In this Day and Age

I recently stayed at the Days Inn in Penticton for work reasons. When I'm away for work, I try to drink as much water as possible. I buy a lot of water. I know that this is not the best thing to do, but that is how it is for me.

Anyways I was quite disgusted by the hotel. I asked them what they do with the bottles. Get this: they just throw them out...into the garbage!!!!

Are you kidding me? In this day and age? So I packed up the bottles and gave them to someone whom I knew would use them...

I guess the moral of my story is to make sure you are staying in hotels that are doing their moral, social and environmental duty to the city, the province, the country, the world and the planet!!!!

Carbon Tax

I went to a talk the other night by a SFU researcher and professor, Dr. Marc Jaccard. He spoke quite eloquently policies and economy around climate change. It was really quite fascinating.

Now, I am not going to go into the details of his talk since I'm sure there is probably a lot of information out there that is much more accurate than what I might be able to reproduce.

What I am going to discuss is my fascination with one part of his talk that got me to thinking....Dr. Jaccard showed a map that showed how much emissions different parts of the world emit. Rather than figures, the countries were distorted in size based on the amount of emissions they produced.

The continent of Africa was quite skinny while, surprise surprise, America was extremely fat. This kind of distortion would probably also be true if we were talking about obesity rates...so then I got to thinking...nothing happens in isolation....

So here it goes...In North America, we are in a hurry...it is all about convenience...thus processed food and of course waste. Because we are always in a hurry, we like drive thrus....think about that for a minute...emissions from our cars, waste fromt the containers and packaging, and of course what often turns out to be unhealthy options....

This leads to the next issue we have in North America and that is not being socially or neighbourhood oriented. We drive to a big box store (often not in our neighbourhood) where we buy all the huge amounts we need to last a week (at least) and we deal with a customer service rep that is really only concerned about when the shift will be over and when pay day is...more emissions, more packaging, no concern for quality and no social contact...

In other parts of the world, people often shop daily...they walk a few blocks to the vegetable market or the butcher. They stop to talk to their neighbours on the way...they get to a place where the owner/sales person is most concerned about selling a quality product. Yes, he wants to make money, but his livelihood and business are dependent on making repeat customers happy.

So now I'm wondering about the value of cities and neighbourhoods. I'm concerned for the small business owner and the local farmer trying to sell his produce at the weekly market.

I'm beginning to see that obesity, social issues and climate change are not necessarily disconnected from one another....My hope is that while other parts of the world strive for the American dream, they hang on to what is essentially good about what they already have.

Kamloops' Possible Theme Song

Given the amount of beautiful land that we keep clearing to build perhaps the theme song in Kamloops should be ...well I don't know the title, but I know it goes "Take paradise and put up a parking lot". Sad but true!!!!

Gas Prices

As you know, the cost of gas is the highest it has ever been in Kamloops, and I'm sure that it is only going to get higher over the summer and into the fall. While we moan and groan about the cost of fueling our vehicles, here is something to consider. The prices here in Kamloops, BC, Canada and North America or no where near what they have been and are in Europe and in Asia. North America is just catching up to its counterparts around the world. And why not? Countries as rich as Canada and America should pay up for their consumption. So hang on Kamloops, this ride is about to get a bit more expensive.

Cleaning Out

Recently, I've seen a different way to get rid of all of unwanted clutter. I've seen unwanted things left on the street or right beside dumpsters. All of it free for the taking. Bbques, vacuums...you name it. So next time you've outgrown something that still works, put it out for someone else to enjoy.

Public Transport

Love it? Not quite. Accept it? Yes; finally!!!!

I am talking about the Greyhound Bus. It has only been in the past eight months that I started taking Greyhound regularly. I resisted at first, but have succumbed to my husband's desire to travel Greyhound.

I've taken the Greyhound at different times in my life to various places out of necessity. In these past months, it has been only between Kamloops and Vancouver.

My husband asked me today if I liked it. No, but I've come to accept it. I know that my husband is most concerned about the environmental impact of driving a car...Now there is the cost of gas to consider. I like to drive my car. I worked hard to buy my own car. I enjoy the privacy and freedom it gives me. I like the fact that I can travel at my leisure and stop at the Blue Moose in Hope for as long as I like.

However, I generally don't sleep well, and I don't like facing the responsibility of a long drive. The bus gives me the chance to sit back and relax without this added responsibility. Really once I get to Vancouver, everything I need is within walking distance. I don't have to worry about the space or the cost of parking. If I visit my friend, she is happy to drive us anywhere we need to go. When I go to Kamloops, my home is only a hop, skip and a jump away from the bus depot. So ultimately, my need for my own vehicle in Vancouver is very limited.

I've gotten to a point where I'm actually considering using public transport for my summer vacation. I know there is the environmental concerns; for me, it is more about my sanity.

The Dryer

Recently,we've had problems with our dryer and have had to hang everything. For me personally, this is extremely inconvenient. Nothing like throwing everything into a machine and an hour later it comes out warm, fluffy and ready to go. Hanging takes time about 10-15 mins/load. It then takes time for the clothes to dry. Worst of all, I have to be organized.

The rub...using a dryer is not good for our environment. It takes a lot of energy and emits a lot of garbage.

So while my clothes don't come out warm and soft, I will continue to hang everything to do a good deed for the air around us.

MacClean's List of Dangerous Cities in Canada

This past week MacClean's published a list of the most dangerous cities in Canada. Lo and Behold Kamloops was twelfth on its list.

Considering the air quality this morning (Monday March 17, 2008 - 9:00am) and all of the stuff that is being emitted into the air over on the Weyerhauser side of the river, it is surprising that we are not first on the list (dangers do come in all shapes, sizes, forms and smells).

So come on Weyerhauser - clean it up!!!!!

Recycling Story

Last week, CBC interviewed a Kamloops woman (I don't remember her name), who had been collecting recyclables for the collection program.

So you might say???? Well she has been collecting them for two years!!!! Two years worth of recyclables in bags in the back yard!!!!!!

More than that, when she and her family were out for a walk, they would pick up recyclables on the road.

So whoever you are?!!!! Bravo!!!!!!!!!

By the way, I do hope the City will grant you some leniency in the first couple of pick ups as you deserve to be free of all that...

Walmart

Kudos to Walmart for working towards a more environmentally-friendly future!!!

Now I know many don't like Walmart for a variety of reasons but here are two that might make it just a bit more palatable....

They are carrying more environmentally products.
They are putting solar panels into many of their new buildings in the States.

Let's see if they can continue with this...

Food

Anyone who knows me knows that food is a very important part of my life. Recently CBC had a story on urban food and gardens (I didn't catch all of the story, but believe that this is the gist of it). Basically, cities should work to deliberately produce food...mainly what they can in a garden. The food would then be made available to a wider group of people in the city. This would cut down on the transportation of food; thus, the output of fossil fuels. Also, gardeners could grow food that is free of chemicals and hormones. Besides that, greenery is good for our minds, bodies and souls. Creating a neighbourhood garden or a rooftop garden is certainly one way to accomplish this given that there seems to be less and less urban space. Given the rising costs of just about everything, creating an urban garden this spring and summer actually makes a lot of sense.

Containers

I was recently in Paris, France and enjoyed myself immensely. One of my favourite things to do in a foreign country is to visit grocery stores. I went to several different Mono Prixs around the city. I was struck by how different they were from one another. Anyways I found a snack that was not just pure yum but also more environmentally friendly than what we have here in North America - chocolate pudding. This pudding is made with real chocolate, even the cheap brands are made with real chocolate...better than that, the pudding comes in glass jars. Here in North America, puddings come in plastic cups. Now I know these cups are recyclable, but here in Kamloops, there is no where (not yet anyways) to recycle plastic food containers that yogurt or pudding comes in. Glass jars make the puddings look richer, more luxurious and taste better. So to all the pudding/yogurt manufacturers in North America, learn from your European counterparts to make a better product that will be friendlier to our environment.

Finally!!!!

Congratulations Kamloops on finally getting a recycling program. March 17, 2008....It is about time!!!!!

Kudos

I was pleased to find out yesterday that both Purdy's and the Body Shop now have biodegradable plastic bags to put purchases in. While the ideal situation would be to eliminate plastics altogether, I would say that this is the next best solution. Kudos to both of these shops for working towards a better environment!!!!

Conundrum

I find it very interesting that Kamloops City Council has decided to ban backyard burning. I understand the reasoning behind this. What I don't understand is given their reasons, how can they let Weyerhauser continue with all its emissions? Scarier than the emissions we see, smell and breath are the emissions that we don't see, smell or breath.

Appalled

I was at Save On Foods recently on a Sunday evening and was quite disgusted. This store that collects and gives money for recyclable containers throws away their own flyers. They through away in the garbage their newspaper advertisements. So what if you can't get money for it, it is garbage? This is just sheer laziness not to mentioned just appalling in this day and age.

Old Magazines

Someone asked about where to take old magazines...so here are a couple of ideas other than putting them in mixed paper recycling bin at the City.

Take them to the hospital for the patients who are bed-ridden.
Take them to your local gym...I know that those sitting on the bikes like to read them.

Hope this helps.

Long Time No Write

I'm back and hope that here in 2008 I will be more diligent about writing. Hope everyone keeps reading.