A roundup of things that caught my VanGoGreen eye this week…

Solar car record holder Marcelo da Luz makes a visit to Toronto. It takes the Toronto Star a while to get to the point, but eventually they discover it, 2/3rds of the way through their article…

He set the record without sponsors. His volunteers have worked for free. He is a Canadian hero. details

Marcelo has some great DIY tips, including how to build your own mini (toy) solar car.

Meanwhile, more tax dollars going to Translink. Say what you want about how public transit is managed in BC, looks like we’ll be getting more updates to the fleet thanks to the feds

The federal government pledged another $186-million towards TransLink improvements Thursday as part of an ongoing program to promote public transit ridership. details

Canada and the US have signed a new agreement to help maintain salmon stocks in the Columbia River system

Canadian fishermen will reduce their catch of chinook salmon by 30 percent along the West Coast of Vancouver Island, leaving more fish to migrate home to the Columbia River, under new treaty provisions ratified by the United States and Canada this week. details

And here’s the Campbell River Mirror’s take on the same story…

The renewed Pacific Salmon Treaty could help boost chinook stocks in the Campbell and Quinsam rivers. That could be one beneficial outcome of the treaty with the United States, according to Jeremy Maynard, a recreational fishing representative on the Pacific Salmon Commission.

Ever wonder what the carbon footprint is of that cold one you’re having with your sushi?

Me neither.

But next month, select imbibers of Sapporo beer in Hokkaido are going to find out…

Sapporo Breweries Ltd. said Thursday it will start test sales of beer with “carbon footprint” labels on cans in Hokkaido next month in a bid to contribute to efforts to combat global warming.

The labels will show the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the production process of each can, ranging from the operation of agricultural machinery in barley and hop production to recycling detai

If you’re interested in a tool to help you estimate your carbon footprint, try The Nature Conservancy and get some tips at the same time.

East Side Culture Crawl is sponsoring “Out of Space” an exhibit about Artists, their space and the art they create at Chapel Arts until Jan 25

Putting a face to the space where art is made. This event opens opportunities for discussions around the need to secure permanent, safe and lasting solutions for the creative workers of Vancouver. details