Global conflicts and global warming – oil seems to be at the root of many of our world problems. These GreenHeroes are cutting down on emissions and preserving our earth.

Leilani Münter; A professional racecar driver who is doing her part for the environment by greening NASCAR from the inside track. Leilani burns fuel at speeds of up to 320km/h. This unlikely hero has started a green initiative in an effort to combat the carbon footprint her racing profession creates. From speaking out on Capital Hill to using her car for eco-friendly advertising, Münter is spreading her message to a previously untapped demographic.

Clayton Thomas Muller: A crusader in the battle against the Tar Sands.
Clayton works with the Indigenous Environmental Network to make a difference in the controversial oil extraction.

Ian Clifford: Creator of the Zenn Electric car.
Mixing entrepreneurial passion with a creative desire to help Mother Earth, Clifford had his inspiration for the Zenn car while sitting in a traffic jam in his gas-guzzling SUV. Today he drives a noiseless vehicle that releases zero emissions.

Daniel Lanois is an acclaimed musician and record producer, creating career-changing records for Bob Dylan, U2 and Emmylou Harris, among others. By stepping out of the recording studio and returning to the fields of Southern Ontario’s Niagara Escarpment, where he was raised, Daniel has become a food advocate supporting Ontario farmers.

In August 2011, he brought his music connections to the Greenbelt Harvest Picnic in Hamilton, a celebration of local food and music with a line-up of stellar musical acts including Gord Downie, of The Tragically Hip, and Sarah Harmer. For Daniel, the event is a platform for raising awareness about sustainable, healthier food and land preservation in Ontario.

Credits:
Jolie Louise and Still Water written by Daniel Lanois courtesy Red Floor Records
I Am Aglow written by Sarah Harmer courtesy Cold Snap Music
Escarptment Blues written by Sarah Harmer, courtesy of Casablaca Media Publishing
A New Beginning written by Chris Birkett courtesy 2Mounties Media Inc.

Laura Reinsborough encourages us to enjoy the fruits of our own labour by picking fruit from our own neighbourhoods. Eating great tasting locally grown food reduces waste and energy consumption.  The average distance food travels from farm to plate is 4,000 kilometres – that’s a whole lot of carbon dioxide and chemicals needed to keep the food “fresh."

Laura founded Not Far From The Tree, an organization that harvests fruit-bearing plants around Toronto – taking the 100-mile diet to a whole new level.  A third of the bounty goes to the volunteers, a third goes to the owner of the tree and a third goes to local shelters, preventing thousands of pounds of fruit from going to waste each year.

As global food demand is projected to increase by 70% by 2050, the amount of land suitable for food production is likely to decrease due to pressures from other uses and climate change. Not Far From the Tree (NFFTT) is addressing this problem by helping to capture and provide to our cities local food that would otherwise be wasted and is healthier, tastier, and better for the environment.