about us
campaigns
news and blog
videos
get involved
events calendar
resources
OUR NEWSLETTERS
ventilation index
contact us
news and blog
Society News
- Thu May 15, 2008
Report on the Halfmoon Bay Backyard Burning Forum - Wed April 30, 2008
Upcoming events regarding the new herbicide/pesticide bylaw - Fri February 22, 2008
District of Sechelt Council adopted the Bylaw to Ban the Cosmetic Use of Pesticides - Fri February 15, 2008
General meeting announced
Clean air news from around the world
- Owner of Hayward building convicted under Clean Air Act (The Fresno Bee)
- Owner of Hayward building convicted under Clean Air Act (KSBY San Luis Obispo)
- Michigan Sugar Settles Clean Air Act Permit Violations (PR Newswire via Yahoo! News)
- Its official: Kewaunee Co. has clean air (Green Bay Press-Gazette)
- In Basket: Groups host Clean Air Car Showcase (Long Beach Press-Telegram)
- Environment, Budget Focus Of Clean Air Car Showcase (gazettes.com)
- Mich. sugar processor fined for pollution (AP via Yahoo! Finance)
- Bay City sugar processor fined for pollution (WOOD TV 8 Grand Rapids)
- Group urges Lambton Generating Station to switch to natural gas (Sarnia Observer)
- Consumer Advocate Challenges Westar Hike (WIBW Topeka)
Report on the Halfmoon Bay Backyard Burning Forum
Posted: Thu May 15, 2008There was a backyard burning forum in Halfmoon Bay on May 7 hosted by Gary Nohr (SCRD Director for Halfmoon Bay). In attendance were Paul Fenwick (General Manager of Community Services for the SCRD), Murray Smith (Conservation Officer), Greg Phelps (Halfmoon Bay Fire Chief), Donna Shugar (SCRD Director for Roberts Creek) and about 14 Halfmoon Bay residents.
The officials each gave a brief talk about their role in the air pollution arena. The residents then split into 2 groups to discuss the issue of back yard burning.
Most residents in attendance were opposed to back yard burning and would be prepared to pay increased taxes to facilitate alternatives. Some of the people in favor of burning, were in favor of some change to the bylaw. One couple said they only burned branches once per year after they had cured them under a tarp for the summer season. There seemed to be an understanding from the people in favor of burning that the smoke was a problem and should be kept to a minimum. There was also a willingness to stop burning if appropriate alternatives were offered.
Gary Nohr will take the information gleaned from this meeting and publish the results in his upcoming newsletter. In summary, there was an obvious will from the residents in attendance to change the BYB bylaw and Gary Nohr seems to be willing to do this if the will is there.
There was lots of reference to the SCCAS at the meeting so we are obviously making some impact.
There were also comments about the runaround given to residents trying to report illegal back yard burns. This has been an ongoing issue with the answering service who, despite having been instructed otherwise, continue to discourage reporting. If you are reporting a violation in Halfmoon Bay, DO NOT let the answering service discourage you! When they start to ask you questions, just say, "Have Mr. Phelps call me", and leave your number. If you don't get a response, please e mail the SCCAS and we will contact Mr. Phelps directly.
Upcoming events regarding the new herbicide/pesticide bylaw
Posted: Wed April 30, 2008As you are aware, Sechelt introduced a Bylaw to restrict the non-essential use of pesticides and herbicides.As part of this effort to create and maintain a healthy community, the District will be offering a number of events aimed at helping our community make the adjustment.
Saturday, May 10, for 10am to 12noon, residents can drop off pesticides for free disposal, at the 'arbour' area on Block 7 (Near the Seaside Centre, where the Sechelt Garden Club will be hosting their popular Spring plant sale). District staff will collect and responsibly dispose of the collected pesticides. (A second date may be scheduled, depending on the volume/demand experienced on May 10)
(It is also important to remember that the public can dispose of pesticides or herbicides at the Sechelt Landfill free of charge, by placing these items in the hazardous material shed (this goes for other has mats as well).
On May 14 and 28 (Wednesdays), at 7:00pm and the Seaside Centre, free Gardening Workshops will be offered, featuring environmentalist and internationally renowned local author Carole Rubin (How to get your Lawn and Garden Off Drugs). There will be free draws and refreshments at these events. A third workshop will be offered in the Fall, to focus on fall plantings.
Hope you will take part,let your friends and neighbours know and help us have a beautiful and healthy community!!!"
-District of Sechelt
Black Carbon Pollution Emerges As Major Player In Global Warming
Posted: Tue March 25, 2008Black carbon, a form of particulate air pollution most often produced from biomass burning, cooking with solid fuels and diesel exhaust, has a warming effect in the atmosphere three to four times greater than prevailing estimates, according to scientists in an upcoming review article in the journal Nature Geoscience.
Read the full article here
The Home Depot Launches National CFL Recycling Initiative
Posted: Tue March 11, 2008One way to cut down on Green House Gas emissions is to switch to energy-efficient light bulbs like Compact Flourescents. Unfortunately the drawbacks is that they contain mercury and need to be disposed of properly and can't just be thrown in the Garbage dump. Home Depot is one store that accepts old CFLs. Below is a news release on this topic.
In February 2007, the Home Depot stood beside Environment Minister John Baird to announce to the world that Canada was phasing out the sale of incandescent lightbulbs by 2012. At this announcement, the Home Depot Canada committed to two key initiatives that would support the Government of Canada’s announcement:
1. Phasing out the sale of incandescent lightbulbs in our own stores by 2011 – a year ahead of schedule
2. The development of a National CFL Recycling program that allowed Canadians to return old CFL bulbs to our stores any time.
Both initiatives are well under way. We are on our way to eliminating the sale of incandescent bulbs in 2011 and we launched a CFL recycling program in November 2007. This second commitment is very important because CFLs should not be put in regular household waste, they should be responsibly recycled. The Home Depot’s program has addressed this by providing Canadians from coast-to-coast with an avenue to responsibly recycle their old CFLs. Canadians can now bring their expired CFLs to any of the 160 Home Depot store in Canada during regular business hours and deposit them in the recycling station at the entrance of the store.
The program is being run in partnership with Philips Canada. We will be working with FLR (Fluorescent Lamp Recyclers), based in Ayr, Ontario to collect and handle all used CFL bulbs. This includes containing and storing mercury, as well as recycling all metals and glass.
As part of our continuing efforts to encourage all Canadians to participate in this important initiative, we are seeking your help to spread the word to all of your customers/members, including:
1. Posting information about the CFL Recycling Program on your company website
2. Drafting a memo to your call centre staff to let them know about the CFL Recycling Program, in the event customers call with queries.
The following is an example of information that you could post on-line or send to your customers.
Now available – compact fluorescent light bulb (CFLs) recycling at The Home Depot!
CFL bulbs should not be disposed of with regular household waste so bring your expired CFLs to any The Home Depot store, and be assured that each bulb will be recycled safely. At all Home Depot stores across Canada, customers will find a CFL bulb recycling unit located at the entrance by the special services desk. Customers can simply bring in their expired CFL bulbs, place them in one of the plastic bags provided and deposit it into the display. For more information visit homedepot.ca/EcoOptions.
Air Quality and Your Health videos
Posted: Fri February 22, 2008The award-winning video Making a Difference: Air Quality and Your Health was created to advance public understanding of air pollution, its sources and health effects.
A collaborative, multi-agency effort to address shared air quality management concerns between British Columbia and Washington State, the video is divided into four chapters and provides real-life examples of individuals, communities and government affecting positive changes.
check it out here: Air Quality and Your Health
District of Sechelt Council adopted the Bylaw to Ban the Cosmetic Use of Pesticides
Posted: Fri February 22, 2008February 2008: District of Sechelt Council adopted the Bylaw to Ban the Cosmetic Use of Pesticides - congratulation to the SCCAS Pesticide Committee, and to all the others involved! The Sunshine Coast becomes a healthier community by reducing these toxins in our air, soil and water.
General meeting announced
Posted: Fri February 15, 2008SUNSHINE COAST CLEAN AIR SOCIETY general meeting: Sunday, March 2, 2008 at 1.30 p.m. in the Stalashen Clubhouse, Wilson Creek.
Highligts from Greenhouse Gas Emmission Data 1990-2004 (pdf)
Posted: Mon February 11, 2008Check it out: Highlights from Greenhouse Gas Emmission Data 1990-2004 (pdf)
What a diesel filter can do to improve air quality
Posted: Thu February 22, 2007This photo was published in 2005 in the ADAC magazine, from the German automobil association.
To the left you can see the amount of carbon-particulate matter (grime) released into the air with a filter - to the right without a filter.
An (Un) Neighbourly Nuisance, by Michael Jessen
Posted: Sat April 22, 2006click here to read - pdf
Page 1 of 2 pages 1 2 >