March 2007 E-news

I hate waste - by Ula

In the run of a day the average Canadian generates an astounding amount of waste. This is a trend that has become common in the developed world. The earth is now at a point where the amount of human impact has started to adversely affect the environment in which we live. The need to reduce the pressure of human consumption is apparent but action behind this cause is slow moving. Our obsession with hygiene and convenience is causing an overflow at landfill sites. Over-packaged and poorly designed products are mass produced specifically to end up in land fills shortly after they are purchased. Canadians now, more than ever, are living in an age of disposal.

There is an urgent need to reduce the amount of waste in the world. Valuable natural resources, energy and time are all spent in the construction of products that cannot be re-used or recycled and take up space in landfills. These products decompose slowly and sometimes leak hazardous chemicals into soil and water tables. This chain of events ends up wasting even more energy, time and resources to clean up. In order for the planet to sustain the rising population we need to rethink the way things are made.

The “Business of Waste”
Some problems that hinder society's ability to mitigate this issue come from big businesses. It is very economic for a business to sell a disposable product because the consumer constantly has to buy the product time and again. Another barrier to reducing the amount of global waste is uninterested consumers. The average consumer purchases a disposable product in order to save time and energy that would go into maintaining the product. Some consumers also fear that reusable products are not as hygienic as disposables.

Global Waste Reduction
The first step to overcoming barriers that prevent global waste reduction is education. A population that is knowledgeable is able to make more informed decisions and be more aware about how much garbage they produce. Industry that is knowledgeable about sustainable manufacturing can become more environmentally friendly while remaining cost effective. Another step is governmental action. Government legislation that eliminate excess packaging and apply strict guidelines on manufacturing could force drastic changes to the amount of waste produced. Government grants could also act as incentives to business that were looking to develop new, more innovative manufacturing processes.

Like so many other environmental issues, the solution to over-consumption and waste is very simple, yet for some reason very difficult for modern society to grasp. It is quite possible to live comfortably while maintaining an environment that can replenish itself for future generations. One must remain open-minded in adapting their daily routines to reduce the personal output of waste. This could mean getting your morning double-double in a reusable mug or bringing cloth bags to the grocery store instead of using plastic. In both situations minimal energy is required yet a benefit is still attained. With little effort, the age of disposal could easily become the age of renewal.

Wild Weather Coast to Coast: What's to Blame? – by Joey

No matter where you live in Canada, chances are you have noticed the weather this winter. Coast to coast records are being broken. In the east unusually high temperatures have held back the regular snowfall. In the west record low temperatures have brought unusual amounts of snow. BC has been battered by storms that have brought record wind speed and rainfall causing mass destruction, like that seen in Vancouver's world famous Stanley Park.
So why is Canada experiencing one of the most extreme winters it has ever faced? The answer to this question varies from person to person. Some scientists say that this weather is just part of a natural climatic cycle, others say there is only one possible reason – global warming.

Why would global warming cause record low temperatures in the west? Global warming is defined as the observed increase in the average temperatures of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans. However, it also can cause more extreme temperatures and storms, which could explain Canada's wacky winter weather. The cause of this weather may be not fully known. However, there is no denying a change is occurring.

For more information on global warming and what you can do to help stop it, go to www.stopglobalwarming.com.

Get Wattwize at School!

When you look around your school, do you see computers, lights, and other appliances left on when no one is using them? Is the air conditioning turned up while windows are wide open? Do you notice the never-ending buzz of the vending machine, even though the cafeteria is only used for a couple hours a day? Do you think about these things and wonder how you can make a difference?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, then Wattwize is the program for you!

Wattwize is a program organized by Citizens’ Environment Watch that helps youth like you reduce energy consumption in school. All it takes is a group of committed students to check how much energy is being used, develop an action plan, and monitor results. In the end, you will be able to see how much energy, money, and greenhouse gas emissions your school has saved. You’ll also see how working together to save energy makes everyone feel good!

The program fee is $100 which includes:
• 1 energy meter
• a manual and workbook
• access to online resources
• and a chance to make a difference in your school!

How to get involved
If you’re interested in getting your school involved in the Wattwize program, check out www.wattwize.ca or email us at info@citizensenvironmentwatch.org.

Battery Recycling -
Did You Know?? - by Yvonne

You may not know it but household batteries contain toxic chemicals like mercury, lead and cadmium which can do serious damage if not disposed of properly.When disposed in landfills, the cadmium will eventually dissolve itself and the toxic substance will seep into the water supply, causing serious health problems. With that said, please collect your dead batteries and bring them to your local hazardous waste depot or avoid that all together by buying rechargeable batteries. Do your part to banish batteries from our landfills and our water!

To learn more about recycling batteries, check out Mountain Equipment Co-op’s battery recycling program.

Nick News – have your say!

Nick News is a news program for youth that airs on Nickelodeon, a U.S. cable channel. The series takes headline news stories and explains them to middle school and high school students, and gives youth an opportunity to discuss the issues that are important to them.

They’re producing a Nick News special about global warming and how it affects youth - not just here in North America but across the globe. And they’re looking to speak with youth from all over the world who care about global warming and have seen the effects of climate change in their communities. Sound like you??

Nick News features youth between the ages of 13 and 16, and for this special series it’s for youth who are concerned about global warming or climate change.
The series normally speaks to between 25 and 40 kids for each special. From that group, we select 4 or 5 kids to interview on camera for our program.

How to get involved
If you’re interested, talk to your parents about getting involved, and once they’ve given their permission, email your answers to the questions below to christine@nicknews.com, and include "NICK NEWS -GLOBAL WARMING" in the subject line.

More about Nick News
To learn more about the news program and it’s background, go to their website at www.nicknews.com.

www.ibuydifferent.org - by Joey

I Buy Different is a great website detailing the effects of consumerism on the planet. Being a affiliate of the World Wildlife Fund it is filled with great images and has high creditability It also has many interesting and shocking facts about the way we live and its’ effect on the planet, as well as links to what we do in our everyday life to help with global environmental issues.

This website also has great tips of more environmentally friendly products and things to do to lighten your ecological footprint. The "Buy-o-Diversity" quiz is a fun way to learn about everyday products you use well testing you skills. This website is easy to navigate and on every page there is a interesting fact on the side bar. This is a great resource to use for school or just to learn more about the things you buy. Check it out!

Youth Leadership Spring School

Real, Relevant, Revolutionary

Sea To Sky Outdoor School presents…
Leadership 2007 Spring School

Where
Keats Island on the Sunshine Coast, B.C.

When
4 days during SPRING BREAK!
Tues. March 20th to Fri. March 23rd 2007\

Students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 interested in a life-changing leadership opportunity are invited to participate in 4 days of invigorating outdoor activity, powerful learning experiences and inspirational community living. Join the school for: ocean paddling, the 3 ‘R’s of sustainability education, new ideas, night hikes, ‘box busters’, night games, cozy cabins, great food, back country meals, theatre sports, dance and song, team challenges, ecological footprints, new friends, … and being and celebrating yourself!

Words from previous participants
“I have never felt freer, more alive, more welcomed. Leadership School taught me how to believe in myself & spread ideas and to activate change. I gained a deeper understanding of teamwork, group dynamics and myself. Thank you for such a unique experience. You changed the way I look at the world.”

Cost
$325 for the week

How to get involved
To enroll contact via email timturner@seastosky.bc.ca

For more info about the school check out our website at www.seatosky.bc.ca.

ecoMentors clean up!

Be part of the solution! Join the Ontario Clean Air Alliance in a campaign to phase-out coal burning in Ontario. Volunteers are needed to attend special events, lead environmental education sessions and distribute campaign materials. This is a great opportunity to make a positive difference in air quality while gaining valuable experience in outreach, environmental education and air quality.

Volunteers also receive a reward package from Mountain Equipment Co-op and Earth Day Canada.

How to get involved
Please contact Jason Kun, at ecomentors@earthday.ca or call 416.599.1991 x103 to find out more about the next orientation session.