August 28th, 2010

This is my last Green Scene. I find myself reminiscing about starting at ACAP. When I told my father I would be the Executive Director he said, “Do they know they are getting the worst recycler ever?”. I replied that I had not shared that with the Board of Directors.  Well things change. If at all possible I do not buy items with excessive packaging and I sort everything ( with the help of my eco-friendly daughter who is much better at this than me ). I pass along items that still have life left in them from clothes to computers and everything in between. So as I prepare to leave ACAP, I can look Dad in the eye and say that I definitely leave as one of the best recyclers ever. As I move on to help market this beautiful Island as a world class destination for studying, training, research and development, I will take with me many lessons learned over the past three and half years. The opportunity to be chosen as a Climate Change Messenger and the training from Al Gore to deliver An Inconvenient Truth was certainly a highlight and I am committed to continue to deliver these presentations. While we have made great strides over these few years in fund raising, staff retention and financial management, we have also delivered hundreds of programs in communities across Cape Breton Island. ACAP however is not made up of programs or money, instead it is the people that make it work.  The Board of Directors at ACAP Cape Breton is tireless in their energy and passion for the environment. They have no other agenda and while I have worked with many, many not-for-profit boards, this one will always be special to me. The team at ACAP is very much like a family – with all of the ups and downs that keep families close. These people are knowledgeable, caring respectful stewards of the environment. Whether they are delivering water conservation messages or teaching people about wastewater, whether they are providing a free assessment of your septic system or an energy assessment of your home, whether they are greening your business or restoring a wetland, whether they are refurbishing a computer for you or answering a question about sorting, the crew at ACAP care about their community. However, this environmental service organization could not exist without the many partners who assist us everyday, either financially or with expertise, allowing us to do what we do best. Groups such as Velo Cape Breton, the Sydney Tar Ponds Citizens Liaison Committee, Glace Bay Youth in Action, the CBRM Active Transportation Committee, Cape Breton University, ECBC, and the Baille Ard Trail are just some of our great partners, working with us to share information and get things done. Funding partners include the NS Department of the Environment, the CBRM Wastewater Operations, the NS Youth Conservation Corps, the CBRM Water Utility, Nova Scotia Power, NS Salmon Association, Conserve Nova Scotia, and Environment Canada to name but a few. I sincerely hope that this support continues long into the future to enable ACAP to work with the community for its overall health. The Cape Breton Post is to be commended for starting a page in June of 2007, dedicated to environmental issues. My final thanks are saved for the many, many readers who have shared with me the fact that they have enjoyed this column over the past two years. I will miss writing it, and hearing from you. Yep, things change, but ACAP Cape Breton will, I hope, always be here to respond to any environmental inquiries you may have well into the future.

August 14th, 2010

The ‘back-to-school’ shopping has already started, if you can believe that! The various local elementary schools have their lists of student supplies located at the Walmart entrance. I wonder how we ever went to school without Walmart? Well, of course we had the Woolco and we did have a list of supplies sent home by the teacher, but back to school shopping is certainly not what it used to be. I know of some families who travel to Halifax to shop, some to Moncton and have even heard of one or two travelling further for those ‘must have’ brand names. These family adventures, while expensive, have become a fun part of the back to school experience. For those not influenced or impressed by brand names, why not explore second hand shops or trade clothes with friends. If clothes swopping isn’t your style and several trips to the dressing rooms are in your future, clean out your closets first, donating what you don’t want or need anymore. It is true that back to school is not just about paper and pencils anymore. So without changing the attitudes of children and parents in the next few weeks, and without ruining what for some is a fun adventure, how do we ‘green’ back to school shopping? It actually is not that difficult. The trick is in the planning. The first logical step is to see what can be reused from last year. Pencils, pens, erasers, glue sticks, binders, duotangs and many other items are just as useful in September as they were in June. Remember to take reusable bags with you when you shop ( yes, even at Walmart! ) and seek supplies which have the least amount of packaging – that will mean less sorting later and less waste overall. Look for recycled paper and supplies made from recycled materials. Plan to pack a ‘litterless lunch boxes’ this year, and, if you haven’t already, return to the days of thermoses and reusable food containers. The money and mess saved on plastic bags will be worth it. According to Natural Resources Canada, more than 272,000 tonnes of electronic waste is created in Canada each year, equal to the weight of 36,000 elephants, so if it is a computer you seek, there are options to shelling out for a new laptop. ACAP Cape Breton has reconditioned desktop computers which have been donated to us. They are sturdy computers which have all of the hardware and software needed to do word processing and to connect to the internet. Friday, August 20th will be our next computer swop so drop into the Centre or call for details if a reconditioned system will suit  your student’s needs this fall. Planning does not only happen at home, with schools bearing a lot of the responsibility to be a ‘green leader’ this fall. To assist with that, two of ACAP Cape Breton’s Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corp students, Neil and Kristen, have been working on Eco-Club kits which are customized to target all grade levels. These kits will be made available to all schools in the Cape Breton Victoria School Board District to assist students and teachers in the establishment of an Eco-Club at their school this year. Yes, with just a little planning, going back to school shopping can be effective, easy, affordable and environmentally friendly. Happy shopping!

Small Changes = Big Differences

1. Plan Ahead
2. Re-use School Supplies
3. Go Litterless at Lunch
4. Donate Excess Supplies
5. Start an Eco Club at School

July 31st, 2010

Are you beating the heat this summer? How are your children and your pets ( and your elderly relatives and neighbours) doing? For the most part we have all been enjoying the hot July temperatures. Sometimes however, even though we don’t want to complain, alittle relief from the heat is welcome. How can we do that without wasting water, blasting air conditioners and raising our electricity bills? Well there are few tricks at home and the office, and even while on vacation, that we can all use to cool down without harming the environment or being wasteful.  Sitting in the shade is one of the easier tricks. Maybe that shade is provided by a wide brimmed hat. Avoid the sun when it is at its hottest and plan exercise or errands for those times of the day when it is likely to be cooler. Wear light coloured and loose fitting clothing, which allows air to circulate and is a cooler alternative than tighter dark coloured apparel. Drink plenty of water… avoid alcohol and caffeine, which are beverages which increase water loss. Try to slow down and relax if you have to be outdoors in the warm temperatures, especially for any long period of time. A bowl of ice or a large pop bottle filled with water and frozen, placed in front of an electric fan can do wonders to cool off a room. I have a friend who has a new puppy who is minding the heat. They have fashioned this cheap and easy air conditioner and it works wonders for his comfort and health. Of course we all realize that no pets or children should be left in a vehicle during this time of year, even if a window is down. If you have an air conditioner, you should make sure its filters are changed regularly and that it is operating in optimal condition. Keep lights turned off and close the shades or curtains during the day to keep your rooms cool. People should check possible side effects from any medication they may be taking since this may result in a hypersensitivity to the sun.  If you decide to heat outdoors, don’t forget your sunscreen and ensure that you apply sunblock often to children in your care. The beach is often a great place to beat the heat – cool Atlantic breezes and maybe an even cooler dip in the ocean. And of course, leave no trace that you were ever at the beach, taking home any garbage you may have generated while there. If you go to Big Glace Bay Beach take care not to disturb the Piping Plovers! Take the opportunity that the warm temperatures provides by taking a break from cooking, avoiding the heat from the oven. Opt for a menu of fruits and veggies instead! July is just about over, but August is here with no signs of a cool down in sight. I can see you now in your sun hat, with a cool drink, in a relaxing chair in the shade, with your sunblock on, a summer salad in the refrigerator for dinner. Enjoy the summer while protecting yourself and the environment.

Small Changes = Big Differences

1. Keep water in your reusable water bottle

2. Eat locally and lightly

3. Visit the beach

4. Sit in the shade

July 3, 2010

The largest training of international climate project presenters to date took place last weekend in Nashville, Tennessee. Twenty six countries were represented among the 767 presenters – some returning like me for a refresher, and some brand new recruits at their first training. The effort was, of course, organized by Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection and the Climate Project Canada. There have been 380 Canadians trained to date now, with approximately 250 active presenters. Collectively we have delivered 2400 presentations of An Inconvenient Truth live to a combined audience of 320,000 Canadians. This is an impressive number however represents only 1% of our national population. Worldwide, 4,000 presenters have been trained in 56 countries and reached 7 million people! I was excited about this training because it was going to focus on a new slideshow based on Al Gore’s book Our Choice, published in late 2009.  Schools, community centers, faith groups, businesses and government offices continue to request presentations and the most common question resulting is, what can we do to help? This presentation that Mr. Gore rolled out on Sunday, June 27th in Nashville, is solutions based which will help all presenters answer the questions our audiences are asking. In addition to the pep talk from the former US Vice-President and current leader of the climate change global movement, and the updated slideshow we were trained to deliver, there was a rigorous schedule of expert presenters, scientists, communication specialists and policy makers. Discussions focused on the major economic dialogue and the confusion amongst world leaders on how to reconcile the economy and the role of science in global negotiations on climate change.

There is no bipartisan policy on climate change in the US right now, while Europe leads the reduction of GHG emissions globally. China is now the world’s largest emitter of green house gases but has a pretty good record of pledging to reduce the carbon intensity of their actions through setting ambitious reduction goals. 50% of the patents worldwide for new energy technology originate in China. With environmental disasters such as the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the talk at the climate change training in Nashville turned to what is required to make a real and positive change in our behavior. The importance of prioritizing actions over simply committing to actions was emphasized. Also, the need for regulating our emissions which is simply a matter of time. Before too long we will have a workable cap and trade system and a way to assist the developing world in dealing with climate change impacts as well as a method for linking financing with effective climate change policy. Perhaps there will be serious taxes on airlines in our future, or on shipping? Will new government leadership increase corporate incentives to ensure businesses ‘act green’? Will new policy be born from the science or from the politics of climate change? If the global leaders are confused on these issues then perhaps  as citizens and as voters, as forward thinking parents and grandparents, we can clarify climate change for our politicians and policy makers. As Mr. Gore says, we have common interests and a shared responsibility. Whether you like him or not, or believe his message or not, there is little disputing that reducing pollution is a good idea. Producing renewable energy is a good idea. Reducing waste and protecting our limited resources are good ideas. We can influence our political leaders for policy change, or we can influence our own family and committee for immediate positive change. Remember, small differences really do equal big changes.

Small changes = Big differences

1.      Request a climate change presentation

2.      Visit www.theclimateproject.org

3.      Lobby your politicians for climate change policy

4.      Plant a tree- always a good idea

June 19, 2010

Our phone must ring a million times a day – or so it seems. With twenty five staff working on numerous environmental projects we field a lot of inquiries from partners and residents, businesses and community organizations. We have residents who call to request help with a community clean up, and some who want to report an illegal dumpsite. We help with clean ups wherever and whenever we can, and we report illegal dumpsites to CBRM Solid Waste for follow up. The majority of our inquiries lately have been about end of life electronics. People must be still spring cleaning and want to know how to properly dispose not only of their desktop computers, printers, and scanners, but also their old cell phones, televisions and CD players. The ACES program was launched in November 2007 to address the disposal of end of life electronics in Nova Scotia. ACES stands for the Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship whose main goal is to divert electronics from our landfills and to ensure reuse of electronic materials. Businesses and residents alike can dispose of their unwanted electronics at a number of depots across Cape Breton Island, but if you have more than twenty five pieces, it is recommended that you call ahead for either an appointment or to just to give the Depot advance notice that a large drop off is expected.

There are ACES drop off centres in Sydney River, North Sydney, New Waterford. St. Peters, Port Hawkesbury, Inverness, Baddeck and Cheticamp. There is NO fee to drop off unwanted electronics. Of course, it is always better to reuse or to pass along any electronics that are still in good working order. Family or a local charity are two possible options.  If you have good working order computers, ACAP will recondition them to pass them along to people and organizations in need. During Environment Week we managed to distribute fifteen computer towers and monitors in great working condition during our electronics exchange. Every once in awhile we do get people who tell us the pieces they are dropping off to us are in working order but they are not, which is unfortunate because then we have to take the electronics to an ACES Depot ourselves. Many people want to know how to dispose of old cell phones.  ACAP does not take cell phones so we recommend they take these pieces to an Enviro Depot.

People do not often realize that ACES Depots accept servers, televisions, ink cartridges, fax machines, cameras, scanners, home stereos, non-cellular telephones and answering machines, and much more. The ACES dealers do not take medical equipment, cash registers, kids video games, CDs, or home appliances. Unfortunately goods such as microwaves are still considered “garbage” at the end of their life and end up in the landfill.

All of our electronics in Nova Scotia are taken to one central collection point and the materials are then dismantled, shredded, crushed, baled, and smelted as appropriate for reprocessing. Some of this reprocessing is done in Canada, such as ink, metal, and plastic recovery, but some materials reprocessing happens in Belgium, the US and China.  For more information on electronics recycling, and a full list of what is and what is not accepted is found on www.acestewardship.ca or by calling 1-877-774-3260.

Small changes = Big Differences

1. check our www.recyclemycell.ca
2. call ACES for more info at 1-877-774-3260
3. give unwanted, working electronics to others
4. if it can’t be re-used, recycle right

June 12, 2010

ACAP Cape Breton lost a friend this week. He had been living at our Centre for Sustainable Communities for the ten years we have been in the George Street location and he had been with ACAP for a few years before that. Pacu, the large grey tropical fish, passed away, ironically, during Environment Week.  Visitors to the Centre repeatedly enjoyed meeting Pacu and learning about this big, foreign and friendly fish.

While a cousin of the piranha, pacu fish are non aggressive, yet sometimes skittish, in temperament. Supposedly, pacus are herbivores but Pacu would eat just about anything, with green apples a favourite.  These fish are known for growing very quickly and they are not recommended for home aquariums because they require a very large tank, a minimum of 250 gallons, but bigger is better.

We will miss him a great deal. ACAP was gifted Pacu years and years ago - so many that no one is quite sure when he arrived. We also don't know why he had such an unimaginative name but it seemed to suit him. He had a large tank and while we often wished we could have afforded a roomier home for Pacu, he seemed content and healthy.  Oddly enough, we were gifted another pacu fish in the summer of 2007. It was very soon after I joined ACAP Cape Breton and I was intrigued at having a younger fish on hand, quietly strategizing that Pacu would someday need a replacement, so we accepted this unique gift.  Much younger and black in comparison to the silvery grey older fish, we were worried about placing them in the same tank. After a few weeks of ignoring one another, they lived fairly comfortably together and even became quite playful. It was fun to watch them race around their tank, often distracting me when I should have been paying attention in our monthly Board meetings.  But it soon became clear that they were too big for one tank and so we separated them. The new pacu arrived with the name Fang, and was the pet of a fish hobbiest in Sydney who did not want to dispose of the fish but who knew he could no longer care for because of his ever increasing size.

Fang is now approximately 5 years old, is healthy with abit more aggressive a personality than his predecessor.  We hope that Fang will live at the Centre and delight visitors of all ages for years to come. Pacu has gone to a better place - to Cape Breton University to be exact.  They will weigh and measure him and take a few of his scales and clear and stain them so we may eventually know his true age in years. In death he will make good teaching material for a CBU lab. Keeping on a watery but more positive theme, did you acknowledge or celebrate World Oceans Day on June 8th? Or attend the climate change impact workshop in Glace Bay or the coastal erosion public meeting in Port Morien? Or provide feedback to Nova Scotia's State of the Coast Report?

If not, there is still plenty of time to do a good deed for the ocean that we all love so much. A thumbs up is sent to the groups that are working toward proactive environmental stewardship. Kudos as well to the Grade 6 classes at Greenfield Elementary School in New Waterford for requesting An Inconvenient Truth presentation last week and to Price Waterhouse Cooper who spent a day cleaning up a stretch of coastline in Glace Bay. An investment in our future, one might say.

Small Changes = Big Differences

1.      protect our coastline from pollution

2.      purchase only sustainable seafood

3.      stop marine litter

4.      lobby against ocean floor oil drilling 

June 8th, 2010 is World Oceans Day.

This may not mean much to many people, but considering we live on the Atlantic Ocean, we should definitely care more than most. Glace Bay, and many other regions, are dealing with climate change impacts affecting our ocean such as severe storm surge, rising sea levels, and record setting erosion. With warming temperatures and increasing velocity of extreme weather events, damage is being seen not only on our shorelines but also through damage to roads, water and sewer infrastructure

and even to homes. It is important that we remember to keep our shorelines clean - with communities being diligent about conducting beach sweeps and identifying and reporting any illegal dumpsites that encroach on our coast. Next week, Tuesday evening at 7 p.m., at the BayPlex in Glace Bay, everyone is welcome to hear from representatives of a Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Project sponsored by the Canadian Institute of Planners. This innovative project has consisted of consultation with the Glace Bay area residents to determine what impacts the coastline in particular have been experienced due to climate change with coastal erosion in the Table Head area being a primary concern. Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture have been touring the province recently with a round of public consultations

surrounding our precious coastline. Basically, they were looking for feedback on their recently produced State of the Nova Scotia Coast report which can be found on the provincial website. It is an interesting read but, in reality, how many Nova Scotians will read it? With the sad news from the Gulf of Mexico over the past weeks we should all be more and more aware of the fragility of our oceans, of the vulnerability of our fisheries, and of the real potential that man made problems such as the massive amounts of oil gushing into the Gulf may not have a man made solution. If you have not seen on television, or on the live web feed, of the oil spilling into the sea you

should take a look. It is shocking and devastating and seems to look almost like a wound that won't stop bleeding. While we all know something about the ocean, I thought I would provide some interesting trivia that you may or may not know, all sourced from World Ocean Day websites: the largest animal on earth, a blue whale, eats one of the smallest, krill; a 12,000 pound orca, or killer, whale can leap 15 to 20 feet up into the air; Right whales are the most endangered of the great whales, with only 400 known animals existing today in the North Atlantic although the Southern Hemisphere is home to thousands, but that is a separate species since the Right Whale does not cross the equator. We all know that the oceans are essential to global food security and the health and survival of all life. Oceans power our

climate and are a critical part of the biosphere. The official designation of World Oceans Day is an opportunity to raise global awareness of the current challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans. I think most of now realize we can't and should not wait for the international community to steward our ocean. It is up to us, each of us, in whatever way we can.

Small Changes = Big Differences

1.      Attend the public session in Glace Bay Tuesday.

2.      Read the State of Nova Scotia's Coast Report

3.      Plan a beach sweep

4.      Report any illegal dumping

5.     Appreciate our ocean

June 1st, 2010

Well, May is almost gone and June is looking like an even busier month, if that is indeed possible. We can look forward to many healthy and enjoyable events and experiences, for people of all ages to take part in, over the coming weeks. One great example is the 6th annual Cooking with Awareness, which is an interesting and educational schedule of cooking classes hosted from June 7th through June 11, 2010 by the knowledgeable and energetic people at Run for Awareness. Their website, www.runforawareness.ca , which you should all visit by the way, is a concise description of this non-profit organization. Their main objective is to bring awareness to the community of the benefits of incorporating healthy grains, vegetables, fruits and alternative proteins into our daily menu. If you don’t know what alternative proteins are, this is the group to introduce you. Through lectures, workshops and cooking classes they provide information for making better choices at the grocery store and demonstrate how anyone can prepare delicious, nutritious meals without compromising taste. And, of course, June is the time for running, and walking, and strolling – just getting out and moving. This is the basis for the annual Fiddlers Run which happens in September however there are two fun runs on June 5th and 6th which are of interest to children, and therefore the whole family. First, schools across Cape Breton are gearing up for the 6th Annual Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Run. Elementary and Junior High students are participating in training programs at their schools, in preparation for the run on Saturday, June 5 at 10:00 am at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion (the Big Fiddle) in Sydney. The run kicks off with an event for the whole family. There will even be a Tiny Tot Trot for preschool aged children. This will be followed by the Fiddlers Fun Run on Sunday June 6th – a great opportunity to get your mind set and your body moving before the bigger event September 19th, 2010. The Cape Breton Fiddlers Fun Run will be held at 10 a.m. June 6th with registration beginning at 9 am at the YMCA in Sydney.  The registration fee is $10.  Runners and walkers have the option of completing a 5K or 10K course through the north end of Sydney.  The theme of the event is a celebration of fitness and wellness with many, but not all, of the participants having completed the Cape Breton Fiddlers-YMCA Learn to Run Program or the Heart and Stroke Foundation Walking program.  Organizers hope to welcome a large group of beginning and experienced participants. Visit www.capebretonfiddlersrun.com for more complete run information. If you don’t feel like running this month, start off June with lots of activities celebrating all things environment. Environment Week in Canada’s theme this year is Embracing Life on Earth and runs from May 30 - June 5, 2010. ACAP Cape Breton is planning a week long schedule highlighted by a  Biodiversity Fair to be held in the cafeteria at the NSCC Marconi Campus on June 2nd. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Cape Breton Island’s environmental sector. Hours, topics to be covered plus more information is posted at www.acapcb.ns.ca.  June 4th is World Oceans Day and, since it is said that in Nova Scotia you are never more than 30 minutes from the sea, why not try to pay particular attention to the little piece of the ocean closest to you. Is it healthy? Is it polluted? Is it eroding? Is it accessible? Or just sit back, enjoy and appreciate its beauty and its bounty.

Small Changes = Big Differences

1.      Check out: www.runforawareness.ca

2.      Stock a healthy pantry

3.      Try a new recipe

4.      Run for awareness/for a cure/ for fun

5.      Celebrate Environment Week

May 1st, 2010

Our Premier was in Sydney this week with a big announcement – no it wasn’t millions of dollars for new jobs or new infrastructure. Instead Premier Dexter announced, during the annual convention of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, that he wants to ban plastic water bottles from provincial offices. He has apparently asked the Nova Scotia Department of the Environment to explore ways in which they can implement such a ban, even though he had not checked first with Environment Minister Belliveau. Some people accuse the Premier of pandering to his audience, which had staff of municipal water utilities in attendance, and so Dexter’s newfound environmentalism may have had political motives. Regardless of how it was announced, this is a positive move forward for the provincial government, a moment of leadership which should be applauded. After Premier Dexter dared to take on the gods of plastic, reports of their anger immediately emerged. John Challinor, the director of corporate affairs for Nestle Waters Canada, expressed his surprise and disappointment in the decision. Apparently, Nestle is the largest producer and distributor of natural spring water in Canada and they are, naturally, scared by the threat of decreased sales. Nestle’s official position was that banning water bottles would lead people to the evil of sugary drinks, thereby negatively affecting the health of our population. Challinor and Nestle need to read the writing on the wall, as do the rest of us. As a corporation they need not to fight the growing environmental public consciousness and, instead, to get out in front of market demand. People, even the Premier, are finally getting it – plastic is bad for the health of the population! Not just because it doesn’t biodegrade for ten thousand or so years, and it fills up our landfills, and winds up in nature, oceans and streams. But because plastic is not good for us! As it infiltrates our waterways, and, logically, our marine life, it will make its way to our food chain and then to us. Wholesale changes are needed before that happens.  I heard on a local radio talk show ( there is only one, so you probably have figured out I am speaking about Jay MacNeil’s Local Matters ) that this may be a distraction by the government from more serious issues. Jay put out there, for the listening public’s consideration, that water was water and what difference does it make what we drink it from? Well, my money is on the public to know the difference. Water that is in personal size plastic water bottles is actually municipal water, just not from our local area, instead trucked in from another municipality, far away, adding to its environmental footprint. We pay handsomely for the privilege of refreshing ourselves not by turning on the tap which costs pennies, but by paying a dollar or more to pop a plastic cap from a plastic bottle instead. This is a relatively new phenomenon so we do have time to change, and we have a responsibility to change, our behaviour in regard to plastic bottles in general, regardless of what liquid is in them.  The debate over banning plastic water bottles has been raging for years. It is nice to see Nova Scotia’s Premier has caught up with that debate and my money is on him winning this battle, for all our sakes.

Small Changes = Big Differences

1. Use glass, stainless steel or porcelain containers
2. Buy a water filter
3. Drink Tap Water
4. Support the Premier’s Plastic Protest
5. Know the harmful effects of plastic

April 24th, 2010

Volunteers support you and everything you do, whether you know it or not. This is a statement from Volunteer Canada and I strongly agree. As we know, volunteers help at our local church and schools; they coach little league and hockey and soccer, they host concerts and they fight fires. Volunteers are on the front lines of emergency services, of the democratic process and often thrive in the cultural sector in Canada. Of course, they are also the heart and soul of the environmental movement.  So it is a happy coincidence that Volunteer Week in Canada coincided with Earth Week. This past week, I hope you thanked a volunteer or that you did an environmental good deed. There are 12.5 million volunteers in Canada – a huge and impressive number in a country of 33 million. These 12.5 million people mobilize their time and talent generating 2.1 billion volunteer hours each year, consisting of the equivalent of 1.1 million full time jobs. Again, impressive numbers. But I worry about lifestyle changes which threaten volunteer organizations. People are pressed for time and with our communities relying more and more on the generous contributions of volunteers, burn out is a real potential problem. Imagine if there were no parent teacher groups or volunteer board of directors? Imagine if no one stepped forward to organize sporting tournaments or volunteered for help with festivals and events? Imagine if ACAP Cape Breton organized a beach or community clean up and no one showed up? This would be a poorer, sadder place for sure, with the absence of volunteers. Volunteers are the cornerstones of our community – important not only to keep our environment safe and strong and protected, but for ensuring we have a healthy and vibrant community overall. Volunteer Canada have a great description of volunteers on their website: “Volunteering is the most fundamental act of citizenship and philanthropy in our society. It is offering time, energy and skills of one's own free will. It is an extension of being a good neighbour, transforming a collection of houses into a community, as people become involved in the improvement of their surroundings and choose to help others. By caring and contributing to change, volunteers decrease suffering and disparity, while they gain skills, self-esteem and change their lives. People work to improve the lives of their neighbours and, in return, enhance their own.” ACAP Cape Breton has been blessed with hundreds of volunteers over the years. We appreciate their contributions whether that is as a Board member, a nature guide, a stream restorer, a greeter at our EcoExpo, or a stakeholder who help guide and shape our community based vision.  We are the first to admit that we don’t thank our volunteers nearly enough so I would like to do so now. If you did not thank a volunteer this week then there is still time next week, or the week after that. I hope you had a good week, and if you are a volunteer, thank you, from ACAP Cape Breton. You help keep our communities strong.

Small Changes = Big Differences

1. volunteer for something
2. teach volunteership to your children
3. check out volunteer.ca
4. thank a volunteer
5. do an environmental good deed

April 17th, 2010

If you have no plans to celebrate Earth Week next week then I guess that is ok., however, you might make plans to take a walk, learn something, meet new people, connect with friends, get rid, or pick up, new to you books and magazines, be a shining example to a young person, or save some money. ACAP Cape Breton is marking Earth Week with a wide variety of interesting activities which you may want to participate in – and you don’t have to be an environmentalist to do so. Donate some good condition books or magazines for our exchange on Monday, April 19th at our Centre for Sustainable Communities at the corner of Townsend and George Streets , Sydney between  9 am and 4:30 p.m. You never know what literary treasurers await you there. Or learn about lawn and garden care at our Pesticide Free and Water Conservation Workshop that same day at 2 p.m. We will share tips and techniques about pesticide alternatives and water conservation that will have your lawn and garden looking lush and beautiful for the warm weather season which is just around the corner.  On Tuesday, April 20th, there will be a guided Baille Ard Trail walk. Enjoy the beautiful Baille Ard Trail and learn about the local ecology of the area. If you are interested, meet at the Terrace St. Entrance at 10 a.m. The walk will be held rain or shine and if you have never been to this beautiful trail, you should definitely plan to be there Tuesday. ACAP will be hosting an Energy Wise Lunch n’ Learn

Tuesday as well so drop in and learn some tips on how to be energy efficient in your home – save money and help the environment at the same time! This will take place at the Centre for Sustainable Communities at 12 noon and light refreshments will be provided. If you have any questions about the recently announced changes to the EcoEnergy program, this is the place to ask them. Did you know that improper tire maintenance collectively cost Canadians $500 million/year and cause 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide to be released into the atmosphere? Stop by our tire pressure clinic and we’ll make sure your tires are just right! This will be hosted Tuesday at the Mayflower Mall Parking Lot 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, April 21 will see our Centre hold a ‘Second Chance’ Toy Drive Do you have good used toys that the kids don’t use anymore?  Then our Second Chance Toy Drive between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm is a great idea to help you decrease clutter!  Put spring in your step with a brisk Lunchtime Walk. Our ‘Take the Roof of Winter’ walk was a great success and we are looking forward to another lunchtime stroll around Wentworth Park. Join us at ACAP CB Centre for Sustainable Communities 12 noon

The wildly successful 20 Minute Makeover is breaking out again this year at lunchtime in communities all over. This was a very popular event last year, with 50 teams and over 500 people participating. The basic premise: pick an area, take a ‘before’ picture, tidy it up in 20 minutes and take an ‘after’ picture. Teams can register by calling 567-1628. End the work week on Friday with a delicious Active Transportation Commuters Breakfast from 7 am – 10 am. Now you don’t have to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Week from April 19th through the 23rd, but you could take the opportunity to enjoy activities, learn something new, share experiences, oh yeah, and help the environment while you are having fun. Happy Earth Week.

Small Changes = Big Differences

1. Check out the Baille Ard Trail.
2. Check  your tire pressure.
3. Donate books and magazines.
4. Have a pesticide free lawn.
5. Celebrate Earth Week 2010

April 10th, 2010

Climate change impacts have definitely found Cape Breton Island. This is obvious in the premature spring weather we have been enjoying. An early spring can mean lots of wonderful things, such as putting away our winter boots and coats earlier than usual and getting out more often, to enjoy the pleasing spring temperatures. Of course, there are also some not so nice impacts of a moderate winter and an early spring. These include more bugs and rodents. Neither of these are critters we want or need more of, but are a naturally occurring consequence of our changing world. Environment Canada has been tracking impacts and trends of our climate for many years. Data suggests that changes are on a multitude of levels and that our adaptation skills will be required to make necessary adjustments. Some of the key areas they have identified and reported on include: thawing permafrost, decreased snow cover, increased drought, increased wave heights, reduced ice cover in the Arctic and in northern lakes. Our changing environment affects locations all over the world, even our little corner. These trends are continuing or, in some cases, accelerating, with resulting impacts on hydrology, wildlife and the built-environment (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2001b; Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, 2004). Scientists generally agree that there is no one area that is safe from climate change, although some regions are more vulnerable or at higher risk of negative impacts, than others. Cape Breton Island temperatures, for example, are expected to increase which will lengthen our growing season and which many people will find a welcome change. Some of us will miss the snow, but others won’t. But there will be changes that won’t be as pleasant as less snow shoveling, such as more severe weather events. Less snow may mean more rain with climate models projecting a continued increase in the intensity of rainfall events across the globe. We will not be immune here, to more precipitation. The frequency of storms may stay the same but the warming sea surface could result in stronger wind storms. Increasingly extensive damage caused by sea level rise and increased wave height and action can be expected. Environment Canada has reported that wave heights have increased by up to 1 cm/decade (1950-2002) in much of the North Atlantic, a trend which is projected to continue. This does not sound like much but the damage caused to landscape, built infrastructure such as roads and threats to homes which have been experienced by North Street and area in Glace Bay, are prime examples of issues which have to be dealt with today, not problems we are leaving to future generations. Living where we do, storm surge impacts and shore erosion are increasing concerns for many of us. All of these impacts raise important questions about our adaptive capacity. We are a traditional Island people who like things to remain the same. Our ability to change is usually rooted in the necessity to change. All of these changing climate impacts will affect habitat of fish, insects, plants, trees, animals, and, logically, people. So where do we go from here? Perhaps to the old adage, the only thing constant is change.

Small changes = Big Differences

1. Plan for Change
2. Conduct a Risk Assessment
3. Identify potential economic impacts
4. Identify need for policy changes
5. Build coastal protection teams

April 3rd, 2010

Spring seems to have sprung, even though, living in Cape Breton, we know that there are still plenty of chances for snow. My father and I took a drive around the Cabot Trail last weekend and while there was a great deal of snow on the mountain roads, there was much less than we thought, with spring even reaching out early to the highlands. But spring means more than a change in the weather. It means a change of attitude. After all, it is spring cleaning time. This is an opportunity to sort and dispose of the items we have accumulated over the fall and winter. It is a time to clean and to purge your home, your office, or even your car, of items which you don’t need. Haven’t played that CD in a year? Pass it along. Books? Same thing. Clothes? Yes, them too. Spring clean your kitchen, your cupboards, and don’t forget your medicine cabinet. Remember not to flush old medicine. Instead take it back to the pharmacy. Of course, as you start to spring clean, remember to choose eco-friendly household cleaners as they do work as well as chemicals – don’t you think cleaning with chemicals is abit of an odd concept? If the task seems too daunting, try starting small, declutter first, or tackle one room at a time. Community cleanups are often being planned at this time of year and we at ACAP Cape Breton are very pleased to hear that the majority of the CBRM Councillors are organizing district clean ups, as is being done in Baddeck, and other communities across our beautiful Island. ACAP can help provide some resources, some tips for a productive clean up, gloves and trash bags for your clean up crew.  Spring is a busy time of year but a wonderfully encouraging one. It is time to make changes in our behaviour. Some of us have green fatigue and are wondering what more we can possibly do to help lighten our footprint on the Earth. Well, one interesting and fun idea is to set green themes each month. For example, April can be plastic bottle free month, May can be litterless lunch month, June can be walk to work month. Taking these ideas and applying them to a thirty day period make them seem more achievable, but often you will continue to enact the behavioural change you start. After all, they say that you can change a habit in twenty-one days. You can try eco-ideas at the office as well. Try: July being ‘paperless’ month at the office or November: reduce energy month. Whether it is plastic bottles at home or paper in the office, I bet you will find it difficult, yet certainly not impossible, to change your behaviour. Spring cleaning is a great tradition and a good practice to pass along to our children. It is a refreshing time of renewal and one we can enjoy together. This weekend though, is for Easter celebrations. I am sure none of you bought that plastic coloured grass that you will have to throw out, or gifts that you will be evicting from the basement next spring? Happy Easter everyone and to Mom and Dad, a Happy Anniversary.  

Small changes = Big Differences

Look for non-toxic cleaners

Celebrate spring with a community clean up

Sign up to stop junk mail

Get the kids involved in spring cleaning

Think: Donate instead of trash

March 27th, 2010

Are you ready for Earth Hour tonight? Ok, there is not a lot of getting ready involved, so you should all be able to participate. Just turn your lights off. That’s it. By itself, not that impressive an action. But multiply your action by the same simple action of millions more people just like you and you become part of a global movement, which is kind of cool. In fact organizers of Earth Hour 2010 are actually hoping one billion people will take part this evening making this small individual action of turning out the lights the largest collaborative climate change awareness action the world has ever seen.

Some people voice concerns and even argue against Earth Hour and other “one-off” promotions, saying that they do little to actually make a positive difference for our environment, but I disagree. How can one billion people be wrong? Its not just families at home that are involved with Earth Hour but also businesses and governments who are now participating. The campaign will see the world's most famous landmarks - from the CN Tower in Toronto to the Sphinx in Egypt - go dark for one hour. In Montreal, all municipal offices will be taking part. Businesses, organizations and governments can take part by turn out the lights in your buildings, facilities and signage for one hour at 8:30pm this evening but they can also try to do the same thing, dare I say it, every weekend? Afterall, longer term Earth Hour goals include trying to spread climate change awareness through year round energy and water conservation actions. There are lots of great guides and tools at www.earthhour.org including interesting education packs for all ages, so making a link available on your corporate website is a good idea. This allows you to make good information available to others, you can support the Earth Hour global effort year round and this action costs you neither time nor money. Businesses are slower to adapt that we are at home which is odd since most of us are part of a workplace, yet we often do not feel empowered to ask for, influence or take climate change action at work. Some great suggestions the World Wildlife Fund have to ensure your business can start to reduce emissions and reduce costs today include turning off lights after hours in back offices or installing motion-sensor lighting, installing energy saving lights and energy saving devices (e.g. timers on lighting), and turning off printers, computers, monitors, microwaves and coffee machines at the less than peak times. Universities, schools, churches, community halls and even landlords can take part by eliminating non essential lighting. Maybe you are reading this paper on Sunday and have missed the media Earth Hour hoopla, but that does not mean you have missed an opportunity this year to celebrate Earth Hour. Just pick any other day to ensure your participation or get ready for some upcoming occasions which are built along the same lines – Earth Week in April and Environment Week in June for example. Earth Day is April 22nd, 2010 and is often celebrated by community, individual, and youth activities centered around climate change awareness. On that day, I will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day at the McConnell Library, in Sydney, delivering An Inconvenient Truth presentation. Canadian Environment Week is celebrated May 30 to June 5 and is described by Environment Canada as a perfect time to celebrate our achievements and initiatives in tackling climate change and reducing air pollution. Regardless of what you do or when, the point is, your actions count.

 Small Changes = Big Differences

Turn off your lights at 8.30PM, tonight March 27
Talk about Earth Hour in your social network
Host an Earth Hour party or hold your own candlelit affair
Rally your local council or community group to run an Earth Hour event
Encourage your employer and workmates to take part in Earth Hour
Make energy savings every day

For more information please refer to: Our news section

March 20th, 2010

What do you think of when I say ‘green’? Remember when green meant a colour made by combining yellow and blue? Or, depending on the conversation, green might refer to a smooth grassy area at the end of a golf fairway containing the hole. But today green means many things to many people. Green has become synonymous with the environment. As such, we need to think in shades of green. An online search of shades of green revealed more than twenty different tints! There is asparagus, fern, forest, jungle, moss, pine, sap, shamrock, and tea green to name a few. Of course we can’t forget army green, emerald, hunter, jade, teal and seafoam. So what shade are you? Kermit the Frog said: It ain’t easy being green. Perhaps he is right. Maybe we change over time. Maybe we all start out as a light and bright and energetic green and then we transform, over time, to be a seasoned deep midnight green. The color midnight green is a dark shade of cyan which means that midnight green has a red value equal to zero and its green and blue values are almost equal. That sounds perfect. Perhaps we can measure the success of our choices, impacts and our priorities in shades from the colour wheel? Maybe your colour changes each day - perhaps today you are a pale, pastel green. This means you might take your re-usable bags to the grocery store and you use curly CFL lightbulbs. Maybe you are a more serious shade of green who buys local, walks to work and has had a household energy audit. According to Virginia Ginsburg of www.articlealley.com, green means: “taking into account the Earth's health when making choices about how you live your life. This means considering the ecosystems that support all inhabitants of the planet. On a macro scale, being green means considering our water, land and air resources whenever making a choice.” That is a lot of stress on one pretty colour. She even goes on to talk about the simple steps to becoming a “greenie”. Ok, I think that this colour needs a break. Let us start to talk about being sustainable instead of green. Let’s stop talking about living green and start talking about living well. Why not replace green choices with smart choices? Renewable energy, less packaging, less travel, more conservation of water, less ( or no ) pesticides, becoming plastic free, recycling, composting, sorting – none of these are green decisions. Instead, these are wise choices for you and for the earth. Maybe our efforts to be green are easier to achieve, and easier to dismiss, than our efforts to be sustainable. While we may all strive to be a serious rich midnight green, wouldn’t aiming to take less from the Earth be a more appropriate goal. We hosted a March day camp at ACAP Cape Breton this past week and seeing those kids relish in the environmentally themed stories and activities was wonderful to see. They are learning to be green, and it comes naturally. I hope they grow to learn to live sustainably with the same enthusiasm.

Small Changes = Big Differences

Lower the temperature on your water heater
Buy only Energy Star appliances
Have a toxic free home
Have a pesticide free lawn
Enjoy a buy nothing day