Energy from Waste - Treating the Symptom Instead of the Disease

Here we are in a new year and the first big story in London is about waste. To say I am pleased that Mr. Fontana is upset with Toronto's garbage being a blight on London's landscape, is an understatement. But in reality he should check his facts before pointing the finger to our neighbour down the 401.

London is not the most progressive when it comes to waste diversion. City council has been slow to embrace sound environmental practices - always making it an economic short term decision rather than the correct decision for future generations. Often council decisions fly in the face of ,or water down, recommendations made by the staff from the Environmental department. If Mr. Fontana really wants to be a leader, he needs to have a better understanding of the problem. I believe he can make a positive impact if he is willing to listen to the experts that are employed at City Hall.

The Mayor's current solution "energy from waste" is flawed. An energy from waste solution treats the symptom not the disease. This should be the last resort solution not the first option. Landfills are not the solution, incineration is not the solution.

The solution is threefold 1)elimination of waste pollution at source 2)having a green bin/composting program to divert useful rich compost and 3)reducing the four bag limit to one bag on household garbage to curb.

Providing energy from waste as the first option does nothing to encourage citizens to reduce waste generation at home, at work or at play. It allows them to continue business as usual. We are not in a time and age where business as usual is acceptable. Polluter needs to pay or change their ways. That includes product and packaging designers, retailers who sell wasteful products and citizens who purchase a product that ends up as waste. Those who care about the planet by diligently doing everything they can to save the non renewable limited resources should not be at the mercy of those who do so little.

Mr. Mayor and all London councillors, my advice to you is listen to the experts on your own staff, put aside short term economics and make the correct decision on behalf of future generations by making policy changes that outlaw non reusable or non recyclable materials, by instituting a green bin program while encouraging composting at home and by limiting the number of household garbage containers allowable to curb to one per garbage day pickup. If you do these things you will be on higher ground to challenge Toronto sending their waste to a local landfill. In addition future generations will thank you.

Toxins in my Body or Emissions in the Air - Not a Simple Choice

As I continue my quest to eat local I am finding it difficult as a vegetarian to also eat organic during the middle of winter. When visiting a local health food store I asked about the source of the organic beans only to be shown that the labels from the bulk bags verified my worst fears: chick peas from Turkey, kidney beans and lentils from China and other beans from anywhere but Canada.

Now the choice becomes one of buying organic from some distant land to avoid eating pesticides or buying local to avoid poisoning the air with emissions. Or is that all there is to it? In a recent article in the US, about organic foods from China, it was found that even though it was labelled organic the fruits and vegetables often tested positive for pesticides. Organic scams are big business in China and one more reason to get to know your local farmer and buy not only organic but also buy local.

There are two very good reasons for buying local: it benefits the planet by not purchasing products that contribute to carbon dioxide levels in the air because they have travelled great distances and it supports local farming jobs. These farmers will, if the demand is there, switch to organic practices.

I would suggest we need to get to know and trust our farmers by going out and finding those local products that will feed our family without polluting the planet. In my selection criteria, I plan to make the choice first to buy local and second if possible to buy local organic. I hope you will consider doing the same. It is the only way to ensure a safe and reliable food supply in the future.

Being Vocal about Buying Local

Now that I have spent 25 days attempting to eat local it is time to be vocal about the experience.

First Lesson: Eating local is easier said than done. Try finding anything but carrots, potatoes, onions and cabbage at this time of year in our Canadian climate. Local acorn squash are hard to find although still available at the local farmer's market. Garlic on the other hand even from the farmer's market is sourced from China or some other offshore country. Although to counter this the seller's are advertising that the garlic is organic. Does this justify sourcing from another country?

Second lesson: Although the choices are limited, it makes meal planning extra simple and forces me to check out new recipes to use the few local vegetables that are still readily available.

Third Lesson: One needs to ask a lot of questions to drill down to the source of everything we buy. And often those who should be able to provide answers are more in the dark than we are. Pursuing the trail of truth about the source of food items is frustrating even for a committed environmentalist. But don't let that deter you from giving the relocalization effort a try.

A New Year's Challenge

Christmas presents can lead one to being the change they wish to see in the world. One of my Christmas gifts was a copy of the book The 100-Mile Diet. I read it before the end of Boxing Day. And being the take action, jump in with both feet, type of person that I am, starting today, January 1, I began the journey of someone living on a 100-Mile Diet. Shouldn't be too difficult, eh?

Oh wait a minute, I live in Canada - citrus fruits, pineapples, bananas, don't grow in my backyard and certainly not within 100 miles. Oh yes, I also am a vegetarian - much of my protein is from nuts, beans, cheese and eggs. Shouldn't be too bad except I am not sure the source of anything other than the cheese and eggs. And what about my morning coffee and afternoon tea, or late night hot chocolate? When was the last time you saw a coffee plantation in Canada?

Some good news though - there are wineries and breweries within the 100 miles so I may go hungry but I can still be happy.

Why not join me on this journey? We could commiserate about our loss of the more common food choices and celebrate the fact we are adding new choices to our diet while at the same time removing greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere and supporting local farmers by buying within the 100 mile limit. You never know a whole new economy may sprout up.

Here's to a healthier, happier more local 2010.

Copenhagen becomes Hopenhagen

Is there still hope for a positive outcome in Copenhagen in December? Stephen Harper has steadily eroded the possibility that Canada will be a leader in the race to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. With the blessings of this same Stephen Harber, big oil companies continue to devastate the land, water and air for thousands of miles around the tar sands. Many of my acquaintances still believe they have a God-given right to buy as much stuff and use as much energy as their bank accounts and credit cards allow. These are all very depressing facts.

But there is hope. Small groups are meeting in coffee shops, libraries, living rooms, and city parks to discuss climate change and to design meaningful long lasting actions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in their own lives while inspiring others to do the same. As an example, citizens in St. Thomas, Ontario are holding an event at City Hall at 12 noon on the 12th day of the 12th month to raise awareness about climate change and to offer hope. This event is part of a worldwide action to come together as a Time to Sign - the most important signing event for the future of the world.

Feed the Land - Starve the Landfill

This Thanksgiving weekend when you gather with family and friends it is important to remember the harvest and where it comes from. If everyone composted their food scraps, refused to use one-time-use disposables, and recycled to the maximum they would truly be feeding the land and not the landfill.

I first came across this slogan as part of the Ottawa Green Bin program and have adopted it as my own for the benefit of the earth. (Is this copyright infringement - or is it part of the Commons to be used by anyone? I guess we'll find out.)

With our Tofurkey and sweet acorn squash ready for cooking, the leaves falling in a blaze of colours, and the pumpkin pie about to be assembled, we truly feel blessed and give Thanks for family and friends and such a bountiful and safe country to live in. Now that Barack Obama has received the Noble Peace Prize perhaps others will experience the peace and prosperity that we so often take for granted.

Happy Thanksgiving

International Plastic Bag Free Day - September 12, 2009

Waste Free World supports International Plastic Bag Free Day on September 12, 2009.

All individuals are asked to go plastic bag free a day to raise awareness about the problems created by using plastic bags.

Marine life, birds and wildlife are all affected by plastic bags.

London, ON citizens and officials have been supportive of eliminating plastic bags since 2007 and much progress has been made. By joining a worldwide day of action you will be making this a truly international campaign and acknowledging that this problem needs all of us to be part of the solution. Take a reusable bay yourself and then tell others about the day of action and ask them to do the same.

Contact your local officials to let them know you support a plastic bag free municipality.

For more information on the day see the following:
www.banchoryagainstplastic.wordpress.com