Tag Archives: air

NORAD & U.S. Northern Command Will Conduct Exercise VIGILANT SHIELD 23

April 10, 2023 The Silo Leave a comment

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colorado – The North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command will conduct its annual homeland defense exercise, VIGILANT SHIELD 23, Apr. 11-19, 2023.

Exercise VIGILANT SHIELD is a bi-national exercise between the United States and Canada designed to assess and enhance the readiness of NORAD and USNORTHCOM, its components and mission partners to defend North America from attack.

Personnel from across the United States and Canada will participate, including the commands’ Headquarters, the Alaskan, Canadian and Continental NORAD Regions, USNORTHCOM components (U.S. Army North, U.S. Air Force North, U.S. Navy North, U.S. Marine Forces North, and Special Operations Command North), and other subordinate units and mission partners.

VIGILANT SHIELD 23 provides NORAD and USNORTHCOM opportunities to examine and refine strategies, evaluate processes and procedures, and demonstrate the ability to address threats in various environments and domains. It is primarily a Command Post Exercise using simulated forces and involves the commander, the staff, and communications within and between headquarters. While the overall exercise scenario is classified, it is designed to assess and enhance NORAD and USNORTHCOM’s ability to defend North America across all domains, which include air, land, maritime, space and cyber.

NORAD is a bi-national command formed by a partnership between Canada and the United States. NORAD provides aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America. USNORTHCOM conducts homeland defense, civil support and security cooperation to defend and secure the U.S. and its interests. The two commands have complementary missions and are co-located together on Peterson SFB, Colorado.

An earlier example of a Canada-United States bi-national command exercise. A Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CP-140 long range patrol aircraft flies in formation with two U.S. Air Force F-16s and a RCAF CF-18 during North American Aerospace Defense Command’s Arctic air defense exercise, Amalgam Dart 21-02, March 22 and 23, 2021. The exercise will run from March 20-26 and range from the Beaufort Sea to Thule, Greenland and extend south down the Eastern Atlantic to the U.S. coast of Maine. Amalgam Dart 21-02 provides NORAD the opportunity to hone homeland defense skills as Canadian, U.S., and NATO forces operated together in the Arctic. A bi-national Canadian and American command, NORAD employs a network of space-based, aerial and ground-based sensors, air-to-air refueling tankers, and fighter aircraft, controlled by a sophisticated command and control network to deter, detect and defend against aerial threats that originate outside or within North American airspace. NATO E-3 Early Warning Aircraft, Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter aircraft, CP-140 long-range patrol aircraft, CC-130 Search and Rescue and tactical airlift aircraft, CC-150T air refueler, and CH-149 Cormorant Search and Rescue helicopters; as well as U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft, KC-10 Extender refueler, KC-46 Pegasus, KC-135 Stratotanker, as well as C-130 and C-17 transport aircraft will participated in the exercise. (Photo credit:RCAF)

Reviews

Purifiers Combat the Dangers of Methane and Additives found in Natural Gas

September 26, 2022 The Silo Leave a comment

Natural gas is an important fuel used for heating and cooling in more than half of all North American homes. But methane, the key component in natural gas, is highly explosive and can become deadly when uncontrolled. Back in 2014, a natural gas explosion in two apartment buildings in New York killed eight people and injured 70 others.

In addition to the risk of explosion, the smell of natural gas can make many people ill. Hundreds of residents of Porter Ranch, near Los Angeles, were recently sickened by a natural gas leak from a nearby underground storage facility a mile away. The cause of their headaches, nausea and nosebleeds was mercaptan, the chemical added to natural gas that smells like rotten eggs.

What is natural gas?

Natural gas is composed primarily (95% or more) of methane, a colorless, odorless, non-toxic flammable gas. Methane is emitted from natural sources such as wetlands and also from industrial and agricultural processes.

Because methane is odorless, an additive known as mercaptan, or methanethiol, is added to natural gas to make the presence of methane detectable. Mercaptan additives contain sulfur, which is the reason natural gas smells like rotten eggs. Exposure to mercaptan can result in a variety of adverse health effects, including irritation of the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Natural gas can also contain small amounts of potentially harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as ethane, propane, butane and even toxic compounds such as benzene and toluene.

Methane cannot be filtered. Mercaptan and VOCs can. Unfortunately, methane is not just dangerous – it’s also unfilterable. Adsorption and chemisorption, the two processes by which gas and odor air filters remove chemicals from the air, are ineffective against methane, which has an extremely low molecular weight. As a result, the only effective strategies for reducing indoor methane levels are source control/reduction and increased ventilation.

Mercaptan and VOCs, however, can be efficiently filtered with a high-performance air filtration system with a combination of high quality activated carbon and potassium permanganate – such as the IQAir HealthPro Plus or GC MultiGas (at right) room air purifier. The activated carbon provides adsorption of VOCs, and the potassium permanganate provides excellent chemisorption of mercaptan and many other VOCs, such as formaldehyde. The combination of these two filtration media is ideal.

The IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier- made in Switzerland

Importance of monitoring methane levels.

Because methane is so highly explosive, high-performance air filtration to remove the odors associated with natural gas (mercaptan) is not recommended unless sufficient monitoring with a methane detector has determined that levels are safe. Methane detectors, also known as explosive gas detectors, can be purchased at hardware and home-supply stores.

This article is brought to you by The IQAir Group, friends of the Silo who develop innovative air quality solutions for indoor environments around the globe. IQAir is the exclusive educational partner of the American Lung Association for the air purifier industry.

Earth

How Cell Phone Behavioral Data Can Help Save Our Planet

August 27, 2022 The Silo Leave a comment

Zurich, Switzerland- A report from a few years ago deserves a second look. That study demonstrated how leveraging mobile network data can estimate levels of carbon emissions and air pollution in cities, an approach that could substantially reduce the cost of implementing the Paris Agreement.

The study analyses mobility patterns derived from mobile network data to estimate the usage of different transport modes within a city and derive conclusions about the respective pollution they cause.
This innovative methodology allowed scientists to estimate the concentration of air pollutants in urban areas with up to 77% accuracy.
The method could provide a scale-able and cost effective way to help understand and combat greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in cities worldwide.

Big data analytics company and ETH Zurich spin-off Teralytics, Telefónica NEXT and sustainability solution provider South Pole Group conducted the study in Nuremberg, Germany and revealed the analysis of mobile network data is an effective way to estimate CO2 and NOX emissions in urban areas at very low cost. To achieve this, Teralytics examined aggregated and anonymized data, which is generated when mobile devices communicate with Telefónica’s mobile communication cells during user calls, text messages or while using phones to browse the internet. Teralytics was able to refine this raw data into human mobility patterns to understand how the different modes of transport, for instance trains or cars, are frequented. Combining this information with data on the emissions of the different transport modes, the three entities were able to estimate air pollution and GHG emissions in the city.

As each form of transportation produces a unique amount of CO2 and NOX emissions, understanding urban mobility patterns is vital to understand the source of emissions. The study in Nuremberg used this information to estimate with up to 77 per cent accuracy the concentration of air pollutants in the city. These findings encourage further exploration of how big data can be used to understand and ultimately solve environmental issues such as air pollution in cities across the world. This is particularly interesting with regards to the lower cost of analyzing and interpreting data compared to the higher cost of production and maintenance of elaborate measuring stations. The novel approach could thus allow an ongoing analysis on a nationwide scale.

“While our contemporary urban lifestyles result in the generation of harmful greenhouse gasses, it also generates large amounts of behavioural data. Our mission at Teralytics is to use this data for the benefit of society,” says Georg Polzer, CEO of Teralytics. “Our findings from Nuremberg showed that this data can be used to give city planners insights into how human mobility contributes to pollution. This is a vital part to efficiently design and implement clean air and low carbon strategies. We are looking forward to further exploring this opportunity.”

Using a three-level process, the fully anonymized and aggregated data was first transformed into movement flows by the data scientists at Teralytics, identifying over 1.2 million transportation routes during the analyzed time period, as depicted in Figure 2. The sustainability solution expert South Pole Group then used an atmospheric model to estimate air pollution levels caused by the usage of the different modes of transportation, taking into account meteorological data and information on the respective traffic carriers’ emission levels from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUB). In the third step, the accuracy of the method was examined by comparing the findings with existing data from air pollution measuring stations. The values measured at these stations were found to correlate up to 77 per cent with those from the Teralytics’ calculations.

The results of this pilot study in Nuremberg constitute a sound basis to further develop the methodology.

Following its success, the consortium was able to secure financial support from Climate KIC’s Low Carbon City Lab (LoCaL), an initiative that brings together cities, business, academia and NGO’s to deliver high environmental and societal impact. With this backing, the research partnership will expand and improve the methodology, focusing on short travel routes and taking into account local emission factors like airports, large-scale events, and types of vehicles on the road (i.e. electric cars and SUVs). Moreover, the influence of factors such as traffic jams and red lights will be taken into account in order to make even more accurate estimations of the air pollution levels in a city.

“The results from this pilot study exceed our expectations,” says Maximilian Groth, responsible for Business Development & Partnerships at Teralytics. “We are confident that we will soon be able to scale this product to cities worldwide to support urban planners in making our air cleaner and achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement at the lowest possible cost.”

This research follows other successful studies on usage of mobile network data, including a smart data analysis for transport in Stuttgart by Teralytics, Telefónica Germany, and Fraunhofer IAO.

“Approximately 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions are generated in cities, meaning that they play a key role in climate protection. We see great potential in the use of continuously generated data, such as mobile network data, to measure and reduce pollution levels in cities.” States Renat Heuberger, CEO of South Pole Group.

Florian Marquart, Managing Director of Telefónica NEXT for Advanced Data Analytics: “The pilot project in Nuremberg has clearly shown the specific added value of anonymised mobile network data for the environment. This is data from people for people. We see great potential in the results and will start the next phase of our research. The goal is to develop a product that German cities, German states and the German federal government can use to better face the challenges of emissions pollution”. For the Silo, Ricky Sutton.

About Teralytics

Teralytics is the trusted data analytics partner for some of the largest telecom operators in North America, Europe and Asia. Using technology built for operators by data scientists, they have perfected the ingestion, modelling and transformation of raw signals from subscriber actions and movements on operator networks to deliver meaningful and actionable insights, that delivers new value to our mobile operator partners. By unlocking and processing a massive scale of device movement and consumer intelligence data from location and behavioral signals, they can analyze people, places and things and offer actual insights to help city planners, venue owners, retailers, NGOs and media companies make informed decisions, optimize operations and maximize ROI. Headquartered in Zurich, Teralytics has offices in New York, and Singapore.

Earth

Weak Labeling Rules for Canadians

November 2, 2021 The Silo Leave a comment

From toothpaste to shampoo, to all-purpose cleaner and dish soap, cleaning and personal care products are essentials that we use every day.

Whether we choose a product based on the price or the brand, we often don’t realize that the ingredients in these products can contain harmful ingredients not indicated on the labeling.

Findings from focus groups conducted by Environics Research on behalf of Environmental Defence show that long-term health impacts are not at the top of consumers’ minds when choosing which cleaning or personal care products to buy. That’s not because people don’t care about the chemicals that they’re exposed to, but because interviewed Canadians trust that the products found on store shelves are tested and proven to be safe by government agencies and industry. Sadly though, under current regulations Canadian manufacturers don’t need to prove that chemicals are safe before they’re added to products. (Listen to Executive Director Tim Gray on Radio Canada International speak about this issue).

Cleaning products such as window, counter and toilet bowl cleaners are not required to have a full ingredient list. Although an ingredient list is required on cosmetics and personal care products, it is often incomplete. What many people don’t know is that in order to get that citrus-y or fresh scent found in our deodorants, cleansers and moisturizers, manufacturers are only required to mention “parfum” or “fragrance” on the label without listing the actual chemicals. This is due to an outdated legal exemption that deems scents a “trade secret”.

It’s on you to look it up to see what you’re ingesting or putting on your skin…but we’re not scientists. Within reason, they should be putting warnings on stuff.

Why Canada needs to strengthen its product labeling rules

Warning labels have been used for decades as a useful tool to inform consumers of potential health risks associated with using a certain product. Mandatory warning labels on tobacco products have helped reduce smoking rates around the world by informing the public about the dangers of smoking.

Another example comes from Proposition 65 in California which requires manufacturers to put warning labels on their products if they contain specific chemicals of concern, such as BPA. To avoid warning labels, manufacturers are reformulating their products to remove harmful chemicals.

Policies in the European Union require the use of graphic health warning labels on cleaning products to caution consumers of possible skin irritation, chronic health hazards and if a product may be toxic to aquatic life.

Canada needs to step up and do the same. That’s why we are calling on the federal government to update its labeling rules and make full ingredient disclosure and easy-to-understand warning labels a reality.

What you can do?

1. Make your voice heard and tell the Canadian government to strengthen Canada’s toxics regulations.

2. When you shop for cleaning or personal care products, always check the ingredient list (if provided) for harmful ingredients – especially those listed in our Toxic Ten Pocket Guide.

3. Go the extra step and look for eco-certified alternatives that use plant-based ingredients instead of harmful chemicals.

For the Silo, Sarah Jamal.

Earth

Climate Peril Book Highlights Predicted Ecological Catastrophe

August 10, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

How do we know? "Orbital climate satellites will measure changes in energy that is entering and exiting the atmosphere as well as the effect that manmade greenhouse gases (GHG) or aerosols, are having on the atmosphere." http://green.blorge.com/2011/01/the-glory-climate-satellite-will-join-the-a-train/ — Orbital climate satellites measure changes in energy that is entering and exiting the atmosphere as well as the effect that manmade greenhouse gases (GHG) or aerosols, are having on the atmosphere. image: green.blorge.com

A new, authoritative climate book puts all major aspects of the climate crisis into a broad national and international perspective, revealing that the gravity, imminence, and permanence of the crisis are widely misunderstood.

Climate Peril: The Intelligent Reader’s Guide to Understanding the Climate Crisis (Northbrae Books) by energy and climate expert Dr. John J. Berger has an introduction by Dr. Paul and Anne Ehrlich of Stanford University and a foreword by Dr. Ben Santer, an internationally respected climate scientist with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The book underscores the unprecedented urgency of the climate crisis, providing detailed revelations about the grave harm climate change is now doing to human health, national and international security, our economy, natural resources, including the oceans, and biodiversity. Climate Peril demonstrates, for example, that holding global heating to 2° C is no guarantee of climate safety, contrary to the assumptions of many policymakers, and that the world is very likely to exceed this limit anyway.

Readers have found that Climate Peril makes important findings of climate science easily accessible and helps them better understand the breadth of the climate threat to our economy and society. The book begins by explaining how the climate system naturally operates and then illustrates how human activity has disturbed it.

Climate Peril goes on to document the broad consequences of rapid climate change, drawing attention to its impacts on nature, the economy, human health, and national security. In the process, Climate Peril highlights our proximity to irreversible climate tipping points and to ecological catastrophe.

Supplemental- Why a two degrees C increase in global average temperature IS a big deal by Elizabeth May https://www.greenparty.ca/blogs/7/2013-01-21/why-two-degree-celsius-increase-global-average-temperature-big-deal

Culture

Yoga Legend Offers 7 Ways To Make Morning Time Your Favorite

April 4, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

Most people dread the moment the alarm clock goes off having to fight their way out of bed to start the day. But what if you could turn morning time into your favorite time of the day, where waking up is actually easy and more enjoyable?

Yoga legend Aadil Palkhivala, known across the world as the “Godfather of yoga in the west,” and author of Fire of Love: For Students of Life and Teachers of Yoga, offers these tips that will make it easier to get going in the morning:

1. Wake up to something pleasant: The very first thing most people think about when they wake up are all the things they have to get done that day. It quickly makes them feel overwhelmed, frustrated and stressed out. Instead, start your day thinking about the things you are grateful for, and focus on the fun activities you have planned for the day. Do some Heartfull TM Meditation that focuses on deep breathing that will wake you up peacefully and put you in the mood to create throughout the day.

Lose the traditional alarm clock: Jarring the body from a deep sleep is unhealthy for the nervous system. Waking up to a softer noise that gradually increases in volume is a much better choice. Sounds from nature are soothing and naturally awake the body.

Drink a glass of warm water right away: Before you head for the coffee, drink a glass of warm water. Warm water will open up the circulation in the throat and stomach. It helps the body naturally hydrate and feel awake and alive. It also helps enhance circulation and removes toxins from the night and day before. People who drink water right before bed and when waking up are also less prone to heart attacks.

Have an organic smoothie: They say garbage in equals garbage out, so start your day with a powerful organic smoothie. Anything that contains green fruits/veggies is a good choice, along with plant-based proteins. Avoid animal-based proteins which are more difficult to digest.

Stretches: Just like you would warmup your car on a cold winter day, you need to break up the tension from the night before and get the body ready for action. Do some simple stretches that focus on the neck, shoulders, hips and spine.

6. Take a warm shower: It’s as common as the chicken and egg debate: should you shower in the morning or at night? The answer is actually both, but especially in the morning because a warm to hot shower will increase circulation in the skin, and help awake the nervous system.

Clean air: When you sleep in a room that has clean air, you’re going to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Use an air ionizer and purifier with HEPA filter that removes odors and fumes from cleaners, aerosols, carpet and paint. HEPA filters remove more than 99 percent of airborne irritants.

For nearly thirty years, Aadil has been regarded as a “teacher of teachers,” and many of the world’s top yoga instructors have studied with him. He has a unique teaching style, mixing melodious instructions with recitations of poetry, philosophical insights, and in-the-moment humor.

Aadil and his wife, Savitri, are the founders of Purna Yoga, a holistic synthesis of yogic traditions based on the work of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. Discover more about Aadil and the Alive and Shine Center. For the Silo, Alex Smith.

Supplemental- A short history of Yoga http://swamij.com/history-yoga.htm

Sony’s Nature Sounds Alarm Clock- now discontinued but still available via Amazon and Ebay.

Earth

Canada Methane Emissions Not Properly Regulated

September 19, 2017 The Silo 3 Comments

We need to take steps NOW to make sure Canada’s methane (aka Hydrogen Sulfide gas which contains up to 90% methane) emissions are being properly regulated. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide – and its uncontrolled emissions affect everyone.

The solutions to reducing methane emissions are actually very simple – frequent leak detection and repairs, and replacing equipment that deliberately releases methane. The industry is resisting these solutions and pushing the Canadian government for weaker methane regulations. They want longer delays before regulations come into effect, as well as less frequent monitoring so that methane leaks go undetected for longer. And, they want to be paid for reducing methane emissions – so instead of polluters pay, the industry wants it to be pay-the-polluter.

Those who live in Alberta strongly agree that regulating pollutants like methane to the strictest North American standards is the right thing to do. If the province that would be most affected by these regulations feels this way, why aren’t we doing it?

Time is running out to make sure Canada’s methane emissions are strongly regulated. For the Silo, Dale Marshall. Featured image- Les Stone /Greenpeace

Dale Marshall

National Program Manager

Supplemental- Scientific American : 5 Facts To Know And Understand About The California Methane Leak

CBC : Toxic Gas Leak In Norfolk County Ontario Prompts Health Fears

Greenpeace : Impacts Of Extracting And Burning Natural Gas

Culture

Harmonium Once Banned By All Indian Radio

August 19, 2016 The Silo Leave a comment

There is general disagreement on whether Indian music can be performed on the harmonium and public interest in the debate is accordingly intense, as the controversially written articles and discussions prove to this day.

The matter has evaded scientific scrutiny until now…….click the following link to learn more about the harmonium in North Indian music: Full Text PDF- The Harmonium in North Indian Music by Birgit Abels.

https://uni-goettingen.academia.edu/birgitabels

Published by NEW AGE BOOKS

A-44 Naraina Industrial Area, Phase I

New Delhi 110028 (India)

Email: nab@vsnl.in *Please mention this article when contacting.

Website: www.newagebooksindia.com

Printed in India at Shri Jainendra Press

A-45 Naraina, Phase I, New Delhi 110028

Supplemental-

Culture

Ontario Building About 500 Electric Vehicle EV Charging Stations- Here’s Where

July 13, 2016 The Silo 2 Comments

Ontario is building almost 500 electric vehicle EV charging stations at over 250 convenient locations across the province to help reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight climate change.

The province is working with 24 public- and private-sector partners to create an unprecedented network of public charging electric vehicle stations in cities, along highways, at workplaces and at various public places across Ontario. This includes over 200 Level 3 and nearly 300 Level 2 charging stations. The entire network will be in service by March 31, 2017.

The province’s $20-million investment under Ontario’s Green Investment Fund will expand charging infrastructure across the province and will help address “range anxiety,” a common concern of consumers regarding the distance electric vehicles can travel compared to traditional vehicles. Building a more robust network of public chargers across Ontario allows electric vehicle owners to plan longer trips knowing that charging stations are as readily available as gas stations. With the new network of stations, electric vehicle drivers will be able to travel confidently from Windsor to Ottawa or from Toronto to North Bay and within and around major urban centres.

The $325-million Green Investment Fund, an initial investment in Ontario’s new five-year Climate Change Action Plan, is already strengthening the economy, creating good jobs and driving innovation while fighting climate change — a strong signal of what Ontarians can expect from the plan and proceeds from the province’s cap and trade program. These investments will help secure a healthy, clean and prosperous low-carbon future and transform the way we live, move, work and adapt to our environment while ensuring strong, sustainable communities.

Investing in climate action is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

QUOTES

“By investing in charging infrastructure that is fast, reliable and affordable, we are encouraging more Ontarians to purchase electric vehicles, reducing greenhouse gas pollution and keeping our air clean.”

— Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation

“Transportation is one of the single biggest contributors to climate change. Supporting more charging stations across the province will help to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by making it more convenient for drivers of electric vehicles to get around.”

— Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

QUICK FACTS

An interactive map of the EVCO network of stations will be easily accessible on

Ontario 511. Station location data will also be posted on Ontario’s Open Data Catalogue to allow software developers and other interested parties to use the data in their mobile application or digital product development.

Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan is providing people and businesses with tools and incentives to accelerate the use of clean technology that exists today.
A shift to low- and zero-emission vehicles is vital to the fight against climate change and achieving Ontario’s greenhouse gas pollution reduction target of 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Green Investment Fund projects include: more electric vehicle charging stations; energy retrofits for single-family homes and affordable housing; support for Indigenous communities, industry and small and medium-sized businesses, and helping local organizations fight climate change.
Greenhouse gases from cars account for more emissions than those from industries such as iron, steel, cement, and chemicals combined.
There are nearly 7,000 electric vehicles currently on the road in Ontario.
Over 200 applications to the Electric Vehicle Charger Ontario program were received between Dec. 21, 2015 and Feb. 12, 2016, totalling more than $165 million in grant requests.

LEARN MORE

Ontario’s Electric Vehicle Incentive Program

Ontario 511 Climate Change Action Plan

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

	*BACKGROUNDER*
Ministry of Transportation

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

July 13, 2016

The province is investing nearly $20 million from Ontario’s Green Investment Fund to build almost 500 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at over 250 locations in Ontario by March 31, 2017.

City/Town	Number of Chargers	Location of Chargers
Central Region	Level 2: 223 Level 3: 84
Barrie	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 446 Bayfield St.
Beamsville	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 5005 Ontario St.
Beaverton	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 84 Beaverton Ave.
Bolton	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Albion Bolton Community Centre – 150 Queen St. South
Bradford	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 440 Holland St. West
Brampton	Level 2: 6 Level 3: 0	Soccer Centre Recreation Facility – 1495 Sandalwood Pkwy. East Heart Lake Conservation Area – 10818 Heart Lake Rd. Claireville Conservation Area – 8180 Hwy 50
Burlington	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 2	IKEA – 1065 Plains Rd. East Appleby Crossing – 2435 Appleby Line
Caledon	Level 2: 3 Level 3: 1	Albion Hills Conservation Area Chalet – 16500 Regional Rd. Albion Hills Conservation Area Beach Parking – 16500 Regional Rd. Glen Haffy Conservation Area – 19245 Airport Rd. Margaret Dunn Library – 20 Snelcrest Dr.
Collingwood	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 285 First St. Tim Horton’s – 4 High St.
Elmvale	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 68 Yonge St. South
Fort Erie	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 325 Garrison Rd. Tim Horton’s – 1167 Garrison Rd.
Goodwood	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 0	Claremont Field Centre – 4290 Westney Rd. North
Hamilton	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 2	Centre on Barton – 1275 Barton St. East Tim Horton’s – 1470 ON-6 Tim Horton’s – 473 Concession St.
Keswick	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 1	Glenwoods Centre – 443 The Queensway South
Markham	Level 2: 10 Level 3: 2	123 Commerce Valley Dr. West 125 Commerce Valley Dr. West 50 Minthorn Blvd. 140 Allstate Pkwy. Armadale Crossing – 7690-7770 Markham Rd. 80 Allstate Parkway
Midhurst	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Simcoe County Museum – 1151 Highway 26
Midland	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 16815 ON-12
Milton	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 1	Campbellville Country Court Plaza – 35 Crawford Cres.
Mississauga	Level 2: 58 Level 3: 20	80 Courtneypark Dr. 5800 Explorer Dr. Meadowvale Corporate Centre – 6880 Financial Dr. 5750 Explorer Dr. 2085 Hurontario St. 4701/4715 Tahoe Blvd. Indian Line Campground – 7625 Finch Ave. West Pearson International Airport – 6301 Silver Dart Dr. Pearson International Airport – 8 Network Rd. Pearson International Airport – 3111 Convair Dr. Hilton Mississauga – 6750 Mississusauga Rd. 2630 Skymark Ave. Novo-nordisk – 2680 Skymark Ave. Airway Centre – 5935 Airport Rd. 30 Eglinton Ave. West
Newmarket	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 1100 Davic Dr.
Niagara Falls	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 8089 Portage Rd.
Oakville	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	Tim Horton’s – 228 Wyecroft Rd.
Orangeville	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 23 Broadway Ave.
Orillia	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 320 Memorial Ave. Tim Horton’s – 25 Colborne St. East
Oshawa	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	Best Western Oshawa – 559 Bloor St. West
Pickering	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 1	Petticoat Creek Conservation Area – 1100 Whites Rd.
Richmond Hill	Level 2: 9 Level 3: 0	30 Leek Cres. 38 Leek Cres. 95 Mural St. 1725 16th Ave. Swan Lake Centre – 1229 Bethesda Sideroad
St Catharines	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 170 4th Ave. South
Stayner	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Clearview Joint Emergency Services Operations Centre – 6993 ON-26
Stouffville	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 0	Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area – 3291 Stouffville Rd.
Toronto	Level 2: 121 Level 3: 25	IKEA Etobicoke – 1475 The Queensway IKEA North York – 15 Provost Dr. St. Joseph’s Health Centre – 30 The Queensway Royal Bank Plaza – 200 Bay St. University Centre – 383 University Ave. 5775 Yonge St. Lucliff Place – 700 Bay St. York Mills Centre – 4325 Yonge St. MaRS Centre – 661 University Ave. Yorkville Village – 87 Avenue Rd. Madison Centre – 4950 Yonge St. Citibank – 123 Front St. 110 Yonge St. 525 University Ave. 175 Bloor St. Metro Centre – 200 Wellington St. Airport Marriott – 901 Dixon Rd. Maple Leaf Square – 15 York St. Air Canada Centre – 50 Bay St. Air Miles Tower – 438 University Ave. 720 Bay St. 655 Bay St. 5001 Yonge St. Adelaide Place – 181 University Ave. 2075 Kennedy Rd. Dynamic Funds Tower – 1 Adelaide St. East Atria – 2235 Sheppard Ave. East 30 Adelaide St. East Commerce West – 401 and 405 The West Mall SNC-Lavalin – 304 The East Mall Burnhamthorpe Square – 10-20 Four Seasons Place Morneau Shepall – 895 Don Mills Rd. 145 King St. West 150 King St. West Sun Life Centre – 200 King St. West Manulife Centre – 55 Bloor St. West Bloor Islington Place – 3250 Bloor St. West 33 Bloor St. West Scotiabank Plaza – 40 King St. West 115 Gordon Baker Rd. Foresters – 789 Don Mills Rd. 277 Wellington St. West Glen Rouge Conservation Area – 7450 Kingston Rd. Milliken Crossing – 5631 – 5671 Steeles Ave. East Black Creek Pioneer Village – 1000 Murray Ross Parkway Humber River Hospital – 1235 Wilson Ave.
Tottenham	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 1	Tottenham Mall – 55 Queen St. South
Vaughan	Level 2: 4 Level 3: 3	TRCA Head Office – 101 Exchange Ave. Joint Operations Centre – 2800 Rutherford Rd. IKEA – 200 Interchange Way
Vineland Station	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 3335 North Service Rd.
Washago	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Washago Carpool Lot – HWY 11/169
Whitby	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 0	Taunton Gardens – 320 Taunton Rd. East
Woodbridge	Level 2: 3 Level 3: 0	Boyd Conservation Area – 8739 Islington Ave. Kortright Centre – 9550 Pine Valley Dr.
East Region	Level 2: 17 Level 3: 49
Arnprior	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 3	Tim Horton’s – 201 Madawaska Blvd. Metro/Food Basics – 375 Daniel St. South McDonald’s – 16 Baskin Dr. West
Bancroft	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 234 Hastings St. North
Barrhaven	Level 2: 2 Level 3: 0	Ottawa Park and Ride – 3347 Fallowfield Rd.
Belleville	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 218 Bell Blvd.
Brockville	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 2454 Parkdale Ave. Tim Horton’s – 77 William St.
Campbellford	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 148 Grand Rd.
Carleton Place	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 144 Franktown Rd.
Casselman	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Metro/Food Basics – 21 Richer Close
Cornwall	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 3	Tim Horton’s – 81 Tollgate Rd. West McDonald’s – 1301 Brookdale Ave. St. Hubert – 705 Brookdale Ave.
Deep River	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 33235 Hwy 17
Embrun	Level 2: 2 Level 3: 0	Embrun Arena – 8 Blais St.
Fenelon Falls	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 23 Lindsay St.
Gloucester	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	St. Hubert – 2484 Boulevard St. Joseph
Hawkesbury	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	St. Hubert – 456 County Rd. 17 Tim Horton’s – 418 Main St. East
Johnstown	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Gas Bar – 2618 CR-2
Kanata	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 1	Ottawa Park and Ride – 130 Earl Grey Dr.
Kemptville	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	TSC Stores – 2966 County Rd. 43
Kingston	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 681 Princess St.
Lindsay	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	Lindsay Recreation Complex – 133 Adelaide St. South Tim Horton’s – 85 Mt Hope St.
Madoc	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 14118 Hwy 62 Tim Horton’s – 14121 ON-7
Manotick	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 989 River Rd.
Napanee	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 478 Centre St. North
Nepean	Level 2: 2 Level 3: 0	Ben Franklin Place – 101 Centrepointe Dr.
Newcastle	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 361 King Ave. East
Ottawa	Level 2: 3 Level 3: 8	McDonald’s – 670 Bronson Ave. City of Ottawa Fire Administration Building – 1445 Carling Ave. St. Hubert – 4010 Riverside Dr. Ottawa Public Parking Lot – 687 Somerset IKEA – 2685 Iris St.
Pembroke	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 805 Pembroke St. East Tim Horton’s – 11 Robinson Ln.
Perth	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 35 Dufferin St.
Peterborough	Level 2: 7 Level 3: 4	Tim Horton’s – 1527 Water St. Lansdowne Place Mall – 645 Lansdowne St. Norwood Town Hall – 2357 County Rd. 45 King Street Parking Garage – 200 King St. Memorial Centre Arena – 151 Lansdowne St. West Riverview Park Zoo – 1230 Water St. Downtown Lakefield Public Parking – 39 Queen St.
Picton	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Downtown Picton Public Parking – 55 King St.
Port Hope	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 175 Rose Glen Rd. North
Port Perry	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 14500 Simcoe St.
Rockland	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	Metro/Food Basics – 9071 County Rd. 17 Tim Horton’s – 2875 Laporte St.
Northeast Region	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 24
Azilda	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 514 Notre Dame St. East
Burk’s Falls	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 27 Commercial Dr.
Elliot Lake	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 269 King’s Hwy 108 Tim Horton’s – 261 ON-108
Espanola	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 701 Centre St.
Gravenhurst	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 1105 Bethuine Dr. Tim Horton’s – 150 Talisman Dr.
Huntsville	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 44 ON-60
Kapuskasing	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 240 Government Rd. Tim Horton’s – 8 Government Rd. East
Kirkland Lake	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 155 Government Rd. West Tim Horton’s – 175 Government Rd. West
New Liskeard	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 883350 Hwy 65 West Tim Horton’s – 883307 ON-65
North Bay	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 999 McKeown Ave. Tim Horton’s – 114 Drury St.
Parry Sound	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 118 Bowes St.
Port Severn	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 1	Jag’s Petro Canada – 41 Lone Pine Rd.
Sault Ste. Marie	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 673 Trunk Rd. Tim Horton’s – 223 Second Line West
Sudbury	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 914 Newgate Ave.
South Porcupine	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 4556 ON-101
Timmins	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 520-522 Algonquin Blvd. East
Wawa	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 92 Mission Rd.
Northwest Region	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 7
Dryden	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 520 Government St. Tim Horton’s – 655 Government St.
Fort Frances	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 831 Kings Highway Tim Horton’s – 525 Hwy 11 West
Kenora	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 900 Highway 17 East
Thunder Bay	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 770 Memorial Ave. Tim Horton’s – 121 East Ave.
West Region	Level 2: 33 Level 3: 47
Amherstburg	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	The Libro Centre – 3295 Meloche Rd.
Arthur	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 2	Arthur Library and Medical Centre – 110 Charles St. East Arthur Sports Complex – 158 Domville St.
Brantford	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 73 King George Rd. Tim Horton’s – 1290 Colborne St. East
Cambridge	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 416 Hespeler Rd.
Cayuga	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 51 Talbot St.
Chatham	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 710 Richmond St. Tim Horton’s – 33 3rd St.
Clifford	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 1	Clifford Community Complex – 2 Brown St. South
Clinton	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 300 Ontario St.
Drumbo	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 1	Mister Steak Highway Travel Plaza – 80667 Oxford Rd. 29
Essex	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 4	Essex Centre Sports Complex – 60 Fairview Ave. West Colechester Harbour – 100 Jackson St.
Exeter	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 1	153 Main St. North
Goderich	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 354 Bayfield Rd.
Guelph	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 3	Social Services Building – 138 Wyndham St. North Puslinch Library – 29 Brock Rd. South N Hanlon Park Mall – 218 Silvercreek Pkwy.
Hanover	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	McDonald’s – 800 10th St. Tim Horton’s – 639 10th St.
Harriston	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 182 Elora St.
Ingersoll	Level 2: 2 Level 3: 1	Downtown Ingersoll Public Parking – 16 King St.
Innisfil	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 940 Innisfil Beach Rd.
Kitchener	Level 2: 8 Level 3: 0	50 Queen St. North 55 King St. West
Leamington	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 214 Talbot St.
London	Level 2: 6 Level 3: 1	Wellington Commons – 1210 Wellington Rd. South Tim Horton’s – 146 Clarke Rd. City Centre – 380 Wellington St.
Meaford	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 291 Sykes St. South
Mount Forest	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 1	Mount Forest Sports Complex – 850 Princess St.
Owen Sound	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 1015 10th St. West
Port Colborne	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 429 Main St. West
Port Dover	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 1 St Andrew St.
Port Elgin	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 278 Goderich St.
Sarnia	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 1399 Colborne Rd.
Simcoe	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 77 Queensway East
Southampton	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 0	Saugeen First Nation Gas Bar – 43 Cameron Dr.
Stratford	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 1040 Ontario St.
Strathroy	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 269 Caradoc St. South
Tillsonburg	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 2	Tim Horton’s – 401 Simcoe St.
Wallaceburg	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 848 Dufferin Ave.
Wasaga Beach	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	McDonald’s – 1275 Mosley St.
Waterloo	Level 2: 7 Level 3: 0	Northland Business Centre – 60 Northland Rd. Waterloo Corporate Campus – 180 Northfield Dr. West / 595 Parkside Dr.
Welland	Level 2: 1 Level 3: 1	Fitch Street Plaza – 200 Fitch St
Wiarton	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 445 Berford St.
Windsor	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 80 Park St. East
Wingham	Level 2: 0 Level 3: 1	Tim Horton’s – 33 Josephine St.
Woodstock	Level 2: 2 Level 3: 1	Quality Inn – 580 Bruin Blvd.

Some of the above noted locations may be subject to change prior to March 31, 2017.

Level 2 charging stations use a 240 volt system (similar to a clothes dryer plug) and can fully charge a vehicle from zero per cent charge in about four to six hours.

Level 3 charging stations (also known as Direct Current Fast Chargers or DCFC) use a 480 volt system and can charge a vehicle to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes. These stations allow EV drivers to charge their vehicles about eight times faster than Level 2 charging stations, and permit them to travel further than ever before.

Earth

Circular Economy Is New Direction For Waste Free Ontario

June 3, 2016 The Silo Leave a comment

In late Spring 2016, Ontario passed legislation to divert more waste from landfills, create jobs, help fight climate change and lead towards a waste-free province. Currently, Ontario is producing too much waste, and not recycling enough. Over eight million tonnes of waste is sent to landfill each year. Absolute greenhouse gas emissions from Ontario’s waste have risen by 25 per cent between 1990 and 2012 as the amount of waste disposed in landfills has increased.

The Waste-Free Ontario Act will: encourage innovation in recycling processes and require producers to take full responsibility for their products and packaging, lower recycling costs and give consumers access to more convenient recycling options to help fight climate change by:

-reducing greenhouse gas pollution that results from the landfilling of products that could otherwise be recycled or composted
-overhaul Waste Diversion Ontario into the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority, a strong oversight body with new compliance and enforcement powers that will oversee the new approach and existing waste diversion programs until transition is complete.

The province will also be finalizing its draft Strategy for a Waste-Free Ontario: Building the Circular Economy, within three months of the legislation coming into effect. The strategy outlines Ontario’s vision for a zero waste future and proposed plan to implement the legislation.
Harnessing the value of waste as a resource is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

QUOTES
“Ontario is moving in an exciting new direction for managing waste in the province. The Waste-Free Ontario Act is an important step in creating Ontario’s circular economy — a system in which products are never discarded, but reintroduced and reused or recycled into new products. Managing our resources more effectively will benefit Ontarians, our environment and economy and support our efforts to fight climate change.”
— Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

QUICK FACTS
Every 1,000 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill generates seven full-time jobs, $360,000 in wages (paying above the provincial average) and $711,000 in GDP.
Every year in Canada, an estimated $1 billion in valuable resources is lost to landfill.
Eventually the Waste-Free Ontario Act will eliminate industry funding organizations such as the Ontario Tire Stewardship and Ontario Electronic Stewardship.
The Blue Box program is available in about 95 per cent of Ontario households and keeps approximately 65 per cent of residential printed paper and packaging from landfills.

LEARN MORE
Read about the draft Strategy for a Waste-Free Ontario: Building the Circular Economy
Learn more about Ontario’s current waste programs

BACKGROUNDER via Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
The Waste-Free Ontario Act and Strategy
Ontario has passed the Waste-Free Ontario Act and will be finalizing the draft Strategy for a Waste-Free Ontario: Building the Circular Economy, within three months of the legislation coming into effect.
Together, the proposed legislation and strategy would:
-Foster innovation in product and packaging design that encourages businesses to design long-lasting, reusable and easily recyclable products
-Boost recycling across all sectors, especially in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors, which will reduce waste and lower greenhouse gas emissions
-Incent companies to look for ways to make their recycling processes more economical while staying competitive
-Shift the costs of the blue box from municipal taxpayers to producers while continuing to provide convenient collection services for Ontarians.
-Develop an action plan to reduce the amount of organic materials going to landfills.

The draft Strategy embraces a vision of “an Ontario where we have zero waste and zero greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector and where all resources, organic or non-organic, are used and reused productively, maximizing their recovery and reintegrating recovered materials back into the economy.”
Ontario’s vision would be fulfilled with the draft Strategy’s two goals: a zero waste Ontario and zero greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector. To achieve these goals Ontario would work towards systematically avoiding and eliminating the volume of waste, while maximizing the conservation and recovery of resources. This would also help the province meet its climate change commitments and help Ontario build a low-carbon economy.
Disponible en Français

Politics

Ontario Passes Landmark Climate Change Legislation

May 18, 2016 The Silo 1 Comment

Today, Ontario passed landmark climate change legislation that lays a foundation for the province to join the biggest carbon market in North America and ensures that the province is accountable for responsibly and transparently investing proceeds from the cap and trade program into actions that reduce greenhouse gas pollution, create jobs and help people and businesses shift to a low-carbon economy.

Under the Climate Change Mitigation and Low-Carbon Economy Act, money raised from Ontario’s cap and trade program will be deposited into a new Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account. The account will invest every dollar in green projects and initiatives that reduce emissions.

Following extensive consultation with industry and other groups, the legislation was strengthened by now requiring enhanced accountability and public reporting on the province’s upcoming Climate Change Action Plan and investment of cap and trade proceeds.

From J. Magnuson's Book on the approaching post-carbon economy. Link below. — From J. Magnuson’s Book on the approaching post-carbon economy. Link below.

Ontario will post its final cap and trade regulation upon royal assent of the legislation. The regulation covers detailed rules and obligations for businesses participating in the program. The final design was also informed by extensive consultation https://www.ontario.ca/page/cap-and-trade-consultations-summary with businesses, industry, the public, environmental organizations and Indigenous communities.

Climate change is not a distant threat – it is already costing the people of Ontario. It has damaged our environment, caused extreme weather like floods and droughts, and hurt our ability to grow food in some regions. Over the near term, climate change will increase the cost of food and insurance rates, harm wildlife and nature, and eventually make the world inhospitable for our children and grandchildren.

Fighting climate change while supporting growth, efficiency and productivity is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

QUOTES

“Passing the Climate Change Mitigation and Low-Carbon Economy Act marks the start of the next chapter in Ontario’s transformation to an innovative and prosperous low-carbon economy — one that will benefit households, businesses, industry and communities across the province. This legislation is about enshrining in law our resolve and action to protect and strengthen our environment for generations to come.”

— Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

QUICK FACTS

§ Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan is the next step in Ontario’s ongoing fight against climate change and is expected to be released in spring 2016. The plan will describe actions that will help more Ontario households and businesses to adopt low- and no-carbon energy in homes, vehicles and workplaces.

§ Ontario’s $325-million Green Investment Fund http://www.ontario.ca/greeninvestment , a down payment on the province’s cap and trade program, is already strengthening the economy, creating good jobs and driving innovation while fighting climate change — a strong signal of what Ontarians can expect from proceeds of the province’s cap and trade program. These investments will help secure a healthy, clean and prosperous low-carbon future and transform the way we live, move and work while ensuring strong, sustainable communities.

§ The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account will receive proceeds from auctioning allowances under Ontario’s cap and trade program. The first auction will be held in March 2017.

§ Ontario intends to link its cap and trade program with Quebec and California.

LEARN MORE

Ontario’s Climate Change Strategy https://www.ontario.ca/page/climate-change-strategy

Learn How Cap and Trade Works https://www.ontario.ca/page/cap-and-trade

Green Investment Fund https://www.ontario.ca/page/green-investment-fund

Supplemental- Joel Magnuson’s Book- The Approaching Great Transformation: Toward a Livable Post-Carbon Economy

Earth

Almost 200,000 Canadian homes have Dangerous levels of Radon

November 24, 2015 The Silo Leave a comment

November is Lung Month and also Radon Action Month, and health officials are urging Canadians to test their homes for radon.

It is estimated that 3,000 Canadians die each year from lung cancer caused by exposure to radon. Yet only about 4% of Canadian homes have been tested for radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. As a result, most Canadians are unaware of the deadly gas that may be present in their homes.

What is radon?
Radon is a naturally forming, radioactive, colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. It is found in almost all soil, and is produced by a natural process as uranium breaks down into radium and then into radon gas. Radon in turn breaks down into solid radioactive elements known as “radon progeny” (such as polonium – 218) that attach to airborne particles. Radon enters a home through cracks in the floor or walls of the basement or foundation.

Radon and your health
Because they are radioactive, radon and radon progeny emit alpha particles, a high-energy radiation that damages DNA in human cells and causes lung cancer. When radon is inhaled, particles become lodged in the lungs where they continue to emit alpha particles. Some studies have also suggested a link between radon and leukemia, though it can’t be definitely determined and more research is needed.

What you can do
Here are a few simple steps you can take to control radon levels in your home and help protect those you love:

1) Test for Radon. The first step in managing the risk of radon is to have your home tested. Every home is unique, and a home with dangerous radon levels can be next door to a home with virtually no radon. Any radon level higher than 200 becquerels per cubic metre (200 Bq/m³) is considered by health authorities to be unsafe. Testing should always be conducted by a qualified contractor, and should include both short-term and long-term testing. Look for a radon mitigation professional who is C-NRPP certified online.

2) Mitigate Radon. A qualified radon mitigation contractor will help you determine the most effective way to reduce radon in your home. These techniques include:

a) Sealing cracks. Since radon enters your home through cracks in the floor and the foundation, sealing cracks and leaks is an important first step. However, sealing cracks will limit but not completely stop the flow of radon into a home.

b) Suction. On effective method of eliminating radon includes inserted pipes into or below the foundation slab. These pipes are then connected to a vent fan that pulls radon from below the house and releases it out into the open air.

c) Depressurization. This generally involves drilling a hole in the basement floor and extending a pipe beneath the slab of the house. The pipe runs up through the home and then vents outward with the help of an inline fan.

d) Ventilation. Installing a heat recovery ventilator increases ventilation by drawing outside air into the house and expelling radon-contaminated air. Air is warmed or cooled as needed, and air filtration can be added to filter the outdoor air coming in.

e) Filtration. While filtration is not the only method by which radon can be reduced, research has shown that even standard HEPA filters can reduce radon by as much as 85%. And while air cleaning is not recommended to control radon because most filtration systems, even HEPA filters, are incapable of stopping the tiniest particles to which radon progeny adhere. IQAir’s HyperHEPA filtration, on the other hand, filters particles down to 0.003 microns – the smallest particles that exist.

Given that November is Lung Month and Radon Action Month in Canada, now is as good a time as any to test your home for radon. The sooner you have your home tested, the sooner you will be on your way to ensuring yours is a healthy home for you and your family.

This article is brought to you by our friends at IQAir North America, Inc., a member of the Swiss-based IQAir Group that develops, manufactures and markets innovative air purifiers and air quality products for indoor environments around the globe. IQAir is the exclusive educational partner of the American Lung Association for the air purifier industry. Jarrod Barker

UPDATE- From Futurism: “Say goodbye to ‘cracks’, self-healing concrete has arrived.” Concrete that is mixed with Bacteria to self-heal and last for two hundred years. https://www.facebook.com/futurism.co/videos/496701823842355/

Culture

Why We March Globally Against Monsanto

June 20, 2014 The Silo Leave a comment

It takes strength to usher in change and there's strength in numbers. — It takes strength to usher in change and there’s strength in numbers.

For those who are not aware of Monsanto or its global influence, I would like to provide you with some background information before explaining just why it is important to stand against the corporation and its actions.

Monsanto is an international agricultural corporation which is based out of the United States. It originated in 1901 and has functioned mainly as a pesticide corporation but as of recently it has been implementing genetically engineered seeds. These seeds, which are being sold and grow in many parts of the world, do not have the ability to reproduce, thereby forcing farmers to purchase a new set of seeds from the company each season. In many situations, the farmers have no choice but to continue paying into the corporation because no other seeds are available in their area. Monsanto is also the leader producer (and creator) of the herbicide “Glyphosate” (a herbicide which is used specifically to kill weeds around the GM crops but leave the crops un-harmed. This is made possible through the genetic tampering of the seeds which makes them resistant to the herbicide).

Monsanto has been adamantly rejecting many accusations that have been coming their way in more recent years. In fact, they go out of their way to address the international conversation that has been taking place about their “terminator” seeds and their inability to reproduce (provide seeds that can then be planted the following season). They claim in a statement on their website that “Monsanto has never commercialized a biotech trait that resulted in sterile – or “terminator” – seeds” (Monsanto Website). The website is littered with fabricated stories, pictures of smiling farmers and claims that Monsanto has their best interests at heart. The truth is many farmers are struggling to make the expensive purchases of Monsanto seeds and herbicide. Debt is rising in rural areas around the world (India taking one of the hardest hits, with thousands of farmer suicides being said to be associated with debt owed to Monsanto and their inability to support themselves) and a countless number of individuals are suffering because of the negative side effects. Monsanto has a huge stake in the worlds production of seeds and is already working on spreading their patents to broccoli and eggplant despite international disagreement.

This is why we march. The global March Against Monsanto is a worldwide call of action aimed at informing the public of the long term health, environmental, and financial effects of genetically modified foods. Last years globalized day of action took place with over 2 million people took to the streets to express their opinions and attempt to reclaim the food systems. We march for seed freedom (because seeds are a source of life, and corporations should not have the ability to patent life), for the labeling of GMO foods, to promote organic and sustainable alternatives, to demand the accountability of those responsible for corruption, and to further the scientific research around GMOs. *name withheld on request

Politics

Ontario Greens: “Will push government to protect people and places we love”

September 9, 2013 The Silo Leave a comment

(Queen’s Park): Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner is calling for an end to political gamesmanship at Queen’s Park. Instead,
Schreiner wants the minority legislature to move on legislation that protects food and water, democracy and local jobs during the fall session.

“Greens will push the government to protect the people and places we love,” says Schreiner. “The status quo parties need to stop playing
political games so that we can get things done for the people of Ontario. Greens succeeded in pushing the Premier to save the Experimental Lakes Area [ search our site for more on the Experimental Lakes Area CP] in the spring, which was more than the Tories accomplished with 36 seats.”

As the only political leader to sign the Food and Water First pledge to protect prime farmland and source water, Schreiner is challenging the Premier and opposition parties to follow his lead.

“We can’t eat subdivisions, quarries or pipelines,” says Schreiner. “Ontario is losing farmland at an accelerating rate, bees are dying, and 2 pipeline proposals threaten our drinking water. None of the status quo parties are doing enough to protect the places we love.”

Greens know that part of the solution is to reduce the influence of powerful vested interests by banning corporate and union donations to political parties.

“People vote, not corporations,” says Schreiner. “We have to get politics back on track by closing the money taps that buy influence for powerful corporations and big unions.”

Greens are also calling on the government to remove barriers for entrepreneurs to create local jobs. Schreiner wants to see changes to finance laws to allow crowd source funding for new businesses.

“Ontario must invest where the puck is going, not where it is,” says Schreiner. “People want to invest in their communities to support entrepreneurs in clean tech and low carbon industries.”
For the Silo, Becky Smit

Culture

10 Year Old Eco Blogger Hannah Alper

August 30, 2013 The Silo Leave a comment

Eco-blogger and 'kid activist' Hannah Alper. — Eco-blogger and ‘kid activist’ Hannah Alper.

Dear Silo, you’ve probably heard me talk about my daughter Hannah in the past. She has been called many things: “The future of social media”, “Eco-Warrior”, “Changemaker” and “Activist”. At 10 years old, she is all of these things. And now, she can add Free The Children’s “We Day” speaker to the list. There will be nine We Days across Canada this school year, plus two in the United States. And the first U.K. We Day will happen in London next spring. [More on what “We Day” is all about below CP]

She created her blog, www.CallMeHannah.ca , at 9 years old, with the goal of sharing her growing knowledge and concern for the environment. Having always loved animals, Hannah made the connection between animals and the effects of environmental destruction on their habitats and lives. Hannah has become an engaged global citizen seeking to further her own understanding of her connection to and responsibility to the world. Believing that even the little things that we do add up to make a difference, her journey and discovery meet her call to action through her blog.

Issues that Hannah has written about in the past year include eco-friendly living, fair trade, bullying, clean water and child labour. She seeks inspiration and motivation from those who have come before her and regularly features the stories of her role models on her blog.

Not limiting herself to her laptop, Hannah has put her words into actions. She organized a shoreline cleanup in her community, was a WWF Earth Hour Team Captain 2013 and spoke at the WWFs Earth Hour event in Toronto, was the official “on the ground eco-blogger” for the JUNO Awards and launched We Create Change. Her impassioned speech at two local schools motivated her peers to collect 97,500 pennies for Free The Children’s clean water projects. An effective communicator, Hannah is comfortable and confident on both sides of the camera or in front of a crowd. She has honed her skills as an interviewer through conducting interviews with Craig Kielburger, Spencer West and Severn Suzuki. Hannah has appeared on CanadaAM, The Marilyn Dennis Show, APP Central, CBC’s Fresh Air and The George Stroumboulopoulos Show. She has been featured in a spotlight from Chickadee Magazine and named as a Champion of the Earth in Owl Magazine and was the youngest team captain for The WWF’s Earth Hour in 2013. As you can see, I am very proud of my daughter and her efforts to improve the world we live in. Her current focus is on We Day.

“We Day is a room that can transform people, where messages about bullying and social issues can resonate and a place where students can find people just like them,” said Free The Children ambassador Demi Lovato. “Growing up I was forced to deal with many personal struggles and I craved a space where I not only belonged but felt powerful enough to make a difference. To me, that‘s what We Day does – it brings people together in a day of celebration for world change, showing them they aren‘t alone in their journey and that it is cool to care. And I am so grateful to be a part of that.”

“As kids, we face different pressures all the time,” said Austin Mahone, Award-Winning American pop singer. “You‘ve got to surround yourself with positive people in your life, and that‘s what We Day does. It brings people together to celebrate the difference we can make for each other. I‘m so excited to be a part of it for the first time this year!”

We Day is a stadium-sized educational event and a movement of young people leading local and global change. We Day is tied to the year-long program, We Act, which supports students and educators with free educational resources, student-led campaigns and support materials to help turn the event‘s inspiration into sustained activation. Since 2007, youth involved in the We Act program have raised $37 million dollars for over 1000 local and global causes and logged more than 9.6 million volunteer hours.

“I had the opportunity this past summer to participate with Free The Children‘s communities in Kenya, and see first-hand the lasting impact that youth in North America are making through their charitable work,” said Joe Jonas from the Grammy® nominated, multi-platinum band the Jonas Brothers. “I understand what it means to these communities to have access to clean water and an education and I was thrilled to get involved by committing to help build two schools overseas with Free The Children. It may seem like a simple assignment to make one local and one global commitment, but these efforts fundamentally impact the lives of people around the world.” Eric Halper.

Stay connected:

– Like We Day on Facebook: facebook.com/WeDay

– Twitter: @Freethechildren; @CraigKielburger

– Official Hashtag: #WeDay

– Visit www.weday.com

About Free The Children

Free The Children is an international charity and educational partner. Founded in 1995 by international activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children believes in a world where young people are free to achieve their fullest potential, and empowers youth to remove barriers that prevent them from being active local and global citizens. The organization‘s domestic programs—which includes We Day, Free The Children‘s signature youth empowerment event—educate, engage and empower 1.7 million young people across North America, the UK and around the world to become engaged global citizens. Its international projects have brought more than 650 schools and school rooms to youth and provided clean water and sanitation, health care and food security to one million people around the world, freeing children and their families from the cycle of poverty.

The organization has received the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child, the Human Rights Award from the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, and has formed successful partnerships with leading school boards and Oprah’s Angel Network. For more information, visit www.freethechildren.com.

Earth

Green Party Emphatic No To Proposed ‘Tar Sands Oil’ Pipelines In Ontario

July 24, 2013 The Silo 3 Comments

Ottawa – Green Party leader Mike Schreiner is pledging to fight two oil pipeline projects through Ontario. Joining Ottawa South candidate Taylor Howarth on a campaign tour, Schreiner and Howarth raised concerns about the health, environmental and economic effects of TransCanada Corp.’s proposed east coast pipeline, which travels through Ottawa, and Enbridge’s proposed Line 9 pipeline. Both projects
will pump tar sands oil east.

“Greens will fight for the health and safety of our communities,” says Schreiner. “If BC can say no to dirty oil pipelines, Ontario should too.” TransCanada’s proposed Energy East pipeline could transport as much as 850,000 barrels of tar sands oil per day. The project would require retrofitting a 55 year old natural gas pipeline to handle the heavy, more abrasive and corrosive tar sands oil.

“I don’t want to see a tragedy in my community, and I will fight to prevent it,” says Howarth. “This pipeline was not built to handle tar sands oil, and as MPP, I will push the Ontario government to oppose the project. Every vote for the Green Party sends this message to Queen’s Park.”

According to the Montreal Gazette- Municipalities and Counties strung along the Line 9b pathway received cash donations from Enbridge. CP

Studies in the U.S. reveal that pipelines carrying tar sands oil spilled almost three times as much crude oil per mile of pipeline between 2007 and 2010 compared to the U.S. national average. And heavy tar sands oil is more difficult and expensive to clean up than light crude or natural gas. “Both of these pipeline projects are a bad deal for Ontario,” says Schreiner.

“These pipelines are all risk and no reward.” Instead of projects that will increase pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, the Green
Party is calling for policies to support clean tech innovation. “Ontario must invest in where the puck is going, not where it is, to create jobs and clean prosperity,” says Schreiner. “Ontario should commit to building electric cars that don’t pollute and support made in Ontario renewable energy, not pipelines that threaten our communities.” For the Silo, Becky Smit.

Supplemental- Ontario Energy Workers union backs proposed Line 9 Oil pipeline http://business.financialpost.com/2013/07/09/energy-workers-union-backs-line-9-project-calls-for-stricter-oil-by-rail-regulation/?__lsa=6225-fce3

Enbridge Website Line9 Reversal Phase 1 Project Overview http://www.enbridge.com/ECRAI/Line9ReversalProject

Politics

Holland Marsh Peaker Plant

September 25, 2012 The Silo 1 Comment

HollandMarshGasPlantBound — The Holland Marsh- photo:friendsofthegreenbelt.ca

“The cost of moving gas power plants for political reasons is more than financial. It erodes confidence in our government and our democracy. It leads to cynicism and turns people off politics.It’s a sad day for democracy when jokes are flying around Queen’s Park that the going rate for a Liberal seat is $40 million. Perhaps the Liberal party should repay the $200 plus million that this fiasco will cost taxpayers or ratepayers.” MIKE SCHREINER, GPO LEADER

The government must be held accountable for such a blatant and obvious example of putting partisan political interests ahead of the public’s interests.

Forgotten in all the talk of gas plants in Mississauga and Oakville is that the Holland Marsh Peaker plant proceeded against local opposition in a PC held riding.

KinggasplantsequenceHollandMarsh — York Enery Centre King Township Peaker Generating Station Construction Progress: 2011-04-21 photos: Greg Locke

That plant is located in Ontario’s protected Greenbelt, adjacent to prime farm land and sensitive wetlands. These compelling reasons and local opposition weren’t enough to stop the plant in a PC riding, yet days before an election local opposition was enough to stop a plant in a Liberal held riding.

At a minimum the Premier should issue an unambiguous apology to the people of Ontario for the costs to our finances and democracy that have arisen from his government’s mishandling of siting of gas plants in Ontario.”

GreenBelt Plan 2005

Green Party of Ontario
PO Box 1132
Toronto, ON M4Y 2T8
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