Population and the Environment

The Sustainability Network and Toronto Green Community would like to invite you to a "Native Bus Tour of Toronto" on October 13, 2011. This event is a direct result of some of the discussions that transpired during the "Collective Impact! The Environment & Our Diverse Society" Conference held last June.

When: October 13, 2011
Time: 9 am - 4 pm
Where: All throughout Toronto, beginning at the Native Canadian Centre, 16 Spadina Road (just north of Bloor)... Read more »

Calgary is getting top marks for its water conservation, but a failing grade for air pollution.

According to the Siemens' Green Cities Index, Calgarians consume 429 litres of water per person, per day.  

That is well below the average of 587 litres.

However, when it comes to nitrogen oxide emissions, Calgarians pump out more than 50 kilograms per person each year; twice the index average.

Executive Director of Sierra Club Canada John Bennett says he's not surprised that Calgary is doing a great job managing water use because local politicians realize it's a resource that is dwindling.

Bennett says the survey also shows Calgary's love affair with the automobile.

He says we can rein in their air-polluting ways by stopping urban sprawl and improving public transit.
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It is hard to believe that in this day and age with all kinds of research showing that pesticides and herbicides are harmful to humans and animals, people still insist on spraying toxic sprays without a thought to the safety issues involved -all because they would rather have a wonderfully manicured lawn.

I don't think there is a family that has not or will not be touched by cancer. These carcinogenic sprays are exactly that -carcinogenic. Combined with all the other toxins we eat, breath and drink, it's no wonder that cancer is on the rise.

If people and the city followed good lawn care, overfeeding with grass seed that is compatible with our Edmonton climate, proper watering practices, leaving your clippings on your lawn, the green areas would take care of themselves.
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Calgary’s decision to remove fluoride from its drinking water is giving some teeth to anti-fluoride supporters in Red Deer.

Residents who are opposed to the cavity-fighting chemical being added to Red Deer’s water supply are hailing a recent decision by Calgary elected leaders, who voted 10-3 in favour of eliminating it.

The decision in Alberta’s largest city is monumental, according to fluoridation opponent Craig MacKenzie of Red Deer.

“Doesn’t that tell you something?” he said on Monday. “This is tremendous news for Calgary. What a blessing it is for them.”

Ald. Druh Farrell of Calgary spearheaded the effort to eliminate the fluoride because she said it was a matter of ethics.

Red Deer city Councillor Paul Harris agrees.... Read more »

The Muskoday Organic Growers Co-op and Heifer International Canada think Saskatchewan First Nations could sharply reduce on-reserve unemployment by growing Saskatchewan's vegetables organically. At Muskoday First Nation near Prince Albert, organic production is already underway.

In 1999, the community launched an initiative to produce potatoes and harvested about 450 tonnes. The band-managed project obtained sufficient training grants to hire every employable welfare recipient in the community to work on the farm for six months. This was sufficient time to qualify for employment insurance, which in turn opened doors to further training.... Read more »