Just as it’s hard to end a year without a “Best-Of” list, it would feel equally strange to start a new year without a self-improvement intention (ye olde Resolutions). We’ve gathered 19 ideas (cuz 2019), some eco-friendly and some basic, and would love to know what you plan to do. Pick as many/few as you’d like, then click the yellow VOTE button at the end for results …

Whatever you intend, we’re with you on this!

As sure as the indigestion after a holiday meal, it would be wrong to end the year without a Best of 2018 rundown. And because you’ve already finished everything on your list (or because you’re studiously avoiding your list, we don’t judge), tuck in and enjoy. In no particular order, other than being in the top 18, (click on the pics to jump to the stories)…

Once Upon A Time – Talkin’ Trash, New Year 2018. Perfect to end the year with the importance of stories. As Ed said here; “Stories are how we express ourselves, how we learn, how we relate to others, how we empathize and share…all bundled up in a package that, at a minimum, hopefully entertains, but at its best inspires and motivates.” (plus earworm a la Brady Bunch)

TTC VIP CHANGES – and the big picture:  See how your transit pass and climate change are related.

Re-Using Virox Containers to Grow Plants. And we know reuse is even better than recycling. See the step-by-step guide by Steven Tran, a radiation therapist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

What you said … Best of Intentions 2018. Good to have a look back to see how many we kept (plus there’s alway 2019).

Number 1 in MUSH! A distinct honour for Energy into Action. More in the awards category: our smart commute Platinum Win!

The “Mug-nificent” DMOH Green Squad! So many eco-excellent accomplishments, including a Shoreline Cleanup at Ashbridges Bay East. #SquadGoals.

Do we need more EV charging stations? (and I can’t wait to tell you what’s coming!!! Stay tuned in 2019)

New Chiller Plant Saves “Tons” of Energy at UHN’s Bickle Centre. Super cool.

Can U Dig it? How great are some of UHN’s gardens? It’s patient therapy (some wheelchair accessible too), staff engagement and growing tasty food!

Green Teams … where sustainability is contagious (in a good way)…part 1 and 2. Remember, imitation is the greatest form of flattery…

Deeply Cool, an in depth look at the TGH Deep Lake Cooling Project that made our electricity bills look like summer never happened … ya, that good!

Better than Candy, Operation Green’s Supplies Haul. Saving supplies from being wasted in landfill and getting them to communities in need. Everybody wins!

UHN Cost Savings Analysizer … answering the question: What would our utilities bills look like if we didn’t bother doing energy efficiency projects? (spoiler alert, not good). On the plus side, doing these projects has saved almost $14 million!

Random Thoughts and Observations of a Re-cycled Cyclist. If you start cycling again, is that recycling?

Water tastes better without the plastic. Look what happens with a simple switch from an old-school water cooler by the CCSO greens.

A Free Steam Room Is Gone From TWH, But No Regrets. UHN is not in the spa business, but some areas were one cucumber water away from accidentally setting up shop (thankfully, no longer).

Mike at Home: The Sequel. aka, smart thermometers are awesome, and who wouldn’t take a shorter shower when you see the polar ice caps melting before your eyes?

Drugs vs. “Bugs”. Nicolette chats with Dr. Andrew Morris, infectious disease specialist and  Director of the Sinai Health System-University Health Network Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP)

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed reading the rundown as much as we liked writing it. We will leave you with Ed’s poetry:

Bah Humbug! – An Operation TLC Energy Waste Grinching Turn It Off Before You Go Go holiday reminder

‘Twas the week ‘fore the holidays, and hospitals ‘cross the nation,

Were as busy as usual (healthcare takes no vacation).

 

There are buildings to run, patients to be fed and be nursed,

For at UHN, above all else, the needs of patients come first.

 

And though we all know that it’s better to give than receive,

Deep down inside I truly believe,

 

Our friends at Hydro would not call us Scrooges for giving them less,

‘Cause keeping more for our patients is really what’s best.

 

So for those taking time for some rest and some cheer,

A tiny request that I hope you’ll hold dear,

 

That before stepping out from the bustle and flow,

You’ll take the time to Turn It* Off Before You Go Go.

 

Have a safe and happy holiday, UHN…and a big thank you to all who will be working!

-ed

It* = lights, computers & monitors (if safe to do so), copiers & printers (if safe to do so), fax machines (if you still have ‘em…and safe to do so), LED snow globes, appliances, LED eggnog warmers…and if you have blinds, please close them. 

And from the rest of us at Talkin’ Trash with UHN, have the best, most freerange, organic holiday ever!

Cheers!

To be clear, we’re talking about what’s on our plates, not about Canada’s newly legal and ubiquitous weed (granted, some clever chefs may have combined the two). Hot on the heels of Nicolette’s Drugs vs. “Bugs”: Antimicrobial Resistance and the Power of Stewardship, let’s shift gears from medicine cabinet to meal.

For the fantastic feasts and where to find them (Sorry, J.K Rowling), ’tis the season of plenty, whatever you celebrate. Unless you’re a vegan, there may be brisket at Hanukkah, or ham at Christmas, or goat biryani at Eid-ul-adah* … plus let’s not forget all the non-denominational festivities like New Years, Thanksgiving and Festivus (for the rest of us). The common theme here is a plentiful amount of meat. Let’s look at what happened before it got to our tables.

The not-so-well-kept secret in agriculture is that farmers can save money by raising more animals in less space. I remember the size of my first apartment … same goes for the COFAs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations). Less space means sanitary issues. Sanitary issues mean illness. Rather than wait for some animals to get sick and treat them, many farmers dose their herds with antibiotics (ABX) “preventatively” and regularly, and even use animal feed with ABX mixed in.

Surprisingly, antibiotics also make animals grow faster, so it takes less time (and money) to raise them. That’s such a tempting offer for farmers. Because of this “magical” ABX power, not surprisingly, about 82% of antibiotics used in Canada are in agriculture. Though some of it is necessary, just like when you or I develop an infection, a lot is what they call “indiscriminate” … preventative or for growth-enhancing purposes.

What farmers gain in efficiency, they lose to the “superbugs” they helped develop. Scientific evidence shows that bacteria are developing antibiotic resistance as a result of ABX use in animal agriculture. These bacterial “superbugs”, resistant to multiple types of antibiotics, can affect both humans and animals.

Why is that a big problem? As Adeline mentioned back in The Drugs in my Food’s Food …

Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to human health … for decades we’ve been squandering one of our most precious medicine, our best weapon in the fight against deadly infections. If we continue our current misuse of antibiotics, we may soon enter a post-antibiotic era. What does that mean to you and me? For starters, transplants will be impossible, heart infections could be deadly, and giving birth will become a lot more dangerous.

So what can we do?

As individuals, look for “antibiotic free” if/when we buy meat. Make sure the meat says “antibiotic free”, and not a wishy-washy claim like “100% natural” (which sounds lovely but means nothing legally-speaking). Yes, it may be more expensive, but extremely worthwhile.

We’ve heard that 40% of all food gets wasted … so if we buy less-but-better meat, and make sure not to waste it, we might come out ahead. It couldn’t hurt to try more plant-based meals while we’re at it, not just for the antibiotics, but for the environmental impacts:

Carbon emissions per person for each diet type image credit: Shrink That Footprint

As nations, we can outlaw indiscriminate use. A lot already have  … hello Europe! Sweden banned it for growth-enhancing purposes way back in 1986. And we have some promising news here in Canada …

As of December 1, 2018, all Medically Important Antimicrobials (MIAs) for veterinary use will be sold by prescription only. The responsible use of MIAs is intended to preserve their effectiveness and minimize the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Before this switch, farmers could buy as many antibiotics as they wanted and use them whenever. Now no one can buy ABX without a veterinarian’s prescription, and vets can’t prescribe to promote growth. Though some farmers may have stockpiled, this will help future herds, and the future effectiveness of antibiotics for all. That’s definitely something to celebrate.

Cheers and happy holidays!

Lisa

*Though Eid-ul-adah is technically in August this year, it is included for its major focus on meat. Eid-ul-adah translates as ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’ (thanks Farzana for the consultation!). People give one third of the animal to the needy; another third to relatives and the final third for home.

Many traditional feast dishes in Buddhism and Hinduism are already vegetarian (and delish!), so not included here.