Week 10 - School Gardens

Kids at WestShore School (Colwood) in Greater Victoria will be getting a lesson in growing food sustainably from composting to harvesting. The WestShore Teaching Garden provides hands-on education for small scale agriculture practices. Candace Thompson, Garden Porgram Facilitator is providing basic survival skills in teaching children to grow their own food and learn how to use their own compost. This spring of 2009 continuing education programs and students of WestShore will get there first opportunity to learn and grow. Planter boxes and compost bins were build by carpentry students, including a bench for the garden. The vegetable bed was prepped over the winter and is ready for action this spring. From March to May students will plant, manage and grow food. A grass lawn has been transformed into 1050 ft. rows for vegetables. The produced food will be harvested and taken to market by student to acquired harvesting and business skills. A total of 6 planting beds have been allotted to students from Belmont Secondary, Colwood Elementary and WestShore Centre. School trips for students to visit local farms to learn about pruning, preserving and tools of the farming trade. In addition apple trees of different varieties are being acquired by Westshore as well. Each tree will produce food for five years. This is possible because of local funding. For example Island Chef Collaborative donated $1,800 to build a fence to protect the garden. A major challenge of a volunteer gardens is adequate watering. Also a grant of $8,000 from Community School Connections is supporting this project and has paid for materials as used by carpentry students. Learning to grow food is a valuable lesson which provides security and creativity. Turning a small space into valuable agriculture has many benefits. For more information go to http://www.learnforlife.ca/.

I think this is very valuable and should be incorporated not only in all schools but at home. It is a time of change and growing your own food is one of those major changes we should all be doing.

Green Collar

Source: Goldstream News Gazette, "Old skills for the next generation," News Article by Amy Dove

Week 9 - Monsanto & GMOs

After watching the Canadian documentary The World According to Monsanto it is clear to me that Monsanto, a multi-national corporation located in the USA is in the business of controlling food. The evidence brought by this movie is outstanding and horrifying at the same time. Its seems there is a revolving door between Monsanto and the FDA. Employees of Monsanto have worked for the FDA and just the opposite. GMOs or Biotechnology requires no additional regulations. Food colouring and preservatives do have requirements and regulations by the FDA, but not genetically modified plants.

Monsanto's Poor Past
Monsanto was originally a chemical company that recently got into agriculture and is now the leader in GMOs. Monsanto is responsible for such products as:

• Bovine Growth Hormone or (rBGH)


• DDT


• Agent Orange


• PCBs


• Aspartame


• Various coolants and lubricants now band.

These products alone have caused deaths, heart ache, financial lose and epidemics. So should Agriculture Canada and Canadian farmers follow the FDA approach and allow GMOs without third party testing and regulations?

In India, Monsanto is buying up all the conventional cotton producers to eliminate conventional seed and sell their genetically modified cotton called BT cotton for less money. Farmers at first think this is a good idea because conventional seed has become more rare and therefore more expensive and the new Monsanto cotton seed is cheaper has lots of great promises like resistant to certain worm that kills cotton plants. However, once these farmers start to produce BT cotton they soon learn this was a bad choice. To keep the crops yield viable BT cotton costs expensive fertilizers and herbicides which the farmers cannot afford. The loan prices to obtain these additional tools are putting farmers at risk, especially if they get poor yields. Suicide rates in India are on the rise. Conventional seeds are scarce and BT cotton has now dominated the market. The BT cotton has become weak, and the bark is less resistant to pests which is also troubling for struggling farmers in India. A protest has occurred where Indian farmers have pledged to stop growing BT cotton. BT cotton has become a disaster for Indian farmers.

In Mexico, Corn farmers have voted against using genetically modified corn from Monsanto. However because of the free trade agreement, GM corn can be sold in Mexico but not grown. This is allowed contamination of GM corn to conventional corn. Mexican farmers are finding deformed corn within their crops. It is believed that dropped kernels from the market along dirt roadsides have allowed the GM crop to spread. A single GM corn plant can cross-contaminate to conventional Mexican corn because of the wind blown cross pollination. Studies have shown, corn with injected GM proteins have resulted in deformity. GM corn in markets is much cheaper than conventional corn and this targets poorer people of Mexico. If GM corn spreads, conventional corn varieties can disappear. Its seems that even when Monsantos products is banned, the plant itself finds away to dominate the land and the market.

In Paraguay, cross-contamination of conventional soy bean plants have become a major problem. Monsanto GM crops are legal in Argentina. Those GM crops have spread to other South American countries like Brazil and Paraguay. There is so much contamination by GM crops in Paraguay that the country had to legalize GMOs after the damage had already begun. Europe is a large importer of soy beans from Paraguay for livestock feed. However, European Union requires all GMOs be labeled. Therefore Paraguay had no other choice, in order to save its major export to Europe.

Farmer in Paraguay have suffered from this contamination in many ways. Roundup Ready soy Beans from Monsanto not only spread to conventional soybeans making them extinct but are causing added expenses with Roundup herbicides and additional fertilizers as seen in India. More tragic is the effects of Roundup on the local people making them sick with severe skin rashes/diseases. Roundup sprayed on fields is getting into drinking water and killing livestock. Farmers are not able to grow their own food because Roundup kills all plants that are not GM soybeans.

This is all very frightening, considering the obvious intention of controlling food. Farmerless farming and patenting of GM seeds while Monsanto monopolizes conventional seeds companies. They are removing the right to feed oneself through conventional means and providing a dependent product which has added costs and severe health problems.

I hope Agriculture and Health Canada do not allow GMOs or any products from Monsanto. Monsanto had demonstrated numerous times its disregard for the well being of humans and the environment.

Do your part, don't use Roundup for your on safety and for the future of others including the environment. As a consumer you have responsibility for the products you buy.

Green Collar

Week 8 - Langford & Colwood B.C., Develop Energy Plans

Langford & Colwood aim to become environmental sustainable cities with new formal policies. These communities are undertaking community energy plans (CEP) to meet provincial GHG reduction targets of 33% emission reduction by 2020.

CEPs include transportation, buildings, infrastructure and energy supply and distribution. Partially funded by BC Hydro the plans are directed by individual municipalities. Colwood Mayor, David Saunders, "we would like to look at our own utility." Meaning parts of Colwood could perhaps go of the provincial power grid and with partnerships with developments and universities to find ways to generate power instead.

Colwoods CEP will look at how much energy is consumed and how to reduce or compensate that energy use. Colwood council approved $50,000 for a consultant to draft the plan. Once a consultant and a contract has been decided the CEP will be funded by provincial gas tax money.

Langford, has already starts it's CEP and the council allotted $40,000 with BC Hydro and Community Development funding secured. Langford's community energy and emissions reduction strategy will cover ways to use resources more efficiently and improve air quality.

Langford City Planner, Emilie Adin said, "We are looking at opportunities to reduce energy demand through green buildings and efficient technologies. Obviously there are still going to be some need for a given period of time to use BC Hydro grid but we can supplement that with alternative energy."

This plan should be completed within 6 to 8 months and Langford is also producing material that can be used by other municipalities to draft CEPs like Colwood which includes a brochure for politicians to help them understand CEPs and Langford's plan.

Source: GoldStream News Gazette, Langford, Colwood craft energy plans, by Amy Dove, Friday, February 20, 2009.

Good on these communities taking initiative to take alook at their own energy and considering implementation of alternatives. The money invested by these municipalities is a drop in the bucket for a written plan. Good to see funding from other sources. I personally like the idea of using energy from universities like UVic and RRU which are looking a cogen projects. I wish and hope my home towns are actively looking at CEPs as well, but unfortunately doubt it.

Green Collar

Week 7 - Green Mapping for Metchosin

General maps typically assist in Direction, while green maps enable communities to show off their assets. Highlands has acquired a green map already. Metchosin wants their own version. Green maps are artistic representations of communities including; historical, cultural, agricultural and geographical features. Together, Metchosin residents, es Elaine Limbrick (West Shore Arts Council) and Ken Josephson from UVic (Geography Dept.) discussed green mapping. Josephson has help many communities throughout Greater Victoria such as the Highlands acquire green mapping. "Green Maps are an artists version of the community," Josephson.

Green maps include; paintings, drawings and photographs of a community. Icons are placed on the maps to identify anything from shopping facilities to animal habitats. Icons in Metchosin could also represent; surf smelts and Pacific sand lance breeds for people seeking beaches where the fish spawn. Elaine is not only trying to spark Mechosin to begin green mapping but is also trying to convince Colwood and View Royal as well. It is important to note that the Highlands green map was funded by a $15,000 Union of British Columbia Municipalities grant.

Source: Gold Stream News Gazette, Green Mapping Eyed for Metchosin, by Charla Huber, Friday 13, 2009.

I think green mapping could lead to awareness within one's own community about animals and their habitats. Also bring awareness to unique trails, sites and plant species that may be unique and need protection. What better way get a community aware about their own plant and animal species than providing a map. I downside I can see is the disturbance of sensitive areas. Meaning know that more people know where a certain breeding or sensitive species is may cause damage with so many people wanting to visit and now knowing where on a map to find what is desired.
Just a thought. But perhaps more thought should go into what is allowed to be map to avoid such problems in the future.

Green Collar

Week 6 - One Million Acts of Green, Outcome

At the time I am writing this blog, on February 15, 2009, @ 6:00 PM

The One Million Acts of Green website showed:http://green.cbc.ca/

Total Acts of Green
1,120,841
Greenhouse Gases Saved:
64,272,816 kg

The concept began on OCTOBER 21, 2008.

CBC on the "Hour" with George Stroumboulopoulos mobilized Canadians to do One Million Acts of Green. The concept for "the campaign is that one small act can make a big difference."
It’s about individual acts, even the simplest of green transformation like efforts to recycle and changing light bulbs are included up to a million. Other examples are: fluorescent light bulbs, starting a recycling program, or walking to work.

This movement and demonstration is open to all Canadians across our great land. "All you have to do is go to this website and register one act or more." There is a green calculator, designed by GreenNexxus, to estimate the impact of those acts on the environment in kilograms.
One Million Acts of Green encourages schools and universities, cities, communities, business, politicians, and even celebrities to take an act. George and The Hour challenged other CBC programs to take an act, including; CBC News, Kids’ CBC, Steven & Chris, Living, and CBC Sports. But most of all, YOU.

"One million acts of green, one act a time."

One Million Acts of Green by The Hour on CBC (George Strombo Show) inspired healthy competition in Alberta, in the month of December as the town of Okotoks issues a formal challenge to the town of Airdrie on December 15. It will be the first city/town challenge issued on behalf of OMAoG and clearly "The Greenest Town" title is on the line.

Not sure which these two towns won the battle for the green belt; but I wonder where is the greenest town in Canada? And what would it be like if Victoria or the entire Vancouver Island came one large green community that was off the grid, and was self sufficient like Cuba.

One million acts of green began on OCTOBER 21, 2008. On February 4, 2009 - The Hour proudly announced that One Million Acts of Green (OMAoG) has reached its goal of 1,000,000 registered online at http://www.onemillionactsofgreen.com/ acts of green. This remarkable achievement even exceeded George's expectations and even shocked supporters such as Dr. David Suzuki in the short period the goal was reached. Suzuki even remarked that his own foundations movement of achieving acts of green, "the nature challenge" (list of 10 acts on his website http://www.davidsuzuki.org/NatureChallenge/Default.asp) is four years old and has only achieved approximately 400,000.

1 million acts of green in less than 4 months shows communities, Canadian citizens and even celebrities are willing and aware of the global environmental crisis at hand and are acting the part. This clearly shows that Canadians want change and are willing to do so themselves without

waiting for proper instruction or leadership from the government. Citizens are taking matters in their own hands and demonstrating in great numbers the small changes that add up to great reductions to impacting our planet.

Hats off to George, the Hour, CBC and Cisco (for sponsoring) the first of many great green movements by Canadians.

Highlights/Key Facts:

CBC and Cisco congratulate Canadians on reaching the goal of One Million Acts of Green (OMAoG), a campaign that was launched on Oct. 21, 2008 on CBC's The Hour.

On Feb. 4, 2009 members of OMAoG's Web site logged their one millionth act of green. During the campaign, participants logged an average 9,435 acts per day, 7 acts per minute.

GreenNexxus calculates the total acts to date represent a reduction of nearly 56,000,000 kgs of greenhouse gas.

Initial expectations hoped to achieve the goal in early summer, but Canadians mobilized to meet the one million challenge much quicker than anticipated, setting an example for the world.

The campaign demonstrates that we are stronger together that we are apart. Together, people and technology are able to make positive changes for the sake of our planet. That's the Human Network Effect.

The active participation of university and school groups was instrumental in reaching the one million mark early. Trent University and Dalhousie University led the way in terms of most members and most acts of green.

The challenge capability has proven popular, inciting fierce competition from many groups including the City of Airdrie and the Town of Okotoks, Alberta with Airdrie leading the way with more than 19,000 acts.

Many of Canada's leading corporations including BMO Financial Group, MTS Allstream and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have joined OMAoG and are complementing the program with innovat

ive employee engagement and customer-facing initiatives.

Who's the Greenest?

OMAoG's "greenest" provinces are: Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia

The top 12 groups, in order of most acts committed are: Trent University, Dalhousie University, City of Airdrie, Bishop Strachan School, Havergal College, BMO Financial Group, MTS Allstream, Town of Okotoks, Hamilton's Delta Secondary School, Cisco Canada, Acadia University and North Bay, Ontario.

http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/global/canada/news/2009/pr_02-05.html

Why isnt Royal Roads on this list? hmm

Counter at the end of this blog: Febraury 15th, @ 9:00PM

Total Acts of Green
1,121,583
Greenhouse Gases Saved:
64,305,472 kg

Week 5 - Community Recyling in Victoria Part 2

Now that you know, what can and what cannot go into your blue box.

Pickup

You need to know when your curbside pick up is.
Victoria, decided to have garbage and recycling pickup on the same day, bi weekly (duh).
The city issues out a schedule/calender with the appropriate area and pickup date. Also you can see your pickup date online: http://www.crd.bc.ca/waste/bluebox/default.asp.

Scavenging is illegal.

Scavenging means that someone is taking recyclable materials from your blue box or bag without your permission. CRD Bylaw No. 2290 states that no person, except the owner and the CRD recycling collection contractor, shall remove any recyclable materials from a recycling container at the curb prior to its collection.

This is important because the contractors that the City of Victoria hires is counting on a certain percentage of aluminum can deposits from collection per year. Whoever contractor that wins the bid to collect the waste from your curb, now owns that waste and considers the amount of returns it gets from the recycling in the price that they charge the City. If scavengers steal recyclables with high deposit returns like beer bottles, the contractor will charge the city aka your tax money to make up for the loss.

When you notice or suspect scavenging, immediately call the CRD Hotline at 360.3030 if you observe scavenging or suspect it has taken place. Do not engage with the scavenger. All reports will be investigated. Provide the exact location, a description of the scavenger's features and clothing, information on license plate numbers, direction the scavenger was leaving in, and any other relevant information.

Apartment Recycling

CRD developed an apartment program in 2000 that provides funding to apartment owners and managers to help pay for private collection services for recyclables.
In 2005, the CRD expanded the apartment recycling program by providing free bin decals to all service providers to ensure consistent information and signage for collection containers.

Apartment Tote Bags
In 2006 the CRD launched a new apartment recycling tote bag program. Reusable recycling tote bags are available to all apartment and condominium buildings in the region, with five or more units. CRD staff are working with local property managers to distribute the bags. This is a new service to increase recycling participation in multi-family buildings. If you live in an apartment or condominium and have not yet received an apartment tote bag, please contact your manager.

Week 4 - Community Recycling in Victoria Part 1

The CRD has been collecting recyclables since 1989. Each year over 19,000 tonnes of potential garbage from the landfill (Heartland). As I have come to learn, recycling programs are not the same across North America, Canada or within provinces. I assumed that once a product was deemed recyclable in one area, that same product would be recyclable everywhere else but found that assumption was wrong. I have also come to notice that people are very unclear about what is recyclable and what is not recyclable within their same community. This blog will take a look at the Capital Region District (CRD) of Victoria B.C. recycling program, initiatives, and what is and what is not recyclable. I believe there is a lack of awareness for myself and within the community of Victoria regarding recycling. The residential blue box program is bi-weekly and has set limits to what can be recycled.

CRD Blue Bag - Accepted Items
First, I didn't even know that there was blue "bag" and that they were used to recycle paper.

• Newspapers and inserts (flyers)
• Magazines, brochures & catalogues
• Egg cartons
• Toilet paper & Paper towel rolls
• Cereal boxes
• Detergent boxes
• Kleenex boxes
• File folders
• Paper - Copy paper, Stationary, Mail, Envelopes

Tips

• shred all personal information (avoid identity theft) and store in cereal box
• Paper is banned from the garbage

Blue Box - Accepted Items

• Clean rigid plastic packaging: from consumer goods (e.g.: tools, electronics), food (e.g.: salads, baked goods), empty CD/DVD/VHS protective cases
• Clean rigid plastic containers Yogurt and margarine containers, shampoo/liquid soap bottles, cleaning product containers, pill/vitamin bottles, clean plant pots, plastic milk jugs
• Clean plastic & metal lids
• Clean glass bottles & jars
• Clean aluminum & tin cans
• Clean foil & foil plates (no food residue)

Tips
• Must Clean containers and plastic packaging
• Place materials loosely in CRD blue box. No sorting required
• Take lids off containers. Place them in your CRD blue box
• Flatten metal and plastic containers whenever possible
• Maximum container size: 10 litres
• No plastic bags (soft plastic)or Styrofoam
• No drink or milk cartons

Cardboard Materials Accepted

• Corrugated cardboard
• Pizza boxes
  • Remove and discard food residue, liners and inserts from pizza boxes
  • Turn pizza boxes inside out

Tips
• Flatten and bundle pizza boxes and cardboard
• Include clean items only
• Tie bundles with string or twine (no tape or wire)
• Maximum bundle size: 90 cm x 45 cm x 20 cm (36"x18"x8")
• Remember: All items must be clean
*Cardboard is banned from the garbage

Items NOT Accepted

No containers with household hazardous waste, motor oil or antifreeze
No sheet, pane glass or glassware
No hangers (plastic, wire or wood)
No plastic bags or soft plastics

No Styrofoam
No drink or milk cartons