, the bin itself is green since it is made out of recycled polypropylene and delivered in a recycled cardboard box, wrapped up in organic, biodegradable plastic. An innovation available for 179 euros.

For more information:
www.ovetto.fr/
www.habitare-ad.com/

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Little revolution in the world of sports cars, Tesla announces a major U-turn in the field of automobile. First 100% electric sports car, it has been winning over an increasing number of people over the seasons. Why? It doesn’t have to fear the performances of Porsche or Ferrari since it can go from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3,9 seconds. Something that was never seen before in an electric car! As a result, even celebrities fell for it, such as George Clooney who was the first star to buy one. Because despite its adorable looks, the price is high: allow between 110,000 to 140,000 dollars depending on the options. A price justified by the technology: lithium-ion batteries allowing a 350 kilometer autonomy, with a 4-hour full charging time. Know that the life expectancy of a battery equals 160,000 kilometers, or 500 full charge cycles. For those of you who are afraid to see their electricity bill go up, look at certain customers for example who broke new grounds and installed solar panels on their roofs. Charging your batteries will therefore almost be free!

www.teslamotors.com/

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After the third 1.618 edition announced from April 7th to the 10th was eventually postponed to 2012, the organization is still arranging a creative upcycling exhibition with the Gallery S Bensimon. This strange name refers in fact to 24 unique works of art made by 24 students from Parsons School, art and design school in New York, from unsold 1.618 catalogs. For the record, 1.618 is a general public annual event gathering a commercial fair, a contemporary art exhibition and a place dedicated to innovation. Unsold copies remain from the catalogs made throughout the editions. Students therefore created original and poetic works from these papers at the end of their life. They also had the chance to work with unsold copies of the International Herald Tribune. In the end, a jury composed among others of the founder of 1.618 Barbara Coignet and Serge S Bensimon will elect 7 works among the 24. They will then be displayed at the Gallery S Bensimon and on the committed web tv “La Chaîne du coeur” from April 21st to the 30th 2011.

The Gallery S Bensimon is open from Tuesday yo Saturday from 11 am to 1 pm and from 2.30 to 7 pm.

Gallery S Bensimon
111, rue de Turenne
75003 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.42.74.50.77

1.618
contact@1618-paris.com

Since 1993, the brand Somewhere brings a hint of poetry to ethical fashion. Responsible casual chic fashion, Somewhere first draws its inspiration from nature and puts natural fabrics forward such as linen, organic cotton or wool. Certain clothes (and even sneakers) are made with recycled fabrics or fibers. Urban men and women can all identify with this organic but modern, instinctive and easy to wear clothing line.

The boutique is open from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7.30 pm.

A little extra: Somewhere takes part in many ecological causes. For example, the brand supported the film “Hope” from Yann Arthus-Bertrand and the “Green Act” project in 2009, in partnership with PEFC in order to promote the sustainable management of forests by planting around 5,000 new trees in the Landes.

Somewhere
93, rue du Commerce
75015 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.48.56.17.78

In theaters since April 6th, the controversial documentary of Josh Fox, which obtained the documentary special jury prize of the Sundance Film Festival, draws attention to hydraulic fracturing. Doesn’t ring a bell? This drilling technique is booming in the United States and could appear in Europe and in France sooner than we might think. For about ten years now, shale gas has seemed like the new American Eldorado, promising independence in terms of energy for the US and competing with foreign oil. The problem is that no one really knows what dangerous consequences this extraction technique could have on the environment. Besides, the United States have become the first natural gas producer in 2009 in front of Russia. A promotion obtained thanks to new fields hidden under rocks, some of them around 3,000 meter deep in the ground. To carry out hydraulic fracturing, a mixture of water, sand and chemical products is injected into the well. The shale is thus fractured and natural gas is set free from the well before eventually being brought to the surface.

After receiving a letter from an oil company inviting him to rent lands to drill a well, Josh Fox travels across country to discover hidden truths. Inflammable tap water, sick residents, polluted ground water, accidents are countless, leaks and explosions both, in the states of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas or Colorado. A few people are complaining and filing law suits following the appearance of side effects. They are often granted a compensation in exchange of their promise not to talk to the media while others are satisfied and not making any waves. Where’s the truth in all that? Will our beautiful planet be sacrificed in the name of gas? The challenge remains for politicians to prevent that from happening.

www.gaslandthemovie.com

Born in Norway, Leila Hafzi is one of those Scandinavian designers with magical inspirations. Member of the “Ethical Trading Initiative” in Norway, the young woman uses green fabrics such as natural silk. Spectacular evening gowns or stunning wedding dresses, Cinderella can make a long face compared with the sparkle of her creations. Draped such as a Greek goddess at the altar, you will only have one wish: living the greatest day of your life over and over again. Your beloved can’t doubt it anymore, you truly are his muse.

Prices: from 1,600 euros for a wedding dress.

Leila Hafzi’s dresses are available at Metal Flaque.
Open from Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm.

Metal Flaque
9, rue de l’Echelle
75001 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.40.15.60.84

Check out other ethical addresses on the blog of the Gavarni Hotel.