Monthly Archives: June 2006

Toronto Residents See the Light

Solar power maybe coming to a roof near you, if you live in Toronto. Some residents in the city are purchasing solar panels in bulk, so they can get a cheaper rate, and are installing them on their roofs. It’s a great way to save money, the environment, and meet Kyoto Protocol goals, something that Canada should be aware of.

Other communities have done this, and let’s hope that these Toronto purchasers will lead the way for others to do the same.

“In the Riverdale, Leslieville, and Beaches communities, about 75 homeowners have banded together to make a bulk purchase of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels that will meet a portion of each home’s power demands. Solera Sustainable Energies Co. won the contract and will begin installing the panels this week.
Across the city, in an area encompassing Parkdale, High Park, the Annex, and Seaton Village, a group of more than 150 homeowners has been similarly inspired and will soon invite interested solar companies to bid for their business. This grassroots project has caught the attention of the Harbord Village Residents Association, which is now considering its own bulk-purchase initiative.”

African Nations to Fight Sand

Africa’s most arid nations, you know, the ones covered in all that sand have grouped together to stop the increasing rate of Africa’s decertification. They will look into ways to protect forests that already exist, water, and improve agriculture.

“Svetla Rousseva, soil erosion researcher at Pushkarov Institute of Soil Science in Bulgaria, says the North Africa Green Belt Project will be “a good point to start combating desertification in Africa and will soon become an excellent example for the entire world”.

“Soil cannot be conserved through sporadic efforts or short-term projects; what it needs are long-term programmes backed by sound land-use policies and strategies to catalyse their development,” says Rousseva.”

Peace Education In Schools

The National Council of Education Research and Training in India has started up a program to provide life skills for peace to its students. 35 teachers from across the country will take part in a 6 week training program which aims to educate teachers in conflict resolution, suppression of aggression and coping with stress. Lessons will be taught by example and through respectful guidelines and values taught in class. This will in turn pass on such values from teacher to class and the goal is to positively influence the students and help to shape a healthy and more harmonious society.

Many of the teachers are excited by this prospect and look forward to helping curb violent behaviours in their schools through the program. “The programme aims to arm teachers with skills to promote a sense of harmony in oneself and social environment among students for avoiding conflict with law,” NCERT Director Prof Krishna Kumar said.

NCERT also does a great deal of work in helping to promote gender equality in schools and empowerment and self reliance for girls.

Radiation Vaccine

Researchers have demonstrated on mice a vaccine that curbs the effect of radiation. The article points out that the research is a result of the fear of terrorists using radioactive materials to hurt people. The vaccine would be given to rescue workers who have to go into the radioactive areas to save people.

I think the people who would really be interested in work in nuclear power-plants! This post means for the first time ever we’ve covered two vaccinations in one day!

Memory in a Vaccine

This is pretty crazy and I take it with a grain of salt, but if this is true to any extent then this is awesome! A vaccine that can help people remember is something that I’d love to have, let’s hope this put in practice soon.

“Imagine an Alzheimer’s patient receiving a vaccine made of specialized blood cells and then showing a much- improved memory. Also, imagine that vaccine having no side effects and needing to be given only occasionally.”