http://www.greenlivingonline.com/WinnersSinners/sinners-of-summer-2007/
(Oct 1, 2007)
Well it looks like summer wasn't all that green for most Canadians. 
Pesticides R Us
Despite municipal legislation, such as Toronto’s Pesticide Bylaw -- which bans the use of chemical weed and insect killers in almost all circumstances -- according to a 2006 Statistics Canada survey, three in 10 Canadian households still use pesticides on their lawns and gardens. This is down only 2 percent since 1994. Remember: pesticides not only adversely affect birds and leach into the water table (and from there, into our drinking water) but may also have long-term effects on children. The good news is that pesticide use saw a sharp downturn in Montreal and the province of Quebec. Change begins at home.
Not so Great Lakes
A recent Environmental Defence report, Up to the Gills: Pollution in Great Lakes Fish, shows levels of toxic chemicals in Great Lakes fish are alarmingly high and becoming more serious. Aaron Freeman, policy director of Environmental Defence, says, "We are still treating the Great Lakes as a toxic-waste dump. We need stronger pollution regulations and a real plan from the federal and provincial government to clean up the lakes." Together, commercial fishing and more than five million sport anglers generate $3.5-billion annually for the region’s economy.
Greenhouse-gas emission R Us , too
A poll of more than 1,200 homeowners, done by Ipsos Reid for Icynene, an environmentally conscious, spray foam insulation company, reveals we’re a pretty pathetic lot. Apparently, 79 percent of Canadian homeowners claim to have taken "some" or "a lot" of action to reduce greenhouse gases in their homes, yet only 3 percent believed their homes and offices contributed "the most" in increasing greenhouse-gas emissions. Just as startling: they were more likely to help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions when encouraged by a TV home-improvement personality (37percent) or even an employee of a home-improvement store (16 percent) than by Prime Minister Stephen Harper (15%). We’re thinking maybe Mike Holmes for PM.
Sinners of summer 2007
This article was originally seen in the Fall/Winter 2007 issue of Green Living Magazine. View the original article (pdf).
Pesticides R Us
Despite municipal legislation, such as Toronto’s Pesticide Bylaw -- which bans the use of chemical weed and insect killers in almost all circumstances -- according to a 2006 Statistics Canada survey, three in 10 Canadian households still use pesticides on their lawns and gardens. This is down only 2 percent since 1994. Remember: pesticides not only adversely affect birds and leach into the water table (and from there, into our drinking water) but may also have long-term effects on children. The good news is that pesticide use saw a sharp downturn in Montreal and the province of Quebec. Change begins at home.
Not so Great Lakes
A recent Environmental Defence report, Up to the Gills: Pollution in Great Lakes Fish, shows levels of toxic chemicals in Great Lakes fish are alarmingly high and becoming more serious. Aaron Freeman, policy director of Environmental Defence, says, "We are still treating the Great Lakes as a toxic-waste dump. We need stronger pollution regulations and a real plan from the federal and provincial government to clean up the lakes." Together, commercial fishing and more than five million sport anglers generate $3.5-billion annually for the region’s economy.
Greenhouse-gas emission R Us , too
A poll of more than 1,200 homeowners, done by Ipsos Reid for Icynene, an environmentally conscious, spray foam insulation company, reveals we’re a pretty pathetic lot. Apparently, 79 percent of Canadian homeowners claim to have taken "some" or "a lot" of action to reduce greenhouse gases in their homes, yet only 3 percent believed their homes and offices contributed "the most" in increasing greenhouse-gas emissions. Just as startling: they were more likely to help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions when encouraged by a TV home-improvement personality (37percent) or even an employee of a home-improvement store (16 percent) than by Prime Minister Stephen Harper (15%). We’re thinking maybe Mike Holmes for PM.
6 Comments
posted Nov 1, 2007 - 1:25 pm by Gene
On the issue of pesticides: Toronto city council can ban them all they want, but as long as pesticides are legally available in retail (which they are!), people are going to use them. It is a weak bylaw, because it cannot be enforced. Ban the sale of pesticides and watch their use drop.
posted Dec 25, 2007 - 7:45 am by Canuck
Pretty disgusting! Gene's right. Most people would assume, if there's a by-law in place, that the offenders would be off the shelves. Perhaps people are thinking that if they're available, they're not the banned substances?? Either way, they should NOT be available. The 'Greedies' are only thinking of lining their pockets, and those who are in the know, but still use them, think that 'oh, I'm just one....this little bit won't hurt'. INSANE!!!! LET'S WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!
posted Jan 7, 2008 - 9:48 pm by c. adams
I also think that it is ridiculous to have a by-law banning pesticide spraying by companies and yet these toxins are still available in stores. Unfortunately, Toronto is not the only place where this happens. I think that it is time for our federal politicians to ban them completely. Having said that, I know that people in the food growing industry may have a problem with this as I know that many still use pesticides. Are there any solutions for farmers??
posted Feb 13, 2008 - 8:49 pm by Krystle
I recently read an interesting report in a newspaper stating that by banning the use of herbicides (something that they're discussing whether or not to do) could pose serious problems for allergy and asthma sufferers. Don't get me wrong, I think banning pesticides and all chemicals in general is a great idea, but just wondering what you all think about this. Is this a case of the good out-weighing the bad? Or will some people with serious breathing problems actually be affected here?
posted Apr 2, 2008 - 5:42 pm by Peter
Pesticides are just chemicals. It's the motivation to use them that needs to be changed. Advertisements of endless green manicured lawns entices the use and is just as much to blame as the chemicals themselves. There are grass types that can handle pests well and even create thatch thick enough to prevent dandelion growth if they were promoted more. We need someone people "believe" to be telling us about that in a similar way as Dr. Suzuki talks about energy in the advertisements we see. Credibility combined with charisma is a rare find and that's what grabs people. Politicians don't usually have that facility.
posted Apr 24, 2008 - 5:28 pm by Noel
@Krystle--First thing I want to know when I see a report like that is who commissioned the report? Who did the science? Was the conclusion supported by the data? Did the sampling and testing methods adequately address the needs of an accurate conclusion? These days the truth is that which is widely believed and belief can be manufactured. We are bombarded by "Authority" figures who at times don't even have experience with that which they are trying to sell us on. Be skeptical, do the homework and most of the time the truth will reveal itself for what it is.
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