Environment

What You May Not Know About Snow

- Vanessa King

snowflakes.jpgTis the time of year where the air gets crispy, your breath becomes visible and the sky begins to blizzard with beautiful snowflakes! When it snows it’s so fun to watch that it can almost make the frigid temperatures seem completely worthwhile!

There are some very interesting facts about snow that I have recently discovered. For example, did you know that snowflakes make an insane amount of noise when they hit water?? This was a shocker to me because after a snowfall everything always seems so quiet. Apparently snowflakes have a very unique sonic signature not unlike that of the wail of an approaching fire engine; it increases and then fades away after it’s passed you.

Some other interesting facts? Snow can act as a thermal insulator conserving the heat of the Earth and protecting crops from sub-freezing weather. It provides a perfect free toy for children, and also looks amazing under a telescope. The highest seasonally cumulative precipitation of snow ever measured was on Mount Baker, Washington in the United States during the 1998-1999 season when it received 1140 in. (29 metres!!!) of snow.

Ever wondered why snow is white? Why snow crystals have 6 arms? How they form into such complicated geometrical shapes??? I sure have, and I have found this info for your perusal! I feel so much more well informed about this whole winter thing now.

Primer on Consumption

- Cam Proctor

This book should be on every environmentalists Christmas list…..although it might change your views on this jolly time of year. To every person who spends more time shopping this season than spending time with their family, I say the booklet Consume This – Buying That Matters is for them. The Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention (C2P2), through the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, has developed this booklet to teach youth on the topic of sustainable consumption. The 40-page booklets teaches youth to understand that where, how, when and what the consume has an impact on the environment, empowering youth to make environmentally friendly choices. The book outlines simple ways to reduce personal environmental impacts and participate in sustainable comsumption activities.

Visit the C2P2 website to download a FREE electronic version. Although I strongly suggest memorizing the electronic copy, full colour printed copies can be ordered using the online order form on the website or by calling 1-800-667-9790, or e-mail info@c2p2online.com. The booklet is printed by an EcoLogo Certified printer on 50% post consumer paper with vegetable based inks

Algae is Good Green Goo

- Adam Clare 2 Comments

algaeLong time readers of ThingsAreGood may know that we like to talk about algae. Today is no exception, Living on Earth is running an interview with a man who dearly loves algae, particularly burning algae for biofuels.

“Berzin grows algae because they’re super rich in oil. In some species, oil accounts for half the little creature’s body mass. In fact, algae synthesize 30 times more vegetable oil per acre than plants like sunflowers or rapeseed. The algae biodiesel can be used to run engines, or converted into methane or fermented into alcohol. And here’s the best part: algae eat carbon dioxide for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And one thing the global warming world has too much of is CO2 from fossil fuel burning power plants.”

Energuide Resurrected

- Cam Proctor

A pilot program has been announced by Ontario’s Chief Energy Conservation Officer to offer private low income home owners energy audits, education programs and upgrading or replacing ineffecient equipment and appliances. This $2.9 million initiative will target private single, semi-detached and row houses in 16 communities across the provinces. The low income housing sector was the hardest hit by the death of the Energuide program as the poor use the least amount of electricity, but pay a disproportionate amount since the price of electricity in Ontario is tied to capacity and peak consumption by large users.

If you interested in energy issues come out with the Young Environmental Proffesionals this Tuesday (Nov 28th) at the Duke of York pub to discuss the Portland Energy Center.

GO DAVID!

- Vanessa King

suzpic.jpegCanadian Environmentalist, David Suzuki, has a foundation that researches and follows most pressing issues on climate change and anything environment related. I thought it was only fair to give this guy some props for his consistantly amazing work at bringing these kinds of important issues to the public in a way that is understandable and inspires involvement from the community. On the foundation site, you can sign up for a newsletter which sends you frequent (but not too frequent) information on issues involving the Canadian Government and programs that are in effect by David’s crew working toward solutions.

Sound vague? Check it out for yourself! The last newsletter that showed up in my e-mail was addressing The Government of Canada, who failed to deliver a credible and effective climate change action plan at the United Nations climate change conference held in Nairobi, Kenya.

This part really sparked my interest…….

Contact Prime Minister Stephen Harper

By mail (postage-free): House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6;
fax: 613-941-6900; or e-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca
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