Green Windsor

How the First Earth Day Came About

2008-04-13T01:06:00.002-04:00

By Senator Gaylord Nelson, Founder of Earth Day

What was the purpose of Earth Day? How did it start? These are the questions I am most frequently asked.

Actually, the idea for Earth Day evolved over a period of seven years starting in 1962. For several years, it had been troubling me that the state of our environment was simply a non-issue in the politics of the country. Finally, in November 1962, an idea occurred to me that was, I thought, a virtual cinch to put the environment into the political "limelight" once and for all. The idea was to persuade President Kennedy to give visibility to this issue by going on a national conservation tour. I flew to Washington to discuss the proposal with Attorney General Robert Kennedy, who liked the idea. So did the President. The President began his five-day, eleven-state conservation tour in September 1963. For many reasons the tour did not succeed in putting the issue onto the national political agenda. However, it was the germ of the idea that ultimately flowered into Earth Day.

I continued to speak on environmental issues to a variety of audiences in some twenty-five states. All across the country, evidence of environmental degradation was appearing everywhere, and everyone noticed except the political establishment. The environmental issue simply was not to be found on the nation's political agenda. The people were concerned, but the politicians were not.

After President Kennedy's tour, I still hoped for some idea that would thrust the environment into the political mainstream. Six years would pass before the idea that became Earth Day occurred to me while on a conservation speaking tour out West in the summer of 1969. At the time, anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, called "teach-ins," had spread to college campuses all across the nation. Suddenly, the idea occurred to me - why not organize a huge grassroots protest over what was happening to our environment?

I was satisfied that if we could tap into the environmental concerns of the general public and infuse the student anti-war energy into the environmental cause, we could generate a demonstration that would force this issue onto the political agenda. It was a big gamble, but worth a try.

At a conference in Seattle in September 1969, I announced that in the spring of 1970 there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment and invited everyone to participate. The wire services carried the story from coast to coast. The response was electric. It took off like gangbusters. Telegrams, letters, and telephone inquiries poured in from all across the country. The American people finally had a forum to express its concern about what was happening to the land, rivers, lakes, and air - and they did so with spectacular exuberance. For the next four months, two members of my Senate staff, Linda Billings and John Heritage, managed Earth Day affairs out of my Senate office.

Five months before Earth Day, on Sunday, November 30, 1969, The New York Times carried a lengthy article by Gladwin Hill reporting on the astonishing proliferation of environmental events:

"Rising concern about the environmental crisis is sweeping the nation's campuses with an intensity that may be on its way to eclipsing student discontent over the war in Vietnam...a national day of observance of environmental problems...is being planned for next spring...when a nationwide environmental 'teach-in'...coordinated from the office of Senator Gaylord Nelson is planned...."

It was obvious that we were headed for a spectacular success on Earth Day. It was also obvious that grassroots activities had ballooned beyond the capacity of my U.S. Senate office staff to keep up with the telephone calls, paper work, inquiries, etc. In mid-January, three months before Earth Day, John Gardner, Founder of Common Cause, provided temporary space for a Washington, D.C. headquarters. I staffed the office with college students and selected Denis Hayes as coordinator of activities.

Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. We had neither the time nor resources to organize 20 million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.

2008-03-06T23:47:00.002-05:00

Lois Marie Gibbs (born 1952) is an American environmental activist.

Gibbs's involvement in environmental causes began in 1978 when she discovered that her 7-year-old son's elementary school in Niagara Falls, New York was built on a toxic waste dump and that frightened for the reason that anything can happen at any time. Subsequent investigation revealed that her entire neighborhood , Love Canal, had been built on top of this dump. With no prior experience in community activism, Gibbs organized her neighbors and formed the Love Canal Homeowners Association. She led her community in a battle against the local, state, and federal governments. After years of struggle, 833 families were eventually evacuated, and cleanup of Love Canal began. National press coverage made Lois Gibbs a household name. Her efforts also led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "Superfund," which is used to locate and clean up toxic sites throughout the United States.

In 1980, Gibbs formed the Citizens' Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste, later renamed the Center for Health, Environment and Justice. CHEJ is a grassroots environmental crisis center that provides information, resources, technical assistance and training to community groups around the nation. CHEJ seeks to form strong local organizations in order to protect neighborhoods from exposure to hazardous wastes.

Gibbs has authored several books about the Love Canal story and the effects of toxic waste. Her story was dramatized in the 1982 made-for-tv movie "Lois Gibbs: the Love Canal Story", in which she was played by Marsha Mason. In 2006 Lois Gibbs was awarded an Honorary Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters from Haverford College for her work as an Environmental Activist.

2008-03-06T23:38:00.002-05:00

LaDuke was born in Los Angeles, California to Vincent and Betty LaDuke. Her father was part Anishinaabe (Ojibwe or "Chippewa") from an Indian reservation of Minnesota. He was an actor with supporting roles in Western movies, an activist, a writer, and at the end of his life, a spiritual guru under the name Sun Bear.Her mother was a Jewish artist, employed as an art professor at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. LaDuke is the mother of five.

LaDuke was raised in Ashland,but after graduating from Harvard in 1982 with a degree in rural economic development, she accepted a job as principal of the high school on the Ojibwe White Earth Indian Reservation in Minnesota. She soon became an activist, involved in the struggle to recover lands promised to the Ojibwe by an 1867 treaty. She helped the Ojibwe buy back thousands of acres of ancestral land.

She worked with Women of All Red Nations to publicize the alarmingly high level of forced sterilization among Native American women.

World Water Day

2008-03-04T19:11:00.001-05:00

The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March of each year as the World Day for Water by adopting a resolution.

This world day for water was to be observed starting in 1993, in conformity with the recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development contained in chapter 18 (Fresh Water Resources) of Agenda 21.

States were invited to devote the Day to implement the UN recommendations and set up concrete activities as deemed appropriate in the national context. The Subcommittee welcomes the assistance offered by IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre to contribute to an information network centre in support of the observance of the Day by Governments, as required.

http://www.worldwaterday.org/

Environmental Defence

2008-03-04T19:07:00.000-05:00

Environmental Defence protects the environment and human health. We research solutions. We educate. We go to court when we have to. All in order to ensure clean air, clean water and thriving ecosystems nationwide, and to bring a halt to Canada’s contribution to climate change.

http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/

Canada - Green Drinks

2008-03-04T18:59:00.001-05:00

Go to this website to find out where you can meet up with other people just like you who like to talk about the environment.

Canada is a 2005 entrant to the world of Green Drinks.

http://www.biothinking.com/greendrinks/index.php?country=Canada&city=Canada

Toronto - Environmental Dream House

2008-03-04T18:57:00.001-05:00

http://www.thestar.com/SpecialSections/EarthHour/article/308450

SHINE ON....

2008-02-29T02:31:00.004-05:00

It is when the night is darkest that the stars shine most brightly... a further challenge remains, the one Martin Luther King characterized as the need to...

Only then can we truly learn. Socrates should have written comics. ... our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. ...

-Martin Luther King, Jr. "Love is the light that dissolves all walls ..... and never fear the darkness, for that is when the stars shine the brightest. ...

Martin Luther King. Peace is not the absence of conflict, ... and don't worry about the darkness, for that is when the stars shine brightest. ...

Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live. .... Martin Luther King, Jr.:. An individual has not started living until he can rise above the ..

I have wished to know why the stars shine. ..... Martin Luther King, Jr.:. Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend. ...

Martin Luther King Jr. You cannot control what happens to you, ... while a pessimist sees only the red stoplight... The truly wise person is color- blind. ...

Declaration of Interdependence

2008-02-22T15:31:00.001-05:00

THIS WE KNOW

We are the earth, through the plants and animals that nourish us.
We are the rains and the oceans that flow through our veins.
We are the breath of the forests of the land, and the plants of the sea.
We are human animals, related to all other life as descendants of the firstborn cell.
We share with these kin a common history, written in our genes.
We share a common present, filled with uncertainty.
And we share a common future, as yet untold.
We humans are but one of thirty million species
weaving the thin layer of life enveloping the world.
The stability of communities of living things depends upon this diversity.
Linked in that web, we are interconnected—
using, cleansing, sharing and replenishing the fundamental elements of life.
Our home, planet Earth, is finite; all life shares its resources and the energy from the sun,and therefore has limits to growth.
For the first time, we have touched those limits.
When we compromise the air, the water, the soil and the variety of life,
we steal from the endless future to serve the fleeting present.

THIS WE BELIEVE
Humans have become so numerous and our tools so powerful
that we have driven fellow creatures to extinction, dammed the great rivers,
torn down ancient forests, poisoned the earth, rain and wind, and ripped holes in the sky.
Our science has brought pain as well as joy; our comfort is paid for by the suffering of millions.
We are learning from our mistakes, we are mourning our vanished kin,
and we now build a new politics of hope.
We respect and uphold the absolute need for clean air, water and soil.
We see that economic activities that benefit the few while shrinking the inheritance of many are wrong.
And since environmental degradation erodes biological capital forever,
full ecological and social cost must enter all equations of development.
We are one brief generation in the long march of time; the future is not ours to erase.
So where knowledge is limited, we will remember all those who will walk after us, and err on the side of caution.

THIS WE RESOLVE
All this that we know and believe must now become the foundation of the way we live.
At this turning point in our relationship with Earth,
we work for an evolution: from dominance to partnership;
from fragmentation to connection; from insecurity,
to interdependence.

THE DAVID SUZUKI FOUNDATION
Suite 219, 2211 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., Canada v6k 4s2 · Telephone: (604) 732-4228 · Fax: (604) 732-0752

Public Access versus Private Feudal Road Feb 16/08

2008-02-19T14:03:00.002-05:00

Dear Editor,

Citizens and business owners have questions regarding the feudal arrogance of the Ambassador Bridge Company’s arbitrary closure of the northbound Huron Church Road access for our U.S. customers and visitors:

How is it allowable for a private company to arbitrarily re-direct public traffic? How can this be done without any notice or even city approval let alone Transport Canada’s approval?

As business owners we obviously favour private enterprise, but at what point does private enterprise undermine the public good?

How can such a crucial public artery remain under private, unaccountable ownership and control?

This week it was the unilateral closure of the Huron Church Road access; what if tomorrow the Ambassador Bridge Company finds it in their interest to restrict traffic to cars only or to trucks only or to their private company trucks only? What if the Ambassador Bridge Company finds it more expedient or profitable to sell the steel bridge for scrap on the global market?

Is there nothing in place to stop the Ambassador Bridge Company except trust? Has the Ambassador Bridge Company again proven itself unworthy of the public trust? What happened to Bill C-3? And speaking o Bill C-3… why does it not mention anything about improving the environment so that it will be safe for citizens to live, work and breathe?

If this road closure was a simple faux pas by the Ambassador Bridge Company, how much more damage will the next faux pas create? Will the next arbitrary decision hurt you, the reader, or your employer or your business? Can Windsor businesses, downtown and Olde Sandwich Towne and elsewhere, withstand more arbitrary, unaccountable Ambassador Bridge Company behaviour?

How does the Ambassador Bridge Company propose to compensate businesses that have lost customers because of this faux pas? Surely a public body would be held financially responsible if the roles were reversed. How can the Ambassador Bridge Company repair the “never again” experience of the tourist who gets lost trying to find Sandwich Town businesses via College Avenue? How can the Ambassador Bridge Company repair the “its-not-worth-it” experience of the tourist who gets lost trying to find our prized riverfront via College Avenue? How many more tourists can Windsor afford to leave with a negative experience?

How does the Ambassador Bridge Company propose to compensate homeowners on California, Randolph, Bridge, McKay, Campbell and other residential streets for the increased traffic from people trying to find the river, downtown, Sandwich Towne or the University?

More questions were raised as we question arbitrary, unaccountable behaviours by the Ambassador Bridge Company:
Why does every bridge crossing the Niagara River only cost $3.25 for a round trip when we are forced to pay $8.00 for a round trip to Detroit?

Why can the Niagara area receive millions of dollars per year in local “impact area” improvements from the bridges and we do not? Why can the Ambassador Bridge Company allow its many rental properties to become unsafe eye sores when any other property owner would have to endure endless visits/fines from the property bylaw enforcement officers of the city? Why is the city council afraid of a law suit every time it even thinks about keeping the Ambassador Bridge Company accountable? Why is the Ambassador Bridge Company pushing to proceed with a second span when it agreed in writing to not twin the bridge at the time it received city cooperation in expanding six truck lanes west of Huron Church Road? What is the difference between a “twin” and an “enhancement”? Why can the private bridge company put up traffic lights over public roadways without consultation or permit? Why doesn’t the Ambassador Bridge pay property tax to the city for the bridge asset when every other business or factory or homeowner pays property tax?

Regarding noise levels, why can’t the Ambassador Bridge Company be a good neighbour like the Bluewater Bridge and at least put up signs asking trucks to not use ‘compression brakes’?

Why does the media leave Ambassador Bridge Company officials unquestioned when they push for City Council to be more open (read legally exposed) when every price increase or decision by the Ambassador Bridge Company happens behind solidly closed doors?

Is it time to end feudalism (again)?

Mike Cardinal

On behalf of Olde Sandwich Towne business and home owners

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Public access or feudalism?

2008-02-16T16:48:00.002-05:00

There will be a demonstration at 1pm on Monday February 18. The plan is to meet at Wyandotte and Huron Church in front of the graveyard and then at 1:15PM to walk to the street where the trucks come off with signs demonstrating the fact that the public should have access to and control of such an important artery for traffic.

Below is a link to information regarding legislation:

Bill C-3: International Bridges and Tunnels Act (LS-524E)
Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, introduced Bill C-3, An Act respecting international bridges and tunnels and making ...
www.parl.gc.ca/common/bills_ls.asp?lang=E&ls=c3&source=library_prb&Parl=39&Ses=1 -

If you're available it would be great if you could make it out.

Drivers morouned

2008-02-16T16:47:00.001-05:00

Gord Henderson, Windsor Star
Published: Saturday, February 16, 2008

You have to hand it to the folks from the independent Republic of Moroun who run that perpetual money machine called Ambassador Bridge. They've just underlined, as no one else could, the urgent need for a new downriver bridge owned and controlled by the governments of Canada and the U.S.

In erecting barriers blocking the main access route to downtown Windsor for motorists entering Canada, the company might have scored points in its running feud with the city, but its move calls into question something far bigger, this country's sovereignty.

How can Canada call itself an independent, self-respecting nation when it allows a privately owned firm, headquartered in another country, to arbitrarily determine how and where visitors get to enter this country from the U.S.? Where is our legitimacy as a country when one billionaire, 80-year-old American transportation tycoon Matty Moroun, and his supporting cast, can call the shots in determining whether motorists arriving in Canada are allowed to use a key artery, northbound Huron Church Road, to reach city destinations.

The Stephen Harper government has made highly popular noises about defending Canadian sovereignty in the remote high Arctic, even if it means conducting costly show-the-flag exercises, constructing a naval harbour and building expensive ships to patrol the Northwest Passage, and yet here, right on Canada's front doorstep, at the busiest and most valuable trade crossing in North America, it has to live with choices made by a U.S. businessman, regardless of their impact on visitors or returning Canadians.

One has to wonder. Where could this end? If the bridge company were to up the ante and shut down the bridge for a week, in order to undertake "necessary" repairs, would the governments of Canada and the U.S. respond? Or would they wring their hands in impotent indignation while cross-border trade is tied up in knots?

EARLIER BATTLE LOST

We didn't make much of it at the time. But we surely understand now why Herb Gray moved heaven and earth, as Liberal minister responsible for FIRA (Foreign Investment Review Agency) in the early 1980s, in a failed effort to prevent Moroun's trucking empire from acquiring the Canadian half of the bridge. That battle was lost in the federal courts and ended with an out-of-court settlement following a marathon legal struggle.

Gray understood what was at stake. An economic nationalist, he recognized that having the nation's most critical border crossing owned and operated by a private company, a foreign controlled one at that, would not be in Canada's best interests. He knew that real countries, serious countries, don't let private companies run their borders.

But don't blame Moroun for being pugnacious in defence of his licence to print money. If you purchased an item for a reputed $29 million, and it returns at least twice that amount annually (which makes the bridge purchase the best deal since the Dutch acquired Manhattan), you too would fight like a cornered mongoose against anything that might affect the value of that asset.

Bridge barrier annoys mayor

2008-02-16T16:44:00.001-05:00

Move forces travellers entering city to go out of their way to access core
Dave Battagello, Windsor Star
Published: Friday, February 15, 2008

The Ambassador Bridge has taken an unexpected step in its fight with the city of cutting off the main access route to Windsor's downtown.

The company has put up barriers blocking access to northbound Huron Church Road as drivers exit the bridge.

Every vehicle coming off the bridge must now head south on Huron Church, forcing many Windsorites to travel out of their way, while also setting up the potential for U.S. travellers to get lost trying to find the downtown.

Since the barriers are erected on private bridge company property, there appears to be little the city can do about the move.

"Once again, they are doing this the Ambassador Bridge way," said an exasperated Mayor Eddie Francis.

"They have been aggressively seeking permanent closure of that stretch of Huron Church. They know I have expressed (that) any closure of the road will hurt downtown.

"We need that exit to secure access to the casino, to downtown businesses and restaurants. This clearly eliminates that."

The issue was already scheduled to be debated at Tuesday's city council meeting to deal with a bridge request to temporarily shut down the stretch of Huron Church between the bridge exit and Wyandotte Street West.

The bridge wants it closed so it can complete maintenance work.

City administration has recommended council deny the request until the bridge company provides more information about the exact nature of the construction work.

Francis and council also have fears the bridge company is vying for permanent closure of the local road so that it can successfully expand the footprint of its customs plaza operations over to the west side of Huron Church Road -- a key requirement demanded for federal approvals of its twin span proposal.

A race to build the next Windsor-Detroit border crossing has entered its final stages, with a government-backed downriver bridge proposal expected to be unveiled in late March or early April.

Council supports the government process and is fighting against the Ambassador Bridge's twin-span proposal.

Blocking the northbound Huron Church exit with barricades should not be looked upon as a big deal, said Dan Stamper, president of the bridge company.

"We're doing some work on the bridge and to make that safer we need to close that part of Huron Church. People make more out of what we do than reality.

"We are try to maintain (border) traffic and do whatever maintenance is needed. We will open it back up as soon as we can."

He guessed the bridge maintenance work would take about three months to complete and offered that the bridge may open access to the local road occasionally during construction.

He said the road needed to be closed this week because the company is "doing inspection on work that's going to be done."

Stamper then took aim at the city for remaining unco-operative.

"The City of Windsor is not willing to do anything to be helpful for us," he said.

"We are doing what we need to do to make sure the bridge is secure and safe. We hope some day the city will see it's in their interest for the bridge to be efficient. Until that happens we are just plodding along with things we have to do."

How Do You Develop a Green Paper Procurement Policy?

2008-02-10T14:28:00.000-05:00

1. Establish Executive Commitment and Develop an Organizing Committee
* It is important that commitment to change procurement and purchasing practices be initiated from senior management.
* Those charged with the purchasing decisions are instrumental for evaluating and bringing about change
* Include members from every level of the organization in the committee. This will help ensure goals are perceived as reasonable and attainable as well as increase program buy-in.
* Companies and organizations often seek out the help of independent non-profit or non-governmental organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) or Metafore to help navigate the social, political and technical landscape and lend credibility to their environmental initiatives.

2. Define Benefits and Rationale

The second step involves clarifying and explaining why your company or organization wants to pursue green paper procurement. This is an opportunity to evaluate how environmental and social values fit within your company’s objectives and focus.

* Document why your company/organization is undertaking a green paper procurement policy
* Document what you want to achieve by implementing this policy
* Learn about the issues – what are the environmental performance criteria of papers?
* Outline the various environmental efforts you have considered and will be supporting with this procurement policy
o What environmental issues should be considered?
As outlined in the 5 Minute Guide to Green Paper, there are various environmental issues that can be considered in both the resource extraction for and the production of paper.

An environmentally friendly paper can include any of the following characteristics:
- FSC-certified (FSC recycled, FSC Mixed Sources, FSC 100%)
- Contains recycled or post consumer waste
- Endangered or ancient forest friendly
- Derived from responsibly managed forests
- Does not contain genetically modified tree species
- Manufactured with minimal or without chlorine bleaching (PCF, ECF, TCF)
- Manufactured with wind power or other alternative power sources

3. Perform a Self-Evaluation

Completing a self-evaluation is an exercise to analyze current purchasing and consumption behaviour and will help in later stages when developing the implementation plan.

a. Purchasing
i. Who purchases paper?
ii. What types of paper are being purchased?
iii. In what quantities?
iv. At what costs?
v. What purchasing policies exist?
1. Are there preferential contracts?
2. Do we receive volume discounts?
3. Is there centralized buying?
4. Who has the authority to change current policies?
vi. Who are our current suppliers?
1. Do they currently offer green paper alternatives?
2. Would they be open to providing such alternatives?
3. Ask them to provide the environmental specifications of the products they are currently offering.
4. Evaluate these specifications against green paper characteristics

b. Consumption:
i. Who are the major users?
ii. What quantity of paper is being used?
iii. What types of paper are being used?
iv. For what purposes?
v. What are the environmental specifications for these papers?
vi. Are there any efforts in place to reduce paper use?
If so, can they be improved? If not, what can be done to reduce paper use?
vii. Are there any efforts in place to reuse paper? If so, can they be improved? If not, what can be done
to reuse paper?
viii. Are there any efforts in place to recycle paper? If so, can they be improved? If not, what can be
done to recycle paper?

4. Develop Paper Specifications and Identify Suppliers

In this step you must clearly specify what characteristics you will be seeking in your paper, then identify suppliers who can meet these requirements.

* Discuss the key areas of environmental performance you are committed to seeking out. For example;
o Recycling and Pollution Reduction
o Responsible Forest Management and Conservation
o Reduction of Energy Use
* Specify and document what characteristics are required of the various types of paper your organization consumes (e.g. copy paper should contain a minimum 30% PCW content, be chlorine free, FSC certified etc)
o Consider the various uses and purposes of the paper your company/organization consumes. Different uses may be better suited to different papers (e.g. internal paper can have a higher grade of recycled content than published documents etc)
* Provide a glossary for environmental terms used in your specifications to clearly communicate your intentions (e.g. Post consumer waste is considered by this policy to be paper products used by the end consumer and then reclaimed through recycling programs).
* To ensure best practices are being employed, stipulate requirements for suppliers to possess third party FSC certification in all tenders (e.g. “Tenderer shall be third party certified to FSC standards and offer FSC certified papers. Samples of each item for which the tenderer intends to quote shall be submitted in a separate envelope/cover superscribing “Technical Tenders” “)
o How can my supplier become certified? Click here
o Who are FSC certified paper suppliers? Click here
o What FSC certified papers are available? Click here
* Comparison shop amongst existing and prospective suppliers to determine the degree to which they can offer products or employ practices consistent with the environmental specifications you have set out.

5. Set Goals

* Set goals using a two-pronged approach
o First set the final goals (with timelines) you wish the policy to achieve
E.G. 100% use of environmentally preferable papers by January 1, 2008
o Second, set incremental milestones (with timelines) that work towards the ultimate goals
E.G. Use of environmentally preferable paper for all public documents by June 1, 2006
* Ensure targets are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound)
* This approach allows all the stakeholders to understand it takes many small, measurable actions to achieve overall program success
* These goals should be based on:
o The breadth of the change (i.e. company-wide, department-wide, regional level, national level, etc)
o Amount and purpose of current paper consumption
o Existing contracts with suppliers
o The availability of satisfactory green paper alternatives. See what FSC papers are currently available here.
* In addition to purchasing environmentally friendly paper, set goals to reduce overall paper use and improve recycling.

6. Implementation and Evaluation

* Develop and document a detailed action plan based on the goals you have set out above
* Establish an internal feedback and monitoring system to ensure continual improvement and adherence to the policy
* Periodic review of the procurement program should be carried out to ensure that goals and objectives are being met.
o Assess what changes in consumption have been made:
1. What products are being purchased?
2. Do these products meet the specifications set forth in the policy?
3. What is the level of employee knowledge and/or commitment to the policy?
o Conduct regular supply vendor reviews requiring all forest product suppliers to submit annual performance reports detailing their progress in environmental management and forest certification programs.

7. Communicate the Policy

When communicating an initiative it is important to explain to all stakeholders how the set goals will be reached as well as why the program is being launched.

* To Suppliers:
o Inform current suppliers of your new policy, why you have adopted it, and work with them to implement it.
o Encourage them to obtain FSC Chain of Custody (CoC) certification and inform them as to how they can do it. See 'Chain of Custody' fact sheet for more information
* To Employees:
o Communicate to employees why your company/organization has adopted this procurement policy
o Educate them as to how they fit into the process (through paper consumption, purchasing etc)
* To Customers: Communicate to customers that you have adopted a green paper procurement policy in an effort to reduce the environmental impacts of your company/organization.
* Make your procurement policy publicly available to further communication with employees, customers and stakeholders and to ensure transparency.

8. Resources

For more information on FSC certified paper products visit
www.fsccanada.org/FindCertifiedPaper.htm

For more information on FSC certification visit
www.fsccanada.org/Certification.htm

For more information on the differences between FSC, CSA and SFI certification visit
www.certificationcanada.org/english
International Council of Forest & Paper Associations

The Environmental Paper Network
Markets Initiative: How to Go Ancient Forest Friendly
David Suzuki Foundation: What are Transgenic Trees?
Forest Ethics: Information on Endangered Forests
Metafore Paper Working Group
Greenbiz.com: Information on Eco-labels
Consumer’s Guide to Eco-labels

Government of Canada’s Eco-logo program

The Talloires Declaration:

2008-02-10T13:12:00.000-05:00

University Presidents for a Sustainable Future

We, the presidents, rectors, and vice chancellors of universities from all regions of the world are deeply concerned about the unprecedented scale and speed of environmental pollution and degradation, and the depletion of natural resources. Local, regional, and global air pollution; accumulation and distribution of toxic wastes; destruction and depletion of forests, soil, and water; depletion of the ozone layer and emission of "green house" gases threaten the survival of humans and thousands of other living species, the integrity of the earth and its biodiversity, the security of nations, and the heritage of future generations. These environmental changes are caused by inequitable and unsustainable production and consumption patterns that aggravate poverty in many regions of the world.

We believe that urgent actions are needed to address these fundamental problems and reverse the trends. Stabilization of human population, adoption of environmentally sound industrial and agricultural technologies, reforestation, and ecological restoration are crucial elements in creating an equitable and sustainable future for all humankind in harmony with nature. Universities have a major role in the education, research, policy formation, and information exchange necessary to make these goals possible.

The university heads must provide the leadership and support to mobilize internal and external resources so that their institutions respond to this urgent challenge. We, therefore, agree to take the following actions:

1. Use every opportunity to raise public, government, industry, foundation, and university awareness by publicly addressing the urgent need to move toward an environmentally sustainable future.
2. Encourage all universities to engage in education, research, policy formation, and information exchange on population, environment, and development to move toward a sustainable future.
3. Establish programs to produce expertise in environmental management, sustainable economic development, population, and related fields to ensure that all university graduates are environmentally literate and responsible citizens.
4. Create programs to develop the capability of university faculty to teach environmental literacy to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students.
5. Set an example of environmental responsibility by establishing programs of resource conservation, recycling, and waste reduction at the universities.
6. Encourage the involvement of government (at all levels), foundations, and industry in supporting university research, education, policy formation, and information exchange in environmentally sustainable development. Expand work with nongovernmental organizations to assist in finding solutions to environmental problems.
7. Convene school deans and environmental practitioners to develop research, policy, information exchange programs, and curricula for an environmentally sustainable future.
8. Establish partnerships with primary and secondary schools to help develop the capability of their faculty to teach about population, environment, and sustainable development issues.
9. Work with the UN Conference on Environmental and Development, the UN Environment Programme, and other national and international organizations to promote a worldwide university effort toward a sustainable future.
10. Establish a steering committee and a secretariat to continue this momentum and inform and support each other's efforts in carrying out this declaration.

http://www.ulsf.org/programs_talloires_implement.html

University of Windsor Proposed Environmental Policy

2008-02-08T15:49:00.000-05:00

"Human demands upon the planet are now of a volume and kind that unless changed substantially, threatens the future well-being of all living species. Universities are entrusted with the major responsibility to help societies shape their present and future development policies and actions into the sustainable and equitable forms necessary for an environmentally secure and civilized world" (The Halifax Declaration, see Appendix A).

1. Introduction

The University of Windsor is one of the many worldwide signatories of The Talloires Declaration (see Appendix B) which promised a commitment to an environmentally sustainable future. Fourteen years later, the University still does not have an environmental policy in place.

Through specialised courses (see Appendix C), the educational component of such commitment has come closer to being fulfilled. Individual campus services have made improvements in a variety of areas such as waste reduction and recycling. Furthermore, the Ontario Minister of Environment has recently articulated its goals for reducing municipal waste. However, even with such improvements and motivations, the University has not constructed, adopted nor implemented a policy that would direct future decisions regarding environmental practices on campus, as well as off-campus practices that are in conjunction with University projects.

In order to ensure the University’s commitment to an environmentally sustainable future, a documented environmental policy is necessary. The University’s Environmental Coalition (see Appendix D) proposes that the following policy be implemented immediately.

2. Preamble
The University of Windsor is located in one of the nation’s most polluted cities. Action to ameliorate the stresses of such pollution has begun to take place through provisions for alternative forms of transportation and waste reduction. Air, water and soil quality in the Windsor area remain particularly poor, and the concerns of those living in and around Windsor cannot be ignored by the city’s pillar of education. The University hereby commits to address those concerns by extending and intensifying its environmentally sensitive practices and teaching. The University strives to provide its students with a broad educational experience that reaches beyond academic knowledge alone. We therefore commit to operating an institution that is exemplary in its environmentally responsible approach.

As a signatory of the Talloires Declaration, the University now seeks solutions to environmental challenges and implements practices that minimise our impact on the environment. The University also ensures that all members of the University community are aware of our environmental concerns and are provided with sufficient information to participate in environmentally friendly practices.

The University’s environmental commitment involves an ongoing program of and implementation of measurable and realistic improvements. By demonstrating the means to a sustainable community on campus, we improve the learning conditions on campus and contribute to a healthy society not only by example but also by making certain that our graduates leave this institution with a broad awareness of the environmental problems and their solutions. In doing this, we join many Canadian universities with similar concerns, policies and practices.

3. Purpose
• to develop a campus community that is environmentally responsible;
• to make connections with the surrounding area in an effort to improve regional environmental conditions and enhance the vitality and diversity of our biotic community;
• to work towards a sustainable future by signing the Talloires Declaration; and
• to become an exemplary campus through practising sustainable development
and instilling sustainable development values in its graduates and employees,
through research, teaching, and operations.

4. Policy
The University of Windsor is committed to improving its operations and educational programs in an environmentally sustainable manner. The University shall develop appropriate standards, action plans and evaluation instruments necessary to achieve the objectives outlined in this policy.

4.1. Areas of Action:
Pollution – the University recognises how important the issue of pollution is in the City of Windsor. This industrial lowland zone is one of the most polluted areas in Canada. The University will do its part to minimize pollution of air, water and soil and participate in local initiatives to reduce pollution in Windsor and the surrounding area.

Waste reduction – the University will seek ways to conserve resources and reduce waste by educating students, faculty and staff, providing appropriate waste diversion facilities and setting an example with its own practices.

Recycling – the University shall continue to improve its recycling program and ncrease the waste diversion rate every year.

Composting – the University will implement a comprehensive composting program incorporated with landscaping services. Central ideas of sustainability shall be applied where biodegradable waste would be used on site for gardening. Potential for developing educational programs at the elementary and secondary levels will be explored and developed where feasible.

Purchasing/packaging – the Purchasing Department shall make a careful selection of products purchased by the University based on minimized packaging, recyclable and biodegradable supplies and environmentally sound cleaning and landscaping chemicals. As an environmentally conscious buyer, the University can make it clear to distributors that the University’s purchasing decisions are influenced by these criteria.

Chemicals/cleaning – the University shall practice chemical-free cleaning routines. Alternative/natural cleaning supplies are to be used campus-wide.

Energy/retrofitting – the University shall minimize on-campus energy consumption and
reduce the use of fossil fuels and other non-renewable energy resources. Any renovation/retrofitting work done on the existing buildings shall be done in accordance with this policy. Any new buildings on campus shall be designed and constructed in accordance with this policy. Solar panels, green roofs and walls and the use of natural lighting where feasible are encouraged as some of the ways that buildings can be made more energy efficient.

Alternative Vehicles – the University now purchases alternative vehicles that cause less ecological damage, such as hybrid and electric automobiles. When on-campus vehicles(i.e. Food Services trucks, maintenance and Campus Police vehicles) need to be replaced, alternative vehicles shall be the preferred replacement.

Carfree Campus – the University will give priority to pedestrians and bicyclists, and shall continue to designate more campus space for these forms of transportation (except for service vehicles – see previous category). The University shall encourage improved bus access from city residential areas to campus.

Water – the University will continually modify its practices to reduce the overall consumption of water on campus. Infrastructure shall be put in place for the collection, treatment and reuse of wastewater.

Education – the University shall actively promote sustainability, educate its students, staff and faculty and, where possible, incorporate environmental content into the curriculum either by including such content into the existing courses or by offering new, environmentally conscious courses. Where appropriate, programs that provide basic environmental-oriented education for elementary and secondary levels will be developed, preferably by university students who have an interest in childhood education.

Ecosystems/Naturalisation – the University is to embrace comprehensive ecological approaches to sustainability, understand its effect on the existing ecosystems and actively work to improve the ecology of the campus by increasing its natural areas (i.e.planting trees, promoting potted plants for the indoors, introducing wetlands, etc.). Any researchers working under the umbrella of the University, on land or on water, will be conscious of these approaches. All future projects shall avoid the introduction of foreign species, using only indigenous trees and plants that will flourish and contribute to the ecological diversity of the area. Any use of pesticides and/or artificial fertilisers shall be eliminated.

Cooperation – the University shall perpetually be aware of its role in the larger academic and community context. Partnerships shall be established with other university and college campuses across Canada, with local environmental groups and with government agencies including the Municipality of the City of Windsor.

4.2. Environmental Committee
The Environmental Committee is responsible for implementing this policy. The
Environmental Committee is formed from the following membership: one member appointed by each of the student representative bodies [e.g. University of Windsor Student Alliance (UWSA), Graduate Student Society (GSS), Organization of Part-time University Students (OPUS)] and one member appointed by each active student environmental organizations [e.g. Environmental Studies Club, the Ontario Public Interest Research Group - Windsor, Green Corridor, etc.], one member appointed by the Faculty Association and at least two members appointed by the University Administration. Local environmental groups and University of Windsor Unions are also invited to send representatives. The Environmental Committee is committed to exemplary sustainable practices, meets monthly and ensures that maximum consideration is given to environmental/ecological effects of the University’s operations.

4.3. Action plans
Action plans will be developed for each of the above listed areas by the relevant
department (s). These plans are to be responsibly implemented and undergo careful annual reviews by the Environmental Committee.

4.4. Reviews and Performance Indicators
The Environmental Committee shall perform biannual environmental audit, which evaluates all areas of action. The Environmental Committee will report the results of this audit to the president, student associations (both undergraduate and graduate) and make the report available to all members of the University community. If the audit indicates that certain areas of action require improvement, the Environmental Committee is responsible for providing, within reasonable time, an updated action plan with specific recommendation. Performance indicators used for the audit are developed for each area of action with each version of every individual action plan.

5. Future Hopes for the University and Surrounding Area
The University of Windsor plays an important and influential role in the understanding,actions and effects of its own community members, as well as those who make the Windsor area their home. Environmental health is necessary not only for our very survival, but is also fundamental to our ability to build lives in a sustained manner. The University of Windsor is concerned with the state of the environment within which the community – campus, city, region, and planet – lives. It shall use its position as a public education and research institution to build heightened awareness of immediate and long-term conditions, explore potential courses of action for addressing those conditions, and involve all interested parties in working to improve environmental conditions in this area. Actions and decisions that the University engages in its daily operations will be motivated by a genuine desire to reverse the environmental degradation that has occurred in this area, and to cultivate a stimulating, diverse and luscious bioregion. Program curricula will continue to be developed in conjunction with such an environmentally sensitive orientation. Students, staff, and faculty will be encouraged to construct and implement solutions that are prompted from their own concerns about environmental issues. Networks will be built and enhanced, bringing together people from all forms of community to strive towards common goals through mutually supportive projects. It is hoped that the entire University Community will discover a new excitement and vitality about this place in which we live, work and play together, and that this discovery will propel continued concern about, and responsible action toward, the health of our environment.

Alternative Ink (aka Vegetable Paste)

2008-02-07T01:21:00.000-05:00

Conventional Ink Vs. Alternative Vegetable-based Ink

certain pigments used in ink contain metallic substances that are harmful to human health & enviornment such as cadmium, chromium, lead & mercury
conventional printing inks are petroleum-based and are typically used with alcohol-based solvents
as alcohol & petroleum evaporate, VOCs aka Volatile Organic Compound are emitted
this leads to atmospheric pollution when the VOCs react with nitrogn oxides
in the presence of unslight, this creates ozone pollution or photochemical smog
Alternative to conventional inks are soya or vegetable-based inks
these have a greatly reduced rate of VOC emissions
whilee petroleum inks emit 25-40% VOCs when they dry, soya & begetable-based inks emit as low as 2-4%
thus, vegetable and soya-based inks are virtually non-hazardous
while energy required for extraction, refining and treatment for conventional inks are high, vegetable oils are derived from renewable resources
additionally, soya and vegetable-based inks are easier to remove during the de-inking process of recycling
when the LA Times switched to soy-based ink, they reduced their VOC emissions by 200 tons per year, earning them an air quality award from South Coast Air Quality Management

Tree-Free Paper

alternative fibers such as kenaf, cereal straw, and sugar beet pulp can be used to make beautiful paper that is made from 0% of trees!
Ecopaper (Costa Rica Natural) offers eco-friendly paper that uses recycled materials. Furthermore, they are based on principles of fair trade and sustainable production by relying on partnerships among first and third world businesses. Every sheet of the treeless paper is handmade in an organic process. http://www.ecopaper.com/
For additional information on waste management, the CIWMB (California Integrated Waste Management Board) website is a good place to start. http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/
The CIWMB even has a section that offers a variety of recycled items that can be purchased, ranging from textiles to furniture to jewelry to birdhouses!

Printer Ink - Regular

2008-02-06T23:38:00.000-05:00

Printer Ink
- A pigmented liquid or paste
- A dark liquid ejected for protection by most cephalopods, including the octopus and squid
- A dispersion of a pigment or a solution of a dye in a carrier vehicle, yielding a fluid, paste, or powder to be applied to and dried on a substrate
- Fundamentally, inks are composed of four major material categories: (1) Colorants (which include pigments, toners, and dyes) provide the color contrast with the substrate. (2) Vehicles, or varnishes, act as carriers for the colorants during the printing operation. Upon drying, the vehicles bind the colorants to the substrate. (3) Additives influence the printability, film characteristics, drying speed, and end-use properties. (4) Solvents (including water), besides participating in formation of the vehicles, are used to reduce ink viscosity and adjust drying ease and resin compatibility. Ingredients from these four classes are weighed, mixed, and ground (dispersed) together or separately, according to the formulas preestablished in the laboratory

Health Aspect
- There is a misconception that ink isn't harmful even if swallowed. Once ingested, ink can be hazardous to one's health. Certain inks, such as those used in printers, and even those found in a common pen can be harmful. Though ink will not cause death, inappropriate contact can cause effects such as severe headaches, skin irritation, or nervous system damage. These effects can be caused by solvents or by pigment constituents such as p-Anisidine, which is used in the process of creating the ink's color and shine. The poison control center has stated that any consumption of ink should be reported to a local hospital or poison control center
Environmental Aspect
- Recycled ink and toner cartridges reduce its environmental impacts
- Dry ink printers generate 90% less waste than laser printers
- Buy recycled, Use recycled, Send to recycling

Evaluation Research

2008-01-31T11:09:00.000-05:00

Environmental Audit of the University of Windsor Campus

What do we want to survey?
-The Lance
-The Book Store
-Document Imaging
-Mr. Copies
-The Leddy Library
-The Computer Centre

Interesting Findings:

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Canada
Forests for all, forever.
FSC is an international certification and labeling system that guarantees that the forest products you purchase come from responsibly managed forests and verified recycled sources.

2008-01-30T15:40:00.000-05:00

2008-01-30T15:35:00.000-05:00

Organizers Danielle Bedard and Nicole Morrell with Mr. Howard Pawley at OPIRG Windsor's "Conscious Change".

2008-01-30T15:33:00.000-05:00

Conference Organizer, Danielle Bedard, presenting keynote speaker, Howard Pawley, Kisi Stone Book-ends from Kenya as a token for his address to students, activists and community members regarding "Strategies and Techniques for Activism".

2008-01-08T21:20:00.000-05:00

2008-01-08T21:19:00.000-05:00

2007-12-05T18:53:00.001-05:00

Our Home and Native Land

2007-12-05T18:08:00.000-05:00

St. Francis Xavier University

2007-11-30T01:50:00.000-05:00

At the Sierra Youth Club National Conference in September, Lise, a student from StFX, talks about her experiences as an environmental activist.

St. Francis is a liberal arts institution located in Antigonish, a northeastern Nova Scotia seaside town with a population of 6000.

www.stfx.ca/

George Brown College

2007-11-30T01:30:00.000-05:00

Engineering student, Dominique explains her experiences as a member of a brand new environmental club at George Brown College.

George Brown is a college of applied arts and technology with three campuses in downtown Toronto, Ontario.

www.georgebrown.ca/

Lakehead University

2007-11-30T00:37:00.000-05:00

Originally from South Western Ontario, Greg discusses his understanding of differences living in a Northern community, the need to manage resources wisely and indigenous rights.

LU is situated at the head of Lake Superior in Thunder Bay, Ontario with a population of 109,140.

www.lakeheadu.ca/

Concordia

2007-11-29T23:56:00.000-05:00

Rosalyne is a Québec student who relates her experiences in working toward environmental sustainability to larger social responsibilities. She also points out that various levels of government need come together to find solutions.

In particular she is very concerned with the future of our Boreal forests.

University of Saskatchewan

2007-11-29T23:23:00.000-05:00

At the London, Ontario Youth Conference on Sustainability, Nicole, a student from the University of Saskatchewan reveals that her province is the largest producer of uranium in the world. She also discusses issues related to the corporatization of agriculture and how companies like Monsanto are affecting Canadian farmers.

The University of Saskatchewan is a public research university located on the East side of the South Sakatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan population, 206,500.

www.usask.ca/

Rights Action

2007-11-27T20:46:00.000-05:00

Who We Are

Rights Action is a multi-faceted community development, environmental and human rights organization with its main office in Guatemala City. In both Canada and the United States, Rights Action has tax-charitable status.

Rights Action:

* provides funds directly to over 50 grassroots development, environmental and human rights organizations and projects.
* provides technical support, popular education and organizational strengthening training to these grassroots organizations.
* builds alliances for global justice between community-based organizations, both regionally and north-south.
* provides human rights accompaniment to persons at risk of repression for their environment, development and human rights work.
* does education & activist work in the US & Canada about global human rights, environmental and development issues, and about how citizens and organizations can get involved and work on these issues.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONTACT INFORMATION
Canada Office
Rights Action (Canada)
422 Parliament St.
Box 82522
Toronto ON M5A-4N8
email: info@rightsaction.org

2007-11-27T20:45:00.001-05:00

http://www.rightsaction.org/Templates/Who_We_Are.htm

Indigenous Land Rights

2007-11-27T20:36:00.000-05:00

http://www.firstvoicesindigenousradio.org/land_rights.html

Framework for the Future

2007-11-27T20:16:00.000-05:00

http://www.ontarioplan.org/content/workshops.html

2007-11-27T18:11:00.000-05:00

2007-11-26T21:52:00.000-05:00

2007-11-26T20:36:00.000-05:00

Media Advisory
For Immediate Release
November 26th, 2007

Students Unite for Global Day of Action on Climate change

Windsor – The University of Windsor's Environment Coalition will be marching from the lawn of the CBC Building to the University of Windsor on Saturday, December 8th at noon to stand up for the Global Day of Action on Climate Change.

The University of Windsor's Environment Coalition consists of a network of environmental groups including: the Environmental Law Society, OPIRG’s Environmental Action Group, Roots & Shoots, Young Greens and the Green Corridor Project.

The March will be on Saturday, December 8th and start at 12pm and go to 1pm.

As the heads of state meet in Bali, Indonesia for the UN Climate Negotiations, Canadians will stand in solidarity with millions around the world to demand action on climate change. The University of Windsor students are joining communities in over 77 countries as they encourage local Windsorites to join them on a march to let politicians and administrators know that it is time for change.

At a time when Climate Change has become a Global Crisis, it is not an issue to be taken lightly, so students of the University of Windsor are making a stand in showcasing their support to the world community and bringing attention to the Canadian Government for the need for a sustainable environmental policy.

-30-

You Tube Video on Kyoto

2007-11-26T17:09:00.001-05:00

KYOTO NOW: http://youtube.com/watch?v=o1ykJKKolx8

Sierra Club Guide to Bali

2007-11-26T17:00:00.000-05:00

http://www.sierraclub.ca/national/postings/scc-climate-guide-nov-2007.pdf

Bring the Troops Home Now!

2007-11-24T19:42:00.001-05:00

Invest in Our Communities – Not in War!
Join the Weekly Peace Coalition Actions To Demand an End to the War!

JOIN US THIS SATURDAY or ANY SATURDAY to call for the withdrawal of Canada's troops from Afghanistan. We need to keep up the pressure to end this disastrous war! We will be continuing the picket at the entrance to Market Square every Saturday at 11 am.

For those of you who found Fridays at 5 hard to make, we hope you will be able to join us on Saturdays.

Saturdays, 11 AM until NOON
Windsor Market Square Enterance
Ottawa Street & Walker Road

http://www.windsorpeace.org/

International Year of Planet Earth

2007-11-23T01:51:00.000-05:00

Earth sciences for society

The International Year of Planet Earth aims to capture people’s imagination with the exciting knowledge we possess about our planet, and to see that knowledge used to make the Earth a safer, healthier and wealthier place for our children and grandchildren International Year of Planet Earth 2007-2009.

What is the International Year of Planet Earth?

The International Year of Planet Earth aims to ensure greater and more effective use by society of the knowledge accumulated by the world’s 400,000 Earth scientists. The Year’s ultimate goal of helping to build safer, healthier and wealthier societies around the globe is expressed in the Year’s subtitle ‘Earth science for Society’.

The International Year runs from January 2007 to December 2009, the central year of the triennium (2008) having been proclaimed by the UN General Assembly as the UN Year. The UN sees the Year as a contribution to their sustainable development targets as it promotes wise (sustainable) use of Earth materials and encourages better planning and management to reduce risks for the world’s inhabitants.

http://yearofplanetearth.org/index.html

Canadian Youth Delegation

2007-11-23T01:31:00.000-05:00

CYD is a project of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition. We are united by our common vision of achieving a stable climate in a just world governed by the principles of sustainability. We seek to bring our expertise, passion and insight to bear on the threat – and opportunity – that is climate change. For more info, see our founding declaration on the climate crisis.

www.cydbali.org

Petition to show support for the outcome of this conference

2007-11-23T01:00:00.000-05:00

Hey friends,

Please support this petition and pass on to any and all friends. Send this link far and wide to student and environment groups, friends, concerned citizens, etc. This petition will be brought to Bali with the Canadian Youth Delegation and, in turn, presented to the Canadian government delegation.

***

A delegation of 30 Canadian youth are going to the next UN climate change conference in Bali from Dec 3rd - 14th. The following petition will accompany the youth delegation, so our Canadian government leaders know that CANADIAN YOUTH are concerned about the outcome of this conference.

We will inherit the decisions made at this conference.
Sign this petition.
Make sure your voice is heard.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/canadian_youth/index.html

Windsor's Growing Pains

2007-11-22T20:36:00.000-05:00

The most prevalent issue facing Windsor and Detroit communities has become one of defence in the new global order. Above all, it is crucial that we take the necessary steps to preserve and nurture both our abilities to remain economically competitive and to ensure our place at the table of power in political negotiations. This can happen by cooperating at multiple levels of government to take actions and secure the flow of commodities through our international borders, ensuring that our critical infrastructure is not allowed to become privately owned. Solutions need to be agreed upon so that we take the steps to provide room for the expansion of global trade. However, there are many political hurdles which need to be surpassed so that we may succeed in such an endeavour.

There are several issues to consider when attempting to put together the pieces of the puzzle which make up the controversial new crossing between Canada and the United States. First, it is wise to consider the historical evolution of the 78-year-old Ambassador Bridge. It originated as a project to create work for locally unemployed citizens on both sides of the river. While, initially it was designed for the flow of traffic, by 1961, there were only 800 trucks crossing daily. In the early 1990's this figure had risen significantly to approximately, 8,000 trucks daily and gradually peaked at roughly 14,000 trucks per diem. It is important to understand that the integrity of this piece of infrastructure is not designed to support such a high volume of traffic. Roughly 12,000 trucks pass daily, which adds up to an estimated $60 million dollars a year.

Originally this border crossing was a combined public and private venture. During the Depression, when the first owner sold shares to avoid bankruptcy, the Ambassador Bridge became a publicly traded company. For a while, in the late 1970's the largest investor was Warren Buffet, who owned twenty-five percent of this important border crossing. In 1979 Manuel (Matty) Maroun, a Detroit native, purchased the farmer’s remaining shares of stock for $30 million dollars in U.S funds.

As the world's economy continues to grow with enormous pressure from the global marketplace, various tactics have been adopted to protect regional populations. Similar to the European Union, there have been negotiations for a North American Union which would solidify trade between Mexico, United States and Canada allowing a stronger role in world economics. In fact, there are plans to extend a superhighway all the way from Montreal to Tijuana which will directly impact Southern Ontario by increasing the current flow of trade through the Windsor Detroit crossing, which is currently responsible for forty percent of the commodities flowing into Canada. There are also negotiations for a new currency named the Amero which is supposed be introduced to stave off the collapse of our currencies. In light of such issues facing the continental political economy the amount of traffic predicted to come through the border will undoubtedly surpass the Ambassador Bridge's current capacity.

When the City of Windsor was first designed it grew without any conception of the fact that it would be as large as it is today. In the 1960's South Windsor houses were built without considering the impact that they would one day face as high volumes of traffic would eventually push through their neighbourhoods. Instead of restricting specific areas to be zoned for industrial and commercial use, many districts became residential and now the problem has magnified even larger. Despite the fact that the E.C. Row was constructed in order to facilitate transportation, the 401 Highway was stopped just beyond city limits as residents did not want to be affected by noise and pollution affiliated with a highway next to their homes. As a result, any trucker heading from Highway 401 to Detroit must follow two city streets, first Talbot Road and then Huron Church Road. Trucks then pass through 17 traffic lights, resulting in an exorbanant amount of pollution impact for citizens of Windsor.

Although it is understandable that people do not want to live in such close proximity to moving traffic, it is not feasible to expect South-Western Ontario, as the hub of economic trade for all of Canada, will be able to flourish without compromises. The city is growing and it is essential to decide where to make sacrifices. Most importantly, we cannot allow the new border crossing to continue to be privately owned. Out of more than 130 border crossings between Canada and the US, the Ambassador Bridge is the only owned by a private individual. Despite the fact that this company will not release maintenance records, they claim that the 78-year old bridge simply costs too much money to upkeep. Critics suggest that this is merely a ploy to maintain its stranglehold of international crossing revenues by warranting its "twinning".

The company also refuses to let law enforcement officials onto the bridge to monitor trucks which could be potentially carrying explosives, toxic waste or other materials banned by law from crossing the border. In lieu of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centre, issues compromising security are simply unacceptable. For quite some time after this devastating event trucks were backed up for kilometres on Huron Church Road. On some days it took 12 hours for a truck to get trom Windsor to the US Customs on the other side.

Maroun is now proposing to pay the City of Detroit to take over management of the US side of the Detroit-Windsor car tunnel. He's suggesting to funnel its traffic along a secure corridor to the new customs plaza on 80 hectares of Detroit industrial land, most of which he already owns. His plan entails 100 customs booths, doubling the current number on both sides of the border as a means to dramatically reduce crossing times.

“Windsorites” are not unfamiliar with adversity. There are many examples when we have come together as a community to get through tough times. Mayor Eddie Francis summed up much of the sentiment experienced by Windsorites when he acknowledged, "Yes, we've got explosive growth. Yes, things are going well for trade and commerce. But it shouldn't be on the backs and shoulders of Windsor residents. Why are they not entitled to the same quality of life as anyone else in the province?" We are currently experiencing a period of transition and uncertainty. We are changing from being a manufacturing city into a knowledge-based consumer society. It is possible for us to find solutions which will have low-impact upon the quality of our lives if we are patient and open-minded. We must not make the same mistakes that we made before by instead considering the impact of our future growth. By looking to the example of the Peace Bridge in Ohio we can gain a glimpse of what Windsor's new border crossing will be like as one regulated by a Port Authority.

According to the “Border Transportation Partnership” there is an estimated $40 million in profits to be gained by a new span. Without another crossing, Michigan and Ontario will lose 48,000 jobs a year by 2020. In conjunction with Asia-Pacific's emergence as an economic powerhouse, Canada could be in a lucrative position if we are prepared. We must strengthen our regional economy and our quality of life by getting ready for the future.

KYOTO NOW!

2007-11-21T22:13:00.000-05:00

On December 8, Rally Around the Earth for Climate Justice and a Safer, Healthier Planet!
You have a power you may not recognize - the power to stop climate chaos. According to the World Health Organization, climate change is already killing 150,000 people every year, and that could double to 300,000 annual deaths by 2030. Whole ecosystems face upheaval and millions of people face displacement. The climate is in crisis, but we can avoid climate catastrophe if we take action now to save the Kyoto Protocol.

People around the world are preparing for the largest planetary day of action yet to stop climate chaos. Join hundreds of thousands of people in 60 countries (and counting) who will be on the streets to demand that world leaders take the urgent and resolute action that is needed to prevent catastrophic climate chaos. The entire world needs to move as rapidly as possible to a stronger emissions reductions treaty, which is both equitable and effective in preventing dangerous climate change.

SAVE KYOTO. SAVE THE WORLD.

In December, 190 countries will meet in Bali, Indonesia for the UN Kyoto Climate Talks to negotiate our future. On December 8, the people of Canada can stand in solidarity with millions worldwide to demand our leaders take real action. It is time for the Canadian government to stop lagging behind and do its fair share on climate change. Long-time industrialized countries like Canada that have emitted most greenhouse gases up to now must take most of the responsibility for the adaptive measures that have to be taken, especially by helping low-emitting countries with limited economic resources.

In Canada, the case is particularly severe: Canada declared our Kyoto targets unachievable and joined Bush's club of polluting nations who think a "voluntary" approach will reach our commitments, rejecting the European model of real greenhouse gas reductions. The focus on reducing emissions "intensity" of the Asia Pacific Partnership is a literal carbon smokescreen that would actually allow overall emissions to go up instead of down. December 8 is our day to tell our government that the only path to a stable climate runs through Kyoto!

IT'S TIME FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE.

We categorically reject false technological "fixes" for climate change. Embracing questionable technologies will not only fail to solve our climate crisis, they may create new and dangerous problems. The renewable energy technologies needed to solve climate change exist today, and we need a "just transition" strategy in Canada to ensure workers in non-renewable energy industries can make the shift to the mass production of sustainable energy from water, wind and sun.

Although they did not cause climate change, billions of people in the global South will be most affected by it, losing their sources of food, livelihoods and sustenance. For many, it is a matter of life and death. Their voices must be heard around the world, and our policies and actions must support their courageous efforts to adapt to, as well as to offer creative solutions to, the alarming changes occurring in their ecosystems right now. December 8 could be the demonstration the world has been waiting for. The Earth needs you to take to the streets to demand climate action. Will you be a part of it?

In Canada, this joint call to action is being issued by Stop Climate Chaos - Canada in partnership with the University of Windsor Environmental Coalition, ACT for the Earth, Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique (AQLPA), the Canadian Biotech Action Network, the Canadian Federation of Students, the Canadian Labour Congress, the Canadian Peace Alliance, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice, the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, Coalition Québec Kyoto, the Communication, Energy, and Paperworkers Union of Canada, Conservation Council of New Brunswick, the Council of Canadians, David Suzuki Foundation, the Ecology Action Centre, Environmental Coalition of Prince Edward Island, Fredericton Peace Coalition, Greenpeace, NUPGE (the National Union of Public and General Employees), Sierra Club of Canada, SOS Eau Water Sankwan, the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa, St John Citizens Coalition For Clean Air, the Toronto & York Region Labour Council, and USC Canada.

TAKE ACTION.

Pan-Canadian actions on December 8 are being organized, through local, city and rural based coalitions, and are currently planned for:

Windsor, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Moncton, Kamloops, Regina, Charlottetown, Winnipeg, Quebec City, Vancouver, Edmonton, Sackville, Calgary, St Johns and Halifax.

Details, including contact information, are here: www.climatechaos.ca. No rally planned for your location? Plan one! Contact actions@ourclimate.ca, director@ourclimate.ca, or campaigns@actfortheearth.org to get involved!

CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR NEW INFORMATION:
www.climatechaos.ca
www.ourclimate.ca

FOLLOW WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE UN:
www.cydbali.org
www.globalclimatecampaign.org
WWW.CLIMATECHAOS.CA

Leadership in Environmental Design

2007-11-20T21:38:00.001-05:00

The LEED Green Building Rating SystemTM designed by the U.S. Green Building Council advances energy and material efficiency and sustainability for New Construction (LEED-NC) and for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB).

http://www.green.ca.gov/GreenBuildings/leed.htm

South Windsor Environmental Club

2007-11-20T21:06:00.001-05:00

This club offers students the chance to discuss and act upon the environment. Students will work together to learn more about the environment, pass on this knowledge to other students, and develop plans to create improvements, particularly on the local level. This club meets weekly.

http://www.swindsor.k12.ct.us/highschool/activities/clubs/index.shtml

Indigenous Environmental Network

2007-11-20T20:50:00.000-05:00

"A network of Indigenous Peoples empowering Indigenous Nations and communities towards sustainable livelihoods, demanding environmental justice and maintaining the Sacred Fire of our traditions."

http://www.ienearth.org/

U of W and the Talloires Declaration

2007-11-19T16:49:00.000-05:00

On December 8th, the International Day of Action on Climate Change, the Environmental Coalition of the University of Windsor will be encouraging administration to fulfill its commitments to the Talloires Declaration as well as taking on its responsibilities of leadership as an institution of higher learning in the Windsor/Essex community.

What is the Talloires Declaration?
Composed in 1990 at an international conference in Talloires, France, this is the first official statement made by university administrators of a commitment to environmental sustainability in higher education. The Talloires Declaration (TD) is a ten-point action plan for incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching, research, operations and outreach at colleges and universities. It has been signed by over 350 university presidents and chancellors in over 40 countries.

http://www.ulsf.org/about.html

The Real News

2007-11-19T16:37:00.001-05:00

The Real News is a non-profit news and documentary network focused on providing independent and uncompromising journalism.

You can get involved in the production of news.

www.therealnews.com/

The Largest Spill Since 1988

2007-11-15T21:40:00.001-05:00

State and local officials were left wondering what exactly went wrong in the wake of a 58,000 gallon oil spill in San Francisco Bay - the largest such spill since 1988 - this past Wednesday. The Cosco Busan, a South Korea-bound container ship, struck one of the Bay Bridge's steel and concrete buttresses Wednesday morning as it was being guided out; the impact gouged the hull, precipitating the massive spill.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/11/58000_gallons_of_oil.php

NMEAC

2007-11-15T21:12:00.001-05:00

The Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council (NMEAC) is the Grand Traverse region's oldest and best-known grassroots environmental advocacy organization.

www.nmeac.org/

nmeac@charter.net

The Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium

2007-11-15T20:50:00.000-05:00

Donna Dillman began her hunger strike outside of the gates of the uranium protest site in Frontenac County, Ontario, Canada, on October 8th, 2007, at 12pm. She is calling for a moratorium on uranium mining in Eastern Ontario and is asking people to show their support by contacting local politicians, media outlets, Internet blogs and any organization you feel may be of help. We also encourage people to come out and show their support. Make a day of it or just drop by to say hello. Bring warm herbal tea, firewood and for the really adventurous, camping supplies so you can stay awhile.

Open http://serc.carleton.edu/research_education/nativelands/

2007-11-15T20:04:00.000-05:00

In 2000, Montrealer, Naomi Klein published the book ‘No Logo’, which for many became a manifesto of the anti-globalization movement. This movement had shut down the WTO Meeting of 1999 one month before the release of ‘No Logo’. The book reveals the problems with consumer culture by describing the operations of large operations. Her next book published in 2002 is a collection of articles and speeches she had written on behalf of the anti-globalization movement.

Environment Jobs In Windsor!

2007-11-15T19:32:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone... if you're looking for work and you're into the environment you should check out the link below - they're hiring both full and part-time positions.

http://www.projectporchlight.com/node/282/

CCHW

2007-11-14T19:33:00.000-05:00

Citizen's Clearinghouse on Hazardous Waste

Center for Health, Environment and Justice and children's ...The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (formerly Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste) trains and assists local people to fight for justice, ...
www.cehn.org/cehn/resourceguide/cchw.html

Environmental Justice

2007-11-14T19:19:00.000-05:00

Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice
Looking for information on pollution in your community?
Click here for great resources! ...
www.dwej.org/

Recycle Bins along the Riverfront

2007-11-14T19:05:00.000-05:00

Windsor and Detroit are considered to be international cities. We need to set an example by thinking globally and act locally. There is absolutely no reason we should not have recycling bins in the place where we draw most tourists visiting our community.
By April 23rd, 2008 the Environmental Coalition of the University of Windsor hopes to have collected 5000 signatures on our petition. If you'd like to become involved please contact opirg@uwindsor.ca

Action on Climate Change in Windsor

2007-11-14T17:07:00.001-05:00

The University of Windsor Environmental Coalition is planning to meet with the larger Windsor Community on the front lawn of the CBC on Riverside Ave. at 12pm on December 8th. We will march along Riverside Ave. up Sunset St. and over to the construction site of the New Medical Building. They we will bring attention to the fact that educational institutions must fulfill a leadership role in our community. We will demand that our institution become more transparent in projects geared toward sustainability so that students and community will know what's going on.

Maude Barlow Is Coming To Windsor!

2007-11-14T14:16:00.001-05:00

"This is my standpoint. And I am just not going to budge from it. it's having a world view that is just in some ways immovable." - Maude Barlow

Maude Barlow is perhaps Canada's best known voice of dissent, highly opinionated and passionate. Over the years she's fought on the feminist front, struggled with the Mulroney government over the Free Trade Agreement, and been tear-gassed. The story of this driven, committed woman is told in Immovable Maude: The Life & Times of Maude Barlow.

Monday, November 19 - Windsor, ON
7:00 p.m. Caboto Club, 2175 Parent Avenue

2007-11-04T01:42:00.000-04:00

http://www.globalclimatecampaign.org/UserFiles/image/montreal_4-11_6.jpg

2007-11-04T01:20:00.000-04:00

GET CANADA OUT OF AFGHANISTAN NOW!

2007-10-25T22:43:00.000-04:00

RALLY FRIDAY at 5 pm.

Be part of the co-ordinated actions taking place across Canada, the United States and other countries this weekend to declare with one voice, NOT ONE MORE DEATH! STOP THE WARS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN! INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITIES, NOT IN WAR!

WINDSOR Anti-War Rally and Demonstration
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26
5 to 6 pm.
Corner of Goyeau and Wyandotte

BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!
CANADA OUT OF AFGHANISTAN!
U.S. OUT OF IRAQ!
NO TO AN ATTACK ON IRAN!

Windsor Peace Coalition www.windsorpeace.org

Rally Across the World for December 8, the International Day of Climate Action!

2007-10-25T14:20:00.000-04:00

Join millions of people in 70 countries (and counting) who will be on the streets to demand that world leaders take the urgent and resolute action that is needed to prevent the catastrophic destabilization of global climate, so that the entire world can move as rapidly as possible to a stronger emissions reductions treaty which is both equitable and effective in preventing dangerous climate change.

As heads of state meet in Bali, Indonesia for the UN Climate Negotiations to negotiate the our future, on December 8 the youth of Canada can stand in solidarity with millions world wide to demand our leaders take real action.

We also demand that the long-industrialized countries that have emitted most greenhouse gases up to now take most of the responsibility for the adaptive measures that have to be taken, especially by low-emitting countries with limited economic resources.

In Canada, the case is particularly severe: Canada declared our Kyoto targets unachievable and joined Bush's club of polluting nations who think "voluntary targets" will reach our commitments. December 8 is our day to tell our government that the only path to a stable climate runs through Kyoto!

The CYCC is joining ACT for the Earth in organizing actions nationwide, through local, city and rural based coalitions.

Rallies are currently planned for Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton and Lethbridge, details, including contact information, are here: http://www.globalclimatecampaign.org/index.php?cmd=Main.ShowCountry&id=11〈=en&PHPSESSID=af91db948f12ce81b964e22976a0ea84#country11

No rally planned for your location? Plan one! Contact actions@ourclimate.ca, director@ourclimate.ca, or campaigns@actfortheearth.org to get involved!

CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR NEW RALLIES:
www.ourclimate.ca
www.actfortheearth.org/stopclimatechaos

Follow what's going on at the UN: www.cydbali.org
www.globalclimatecampaign.org

--
Barbara Hayes
National Director
Canadian Youth Climate Coalition

Directrice nationale
Coalition canadienne des jeunes pour le climat

office: 613-241-1615
cell: 613-255-5724
skype: barbarajeansophia

2007-10-20T14:26:00.000-04:00

A Short History of Economics

2007-10-20T01:58:00.000-04:00

Marilyn Waring
Marilyn Waring is a lecturer, writer and development consultant. She is also a farmer and she says herself that it is this calling that has had the most profound influence on the way she understands the economy. Unfortunately, Waring's ideas have never seriously influenced the way our Canadian economic system works. However, Marilyn Waring has been a great inspiration to many people, especially women, who feel that the current economic system excludes much of life.

Waring says that when economy includes only activities which involve monetary transactions, much of women's productive and reproductive work is excluded. Bearing children, mothering, tending a garden, feeding one's family, milking a family cow, raising sheep for wool you use yourself, all of these are excluded as economic activities and do not find their way into any country's System of National Accounts. In other words, through a traditional understanding of the economy, much of the work of half of the population becomes invisible. (See Julie's story.)

According to Waring, mainstream economics has also not found a way of counting the resources on which valued production is based, namely the earth. For example, activities which involve monetary transactions count as production even when they involve the degradation of the earth's resources, such as strip-mining. A sunset has no value, nor a mountain, and trees only count when they have been chopped down and sold. At the same time, Waring criticizes traditional economics for not finding a way to value community well-being. By current thinking, war and disaster are 'good for the economy' because they create jobs such as arms production and clean-up.

Waring's video Who's Counting? is available at public libraries and universities across Canada as are her books, Counting for Nothing: What Men Value and What Women are Worth and Three Masquerades: Politics, Work, and Human Rights.

www.unpac.ca/economy/historyecon.html

Windsor, ON | Ten Thousand Villages Canada

2007-10-20T01:38:00.000-04:00

www.tenthousandvillages.ca/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=pageStore5106&template=fullpage-en

Buying bottled water is wrong, says Suzuki

2007-10-20T01:11:00.001-04:00

David Suzuki says plastic water bottles generate waste and potential health hazards because of their chemical composition. (CBC). "I think in Canada it's ...

www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2007/02/01/suzuki-water.html

Redistribution of Wealth

2007-10-20T01:11:00.000-04:00

Three Models of Global Community.

Debates about global justice tend to assume normative models of global community without justifying them explicitly. These models are divided between those that advocate a borderless world and those that emphasize the self-sufficiency of smaller political communities. In the first case, there are conceptions of a community of trade and a community of law. In the second case, there are ideas of a community of nation-states and of a community of autonomous communities. The nation-state model, however, is not easily justified and is one that has been criticized extensively elsewhere. The model of a community of trade underlies both advocates of market-oriented development and exponents of global schemes of redistribution of resources and incomes. I analyze the work of Charles Beitz, Peter Singer, and Thomas Pogge to show that the assumption that global interdependence is beneficial is poorly justified. The model of a community of law, as seen in the work of Henry Shue and others, is the basis for arguments against state sovereignty and in favor of international human rights regimes. I argue that this model suffers either from a problem of practicability or of hegemony. Finally, the model of a community of autonomous communities uses notions of patriotism and sovereignty to maintain that disengagement and independence are the best routes to global peace and justice.

www.springerlink.com/index/v54141034373hu04.pdf

Buy Nothing Day

2007-10-20T01:06:00.000-04:00

Loosely organized event encouraging not shopping at all on the day after Thanksgiving, the "first day of the Christmas shopping season."

www.adbusters.org/bnd/

The Real News

2007-10-20T01:00:00.001-04:00

The Real News is a non-profit news and documentary network focused on providing ... "The Real News" is the flagship show of IWT and Real News Network. ...

www.therealnews.com/

TransFair Canada: About Fair Trade

2007-10-20T00:58:00.000-04:00

Behind the principles and goals of Fair Trade is a rigorous international system of monitoring, auditing and certification. The international Fair Trade ...

www.transfair.ca/en/fairtrade/

Hydrogen Future

2007-10-20T00:37:00.000-04:00

A University of Windsor chemistry professor may be holding the keys to hydrogen-powered vehicles of the future. David Antonelli's breakthrough in hydrogen ...

http://cronus.uwindsor.ca/units/research/works/rtw.nsf/main/7605384EA702EE9885257317006CE99F?OpenDocument

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

2007-10-20T00:32:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the CCPA. Independent, non-profit research organization, to promote research on economic and social policy issues from a progressive point of view.

www.policyalternatives.ca/

GLIER Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research News

2007-10-20T00:32:00.000-04:00

Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research Biology Professor Hugh MacIsaac is part of a group of researchers who are being supported by a $1.123 ...

web4.uwindsor.ca/.../main.nsf/c571b39ad1991eb98525694b005101c3/024e008f76a153998525695f0064d310?OpenDocument