Category Archives: Environment

Cleaning Urban Air is Simple and These Cities Have Already Done it

Person riding a cargo bike while on delivery

Since 2010 19 major cities have “remarkably” reduced their pollution so much that it some people are shocked by it. The tracked pollutants have dropped by 20% or more in the cities, which include Paris, San Francisco, and Beijing. The commonality between the cities achieving a remarkable reduction in pollution is thanks to reducing cars, reducing cars that burn fossil fuels, adding green space, and ensuring that people can choose sustainable transportation options. It’s so simple that any city anywhere can follow these solution to clean their own air.

The analysis found interventions such as cycle lanes, uptake of electric cars and restrictions on polluting vehicles had helped to drive the improvements.
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“Air pollution is often presented as a problem that is too difficult to solve and one that is politically unpopular,” said Dr Gary Fuller, an air pollution scientist at Imperial College London, who was not involved in the report. “This report shows that bold policies can improve the air that we breathe.”

Local Man Allowed to Keep Garden

Biodiversity loss is a large issue around the globe and there’s a small action that everyone can take to help biodiversity survive: grow native plants. Even a small plot of land can provide a refuge for pollinators and birds that are at risk, yes small plots in an urban environment are a big help. A man in the suburban city of Mississauga was fined by the city because of the biodiversity on his lawn and he fought back and won! No anybody in the city has a clear right to provide a safe place for tiny beings.

“I felt that this is something that I could do personally, in order to address the problem of biodiversity decline and global warming,” he said.

On Tuesday, Ruck won a self-represented case against the City of Mississauga, challenging part of a weed control bylaw that prohibits growing grass over 20 centimetres and growing certain plants. Ruck was seeking $2.46 million in damages and other relief, but he was not awarded any money, according the ruling.
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Ruck says that after some time of leaving parts of his lawn uncut, weeds were growing from seeds that had blown in from the wind, in line with his goal of encouraging biodiversity and pollination.

Ireland Ditches Coal

Ireland joins the ranks of other countries that have officially ditched coal, yes coal. Coal that 20th century power source that gave us global warming which too many places, like Canada, still use. We used to say that the future is renewable energy and it’s no longer the future: it’s today. Renewables are cheaper, more reliable, and not victim to the whims of an authoritarians who randomly attacks other countries. Renewable power gives Ireland predictable energy costs. It’s only a matter of time that no country uses coal so it’s in every country’s interest to get on the renewable generation as soon as possible.

“Ireland has quietly rewritten its energy story, replacing toxic coal with homegrown renewable power,” said Alexandru Musta??, campaigner on coal and gas at Europe’s Beyond Fossil Fuels.

“But this isn’t ‘job done’. The government’s priority now must be building a power system for a renewable future; one with the storage, flexibility, and grid infrastructure needed to run fully on clean, domestic renewable electricity,” Musta?? warned.

Jerry Mac Evilly, Campaigns Director at Friends of the Earth Ireland, appealed to the government to ensure oil backup at Moneypoint is kept to an absolute minimum and ultimately decommissioned. He also appealed for the government to prevent further development of data centers, which he said are increasing Ireland’s reliance on fossil gas.

African Solarpunk is Real

Solar Panels during Dusk Photo by Magic K

The future will be powered by renewable energy and the continent of Africa is an example of what’s to come to other continents: solarpunk. Solarpunk is the vision of a world entirely powered by renewable, carbon negative (or just neutral), and ultimately living in concert with a a global ecosystem. That seeds of a solarpunk future are being planted throughout Africa. Ironically, the lack of an established and robust power grid makes for increased opportunity for renewables. Sales from handheld solar lamps to full solar installations are on the rise. When there aren’t vested interests holding back renewable adoption then people go straight to cheaper, more reliable, renewable.

And here’s what nobody outside Africa understands: Sun King has 50%+ market share in their category. They’re not scrappy startup. They’re a dominant infrastructure provider.

This would be like if one startup owned 50% of U.S. home solar. Except the impact and the TAM is bigger because there’s no incumbent grid to compete with.

Canada Climate Week Xchange

wind turbine
One way to fight climate change is to get corporations to only invest in renewable options and celebrate success in the green economy, and that’s one of the goals of the Canada Climate Week Xchange. Happening this week are tons of events from coast to coast all about finance and the growing green economy. More than ever, Canada needs o push an economy that is forward looking and embraces renewable energy and sustainable investments. In order to deal with the threats coming from the USA Canada ought to focus on shifting it’s economy into a future mindset opposed to one clinging to the 20th century economy.

Mission
Support Canada’s commitment of a significant GHG reduction by 2030 through the creation and promotion of a time and space where cross-collaboration on Canada’s climate-related challenges can drive solutions and opportunities.

Goal
Attract, curate, and promote a variety of accessible, action-oriented events that focus on Canada’s unique perspective and situation on climate-related issues.
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Check it out and find an event to attend.

Things Are Good

Inspirational and good news.