RSS
Toronto Public Health: Cutting car emissions saves lives
posted by Joe on Friday, November 09, 2007 - Permalink
Car traffic in Toronto [photo credit]
Everyone already knows that pollution isn't good for our health, but it's always good to see more and more reports about how cutting vehicle emissions will save lives.
The Toronto Star reported on a Toronto Public Health report last weekend:
Now, a report in itself won't do much. However, a report plus another report, plus higher gas prices, plus political will... will eventually translate into policies and programs that get more people carpooling, using public transit and cycling in our urban centres.A new study on the health effects of air pollution from traffic in Toronto says a 30 per cent reduction in vehicle emissions could save nearly 200 lives a year and $1 billion in health costs.
The Toronto Public Health report, to be released Monday, also estimates that "mortality-related'' costs associated with traffic pollution in the city are about $2.2 billion annually. ...
Authored by Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's medical officer of health, the study claims this pollution contributes to about 440 premature deaths and 1,700 hospitalizations a year in Toronto.
While most cases involve the elderly, the pollution is also significantly affecting children, the report says, adding they experience 1,200 acute bronchitis episodes a year as a result, and 68,000 instances of asthma-related symptoms.
More from the Toronto Star, and BlogTO also has good coverage of this, with a list of ways to make alternatives to using a car attractive.
Cyclists Suffer from Environmental Angst
posted by Joe on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - Permalink
Here's a nice Star article I've had bookmarked for awhile called "Green Jitters grow on a blue planet", about the feeling of being overwhelmed by the environmental disaster that is creeping up on us all because of climate change:
"Sometimes I do cry and I don't think I'm the only one," said Jenny Greenop, 23, an environmental studies and biology major at the University of Toronto, when asked about her views on the state of the planet. "I always joke that as soon as we enter into this program we should be given a good dose of Prozac because a lot of the conclusions are kind of depressing and suggest solutions are beyond our control."
Jenny (the wrencher with the great cyclist smile in the photo to the right) is one of the fantastic people who run the UofT Bikechain, the "student run bicycle promotion and repair facility on the Uof T campus. Built on a philosophy that encourages the active involvement of our community to enact positive change, the facility offers a hands-on educational experience to all those who are interested in bicycle repair and maintenance."I myself have felt at times that it would be nice to be one of those people who can just ignore the looming climate change catastrophe and go on living their lives like the biggest problem in the world was the price of gas in suburbia, but I can't do that. If I did that I'd look back in 20 years and have regrets. While the scale of the problem and the general public indifference intimidates me at times... I prefer to look at what I can perhaps change and focus on that.
Jenny and the BikeChain are taking part in BikeFriday this Friday too! Drop by on your bike during regular Bikechain hours (12-5 PM) and get FREE coffee and a FREE membership! This is good for EVERYONE, not just UofT students. They are opening membership up to the general public, and it's regularly priced at $20-$60, so you can get a SUPER deal this Friday!The BikeChain
33 St George (at College, across from the UofT bookstore) MAP
International Student Centre (basement)
We Can Help Toronto Pursue Green Goals
posted by Joe on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - Permalink
The Mayor and City Council are trying to be good, announcing "Green Plans" and "Bold Ideas" that have the goal of "
Miller and city council [unveiled a plan] that sets ambitious targets for reducing emissions that lead to climate change, increasing so-called green energy usage and encouraging retrofitting of city homes and businesses to make them more energy efficient. The targets would be for both the city government itself and the community at large.
There isn't a lot of time or space in this plan given to cycling in Toronto, but what it does say is that a
Labels: enviro, infrastructure, politics
Black Balloons, A Review
posted by Joe on Monday, November 06, 2006 - Permalink
I swung by Metro Hall early on Thursday morning for the newmindspace / saveourclimate black balloon event that I mentioned earlier. Basically, they filled 3000 black balloons with helium, which is the same amount as how much carbon dioxide the average Canadian spews into the atmosphere every day. I took some photos:
I have to admit, I was kind of disappointed by this event. All the balloons were weighed down and covered Metro Square with a smattering of blackness, but I was going there with the impression that the entire mass of 3000 balloons would be all attached together and floating over the square, symbolic about how much CO2 is put into the air by you, by me, by every Canadian.
Maybe it’s just me, but I think it would be way more of a visual impact – a huge floating black cloud.
I guess some people have problems letting tons of balloons up into the atmosphere, but they shouldn’t, since apparently balloon latex is made from tree sap, and they degrade in the same amount of time as an oak leaf does.
Otherwise, good stuff came out of the event – the Mayor put in an appearance, Rick Mercer came by (on his bike!), and I found out that SaveOurClimate has a blog.
Labels: enviro
Fight Global Warming Balloonacy!
posted by Joe on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - Permalink
The amazing folks at newmindspace.com are teaming up with the World Wildlife Fund / SaveOurClimate.ca to put on a free, all day event TOMORROW (Thursday, Nov. 2nd) at METRO HALL that'll bring the city's attention to what our daily activities are doing to our planet.
(I know this isn't directly related to biking, but I know that I've become a lot more environmental having to breathe the exhaust from the hundreds of cars that are right beside me every single day as I bike to and from work... oh yeah, and I'd rather my kids grow up with cleaner air and the world not being a barren scorched desert.)
Basically, what's happening is they are building a giant black cloud out of many many many black balloons filled with helium. They are using the same amount of helium as the average amount of greenhouse gases the average Canadian puts into the atmosphere each and every day.
Here's the email I just got from the newmindspace newsletter (with minor edits by me):
This is for everybody, even if you didn't make it to the planning meeting you are more than welcome to come! We need lots of help and we would love to see you there.
We need the most help at 5 AM tomorrow morning, which is approximately 12 hours from now. The two things we will need the most help with:
Inflating balloons
Drawing the giant Panda mural
(If you are interested in doing the mural, please wear something you won't mind getting chalky. It washes out but it's still kind of messy.)We will meet at Metro Hall Square which is at King St. W + John St. The square itself is the large concrete plaza in between Metro Hall and Roy Thompson Hall.
The best way to get there is to take the Queen streetcar to John and walk south. The King streetcar will not be running yet.
Remember to dress for the weather! Thankfully it isn't going to be super-cold, and there will be coffee, hot chocolate + some kind of snack available.
If you absolutely can't make it for 5, come by during the day :)
Another thing you can help with: If you have a blog, PLEASE write about the event.
If you have any questions, e-mail us or call 416 875 4795 (preferred).
Labels: enviro
Post a Comment