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Tuesday, 13 January 2009 |
Environment Canada has recently announced its closure of the Arctic Ozone Lab at Iqaluit, in the High Arctic, due to lack of funds. This observatory is used by U. S. and Japanese as well as Canadian scientists to detect stratospheric change on Ellesmere Island in Nunavut.
Dr. David Wardle, chief of experimental studies and air quality research for Environment Canada said, "The operation is somewhat more expensive than we have the resources for at the moment. It's of the order of $1 million. In fact, we've been running it at half that expenditure for the past three or four years, and that has not helped." |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 18 February 2009 )
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Sunday, 11 January 2009 |
November 15, 2002
The diposal of autumn leaves has always challenged urban man. Scientists revealed that burning a tonne of leaves produces about 117 pounds of carbon monoxide, 41 pounds of particles (most of them smaller than 10 microns and easily absorbed into the lungs), and at least 7 highly carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons.
The history (in Toronto) of disposing leaves:
Prior to the garbage crisis, we shoved leaves into green garbage bags. Enter the era of clear plastic bags and composting facilities! Even grass clippings were accepted until it was discovered that green grass, when left rotting inside airtight plastic bags before they got opened, caused unbearable odours at the city's central composting facility. Now we simply 'Grasscycle' by leaving the clippings to filter down and add nutrients to the lawn. Composting a little grass at a time, in a backyard composter is also an option. Why did we ever bag it all up in the first place?
The evils of the leaf-blower:
Many homeowners enjoy the quiet exercise of raking leaves. Some, including many yard maintenance crews, use leaf blowers. Is this the decade that we eliminate the leaf blowers? With its 2-stroke engine emitting smog particles at a rate 49 times more than that of a model year 2000 car, the Ontario Medical Association estimates they cause 1900 deaths per year in Ontario. One-half hour of using a leaf blower is equivalent to driving one full day.
Change in policy:
In the spring of 2001, the City of Toronto changed its policy of accepting leaves in plastic bags to kraft paper bags or reusable, rigid open-top containers. Kraft bags retail for approximately $ .60 per bag at most hardware stores, supermarkets, and other participating outlets. The open containers can be old garbage cans or bushel baskets. Green bins may also be purchased from the city for $6.00 each.
The city made this policy change because of operational problems caused by plastic at composting facilities. On windy days, pieces of shredded plastic frequently became a litter problem. The kraft paper bags decompose, together with their contents of organic leaves and yard trimmings, resulting in an improved compost which the city offers its residents. Much of the finished compost is available to residents free at various locations during May to October, and at Environment Days. Year round, larger orders can be purchased for $10 a tonne.
The goal - 80% diversion of waste by 2009:
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 18 February 2009 )
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Wednesday, 07 January 2009 |
 Use recycled paper products whenever possible. It takes about 19 mature softwood trees, such as Spruce, to produce 1 ton of pulp - enough for about 2000 daily newspapers. It takes 43% less energy to recycle paper than to process raw wood and 29,200 Litres less water per ton than new paper. Recycling paper reduces air pollution emissions by 30 kilograms per ton. Every tree standing absorbs an average of 4 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year. Recycling one ton of paper instead of dumping it saves 2.5 cubic meters of landfill space. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 18 February 2009 )
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Tuesday, 06 January 2009 |
 Spring officially begins on March 20th, but for many of us Spring has already started as we prepare for gardening season. Whether your lawn and garden is a postage stamp or a pasture, there are many ways that you can green your garden. The foundation of all successful gardens is the soil. To provide your plants with the nutrients they need you must build strong,  healthy, organic soil by adding compost, kelp meal, worm castings, and other natural, organic amendments to your lawn and garden. Coco Fibre and straw provide your garden with great organic mulches that discourage weeds, preserve moisture, and enrich the soil. Choose plants that are native to your local bio-region and you will spend less time watering and maintaining your plants. When you do water your lawn and garden, use a compost tea for strong soil and strong plants. For the health of your garden and the health of the planet don't panic, grow organic. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 18 February 2009 )
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Monday, 23 June 2008 |
Eliminating the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers; doing companion planting; growing fruits and vegetables from organically certified seeds; replacing high maintenance lawns with native species and wild flower gardens -- our showcase of products will help you in all of these areas.{mosgoogle center} |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 18 February 2009 )
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