January 30, 2008

What will it take to make conservation of the iconic Pacific wild salmon a priority? A report released this week by the David Suzuki Foundation, “An Upstream Battle: Declines in 10 Pacific Salmon Stocks and Solutions for Their Survival”, shows dramatic population declines in 10 representative salmon stocks – anywhere from 70 per cent to 93 per cent since the early 1990s. In an article headlined “If it's salmon or money, the salmon lose every time”, the Vancouver Sun’s Stephen Hume says it’s time for everyone, from commercial fishers to government officials, to put the long-term survival of salmon ahead of short-term economic gain. And he doesn’t let individuals off the hook, either. “The onus for change lies not with the bullied bureaucrats but with the voters who have the power to hold accountable those to whom they delegate authority,” Mr. Hume writes. Given the salmon’s important role in B.C.’s coastal and freshwater ecosystems, it’s not just the salmon’s future that depends on immediate action – it’s our own future and the future of our children and grandchildren.

Posted by Ian Hanington at January 30, 2008
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January 24, 2008

What do teachers, landscapers, doctors, nurses, environmentalists, and the Canadian Cancer Society have in common?

Earlier this month, the David Suzuki Foundation got together with over a dozen widely varying organizations to support the province of Ontario’s proposed cosmetic pesticide ban. The links between pesticides and serious illnesses, such as cancer, reproductive problems and neurological diseases are well documented - these things should be shelved, and not in stores!

Thankfully, people and local governments are saying they want to get their lawns off drugs. Ontario is poised to join Quebec and over a hundred municipalities across Canada in banning cosmetic pesticides.

But how strong will the legislation be? That could be up to you.

The province of Ontario is now taking public submissions on their proposed pesticide ban - check it out, make yourself heard.

Where city and municipal bans have been put in place, there is strong evidence to show that children face far less exposure. A study by the Quebec National Institute of Public Health, states “though 98% of children tested were found to have pesticides from food, water and air in their bodies, the tests did not find any lawn-care herbicides in the bodies of children living in municipalities with a ban.”

Pretty much begs the question - Is a lawn free of weeds worth making kids seriously ill, or risking not having children at all?

Posted by Jenny Silver at January 24, 2008
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January 21, 2008

Guerrilla sewing circles

Even though many cities – and even entire countries (such as China) – are banning the use of plastic shopping bags, the convenient yet so-bad-for-the-environment items are still pretty ubiquitous. And those reusable bags that grocery stores are now selling you to cart home your wares? Sure, they beat plastic disposables, but they’re often made of materials that aren’t that great for planet Earth either. Now there’s a movement afoot to get people to create bags from materials that might otherwise also find their way to landfills. And it’s a way to be social as well. The folks behind Morsbags (www.morsbags.com/) want you and your friends (“sparkly people”) to gather and sew bags from old clothes, bedding, curtains – whatever you can find that’s strong enough to hold groceries. The website includes instructions (MS Word, PDF, and animation) on how to make the bags. They suggest getting together (in “pods”) over wine and cake and a sewing machine, and then “when enough morsbags have been made, pods hand them out to the happy and surprised shoppers heading into their local supermarket.” As the Morsbag people note: “It’s like a Tupperware party with a sewing machine (sort of).”

Posted by Ian Hanington at January 21, 2008
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January 18, 2008

To relieve congestion...

Anyone who drives to and from work knows that traffic congestion is getting worse every day. What can be done about it? That’s the question Marta Cyperling asks on The Walrus magazine’s website. In “Traffic Wars: R.E.M. knew it all too well” (accompanied by a great R.E.M. video) Ms. Cyperling looks at some cities that have come up with innovative ideas to “stop the pain” and asks readers to weigh in with their suggestions.

Do we need a national transit strategy? Or should we leave it up to the cities? Next time you’re stuck in traffic, give it some thought. It may help pass the time!

Posted by Ian Hanington at January 18, 2008
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January 16, 2008

Coal vs. nuclear?

Is it really even a fair question to ask? Grist's Umbra gets to the nucleus of the issue in her response to a reader who writes: "Which type of power plant do you think is best (or, least worst) for the environment, nuclear or coal? And your answer can't be neither!"

Her answer may surprise you. And be sure to read the comments posted below her article, as readers have offered their own wisdom on the question and the whole energy issue.

Posted by Ian Hanington at January 16, 2008
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January 08, 2008

No longer made in China

China is taking the lead on a major environmental problem. The government recently announced that, as of June 1, it will ban plastic shopping bags.

According to a CBC report, the government wants to see a return to reusable cloth bags and baskets. "Our country consumes huge amounts of plastic bags every year. While providing convenience to consumers, they have also caused serious pollution, and waste of energy and resources, because of excessive use and inadequate recycling," a government statement said.

Posted by Ian Hanington at January 08, 2008
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January 04, 2008

Sustainability: At What Cost?

All too often, the discussion about sustainability pits environment against economy. But, as Tom Seager, a civil engineer and associate professor at the Golisano Institute for Sustainability in Rochester, NY, points out, we need to look at the question in a new light.

Dr. Seager, as quoted on Treehugger, offers a clear explanation:

Sustainability requires cooperation. You have to discard the idea of Adam Smith economics, which says that it's better for society if everyone is working in their own self-interest, and move towards the economics of John Nash, which says we can find a better outcome if we work collectively. The question about whether it "costs the consumer" implies that sustainability is like some kind of add-on feature — like power windows or side-impact air bags. That's not the right way to think about sustainability at all.

For example, it is true that abandoning coal-fired power plants would require an increase in electricity costs. But if everyone did it, we'd all be better off. The only way it "costs" is if some people do it, but others "cheat." Our economic system can't handle a cost discrepancy between green and black power. But it can handle a uniform cost increase for all power. Think of it this way: If you could run your manufacturing firm today on $25/bbl oil — which is what we had just a few years ago — you would have an incredible competitive advantage. But you can't. All firms have to pay $80/bbl. That's more than triple the oil cost in three years. We still have rapidly expanding economies all over the world. So "cost" is not the big issue, at the moment — it's "comparative costs”.

The full interview with Dr. Seager can be found on “Industrial Design Supersite” Core77.

Posted by Ian Hanington at January 04, 2008
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January 04, 2008

Toronto: Naked Ape Party

Did someone say Naked Apes? A party in Toronto? Count me in.

On Sunday, Jan. 13, the Toronto Botanical Gardens will be rockin' with the Naked Ape Party - a FUN-Raiser in support of the David Suzuki Foundation.

Hosted by CBC Radio's Jian Ghomeshi, the evening will include live performances by Canadian artists Tara MacLean, Catherine MacLellan and Chris Murphy from Sloan, and a keynote address by award-winning scientist and broadcaster.

Guests can also bid on an extraordinary range of items that includes music memorabilia (such as a signed guitar by Sarah MacLachlan), premium sports tickets, fine art, a Muskoka getaway, Margaret Atwood signed books, as well as donations from Grassroots, Lululemon, Frog Pond Vineyards, and many other Canadian businesses.

For more information about the Naked Ape Party, visit: www.nakedapeparty.com

Posted by Gerald Richardson at January 04, 2008
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