With all the hoopla about being green, using
eco-friendly products and caring about the
environment- everyone from business to lifestyle
are adapting to living consciously and it has
become a trend which will hopefully stay. The
city of Toronto has embraced the green movement
and has many big plans to revolutionize the hub
into a more “green” town. Along with that,
multi-billion dollar corporations to the small
business owner are making changes too. They are
using that energy saving light bulb, conducting
business online instead of wasting paper and even
attending seminars to make their company more
eco-friendly.

With the city of Toronto’s summer coming to
an end and a saturation of festivities occurring
every weekend- this weekend we welcome the
Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). From
August 15- to September 1st 2008 enjoy the
rides, food and crazy shopping at the CNE. A
family event open to all is always an excellent
finale to the summer. However, this year
along with the cotton candy, Ferris wheel,
international shopping and wholesale craze,
the CNE has opened doors to the GREEN
ZONE. Various companies both national and
international participated to display their eco
friendly goods and services for the audience to
explore. The exhibit features various sectors
such as fashion, auto, home and lifestyle. Car
Heaven, a company that specializes in recycling
old vehicles responsibly created this program by
the support of the Clean Air Foundation- they
give cash incentives to people on their next
GM car purchase if they donate their car to
get dismantled and recycled preventing carbon
monoxide and smog forming emissions.

The Toronto Fashion Incubator features a
“green” exhibit with a handful of designers that
created outfits using 100% all natural,

eco-friendly fabrics. There will be a fashion
show on August 19th, 2008 that is a must see
(please visit www.theex.com to learn more about
it). The highlight of the Green Zone was the
extremely funky, cool and stylish exhibit of the
Sustainable Condo. A concept created by www.
usinglessenjoyingmore.com is a set of a condo is
on exhibit till September 1st 2008 showcasing
how to live green. The CMHC, EcoSmart, City
of Toronto and numerous other supporters have
displayed every room in a regular home or condo
and transformed them into an energy saving
room. The set includes solar panels, organic
carpets, funky organic furniture, eco friendly
bedding, low flow faucets and the list goes on.
Not only is it aesthetically gorgeous but also very
homely. The décor does not resemble anything
too earthy but rather contemporary, modern and
extremely livable.

It is great to see that the CNE has adapted
the green movement into the exhibit. It would
have been good to see more variety, larger booths
and a more interactive set up. However if you are
attending the CNE this year- mark it on the site
map because it’s a definite stop where the whole
family can learn some environmental awareness
and small things you can do to make a huge difference!