hamilton climate challenge

Climate Change Walk

2009-12-10T07:05:00.000-08:00

*A candlelight walk on James Street North*
starting from the City Centre at York and James in support of real
action on climate change
(Coinciding with the monthly James North Art Crawl)
*7pm- December 11th*
*Take action on climate change. Send a message to Copenhagen**
*
We must quickly lower the atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases to no
more than 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide. Please join us in
Hamilton’s contribution to the world-wide actions taking place mid-way
through the negotiations in Copenhagen on a new global climate treaty.
Contact Beatrice at 905 549 0900

Indians add green touch to religious festivals

2009-09-18T07:39:00.000-07:00

Date: 07-Sep-09
Country: INDIA
Author: REUTERS

Few events can rival the ancient rituals and riotous color of India's religious festivals. This year, the months-long
celebration season is also becoming eco-friendly. Alarmed by the high levels of pollution caused by firecrackers, toxic
paints and idols made of non-recyclable material, schools, environmentalists and some states are encouraging "greener"
celebrations.

In Mumbai, where the 10-day festival for the elephant-headed Ganesha (the Hindu deity of prosperity) is underway with
giant, colored idols and noisy street parties, radio and TV stations are airing environmental messages and school
children are learning to make eco-friendly idols.

The statues, made of brightly painted plaster of Paris, are usually immersed in the sea or a lake after a lively
procession that can sometimes take half a day to navigate the choked streets, and which ultimately leaves dismembered
idols strewn along the shore.

But a growing number of Indians are opting for smaller clay idols which they immerse in water at home.

"An idol that doesn't dissolve in the sea is just a tragic end for something you have worshipped for so many days," said
Abhijit Karandikar, a creative director at an advertising agency. "More people are realizing they can be more
eco-friendly in our festivals. It's something that's in our control."

© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved

GO Winner!

2009-05-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

Kirkendall Walks Grand Prizes Draw: Results

Environment Hamilton is happy to announce that the winner for the GO Transit prize package which includes one 10-ride pass is M. Al Ernest of Carlisle.
Congratulations!
.

VIVA VIA!

2009-05-19T13:03:00.000-07:00

Kirkendall Walks/Walk There! Grand Prizes Draw: Results

We are happy to announce that the winner of the VIA Rail return tickets to Montreal is M. Ken Stone of Hamilton Mountain. The winner for the GO Transit prize package which includes one 10-ride pass is M. Al Ernest of Carlisle.
Congratulations to our winners!

Remember, if you completed a vehicle log you are eligible to receive a free pedometer. Just email us and we can make arrangements for you to pick one up or you can pick yours up at the Environment Hamilton office at 1130 Barton St E suite 207 (opposite the Centre Mall). Phone 905 549 0900 or email environmenthamilton@gmail.com
Thanks to all the participants, and partners who made this project possible.

World Climate Day: October 24th

2009-05-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

350 is the most important number in the world. This number is the safe line for our global climate and a start line for a global movement. Join 350.org to take action in your community.

2009-03-30T09:19:00.001-07:00

Dreaming of a walkable world TheSpec.com - People - Dreaming of a walkable world

Paul Wilson
The Hamilton Spectator

(Mar 30, 2009)

Hugh Dobson is on the line. He has a few words for me. Ten, to be exact:

"The world has too much transportation. Two feet are enough."

Dobson worked for many years at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters. He mapped, plotted, studied water quality.

He's retired now, lives in the Burlington core. His dander's up because the grocery store near his house was squeezed out by new condos. And the other food stores are beyond his walking range.

So Dobson's now doing some formulation. He has made a list of the places we need to go in this world -- work, grocery, bank, library, medical clinic, park -- and is now trying to weight them, according to how often you need to visit each place.

His formula is still a work in progress. But he wishes we could buck this big box trend, where the only place to shop, go to a movie or educate our kids is miles away.

I tell Dobson his call is most timely. I'm just about to make a call myself, to the Montreal home of Mary Soderstrom.

She has a new book called The Walkable City and will be in Hamilton Saturday, April 4. She'll be attending a panel discussion at 2 p.m. at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, part of this year's gritLIT festival.

Soderstrom knows a thing or two about Hamilton. A few years ago she wrote Green City, and showcased 11 centres around the world. There was much surprise that Hamilton made the list.

But she pointed out that by the 1930s, Hamilton had more parks per inhabitant than any other Canadian city.

But there have been missteps since then. We've been awfully accommodating to the car and it's no wonder that in her new book Hamilton doesn't get cited as walkable.

We reach her at the two-storey row house she and her husband bought in the '70s, in the area north-east of downtown.

On this day, she has already been out for a 75-minute walk, past parks, shops, the school where her kids used to go. Yes, they walked there.

The neighbourhood is called Mile End. The area's garment factories have gone north or offshore. Now the arts have moved in. For instance, software giant Ubisoft has its flagship studio here, with 1,800 programmers, designers, artists. So there is the opportunity for these people to walk to their work. New young families are moving in.

Density matters. "I've heard that you need about 10,000 people for a walkable shopping street," Soderstrom says, a place with a small grocer, clothing store, drugstore, restaurant or two.

Density scares some people. They think it's dangerous. Quite the contrary, Soderstrom says. "You get foot traffic, eyes on the street. We've been in this house 33 years and we've never been broken into."

Her husband walks to the office, about 35 minutes. They do have a car, but only log about 4,000 kilometres a year.

"I've said that when this car dies, I don't want to buy a new one. Besides, in the next block there are three cars parked at Communauto." That's a Montreal car-share operation, where subscribers have access to cars for an hour, a day.

Soderstrom says by North American standards, Montreal is walkable. But Europe is bliss.

She takes us strolling along bustling rue Mouffetard, a Paris street that's part of an old road that led to Rome.

And that street is central to what she'll be saying when she comes to Hamilton. "The walkable city should be as viable in the 21st century as it was in the 18th century. Get out there and walk."

* * *

Last Wednesday I told you about the women of the Stelco tin mill. One was Ollie, who started there in 1949.

And I called her Ollie Loates. I have no idea where the 'l that extra L came from, but my apologies to Mrs. Oates.

* * *

And another, with correction provided by reader Mary Pickens:

"You hit a nerve with your column Friday, namely 'Lady' Simcoe. Mrs. Simcoe was not a lady and Mr. Simcoe was not a lord, but a hard-working soldier. The only Lord Simcoe was the misnamed Toronto hotel whose owners refused to correct the name when told it was wrong.

"I hope I don't see this error again -- this will be the third time I've found it in the Spec and protested."

Mrs. Simcoe was no lady. Got it.

StreetBeat appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday

pwilson@thespec.com

905-526-3391

Project Ends

2009-03-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

The last of our events (for the Kirkendall Walks Project) were as follows:
We attended the Strathcona CAG, meeting organized by Ward 1 on March 25th. Environment Hamilton was able to contribute ideas towards 'Guiding Principles" as concerns citizens and local groups influencing future Transportation Master Planning.
On March 26th, we demonstrated the Walk There! mapping tool to 4 classes at St Joesph's Elementary School.
Taht same evening,we had a hike with Richard Reble that from all accounts was fun.

Annual General Meeting Excitement!

2009-03-17T14:20:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars for Environment Hamilton’s Annual General Meeting, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 24^th, at 7pm at the Freeway Café, located at 333 King Street East at Wellington. This year’s AGM includes a fantastic keynote speaker, the launch of our Climate Change Action Campaign and an opportunity to hear about plans we have for new initiatives over the coming year.

Sustainability for the Jaded - Dr. Bob Gibson to speak at 2009 AGM

Environment Hamilton is pleased to announce that Dr. Bob Gibson will be the keynote speaker at our March AGM. Dr. Gibson is a professor of Environment & Resource Studies in the Faculty of Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo. He will be speaking about sustainability for the jaded, in recognition of the fact that many communities (including Hamilton) have struggled with notions of sustainability but have failed to succeed in implementing meaningful plans. We encourage you to join us for Dr. Gibson’s talk on March 24^th.

Night Hike with Richard Reble

2009-03-02T06:58:00.000-08:00

The 2 hour night hike last Thursday, Feb. 26 was attended by 16 enthusiastic hikers (including children and a dog!). It started at the foot of the escarpment stairs on Dundurn St. S. We hiked the Bruce Trail up to the mountain stopping to look at some historic sites such as the former Centre for the Insane!! (We learned it used to be a completely self -sustaining village, with a bakery, shoe maker, brewery etc)

As usual, Richard's hikes end with a pub stop. This time, the stop was the West Town Bar and Grill on Locke St. S.

Door to door Walk There! Blitz

2009-02-14T10:10:00.000-08:00

Saturday, February 14th

About 10 volunteers went door to door in the Kirkendall neighbourhood with postcards promoting our new website mapping tool www.environmenthamilton.org/walkthere.
It was a lovely morning and we had a lot of fun!

2009-02-04T06:23:00.001-08:00

Website urges you to walk more

Environment Hamilton project shows what's within reach on foot

Eric McGuinness
The Hamilton Spectator

(Feb 4, 2009)

Lots of people use Google Maps or MapQuest to plan a road trip.

Now there's an Environment Hamilton website for walkers.

The idea of Walk There is to make you think twice before jumping into the car for a short trip by showing how quickly you can walk to schools, churches, Tim Hortons or other places within two kilometres of home.

The web address is www.environmenthamilton.org/walkthere.

You enter your point of departure, then pick from a destination category such as movie theatres or hair salons, and the software will show you where they are within a two-kilometre circle. Click on one of the pointers to get the name, address and walking time in minutes.

Jarah West of Environment Hamilton said volunteers had "scraped" the list of locations from other websites and that it needs to be refined and expanded, so users are invited to submit additions and changes.

The Kirkendall neighbourhood in southwest Hamilton is the most complete so far, because Environment Hamilton has been working there for a year to encourage residents to walk more. There have been street-by-street surveys of what makes walking attractive or difficult; police workshops on safe walking and cycling; and a series of guided walks with themes such as history and food.

In demonstrating the website at Ryerson Middle School yesterday, West told students that walking more would make them healthier while helping reduce vehicle emissions that contribute to global climate change.

Cindy Gangoram, teaching about the value of setting goals, then invited the students to make personal commitments to walk more.

"Maybe you can't walk to school every day, maybe every other day, but you can set a goal, and the only person you can impress or let down is yourself."

West said she hopes the website will help people realize the grocery story is only a six-minute walk away, and knowing that, they'll think about walking rather than clearing snow off the car, putting on seatbelts and driving a short distance.

emcguinness@thespec.com

905-526-4650

local warming

2009-01-18T16:16:00.000-08:00

Dave Braden gives a tour organized by E.H. of his off-the-grid house in Flamborough, Ontario on a snowy Sunday.

KNA Pedestrian / Cycling issues committee

2009-01-14T07:01:00.000-08:00

January 12th 2009

Another very mobilizing, well attended meeting.

The KNA Pedestrian/Cycling Issues Committee were joined by Councilor Brian McHattie, Lorissa Skrypniak from the city's traffic planning department, Daryl Bender, who is the city's alternative transportation co-ordinator, as well as Lynda Lukasik from Environment Hamilton.

The focus of the meeting? Hearing and learning from these individuals about Traffic Management Plan reviews, Public Information Centres (PIC), City Hall, and what we need to know to influence public process and effectively participate in the democratic process in Hamilton.

Lynda was very helpful in referring folks to the regional Official Plan (OP). This document is one "that we need to be waving about," as Lynda puts it. It is being revised but it clearly outlines a vision towards a sustainable region that we need to be pushing.

McHattie made a very exciting suggest- 10% of the budget that funds consultants (for city transportation management plans) ought to be handed over to an NGO in the neighbourhood undertaking management plans and reviews. Grassroots folk have a different perspective than engineers will have since they walk the streets.

We have to let the consultants know that we want a face to face meeting at the next Public Information Centre (PIC).

In the case of the highly dangerous and highly debated intersection at Dundurn and Main St, the group has decided to talk to the local MPP to get the province involved.

Little piece about the jingle bell walk

2009-01-07T04:56:00.000-08:00

Ken Mann
12/16/2008

Students at a catholic elementary school in Hamilton literally had their bells on.

Over 500 strong, the youngsters at St. Joseph's elementary have walked with bells on their feet, as part of an event to support both physical activity and pedestrian safety.

Principal Flora Nordoff says they are one of many schools which have a problem with traffic congestion, in part because of the number of parents who drive their children to school in the morning. The school also brings students into the area by bus for its French immersion program.

Nordoff hopes that the Jingle Bell Walk, combined with other planned activities, will encourage students to make walking part of their daily routine.

http://www.900chml.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocalGeneral/Story.aspx?ID=1047146

KNA-Pedestrian/Cycling Issues Committee-Update from the Dec 15th meeting

2008-12-16T15:51:00.000-08:00

13 people came out to the newly formed KNA-Pedestrian/Cycling Issues Committee.
Discussion focused around working with Strathcona Advisory Council to tackle Main and Dundurn Streets with a plan to influence the format of the next Public Information Centre for Strathcona Master Transportation Plan.

Also, talked about painting pavement at Kent and Herkimer (on hold), speedwatch at Aberdeen, Trinity Development proposal.
They plan to have a meeting that will focus on effective strategizing for mobilizing citizens in January.

Jingle Bell Walk at St Joesph's Catholic School

2008-12-16T15:31:00.000-08:00

St. Joseph’s kids take Jingle Bell walk – encouraged to walk to school despite the short days and cold weather

St. Joseph’s Elementary School, 270 Locke St. South, took part in a Jingle Bell Walk on Dec. 16^th.
Despite the short days and cold temperatures, children are encouraged to make walking part of their daily school routine.

Each of the 515 students at St. Joseph’s was sent home with a set of bells to attach to their boots or sneakers. The entire school took a group Jingle Bell Walk around the school property.

This was a festive way of expressing the commitment St. Joseph Elementary has made to the Active and Safe Routes to School program. The Jingle Bell Walk was a friendly reminder to parents and students that physical activity, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, air quality and community spirit all benefit from walking to school.

Although social and health benefits are the primary motives for this project, school Principal Flora Nordoff notes traffic congestion is a serious problem around the school in the morning. Buses, bringing French Immersion students from out of catchment, are competing with parents who drive their children for convenience. The morning traffic jam is unsafe and unpleasant for young students walking.
The walk was mentioned on CHML and the Spectator has contacted us about it.
Thanks to Public Health, Sharon Mckinnon and parent Rebekah Jackson who helped with getting this going.

Do Something!

2008-12-12T11:41:00.000-08:00

December 12, 2008

The Canadian Press

Canadian Arctic to melt so quickly, the region will have an ice-free season in six years.

Following a 15-month expedition, scientists from Canada and 15 other countries warn an ice-free Arctic for part of the year will have a major impact on wildlife, Inuit communities, and the entire northern ecosystem.

They note only two years ago, a seasonal ice-free Arctic was predicted by 2030.

Dr. David Barber, one of the scientists on the expedition, says `the Arctic is telling us that climate change is coming quicker and stronger.’

Canadian scientists attending this week’s International Arctic Change conference in Quebec City say the call for immediate government action on climate change appears to be falling on deaf ears.

Barber says unless Canada and other nations show the political will and leadership needed to reduce climate change, the consequences will be increasingly difficult to manage in the near future.

HIke a la Reble

2008-12-07T08:53:00.000-08:00

Dec 4th
Our super-volunteer, Richard Reble lead a hike around the grounds of Dundurn Castle, the magnificent home of Sir Allan Napier MacNab, one of Canada's first premiers.
On a freezing cold night, (and despite the fact that the posters I put up around town advertising the event were taken down-who knows why?!!!) 20 brave souls came out and enjoyed a brisk walk together.
Who's up for another one?

Personal Safety workshop

2008-12-07T08:49:00.000-08:00

Officer Steve Mahler gave 2 presentations Dec 2nd:
one was with a group of 25 (?) engaging, grade 8 students (Ryerson Sage Quest program). The other evening presentation was at the Ryerson Rec centre. 12 people came out for that.

KNA-Sustainable transportation group- ist meeting

2008-11-27T05:34:00.000-08:00

The new Kirkendall Sustainability Committee: First Meeting was attended by 13 people. We discussed problem areas in the Kirkendall area and EH has been invited by residents to help host another meeting that will include the traffic department, the councillor, the MTO (the might have authority over traffic flow decisions at the Main/Dundurn and King/Dundurn intersections).

The meeting is planned for new year.

Contact? Derek - derekh@cogeco.ca

Update

2008-11-18T14:11:00.000-08:00

We had a great turn out for the food tour Nov 15th (24 people).
We will be having another hike with Richard Reble (see side bar) and we are going to have a Personal Safety workshop with Hamilton Police (see side bar).
We will be working with St Joesph's Catholic school and Public Health to deliver active and safe routes to school.
Our Walk there /Kirkendall Walks website is almost ready to be launched so stay tuned for that and for our walk there challenge!

First KNA -sustainable transportation meeting

2008-11-18T14:10:00.000-08:00

New Kirkendall Sustainability Committee: First Meeting Please join the Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association for the 1^st meeting of their new committee focused on pedestrians and cyclists. This group will take action on issues brought up in Environment Hamilton's neighbourhood assessments this fall.

For instance, the safety of crosswalks at Main and Dundurn is a problem. After meeting with management in the City Traffic Department a number of options were examined including: a pedestrian "scramble", taking a crosswalk away from pedestrians, and eliminating or delaying the advanced green turning signal. Get involved with the decision that is made at this corner! Also on the agenda: Painting on Pavement project for Herkimer and Kent intersection, organizing pedestrian events for safety, leisure, fun!

Where? Stanley Ave. Baptist Church. 115 Stanley Ave - please use rear entrance

Time? 7:30pm

Contact? Derek - derekh@cogeco.ca

Pedestrian Scramble

2008-11-10T07:35:00.000-08:00

A pedestrian scramble, also known as a Barnes Dance or exclusive pedestrian phase, is a pedestrian crossing system that stops all traffic and allows pedestrians to cross intersections in every direction at the same time. It was first used in Kansas City and Vancouver, Canada in the late 1940s, and has since then been adopted in many other cities and countries. It is most recently adopted in Toronto.

Jarah and I will be meeting with Councillor McHattie Nov 11th to talk about the possibility of a scramble for Dundurn and Main St. Meanwhile, here is an article from today's spec about a scramble at York and MacNab:

Pedestrians may soon scramble to market

Crossing and MacNab and York part of renewal plan

Dana Brown
The Hamilton Spectator

(Nov 10, 2008)

Get ready to scramble, Hamilton.

That is, if all goes according to plan on York Boulevard.

City staff have designed three concepts to revamp the streetscape of the road, all of which include a pedestrian scramble at the intersection of MacNab Street and York across from the Hamilton Farmers' Market.

The scramble allows pedestrians to cross the road in any direction, including diagonally, during a designated traffic light.

It's a model used around the world, and Toronto recently launched its own scramble at a downtown intersection.

"The scramble really reflects what I think is the true attitude of pedestrians, which is: 'If it's OK to go, go. And if I need to get across the diagonal, well, I'll go that way,'" said downtown Councillor Bob Bratina.

If implemented, the scramble would be the first of its kind in the city.

David Cuming, acting manager of community planning and design with the city, said creating a scramble would give pedestrians easier access from places like the parking garage to the Hamilton Farmers' Market.

"It goes back to that basic supposition that the pedestrians, in certain areas of the downtown, should take precedence over vehicular traffic," he said.

Cuming said public works staff have advised that the idea may need more analysis, but the designers wanted to get the concept out to stimulate public interest.

The regeneration of York is still in its early stages, with the public only receiving their first glimpse of the three concepts at an information centre last week.

The plan, developed around the two-way conversion of the street, covers the area along York from Bay Street North to James Street North.

Some of the ideas highlighted in the concepts include limiting street parking, creating additional sidewalk in front of the market and library, opening two or more lanes of traffic to vendors and events, or closing the street for special events on weekends or holidays.

Bratina said the street is basically a "highway" and needs to have a human pedestrian element brought back in.

He said if some of the roadway can be used for vendors for special events, while traffic can still get through, "that's a pretty broad and comprehensive way of looking at pedestrians and traffic living together."

Staff will try to finalize a preferred plan by spring.

It's anticipated work would be done at the same time as planned market and and library renovations.

dbrown@thespec.com

905-526-4629

St Joesph's Catholic School

2008-11-07T08:31:00.000-08:00

Nov 5th-Attended a parent/teacher council meeting with Sharon Mackinnon, Public health nurse with the City. We were invited to speak to the council about getting kids walking. They were very interested and are keen to start the ball rolling with a jingle bells walk theme (an activity of the Active and safe routes to school program that Sharon promotes). Other activities include Walking Wednesdays, The walking school bus , mapping activities, 'walk across Canada,' walk a block. etc.
I'd like to do a walkabout for kids-maybe grades 8. Will be in touch with SageQuest/Ryerson School to see if they are interested.

Tars Sand Mania

2008-11-07T08:08:00.000-08:00

Mon Nov 10 2008 THE 2008 SPIRIT OF RED HILL LECTURE - TAR SANDS MANIA 7:30 PM Please join us for the 4th Annual Spirit of Red Hill Valley Lecture. The guest speaker this year is Tony Clarke, Director of the Polaris Institute and author of the 2008 book entitled Tar Sands Showdown. Clarke will be speaking about the impact of the Alberta Tar Sands on Canada's economy, environment and energy future. He will be introduced by Dr. Brian Baetz, Director of McMaster University's Engineering and Society Program. Location: First Unitarian Church, 170 Dundurn St. S., Hamilton, Region: Hamilton, Sponsor: Friends of Red Hill Valley, MacGreen, Environment Hamilton, the Sierra Youth Coalition, the Hamilton/Burlington KAIROS Committee, and Hamiltonians for Progressive Development Contact Info: Don McLean don.mclean@cogeco.ca (905) 664-8796

Imagine this, there! (Herkimer at Kent)

2008-10-26T07:33:00.001-07:00

Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association's AGM (October 21st)

2008-10-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

We presented Kirkendall Walks to a responsive audience of 90 people or so. Councillor McHattie's presentation and the one taht followed ours-Light rail for Hamilton-with Ryan McGreal all helped bring home the message that alternatives to the car is a very serious concern that Hamilton is ready to deal with.

The Neighbourhood Association has now publically and officially announced it's commitment to active transportation and will be forming a commitee that focuses on sustainability with walking cycling and taking transit to help reduce green house gases andmitigate climate change as a central focus. Congratulations to Derek Hrynyshyn for taking the lead on this!
A petition was also circulated that night concerning the need to rebuild the Poulette pedestrian bridge.

Alley Tour of Kirkendall

2008-10-20T06:57:00.000-07:00

The alley tour(October 18th) with Emma Cubitt and her partner Graham was another huge success. Over 45 people coming out to walk Kirkendalls many fall-colored,charming back alleyways.

Kirkendall Walks: Update

2008-10-09T07:47:00.001-07:00

Thank you to those who attended the Kirkendall Walks meeting on Thursday.

Nicholas Kevlahan of the Durand Neighbourhood Association shared his slideshow of revitalized streetscapes in a European community. He highlighted ways of making streets more pedestrian and cycling friendly – and beautiful! He also shared the experience of the Durand community who have been working on pedestrian issues and have seen some improvements there.

Daryl Bender (Alternative Transportation department at the City) attended and heard many of the concerns we have with cycling networks and cycling safety. He is gathering input this fall for the City Cycling Master Plan.

Dale Brown from Councillor McHattie's office attended as well. She made note of our concerns to date and has provided some useful information regarding the area Traffic Management Study. We have already done some follow-up with Councillor McHattie's office regarding crosswalk painting and curb ramps.

NEXT STEPS – We invite you to take any of the following steps to help Kirkendall become more pedestrian and cycling friendly

1) Review recommendations from the Kirkendall Neighbourhood Traffic
Management Study

The City of Hamilton completed a Traffic Management Plan for the Kirkendall Neighbourhood in 2006. This included traffic impacts associated with the redevelopment of the former CAMCO site by McMaster Innovation Park. This document includes collision data (2000-2005), bicycle and pedestrian safety concerns, development-related traffic concerns and much more. It contains general recommendations to address parking, transit, trucking, etc.

Many of these recommendations address the concerns brought up in our neighbourhood assessment. We invite you to go through this document and highlight recommendations you would like to see supported. The report can be found at:

http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/cityandgovernment/citydepartments/public
works/capitalplanning/strategicplanning/strategicenvironmentalplanningprojec
ts/kirkendall+neighbourhood+traffic+management+study.htm

You will also find the West Hamilton Bicycle Network Review. This has recommendations for the bicycle network.

2) Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association AGM

The KNA is holding their AGM on Oct. 21st. Derek Hrynyshyn suggested we try to formalize a committee within the NA that would back projects initiated by Environment Hamilton and residents. The Neighbourhood Association really has their finger on the pulse of what is happening in the community. It communicates frequently with the residents, and will be active for years to come. This would be an ideal channel to continue work in the community.

Here are the details of the AGM. Hope to see you all there.

7 pm, Tuesday, October 21st
Stanley Avenue Baptist Church
Corner of Stanley and Locke Street
Hear About:
Plans for Light Rail Transit in Hamilton,
Making Kirkendall a Walkable neighbourhood,
Big Box Development off Longwood Road

3) Communicate cycling concerns to Daryl Bender, Alternative Transportation, City of Hamilton.

On Thursday, we shared our cycling concerns with Daryl Bender at the City. He now needs to hear from everyone in Kirkendall who couldn't make our meeting.

Add your name to the list of residents concerned with cycling safety and cycling networks – a stronger voice is more likely to be heard! Please be specific with your concerns and requests.

Email: Daryl.Bender@hamilton.ca

4) There are many other avenues for getting involved. Please contact Beatrice or Jarah for more information. 905-549-0900, environmenthamilton@gmail.com

Kirkendall Walking and Cycling Concerns

2008-09-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

Public meeting – all welcome!

Thursday, Oct. 2^nd, 7:00pm

Stanley Ave. Baptist Church

115 Stanley Ave.

On Thursday you will:

Meet other residents helping to make Kirkendall a walking and cycling-friendly neighbourhood
Prioritize concerns and develop ideas for improving the neighbourhood

Environment Hamilton will give a short summary of the concerns brought up through our Kirkendall Walkability study. This volunteer-based, street-by-street canvass has generated a long list of concerns for walkers and cyclists - from problem street crossings to cycling network weaknesses.

As a group, we will discuss ways of improving the neighbourhood. Suggestions might be directed at the city, but there are many exciting things we can do with the local businesses and with our neighbours. Actions might include:

- recommendations for the city cycling masterplan - to be submitted during the public consultation meetings this fall

- traffic calming projects around the entrance to the HAAA grounds through community art projects, a physical roundabout, awareness actions, etc.

- work with the local businesses to make streetscapes around businesses more walker friendly

- recommendations to the city about pedestrian safety issues due to traffic

- a network to better understand and participate in plans for development around your neighbourhood

- work promoting walking and cycling as a healthy alternative to short vehicle trips

We look forward to working with you,

Beatrice and Jarah

Kirkendall Walks Project

Environment Hamilton

905-549-0900

www.environmenthamilton.org

Pearl Bridge Party-24th September

2008-09-26T08:11:00.000-07:00

There were close to 50 people who came out to this event. We handed out leaflets concerning the pedestrian bridges situation in Kirkendall. Petitions were signed to have the Poulette bridge rebuilt, hot dogs were cooked by chief organizer, Transportation for Liveable Communities (TLC) Gord Pullar. Food was eaten by the participants! Yum.

Walk Locke Tour

2008-09-26T08:08:00.000-07:00

Bill Manson's historical Walk Locke tour was very well attended- a whopping 65 people came out to this event! Our crowd was growing as we went down the street and people splintered into groups after, going for coffee or lunch with friends afterward.
There will be another tour but we will have to take registration due to popularity of the tour!

Kirkendall Walks Locke Street

2008-09-06T17:27:00.000-07:00

We had a great turn out at the Locke st festival despite the initial setback of rain. Once the sun came out, so did the people. We must have had 10 people sign up for the to do the vehicle log giving away pedometers to those who committed to log their vehicle use for a month.
15 people sign up to be on the Kirkendall Walks list and another 100 or more people stop and take information from our tent. Thanks to the very nice librarian at the Locke st library who photocopied 50 copies of our flyer when I ran out of them all for free.
We had around 14 comments added to our board on what needs to be done to improve walkability and bikeability in Kirkendall.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this day a sucess.

Kirkendall Walks

2008-08-07T15:27:00.000-07:00

Kirkendall Walks - Lowering your footprint by making many

Kirkendall Walks is an Environment Hamilton pilot project to evaluate and enhance transportation alternatives in one local neighbourhood and help its residents replace car trips with more sustainable options that also strengthen their community. It is funded by the EcoAction program of Environment Canada.

At the centre of the project will be a website (under development) that shows all local destinations of interest in and near Kirkendall, and responds to entry of a user's address by displaying distances and transportation options. It will include walking paths, bike lanes and signed routes, transit routes and stops, and links to other transportation options such as GO Transit.

It will also provide information on community events, walking clubs, neighbourhood meetings, and other information that enhance community life, as well as where to obtain specific goods and services – nearest skating facility, choices of restaurants, places of worship, etc.

Staff and volunteers (please do!) will conduct walkability assessments, lead cycling and walking tours, map destinations, and lobby for community enhancements that make non-car travel more accessible, enjoyable and frequent.

Planning that assumes car dependence has left our neighbourhoods with an inadequate transit system, obstacles to walking and cycling, and a shortage of local amenities. While we want healthier local communities, old habits die hard and the perception remains that one must drive to reach one's destination.

Popularizing and supporting alternatives to cars improves cardiovascular health, reduces obesity, lowers stress, increases neighbourhood friendships, creates demand for more local businesses and other local destinations, and builds community spirit and quality of life.

As individuals start using alternative modes, even if only initially for very local trips, these advantages will lead them to make more use of these modes for longer trips and begin to reduce car dependency. Benefits tend to accumulate in a positive direction. For example when a community is walkable, studies show that it is easier to implement public transit systems and bike routes.

Our objective is to create a model alternative transportation program that can serve as an example for the whole city and can be easily expanded to other neighbourhoods. To get involved please contact Beatrice beatrice.ekoko@gmail.com or 905 627 2696

or Jarah West.

happyfolks@sympatico.ca

Go Google!

2008-07-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

I Wonder How to Wander
Google Maps adds walking directions

Taking another step toward complete indispensability, Google Maps on Tuesday became the first service of its kind to add walking directions. In addition to searches for car and transit travel, pedestrians -- and, hell, Segway-ers too -- can now find the most direct and flat route from Point A to Point B. The function works for trips up to 6.2 miles long, and recognizes that one-way streets only apply to the car-encased (suckas!). Searchers are advised to "use caution when walking in unfamiliar areas" as the directions, still in beta form, potentially lack information about pedestrian bridges, roads without sidewalks, or impassable intersections -- but they'll only improve from here. Now if Google would just add biking directions, we'd be set.

[ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ]

source: Google Lat Long Blog
straight to the walkin': Google Maps
see also, in Grist: An interview with Google's green energy czar

Dave And Cathy Super Energy Efficient House Tours

2008-07-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

Very short notice but there are 2 house tours coming up;

TUESDAY July 22nd at 7pm
and SUNDAY 27th July at 2pm

If you are interested in attending email or call me ASAP for details.
Thanks,
Beatrice Ekwa EKoko
Project Manager
905 549 0900
905 627 2696
beatrice.ekoko@gmail.com

New Climate Change Projects

2008-07-07T07:39:00.000-07:00

EH continues to expand on it's project delivery with these two latest; the Climate Change Champions project in partnership with Green Venture and the Shrinking Kirkendall's Footprint soon to be renamed as Kirkendall Walks.
Julia Kollek will be managing the Climate Change Champions for EH. Please see our website for details environmenthamilton

I'll be co-managing the Kirkendall Walks with co-worker Jarah West.

Kirkendall Walks is a project focusing on reducing vehicle use permanently in the Kirkendall neighbourhood. We will be doing walkability assessments,street events, neighbourhood walking tours, challenge, promoting the vehicle log ( to log vehicle use), and featuring a website that shows local amenities in the neighbourhood.

A 'CD' challenge (Circle Destination based on a the radius of a music cd) will have users committing to walking/cycling/using transit to get to destinations within 2km of their home address rather than driving there.

We have the support and help of Public Health and other City of Hamilton officials as well as a great number of volunteers and groups.
The project is funded by EcoAction.

If you are interested in joining us please contact me
beatrice.ekoko@gmail.com

Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the upcoming days.

Every Kilowatt Counts Summer Sweepstakes

2008-06-26T08:21:00.000-07:00

an energy conservation program called Every Kilowatt Counts Summer Sweepstakes - see information below.
http://www.summersweepstakes.ca/

Using 10% less electricity this summer could make you a winner!

Sign up, as an Early Bird, to participate in the 2008 Every Kilowatt Counts Summer Sweepstakes before June 30, 2008 and you could win a bunch of cool energy efficient, green products like solar chargers for your cell phone, standby power bars or recycling centres!

Once you've registered, let the savings begin! Eligible residential customers who reduce their electricity consumption by 10% from July 1 to August 31, 2008 as compared to the same period last year will be entered into a draw for really cool energy efficient prizes. You could win prizes like ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, an iPod Touch with a solar charger and top-of-the-line mountain bikes. And of course, by using less electricity, you'll save on your electricity bill and help the environment.

You won't want to miss out on these prizes! Register now for a chance to win.

Mark your calendar!

Be sure to register by June 30, 2008 to qualify for the Early Bird draw. Check out the Early Bird prizes!

Get on board! Last day to register for Every Kilowatt Counts Summer Sweepstakes is July 15. Why not take a moment now to sign up? You could be one of the lucky winners taking home one of these fabulous Grand Prizes.

Join the thousands of Ontarians who are taking steps - big and small - to make conservation a natural part of their everyday lifestyle.

New bus route for Hamilton

2008-06-18T05:41:00.000-07:00

The Wentworth Bus Route is officially starting on Monday June 23rd - noon start in front of the former Robert Land School. There will be light refreshments for this monumental event.

The route is being labelled 12-Wentworth Route bus and all rides will be free…for the entire week!

No transfers will be given out, so if they are transferring to another bus they have to pay then or use their pass.

Crude: The Incredible Journey of Oil

2008-06-12T06:51:00.000-07:00

Friday June 13 at 8pm will be another Doc Night, the last one of our 2007-2008 season. The documentary that we will be presenting is "Crude: The Incredible Journey of Oil".

This documentary was made by the Austrailian Broadcasting Corp., it is a very interesting and captivating film, with some cool computer graphics thrown in to depict the time of the dinosaurs.

Please see our website (www.meadowlandsfellowship.ca) for a good synopsis of the film and a list of films that will hopefully be shown in the 2008-2009 season.

Solar PV and Wind power workshop

2008-06-10T09:00:00.000-07:00




Come learn more about installing a residential solar and wind power

system at Green Venture’s “Good Start" workshop.

This short free information session takes place on June 21, 2008,

from 10:00-11:30 am at Hamilton’s EcoHouse

(22 Veevers Drive, Hamilton).

It will be presented by Natural Power Products of Kitchener,

a residential contractor who recently installed Green Venture’s

wind and solar power.project,

“A Good Start: Giving Hamilton the Power to Change”.

To participate in the workshop, please RSVP Green Venture

at 905-540-8787, ext 15, or via email

at heritage@greenventure.ca.

When; Sat Jun 21 10am – Sat Jun 21 11:30am

Where; Eco House

Spots available for the Dave and Cathy Off Grid Tour

2008-06-06T06:43:00.001-07:00

Free Tour

Building an Environmentally Friendly Home

Environment Hamilton and Dave Braden invite you to learn more about:

An environmentally-friendly home that

can be heated with a hair dryer

comes with its own electricity supply

avoids the use of toxic materials

Dave Braden is a former city councillor and

a member of the Board of Directors of Environment Hamilton
who has been building energy efficient homes for many years,
including homes specifically designed for people with extreme chemical sensitivities.

He is now constructing his own family home near Valens Conservation Area. He will take us through it and explain the techniques that he has used to make this the most environmentally friendly home in Hamilton, and perhaps in the province or the country.

Dave will be happy to answer your questions,
including on how you can reduce the energy costs in your own home.

Sunday, June 29th at 2 pm

(in Flamborough near Valens Conservation Area)

Please pre-register by June 12th

the event is free but Environment Hamilton gratefully accepts donations-suggested donations $10

To register of for more information, contact Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko at
beatrice.ekoko@gmail.com

Or phone (905) 549-0900

How energy smart is your faith group?

2008-06-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

Energy ministry backs faith group project

Ontario’s Ministry of Energy is providing Environment Hamilton with $16,500 to deliver an energy conservation project to Hamilton faith groups. The 8-month project will provide workshops on energy reduction, free energy saving kits, and loans of energy meters that allow individuals to do a self-audit of their home energy use.

The funding allows EH to continue providing tours of Dave Braden’s super energy efficient home, and to encourage some faith groups to investigate energy audits for their religious buildings. On this aspect of the project, we’ll be working with both Hamilton Green Venture and a provincial organization called Faith and the Common Good. We’ll also be encouraging individuals to tour Green Venture’s eco-house on Weever Street and sign up for comprehensive home energy audits.

The project continues EH’s climate change work over the last year with local faith groups. Beatrice Ekoko has led that work and is the coordinator of this new project.

Roll over Henry Ford, Americans are driving less

2008-05-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

Roll over Henry Ford, Americans are driving less
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 | 03:14 PM ET
By Henry Champ

Personally, I have always assumed nothing could stand between the American commuter and his or her car. But I may have been wrong.

Until recently, though — until gas prices really started to take off — the evidence of America's continued love affair with the car was pretty strong........

For years, municipal governments have tried to wean the American commuter into mass transit. But it hasn't worked.

Nothing could sway the suburban commuter from saddling-up and heading to work in his trusty steel chariot. It is the American benchmark of freedom.

Special lanes for cars with three or more passengers. Free parking at railway and subway stops outside cities. Special rates for frequent transit users. All these efforts have failed to put a dent in the long lines of metal chugging into the core of U.S. cities.

Until now that is. And the reason is simple: $4.00 a gallon gas.
Americans are driving less

For the first time in more than 30 years automobile traffic in the U.S. is down. The federal transportation department reported that in March, Americans drove 11 billion fewer miles than in March a year ago. That's not a typo: It is billions not millions of miles fewer.

Read more here;
http://www.cbc.ca/news/reportsfromabroad/champblog/2008/05/roll_over_henry_ford_americans.html

Rain Barrel Making Workshop May 19th

2008-05-24T18:12:00.001-07:00

Volunteer Sean Burak kindly offered a rain barrel making workshop in his back yard to Environment Hamilton friends and members. From all accounts it was highly enjoyable. Sean is offering another this Tuesday 27th.

For more information contact me, Beatrice

HAMILTON COMMUNITY GARDENS; Your Church could do this too!

2008-05-05T05:04:00.000-07:00

HAMILTON COMMUNITY GARDENS
Hamilton Community Gardens, a ministry of the West Highland Baptist Church, is pleased to announce that our two-fold garden resumes in May of 2008. The first is our “Victory Garden”, a one-acre plot where vegetables are grown in order to supply fresh produce to those in need in the Hamilton area. The goal for the Victory Garden in 2008 is the distribution of a minimum of 5,000 pounds of produce. The second objective of Hamilton Community Gardens involves our “Community Garden Plots”, which are sections of land (15 ft x 15 ft) made available for use by anyone who wishes to grow their own food and/or flowers. These plots are ploughed, have a water source, and are offered at a very affordable cost for the season. Location: 1605 Garth Street, Hamilton, Between Rymal Road and Stonechurch Road on the east side, behind West Highland Baptist Church Region: Hamilton, Sponsor: West Highland Baptist Church Contact Info: Bill Wilcox bwilcox@packagingservices.ca (905) 575-9439 www.westhighland.org

Ottawa Street Farmers' Market launch

2008-05-05T04:56:00.000-07:00

Ottawa Street Farmers' Market launch-May 9th, 9:30am

Eating locally couldn't be easier!

Film Screening; The Fight For True Farming

2008-05-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

The Melrose Movie Team presents

The Fight for True Farming

(Eve Lamont, 2005) 90 min.

Friday, May 9, 2008 at 6:30pm

Melrose United Church
Homewood Ave. at Locke St.
Entrance and Parking off Stanley Ave.

Complementary Fair Trade Coffee
Child-minding ages 3-12, $1 per child
Suggested donation of $5!
Everyone Welcome!
n this documentary, crop and animal farmers in Quebec, the Canadian West, the US Northeast and France offer solutions to the social and environmental scourges of factory farming. Driven by the forces of globalization, rampant agribusiness is harming the environmemt and threatening the survival of farms. The proliferation of GMO crops is a further threat to biodiversity as well as to farmers' autonomy. In Europe as well as North America, a current of resistance bringing together farmers and consumers insists that it is possible--indeed imperative--to grow food differently. The Fight for True Farming is a film of grim lucidity but also irrepressible hope.
You can find information about our past and upcoming screenings along with many other events on the revamped and relaunched Melrose United Church website at:
http://www.melroseunited.ca/index.php
And remember, save for this month, movies are the first Friday of every
month that isn't June, July or August!

Emission reduction tool kit tops program agenda

2008-05-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

May 03, 2008

The Hamilton Spectator
(May 3, 2008)

Green Venture, Environment Hamilton and the city are getting together to start helping Hamiltonians reduce greenhouse gas emissions at home and at work.

Their Awareness to Action program will begin with a pilot project aimed at helping four businesses, schools and/or institutions develop a tool kit this summer for use by 20 more organizations over the next year.

The project is financed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's Go Green Fund.

Heather Donison, the former head of Green Venture now serving as the city's sustainability manager, says: "We are delighted to be partnering with two of Hamilton's lead environmental organizations to deliver the program. The city intends on playing a crucial role by providing research and development support. In addition, we will develop a corporate action plan as a component of this program and to demonstrate leadership."

Peaked Out? Our Energy Challenge

2008-04-30T06:39:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all the groups that made this event such a success.

We had the Mountain Ministry Team, Green Venture, Hamilton Community Gardens (West Highland Baptist Church), Meadowlands Fellowship Geo Thermal church, Recycle Cycles, City of Hamilton Alternative Transportation, plus Union Gas kits to hand out and also Natural Life Magazines courtesy of the editor Wendy Priesnitz.
An estimated 100 people came out and enjoyed free coffee and donuts,while milling around the display tables and learning about ways to make their life styles more sustainable.
At 7pm, Richard Reble screened the film A Crude Awakening and after that, people came out to circulate the tables and pick up information once more before closing time at 9pm.

Braden again

2008-04-26T06:38:00.000-07:00

No furnace? No problem

Energy-efficient house full of smart ideas by Peter Gorrie

Check out the Spectator today - full front page of the GO Weekend section is on Dave and Cathy Braden's new energy efficient home, plus a quarter page carryover.
http://www.thespec.com/printArticle/360214

E.U. plows ahead with coal (GRIST)

2008-04-25T06:35:00.001-07:00

Even as it makes plans to cut greenhouse-gas emissions, the European Union is gearing up to put some 50 coal plants on line in the next five years. Europeans' distaste for nuclear energy and the relative cheap cost of coal -- even when carbon permits are factored in -- have made the black rock attractive for meeting rising demand. E.U. electric companies say they're seeking out "clean" coal, an oxymoron that is unlikely to be feasible anytime soon. Any way you slice it, a slew of new coal plants means another five decades of dirty electricity in the E.U., which environmentalists say is pretty much a death sentence for the climate as we know it. Says ubiquitous NASA climate scientist James Hansen, "Given our knowledge about what needs to be done to stabilize climate, this plan is like barging into a war without having a plan for how it should be conducted, even though information is available."
source: The New York Times

Braden tours on May 3rd - Doors Open Hamilton

2008-04-21T07:22:00.000-07:00

Off the Grid House Tour

Address & Contact Info:
1820 Valens Road, near Regional Road 97, Flamborough
(905) 659-1040
Year Built: 2005-2008
Dates & Hours Open:
Saturday ONLY: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

From the outside the Braden family home resembles an 1880 log cottage. Inside it is a model for living off the grid
without reliance on traditional energy sources. Green features include solar panels, windmill, tankless hot water
heater, Energy Star appliances and efficient windows.
We have had 3 very successful tours (these are photos from the latest April 13th tour). Don't miss this opportunity because spots fill up fast!

DOC Nights at Meadowlands Fellowship Church

2008-04-17T05:53:00.000-07:00

DOC NIGHTS presents the documentary "Crapshoot".

A hazardous mix of waste is flushed into the sewer every day. The billions of litres of water-combined with unknown quantities of chemicals, solvents, heavy metals, human waste and food-where does it all go?
Filmed in Italy, India, Sweden, the United States and Canada, this bold documentary questions whether the sewer is actually compounding our waste problems. While scientists warn of links between sewage practices and potential health risks, activists, engineers and concerned citizens challenge our fundamental attitudes to waste. Does our need to dispose of waste take precedence over public safety? What are the alternatives?

April 25 at 7:30. Meadowlands Fellowship Church, 211 Stonehenge Dr, Ancaster, free/pay as you can. Questions: Denise 304-1912 or www.meadowlandsfellowship.com.

Peaked Out? Our Energy Challenge

2008-04-17T05:20:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Apr 29 2008

PEAKED OUT? OUR ENERGY CHALLENGE
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
This is a free event to raise awareness around sustainable,renewable energy for the future. Local environmental groups and eco- teams from faith groups will be in attendance to share their resources/ideas with you. We will be screening the film A Crude Awakening; the oil crash. Free energy saving kits, and Natural Life Magazines while supplies last.

Location: Holy Trinity Anglican Church, , 120 Fennell St East Hamilton,

Sponsor: Environment Hamilton and Mountain Ministry Team

Contact Info: Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko beatrice.ekoko@gmail.com 905 627 2696

Waste Management Tours for Faith Groups

2008-04-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

This tour has been canceled due to lack of numbers. Stay tuned for an update.

Concerned about waste reduction? Want to learn more about where your garbage ends up then share the information with members of your congregation?

Waste Management Facilities Tour

Environment Hamilton has made two free tours available for members of your faith group.
2 HRS buses leave Fortinos on the corner of Rymal and Centennial at 8:15am on April 25th. One bus is going to the landfill, the other is going to the compost and recycling depots.

People will be returned at Fortinos (and they make their own way home).

There are 33 spots available for each bus tour. Since this is open invitation to faith groups, we are obliged to restrict the number from each to 4 maximum.

This is an opportunity for representatives of the faith groups to take photos, ask questions and perhaps, create a presentation to share with the rest of the congregation. It could be an idea project for youth members as well!
Since this is a first come first served situation, please have your representatives register as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Contact me at 905 549 0900 or email beatrice.ekoko@gmail.com

Beatrice Ekwa EKoko
Project Manager

Look, WHO's Talking

2008-04-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

World Health Organization says climate change bad for world health

Officials at the World Health Organization used the occasion of World Health Day today to stress climate change's negative impacts on human health, warning that warming temperatures are already affecting the spread of disease. Increased temperatures have slowly expanded the range of malaria-carrying mosquitoes into new areas, including South Korea and the highlands of Papua New Guinea and Rwanda, and increased flooding of communities with poor sanitation has increased cases of cholera by mixing drinking water with sewage, among other effects. "The core concern is succinctly stated: climate change endangers human health," said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan. "The warming of the planet will be gradual, but the effects of extreme weather events -- more storms, floods, droughts and heat waves -- will be abrupt and acutely felt. Both trends can affect some of the most fundamental determinants of health: air, water, food, shelter, and freedom from disease."

Daily Grist (April 07)

And the winner is

2008-03-30T16:33:00.001-07:00

Congratulations Barbara Hale for winning the two via rail tickets courtesy of Via Rail Canada. Ms Hale was not in attendance at the Environment Hamilton Annual General Meeting which was however well attended-over 80 people. Thanks to everyone who participated in the vehicle log project. You all did great and we will be contacting you with feed back.

AGM Meeting

2008-03-30T16:30:00.001-07:00

Lights Out; FIrst Unitarian Church on Dundurn

2008-03-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

What? A Charity Fundraiser
Who? Green Party of Hamilton and First Unitarian's Social Justice Committee
Featuring; Speaker Mike Nickerson, and local musicians
Cost; $10
All proceeds go all proceeds go to local environmental and social justice charities. Food donations are gratefully accepted
After 8:00pm all lights will go out and they will use candles.

Earth Hour Candle Light Vigil

2008-03-26T05:39:00.000-07:00

Finding Hope in Darkness

Earth Hour service at St. James Church, 137 Melville, Dundas. We will have an Earth Hour Candlelight vigil on March 29. Doors open at 7:30 for quiet meditation, and the lights go out promptly at 8 pm. and will be turned on again at 9 pm. Wheelchair accessible from the back door.

For more information contact Sheila Russell at 905-627-1424

Soot Pollution a big Contributor to Climate Change

2008-03-25T05:20:00.000-07:00

'Don't Soot': the Messenger
Daily Grist, March 25th 2008

Soot pollution contributes significantly to climate change and is second only to carbon dioxide as a climate-warming factor, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Geoscience. The study estimates that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change may have underestimated soot's role as a climate-warming factor by about three or four times. If the new research is correct, significantly reducing soot pollution with currently available technology could have a dramatic almost-immediate effect on reducing climate change in the short term since soot only lingers in the atmosphere for about a week; carbon dioxide lingers for up to a century. The world's governments already have plenty of incentive to cut soot pollution as it kills over 1.5 million people a year, mostly in developing countries where coal and wood are burned in homes for cooking and heating. "Providing alternative energy-efficient and smoke-free cookers, and introducing transferring technology for reducing soot emissions from coal combustion in small industries could have major impacts," the study said.

sources: The Guardian, Science Daily, Agence France-Presse
see also, in Gristmill: Ordinary soot second-biggest driver of climate change and quickest means of abatement

Plan to Adapt to climate change

2008-03-11T19:22:00.000-07:00

March 11, 2008

Eric McGuinness
The Hamilton Spectator
(Mar 11, 2008)

A new national report says Canadians better start planning to adapt to effects of global warming because they're real, happening now and will get worse no matter what we do to limit emission of greenhouse gases.

The study, the first comprehensive cross-Canada look at the impact of climate change in more than a decade, was quietly posted on the Natural Resources Canada website shortly after 5 p.m. Friday. It had been ready for release for several months.

Quentin Chiotto, one of two lead authors of the Ontario chapter, told a Hamilton audience late last month that fighting climate change "calls for an effort equal to dealing with global world war," but said current efforts fall far short.

The tipping point will come in about 15 years, said Chiotto. We should start now to make tough decisions on how to deal with lower levels on the Great Lakes, inland water shortages, heat waves, more smog, intense storms and flooding.

Climate Action Network Canada said the report provides dramatic evidence of the costs of climate change and the need for urgent action.

"This report is yet another wake-up call for a government that has not yet produced a meaningful climate change plan or passed any legislation to protect Canadians from global warming," said the network's Graham Saul.

"Canada is paying the environmental and economic costs of climate change already, and unless the government acts immediately, the future impacts will be catastrophic."

The Ontario chapter contains both good and bad news, and while the authors feel the province has the potential to adapt, they say, "It also is possible that some changes in climate may occur too rapidly for ecosystems, social systems and industry to adapt effectively."

John Bennett of ClimateforChange.ca said in response, "An adaptation strategy that protects Canada's environment and economy must become a government priority."

The report says northern Canada will feel the greatest impacts and is less able to adapt than other regions. But it pulls together data indicating that southern Ontario -- with a burgeoning population -- will also have to scramble to cope.

It foresees lower Great Lakes water levels limiting cargoes ships can carry, making it more expensive to ship coal and iron ore to Hamilton steel mills, reducing hydroelectric power production and drying up wetland fish and water bird habitat.

With water in the lakes warming, toxic blue-green algae and invasive species from warmer climates will flourish, while lake trout will become scarce.

The growing season for grapes and other fruit may be longer, but icewine production could drop. Ice fishing is already in decline, but the golf season could be longer by the 2020s.

To read the full report titled From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate 2007, go to: http://adaptation.nrcan.gc.ca/assess/2007/index_e.php.

emcguinness@thespec.com

905-526-4650

Environment Hamilton Annual General Meeting

2008-03-10T08:29:00.000-07:00

March 27 Environment Hamilton Annual General Meeting

We will have speaker Mark Mattson Environmental Lawyer and Lake Ontario WaterKeeper; Legally Protecting Our Water Ways

An environmental lawyer, Mark is in the forefront of protecting our lakes and rivers and fighting for real improvements. He has acted as counsel for environmental and public interest groups at some fifty hearings, and is host of the weekly radio show and podcast, Living At the Barricades. Mark is also the supervising attorney with the Clean Water Workshop, a program dedicated to mentoring law students and providing legal tools to citizens fighting for clean water in their
communities. And he closely follows the situation in Hamilton Harbour,

Where; Free Way (FRWY) Cafe 333 King Street East at Wellington
starts at 7pm
Note; to people who took part in the vehicle log pilot, we will be having the Via Rail draw at this meeting. Plan to be there!!

Green Faith?

2008-02-26T07:09:00.000-08:00

Hamilton faith organizations are on the move; they want green. This weekend EH volunteer Jessica and I attended a workshop on 'creating an eco team in your place of worship' lead by True City's Greg Reader. There was about 25 people in the room all eager for help on how to get things moving in the green direction.

It was revealing to hear many people admit that their places of worship still use Styrofoam cups and still don't recycle. Just a week prior to that I along with 2 other EH staff were invited to help brainstorm ideas for a local church which faced the same problems of waste reduction although they have been at it for years already!
Environment Hamilton is wiling and ready to be of service; we have film screenings with an environmental message, we have workshops that we offer free of charge as a practical response to climate change, we have a newsletter and a monthly column on climate change we can offer your faith group to include in their newsletter, we have resource information and we have partners we work with such as Green Venture and Faith and the Common Good that can be of great assistance if people are interested.
Contact me Beatrice, at environment Hamilton to get more information.
905 549 0900

Peak Oil Screenings for the Month of March

2008-02-26T07:03:00.000-08:00

EH volunteer Richard Reble continues to screen the peak oil film A crude Awakening at the following locations;

March

Wed., Mar. 5- Barton Stone United Church, Peak Oil (talk plus DVD)

Wed. Mar. 12- South Gate Presbyterian Church- Peak Oil

Tues., Mar. 18- Binbrook/Blackheath United Churches, Binbrook- Peak Oil

Wed. Mar. 19- Grace Lutheran Church

Wed., Mar. 26- Laidlaw United Church- Peak Oil

Fri., Mar. 28- St. John’s Lutheran- Peak Oil

Sun., Mar. 30- Emmanuel United Church- Peak Oil

PEAK OIL ROAD SHOWS; Month of February

2008-02-01T06:13:00.000-08:00

Dates and Places for Environment Crises Presentations in 2008
presented by Richard Reble, retired teacher and Environment Hamilton volunteer

Mon., Jan. 28- Current Affairs Discussion Group (a non-church group)- Peak Oil

February

Fri., Feb. 1- Westdale United Church- Peak Oil

Sat., Feb. 2- Eternal Springs United Church- Peak Oil

Sun., Feb. 3- St Paul’s United Church, Dundas- Climate Change

Wed. Feb. 13- Melrose United Church- Peak Oil

Mon., Feb. 18- First Pilgrim United Church- Peak Oil

Wed. Feb. 20- Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Burlington- Peak Oil

For more information please contact Richard at therebels_rands@mountaincable.net

Dave Braden Tour Jan 2008

2008-02-01T05:47:00.000-08:00

By all accounts another successful tour! And for those who couldn't make it this time, there is going to be another one in the spring so get your name on the list soon.

Neighbourhood Rocks

2008-01-27T05:45:00.000-08:00

What do you love about your neighbourhood?
One woman writes;


"We rural people have less garbage since we make our own compost and
supervise burning other materials in contained barrels on days that are
not windy.
We perfer to take care of our own needs.  We do have city garbage
pick-up and snow plowing but both were better handled in the days when
Glanbrook took care of those services themselves.  We do not want urban
amenities like busing, sidewalks, streetlights and sewers etc. Thus, we
should have our taxes lowered.
The one thing we truly miss now is seeing the starts to the north of us,
which are obliverated by the city lights, especially the fog lights on
Rymal Rd intersections.
We, and our neighbours moved to the country because we want to live in
the country.  I did hear one new neighbour, on a different road than
ours, say that he couldn't wait for development so that stores, banks
etc. would be closer to him.Well, if he didn't want to be away from
developed areas, he should not have moved to the country. We see
developers' signs saying: Live the country life.  Really! - If they
build their houses here, the will be NO country life. Developers should
be in-filling within the Hamilton city boundaries - not in the
amalgamated areas.  Everyone needs to eat.  Thus everyone needs farmers.
Those of us in this area who are not farmers do grown our own yearly
supply of fruits and vegetables on our large lots. Unlike sod farms, we
add nourishment to the soil, we don't deplete it."

Another writes;
I live in Ainslie Wood North. Things I like about this neighbourhood include heritage trees, close to Cootes (we see deer in our neighbourhood all the time), Rail Trail, McMaster (my husband can walk to work), character homes. Things I don't like: poor walkability; businesses nearby are not ones I frequent ( e.g. 3 paint stores, fast food chains), it's nice having the Fortinos nearby, but its set up for cars as you must walk through massive parking lot to get to front door; too many rental properties that are not well maintained.

A Gent writes about his North End home;
I feel that the North End rocks.
We have Bayfront, Pier 4, Pier 8, and Eastwood parks all within walking distance.
The waterfront trail is exceptional and connects the North End to Westdale.
Transit service could be improved as currently there is only one bus that travels sporadically through the area on Burlington St. Traffic can be heavy at times particularly on Burlington and James St. Our neighbourhood is also close enough to downtown that the Farmer's Market and Central Library are within relatively easy walking distance.

In terms of improvements there is currently numerous studies underway examining commerical, residential, recreational, and transportation development. There is strong pressure from our neighbourhood association to maintain the local feel by utilizing traffic calming measures and limiting large scale development.

The City of Hamilton is heavily focused on waterfront development. It is great to be by the water; the North End Rocks.

And again from a North Ender;
Our neighbourhood (the North End) is definitely walkable - to downtown and the West Harbour (trails and all). Buses are good. Bike paths non-existant (on city streets), but streets are calmer and smaller than above Main, so riding is ok. The kids walk to school and the library is close. We have awalking and biking trail by the water. And it's generally very quiet and very safe.

I do wish the air were cleaner here. Also, there's a suburban rogue attittute down here -they've embraced all the 'conveniences' and have little regard for the effect some behaviours have on others. The garbage on the street is noticable (especially today with this winter thaw!). I wish that there was much more of an urban forest here (more trees!). I wish folks didn't have so many cars and made their front yards into parking 'pads' to accomodate them, hence removing street parking and creating ugly front yards and less permeable ground for storm water to be absorbed into.
I wish there were more 'friendly' commercial venues right within a few blocks... I wish folks didn't use snow blowers or leaf blowers or burn in their backyards and even in their fireplaces, as it pollutes our local air. Idling is also quite prevelent, sigh.

Leg It

2008-01-27T05:33:00.000-08:00

What do you see when you go out your front door? I see a very traffic-heavy street. Indeed it is a highway, highway 99 (Governors Rd). It carries a none-stop sea of vehicles that thunder down the road to the suburbs beyond, or through the city to the 403.

But the good thing about my neighbourhood is that it is a 20 minute walk to local amenities in the area. There's a bakery, a library, a post office and drug store, a swimming pool, a health food store and grocery store all congregated in one main area- King Street (in Dundas).

I'm a walker. I prefer walking to a destination rather than taking the bus, driving or biking. If it's within reasonable walking distance (4km or so) then I'll walk it. So this set up suits me fine. Except when I have to go to Hamilton and getting there can be somewhat of a song and dance as the 5 Delaware bus service is erratic at the best of time and not at all on the weekend and holidays.

Still, I'm with the comedian Steven Wright who said, "You can walk anywhere- if you got the time." Uncommon as this view may be, walking is not a big deal; its part of my lifestyle and that of my family. My husband walks from our Dundas home to his office at McMaster- takes him about 45 minutes. It's a time for reflection and solitude. He takes the trail - the healthy highway and that makes it all the more pleasurable.

A walk down the street is a way of connecting to your neighbourhood and if you are really lucky as I am, the natural environment close by.

People know me and I know them. The standing joke in my family is that I always get back late from running errands because I speak to at least 3 people on my route! Running into people regularly is an indication that my neighbourhood is healthy and vibrant. It's the kind of place people want to live in!

Besides the dubious bus system there is still room for improvement. After a snow storm we pedestrians would appreciate ploughed side walks. We'd also like less traffic on our roads; many communities in Europe and North America have adopted a /close street policy/ in core areas- increasing shopping and business in the core as people find it more pleasant to walk. And I wouldn't mind a farmers market to get my locally grown veggies.

How about your neighbourhood? Why not grab a pair of walking shoes and get legging it?

Is your neighbourhood easy to get around in? Are there many amenities within walking or cycling distance? Is there a well serviced transit route?

Speak out!

Let your councillor know what you think will help create a better neighbourhood. Better still; invite him or her for a walk around the neighbourhood as did the folk from Transportation for Liveable Communities (TLC). Join a Transit Users Group (TUG) that can help you. Participate on municipal committees.

One of the best gauges to knowing if your community is walkable is considering whether it is safe for children. How fast are cars allowed to go down your street? What are the traffic calming measures on your street? Does you community center, banks etc have bike racks? What kind of stop lights/signals does your street have?

A community that supports walking supports health, safety and the vibrancy of that community. It's a walk/win situation!

Upcoming Talk

2008-01-07T15:32:00.000-08:00

Transportation Futures: Aviation and Light Rail for Hamilton and Elsewhere

Hamiltonians for Progressive Development invites you to hear Dr. Richard Gilbert, author of "Hamilton: the Electric City", on January 10 ^th at FRWY Café (333 King Street East, at Wellington). Dr. Gilbert will be talking about the future of transportation in an energy-constrained world, with particular emphasis on the prospects for air travel and light rail transit. This free evening seminar begins at 7:30 pm with Dr. Gilbert's talk, which will be followed by a panel discussion led by guest moderator Nicole MacIntyre; panelists will be Scott Stewart (General Manager of Public Works for the City of Hamilton), McMaster professor Nicholas Kevlahan, and Lynda Lukasik of Environment Hamilton.

Dr. Gilbert was commissioned by the city in the summer of 2005 to do a study on how Hamilton should respond to rapidly rising energy prices. At that point oil was selling at under $65 a barrel; this week it reached $100 a barrel. Dr. Gilbert predicted that prices will rise much further over the next decade as global production is no longer able to meet demand, and concluded that it is likely that gasoline prices will reach $4 a litre by 2018. Consequently, he called on the city to focus upon energy in all planning decisions and recommended that a more detailed follow-up report be prepared.

Last month, Dr. Gilbert and Simon Fraser University professor Anthony Perl released a new book called Transport Revolutions: Moving People and Freight without Oil, which proposes responses to "an early peak in world oil production and profound climate change resulting in part from oil use." The seminar on January 10 ^th will explain Dr. Gilbert's ideas, with specific emphasis on issues of particular concern to Hamiltonians.

Time: January 10, 2008, 7:30 pm

Place: FRWY Cafe, 333 King Street East (at Wellington Street), Hamilton

Cost: Free

Happy New Year!

2008-01-05T09:56:00.000-08:00

Happy new year to you Hamiltonians!

This month I want to hear from people as to what makes their neighbourhood a great place to live in. What do you love about where you live? On the other hand, what would improve your neighbourhood?
When you're thinking about your neighbourhood please consider some of these criteria;
is it walkable? Can kids walk safely to school, to the library? What are the bike trails like?
Would you like to see more buses in the hood? Wouldn't it be great if there was a store where you could buy socks and underwear easily ( i have to hop on a bus to get to the mall).
Personally i live in Dundas and I think it's great except for getting down to Hamilton on the bus- wish the buses were more frequent!
I also wish there was a movie theater here and a farmer's market would be fantastic. The best thing though is definitely the trails and the conservation area. I'd miss those the most if I moved away.
Looking forward to hearing from you'll.

top weather story of 2007 was about climate change

2007-12-27T15:14:00.002-08:00

This from CBC News

'Shocking' Arctic ice melt year's top weather story: Environment Canada

The top weather story of 2007 was about climate change, Environment Canada said Thursday in releasing its annual list of most important, widespread and newsworthy events.

The tornado touches down near Elie, Man., late on June 22. It was the first Canadian tornado ranked F5, the most severe on an international scale.
(Wayne Hanna/Canadian Press)

"At the top of the world, the dramatic disappearance of Arctic sea ice … was so shocking that it quickly became our No. 1 weather story," the agency said in a news release.

Although the disappearance of the sea ice is not strictly a weather story, "it's one of the major climate controls" that has been linked to extreme weather, Environment Canada senior climatologist David Phillips told CBC News.

Other stories that made the Top 10 include the first Canadian F5 (most severe) tornado, which hit Elie, Man., on June 22, the shrinking Great Lakes and early summer flooding in British Columbia.

The melting of Arctic sea ice was Environment Canada's top 2007 weather story.

The B.C. floods could have been a lot worse, the release says. The Fraser Valley was spared when a storm that might have pushed the river over its banks missed the area, saving an estimated $6 billion in potential damage and losses, Environment Canada said.

B.C. also figured in the early December storms (No. 3 on the list) that hit the country from sea to sea. Up to 50 centimetres of snow fell on parts of Vancouver Island, followed by heavy rain. On the Prairies, temperatures plunged to –40 C (with wind chill). Ontario and Quebec got a great dump of snow, and then as the storm moved east, it was Atlantic Canada's turn.

"For a time at the beginning of December, a white Christmas mantle covered Canada from coast to coast to coast," Environment Canada said.

The agency's Top 10 weather stories are:

Vanishing Arctic ice.
B.C.'s flood threat.
Pre-winter mayhem across Canada.
Prairie tropical summer.
Dry summer in southern Ontario.
Post-tropical storm Noel hits Atlantic Canada.
Shrinking Great Lakes.
Delayed and low-snow winter in Eastern Canada.
Record Prairie hailstorms.
Canada's first F5 tornado.

Environment Canada ranks the events on factors that include the impact, the size of the affected area, economic effects and how long the story stayed on top of the news.

James Howard Kunstler; Making Other Arrangements

2007-12-16T18:32:00.000-08:00

Here's this article I found in Orion Magazine with Howard Kunstler telling it like it really is. I recommend you read the entire piece.

http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/7

"We have to do better. We have to start right away making those other arrangements. We have to begin the transition to some mode of living that will allow us to carry on the project of civilization—and I would argue against the notion advanced by Daniel Quinn and others that civilization itself is our enemy and should not be continued. The agenda for facing our problems squarely can, in fact, be described with some precision. We have to make other arrangements for the basic activities of everyday life." James Howard Kunstler

Social Justice and the Environment

2007-12-09T16:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, December 8th, Crystle Numan of True City's eco-team gave a superb presentation called "Justice; Shalom with God, People and the World," at Melrose United Buffet Breakfast
(and what a tasty breakfast the men in the kitchen cooked up!)

A pity there were so few of us in attendance; I suppose everyone was out at the World Climate Day of Action rally in Toronto. Or perhaps they were at home writing angry letters to Harper. Maybe they had parked their vehicles and were negotiating the HSR bus system. No? Don't tell me. They were shopping at the Makers Market, that's it!

Anyway, Crystle described how the choices we make about how we live, what we buy, where we invest include a justice component. She posed the question "what are these implications?"

Justice is indeed tied up in the health of the environment. Where there is no justice the land, the people and the animals suffer.

Crystle got the brains thinking about consumption and the distance between what we consume and where it's made and by whom and under what conditions.

She presented us with a case study; Gold. The nasty business of gold production and it's terrible effects on people and the environment.
I thought guiltily about my recently pierced nose and the white gold jewel on it. Never even occurred to me to enquire as to where the gold came from.

And what about techno waste? Do our computers and cell phones sent to China for recycling really get recycled in an ecologically sound way?
Crystle read scriptures from the bible and presented the talk in the context of a Christian's God love of justice; His call to people to be in right relationship with the other. Are we?

Girl Guides Rock!

2007-12-05T20:44:00.000-08:00

What a great group of girls I had the privilege of talking with yesterday night! These girl guides all knew about global warming and climate change; they knew why it was happening and they also were able to tell me all the different ways they and their families are reducing green house gases and fighting pollution.

Some of the ways the girls mentioned included walking more, bringing cloth bags to the grocery store, composting and so on. They were reflective about what climate change is doing to species such as the polar bear (it was weird because when I asked the girl who was telling me how polar bears will drown as the ice melts I asked her how she felt about that and she drew a blank- at a lose of words. Able to recite the facts, the question of feeling seemed to throw her off).

I only had a half hour so we weren't able to all that I planned but we had fun, I gave out 24 energy saving kits or so for their families and they gave me 2 boxes of chocolate mint girl guide cookies! Yum. Now if only they could get rid of the trans fats in them.

Hamilton Day of Action on Climate Change - December 8 2007

2007-11-29T07:09:00.000-08:00

Hamilton Day of Action on Climate Change - December 8 2007

December 8 has been designated a day of global action on climate change and Hamiltonians can register their concern for the fate of the planet in a very individual way. Environment Hamilton invites you to be part of the first Hamilton Day of Action on Climate Change by taking at least one of the following individual actions on Saturday, December 8.

To participate, register with EH by email or phone, and tell us which of the following actions you will complete on December 8.

1. I will write a personal letter to Prime Minister Harper and my Member of Parliament expressing my concerns about climate change. (You can come to the EH office on the evening of Wednesday, December 5 for assistance, and to join others in this action).

2. I will sign up for the Environment Hamilton pilot vehicle use log and commit to recording all use of my car for one month.

3. I will park my car for the weekend and try out public transit (this option should not be chosen by regular HSR users).

4. I will borrow a copy of the Al Gore film An Inconvenient Truth and show it to friends or family over the weekend.

5. I will take public transit to Toronto on December 8 and participate in the climate change rally starting at 12 noon – at Dundas Square on Yonge Street.

Call (905) 549-0900 or email contactus@environmenthamilton.org to register. Just tell us the number of the action(s) you are pledging to take, and provide us with your contact information. Call anytime and leave a message. Please register by December 6 so we can announce how many Hamiltonians are participating in the Day of Action on Climate Change.

Also as part of Environment Hamilton's workshops and presentations series, Melrose Buffet Breakfast will host Crystle Numan (Evangelical Environmental Network) who will be presenting a talk on Climate Change and Social Justice. Suggested donation $10 (includes breakfast)

Talk starts at 9am at Melrose United Church,

86 Homewood Avenue in Hamilton.

Vehicle Log

2007-11-19T07:43:00.000-08:00

We are launching a vehicle log that will help gather information to learn how people use their vehicles. Participants record their vehicle use for a month and might find it useful to map out where their fuel costs go. Hopefully it will reveal ways to reduce fossil fuel use.

If you are interested in participating and would like a vehicle log mailed to you, please contact Environment Hamilton by phone- 905 549 0900
or email contactus@environmenthamilton.org

Here's a condensed form of what the log contains; consider one line one return trip.

VEHICLE LOG

Start date odometer reading: _________________

Date of trip
Highway or City driving?
Purpose of the trip (check all that apply, specify other)
Number in the Vehicle
Parking costs
Time Spent in Vehicle

work__ school__ food shopping __ other shopping __ recreation/entertainment__ kids_ other (x 30 days)

End Odometer Reading: ______________________________

Please provide the following additional information:

Do you use your car as part of your job?_______________
Vehicle make/model/year:__________________________
Annual vehicle insurance cost:______________________
Monthly vehicle payments: _________________________
Estimated annual maintenance costs: _________________

Braden House Tour

2007-11-19T07:37:00.000-08:00

The tour was a great success with 35 interested people who came out to visit Dave and Cathy Braden's off - grid house. Participants learned a lot about building a home energy efficiently, and about powering the home with out hydro ( but using wind and solar energy).
Thanks Dave and Cathy.

Eco -Friendly Holiday Season

2007-11-18T10:10:00.000-08:00

Looking for ways to simplify the holiday season? Here are some tips from local Hamiltonians on how you can curb over consumption, reduce your carbon footprint save money and celebrate the true meaning of the season!

Making wreaths or swags to adorn any door for the season out of collected pine cones and twigs etc. This is a great craft for kids at any age at after the season it can be go into the green bin or the compost. Sylvia

My family and I got overwhelmed with gifts one year and decided not to do it again. The following year, and the three years since, we have used Mission Services to find a family in need. Instead of spending the build up to the holidays running around the mall, be do our shopping for our family together in one day, and have dinner together after. On Christmas day i like to think of our family enjoying their day as we enjoy being around loved ones. OH! and this year we may try Geocaching..... Nancy

My siblings and I, along with my parents donate in each other's names, in lieu of gifts. Last year we bought goat's for my sisters and a donkey for my parents from Oxfam.

I try to buy second-hand toys, but I confess, children gift giving is still a conundrum for me.

I did just attend a 5-year-old's birthday whose Moms requested a $15 donation that Libby would take out to buy one favourite toy and donate the remainder to Cerebral Palsy. I really like that idea.

Betsy

We try to wrap all gifts in reusable gift bags rather than paper. We cut up Christmas cards rec'd in previous years to make gift tags. We save and reuse tissue paper, bows, ribbon. We carpool to houses. We minimize exterior Christmas decorations. We don't keep our tree lights on when we're not home or throughout the night. We encourage donations to charities of our choice via Canadahelps.org rather than giving us gifts. We try to give to charities in others names in lieu of a gift to them.

Megan

I used to make preserves and baby spider plants and xmas card 'boxes' from used cards (which are kind of cool actually, but never knew what to put in them) and similar homemade stuff for teacher gifts.
Judy

Instead of giving each other gifts, my two daughters and I sponsor a
family at Mission Services and buy them all gifts and food for theChristmas Holidays. The two grandchildren join in too, but we do get
them a gift.
Barb

1. Pick names and place a monetary limit

2. Host a "white elephant" gift exchange with a mix of $10 and gag gifts

3. Put money toward sustainable development assistance for a family in a developing country (ie: world vision gift guide)

Nathan

A few tips we do at home:
1. use newspaper to wrap gifts and then tie them up with twine or pretty ribbon.
2. reuse old Christmas cards as gift tags - just cut off the back and punch a hole through.
3. On Christmas morning have brown bags ready to receive the folded used gift wrap as you unwrap things and take them all out to the blue bin.
4. LED Christmas lights on tree and outside.
5. Put Christmas lights on timer so as not to take up so much energy.

Emily

Support local and Free Trade; Mixed Media on James st N has really neat stuff.
OPIRG McMaster has some free trade items and goodies too. Church bazaars and craft shows are nice places to support.

Peaked Out?

2007-11-12T06:26:00.000-08:00

For another good article on peak oil check out Michael T. Klare's piece Beyond the Age of Petroleum in The Nation

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071112/klare

Michael T. Klare is the defense correspondent of The Nation and a professor of peace and world security studies at Hampshire College.

Here's an excerpt from the article;

"This past May, in an unheralded and almost unnoticed move, the Energy Department signalled a fundamental, near epochal shift in US and indeed world history: we are nearing the end of the Petroleum Age and have entered the Age of Insufficiency. The department stopped talking about "oil" in its projections of future petroleum availability and began speaking of "liquids." The global output of "liquids," the department indicated, would rise from 84 million barrels of oil equivalent (mboe) per day in 2005 to a projected 117.7 mboe in 2030--barely enough to satisfy anticipated world demand of 117.6 mboe. Aside from suggesting the degree to which oil companies have ceased being mere suppliers of petroleum and are now purveyors of a wide variety of liquid products--including synthetic fuels derived from natural gas, corn, coal and other substances--this change hints at something more fundamental: we have entered a new era of intensified energy competition and growing reliance on the use of force to protect overseas sources of petroleum."

Peak Oil Expert Speaking to Council; Nov 12th 2007

2007-11-12T06:04:00.000-08:00

Monday morning’s committee of the whole meeting will hear from Daniel Lerch, author of a new guidebook for municipalities on peak oil and global warming. The presentation to city councillors comes in the wake of recent rapid increases in the price of oil and concerns about looming fuel shortages.

Lerch is the program director of the Post-Carbon Institute, a California organization that has been warning about the end of cheap oil since 2003. Concerns about peak oil led Hamilton’s council to commission a report in June 2005 – only the second municipality in Canada to do so – just a couple of months before Hurricane Katrina briefly sent gas prices soaring.

That report was delivered by Richard Gilbert in April 2006, at a time when peak oil was still widely regarded as a fringe theory. At that point oil futures were selling around $55 a barrel. This week they climbed above $98 a barrel for the first time, having more than doubled in the last year.

The Institute believes those prices will continue to rise dramatically, making long distance shipment of food and other consumer goods prohibitively expensive. They argue that cities should respond with a strategy of “relocalization” including “the local production of food and energy, and the relocalization of currency, governance and culture.”

Yesterday’s New York Times says the world is heading for an oil shock and warns consumers to brace for significantly higher fuel costs. As evidence it quotes a spokesperson from one of the world’s biggest oil companies.

“The concern today is over how will the energy sector meet the anticipated growth in demand over the longer term,” Linda Z. Cook, a board member of Royal Dutch Shell. “Energy demand is increasing at a rate we’ve not seen before. On the supply side, we’re seeing it is struggling to keep up. That’s the energy challenge.”

But the newspaper isn’t using the term peak oil yet, and contends that a “frenzied search for new sources” will, over time, provide additional supplies.

Peak oil theorists suggest that’s unlikely, arguing that the world has probably already reached the point where the most accessible oil has been extracted, and the difficulties in obtaining the rest mean the amount on the market is going to shrink. That will mean the growing demand from countries like China and India will exceed the supply and result in much higher prices.

The Spectator’s international columnist Gwynne Dyer is using the term peak oil and is willing to accept that it may have been reached, but holds out hope that the impending fall in availability can be successfully managed if action is taken quickly.

“The German-based Energy Watch Group declared last month that global oil output peaked in 2006 at 81 million barrels per day,” notes Dyer. “It will fall to 58 million b/d by 2020, they predict, and to only 39 million b/d by 2030.”

Lerch is in Hamilton to address the annual Spirit of Red Hill Valley lecture on Monday evening. Panelists helping to question him include Gilbert and Mayor Eisenberger. He’s also speaking in the afternoon to students at Assumption high school in Burlington, and Tuesday morning to a graduate class at McMaster.

CATCH (Citizens at City Hall) updates use transcripts and/or public documents to highlight information about Hamilton civic affairs that is not generally available in the mass media. Detailed reports of City Hall meetings can be reviewed at www.hamiltoncatch.org. You can receive all CATCH free updates by sending an email to info@HamiltonCATCH.org.

Converting your home into a greener one

2007-11-06T09:11:00.000-08:00

Saturday 10th November at 9am;

Melrose Breakfast Buffet invites you to attend another Environment Hamilton workshop featuring Green Venture presentation of-

Converting Your Old

Home to a Greener

Home

Melrose United Church

86 Homewood Avenue | Hamilton, Ontario | L8P 2M4 | 905 522 1323

Drop by melroseunited.ca & www.wondercafe.ca

Join the Discussion!

Suggested Donation: $10 (Free for kids 10 and under)

inescapable?

2007-10-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

Hughson Baptist Church

2007-10-28T20:47:00.000-07:00

Forgot to mention that we were invited to set up a booth at the energy saving workshop (Green Venture) at Hughson Baptist church , October 17th.
There was a small turn out but it was really interesting to hear that this church is interested in figuring out a way they can help their members with their battery disposal needs- it sounds a little complicated (license?) but it's something worth looking into anyway.
Sean Botham is helping deliver our pledge and also the energy saving kits to interested parishioners who want them.

http://www.hughson.ca/

Buidling an Environmentally friendly home-off grid living

2007-10-28T19:50:00.000-07:00

Free Tour

Building an Environmentally Friendly Home

Environment Hamilton and Dave Braden invite you to learn more about:

An environmentally-friendly home that

can be heated with a hair dryer

comes with its own electricity supply

avoids the use of toxic materials

Dave Braden is a former city councillor and

Dave will be happy to answer your questions,
including on how you can reduce the energy costs in your own home.

Sunday, November 18 – 2 pm

(in Flamborough near Valens Conservation Area)

Please pre-register by November 6

To register of for more information, contact Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko at
contactus@environmenthamilton.org or beatrice.ekoko@gmail.com

Or phone (905) 649-0900

1130 Barton Street East, Suite 207, Hamilton, Ontario L8H 7P9

Upcoming EH workshop

2007-10-28T19:39:00.000-07:00

Melrose Buffet Breakfast

Melrose United Church is all set to present another Melrose Buffet Breakfast discussion organized by Environment Hamilton and featuring a Green Venture speaker;

Saturday Nov. 10^th[9am]: Converting an Old Home to a Greener Home ( greening your home room by room)

Suggested Donation: $10 (Free for kids 10 and under)

86 Homewood Avenue | Hamilton, Ontario | L8P 2M4 | 905 522 1323

Drop by melroseunited.ca & www.wondercafe.ca

Join the Discussion!

EH's first workshop

2007-10-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

Environment Hamilton's climate change project partnered with Green Venture to deliver the first of our workshops- a practical response to climate change (see below for list of workshops).
Matt Xagoraris hosted the workshop- Energy Saving in the Home at his Melrose Breakfast October 13th.
It was pretty well attended. Most people heard about it through the church proper- the demographics were mostly seniors.
Matt reported that he would have liked a more in depth approach-( screwing in energy efficient light bulbs is all very well but not nearly enough).
He looks forward to the next session being more about using renewable energies and general renovations we can make to the home November 10th
(one of workshops with Dave Braden goings into depth about living off grid etc)

Perhaps there is truth to the notion that we ought to ask people to do more instead of less.

That's what people like at the Step it Up - 1 Sky organization in the US are finding out as they try to establish a climate change movement comparable to the Civil Rights movement. ( To read this article see The Nation October 22, 2007
Any body out there ready to 'march for the climate?'

EH workshops

To December 2007

Energy Conservation in the home

Power Shift Community Presentation: Energy Conservation provides

a general overview of energy saving retrofits for the home/business

owner and/or apartment dweller. Information is divided into

categories which include: lighting, heating and cooling, windows and

drafts, and hot water. Presentations can be tailored to specific

circumstances or areas of interest (i.e.: Electrical, Gas, or Oil

heating, etc.). Through demonstration items, we encourage audience

members to participate at a hands-on level.

Panellists

Green Venture Energy Coordinator to discuss the conservation,

retrofits & government incentives

Greening your Home One Room at a Time

Take a virtual walk through Green Venture's EcoHouse and find

out how taking simple steps can lighten the ecological foot print of

your living space. Through a power point presentation, one of Green

Venture’s EcoHouse coordinators will demonstrate ways you can

usewater wisely, conserve energy, garden naturally, and reduce

waste in the home or apartment.

Leader: Eco House, Green Venture Co-ordinator

Living Off the Grid

Leader: Former Councillor Dave Braden will lead hands-on

workshops at his home.

Really want to reduce your ecological footprint?

Reduce your car dependency

'Commuting Challenge' (CD) game; this involves using a city map to

locate your home and dropping a CD over the spot. The radius of

the CD represents 2km.

Challenge yourself to walk or cycle within this radial distance.

Cycling in the city: safety tips

and bike routes

Transit in the city: More buses more often

Getting around by bus; Bus pass, tickets

an fare guides, free route maps and

schedules, information on new routes

(Bee-line, Bayfront Shuttle), safety tips

while riding the bus, trans-cab services.

Also included: Letter writing station to

write to elected representatives for more

buses more often.

Leader: Don McLean–Environment Hamilton

Randy Kay–Transportation for Liveable Communities

Make Your Own Rain Barrel

Come and learn how to make your own rain barrel

and bring home your masterpiece to put to the test.

Discuss other sustainable uses for water on your

property

Leader: Sean Burak

cost: cover costs of materials ($50)

location-Sean's residence

How to eat locally all year round:

planting and eating from your garden, how to properly store/freeze

summer yield to eat all year round, recipes for seasonal cooking, the

'100mile' diet. Free eat local map.

Leader: Sarah Megens,

(Environment Hamilton Eat Local project manager)

Power Shift Expert Panel Presentation: Renewable Energy Now

In panel format, representatives from the local renewable energy

sector provide practical information on innovative technologies,

products, processes, and services related to wind, solar and

geothermal energy. Because we tailor each presentation to the

individual audience, speakers can focus on urban or rural

residential, commercial, or industrial applications (e.g.: Solar hot

water heating for urban multi-use building, geothermal applications

for residential home in the rural environment, and investment

opportunities around Wind energy, to name a few). Regional case

studies and energy champions are integrated into each presentation

making the information relevant and tangible to the viewer.

Leaders

Local Hamilton resident or business owner who has invested in

renewable technology (Case Study)

Green Venture Energy Advisor

Representative from the Renewable Energy Sector to discuss

innovative products and/or services

Pesticide free lawns

Green Venture’s Naturally Hamilton project is visiting community

groups across the Hamilton area conducting free seminars on

healthy safe pesticide-free lawn and garden maintenance. More

specifically, learn the difference between organic and petroleum

based fertilizers and pesticides. Information on the following topics

will also be available: healthy lawns, questions to ask lawn care

companies, alternative and native landscapes, dealing with weeds or

insects, and more.

Leader: Green Venture Energy Advisor

In touch with Nature

You have to know and love what you're fighting for! Get in touch

with nature with Dieter Staudinger, Dundas-based spiritual

psychotherapist.

Dieter will take the group on a hike where they will get reacquainted

with wild life and plant life.

PRESENTATION

Climate Change and Social Justice

(Details to follow)

Leader: Crystle Numan http://cdn.gv.ca

Film Screenings:

An Inconvenient Truth will continue to be screened on request.

A Crude Awakening is available for screening with a following

discussion on peak oil with Richard Reble, retired teacher and EH
volunteer.

Clean Air Hamilton

2007-10-16T10:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Brain Montgomery of Clean Air Hamilton who invited me to speak about the climate project at a meeting yesterday.
The need to make crystal clear to people what they need to be doing was stressed.

There was a speaker before me who was marketing a tool for measuring air quality and green house gases emissions in a municipality. Sounded pretty high tech indeed- combined monitoring methods such as satellite remote sensing, atmospheric modelling and ground level monitoring to deliver active, web based maps of environmental processes.
(A-Maps Environmental Inc).

I had to skip out before they got to the Upwind Downwind Climate Change and Healthy Cities Conference next February 2008- http://www.cleanair.hamilton.ca/updown/udconf.asp

EH expects to attend this.

KAIROS UPDATE

2007-10-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

We attended the KAIROS event at Mount Mary Retreat Centre in Ancaster on Friday 12th October. Emily and I staffed the booth and we many some interesting contacts.
Our wonderful volunteer Betsy Agar was registered for the conference and was able to staff the booth as well when she wasn't in the workshops.

She wrote up a report which I have edited below;

Transportation and the future of cars

Presented by: Liz Benneian (Pronounced Bennyan)
President, Oakvillegreen Conservation Association

http://oakvillegreen.org/content/view/228/120/

Key Transportation Issues: Peak Oil and Global Warming

Peak Oil

Oil is a finite resource and the world’s geologists estimate that half of our oil reserves have been used. Peak Oil is not to be confused with running out of oil. Peak oil is a point at which demand exceeds supply, which carries with it tremendous social impacts.

Citing the statistic that 20% of our fossil fuel energy is used in transport, Liz made the direct connection between transportation and Peak Oil. In fact, she refers to Peak Oil as a transportation issue, reasoning that built environment energy needs have so many alternatives available. As such, she projects that we will travel less in the future.

Global Warming

She spoke briefly of the limited fuel alternatives currently proposed for transportation: biofuels, ethanol and sugar cane.

Biofuels are not the answer because of the threat to food production.

Ethanol she discredits as an energy loser. That is to say, it takes too much energy to produce ethanol.

Sugar cane is the most promising alternative energy for transportation, but this option is not without drawbacks. Sugar cane is associated with deforestation and monocropping. Field burning is a practice that facilitates harvest but also produces pollution. Finally, sugar cane fuel production is another energy intensive process. The Return on Investment (ROI) is 8:1, which is significantly less than oil’s ROI of 40:1

North-South, East-West

Liz drew audible gasps from her audience when she reported that that the U.S. is responsible for 45% of global auto emissions, and that SUVs in the U.S. emit as much as the sum of 55 of their biggest coal-fired power plants. She is particularly concerned with the land use patterns developing nations are adopting: they are building suburbs; they are repeating our mistakes.

Environmental (In)Justice

She briefly mentioned the environmental impacts of the practices of the developed world, not to diminish their importance, probably to reserve attention for the social justice issues that, in my view, are often overshadowed by more locally relevant environmental issues. She highlighted our intense use of energy and raw materials.

Social (In)Justice

She directly connected our car culture with an undeniable rise in obesity rates, as well as pollution related illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and respiratory diseases. The prevalence of road accidents and our perception of risk were also discussed. We seem to have accepted these risks or somehow discounted their importance.

However, impacts not easily ignored but not often felt by people in developed nations, such as Canada include wars, civil conflicts and food scarcity. Without mention of every environmental activist’s favourite target, she drew attention to the immoral choices made in the name of oil. She linked the lack of action in Darfur to China’s import of Sudanese oil. Taking action in Darfur could, and likely would, threaten Chinese-Sudanese relations.

She illustrated the connection between food scarcity and Peak Oil, using corn as the example. Corn-based fuels increase demand for corn. Corn prices rise. Corn becomes expensive for consumption and farmers begin to cater to fuel producers. Also, excess corn is no longer available for humanitarian aid.

Under the heading:

“Why it is hard to change?” Liz suggested 10 reasons why these problems persist:

10 biggest companies in the world (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2007/)

Wal-Mart
Exxon Mobil
Royal Dutch Shell
BP (British Petroleum)
General Motors
Toyota Motor
Chevron
DaimlerChrysler
CononcoPhillips
Total (Petroleum)

Her technique was effective. She stirred her audience, but did not leave them feeling helpless. She then proposed a challenge.

Envisioning the future

To begin the interactive portion of the workshop, she explicitly reminded:

We can’t take more than we give back
We can’t give back petroleum

Then she formed six groups of 5. Each group was to envision an ideal living scenario and work backwards to determine the necessary steps to achieve that ideal.

Steps:

What – Explore visions/options

How – Strategize how this ideal can be achieved

Who – Examine who will have to take action

When – Examine short and long term goals to set out a timeline for action

Following the small group exercise, she invited the whole group to discuss their results. The following are some of those suggestions:

Vision:

self-reliant community
walkable cities
individual involvement in community

Short Term

eat locally
dense living
lobby government to cut oil and gas subsidies
pesticides will disappear, they are petroleum based

Medium Term

systemic change
leadership
- from the people
workplace “Green Team”
mandatory local civil service
- like German model

Her final point was that no matter what the demographic, every group she meets with calls for a re-engineering of society. She has promised to post her slides online, which will be very valuable as she suggests a number of personal and corporate actions that can be taken. The highlights of her suggestions include:

Policy changes happen at the budget stage, the planning(?) stage is too late
Public transportation must be in place before people move in or they buy two cars
Bus rapid transit is the cheapest most flexible public transit option

The other workshop report from Betty is

Greening Sacred Spaces

Presented by: Rory O’Brien
GSS Coordinator, Faith & the Common Good
http://www.faith-commongood.net/gss/

Video

Rory was not originally slated to speak and chose to screen their movie: Greening Sacred Spaces, the research for which is credited to Rory O’Brien. The following are notes from the movie.

Introduction

good stewards of Earth; calling for people of faith
multi-denominational
balance utility of space with environmental requirements

Energy Audit (In shortened version)

insulation
air leaks
appliances
water conservation
- municipal subsidies may be available
HVAC distribution systems
Guide available at http://www.faith-commongood.net/docs/gsspracticalguide.swf

Light Green

place to begin
hand wash dishes
Recycling program
Compost
Environmental cleaning products
- Recommended types?
Fair trade products
Plant trees
Low maintenance plants
Rain barrels
Community garden
Congregation participation

Medium Green

more time and money
longer term payoffs
educate congregation
structural engineering analysis
churches are landmark buildings
- lead by example
High efficiency furnace
Geothermal or ground source heat pumps
HVAC
- Sophisticated distribution system
Natural lighting
- Skylights

Deep Green

long term project; time to deliberate
LEED certification
- Reuse of materials to divert waste
- Daylighting
- Reducing water use
Link between architecture with theology
Passive solar collection
Displacement ventilation
- Cool air from raised floor
  - Fake floor; plenum
- Hot air rises and is redirected
  - Into floor plenum in the winter
  - Outside in the summer
Living wall
Fundraising
Volunteering
Congregation involvement

Four Major Barriers

Following the video, Rory discussed the major barriers to greening sacred spaces.

Motivation
- For those not convinced of the social or environmental purpose, good energy conservation is just economic sense
Knowledge
- Guidebook available on website http://www.faith-commongood.net/docs/gsspracticalguide.swf
- Maintain HVAC systems
- Retrofit
- Energy audit
Organizational
- Develop a green team
Financial
- Audit can cost thousands
- Recommendations can be very expensive
- Long term benefits provide whole picture and convince it is worth while

Energy Audits

Green Communities Canada is an umbrella organization of Canadian energy auditors. Hamilton’s own Greenventure is a founding member (http://www.greenventure.ca/gv.asp?ID=100). A guidebook for going green is provided on the website of Faith and the Common Good, and it includes a “walk through” energy audit template. He strongly supports a professional audit, suggesting that the walk through audit starts people thinking and prompts behavioural change.

CEOs call for 'aggressive' action on climate change

2007-10-01T12:54:00.006-07:00

CBC news
last updated:Monday, October 1, 2007

An influential group of Canadian chief executives says climate change is the "most pressing and daunting" issue the world faces today and business must do its share to fight the problem.

A task force of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives released a report Monday that calls for a national action plan that would see government, business and individuals working in concert to make real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

"We know enough about the science of climate change to recognize that aggressive global action is required," the report said.

The CEOs acknowledge that success in this area will come at a "significant" cost, but say it's one that must be borne by all sectors.

"The key is to make the right decisions about what investments in the short term will produce the greatest returns both now and over the long haul, for Canada's economy and for the global environment," the report said.

The CEOs argue that Canadian businesses have already done much to make their operations more energy-efficient, but say industry must do more.

The document said: "The ultimate goal must be to achieve substantial absolute reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases in Canada and globally."

But to achieve that, the report said government must ensure that companies are not "arbitrarily penalized in the short term" so they can make the necessary investments to cut their emissions while still improving productivity.

Investing in technological innovation is the best way to bring about the cleaner technologies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the task force said.

The technology funds being proposed by the federal and Alberta governments are critical to provide industry with the kind of incentives needed, the CEOs said.

Government intervention seen

They acknowledge that market forces alone are unlikely to be enough to do the job and that some kind of government intervention will be necessary.

One way to foster the needed change, they say, is through emissions trading systems that set a cap on emissions and then allow companies to take part in a market in tradable permits — much as the Kyoto Protocol does.

The federal government is proposing a domestic emissions trading system that would allow heavy polluters to buy carbon credits from other companies as one way to meet new greenhouse gas targets.

The CEOs' report said emissions trading is "attractive in theory" and that challenges in creating a fair and effective system can be worked out.

The other way governments can persuade businesses and consumers to cut emissions is by imposing a carbon tax. "But Canadians must recognize that significant levels of taxation likely would be required to drive significant changes in behaviour."

The CEOs said they are not proposing a new carbon tax. But they say if government decides to go that route, it should replace other forms of taxation so it doesn't turn into a "revenue grab."

They also warn that "any new tax in Canada must not discriminate against any particular sector or region" — a clear reference that Alberta's oilsands operations not be singled out for special tax attention.

The report was released the same day that Quebec's controversial carbon tax on energy companies goes into effect — the first of its kind in Canada.

next (big) steps

2007-09-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

A tremendous sucess by all accounts. Saturday morning about 30 people representing faith groups in the Hamilton area gathered at the Melrose United Church for a mini conference on the topic of climate change and what to do about it.

Guest speakers talked for about five minutes each describing the eco-ventures their churches are involved in. To name a few;
Matt Xagorais talked about the film series he has organized for his church and the Melrose breakfasts that bring in guests who talk about social justice and environmental issues.

Dean Carriere talked about Recycle Cycles (Erskine Presbyterian) that takes donated or throw-away bikes and fixes them up for low price re-sale.

Bill Johnston of the Unitarian church caused a bit of a excitement with the extent of his faith group's activities;all things from carrying out energy and waste audits, to setting up a 'write to your elected officials club.'
Denise Neutel from the Meadowlands Fellowship Christian Reformed Church described how the church was built to use geothermal energy and other 'green' features.

From Environment Hamilton, Don McLean gave good suggestions on directions faith groups can take to further their 'greening' work. Jarah West shared with attendees the resources EH can offer to help them on their way.
Sapphire Singh from Green Venture shared information about the Green Venture programs.

We enjoyed organic fruit juice, munched on delicious berry muffins and cookies baked by Jarah as well as drank fresh coffee courtesy of Matt.

Huge thanks to the 'Rebel' Richard Reble who MC-ed the event- very entertaining delivery Richard.

Walk it off ; from the Daily Grist

2007-09-24T15:36:00.000-07:00

September 24th 2007

Walk It Off
Land-use decisions a key factor in emissions reduction, says analysis

How to reduce U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions? Building compact, mixed-use neighborhoods would be just as effective as much-touted policies like boosting fuel economy, cleaning up power plants, and building green, says a new analysis from the Urban Land Institute. The U.S. population is expected to grow 23 percent by 2030; under the sprawl-encouraging status quo, driving is expected to increase 59 percent in the same time period. But it doesn't have to be that way, says the ULI: some two-thirds of homes and other buildings expected to be needed by 2050 have yet to be built, and they don't have to be part of outward-oozing communities. According to the report, walkable neighborhoods can decrease driving by up to 40 percent -- which would reduce CO2 emissions, help save our arses, and perhaps reduce our arses as well.

What Sara said

2007-09-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

Door-to-Door Experiences

This past summer I was working for Environment Hamilton on their Climate Change Challenge Project. While it has a variety of components I was helping primarily with the door-to-door pledge work. Volunteers were going door-to-door in several neighbourhoods asking people to take the challenge and pledge to change their habits to reduce their impact on climate change.

We visited four neighbourhoods and each had its own challenges and attitudes. The four neighbourhoods were Corktown, Durrand, Westdale and Dundas. I was not yet on board for Corktown, but we were only there for a short while since we realized quickly that this was not a neighbourhood that we needed to target since the residents were already doing everything on our pledge forms out of financial necessity.

The other three neighbourhoods were much more worthwhile to visit and a lot of pledges were taken and a lot of Energy Savings Kits were distributed.

For most people, the idea of going door-to-door is very intimidating. I’ll admit I was one of these people myself at the beginning of the project. By the end, however, I was actually looking forward to my two hours every day of meeting people and discussing their role in environmental protection.

The key difference to our door-to-door work that makes it enjoyable and more successful is that we are not selling anything, in fact we are giving away free Energy Savings Kits. These were donated by Union Gas and some additional information from Environment Hamilton went in as well.

Often, if someone was immediately dismissive and trying to close the door on me right away I would mention that fact and sometimes it worked and I was able to get pledges. The vast majority of people in all three neighbourhoods who answered their doors were very receptive of the idea and willing to commit once they heard the concept.

I got a lot of positive feedback form people who loved that we were out doing what we were doing. There were of course, always people who were unwilling to listen or unwilling to pledge and they would list all kinds of excuses about why they felt they didn’t need to pledge.

The best course of action in these cases was just to leave and not waste time arguing. Overall, though, as mentioned, the response was positive which made the entire experience very enjoyable.

In the Durrand neighbourhood the biggest problem was that people were already doing most of the items on the pledge list. Some were even going above and beyond and gave us additional ideas of things to do. This was actually a bit of a challenge sometimes because we wanted to give away free kits but we couldn’t do that if people weren’t able to pledge.

Usually if people were stumped on what to pledge I would suggest the first item which was to install energy efficient devices and would point out that if they pledged that one, received the kit and installed it they would have it done already. Otherwise I would point to the tenth item which was to eat more locally grown produce and point out that all the information for doing just that was in the kit in the Eat Local Map.

Usually this would jump start the conversation and get the ball rolling and then people might chose one or two more items. For the people who said they were doing almost everything I would suggest the items in step three that are much more challenging or suggest that they get involved in the transit campaign and write a letter to city council.

Very few houses in this neighbourhood after a few minutes of gentle prodding were unwilling to pledge at all.

In Westdale the response was fantastic, this was probably the best neighbourhood not least of all because we had a lot more volunteers which made the work go much faster. The only problem here was that a lot of people said they had already received the kit and then were very dismissive.

We had to explain that this was not the same project and suggest that they pledge, take the kit and pass it on or just pledge and forget about the kit, or hand then the Eat Local Map without the kit. Otherwise though we got a lot of pledges and ground covered until we moved on to Dundas for a week.

In Dundas we were only able to go out a couple of days and I was only out for one of these days. I found Dundas to be the most challenging neighbourhood. At first, I was getting a lot of people listening to the whole description of the project.

I would suggest things people could pledge and they were very unwilling to commit at all. This was worse than people just dismissing me right away because I wasted time going through the pledge with people only to have them refuse to commit at the end.

Things began to pick up after an hour and the houses that did decide to commit were very warm and receptive. It was apparent that this neighbourhood was very suburban. The people in these homes were as affluent or less than the residents of Durrand and Westdale, but much less interested in what I had to say. I found that the feeling of community was much weaker.

For example, in Westdale people would often point down the road and tell me about their neighbours and let me know whether they were home or not. There was very little of this in Dundas. People were much less conscious of their neighbours and much less trusting of people who showed up to their doors. We still did get a few pledges from people and some very good feedback on the project again.

Overall the best part of going door-to-door for me was getting to talk to people and share in their experiences with this problem. This is something that is in the general consciousness and a lot of people have opinions and concerns to share.

Usually elderly residents had the most stories to share and I could spend over half an hour a one door sometimes just listening to fascinating stories of people who had emigrated here from Europe after the world wars.

Even younger parents would be happy to talk about the challenges of running a household and finding time to worry about environmental issues.

The best part about this project was talking to people and seeing how much people actually care about our world and how willing they are to change their habits.

MIke Nickerson was here

2007-09-23T06:36:00.000-07:00

by Beatrice

Mike Nickerson came to Hamilton yesterday night (Car Free Day).
Hosted by Environment Hamilton's Climate Change Project and OPIRG McMaster he spoke to a mostly empty room!

What a great disappointment that so few people showed up but those who did listened to this eloquent and life affirming speaker give an inspiring talk on sustainability and the move away from over consumption and greed.

Nickerson, whose been immersed in questions of sustainability for over 35 years now, has developed some really helpful analogies to assist in clarifying the points he makes.

For instance he talked about our civilization coming out of it's infancy and adolescence (and what an enfant terrible we have been; "a young offender," really) and how now we're entering our "mature age."

Nickerson makes the analogy of a caterpillar whose main concern from morning to night is to grab at the bio- mass around it to feed itself. It does no more than feed, but once it emerges out of it's cocoon to become a butterfly, it barely consumes at all. Instead it lives as lightly on the earth as is naturally possible.

There are many that wish to remain caterpillars and would prevent the butterflies from emerging but the "Great Transformation" that will lead us into our mature state of butterflyhood has already begun.

You missed the talk but you can still buy his book Money life and Illusion living on Earth as if we want to stay, and you can always invite him to come out and speak.

Just don't pick a Saturday night!

Also Maggie Hughes of The Other side Radio CFMU 93.3 FM recorded the show(see her link at the links section). Hopefully you can catch it there.

Note; Nickerson and his wife Donna have been handing out business card size info about sustainability and long term well-being and his 7th Generation Initiative project for over a decade.
A question of direction: Is it proper, now that our biggest problems result from our size, to hold growth as a goal?
For more see his site; www.SustainWellBeing.net

Consider Using the N-Word Less;Voluntary actions didn't get us civil rights, and they won't fix the climate

2007-09-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

By Mike Tidwell

Strange but true: Energy-efficient light bulbs and hybrid cars are hurting our nation's budding efforts to fight global warming.

More precisely, every time an activist or politician hectors the public to voluntarily reach for a new bulb or spend extra on a Prius, ExxonMobil heaves a big sigh of relief.

Scientists now scream the news about global warming: it's already here and could soon, very soon, bring tremendous chaos and pain to our world. The networks and newspapers have begun running urgent stories almost daily: The Greenland ice sheet is vanishing! Sea levels are rising! Wildfires are out of control! Hurricanes are getting bigger!

But what's the solution? Most media sidebars and web links quickly send us to that peppy and bright list we all know so well, one vaguely reminiscent of Better Homes and Gardens: "10 Things You Can Do to Save the Planet." Standard steps include: change three light bulbs. Consider a hybrid car for your next purchase. Tell the kids to turn out the lights. Even during the recent Al Gore-inspired Live Earth concerts, the phrase "planetary emergency" was followed by "wear more clothes indoors in winter" and "download your music at home to save on the shipping fuel for CDs."

Nice little gestures all, but are you kidding me? Does anyone think this is the answer?

Imagine if this had been the dominant response to racial segregation 50 years ago. Apartheid rules across much of our land and here are three things you can do: Take time, if possible, to feed three negroes who seek food at your lunch counter each month. Consider giving up your use of the N-word, or at least cut down. And avoid vacationing in states where National Guardsmen are needed to enroll blacks in public schools.

Obviously, there are times in history when moral, economic, and national-security wrongs are so huge that appeals for voluntary change are not only wildly insufficient but are themselves immoral as a dominant national response. By 1965 we had appropriately banned racial discrimination in housing, employment, voting, and other realms of national life. The majority of Americans understood this to be the only appropriate response to a colossal national injustice.

Light bulbs are held up as a planetary solution, but they're just one part.

Photo: iStockphoto

Meanwhile, global warming represents an even greater source of potential human suffering, not just to us, but to all humans -- and not just now, but for centuries to come. And yet there is precious little popular discussion of banning the abusive practices that directly create violent climate change. Like Jim Crow practices, we must by law phase out completely the manufacture of inefficient light bulbs and gas-guzzling cars, as a serious start to fighting this problem.

Next time Aunt Betty goes to buy bulbs at the CVS, there should only be climate-friendly fluorescents for sale. When she shops for her next car, there should only be 50-mpg models across the lot, the sort even Detroit admits it can readily build.

Of course, there are politicians and activists already out there passionately calling for dramatic statutory responses to global warming. But they are mostly drowned out by the "10 Things You Can Do" chorus. And it turns out the voluntary "green your lifestyle" mantra may in fact discourage even individual change. One British study found that people tend to respond in one of two ways when told simultaneously that global warming is a planetary emergency and that the solution is switching a few light bulbs: they conclude that a) the problem can't be that big if my few bulbs can fix it, so I won't worry about any of it; or b) I know the problem is huge and my little bulbs can't really make a difference, so why bother?

While I do believe we have a moral responsibility to do what we can as individuals, we just don't have enough time to win this battle one household at a time, street by painstaking street, from coast to coast.

TAKE ACTION

Demand that Congress step up the fight against global warming -- visit climateemergency.org.

Here, finally, are the only facts that matter. First, global warming is a full-blown emergency and we have very little time to fix it. Second, ours is a nation of laws and if we want to change our nation -- profoundly and in a hurry -- we must change our laws. I'd rather have 100,000 Americans phoning their U.S. senators twice per week demanding a prompt phaseout of inefficient automobile engines and light bulbs than 1 million Americans willing to "eat their vegetables" and voluntarily fill up their driveway and houses with the right stuff.

The problem at hand is so huge it requires a response like our national mobilization to fight -- and win -- World War II. To move our nation off of fossil fuels, we need inspired Churchillian leadership and sweeping statutes a la the Big War or the civil-rights movement.

So frankly, I feel a twinge of nausea now each time I see that predictable "10 Things You Can Do" sidebar in a well-meaning magazine or newspaper article. In truth, the only list that actually matters is the one we should all be sending to Congress post haste, full of 10 muscular clean-energy statutes that would finally do what we say we want: rescue our life-giving Earth from climate catastrophe.

Mike Tidwell is director of the U.S. Climate Emergency Council and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network based in Takoma Park, Md.

Revenue Canada Event 19th September

2007-09-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

What a response! The line up was extensive -people were falling over one another to make their pledges and get a free energy saving kits. We gave away a total of 428 kits and there's a waiting list of 40 people wanting more.
Interesting comments- some people said they would like to see better intercity bus system, a better local bus system, more car pooling opportunities, and bike lanes. One or two people said they would like to be able to work at home.
Many people said they lived too far to take a bus; others felt there was no way they'd take a bus because they have to take their kids to school/work etc. Some said they couldn't car pool because they all work different hours!

Thanks to Don, Brenda and Jarah for giving me a huge hand. And of course Mary from Revenue Canada and Lisa too. Thanks to Karen Grover for getting this going and hopefully we'll find ways to keep this partnership going.

North End Neighbourhood Association Night Out

2007-09-17T09:55:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Brenda Johnson who represented the Climate Change Challenge September 13th at Hamilton's North End Neighbourhood Association Night Out.
She had 25 people pledge to reduce their personal green house gas emissions. 20 people received energy saving kits!

Success at the Locke Street Festival;

2007-09-08T18:21:00.000-07:00

Emily and I arrived before 10 and set up. We handed out eat local maps, took pledges and gave out free energy saving kits. In 2 hours, all 35 kits were gone.

I was able to make some interesting connections that I want to follow up on-and I also gave away information on transit in Hamilton and had many people pledge to write letters to their elected representatives for more buses more often, better bus connections and extended bus routes to the outer reaches of the city.

backgrounder: BUS CHEQUE?

2007-09-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

Get serious about climate change - fix public transit in Hamilton

by Don McLean

Better public transit is the best way for Hamilton to fight global climate change AND local air pollution AND the transportation implications of peak oil. But the HSR has been given the short end of the stick by city council for decades. Hamiltonians should demand that change. Consider the following:

The HSR budget today is less than in 1994 even without taking inflation into account
There were 286 HSR buses in 1988. Today there are only 205.
HSR service hours have fallen 15% since 1994 while fares have gone up more than 30%
The HSR had over 30 million riders a year in 1985. Last year it barely hit 21 million
Annual per capita transit use in Hamilton is only one-third the level of Ottawa.
Most of the provincial gas tax monies given to Hamilton and nearly all the federal gas tax monies are not being spent on improving the transit system – the stated purpose of these senior government transfers
There are only two bus routes in Ancaster, two in Dundas, and two in Stoney Creek
Transit tax rates in old Hamilton are nearly five times higher than in Ancaster and Dundas and three times higher than in Stoney Creek

The news isn’t all bad. People who use the HSR consistently praise it and the great majority think improving it should be a city priority. A survey done earlier this year by Mayor Eisenberger’s office asked that specific question and 81% of those who took a position said yes.

Many of the 34 new buses purchased this year are low emission hybrids, but unfortunately they are all only replacements. The total number of buses on the road has remained the same.

Nearly 44 percent of those surveyed reported using the HSR in the past year, and ridership is continuing to slowly increase even with those service cuts and fare hikes, though not nearly as fast as the Canadian average primarily because a few cities are registering double-digit growth rates because they’ve made substantial new investments in transit.

The message from the plus side is the same as from the minus – public transit can do much better if given half a chance by our city politicians. Here’s a few practical suggestions:

Reverse the budget cuts and rapidly expand the bus fleet. We need more buses, more often. The routes with the most frequent service – like Barton and King where there’s a bus every 7.5 minutes – are the most crowded (and overcrowded).
End the bizarre system of “area rating” transit taxes. A home valued at $200,000 in the former city of Hamilton pays $168 a year for the HSR. One in Ancaster of the same value pays only $34. In Dundas the rate is $41, and in Stoney Creek it’s $52. Hamilton is the only municipality in Ontario to charge some urban homes higher transit taxes than others. If everyone paid the rate currently imposed on old Hamilton, the HSR budget would jump nearly $8 million a year – enough to provide better service to the suburbs and other improvements.
Start increasing transit taxes instead of reducing them every year. The rates cited above are all less than what was charged on a $180,000 home in 2004. In fact, the effective tax rate for the HSR appears to have fallen every year since the mid-1990s.
Dedicate gas tax monies to improving the transit system. Up until now, most of the money has gone to avoid raising taxes to cover the normal inflationary cost increases for fuel and other HSR expenditures.

Call write or email your councillor and the mayor. Tell them what you think should be done about public transit in Hamilton.

Contact City of Hamilton Representatives

“To Mayor Eisenberger and Hamilton City Council”
City Hall-1st floor, 71 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8P 4Y5