CRACK CRACK CRACKDOWN and Other Tales of Feathered Friends

Thinking of Joining the Growing Chicken Revolution?  Here's some inspiration for you:

http://www.crackdown.ca/  Crackdown! is a short, creative video that takes a satirical look at what it means to raise chickens in your backyard – and become a criminal for doing so.

http://www.thegridto.com/city/people/andrew-and-matthew-patel-defiant-chicken-keepers/

 

http://torontogardens.blogspot.ca/2012/08/be-chicken-support-crackdown.html

 

Ageing in the 21st Century

http://unfpa.org/ageingreport/

Excerpts from the Report:

Population ageing is one of the most significant trends of the 21st century.  It has important and far-reaching implications for all aspecyts of society.  With one in nine persons in the world aed 60 years or over, projected to increase to one in five by 2050, population ageing is a phenomenon that can no loner be ignored.

The report, which is the product of a collaboration of over 20 UN entities and major international organizations working in the area of population ageing, shows that important progress has been made by many countries in adopting new policies, strategies, plans and laws on ageing, but the much more nedds to be done to fully implement the Madrid Plan and fulfill the potential of our aging world.  Aging is a triumph of development.  Increasing longevity is one of humanity's greatest achievements.To face the challenges and also take advantage of the opportunities resulting from population aeing, this report calls for new approaches to the way that societies, worforces, and social and intergenerational relations are structured.  Globally, women form the majority of older persons. 

The report makes the case for national and local governments, international organizations, communities, and civil society to fully commit to a concerted global efort to realign 21st century society to fit the realities of 21st century demographics.  It focuses on:

• income security
• access to quality health care
• enabling environments

Nominate an inspiring older person for the 60 over 60 list:  http://7billionactions.org/60over60

A TRIP TO THE FARM WITHOUT GETTING ANYTHING ON YOUR SHOES. . .

 

Do you remember that song Wildwood Flower -- about the fellow growing plants that let him take a trip around the world without ever having to leave the farm?  Here's a website that can take you to visit a variety of farms -- orchards, confined feeding operations, etc. -- but you don't even have to smoke anything.

http://www.farmissues.com/virtualTour/en/index.html

Enjoy!

SAYING GOODBYE TO ELMER STOYBERG

1935 - 2012

FOREVER YOUNG

Today, I paid my respects and said goodbye to a wonderful man and mentor. I met Elmer many years ago, during my tenure at Red Deer County where Elmer served on Council for 18 years, including one term as Reeve.
While not everyone prescribed to Elmer's philosopies -- and some might have even found themselves on opposite sides of the table -- Elmer was a man of deep conviction and principles. He stood up for what he believed in, often at great expense to his political career. He was a committed farmer who never missed an opportunity to advocate for agriculture, even though it cost him dearly. Elmer knew it isn't always easy to stand up for something you believe in but he did it because he knew it was the right thing to do.
Elmer was also very forward-thinking. I recall him talking about 30th Avenue which, at that time, was still a mile or two on the outskirts of the City of Red Deer. Elmer wanted it protected all the way to Highway 42, several miles away, because one day it would serve as a major route into the city (I just might have dated myself with that story). He also wanted to make sure that nothing ever compromised McKenzie Road, also still a few miles south of the City, because it would be needed as a major transportation link to the regional airport. I distinctly remember rolling my eyes when he spoke of 30th Avenue; by the time we were talking McKenzie Road, he was preaching to the converted. And don't you know, he was right on both counts. A decade or more later, these very suggestions were raised by others who considered themselves to be visionary -- it made me smile, and reminded me of Elmer, the real visionary.
During the celebration of Elmer's life, we heard wonderful tributes from his children, nephew and grandchildren. They left no doubt that Elmer was a Papa, father, husband and brother.  He was also a good friend and mentor. There were a couple of things Elmer loved almost as much as his family. One was his music. He always carried a harmonica in his pocket and was more than happy to bring it out and play a tune. He also had a deep love and affection for his farm, where he was raised -- where he raised his children, and where they brought their children to him to learn the value of working the land and working with animals.

As I sat at Elmer's funeral, reading the Farmer's Creed on the back of his funeral card, I knew I was saying good-bye to someone who spent many countless hours on behalf of his community because he loved it and was confident he could make it a better place. Clearly, he lived by the Creed; he left this earth a better place and he left me a better person for having known him.

FARMERS CREED

I believe a man's greatest possession is his dignity and that no calling bestows this more abundantly than farming. I believe hard work and honest sweat are the building blocks of a person's character.

I believe that farming, despite its hardships and disappointments, is the most honest and honorable way a man can spend his days on this earth.

I believe farming nurtures the close family ties that make life rich in ways money can't buy.
I believe my children are learning values that will last a lifetime and can be learned in no
other way.

I believe farming provides education for life and that no other occupation teaches so much about birth, growth, and maturity in such a variety of ways.

I believe many of the best things in life are indeed free: the splendor of a sunrise, the  rapture of wide open spaces, the exhilarating sight of your land greening each spring.

I believe that true happiness comes from watching your crops ripen in the field, your children grow tall in the sun, your whole family feel the pride that springs from their shared experience.
I believe that by my toil I am giving more to the world than I am taking from it, an honor that does not come to all men.
I believe my life will be measured ultimately by what I have done for my fellowman, and by this standard I fear no judgement.

I believe when a man grows old and sums up his days, he should be able to stand tall and feel pride in the life he's lived.
I believe in farming because it makes all this possible.

Planning Can't Solve all Your Problems -- Good Neighbour Rules

 Have you ever found yourself complaining that there doesn't seem to be any accountability?  Every time I turn around it seems someone is looking for somebody to take care of them.  We want the government -- all levels -- to resolve all of our issues and, quite simply, that's impossible, not to mention, unneccesary.  Sometimes, we need to take responsibility of our own well-being, our own happiness. 

We have all heard the story about the guy in the Tim Horton's line-up that buys the coffee for the car behind.  There are lots of phrases describing the same philosophy:  'pay it forward', 'treat others as you would like to be treated', 'smile and the whole world smiles at you' . . . I'm sure you get my drift.

And what are we hearing so much about at the planning level these days?  The focus is squarely community focused.  Get out into the neighbourhood; become aware of what is going on in your own back yard; eyes on the street.  So why is it that we are having to be reminded of what it means to be a good neighbour?  Our grandparents and parents knew these lessons. Where did we go off track?  When did we decide that knowing who lived next door was no longer important? Why did we choose to be insular?

Here's a little refresher course in being a good neighbour.  Give it a read, think about it and maybe even put one or two of the suggestions into practice.  I don't think you need your municipal government telling you how to act with kindness and thoughtfullness in your own back yard. . . . or do you?

http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Good-Neighbour

7 Places You Shouldn't Put a CFL

I recenty posted comments on my moe recent use of LED lighting, in favour of CFLs.  The most common concern I hear with CFLs in the use of mercury.  Here's an article reiterating the use of CFLs in many instances is still a cost-effective environmentally sound choice -- IN MOST INSTANCES. 

here's where they should NOT be used: 
http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/blogs/recycling-design-technology/cfl-facts

Bill C-38 aka Jobs, Growth and Long‐Term Prosperity Act

I don't know how many of you have stopped to read all 400 pages of Bill C-38 and, if you did, fathom the full extent of changes this single piece of legislation makes on numerous other Canadian Acts.  My sources tell me that it will eventually result in substantial changes to federal environmental law in Canada.  In all, at least 10 other pieces of federal legislation will be amended or repealed, resulting in changes to federal environmental assessment law, fisheries law and the operation of the National Energy Board.  It also impacts the Income Tax Act which may have implications for many of Canada's NGO environmental organizations.

Briefly:
*  the number and scope of federal environmental assessments will be reduced;
*  the level of protection to fisheries has been reduces and is limited to commercial, recreational of Aboriginal fisheries;
* Decisions previously left to the National Energy Board will not be made by federal cabinet and the potential impacts of proposed pipelines on critical habitat of species at risk no longer has to be considered.

The passing of Bill C-38 also results in amendments to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, Parks Canada Agency Act, Canada National Parks Act, Canada National Marine Conservation Act, Coasting Trade Act, Lyoto Protocol Implementation Act, National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Act, Nuclear Safety and Control Act, Seeds Act and Species at Risk Act.

In other words, the impact of  Bill C-38 has broad and far-reaching implications that will affect each and every Canadian at some level.

Want to learn more?  Check out the following links:
http://wcel.org/category/keywords/bill-c-38

http://www.nationtalk.ca/modules/news/article.php?storyid=53956

http://www.elc.http://environmentallawcentre.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/an-overview-of-bill-c-38-the-budget-bill-that-transformed-canadas-federal-environmental-laws/

http://www.cpj.ca/en/content/bill-c-38-implementing-environmental-neglect

http://www.fin.gc.ca/n12/12-050-eng.asp

http://openparliament.ca/debates/2012/5/10/dave-mackenzie-1/only/

http://www.afn.ca/index.php/en/news-media/latest-news/Technical-Bulletin-Update-on-Bill-C-38-Jobs-Growth-and-Long-term-Prosp

UPDATE! LED -- You've Come a LONG Way, Baby!

Eartheasy has provided a very useful update which includes a great chart to help you understand how many lumens are required for your replacement lighting based on the various replacement options:  http://eartheasy.com/blog/2014/12/how-to-get-started-using-led-lights-in-your-home/?utm_source=Eartheasy+Newsletter+Subscribers&utm_campaign=8fc919ec26-December_Newsletter_201412_3_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4c37d9d05d-8fc919ec26-310703853&mc_cid=8fc919ec26&mc_eid=317950f2e5

For several years now, I've been using a mix of incandescent, halogen and CFL lighting in my home.  Let's face it, they all have their best uses and they all have drawbacks.  Incandescent bulbs come in a variety of options -- cool, warm, soft, etc. but they burn bright and aren't very energy efficient. CFL bulbs, while being considerably more  efficient, provide a cooler light, are slow to reach full capacity, are usually not dimmable and contain the much dreaded mercury.  That means, CFLs require special handling for disposal. While halogen lighting produces the best light for these tired eyes; alas, they are not only expensive, they produce a considerable amount of heat -- great in the winter; not-so-great in the dog days of summer.

Then, along came LED lighting for the home but, as much as I wanted to believe in it, earlier models didn't work out so well for me.  Not only was the lighting poor quality -- for the most part, I couldn't even get them to work in my light fixtures.  But I have to admit, over the past couple of years, LED lighting has come a long way.   So far, in fact, that about half of my lighting needs have been met with LED.

Recently, I replaced about half of my halogen bulbs with LED, and about the same ratio for CFLs and incandescent lighting.  The LEDs provide a great spotlight effect but don't produce enough task lighting so I've mixed them in with my regular halogens.  LED lighting seems to work best where high intensity task lighting is not required.  I'll be monitoring to see whether these bulbs have the lasting power advertised and I'm hoping to see a decrease in my electrical bills very shortly.

Take a look at the comparison chart below.  If the cost savings are even remotely close to being accurate in Canada, I see a beach vacation in the near future. 

Cost Comparison between LEDs, CFLs and Incandescent light bulbs

LED CFL Incandescent Light bulb projected lifespan 50,000 hours 10,000 hours 1,200 hours Watts per bulb (equiv. 60 watts) 10 14 60 Cost per bulb $35.95 $3.95 $1.25 KWh of electricity used over 50,000 hours 300 500 700 3000 Cost of electricity (@ 0.10per KWh) $50 $70 $300 Bulbs needed for 50k hours of use 1 5 42 Equivalent 50k hours bulb expense $35.95 $19.75 $52.50 Total cost for 50k hours $85.75 $89.75 $352.50 Energy Savings over 50,000 hours, assuming 25 bulbs per household: Total cost for 25 bulbs $2143.75 $2243.75 $8812.50 Savings to household by switching from incandescents $6668.75 $6568.75 0

Notes: - Cost of electricity will vary. The figures used above are for comparison only, and are not exact. Residential energy costs among the various states range from 28.53 cents (Hawaii) to 6.34 cents (Idaho) per KWH. - The cost per bulb for LEDs may vary. We used the figure of $35.95 (for a 60 watt equivalent LED bulb) as an average among lighting retailers. - Estimates of bulb lifespan are projected, since it would take about 6 years of continuous lighting to test. Some manufacturers claim the new LED bulbs will last up to 25 years under normal household use, but this is not proven. - Bulb breakage and bulb replacement costs have not been factored into this comparison chart. Incandescent bulbs and CFL bulbs are more easily broken than LEDs, which increases their cost of use. - Most LEDs come with a minimum 2-year guarantee. Any defective LED bulb will usually fail within this time. Source:  http://eartheasy.com/live_led_bulbs_comparison.html

Walkable Neighbourhoods

Did you know:

• that New York City, with a population of 8,174,290, is the most walkable City in the US? No wonder everybody loves to go there!
• that Red Deer is considered very walkable, with a score of 78?

Walkability offers surprising benefits to our health, the environment, our finances, and our communities.
Health: The average resident of a walkable neighborhood weighs 6-10 pounds less than someone who lives in a sprawling neighborhood.
Cities with good public transit and access to amenities promote happiness.
Environment: 82% of CO2 emissions are from burning fossil fuels. Your feet are zero-pollution transportation machines.
Finances: Cars are the second largest household expense in the U.S.One point of Walk Score is worth up to $3,000 of value for your property.
Communities: Studies show that for every 10 minutes a person spends in a daily car commute, time spent in community activities falls by 10%.


^{Want to know more?  Check out this website: http://www.walkscore.com/}

HEY MR. PRIME MINISTER, WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF -- UPDATE

I posted this link more than two years ago and just revisited it.  It's interesting to note that the only thing that has really changed is that Canada's Minister of the Environment is now Leona. Aglukkag, apointed in 2013.

What's clear to me?  The face may have changed:  the mindset didn't. Try this link below and decide for yourself.

http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=11818

Dawson Creek -- One of Canada's Most Sustainable Urban Communities

Last September,  Dawson Creek BC announced a new initiative to help cut greenhouse gas pollution.  The City  pays $100 for each tonne of carbon emissions from the city's buildings, vehicles and other operations to Dawson Creek Carbon Fund which, in turn supports project which reduce greenhouse gas pollution within the comnmunity.  This innovative approach to reducing its own greenhouse gas pollution works towards meeting its own commitment of carbon neutrality in its operations by 2012, as committed to under the B.C. Climate Action Charter.  Dawson Creek worked closely with the Pembina Institute to design the Carbon Fund.

Dawson Creek is a recognized leader in British Columbia in implementing forward thinking

energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and policies. We recognize that taking

action to reduce emissions is one of the most significant things a municipality can do to

combat climate change, and we are excited to meet this challenge head-on. We have

successfully taken some first steps towards fulfilling our commitment to be carbon neutral

by 2012, and there is much more to do.(1)

The B.C. Climate Action Charter was developed to encourage local governments to make operations carbon neutral by 2012; to measure and report on community emissions; and to work towards creating more compact, complete, energy efficient communities. Dawson Creek is amongst the signatories of the Charter and is committed to being carbon neutral in its municipal operations by 2012.

For more information on the subject, refer to the following link

http://www.planningforpeople.ca/is/index.asp
Dawson Creek’s Strategy

(1)  On the Path to Carbon Neutral