Clean and Green
Vol 3 Number 1 Autumn 2007
Clean and Green is published quarterly by Clean Nova Scotia, Charlene Boyce Young, editor. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, nor Clean Nova Scotia. Articles may not be reprinted without permission. Subscribe online for email delivery at www.clean.ns.ca/c&g. Call 1-800-665-5377 for print copy. Next deadline for content is November 15.
Reintroducing
By Kari Riddell
Reduce
– Jim Reeves
WASTE REDUCTION WEEK 2007
“This world is not my own, I’m just passing through.”
hat is Waste Reduction Week? It is an opportunity to re-examine just how much waste we are producing as individuals, students, municipalities and working professionals during the week th of October 15 to the 21st. It is also a time to learn more about your natural environment and how your wasteful actions can have severe consequences for more than just your own community. It is about practicing good behaviours and maintaining them for the rest of your lives. Sound painful? It isn’t, it just takes a little more thought, and it can save you time and money.
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Why participate now? Why, some may ask themselves, after all these years of living the same life with all the fast and convenient luxuries, should I care? Because the earth cares for YOU. The answer might sound over-the-top, but think about it. Where else are you going to get clean air, pure drinking water, rich soil for growing food? Ummm, Mars? Nope. We cannot waste and abuse this planet any longer, which is why this October, we invite you to get involved in excellent waste reduction initiatives.
YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY BEGUN…
If you are one of the many people who have switched to using reusable grocery bags for example, then you have already begun reducing—see how easy it is? But don’t get too dazzled with this initiative, because there are many other steps you can take to make your shopping trips a little greener. Think about the types of products you are filling those reusable bags with. Ah ha! Ask yourself, is this product I am about to purchase wrapped in excessive packaging or non-recyclable packaging? What kind of greenhouse gases are attached to it—how far was it shipped, how much energy was required to produce it? Be an active shopper —read labels, take note of the countries your food comes from, demand less toxic products and make smart choices. Waste reduction goes beyond the household and beyond the grocery store. Waste Reduction Week offers businesses, schools and municipalities excellent resources and tips on how you can begin reducing from your desk on up. We would like to especially encourage businesses this year to make use of the Business Kit found at www.wrwcanada.com. Commercial and industrial sources often generate more waste than all of the households in a community combined, which is why it is important to review the full lifecycle of the product you are providing or the sustainability of the services you offer.
Clean Nova Scotia will be delivering four events this year to celebrate Waste Reduction Week. To find out about these events, see page 8, and visit www.clean.ns.ca/wrw for updated details as Waste Reduction Week draws nearer. If there’s a Girl Guide in your family who would like to attain a Waste Reducer Patch, please refer to your Coastlines Magazine where you will find all the details and challenges that must be completed. If you have any questions about Waste Reduction Week or need some help getting started on your waste reduction activities, please give us a call at 420-3474 and ask for Kari.
“Kids these days know the three R’s off by heart before they know their ABC’s. But if we as adults chose to ignore them, over time children will develop similar attitudes, thereby jeopardizing their own futures. And what good is the rest of the alphabet if there is no life-sustaining planet to use it on?” --Kari Riddell, Clean Nova Scotia
Fall signals fresh starts
Message from the Editor
by Charlene Boyce Young
Dig in! This autumn issue is full of ideas, inspiration and information to get you moving. For some of us, fall will always be the real season for new beginnings and resolutions. We have a few new initiatives for those heading back to school this fall. One is an anti-idling teacher’s resource toolkit, which will be delivered to teachers’ resource centres all over the province. The project was funded by Conserve Nova Scotia (www.conservens.ca) and assisted in development by the Children’s Clean Air Network (http:/childrencan.blogspot.com). Look for more information on the kit / in our winter issue, and in the Chronicle Herald’s Newspapers in Education supplement due out in November. Cet automne, nous sommes fiers d’annoncer que le programme «Vers un avenir meilleur» (Towards a Brighter Future) sera offert en français dans toutes les écoles du Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP). Pour plus d’information, veuillez communiquer avec la coordinatrice du program, Cathy Trafford au 420-3477, ou par courriel, cathy@clean.ns.ca. It’s an excellent time to check the airsealing around your windows and doors, and get to work upgrading your insulation. If you haven’t already had an energy evaluation performed on your home, what are you waiting for? The payback in comfort and decreased heating costs is immediate, you reduce your greenhouse gas and pollution emissions, PLUS there are some terrific rebate incentives available from the federal government and Conserve Nova Scotia. Intrigued? Call the Enerinfo line for more information, 1-800-670-4636. Clean Nova Scotia focuses on individual actions that can make a difference. With the recent announcement of the ―aspirational targets‖ our federal government is endorsing as a post-Kyoto plan, I would like to reiterate that sometimes your individual responsibility is to discuss how you feel about the environment, whether with your friends, family, co-workers, or MLA, MP or Prime Minister. The more voices we engage in this conversation, the better the solutions will be.
Easy ways you can
CAR FREE DAY
All across Canada, Sept. 20,
green your world.
Bike, hike, bus or telecommute. Try, for one day, to imagine a car-free society. What would our communities look like? What kind of alternative transportation would be needed? If you’re inspired, call HRMbyDesign and give them your feedback!
FALL idea!
home show: “THE BIG ONE”
Exhibition Park, September 28-30 www.masterpromotions.ca
This well-known event has this year initiated a ―Great to be Green‖ feature space: ―This special feature of the Fall Ideal Home Show is in response to consumer’s demand for environmentally conscious products and services.‖
MARITIME FALL FAIR
Exhibition Park, October 5-14 www.maritimefallfair.ca
The fair’s theme is ―Bringing the Country to the City.‖ The fall fair’s celebration of rural lifestyle, farming and agriculture is a great experience for urban dwellers trying to get in touch with where our food comes from. Highlights of the fair include the Kubota Cup, Little Moe’s Paws for Fun, Beef and Dairy Shows, a heavy horse competition, and the Kevin Beanland Band. Clean Nova Scotia is hosting a booth for the second weekend of the fair, Oct. 11-14.
WASTE REDUCTION WEEK
All across Canada, Oct. 15-21 www.wrwcanada.ca www.clean.ns.ca
This year, we examine how to make our businesses reflect the Too Good to Waste theme. For more info on Waste Reduction Week, contact Kari at riddell@clean.ns.ca or 420-7927. For more information on WRW activities, see pg.8!
MINISTER’S BUSINESS BREAKFAST / CLEAN NOVA SCOTIA AGM
Holiday Inn Harbourview, Dartmouth, 7:30 am, Oct. 18
Under the theme Inspiring Green Entrepreneurship, Clean Nova Scotia and Minister of Environment and Labour Mark Parent invite you to join us on October 18 for a celebration of environmentally minded businesses. Guest speaker will be Liz Crocker of P’Lovers. Book your tickets now! Admittance is free for Clean Nova Scotia members (2 free tickets for Business Members) or $20 for non-members. Admission plus membership is just $30. Tickets or info, contact Kari Riddell at riddell@clean.ns.ca or 420-7927. AGM will be held directly following the breakfast, at 9:00 am. Meet board and staff, and hear presentations on CNS’ accomplishments this year.
Looking forward: November 23 is Buy Nothing Day. Plan a special meal at home, or a
gathering of friends and neighbors. Read poetry, write, play games with your family, and relax. Try to really get into the spirit of Buy Nothing Day... don’t watch TV, or take part in
other activities that will bombard you with commercial messages. Watch for swaps, giveaways, ―whirl-marts‖, or other organized non-commercial celebrations.
nova scotia youth conservation corps
summer round-up
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ne of the things Clean Nova Scotia does very well is preparing the next generation of environmental workers. Former CNS employees and interns populate government and the private sector, carrying our values and messages forward to new frontiers. Part of meeting the challenge of engaging new employees is offering meaningful summer work for students. Clean Nova Scotia provides financial administrative support to the provincial NSYCC (Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps) program. This program, run by the NS Department of Environment and Labour, provides students the opportunity to learn about and experience working in the environmental field during summer employment placements. In addition to supporting the entire summer complement of 38 students, Clean Nova Scotia directly employs NSYCC youth each year. This year, five NSYCC students contributed to stream restoration, green boating, and energy education programming at Clean Nova Scotia. In addition, we hosted two ELP (Environmental Leadership Program) volunteers, who also spent six weeks in Costa Rica. Our summer crew consisted of: Erin Bissonnette, Willem Maessen, Stevie-Lee Francis, Lysa McGrath and Jordan Smith (NSYCC); and Jessica MacIntosh and Ashley Dempsey (ELP). The following paragraphs were provided by these students, to describe some parts of their experience.
Teaching, Doing, Learning
Willem Maessen was involved with the Ship to Shore and Stream Restoration programs this summer at CNS.
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Ship to Shore really opened my eyes to the damage recreational boaters can do to the environment and some simple tips on how to lessen the impact. The usage of bilge socks was very well received and to me that is important. The stream restoration project was very different than Ship to Shore. It was a completely hands-on experience where we could see right away what we were doing. We learned all about how a normal and healthy stream should be. We took out all kinds of garbage and then installed the structures. The stream is well on its way to becoming excellent fish habitat. This summer we watched a number of presentations at the beginning, which were all very interesting. I learned better ways to drive, things I can do around my house to save energy and money, and got a good understanding of how different forms of alternative energy work. I believe now I will go on and use these things I learned and try and live with an environmentally friendly conscience.
On-The-Job Learning
Jordan Smith orking at CNS has been both enjoyable and educational. Meeting and working with people from different backgrounds has exposed me to different ideas, ways of thinking and lifestyles. The three projects I have been involved with (Ship to Shore, Stream Restoration and Getting the Word Out) have given me valuable experience and have taught me about the environment.
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From Ship to Shore I learned how boaters are impacting the environment through improper disposal of wastes, pumping of bilge water, improper fill-up procedures, and more. I also learned more about the Harbour Solutions Project through my research for Ship to Shore. The Stream Restoration project has shown me how little things you do (e.g. a simple clean up or the installation of simple structures) can affect the stream, creating better flow, cleaner water, and better fish habitat. This demonstrates how small things we do can positively affect the environment, and has reinforced my belief that people making small changes in their lives can make a big difference in their impact on the environment. I learned a lot from Getting the Word Out, not only from the material covered by the program, but from the people I interacted with. From studying up on the material I needed to know for the program I learned more about heating and lighting homes, driving more eco-friendly, renewable energy sources, and more. All of my projects have taught me the importance of changing practices, one person at a time. I have made changes in my life due to my experiences at CNS, I now try to drive more efficiently by not idling and not using drive-through, I try to recycle more paper at home, and carpool as much as possible.
Small Changes Pay Off!
Jessica MacIntosh
learned many different things about the environment while working at Clean NS this summer; but I think the most valuable thing I learned was just how easy it is to make small changes every day that make big differences throughout our lives. This summer I: became more aware of the importance of how I drive my car and how often I drive; took the time to organize my recycling, composting and garbage bins at home; and started using natural cleaners around the house—the power of vinegar can go a long way! These changes are very important to me because they make such a big difference and I am only one person. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone took the time to make small changes in their own lives.
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This summer I worked on two projects, the Parker’s Brook stream restoration and Ship to Shore. I really enjoyed working on the stream. After building a few rock sills, digger log structures and deepened pools, you could see the water clearing and day after day we could spot more fish. I found it interesting that this particular stream was chosen for restoration. The part of the stream where we did most of our work was hidden in the woods—it was not part of a public park or trail; so the work we were doing was not so the stream could ―look good‖ for the public, but was solely for the stream itself and its fish population. Hopefully the residents will enjoy the now-beautified stream and realize that there is aquatic life in there, and that the garbage they are dumping in there is harmful.
Ship to Shore involved going to various yacht clubs around the HRM to talk about clean boating practices, and handing out free bilge socks. This project was very well received by boaters; everyone was gracious and appreciative of our presence and education. However, I think this project would reach its potential if we were able to talk to boaters all over Nova Scotia.
Learning how to help and save!
Lysa McGrath his summer I worked with CNS on two different projects; Ship to Shore and Stream Restoration and while working on both programs I realized the damage that all of us are doing to the environment. Ship to Shore really pointed out the little things the boaters can do to decrease the impact on environment, such as using bilge socks and cleaning their boats with environment friendly cleaners. With the stream restoration project it was all hands-on. We picked up all kinds of garbage and right away we could see that we were making a difference. I learned how a healthy stream should work and what is needed to help it improve. When I was around the office I also picked up ways I can save money. Overall, I had a great summer working with my crew and learned a lot from the staff members of CNS.
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Before you take out the garbage…
n June of 2007, Clean Nova Scotia held the annual Fish with Flare contest, sponsored by EnCana, where students were challenged to research design and create an original sea creature made entirely of non-recyclable materials—aka, garbage. What came of their efforts were giant crustaceans, gangly octopuses, adorable penguins, charming stingrays and more. The purpose of the activity was to teach children the importance of protecting our oceans and the creatures that call them home. It also gave the kids and teachers an idea of just how wasteful we can be and how easily the garbage pile can add up.
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Clean Nova Scotia would like to share this activity with you! Try it out with your own kids on a cool fall evening, or a rainy Sunday. Send us a photo of your creation (cyoung@clean.ns.ca), and it just might appear in the next edition of Clean and Green!
by Kari Riddell
Step One Choose Your Theme.
Research endangered species (www.kidsplanet.org or find Nova Scotia’s list at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/biodiv/specieslist.htm), or select a type of creature that interests your kids such as turtles, birds or lizards (Museum of Natural History - www.museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh). You may even choose to model your creation after your own pet.
Step Two - Gather Non-Recyclable Items.
Choose items that cannot be recycled to use on your project. You may want to collect items through the week to show just how much waste your family can produce in such a short time. Make sure items are clean, avoid sharp objects such as metal or glass, and please avoid using electronic devices.
Step Three - Design Your Creature.
Draw a picture of what it might look like or simply talk about how big it might be. Will it be freestanding or will it be secured to a backdrop of some sort?
Step Four- Select Items for Body Parts.
Think about which garbage items would suit certain parts of your creature and separate them into piles. For example, chip bags or old CDs can be cut up for colourful and shiny fish scales, yogurt containers can be used for making the body and a plastic fork can be used for teeth or claws! Suggested items: Styrofoam, old disposable coffee cups and lids, bottle caps, pudding cups, bubble wrap, candy wrappers, plastic cutlery, broken toys, worn out clothing, twist ties, bread clips, straws. Papier Mâché may also help you construct your creature.
Step Five- Put it together.
Now is the time to put your vision together. Be careful when using scissors and be sure to let Mom and Dad handle the glue gun at all times. If you would like to paint the creature we recommend adding a little glue in with the paint to help it stick to some surfaces. For inspiration, visit our website at www.clean.ns.ca and look under Support/ Events. Or Google ―Fish with Flare‖.
Step Six – Take a picture of your creature and send it to riddell@clean.ns.ca.
Have fun, be safe and talk to your kids about reducing, reusing and recycling!
(The creatures you see in the photos were made by students in HRM who used Styrofoam take-out containers, chip bags, CDs, straws, deflated balloons, plastic netting, old plastic jewellery, yogurt containers, bottle caps, milk caps, old packing foam and jar lids)
BONE CAGE
October 10-12, 8:00 PM and October 13-14, 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM at Neptune Studio The award-winning play BONE CAGE by Halifax playwright, Catherine Banks, and directed by Tessa Mendel examines the social costs when economic realities force young people to work in industries such as clear cutting. What is our relationship with the natural world? What does it do to us—as individuals and as communities—if we participate in the devastation of that world? BONE CAGE is a poetic and darkly humorous portrayal of life in rural Nova Scotia, where stripping the environment can mean stripping your soul. Clean Nova Scotia is pleased to support Bone Cage. There will also be a lobby art show during the production. Six visual artists, Rose Adams, Claudia Mannion, Carol Morrison, Jenny Lamont, Peter Kirby and Karen Klee Atlin were asked to read the script and create drawings/painting based on images in the play. The result is a wonderful collection of meditations on the theme of our forests—in devastation and in recovery.
October 10-12, 8:00 PM and October 13-14, 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM (Saturday matinee pay-what-you-can) at the Neptune Studio produced by Forerunner Playwrights Co-op and presented with Ship’s Company Theatre. Warning— strong language. Call Neptune Box Office at 429-7070 for tickets.
ReUse to WIN with “Re-Tee” Challenge
You know how there’s always that one t-shirt you never want to part with, no matter how small, frayed, or ratty-looking it becomes? Find a creative way to keep that shirt around by RE-USING it, and you may a ―brand-new” keepsake custom-made t-shirt. Send us a description of how you reused yours, along with a picture and your contact info, by October 15, and you may win! Here are some suggestions to pique your creativity:
new shirt, bag, pillow, quilt, wall art, rag rug, baby dress, Halloween costume, a tshirt doll, braided rug, rag curlers, cleaning rag.
Waste Reduction Week 2007 Activities
The Minister’s Business Breakfast will take place on October 18th at the Holiday Inn, Harbourview in Dartmouth. This year’s theme is Inspiring Green Entrepreneurship with guest speaker Liz Crocker, co-owner and co-founder of P’Lovers, ―the environmental department store.‖ Tickets for this event are $20 can be purchased by calling 420-7929. The Breakfast has sold out in previous years so don’t delay, call for your chance to see how businesses can do their part to reduce waste. Sponsored by DEL and the Holiday Inn, Harbourview. The Just Between Families Contest is on again with an array of exciting prizes to give away. If you and your family/roommates are up for a waste reduction challenge, then this contest is for you! Reduce your solid waste, water usage, power bill and fuel consumption for one week in October for your chance to win a getaway at the luxurious Liscombe Lodge for four. Seven other prize packages will include five different Down East home cleaning products and a beautiful Tupperware package. To register go to www.clean.ns.ca where you will find the contest under Waste Reduction Week. Sponsored by Tim Hortons Guides of all levels are welcome to take part in the fun and educational Guides Waste Reducer Challenge! Guides, Brownies and Sparks select three waste reduction challenges as seen in the Coastlines magazine to complete at one or more meetings. Unit leaders then call or email Clean Nova Scotia to report on the activities and the girls will then receive their Waste Reducer Patch! To receive your patches, please contact Kari at 1800-665-5377 or email riddell@clean.ns.ca, by no later than November 23rd, 2007. Halloween Treat Bag Campaign Clean Nova Scotia may be coming to your school this fall to present students with a free reusable cotton tote bag. Schools that receive these bags will have shown excellence in reducing waste and recycling over the past year. To nominate your child’s school or class for future year’s (anywhere in Nova Scotia) send a message to riddell@clean.ns.ca. An Inconvenient Truth On October 16th, Waste Reduction Week will partner with the Climate Change Centre to present Carl Duivenvoorden, one of the few Canadians chosen to present Al Gore’s award winning presentation, An Inconvenient Truth. Carl’s presentation (free of charge) will take place at the new
NSCC campus in Dartmouth from 7-9:30pm. We encourage young adults to join us for this event, which has limited seating. Please call to reserve your seat today at 420-6684.
Waste & Climate Change:
Campuses Make the Connection!
By Aaron Veinotte ot only is solid waste unsightly and unnecessary, it’s a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that lead to climate change. Decomposing solid waste releases methane (CH4), one of the most powerful natural GHGs. However, it’s not just a problem when your waste gets sent to the landfill; a lot of energy goes into making, packaging and shipping a product. Unfortunately, most of the energy used creates GHGs.
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The Climate Change Centre recently travelled to several post-secondary institutions to share some simple tips to reduce your environmental impact when it comes to solid waste: • Use a travel mug whenever possible! Up to 18% of solid waste at some Canadian universities is disposable drink containers. Use your mug for water and fountain drinks as well. • Buy used books! In 1999, 40 million trees were chopped down in the US just to make books. Use a library and make sure new books you buy are post-consumer recycled paper. • Freecycle! Don’t throw out clothes, appliances or random items you don’t need anymore; give them away. The Halifax Freecycle group on Yahoo has over 6000 members! Search the board for free swag for yourself as well. • Double-side your papers! Cut your paper use in half. Get your family and co-workers to print double-sided. This will save you money as well. • Skip staples, pick paper clips! Paper clips can be used over and over while staples are a one trick pony. • Pack a lunch! Avoid paper or Styrofoam containers by bringing your own lunch in a re-usable container. At restaurants, bring Tupperware for your leftovers. • Refill your pens! BIC, the world’s largest stationery manufacturer, sells almost 15 million ballpoint pens a day worldwide. Most of these are destined for a landfill. Refillable pens can last a lifetime and always make you look classy.
Driving too fast? Idling? Low tires? That’s wasting fuel!
DriveWiser Summer Provincial Tour
This summer, DriveWiser coordinator Gina Patterson toured the province with Program Officer Lise Richard, to let Nova Scotians know that it’s just FUELISH not to DRIVE WISER. Residents, especially in rural areas, were pleased with DriveWiser’s moderate message; no matter how environmental you are, sometimes, especially when no public alternatives exist, you just have to have a car. The key is maximizing the fuel efficiency of your current transportation and planning to improve in the future..
A Social Justice Take on Waste Reduction
by Charlene Boyce Young
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ast fall, Clean Nova Scotia was privileged to be a delivery agent for a Low Income Energy Efficiency initiative, which supported homeowners requiring energy upgrades who lacked the financial resources to undertake them.
There is another non-profit organization that blends the needs of the financially disadvantaged with the idea of shelter: Habitat for Humanity. The organization builds a strong community of volunteers who, in turn, construct houses for those in need. Habitat also connects the environment in their projects. The charity operates 51 ReStores across Canada, and the proceeds go directly to supporting Habitat’s builds. The ReStores sell construction materials, mostly new, but some used, which are donated by the public and corporate sponsors. I recently spoke to Jennifer O’Brien, manager of the ReStore located at 121 Ilsley Avenue in Burnside. I asked what items the ReStore typically carries. ―It really varies day to day,‖ she replied. ―Plumbing fixtures, tubs, toilets, lumber, lighting fixtures, some furniture, countertops, cabinets, doors, windows...all of this and more.‖ Ms. O’Brien pointed out that the ReStore will take anything in resellable condtion, and that the retail venture saves items from the landfill. In 2006, Ms. O’Brien estimates all the ReStores across Canada diverted 12, 500 tonnes of C&D waste, furniture, and other, from landfills. The most common things people come in looking for include reno materials, doors, windows, cabinets and countertops, according to O’Brien. She noted that often people seek out the ReStore when they are building cottages, or renovating at home, or replacing items that either they can’t afford to replace with new, or choose not to. She notes they do have regulars, who come every day or every week, just to ―see what’s new.‖ I asked her what the most unusual item was that they’d sold, and she noted that unusual items are rare, but have included ―electrical parts and pieces, some antiques, cabinet radios, church pews, old French doors, etched glass.‖
Watch for a big expansion at the Burnside ReStore over the next few months. Ms. O’Brien expects that in six to eight weeks, the store will be three times its current size! If you are looking for another way to practice your three Rs, visit the ReStore! CNS Recommends…
Movies:
The 11th Hour. In which Leonardo diCaprio sets out to show the world that Al Gore isn’t the only one who can make climate change cool. Ok, I confess... I am the last card-carrying environmentalist who has NOT seen Al Gore’s movie. Talk about an inconvenient truth! So when free passes to The 11th Hour were made available to Clean Nova Scotia, I jumped at the opportunity. The movie is not a single-watch movie. It is densely packed with facts, statistics, and images, and to unpack it will require at least a few viewings. Documentary fans will recognize many of the interviewees. Some will be gobsmacked by how strong and negative the messaging in the first half of this movie is... hold on, the hopeful points do appear at the end. Overall, the movie tells us we are at a "convergence of crises" and it is imperative that we act NOW.
Websites:
www.peterrussell.dreamhosters.com/Odds/WorldClock.php This World Clock site vividly demonstrates how our world is growing and changing; CO2 emissions, oil pumped, cars produced, hectares of forest cut and hectares replanted. Watch the numbers whirl. The entire Peter Russell site is interesting... he defines the current state of the world as a ―crisis of consciousness.‖
Magazines:
Fast Company, September, 2007 There are two interesting articles in this issue; one is about Adam Werbach, an environmental wunderkind who founded Sierra Youth Coalition in the USA and is now a private consultant working with, much to his own amazement and his former colleagues’ dismay, Wal-Mart. There is also a two page pictorial that demonstrates how that dastardly packaging that Barbies come in, which has ruined many a birthday party and Christmas morning, has been re-envisioned. The new packaging takes into account the user—kids—and the environmental consequences while still respecting the desire of the manufacturer to show their product in the best light. This is the real nuts and bolts of greening business. Storyteller Magazine, March/April 2007 I discovered this magazine in the children’s section of the Alderney Gate library, where it is on display. This issue deals with employing storytelling in environmental education. It’s true—I can’t leave home without finding something applicable to work. The introductory article to the feature notes a listserv that interested environmental storytellers can join: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Environmental_storytellers. —Charlene Boyce Young
Submit your recommendations to: cyoung@clean.ns.ca. During Waste Reduction Week, visit a library!
A Mighty Wind
ould wind eventually surpass coal as the energy source for which Nova Scotia is best known? If recent developments are an indication, that could be the case. By 2013, the province wants almost 20 per cent of Nova Scotia’s electrical system capacity to be generated by renewable energy such as wind, tidal, biomass, solar and hydro. The figure now stands at around 12 per cent, according to the Nova Scotia Power website.
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Nova Scotia Power issued a Request for Proposals regarding renewable power development with a deadline of August 31. It is expected many of the successful bids will involve new wind developments. The news in August was all about wind power developments throughout Northern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. Nuttby Mountain is slated to be the new home of 15-22 wind turbines that could produce 30 to 45 megawatts of electricity, according to the Nova Scotia Business Journal. ―Atlantic Wind Power Corporation (AWPC), partnering with Cobequid Wind Power Inc., sent a proposal to Nova Scotia Power requesting permission for a wind farm on Nuttby Mountain, southwest of Earltown. If approved, between 15 and 22 wind turbines would be constructed in 2008 and completed in 2009 at a cost of between $50 to $100 million.‖
In mid-August, Premier Rodney MacDonald attended the opening of nine wind turbines at the Glace Bay Wind Farm near Lingan. The Cape Breton Post reported that the generating capacity of 16 megawatts is expected to provide clean, renewable power for up to 6,000 homes. In Pugwash, concerned citizens are still fighting over a planned wind farm. Atlantic Wind Power Corporation is proposing to erect between 20 and 27 wind turbines in the Gulf Shore area between the Gulf Shore Road and the Irishtown Road, according to the Amherst Daily News. An online petition with 255 signatures to date notes: ―The Gulf Shore area near Pugwash is a populated and growing residential, cottage, tourist, recreation and retirement community. It is an inappropriate location for an industrial large scale wind turbine complex.‖ Part of the debate is a recently-passed bylaw that requires the turbines be set back 500 metres from property lines. Some citizens are demanding that figure increase to 1.5–3km. In August, an American pastor told the protest group about problems he’s experienced as a result of a wind farm near his home. The Amherst Daily News reported that Mark Harris of Mars Hill, Maine, said the wind farm has wreaked havoc on his town, with many people now dealing with health complications allegedly caused by the turbines’ sounds and shadows. ―Every day (residents) deal with the sound. The intolerable levels aren’t everyday, sometimes one or two days a week, sometimes it’ll skip a week but the next week it’ll be there for four or five days in a row, and there’s no knowing until it happens,‖ he said. ―It’s pretty frustrating.‖ Monica Graham recently reported in the Chronicle Herald of a similar bylaw debate taking place in Pictou County: ―A wind-turbine bylaw under consideration by Pictou County council may include some of the province’s most restrictive conditions. If the bylaw passes a public hearing and final readings next month, large wind turbines capable of supplying electricity to the power grid will have to be placed at least 600 metres from homes. That’s the farthest distance legislated so far in Nova Scotia, said Pictou County Warden Allister MacDonald, adding that other jurisdictions call for a 500-metre setback.‖ In May, the CBC reported that a new wind map of Nova Scotia has been commissioned by the government, and will be undertaken by a University of Moncton researcher this year. They quote scientist Yves Gagnon: ―I think we can say the shift has been made in the Maritimes towards wind energy,‖ he said. ―We have a natural resource that we are not using, that we’re not exploiting. It’s just blowing over us on a constant basis, on a daily basis.‖
What do you think? How close is too close? Are wind turbines a beautiful example of modern industrial design, or a blight on our natural landscape? Is renewable energy the key to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions? What is the best scale for wind developments? Send your comments to cyoung@clean.ns.ca.
TEACHING ABOUT RENEWABLES?
Clean Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Centre is producing a teacher resource manual on renewable energy. The manual, available this fall, covers topics including basic climate science, energy production, wind, solar and tidal. It will provide teachers with an up-to-date, objective resource to inform lessons for grades 7 through 12 science classes. For more information, contact the Climate Change Centre, ccc@clean.ns.ca, or call Daisy Kidston at 420-6684.
If you found ―1 & 2 in the bag that’s blue‖ hard...
IMAGINE 44 SORTING CATEGORIES FOR WASTE
OR, HOW TO DISPOSE OF ONE SOCK IN JAPAN
By Graham Noble
H
aving trouble sorting your recycling? Feeling like the city is making recycling more complicated than it should be? Be happy you don’t live in Japan. In one of the world’s most crowded countries, waste disposal is a huge problem and tackling this dilemma requires one of the world’s most progressive recycling programs.
Much like Canada, municipalities are responsible for their recycling programs and just like here some places recycle better than others. The city of Yokohama just recently doubled the number of recycling categories to 10, and handed out a 27-page booklet to educate the public on how to recycle 518 different items. If you’re throwing out one sock, it goes with ―burnables‖; a matching pair that has no holes goes with ―used cloth‖. While 10 different categories may seem excessive, it’s nothing compared to the 44 different groups in the small mountain town of Kamikatsu. This hamlet of 2200 people aims to eliminate dump-destined garbage by 2020. Yokohama as well has set the ambitious target of reducing waste by 30% in just five years. But how do the Japanese get the general public to sort all their garbage? Peer pressure. In Japan, all garbage must be placed in city approved, see-through garbage bags and in some places even labeled with your name. The garbage man might not care what goes in his truck, but the multitude of community volunteers that patrol the streets on garbage day definitely will. They check suspicious looking bags for mis-sorted garbage and won’t hesitate to let you know you’ve made a mistake. In fact, frequent perpetrators have even been evicted from their apartment complexes. While this may seem harsh to some, others are quite happy to see the general population take recycling to such serious levels. It’s not just recycling though, the Japanese government has been promoting waste reduction through traditional Japanese arts. Dating back to about 700 AD, Furoshiki is the art of folding a square piece of cloth into a bag for your items. In recent years the Japanese government has been promoting Furoshiki in an effort to reduce rampant plastic bag use, even producing a folding instructions pamphlet for foreigners. As you can see, the versatility of just one piece of cloth is impressive; giving the user the ability to carry a watermelon, two bottles of wine or even several books. Not only is Furoshiki practical and green, these cloths are beautifully designed as well and have become a fashion accessory for many a Japanese trendsetter. Be the first on your block to reduce and be resplendent—Japanese style!
For more Furoshiki techniques, visit http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2006/11/how_to_use_furo.html Clean Nova Scotia celebrates our Business Members:
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