Julie Bélanger

Julie is an urban planning graduate student at the University of Waterloo, focusing on sustainable transportation.

Author Articles

Canadian spirits. Locally sourced alcohol. A\J AlternativesJournal.ca

WHETHER CRAFTING OR CONSUMING, Canadians are no strangers to experimenting with alcohol. And while our skills and appetites for beer and wine are renowned, our reputation for making and sharing...
Mariner 9 by Kelly Richardson on A\J AlternativesJournal.ca

Kelly RichardsonAll good art makes us see the world around us in a new light. Over the last few years, I’ve been increasingly interested in the function of science fiction,...
Graphic of DNA. Industrial background. A\J AlternativesJournal.ca

In September 2012, the Leadership Council of the Network for Business Sustainability (NBS) identified innovation as one of the top sustainability challenges for businesses. Luckily, NBS, a Canadian non-profit established in 2005, has...
How the Blest Machine Works.. A\J AlternativesJournal.ca

IN FALL 2011, a recycling depot in Whitehorse partnered with Cold Climate Innovation to test a revolutionary plastic-to-oil processor. P&M Recycling, one of two main facilities that serve the Yukon...
New York subway system. A\J AlternativesJournal.ca

NEW YORK CITY’S METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (MTA) called the devastation and flooding during last fall’s Hurricane Sandy the biggest disaster the subway system had ever endured. At the first post-storm...
DIY pop-can solar heater. A\J AlternativesJournal.ca

We've collected a few tutorials to guide you through building your own solar can heater. In the video above, Jim Meaney, owner of CanSolAir Inc. displays how he converts pop cans...

Authors Blog

Otesha Project A\J AlternativesJournal.ca
When the opportunity came up for A\J to join the Otesha Project (Swahili for planting the seeds of a dream) on their Pedal to Plate Tour, I was encouraged by...
Community Access Bike Share Kitchener A\J AlternativesJournal.ca
Trudy Sohl got to try out one of Kitchener’s new community access bicycles for the women’s bike ride last week. Because she doesn’t have a bike, she was particularly enthusiastic...
cycling bike activism A\J AlternativesJournal.ca
If you’ve rediscovered the thrill of cycling during Bike Month, or if you’re already committed to your bike, you may find yourself wondering how to promote cycling in your city....
cycling commute A\J AlternativesJournal.ca
Many studies have linked cycling to improved physical and mental health – it’s no wonder that cyclists are the happiest commuters. Biking to work can help minimize your carbon footprint,...
Urban Ecologies conference logo. OCAD. Alternatives Journal. A\J
OCAD University’s Faculty of Design is hosting their first ever Urban Ecologies conference on June 20th and 21st. This conference will examine how ecological approaches to design are shaping the future of...
bicycle safety bike month A\J AlternativesJournal.ca
Being a non-courteous cyclist is not only unsafe, it taints the overall perception of cyclists and compromises their acceptance on the roadways. “The willingness of drivers to share the road...
bike month graphic A\J AlternativesJournal.ca
Bicycles conjure images of freedom and whimsy but also of fear, creating a dichotomy in how cycling is represented in the media. Many cycling safety campaigns have capitalized on this...
bike month graphic A\J AlternativesJournal.ca
After a season of navigating the wintery roads or being stationed in the garage, your bike could probably use a little TLC. Or you might be in the market for...
Gear up with A\J: A City Cycling how-to. Alternatives Journal.
Communities across Canada are celebrating Bike Month and A\J is joining in on the two-wheeling fun. While Bike Month officially runs from May 27th to June 30th we hope you...
The energy generated by the Earth Month Youth Forum, presented by Earth Day Canada and the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), was absolutely contagious. It was uplifting to meet youth choosing to spend...