The scene from The Matrix
Although it is true that people are for the most part hurting the planet, there are many people everywhere who are helping the environment more than they hurt it. In Toronto there are many initiatives being taken to reduce the amount of harm we do to the environment. The long term effects of these initiatives can greatly help in keeping our planet from rotting away and becoming a dirty, garbage filled wasteland. A very pressing problem Toronto has attempted to take on is the people's awareness of the issues we face. Toronto has instituted an event that they call 'Community Environment Days'. During this event people all over Toronto can dispose of unused and unwanted household items to different places all over Toronto where they will either safely dispose of it or give it to others in need so that these items may be reused. Items brought may range from old ski equipment and clothing to old batteries and electronics that no longer have any use. There is more information about 'Community Environment Days' here:
City of Toronto Website
Danforth Greens Website
Perhaps the most famous action that both Toronto as well as the rest of Canada has taken in hopes of reducing the damage done to the Earth is the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto protocol is
an international agreement that the United Nations decided upon which targets numerous countries promising for them to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions significantly. More information can be found about the Kyoto Protocol on the website found here:
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Website
In hopes of following through with the Kyoto Protocol Toronto has been planning the 'Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan'. This plan works to reduce emissions caused by Toronto's internal operations such as factories. Regardless of the greenhouse gases reduced in internal operations, the program also plans to help reduce emissions caused by the people of Toronto as a whole. The government of Toronto has many plans to reduce emissions for and with the people from promoting local food production to increasing Toronto's tree canopy. There is more information about 'Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan' here:
Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan
In conclusion, people all over the world at some point or another take the planet's resources for granted. Toronto however has many issues which resulted in helping the progression of global warming. However it is important to note that we have recognized our faults and are working together toward a cleaner future together.
I commented on Derek's Blog The Boreal Forest, and Everything Good
I also commented on Denise Gabuya's Blog The Futile Efforts of Conservation by the Human Race
Hey Marlon.
ReplyDeleteAnd good job Toronto! Yearly, I'm not exactly sure if it's related to the Community Environment Days event, but my family goes to the parking lot of Mary Ward to dispose of household items as well. However I am also not sure what they do with all the received "garbage". You mentioned that they would give away some items for reuse, and although I didn't think that our rice cooker was ready to be thrown out, I didn't think that they'd have the diligence to find and give it to someone who really needs it. My hopes are that most of the items do get recycled properly.
Canada's involvement in the Kyoto Protocol is certainly something that hopefully becomes an effective project to help reduce global climate change. If I'm not mistaken, the United States refused to participate in this protocol because they thought the restrictions it would have on their industries were unreasonable. Well, hopefully our souhern neighbours change their minds!
The rapidly growing city of Toronto undoubtedly has its own ecological footprint but I believe that we have and will be contributing to more green projects in the future.
Derek Li
Mr. Wong
SBI 3U1 - 02
TA: Ms. Ireland