Ecology Ottawa has a team of volunteer bloggers who want to share their thoughts on environmental issues that matter to them. This is all part of our strategy to try and get as many environmental voices heard as possible and become a one-stop source for environmental activism in the city of Ottawa.
Got comments, ideas, or stories? Let us know by emailing .
When the provincial Liberals announced their Green Energy Act in 2009, environmentalists, despite reservations, generally supported the legislation, yet one of the most touted features, the Feed in Tariff program, just experienced a sharp cut, and a recent Ottawa Business Journal (OBJ) story says that more spending revisions are on their way.
Feed in tariffs, known by its simplistic acronym FIT, is a program where the government guarantees a rate, higher than the market price, for renewable energy sources. Designed to ramp up investment, FIT lowers the uncertainty, by pledging a concrete figure, which allows contractors to base their estimates around.
However, in July a sudden cut to the fee for ground installed solar installations, from 80.2 cents to 58.8 cents a kilowatt (later boosted to 64.2 cents), unnerved some in the industry with the OBJ reporting that Ottawa Solar Power lost 16 clients in a week as a result.
While FIT is designed to reduce the uncertainty in costs, one thing that would definitely not do the trick is a consistently fluctuating price. A recent Toronto Star story reported that the Liberals are in full on election mode, with the provincial elections over a year away, and their recent environmental initiatives like FIT, and electricity taxes could be scaled back due to electoral concerns.
The always pressing concerns about electricity prices is a sensitive topic no matter who controls the levers of power, and the government's Green Energy Act is prompting criticism about leading to skyrocketing costs that certain opposition politicians hope to materialize into general discord amongst the electorate.
Amidst this political climate, the McGuinty Liberals are pondering their next step, whether or not to continue pursuing this issue or pull the rug out from their lofty green plans.
While the sharks are circling the government, all opposition parties are (at least) saying that the environment is a vital component of their future designs on power; it will be interesting to see if they'll actually articulate a detailed and dedicated sustainability policy or merely plod ahead with vocal support and token action.
The political leaders in Ottawa are undergoing similar consultations, while taxes draw a lot of attention in local politics (whether it is genuine or not is debatable); any analyst would underscore the importance of development and services concerns, from parks to public transportation to community health services. Though the more spicy rhetoric of slashing taxes seems to galvanize at least the fickle attention of the overheated media, it will be making the city more sustainable that will dominate the future of local politicking. The lethargic and convoluted process towards light rail shows how difficult shepherding massive projects through City Hall will be without decisive leadership.
With the 2010 Municipal elections rapidly approaching, the province's energy future is front center, and while there is serious discern in the provincial ranks about the popularity of green energy initiatives, this year's upcoming vote would go along way to telling power brokers not just in Ottawa but throughout the province that a commitment sustainability is not a liability but a top priority. ---------------- Note: The views expressed here are those of the author's only and not necessarily indicative of Ecology Ottawa policies.
"Ottawa: A City Spread Thin" By Charlotte C (Somerset)
August 30, 2010 By: Charlotte C (Somerset Ward) Approximately half of all North Americans live in suburban neighbourhoods: complex, low-density tracts of land separated by usage zones containing extensive networks of roads. This expansion of the peripherals of a city is known as “urban sprawl.” A report titled Urban Sprawl and Public Health by Dr. Howard Frumkin, MD, states that the environmental effects of urban sprawl relate mostly to automotive use, but also result from typical suburban lifestyles and land usage, and include harm to water quality and quantity and the expansion of the “heat island” effect (see below). A wide separation of amenities combined with the relative distance from the city centre leads to a high dependency on automotive transportation. Dr. Frumkin writes, “If distinct land uses are separated, if the distances between them are great, and if roads are more available than sidewalks and paths, then people shift from walking and bicycling to driving.” Motor vehicles are the main contributors of pollutants such as carbon monoxide and dioxide, particle matter, methane, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons (the latter two combine to produce ozone). In low-density cities, their contribution to hazardous air pollution may be greater than 30%. High ozone levels lead to multiple respiratory problems and a higher incidence of hospitalization, medication use, absence from school and work, and higher mortality rates. This is a major concern for the more vulnerable populous: the elderly, the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory and cardiopulmonary conditions.
Displacing forests, foliage and wetlands in order to develop suburban neighbourhoods affects the local watershed in many ways. Without being effectively absorbed into the ground, rainwater and melting snow flow off asphalt into rivers and lakes, carrying with it harmful chemicals that would otherwise be naturally filtered through the earth. In low-lying areas where the water cannot flow easily into waterways, it often causes floods. Riverbanks also erode at a much faster rate when not covered with brush.
The heat island effect causes urban areas to be 6° to 8° Fahrenheit warmer than surrounding areas. This is caused by the dark colour of asphalt and roofs that reradiate heat from the sun and the lack of vegetation to provide shade and heat relief through transpiration and evaporation. Heat can lead to all sorts of malaise: fainting, swelling, cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If a body’s core temperature is high enough, muscles will break down and the kidneys will fail. As the temperature skyrockets, the demand for energy to power air conditioners follows.
The sedentary lifestyle associated with high auto-dependency can lead to various health problems, as it has been linked to increases in cardiovascular disease, stroke, stress, back pain, obesity and mortality. Poor physical fitness may be comparably bad for your health as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking. Obese persons die “at as much as 2.5 times the rate of non-obese people.” Those who spend more time in their cars are more likely to suffer road rage and be involved in a traffic accident. They also spend less time with their families and are less involved in their communities.
These concerns could be alleviated by increasing the density of the core of the city. The only problem is: Ottawa wants none of this. Throughout much of central Ottawa, overly strict height and architectural restrictions are in place. This dissuades many developers from considering Centertown – which is full of decrepit, decaying abandoned buildings, parking lots, and other eyesores – even though property values are high. If no such restrictions existed, construction of high-rise apartment buildings would increase the density of the city and help save energy (single-family homes require more water, electricity, gas, etc.).
Originally, no building in Ottawa was to be built higher than 90 metres so that the Peace Tower would be visible throughout the city. The construction of the buildings that now exceed the Tower’s height was met with opposition brought about by the thought that high-rise buildings ruin the historical aesthetic of the city. South of Somerset, where I live, the height restriction is just three storeys (and I cannot see the Peace Tower). This is thought to help define the line between business and residential districts, even though the two often overlap. Somerset Ward City Councillor Diane Holmes says these restrictions lead to “having smaller buildings that are more ugly.” Because of the city’s restrictions, new housing and amenities are mostly built outside of Centretown, which is left to become a homogenous ghost town. Downtown businesses suffer at the lack of pedestrian traffic. Since larger transportation networks and larger fleets are required for public transportation, the price of fare also rises.
The City of Ottawa’s Environmental Strategy notes the environmental impacts of urban sprawl, and vows to “not expand urban area boundaries.” Unfortunately, Ottawa has failed to implement any restrictions on urban sprawl, including the South March Highlands, which it notes is “under pressure.” Conversely, Ottawa has continued to enforce outdated restrictions that drive away developers and hinder the growth and prosperity of the urban centre.
Although the negative effects of current suburban neighbourhoods cannot be eliminated overnight, Ottawa needs to get rid of archaic height and building code restrictions, increase its density and put a halt to suburban development. Once a sustainable vision for the development of Ottawa gains momentum, we can then address the issues created by the unchecked sprawl that has already occurred. James Lovelock writes in The Vanishing Face of Gaia: A Final Warning that high-density living “would set free land instead of compete with it” and advocates for pedestrian-friendly cities in which “everything needed could be no more than a walk away.” In order to bring about these changes, whole protocols and policies of development must be uprooted: architects, developers, engineers, city planners, and health and environmental officials must collaborate to redevelop, diversify and condense the City of Ottawa. Incentives could also be put in place to encourage change in environmental and behavioural habits, including physical inactivity.
Other suggestions found in Ecology Ottawa’s report titled Towards Sustainable Transport in Ottawa: An End to Road Construction include: building a complex, city-wide cycling network where bicycles take priority over cars, including segregated cycling lanes, paths and bridges; creating cut-offs on residential and downtown streets that allow only local and bicycle traffic through (an inexpensive project); increasing the number of bus lanes on major roads, even if it increases congestion for car users; and redesigning existing roads to make them safer for cyclists and pedestrians. Other, more radical incentives for using alternative transportation could include erecting tolls in which those entering the city centre would pay more in more congested traffic (this system is currently in use with success in European cities) and when there are fewer passengers in the vehicle.
With the coming municipal elections, it must be made clear to all candidates that the citizens of the City of Ottawa want to see changes made in the way the city conducts itself. Conservation of local greenspace must be made a priority. Voters must also make themselves aware of the campaigns of each candidate and be sure that whomever they vote for has both the city and its surrounding wildlife in mind.
If the City of Ottawa continues to ignore its Environmental Strategy, then the city will eventually be stretched so thin that public transportation will be an expensive inconvenience and the urban centre will have been all but abandoned. As the city spreads outward and outlying towns spread inward, there is no place for nature to go. Animals are forced into residential neighbourhoods to search for food, which, as we can assume by the city’s handling of the recent moose incidents in the east end, will not end well for said animals.
Ottawa is the Nation’s Capital, a diverse and polite city. It is now that we must shed our apathetic image and set an example for the rest of the country and the world. ---------------- Note: The views expressed here are those of the author's only and not necessarily indicative of Ecology Ottawa policies.
"Planet WIFM: Canadians waste water in record numbers" By Ryan M (Kitchissippi)
My neighbour, who lives at the edge of Dow's Lake, has a habit of taking water for granted. On hot summer days he washes his car with a power hose needlessly spreading water down into the street Despite knowing that there is a storm coming, he waters his lawn anyway. Perhaps when he takes his evening stroll down Dow's Lake's bike trails and sees the water flowing beautifully he thinks that our water supply is a never ending wishing well. He invited me inside for a glass of water after I helped him bring out the garbage and I noticed that his fridge was full of bottled water, as if he believed it to be healthier. A good man, with good intentions, but like many people of our nations capital, unaware of the waste he was contributing to, unaware that the bottled water he handed me was no more healthier than the water from his tap.
CBC news recently reported a study showing the Ottawa River is at its lowest levels in decades, down 40 centimeters at Britannia Bay and 22 centimeters at Hull. But where is this water going? What are we doing with it? Next to the United States, Canadians are reportedly the worst wasters of water in the world. Is this something we can be proud of? We think of ourselves as good people with good intentions, but the negligence towards our resources proves that we are taking our lifestyle and luxuries for granted. It’s very easy for us to turn on the tap and let it run, to pour ourselves a glass of water, drink half, and throw the rest down the drain. Many people may see these actions as trivial, but it is this mindset that creates our collective waste.
The way we have embraced the bottled water trend shows that we either do not know the facts, or do not care. Has convenience replaced our good intentions? Has our consumer distractions led us down a path of apathy? We don’t think about how our embrace of the bottled water business has affected our public systems. We do not think about the quality of water we will be drinking in 40 years or how much we may have to pay for it.
Water is a natural resource, it is not meant to be a commodity. It is every person’s basic human right to have access to water. Let's not take our luxuries for granted and waste more then we already have.
Ecology Ottawa is asking you to join the fight against the waste of our water supply. If we truly want to be the green capital of Canada we need to prioritize the issue of water waste in Ottawa, helping one home at a time make the most of their own supply, remembering those less fortunate who do not have running water in their homes.
Write to your councillor and mayor to ask them how they plan to address the problem of water waste:
When the well is dry, we know the worth of water. - Benjamin Franklin ---------------- Note: The views expressed here are those of the author's only and not necessarily indicative of Ecology Ottawa policies.
“Supporting bottled water-free institutions and access to public water sources” By Deanna C (Capital)
Most of us are well aware of the negative impact of bottled water. I never buy it, instead I have numerous stainless steel bottles on hand, I even keep one at work. This way, I am always able to fill up my bottle wherever I am and when I am on the go – the problem is there are very few water fountains available in Ottawa in public places and institutions.
The presence and availability of working and well maintained water fountains aside from providing the necessity of safe drinking water for citizens, would also encourage people to use the water fountains, instead of purchasing a bottled water.
A case in point which speaks to this problem and ways to address it are the presence or lack of water fountains on University campuses. A study completed in 2009 found that some institutions were decommissioning water fountains in older buildings and excluding water fountains in new buildings.
On a positive note however, several universities in Canada have increased the number of water fountains available in new developments and buildings on their campus, and have even banned the sale of bottled water. In fact, in our own city the University of Ottawa has worked toward building a bottled water-free campus and as of September 1st the ban on the sale of bottled water will take effect.
Additionally, some municipalities have implemented bottled water bans within their own institutions. For example, in 2008 the City of Toronto banned the sale and distribution of bottled water in most city facilities with the goal of including all city facilities in the near future. The city is also committed to fixing old water fountains and installing new ones.
These success stories are a direct result of the advocacy and action of individuals and groups, demonstrating that continued awareness-raising about the hazards of bottled water along with the promotion of access to public water sources/fountains can result in big changes and more bottled water-free zones in Ottawa. ---------------- Note: The views expressed here
are those of the author's only and not necessarily indicative of
Ecology Ottawa policies.
"Planet WIFM: Recycling: what’s my motivation?" By Ryan M (Kitchissippi)
I was sitting in my work lunch room gathering my recyclables to bring them back to my locker, when one of my co-workers grabbed my aluminum can and through it in the garbage while yelling, ‘forget recycling!‘ With Ottawa facing a landfill crisis, it is easy to see how this mentality is leading to a society built on garbage. Something that I have noticed is a younger generation being fairly apathetic when it comes to recycling. And although many young people are active recyclers, the majority of young people do seem overly interested.
So what’s in it for me to recycle? What’s my motivation? Did you know that recycling one aluminum can creates enough energy to run a television for three hours? For those concerned about what we are going to do about alternative sources of energy it is not too hard to understand how much energy we could be saving through our recyclables. Hundreds of thousands of aluminum cans are produced in Canada every minute. It makes you wonder how much money we are really flushing down the drain.
For those concerned with creating jobs, through supporting recycling initiatives we can create an economy based on more sustainable practices. An aluminum can has no limit to how many times it can be recycled, and will stand the test of time by still being here 500 years from now. I wonder why Coca-Cola does not have “recycle me” labels on its product. Do you ever stop to wonder about that kind of stuff? What does big business have against recycling? Can we stop consuming just long enough to create a better system? Please?
Ecology Ottawa released a short report (in 2008) calling for a mandatory recycling by-law for industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) waste. Ottawa is - by far - not the first city to implement this type of law but I fail to see why. As the nation’s capital, should we not be leading by example? I feel a sense of disappointment when I our city neglecting to address such pressing issues. It’s common sense: recycling saves the city money. It does not take a genius to figure out that if business recycles its waste we will save more money. So why has this by-law not been passed already?
Ecology Ottawa is calling on City Council to enforce the mandatory recycling by-law on ICI waste. Up to 70 percent of our waste in Ottawa is created by these sources. How are we making any type of difference by focusing on regular homes only? We are not the only ones who have to take responsibility. It is fair to say that it is time for a change. Implementing mandatory recycling laws has proven to boost recycling rates and save cities money. Nova Scotia’s waste management program is a prime example of this, saving the province roughly 31 million dollars annually.
How can Ottawa become the green capital of Canada without such a law? At least with big business being forced to recycle I can worry a little less about my co-workers and their negligent attitude towards recycling.
Write to your councillor and the mayor to tell them that you want a mandatory recycling by-law for businesses in the city:
We are not to throw away those things which can benefit our neighbor. Goods are called good because they can be used for good: they are instruments for good, in the hands of those who use them properly. -- Clement of Alexandria ---------------- Note: The views expressed here
are those of the author's only and not necessarily indicative of
Ecology Ottawa policies.
Will Doucet take the transit challenge?" By Charlotte C (Somerset)
Thursday July 22, 2010 By: Charlotte C (Somerset Ward)
Two weeks ago, Ecology Ottawa published a report (Towards Sustainable Transport in Ottawa) calling for the cessation of road development. That same day, the Citizen published an article in which mayoral candidate and Capital ward councillor Clive Doucet said that Ottawa “desperately need[s] a road diet.” Currently there are more than 50 sites of road construction throughout the city, proving that Ottawa really does have only two seasons (winter and construction).
The greater City of Ottawa covers 2,778 square kilometers; more than urban Toronto and Montréal combined, with less than a quarter of the population. To bus from Kanata to Orléans can take up to two hours. With our city ever expanding into invaluable surrounding green space, including the highly publicized South March Highlands development, I ask: why is this city so obsessed with urban sprawl?
Suburban developments are highly auto-dependant since they lie far from the city centre, where the majority of residents commute (by car) to work. Also, since the chance of colleagues living in the same suburban neighbourhood is pretty slim, most commuters drive into the city alone. Many common design features of shopping centres in suburban neighbourhoods encourage dependency on cars. Even Doucet sees this problem: “[W]e will be reliant on personal vehicles for as far as I can see in the future.” This is a truly scary notion.
The City of Ottawa must encourage commuters to consider alternative transportation methods. To do this, they must first reestablish a respectable reputation for OC Transpo, which has done little to improve its image or services since the ’08/’09 strike disaster. Ottawa must provide incentives to get single-passenger commuter vehicles out of the congested downtown core and provide safe, extensive cycling routes from outer neighbourhoods into the city. Ottawa can afford to cut a small piece of their $1.5 billion road budget and put it toward more logical solutions. If Doucet agrees to tackle these key commuter issues, he’s got my vote.
---------------- Note: The views expressed here
are those of the author's only and not necessarily indicative of
Ecology Ottawa policies.
"PLANET WIFM: Breathe less poison, breathe more oxygen" By Ryan M (Kitchissippi)
“I think we desperately need a roads diet,” mayoral candidate Clive Doucet said this past month. His reasoning was that by reducing our road costs we would lower taxes, that we could build less and use what we have more efficiently. Mayor Larry O’Brien took a different stance on this issue, quoted as saying that not one roadway project should be cancelled and that we need to build more roads for electric cars in the future. To view the article in its entirety, please click here.
In response to this article, Ecology Ottawa wrote a letter to the editor asking for candidates who talk less and act more. In order to become the green capital of Canada we need a mayoral candidate who is willing to lead by example and take action on such pressing issues. “Unfortunately, the response from some candidates failed to acknowledge the most basic of principles that by continuing to build and design our city with an eye to single occupancy vehicles above all else is an error in judgment. In other words, business as usual is no longer good enough,” Ben Liadsky, the Communications Officer for Ecology Ottawa wrote.
The fact of the matter is: if we want oxygen suitable for breathing, we need to find suitable alternatives to our plans for the city that do not interfere with making Ottawa the green capital of Canada. There is no reason why this should not be possible. As the nation’s capital, we should be leading by example. It would not be hard to understand why breathing clean air adds days, months, and years to our lives. Air pollution from automobiles will continue to increase so long as urban sprawl increases and our greenspace disappears.
The question remains: what will we be left with to breathe? What will future generations be left with to breathe? Is it so hard to believe that the spread of illness and disease could be heightened and even created through the quality of air we breathe? Is this not as far fetched as some people may have us believe?
With the 2010 municipal elections approaching this October it is important that we communicate to our candidates the importance of making Ottawa a cleaner, less congested, and healthier place to live. Often living more simply can be the most effective solution, and it is not only more beneficial to the environment, but to our bank accounts as well. If we choose to take action we can begin to preserve the beautiful natural elements that the City of Ottawa has traditionally upheld.
Many citizens believe that Ottawa is spending too much tax payer money on building more roads, without a sufficient quality of planning on sustainability. Building more roads is not only an expensive endeavor, but it is costly to our green spaces, quality of air, and endangers what biodiversity we still have. And so it seems the urban sprawl will stretch further, until all we can see is one car after another, one identical home built after another, while the landscape of green becomes that of just a memory.
Do you ever think about what we will be forced to breathe in 10 years?
Ottawa is presently creating expansion plans without a more effective transit system, making room for more individual trucks and cars, and neglecting to acknowledge the lack of planning for our transit systems. It’s a simple theory. The more vehicles we drive, the more polluted the air becomes. If we cannot adapt this simple theory into our plans for development, our green spaces may become that of just a memory.
It’s easy to lose sight of the natural world when we are not in contact with it, locked into our technology. We would rather watch a burning campfire on a widescreen television than we would in person. In fact, for many people, most contact with the natural world is through the television and internet. When in the city, driving to work or school, and then back home to log on to our computers, it is easy to forget what we are breathing. We forget what a breath of fresh air really feels like.
For the amount of poison we unknowingly breathe into our lungs everyday, it is important that we do not continue to let the disease of urban sprawl completely eliminate what little contact us city people have with the natural world. Ottawa is known as a fairly distinguished city because of its green spaces; the parks which we stroll through, wooden areas, and a rolling countryside that too few have the privilege of inhabiting.
We are lucky to have had such active citizens who have taken pride in Ottawa being distinct with its greenspace. We must not let our modern city mentality to forge a new identity for the city that does not include the tradition of Ottawa’s natural elements. And through this we benefit from better air quality, healthier watercourses, protection of our plant and animal life, as well as fight climate change.
Through investing tax dollars into a better cycling and transit system we would be able to better maintain the greenspace we still have. Currently, roads being built are for individual drivers and lack focus on maintaining and improving bike paths, which could incite more people to ride their bikes, and drive their cars less. The faster we choose to plan and implement environmentally sustainable practices, the less money it will cost us over the long term. If we choose to support a more sustainable plan for the future we will have a better chance for clean air, healthier lungs, and longer lives. For the day we are all forced to wear oxygen masks may not seem to farfetched when our blue skies fade to black.
What type of unique city do we build by letting our roads sprawl further? Are we not just turning Ottawa into another polluted city? It is becoming increasingly more apparent that we must not continue to develop plans purely devoted to business development, without the proper precautions for our own human health. Should our nation’s capital not lead by example by showing the proper initiative for the future? Can we attain the vision?
Contact the Mayor today:
Phone 613-580-2496 Fax 613-580-2509 Address 110 Laurier Avenue West Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1J1 E-mail Larry.OBrien@ottawa.ca There's so much pollution in the air now that if it weren't for our lungs there'd be no place to put it all. ~Robert Orben
---------------- Note: The views expressed here
are those of the author's only and not necessarily indicative of
Ecology Ottawa policies.
These days it’s hard to believe there are people who still don’t recycle. I mean it’s 2010, folks. You don’t change the channel by hand, and you don’t throw pop cans in the trash.
If you’re like me, the thought of not recycling is as foreign a concept as segregated fountains. It irks me the same way John Travolta irks me – in that I would cause him egregious bodily harm, confident that no conscientious jury would convict me.
I’m getting off topic. What were we talking about?
Right. For everyone with a neighbour that is blue box challenged, I’ve composed the following list of suggestions on how to help them join the 21st 20th century.
Here they are, in ascending order: 1) A cordial letter. 2) A not-so-cordial letter. 3) Appropriate all his garbage bins for your new Blue Man Group cover band, thereby forcing him to contend with that mysterious blue box on his porch. 4) Hire the neighbourhood kids to do a bottle drive at his house. Every day. 5) Bake him a pie. 6) Bake him a poisoned pie. 7) Have a cage match with John Travolta on his front lawn. (Not sure how this would help, but man it would be awesome) 8) Inform him that pop cans are recycled into wheelchairs, and that he might want to consider it an investment. 9) Use the proceeds from the bottle drives to pay legal fees for threatening to cripple your neighbour. 10) Get your own quiet revenge by stealing his newspaper.
---------------- Note: The views expressed here
are those of the author's only and not necessarily indicative of
Ecology Ottawa policies. Ecology Ottawa has no official policy regarding John Travolta.
"PLANET WIFM: What's in it for me to rethink Garbage?" By Ryan M (Kitchissippi)
One persons junk is another’s treasure. What you may see as garbage worthy, another may see as worth keeping. The Glebe community has already realized this by participating with the Freecycle Network. This grassroots initiative has helped people not only in Ottawa, but around the world, to turn their garbage into gifts. To search for a new treasure or to give away what you would likely be throwing away, please fill out your free membership today: http://groups.freecycle.org/glebefreecycle/description
The City of Ottawa knows the main reasons why diverting trash from our landfills is beneficial to you. It’s good for the taxpayer, it’s good for business, and it’s good for the environment. So the questions remains: if all of this is true, why are we not doing more of it? Has our consumer excesses really become our priority? Doesn’t it make sense to support a business design that is sustainable and would lead you to saving more of your hard earned dollars?
Although we are doing fairly well recycling our newspaper and cardboard, we are neglecting goods such as our milk cartons, juice boxes, plastic bottles, envelopes, and a barrage of other products that fall by the wayside. It is up to us to use our blue boxes, black boxes and green bins as much as possible. In the end it is not just about being environmentally responsible, it is about saving the tax payer money.
Please refer to Ottawa’s current collections calender to make sure you are not wasting any more money!
Do you find yourself in a work situation in which your employer does not have a recycling program? In my lunch room I found myself watching pales being filled to the brim with garbage that could have been recycled. At first I brought my aluminum cans to my locker, but after a few months it began to overflow and my boss asked me, ‘what are you doing?’ I told her that I was recycling. And low and behold we had a recycling program initiated the very next week.
At home we may find it could take us a week to fill a garbage bin. In the workplace it often can only take a day, if not less. This is simply too much waste to be neglecting. I hear my co-workers discussing how much tax they are paying; who would have known that recycling could help those who do not enjoy paying taxes. If we choose to embrace our recycling programs on a higher level we could be saving more of those tax dollars. Don’t wait for someone to initiate a recycling program in your office. Do it yourself!
Our landfills are rising higher and higher, becoming skyscrapers of filth, a stronghold of mounting crud. This is one of the externalities of our modern consumer society that will no doubt continue to grow without the consumer taking a closer look at how we contribute to these problems everyday. The design to create markets, without the respect for boundaries, has come to take on a life of its own. Without the citizen standing up for change, there may not be any. Our goods can be used for good, if we stop needlessly throwing them away. We do have the ability to create a well sustaining economic and ecological environment if we choose to use these goods properly.
There are endless amounts of ideas on the web pertaining to what you can do with your garbage. Almost any item you have purchased has the possibility of being reused in someway. Take pride in your consumer buying power and don’t throw your money down the drain by needlessly wasting what you could be saving or recycling. Take a second to google search themes on reusing garbage. You will be surprised and amazed of what people around the world are doing with their garbage if you try a google image search. A little creativity can go a long way. Some people are using their beer bottles to build houses!
What’s in it for me to rethink garbage?
1. It saves the tax payer money 2. It saves the consumer money (reusing) 3. It helps create a better, more secure environment 4. Helps create a better sustaining business design
Ecology Ottawa has embraced the idea of San Francisco’s bag ban and wants you to email the Mayor and your City Councillor in support of this idea. One small step at a time we can begin to make bigger strides towards not only making Ottawa the green capital of Canada, but to help influence others around the world to do the same.
Contact the Mayor today: Phone 613-580-2496
Fax 613-580-2509
Address 110 Laurier Avenue West Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1J1
E-mail
"Solid wastes" are the discarded leftovers of our advanced consumer society. This growing mountain of garbage and trash represents not only an attitude of indifference toward valuable natural resources, but also a serious economic and public health problem. ~ Jimmy Carter
---------------- Note: The views expressed here
are those of the author's only and not necessarily indicative of
Ecology Ottawa policies.
"PLANET WIFM: Buy Local Food? What’s in it for me?" By Ryan M (Kitchissippi)
Have you visited your local Farmers Market yet this summer? More then any other city in Canada, Ottawa has more actively farmed agricultural land then any other. Saturday mornings have become the perfect time for people to stroll through the Byward Market in search of fresh produce. Perhaps you live closer to Parkdale and Wellington's Farmers Market and enjoy waiting for those fresh fiddleheads that keep popping up every year.
Either way, supporting our local farmers and small businesses is an important step in not only minimizing our economic footprint, but boosting our local economy as well. To research local food programs and find a farmers market near you please see the link below: http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/health/living/nutrition/services/local_food_en.html
What does local food mean? The term “local” simply means purchasing your food that is produced close to home. Sustainability in relation to food does not just mean how the foods are produced, but how they get to us as well. We do not need large fuel sucking trucks traveling from Mexico and the United States to receive our fruits and vegetables. We have the ability to produce our own food right here if we the consumers choose to embrace our local food economy.
For those who have an interest in saving money, it is not too hard to understand the benefits of buying locally. By removing the middleman, the customer receives a fresher product that has not succumb to the draining experience of traveling miles across North America. We have become somewhat dependent on products produced outside of our own province. To be more independent Canadian citizens it is important that we learn to support our local food supply.
We have the opportunity to cut down the time it takes for our food to get from the harvesting fields to our own dinner table. Do you want produce that has been on the road for a week, or do you want produce that had been harvested that same day? Through buying your foods locally you will also reap the nutritional benefits, being able to take in vitamins and minerals that have not been drained over time on the road.
The Social Planning Council of Ottawa is currently promoting a sustainable development program known as Savour Ottawa. This is a partnership formed by the City of Ottawa, Just Food Ottawa, and Ottawa Tourism. Try to keep a look out for the Savour Ottawa logo to help you recognize products that were produced locally.
If every Canadian city buys from the same agricultural corporations what makes our city’s food unique? How does this food keep us Canadian? To see a list of member restaurants, hotels, caterers, as well as corporate supporters please see the link below: http://www.savourottawa.ca/members.php
Perhaps you are a bit overwhelmed of where to start. Maybe it seems like you would have to go completely out of your way to shop every week. How am I going to fill my entire fridge with local food? You might want to start by focusing on one food group at a time, most people start with fruits and vegetables. You may find the routine of picking up local greens quite refreshing, boosting yourself with fresh vitamins and minerals everyday. One step at a time you can become a thoughtful citizen, making our city more independent, unique, and thriving because of it.
What’s in it for me? Lets recap the four major benefits of embracing our local food economy:
Health and nutrition: Higher content in vitamins and minerals; lower sugar, salt and fat. Economic: Buy more for your money and support local small business. Local food economy creates a unique selling point for tourist attraction. Social: Helps Canadians maintain their independence, and build a unique community identity. It also helps lower our dependence on foreign food supply. Environmental: Lowers overall use of fossil fuels, while large amounts of chemicals and heavy machinery are needed much less.
Canadians see the importance in buying locally and want their voice to be heard. There is no reason why we should not be embracing climate friendly foods on a higher level. It’s better for our health, our local economy, and helps reduce the dependence that make us less Canadian. Remember, we vote with our wallets everyday.
“Shipping is a terrible thing to do to vegetables. They probably get jet-lagged, just like people.” ~ Elizabeth Berry
---------------- Note: The views expressed here are those of the author's only and not necessarily indicative of Ecology Ottawa policies.
"Protecting biodiversity starts at home" by Jay X (Kanata South)
I would like to thank Jessica Cunha for alerting readers to the environmental consequences of two impending projects in Kanata North, the Terry Fox Road extension (June 3 issue) and the construction of 3,200 new homes over what is currently Beaver Pond forest (June 10 issue). Both projects, while expanding the community and fuelling the economy, will also cause substantial damage to the South March Highlands, which has been designated provincially-significant for its richness in biodiversity and cherished by residents for its natural beauty.
When we think of environmental conservation, images of exotic species, such as pandas, tigers, and polar bears often come to mind. However, protecting biodiversity should also apply close to home, starting with the endangered Blanding’s turtle, the butternut trees, and the hundreds of species of birds, mammals, and plants that reside in the South March Highlands. What’s more, humans will also benefit from ecological stewardship, for in preserving an important part of Kanata’s natural heritage for all to enjoy, our lives and future lives will grow richer as well.
With its proximity to the city, dense biodiversity, and opportunities for leisure and educational activities some have referred to the South March Highlands as Kanata’s own Gatineau Park. Yet, if such environmental degradation is allowed to continue, we will soon have to cross the river to see what was once at our doorstep. Possible solutions have been proposed such as a land swap or designating the South March Highlands as a protected park, but time is running out as development begins on July 16. Therefore, I applaud the efforts of residents and Councillor Marianne Wilkinson for being a voice for the old-growth forests, and hope that as our voices grow louder and more urgent in the coming weeks, city officials and developers will finally take notice and accept a more ecologically-sensible solution. ---------------- Note: The views expressed here
are those of the author's only and not necessarily indicative of
Ecology Ottawa policies.
Click here to view a video of the South March Highlands.
"Where are all the Recycling Receptacles in Ottawa?" by Deanna C (Capital)
As someone not originally from Ottawa, having moved here from Toronto several years ago, I am constantly learning new things about the city. Yet, I will often find myself comparing certain features that Ottawa has that Toronto does not, and vice versa. One of the first things that amazed and disappointed me about this city was the curious absence of any recycling containers, in particular, in my neighborhood the Glebe. One of the things that attracted me to this neighborhood was its close proximity to all amenities and my work place work so I could walk everywhere. It also has beautiful parks and green space and many organic shops and restaurants. The fact that there are no recycling receptacles along the streets is rather shameful and a contradiction to all of the other “green” features the area and the city as a whole has.
I am now aware that one of the reasons for this is city Councillor Clive Doucet not allowing the city’s public recycling bins in our ward because they take up advertising space and are apparently destructive to local commerce (as they are seen as blocking storefronts and sidewalks). I don’t know how wonderful our streets will be to walk if they are littered with material that should have been recycled. As much as we would like to hope people would bring their recycling home with them to recycle, it is not always the case.
My hometown of Toronto has an abundance of these recycling receptacles in the entire greater Toronto area, with no affect on people enjoying the streets. You can’t walk very far without seeing one and most of them are strategically placed at bus stops. I used them all the time as do most people I know and I have never heard of anyone ever having any issue with them. In fact, it is the opposite. We appreciate them and we appreciate that the city encourages recycling.
I really hope Clive Doucet, and in turn the city of Ottawa, re-visits this issue and consults with the community because I think most people would absolutely support the recycling receptacle - regardless of whether they are a minor inconvenience of taking up sidewalk space. I believe people would prefer to live in a city and neighbourhood where recycling was promoted, provided and encouraged. I know I would. ---------------- Note: The views expressed here
are those of the author's only and not necessarily indicative of
Ecology Ottawa policies.
"Small things make a difference" by Deanna C (Capital)
Public and private sector businesses are doing some small, but great and in some cases, really innovative things to make small steps towards a sustainable work environment. Companies and government departments are recognizing that there are things that can be done on a daily basis within the workplace that can make a difference – environmental targets aimed at better waste management, increased energy efficiency, paper reduction and green procurement are examples of challenges being taken on in the workplace. After seeing and participating in green initiatives within my own workplace, and learning from others that there companies who are doing similar activities, I really found it commendable!
Some of the ways the above challenges are being addressed are: providing recycling receptacles (including battery recycling and ink toner recycling bins); discouraging plastic water bottle use and having ample drinking water fountains; encouraging employees to not print emails; to consider the environment before printing documents and to print and photocopy on double-sided paper; completely banning Styrofoam cups and plastic cutlery (I know at my place of employment we are encouraged for example, to bring our own mugs for coffee and tea when we have meetings).
One way of putting the above mentioned examples into practice in the workplace is by forming what is known as a “green team.” Green teams are self-organized, grassroots and cross-functional groups of employees who voluntarily come together to educate, inspire and empower employees around sustainability. We have an excellent green team at work. I think these motivated and dedicated individuals are essential for raising awareness, getting others involved, and strategizing and implementing programs, policies and activities to create a sustainable work environment.
More and more I am seeing and hearing about green initiatives in the workplace. It’s become an important part of the way some businesses and departments operate day to day and while it may seem like a small thing, I believe it’s making a big difference! ---------------- Note: The views expressed here are those of the author's only and not necessarily indicative of Ecology Ottawa policies.
Environmental responsibility in Ottawa has become a priority for many of
it’s citizens. Although grassroots movements, such as Ecology Ottawa is
trying to build, are shaping this city to become the most
environmentally responsible city in the nation, this cannot be achieved
unless we the Ottawans start taking a look at alternative sources of
energy, such as using green power in our own homes. One home at a time,
we can create a green capital.
It has never been more evident that we have taken our resources for
granted. Eventually our resources to oil, coal, and natural gas will
have diminished and we will be forced to pay more for them. Through
focusing on green energy now, we position ourselves both as a nation,
and as individual consumers, to save more money over the long term and
help reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
By choosing to buy green power you join the fight for a clean future,
free from pollutant coal, oil, and nuclear waste. I know what you're
thinking. “How much more is this going to cost me?” Let me ask you this:
Are you the type of person to get the lowest prices at all costs, or
are you the type of person to realize the greater costs of those lower
prices? For just a few dollars more every month you can join thousands
of other Canadians lobbying for a clean, safe, more secure future.
We can build a more beautiful landscape for our future. Lets not
sacrifice our blue skies and deep blue seas for a few dollars each
month. With the pressures of everyday living in the city, it can be hard
to take the distant future into account. It can be hard to see the
effects of our purchasing decisions on the natural world. We have the
chance to create a cleaner, more secure future for the next generation,
yet we risk this through passively accepting the status quo. Which
brings us to another question: Are you the type of person to passively
accept what is handed to you, or are you a person who fights for
something of value?
Have you ever taken in a breath of fresh air in the country? Does the
air not seem to make you feel more alive? Can you imagine a day without
being forced to breath in smog? Let's not force future generations to
live their lives inside and give them a chance to experience the natural
world before it vanishes to the growth movement of urban sprawl.
Right now Bullfrog Power offers a new billing option that makes their
services even more affordable. Right now, if you are using Ontario’s
Independent Electricity System Operator, you are forced to pay what is
called a Provincial Benefit. This is 3.75 cents/kWh added to your
monthly bill. Since Bullfrog Power is not affiliated with this benefit,
you will not have to pay it.
So, how much does Bullfrog Power cost? Depending whether you choose a
bundled or unbundled billing service, you will be paying roughly 80 more
cents per day. Not bad for the average home in Ontario, and a very
small price to pay for the bigger costs to our future security. Please
see the link below for further billing details: http://www.bullfrogpower.com/home/onfaq.cfm
By making the switch to Bullfrog Power you join the worldwide movement
toward low impact, renewable energy and begin to help reduce our
dependence on fossil fuels. You will begin using the natural resources
of wind, low-impact hydro, solar, geothermal, tidal, geothermal, as well
as biogas-fueled power sources. These are elements that we as Canadians
can use to further differentiate ourselves as an environmentally
responsible nation. Although we choose to view our country as an
independent nation, our dependencies, when analyzed, can be quite
overwhelming. To be truly independent, we as thoughtful citizens, must
be even more thoughtful consumers. Through our own buying power we can
take control over our future.
Switching to Bullfrog Power does not require any physical upgrade to
your existing infrastructure. Rather, by switching, you offset the
amount of energy you currently use by paying for the equivalent amount
of green energy to be injected into the electricity. Thus, you also
help to increase the amount of green energy on the grid.
Environment Canada considers green power the preferred choice as a
replacement to conventional electricity. Consumers just like you and I
are not the only ones making the transition to green power. Both small
and medium enterprises, as well as multinational corporations are
investing in green power, understanding it’s value for the future.
Ottawa’s very own Arbour Environmental Shoppe is a prime example of a
successful small business running on Bullfrog Power: http://www.arbourshop.com/
Our resource for green power in Canada has unlimited potential, and
could very well take care of half of our electricity. Big business will
not be so easily swayed to make the necessary changes for a cleaner and
safer future if we the consumers cannot use our own purchasing power to
show them that we do care. You're already doing the little things
everyday to do your part. Why not try to do a little more for a few
extra dollars each month and join the initiative for a cleaner, safer
future? It’s a small cost for a bigger solution. --
Tell your friends and family about Bull Frog Power!
Visit www.bullfrogpower.com and enter "ecology" in the promotional code
field to get $25 off your first bill when you sign up.
Ask the mayor and your city councillor: Do municipal buildings use green
energy? Do they use green energy? Will the city offer green energy
rebates? Send them a postcard: http://www.ecologyottawa.ca/councilwatch/contact-your-councillor/index.php
----------------
Note: The views expressed here are those of the author's only and not
necessarily indicative of Ecology Ottawa policies.
Are you still not saving as much as you think you should be, gassing up
at your local Canadian Tire? Is your loyalty card not helping you save
enough? Perhaps driving down Wellington street during rush hour has got
you thinking about better ways to spend your time, and money. Rows and
rows of vehicles lined in front of you, waiting, locked in their seats,
polluting the air all around. Don’t you wish that you were that person
on the bike who cycles past that congested line up?
More and more Canadians are beginning to see the value in using
alternative means of transportation, especially in their wallets. While
there still is a common misconception that acting environmentally
responsible means going out of your way, or spending more, the truth is
it means going back to basics and keeping your green.
We, as consumers, can take back more control over where our hard earned
dollars are going by choosing to drive more on a need basis. After
evaluating whether or not your driving trips are necessary you may be
able to stop driving completely, depending on who you are. To get a
better idea of how much you spend on driving, and how much you can save,
try using this driving-cost calculator: http://www.drivelesssavemore.com/driving/cost_calculator.php
At first you may find the task of cycling, walking, or taking public
transit to be fairly daunting, but you might be surprised as to how much
you could enjoy journeying on you own, and saving money while you do
it. The fresh morning air, a warm evening breeze, the surrounding bike
paths and over towering trees. A peaceful solitude you could not find
locked in your car, bulldozing your way through traffic everyday.
So, what’s in it for me if I make an effort to drive less? Try planning
out your weekly driving schedule and take a minute to analyze how much
you spend on gas every month. How much are you currently spending each
week? Perhaps you have become too comfortable with driving and have
neglected the idea of using possible alternatives. Like we all know,
from the prices of our local 7/11, Mac’s Milk, and corner gas stations,
convenience always costs more.
Analyze your driving through the following categories:
1. School
2. Work
3. Groceries/errands
4. Leisure
Do you need to drive your vehicle for all these trips? Can you combine
any of these trips to save time and money? Can you gas up once a month
and get away with it? And if you still do not want to consider venturing
into the world this way, you could still save a substantial amount of
money through organizing a carpool routine.
To begin constructing your new savings plan, write down your chart for
where you drive, and calculate how much each trip costs. You may find
the driving-cost calculator listed above to be quite helpful. Try
following these simple steps below to create a better savings plan:
Step 1: Construct a driving schedule to analyze costs of trips
Step 2: Calculate monthly costs
Step 3: Remove needless trips, and begin using alternatives (cycling, OC
Transpo, walking, car share, car pool)
Step 4: Calculate Savings
Use your saving simply notepad to record your spending and savings. Keep
note of all errands and leisure you find yourself using your vehicle.
As you can see from the numbers you record, these dollars and cents you
spend on driving add up to thousands of dollars by the end of the year.
It may not seem like much, just a few dollars here and there, but this
is how we avoid saving more money.
So the question is: what do you want to do with your money? What are
your plans? In a world where it takes every cent to get ahead, would you
not want to save as much as possible? As much as car dealerships and
marketers would like you to believe that driving is always a necessity,
it can frequently be quite the opposite. Spending everyday of our lives
strapped in our seat belts and driving the highway to and from work can
make it easy for us to lose sight of the natural world. We turn our
ignition key without even thinking of the costs to the environment, or
our wallet, because of our city routine of everyday living.
Understand the difference between wanting to drive and needing to drive
and then you will begin to see how much money you are really capable of
saving, and investing in your future. Stay green and keep your green.
See: carfreeday.ca/index.php.vrtucar.com
Tell your friends about your low carbon diet. Invite them to join you.
Ask the mayor and your city councillor: Can Ottawa provide a user
friendly transit system? Can they use an alternative to and from work? Send them a postcard: http://www.ecologyottawa.ca/councilwatch/contact-your-councillor/index.php
----------------
Note: The views expressed here are those of the author's only and not
necessarily indicative of Ecology Ottawa policies.
A case in point which speaks to this problem and ways to address it are the presence or lack of water fountains on University campuses. A study completed in 2009 found that some institutions were decommissioning water fountains in older buildings and excluding water fountains in new buildings. 
n on the sale of bottled water will take effect. 