[All] Keystone, Highland quarry & Climate Change.

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Hi folks

Keystone Pipeline Vote today:
The Keystone pipeline is going to be voted on today in the US Senate. No word yet what the vote is but we'll find out later today.


Highland Quarry update: 
The good students of Conestoga helped to craft a new short documentary about the proposed Highland quarry in Melancthon. They did a super job. It's online here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2AgBbUPpJIk#!

Climate Change Adaption in Ontario:
Back in January, Environmental Canada released Ontario’s first Climate change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan – 2011-2014. To view visit here: 
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment/en/resources/STDPROD_081665.html


Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller comments on Climate Change Adaption in Ontario:
Yesterday, March 7th, Gord Miller reviewed the plan and said it was good but there were still things to work upon. I watched his live interview upon the release of the report that provides analysis on the Environment Canada recommendations and here are some of the highlights: 

Basically the Environmental report by Enviro. Canada is good. But we need the public in the discussion to get implimentation happening.

The government should talk straight with the Ontario public so we can properly address the issues. 
New risks in Ontario due to climate change: Lyme disease, higher temps, need to upgrade building code to address risks.
Invasive species to expect: Kudzu vine coming north. It kills trees, displaces natural plants, affects powerlines etc.
Areas like Kitchener Waterloo are going to see drought periods.

Places to Grow must consider building design, energy efficiency, sprawl, extream weather events.

We need to sit down with the revenue we have and make sure we don't build things that get washed out, wiped out or damaged.

Water use, how we handle grey water, road construction all issues we must address. Insulation standards, hurricane clips.

Building codes need to adapt. Tornados: we're pretty close. It's climate change. It's Different! We're going to see more. Unpredictable

We've built our society based on expected trends in weather. We need to adapt. The economy must adjust. Building code must too.
We built our society on a climate we no longer have. Electrical systems, water systems, farming etc. It's got to adapt.

Our culture will change. We define ourselves by hockey but outdoor rinks may not happen.

Big and Scary Mountain Pine Beetle is moving east destroying forests. Jack pine at risk. Huge losses for forestry sectors. 

Changes in biodiversity of animals. Certain species of flying squirrels now interbreeding. Oppossums are in Ontario now. Animals are changing.

Tornado season likely to expand due to climate change


Mr. Miller's recommendations are noted in his new report, Ready for Change? An assessment of Ontario's climate change adaption strategy which can be viewed online here: http://www.eco.on.ca/



Lulu :0)
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