Today while at my job (produce clerk at FreshCo.) I noticed how many other employees like myself fail to dispose of their garbage accordingly, and frankly i was stunned at the level of disregard to the proper disposal of garbage/recyclables/food. There are 3 different compactors, one for each of those 3 types of waste, yet most other employees I noticed just threw everything in the garbage compactor, even recyclable cardboard boxes with food still in it! So starting today and during my next shifts I plan on making sure i take every chance i get to tell people to dispose of their waste in the proper compactor.
-Michael S.
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Smelly Wildlife ( Alison Wakefield )
A few mornings ago this smelly critter decided to walk into my back yard. It wasn't hard to identify it because everyone knows the smell of skunk, and that when you see a black and white fluffy creature you should not approach because it will spray you.
Skunks are burrowing animals and also omnivorous; they feed on grubs, insects, small rodents, carrion, fruits and vegetables. They breed from February to March; gestation is eight weeks – they produce four to seven young which are usually independent by mid-summer. Skunks are active all year but may be dormant during periods of extended cold. They are attracted to spaces under porches, decks, sheds, woodpiles, rocks or debris, garbage, pet food and open composts. One thing that most people don't realize, when they come in contact with a skunk is that when they put their tail up they aren't spraying. Skunks have to hop on their front feet a few times before they spray so if you see them hop you need to run at least 15 feet away to avoid getting sprayed.
Skunks are burrowing animals and also omnivorous; they feed on grubs, insects, small rodents, carrion, fruits and vegetables. They breed from February to March; gestation is eight weeks – they produce four to seven young which are usually independent by mid-summer. Skunks are active all year but may be dormant during periods of extended cold. They are attracted to spaces under porches, decks, sheds, woodpiles, rocks or debris, garbage, pet food and open composts. One thing that most people don't realize, when they come in contact with a skunk is that when they put their tail up they aren't spraying. Skunks have to hop on their front feet a few times before they spray so if you see them hop you need to run at least 15 feet away to avoid getting sprayed.
Saturday, 29 September 2012
Wind Turbines: Not in Toronto Please (Nicholas Montgomery)
I'm all for new clean energy sources to reduce our carbon footprint, but we have to look at the economics and the price we pay to reduce our carbon footprint. In Toronto we have one very prominently placed windmill near the CNE and Lake Ontario. Placed as no more than a political statement on how Toronto is tackling climate change, I do not see a use for this turbine. I have a huge problem with this wind turbine and think it should be abandoned. Let's look at the numbers and see why. It generated $58,439 in revenue in 2010, but how much does it cost to have it running year after year?
- $1.8 Million initial cost in December 2002
- $18 291 of maintenance costs in 2010 (This is ignoring interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization)
The rare metal "Neodymium" might not be in your vocabulary, but it is used to construct super strong magnets used to make everything from windmills to making the Toyota Prius more efficient. China produces 95-97% of the world's rare metals. Other rare earth metals used in wind turbines include praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium. China has even limited exports of certain rare metals to preserve the environment and conserve such limited metals.
You could call the rare mineral extraction wind's "dirty secret", something we don't see the affect of thousands of kilometres away. The Global Wind Energy Council predicts to generate 250 GW (Canada uses 460.1 GW a year) from wind energy we will need 167,000 tonnes of rare metals. However, China only produced 150,000 tonnes of rare earth metals in 2009. What do I propose instead? I don't really know, but we really need to consider all factors when choosing so called "clean" energy sources.
[Image via jp1958]
A Model For The Quality Of Life As A Function Of Electrical Energy Consumption (Nicholas Montgomery)
By: Nicholas Montgomery
As I brought up in a recent class, the availability and price of energy is very highly correlated with the quality of life. While it may seem obvious, some scholars have actually taken the effort of going to create a mathematical model of determining how much one unit of energy will impact the quality of life.
In the statistical field, there are 3 indicators that are widely accepted as the standard (along with others) for determining the physical quality of life.
- average life expectancy (LE) at age 1 year
- infant mortality (IM)
- literacy rates (LR).
The research paper presents an empirical equation showing the relation between the physical quality of life and the per capita electrical energy consumption in kilowatt hours.
View the entire study here: http://www.geni.org/globalenergy/issues/global/qualityoflife/QualityOfLifeVsEnergyConsumption.shtml
As I brought up in a recent class, the availability and price of energy is very highly correlated with the quality of life. While it may seem obvious, some scholars have actually taken the effort of going to create a mathematical model of determining how much one unit of energy will impact the quality of life.
In the statistical field, there are 3 indicators that are widely accepted as the standard (along with others) for determining the physical quality of life.
- average life expectancy (LE) at age 1 year
- infant mortality (IM)
- literacy rates (LR).
The research paper presents an empirical equation showing the relation between the physical quality of life and the per capita electrical energy consumption in kilowatt hours.
View the entire study here: http://www.geni.org/globalenergy/issues/global/qualityoflife/QualityOfLifeVsEnergyConsumption.shtml
Sunday, 23 September 2012
Nuclear Reactors and Frackin' Shale Gas -- Philippe Lavoie
http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/quebec/359729/pauline-marois-commence-en-lion
http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/Quebec/2012/09/20/002-martine-ouellet-moratoire-complet-gaz-de-schiste.shtml
-----------------------
Here are the links to the articles I had read last week. I thought they were fairly interesting and showed a more 'political side' to the class' subject matter.
-----------------------
The first thing I should do is give some background to this all, other-wise it may not make any sense! First off, Quebec gets the bulk of it's power from hydro.
After all; "Quebec has one of the world's largest reserves of freshwater, occupying 12% of its surface. It has 3% of the world's renewable fresh water, whereas it has only 0.1% of its population. More than half a million lakes, including 30 with an area greater than 250 km², and 4,500 rivers pour their torrents into the Atlantic Ocean, through the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Arctic Ocean, byJames, Hudson and Ungava bays." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec#Hydrography)
That said, the province still has gas, thermo and nuclear sources. None of which are as clean and job efficient as Hydro.
Now, on September 4th, Quebeckers gave the boot to the long standing liberal premier, Jean Charest (Let's hope Ontario does the same to Mc Guinty in the next election.) and they elected their first PQ government since 2003 and the first female premier the province has ever had (Yay!). The incoming government is a much more progressive, heritage aware and forward thinking government. The two article talk about,
A: The announcement to terminate the Gentilly-2 reactor and invest 200 million in the affected regions to compensate, and
B: That the incoming government will be imposing an indefinite moratorium on Shale Gas exploration, extraction and on shale gas exports until the government can be satisfied that a cleaner and safe way of extraction has been invented, something the new PoQ Minister of Nat. Resources doubts will ever happen.
-----------------------
Enjoy the reads attached, and I also going to link a graphic explaining where Hydro Quebec gets its power.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/Quebec/2012/09/20/002-martine-ouellet-moratoire-complet-gaz-de-schiste.shtml
-----------------------
Here are the links to the articles I had read last week. I thought they were fairly interesting and showed a more 'political side' to the class' subject matter.
-----------------------
The first thing I should do is give some background to this all, other-wise it may not make any sense! First off, Quebec gets the bulk of it's power from hydro.
After all; "Quebec has one of the world's largest reserves of freshwater, occupying 12% of its surface. It has 3% of the world's renewable fresh water, whereas it has only 0.1% of its population. More than half a million lakes, including 30 with an area greater than 250 km², and 4,500 rivers pour their torrents into the Atlantic Ocean, through the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Arctic Ocean, byJames, Hudson and Ungava bays." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec#Hydrography)
That said, the province still has gas, thermo and nuclear sources. None of which are as clean and job efficient as Hydro.
Now, on September 4th, Quebeckers gave the boot to the long standing liberal premier, Jean Charest (Let's hope Ontario does the same to Mc Guinty in the next election.) and they elected their first PQ government since 2003 and the first female premier the province has ever had (Yay!). The incoming government is a much more progressive, heritage aware and forward thinking government. The two article talk about,
A: The announcement to terminate the Gentilly-2 reactor and invest 200 million in the affected regions to compensate, and
B: That the incoming government will be imposing an indefinite moratorium on Shale Gas exploration, extraction and on shale gas exports until the government can be satisfied that a cleaner and safe way of extraction has been invented, something the new PoQ Minister of Nat. Resources doubts will ever happen.
-----------------------
Enjoy the reads attached, and I also going to link a graphic explaining where Hydro Quebec gets its power.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Pauline Marois commence en lion
Pauline Marois (premier of PoQ) starts out fiercely.
The Premier of Quebec announces the closing of Gentilly-2 as well as the abolition of the health tax and the hike in student tuition.
Robert Dutrisac, 21 septembre 2012, Québec
This is a cannon start for the government of Pauline Marois which held it’s first meeting of the council of ministers on thursday.
...
Another decision taken by the council of ministers, and certainly not the least: the nuclear reactor Gentilly-2 will be shut down definitively. An economic divestment fund of $200 million will be created for the two affected regions as a result of the reactor’s termination, Centre-du-Québec and la Mauricie.
«I have the intention of acting quickly to offer the best possible results for Quebeckers. It starts now, on day 1 of our mandate», affirmed Pauline Marois during her first press conference as the first female premier of Quebec.
...
As for the closing of Gentilly-2, Pauline Marois asked the Minister of Nat. Resources, Martine Ouellet, and Hydro Québec to produce a report on the implications and conditions surrounding the termination of the reactors. «I want this act to become a symbol of Quebec’s promise to the environment and to the well-being of future generations , as well as a promise to the rigorous management of our finances» said Marois. Nature Québec and the David Suzuki Foundation welcomed the government’s decision.
Robert Dutrisac, 21 septembre 2012, Québec
This is a cannon start for the government of Pauline Marois which held it’s first meeting of the council of ministers on thursday.
...
Another decision taken by the council of ministers, and certainly not the least: the nuclear reactor Gentilly-2 will be shut down definitively. An economic divestment fund of $200 million will be created for the two affected regions as a result of the reactor’s termination, Centre-du-Québec and la Mauricie.
«I have the intention of acting quickly to offer the best possible results for Quebeckers. It starts now, on day 1 of our mandate», affirmed Pauline Marois during her first press conference as the first female premier of Quebec.
...
As for the closing of Gentilly-2, Pauline Marois asked the Minister of Nat. Resources, Martine Ouellet, and Hydro Québec to produce a report on the implications and conditions surrounding the termination of the reactors. «I want this act to become a symbol of Quebec’s promise to the environment and to the well-being of future generations , as well as a promise to the rigorous management of our finances» said Marois. Nature Québec and the David Suzuki Foundation welcomed the government’s decision.
...
_________________________________________________________________________________
Le PQ ferme définitivement la porte à l'industrie du gaz de schiste
The PQ indefinitely shuts the door to the shale gas industry.
The PQ indefinitely shuts the door to the shale gas industry.
Mise à jour le jeudi 20 septembre 2012 à 18 h 27
Less than 24 hours after her swearing in, the new Minister of Natural Resources, Martine Ouellet, has confirmed on thursday morning that Pauline Marois’ government would be imposing a full moratorium on the exploration and exporting of shale gas in the PoQ.
The Parti Quebecois’ platform had already made allusion to a moratorium of this extent, they had previously specified that the regulations around this industry would be revised and that the operations of his industry would not be able to continue until safe regulations existed.
Thursday morning, Martine Ouellet was more precise. She rejected all possibilities of opening the door to shale gas exploration. The minister stated she did not see a day when the (fracking) technology would be secure enough to explore and extract gas safely.
«Our position is very clear when it comes to shale gas: a full moratorium for both exploring and exporting.» -Minister of Nat.Resources Martine Ouellet.
AQLPA says: Good news
The president of the AQLPA, (Quebec Association Against Atmospheric Pollution) André Bélisle applauds the incoming governments decision. «Its a clear, brave, firm, and solid decision, and, we welcome it because it is an image which reflects reality. She has decided this after many trips to Pennsylvania where, she saw horrible things.» Said Bélisle.
The mandate of the committee created by the (former) liberal government to do a strategic and environmental study on shale gas exploration will be widened and transferred to the BAPE (The Office for Public Hearings on the Environment).
In the opinion of André Bélisle, this is a good idea. «It’s what we’ve been asking for. We need a consistent BAPE (Office for Public Hearings on the Environment) to answer the question: “Does there exist an alternative way and what are our realistic needs when it comes to methane or natural gas?”
New Environment Minister
The Parti Quebecois’ platform had already made allusion to a moratorium of this extent, they had previously specified that the regulations around this industry would be revised and that the operations of his industry would not be able to continue until safe regulations existed.
Thursday morning, Martine Ouellet was more precise. She rejected all possibilities of opening the door to shale gas exploration. The minister stated she did not see a day when the (fracking) technology would be secure enough to explore and extract gas safely.
«Our position is very clear when it comes to shale gas: a full moratorium for both exploring and exporting.» -Minister of Nat.Resources Martine Ouellet.
AQLPA says: Good news
The president of the AQLPA, (Quebec Association Against Atmospheric Pollution) André Bélisle applauds the incoming governments decision. «Its a clear, brave, firm, and solid decision, and, we welcome it because it is an image which reflects reality. She has decided this after many trips to Pennsylvania where, she saw horrible things.» Said Bélisle.
The mandate of the committee created by the (former) liberal government to do a strategic and environmental study on shale gas exploration will be widened and transferred to the BAPE (The Office for Public Hearings on the Environment).
In the opinion of André Bélisle, this is a good idea. «It’s what we’ve been asking for. We need a consistent BAPE (Office for Public Hearings on the Environment) to answer the question: “Does there exist an alternative way and what are our realistic needs when it comes to methane or natural gas?”
New Environment Minister
Elsewhere, the AQLPA (Quebec Association Against Atmospheric Pollution) is also applauding the nomination of Daniel Breton for position of Environment Minister for the PoQ. M. Breton is a know environmentalist who is recognized for his work with «Quebec vert Kyoto» (Quebec towards -a homonym to green or ‘eco’- Kyoto) and «Maîtres chez nous 21e sciècle» (A movement which pushed the PoQ gov. to recognize Quebeckers as the owners of the provinces’ natural resources).
André Bélisle notes that it will be the 38th Environment Minister he and his organisation will have dealt with and that its the 1st time that minister is an ecologist. «If that is worrisome, it’s a good thing, because for too long we’ve been asleep or playing games when it comes to the environment.»
Juxen execs. are worried.
André Bélisle notes that it will be the 38th Environment Minister he and his organisation will have dealt with and that its the 1st time that minister is an ecologist. «If that is worrisome, it’s a good thing, because for too long we’ve been asleep or playing games when it comes to the environment.»
Juxen execs. are worried.
The chief of Junnex, a company which handles the exploration of gas and petrol products, the government is running on false pretenses.
«A small company like Junex, just on our land, is able to recuperate 3,7 trillion cubic feet of gas. This is a significant amount which represents roughly 40 years of production for Quebeckers. We can’t just shut down and set our needs aside. Why are we scared? We built Hydro Québec. We were scared of dams, not anymore.» Affirms Jean-Yves Lavoie.
Jean-Yves believes the government should set up test projects on public land to determine that shale exploration is in-fact safe.
«A small company like Junex, just on our land, is able to recuperate 3,7 trillion cubic feet of gas. This is a significant amount which represents roughly 40 years of production for Quebeckers. We can’t just shut down and set our needs aside. Why are we scared? We built Hydro Québec. We were scared of dams, not anymore.» Affirms Jean-Yves Lavoie.
Jean-Yves believes the government should set up test projects on public land to determine that shale exploration is in-fact safe.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
END
Monday, 17 September 2012
ECO JOURNAL---->Julian
Saturday, 15 September 2012
Eco Journal (Nicholas M)
As prime mushroom season is beginning, I decided to head to High Park and identify some fungi.
As mushroom can be quite difficult to identify, I stuck to fungi for this trip.
I had narrowed the fungi above down to Dacrymyces palmatus (Jelly fungus) or Tremella mesenterica (Witch's butter).
The sporecap on Tremella mesenterica has more convoluted folds with blunt margins. Even still, these two are very, very similar in appearance so the best way to tell is to look at the habit they're growing in.
This was found on hardwood, not decorticated conifer wood, so therefore it is Tremella mesenterica.
Both of these are edible, however are noted as having very little taste. If anyone is feeling hungry let me know and I can bring it into class.
As mushroom can be quite difficult to identify, I stuck to fungi for this trip.
I had narrowed the fungi above down to Dacrymyces palmatus (Jelly fungus) or Tremella mesenterica (Witch's butter).
The sporecap on Tremella mesenterica has more convoluted folds with blunt margins. Even still, these two are very, very similar in appearance so the best way to tell is to look at the habit they're growing in.
This was found on hardwood, not decorticated conifer wood, so therefore it is Tremella mesenterica.
Both of these are edible, however are noted as having very little taste. If anyone is feeling hungry let me know and I can bring it into class.
Thursday, 13 September 2012
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Birds, birds, birds...
Many birds are difficult to identify. Watch the following videos (Birding Basics, Colour Pattern, Behaviour, Size and Shape, and Habitat) to brush-up on bird identification. You can also use the sounds of birds to identify them. Check the Bird Guide to look-up calls of specific species of birds. This information is on the following site---http//www.allaboutbirds.org. Record your observations of birds and links to the Bird Guide on the blog.
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
First Day of School--Sept 4/2012
Welcome,
If you miss the first day of school, please fill-in a student information sheet.
Thanks,
Beth
If you miss the first day of school, please fill-in a student information sheet.
Thanks,
Beth
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