These Home Energy Toolkits became available at the Edmonton Public Library in 2016. It was exciting to pick up such and elaborate kit of books and devices that help you make your home more energy efficient. Allan took a liking to it right away and is planning to insulate the hot water pipes. We charged up the infrared thermometer and walking around the house checking for cold spots and have already done the toilet leak test, and as a result of a slow leak we had suspected but ignored, we have ordered an efficient dual flush toilet. So many gadgets and books and videos are included in this heavy suitcase that 3 weeks on loan is not really long enough but it is extremely user friendly. It seems too good to be true that they would lend out such valuable gadgets. Here are some photos. Catherine says she will recommend this kit to the Toronto Public Library.
The Toilet Leak Test
Here is how to do the quick and simple Toilet Leak Test (Epcor Water):
Remove the tank lid, then flush.
After the flapper/tank ball drops and the tank refills, add several drops of dark food colouring.
Wait at least 20 minutes without flushing. Look in the toilet bowl and if any trace of color appears you have a leak. I saw a leak immediately, so did not have to wait.
Conserving water is important on so many levels. Roughly 27% of water usage in a household is with flushing toilets. There are energy/resource cost savings in many ways, with the treatment of water, delivery of water, use of the water and drainage of water. By developing a sustainable relationship with water we can ensure the supply of clean water for future generations and for nature. This toolkit looks into detail of our water use on so many levels. For example it takes about 1850 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef, but only 295 gallons of water to create a soy burger.
Amanda Gorman’s Poem “Earthrise” is Inspiring-Check it Out
This wide-reaching, multi-year program is designated to break the silence around mental illness. Connecting with family and friends can lift spirits and is good for our health and well being. When it comes to mental health, now more than ever, every action counts. If you need support, call a friend or family member or help line. We are all here to listen. And, when our emails, texts, tweets, and Instagram messages include #BellLetsTAlk, then Bell will donate 5 cents per message towards this cause. Win Win. Have a great day!
To: The Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Jonathan Wilkinson,
I am writing to you, as a concerned citizen, about the issue of CLIMATE CHANGE. I take seriously, as I know you and our government do, the warnings of scientific research that dramatic and deep cuts in greenhouse gases are required to minimize the dangerous effects of climate change.
With this in mind, I feel it is vitally important that our government deliver on its promises and create real accountability, measurability and transparency for Canadian climate action – with legislation which will ensure that this government and successive governments deliver on Canada’s climate targets.
I read recently: “The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Actwas introduced in Parliament and is an important part of Canada’s work to address the threat of climate change and bring together innovations from across the financial sector, businesses, communities and Canadians themselves. This legislation would legally bind the government to a process to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and require the government to report annually on key measures that the federal government, including Crown Corporations, has taken to manage climate-related financial risks and opportunities.” (This is from the fall Speech from the Throne https://bit.ly/37rq0gy.) This all sounds excellent.
In terms of “accountability”, I would like to see the Canadian government prepare and make transparent 5 year carbon budgets/targets. Most of the plans set by government in the fall Speech to the Throne have only 10-11 year timelines attached to them such as in the case of 1. The planting of an extra 2 billion trees, 2. The plan to restore our ecosystems, and 3. The new solution plans for agriculture. There is a proposed 7 year plan for providing grants to home owners to make their homes more energy efficient. But what if I want to start now on making my home efficient, where is the incentive? A proposed $25 million is earmarked to bring clean power to more communities by investing in predevelopment work for large scale transmission projects, but no timeline was given to this most important plan. Is there a timeline for this that I am not aware of? The one goal that the fall Speech from the Throne set within the next 5 years is the 3 year plan for infrastructure to be in place to support electric vehicles. That particular goal feels concrete and attainable and that is the type of action I am seeking as a potential consumer of an EV. So, you can see, what the government sets in place affects my personal choices.
Other countries around the world, like the UK and Finland, are putting in place the transparency and accountability measures used in financial planning– budgets, independent audits, long and short-term plans and their track record is clear. Countries with rigorous climate change accountability measures are already achieving their greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Canada has the opportunity to show itself as a climate leader. Let’s embrace that.
Sincerely,
Lucia MacQuarrie
Would You Like to Join Me in Taking Action?
Maybe you would like to copy and paste/edit this letter, or write your own, and join me in connecting with our politicians about taking more concrete measurable, accountable, timely, and legislated action on the climate crisis. There is no vaccine to save the planet.
Do it for the future generation. Photo credit Lisa
A Climate Emergency is “a situation in which urgent action is required to reduce or halt climate change and avoid potentially irreversible environmental damage resulting from it.” A climate emergency declaration is an action taken by governments and scientists. “The announcement of this word as word of the year in 2019 comes after a year of heightened urgency over the climate crisis, with global youth climate strikes, massive civil disobedience and after an alarming report from an international body of scientists, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). “The climate crisis is becoming increasingly urgent and the latest declaration from Oxford Dictionaries reflects this urgency, as well as a growing public consciousness over the impacts of climate change,” said Tracey Ann Ritchie, vice president of programs and partnerships at Earth Day Network. Oxford’s data showed that the use of “climate emergency” increased 100-fold (10,796%) over the course of the year.”
This map shows countries where a climate emergency has been declared, either for the entire country (dark blue) or only for some subdivisions (light blue), as of October 2019.
As of December 2020, 33 countries out of 197 have declared a climate emergency, and 1800 local governments, have done so as well. The countries who have declared an emergency are most of the European countries, as well as South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Argentina, the Maldives, Bangladesh and Canada.
“A scientific report for Environment and Climate Change Canada found that Canada is warming up at twice the rate of the rest of the world and that the warming effect is “effectively irreversible.” More than 40 scientists worked on the report. They said that Canadians will end up with 10 times as many deadly heat waves and twice as many extreme rainstorms if nothing is done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a result the Government of Canada voted and declared a Climate Emergency in April 2019. The motion described climate change as a “real and urgent crisis, driven by human activity, that impacts the environment, biodiversity, Canadians’ health and the Canadian economy.”
“Once a government makes a declaration, the next step for the declaring government is to set priorities to mitigate climate change, prior to ultimately entering a state of emergency or equivalent. In declaring a climate emergency, a government admits that climate change (or global warming) exists and that the measures taken up to this point are not enough to limit the changes brought by it. The decision stresses the need for the government and administration to devise measures that try and stop human-caused global warming.”
Out of 197 countries in the world, 113 have pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050. This means that 50 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product, and about 50 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, are now covered by a net-zero commitment according to the U.N. Only about 9 countries have actually set in law this commitment: Sweden, UK, France, Denmark, Hungary, New Zealand, China, Japan and South Korea.
Two countries are already carbon neutral, Bhutan and Suriname. Next leading the way towards improvement is New Zealand who promises its public sector will be carbon neutral by the year 2025. The next most ambitious countries are Ethiopia by 2030, Finland by 2035, Iceland and Austria by 2040, Sweden and Scotland by 2045. Most of the other pledging countries have plans to be carbon neutral by 2050 and this includes Canada. Two countries have pledged carbon neutrality by 2060 (10 years past the expected deadline) China and Brazil.
Canada
In the case of Canada this commitment is still in the “discussion phase”. On September 23, 2020, the federal government pledged to legislate its goal of making Canada carbon neutral by 2050. We find it interesting that Canada has gone so far as to declare a climate emergency, but has not yet set in law action to achieve carbon neutrality. In our December 3rd blog we outlined the details of Canada’s “Building Back Better” action plan that was announced in the fall from the Speech from the Throne. It is an ambitious plan, but still we look for more concrete action. From “Build Back Better” Lucy is encouraged especially about the concrete action now being taken to support electric vehicles.
A few notable countries have not joined in the world vision with the Paris Accord: USA, Australia and India.
In the USA the states of New York and California have committed to carbon neutrality by 2050. President Elect Joe Biden has also made this commitment and plans to join again the Paris Accord. It seems that Justin Trudeau is eager to work with Democratic Leader Joe Biden, and this transition cannot come soon enough! Trudeau tweeted “We’ve worked with each other before, and we’re ready to pick up on that work and tackle the challenges and opportunities facing our two countries — including climate change and COVID-19.”
In an article by Reuters, Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says “Australia will set its own policies”. He is not following suit setting goals to be carbon neutral as have his neighbours Japan, South Korea and China even though most of Australia’s exports of Liquid Natural Gas, Iron Ore and Coal are to these countries. “If there is a positive, it’s that Australia’s resource companies are likely to embrace a carbon-neutral future, even if it is without support from the federal government.” Also 4 states in Australia have committed to being carbon neutral by 2050.”
In the case of India, the third largest emitter of GHGs, setting such a goal of being carbon neutral by 2050 is very challenging as this is still a developing country. This Bloomberg report goes into the details of the GHG challenges facing this country: https://cutt.ly/Gjppvmh
Electric Vehicles Timeline in Canada
In the budget speech Canada pledges to build on current investments in zero-emission vehicles infrastructure by providing an additional $150 million over the next 3 years to help ensure that charging and refuelling stations are available and conveniently located where and when they are needed. Canada projects we will have 10% EV by 2025, 30% by 2030 and 100% by 2040 in line with a pledge already made in B.C. Recent data from Transport Canada indicates the country is already falling behind on its timeline since not enough is being done to incentivize and educate consumers. In line with California, Quebec is banning a sale of new gas run vehicles by 2035.
The Arctic ice is receding each year, but just as irreplaceable is the culture, the wisdom that has allowed the Inuit to thrive in the Far North for so long. And it’s not just the Arctic. The whole world is changing in dangerous, unpredictable ways. Sheila Watt-Cloutier has devoted her life to protecting what is threatened and nurturing what has been wounded. In this culmination of Watt-Cloutier’s regional, national, and international work over the last twenty-five years, The Right to Be Cold explores the parallels between safeguarding the Arctic and the survival of Inuit culture, of which her own background is such an extraordinary example. This is a human story of resilience, commitment, and survival told from the unique vantage point of an Inuk woman who, in spite of many obstacles, rose from humble beginnings in the Arctic to become one of the most influential and decorated environmental, cultural, and human rights advocates in the world.
FRIENDS4TREES4LIFE 