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AY 4 \ a Seis Clan = Tiiesday, Janiary 1994 --19 4 Green Ideas' looks at our environment by Janet Banting Had a good look outside your kitchen window lately? Chances are you didn't notice any obvious signs that Planet Earth is under severe stress, , The sky is still blue and things in general look pretty much as they always have. This apparent mask of normality makes it hard to believe the situation can be as bad as some folks are telling us, doesn't it? Yet serious and credible predictions of largescale global environmental disaster have been slowly mounting up. In November, 1992, a group known as the Union of Concerned Scientists issued a "Warning to Humanity," which said in part: "Human beings and the natural world are on a collision course. Human activities inflict harsh and often irreversible damage on the environment and on critical resources. If not checked, many of our current practices put at serious risk the future that we wish for human society and the plant and animal kingdoms, and may so alter the living world that it will be unable to sustain life in the manner that we know. Fundamental changes are urgent if we are to avoid the collision bur present course will bring about." The warning sent'to political leaders of all countries, went on to say that "no more than one or a few decades remain before the chance to avert the threats we now confront will be lost and the prospects for humanity immeasurably diminished. A great change in' our stewardship of the earth and the life on it is required, if vast human misery is to be avoided and our global home on the planet is not to be irretrievably mutilated." At the time the warning was mailed out, it had been signed by over 1600 scientists, including 102 Nobel laureates. Then in December, 1992, Mostafa Tolba, out-going UN Environment Program Director, commented upon the release of the latest Environmental Program report that the "planet is under siege." According to the report, the overall state of global environment has deteriorated and the pace of destruction has speeded up. Environment and development have been on everybody's lips, but we find there is no hard scientific evidence for real improvement." Most worrying of all; the report concluded "it is no exaggeration to say that the ability of the * biosphere to continue to support human life is now in question." Sobering words indeed...yet although the people who have been trying to convey these warnings to us are credible, with plenty eof knowledge and evidence to back them up, the any v signs are distressingly few that the average citizen has even begun to tune in to their urgent message. True, more and more people have become involved in the environmental movement. Nonetheless, it is painfully clear that notianywhere near enough Lotteries rake in Ontario residents spent record amounts on lotteries of all kinds in 1993, according to the Ontario Lottery Corporation. In a year when unemployment hit 12 per cent and food banks struggled to keep up with demand, Ontario plunked $1.665 billion down on lottery tickets of all kinds, an increase of $259 . million over 1992. That resulted in prize money payouts of $808 million and profit for the provincial coffers of $538 million, up just over $106 million from the previous year. The sales increase was the second largest in the 18 year history of the Lottery Corporation and over those 18 years, lotteries have generated better than $5 billion profit for Kumi Uehara, Rotary exchange student who returned home to Japan last August after a year's visit, sent season greetings to the Citizen. Kumi says she's back. at high school again and will graduate in the Spring. Then she hopes to come to Canada with students, acting as an Interpreter. During Kumi's stay In Port Perry she stayed with seyeral Rotary Club families and had "the time of my life" she said. ' hospitals big $55 the government. Are we gambling more in : ii: Not really, says Lottery , chairman of the board Dr. Fredérick Griffiths. "The increase reflects new games, successful game redesigns, new customer service initiatives, hanced distribution to retailers and operating efficiencies." To keep up with all the changes the Lottery Corp. increased the number of terminals from 6,000 to 8,000 last year and once 3 the ; will be the third largest in North efforts are largescale disaster is to be avoided. Where and how does this new column fit in? Well--a new strategy seems to be called for. It's obvious by now that merely informing people of the bad news has not been a powerful enough incentive to lead to the changes that are needed. | Perhaps it might be possible instead to motivate people into, action by spreading the word about the good news that is now available. Hundreds of excellent projects are underway which give us hope that indeed we can change our ways and do a better job preserving the earth. The problem is the average person has not heard of even a small fraction of these. Do you know that a program on - Parliament Hill called "Greening _the Hill" has achieved savings of $700,000 and is expected over the next five years to save an additional $2.7 million? In Uxbridge, an innovative project is underway to help residents there take part in the Global Action Plan for the earth now running in some ten other countries. In Central and South Hastings County, close to 70 per underway if: cent of many residents' household waste is being diverted from landfill, thanks to a fantastic reduction, reuse and recycling program. Though you most likely had not heard of these small bits of good news, this puts you in pretty good company--most of 'your friends and neighbours probably 'have not heard either. Yet these are just three small examples of scads of worthwhile projects taking place which can help to empower us into becoming involved ourselves. The actions of others can be a real inspirational force--a force we can and must harness if we truly care about the world our. children and grandchildren stand to inherit, Upcoming columns will focus . on the many examples of terrific projects which will hopefully inspire even more. If you want to spread the word about your own project, or receive a copy of the warming pamphlet, call 985- 3225 or write care of this newspaper. (Janet Banting is a resident of Scugog Township. A member of several environmental groups, her 'column "Green Ideas" will appear in the Citizen.) The Corporation of the Township of Scugog* 'NOTICE' SIDEWALK SNOW CLEARING Please be advised that the Township will NOT be responsible for any damages caused by municipal sidewalk snow clearing equipment fo objects such as wood, concrete or brick driveway edgings, hedges or shrubs, fences, and flower beds placed by . residents on the public road allowance near or adjacent to the sidewalk. Repairs to damaged sad will be undertaken by the America and the most ad gaming system in the world. Half the adult population regularly buy lottery tickets. For every $1 spent, 34 cents is profit used for the operation of and to support Shoukd you require addtional inormaton, Please call us. Your conti P app! The Cofporation of the Township of Scugog (905) 985-7346 volun! social service ag environmental projects, culture, sport and recreation opportunities. Nz . Ontario is the first province to generate $5 billion in total profits and one of just » few . jurisdictions world wide to reach this lofty height. Acting for kids Is your child interested in acting. Does he or she possess a creative mind with a vivid imagination? If so, perhaps they would have fun in the latest series of acting workshops for young people being offered by John H. Foote? Beginning Tuesday, January 11 through to February 16th (each Tuesday) the six class sion will place emphasis on creating from a interacting with ethers and the basis of acting. Cost for the session of six classes in $60 complete. All: classes start at 7:00 PM arid end" at 9:00 PM sharp in the Masonic Hall on Queen Street, Port Perry. If interested, you must call 985-0611 to register ript, - wi thereof, if any, are a lien upon the vehicle which may be provided pics Act, 1989 (Bi 152). a2 may be amended from tine vo RU you rogue additonal ivornatin, please Gal, : appreciated. The Corporation of the Township of Scugog 'NOTICE' On-street Parking 'and Winter Snow Clearing To assist the Township of Scugog in keeping the streets clear SR Snow, na gui: ib reQiasied 13 5 opAralS by NOT paring in a manner that will interfs operations. hal wil flrs th suicipa) Sn les By- Law 32-88, that states, in par, the following : SECTION 9.1 (I) Ne rr sac ry wy pk sy ei bor mor hn three (3) hours unless otherwise indicated by official signs. SECTION 8.1 (¢) No person shall on any highway sto any vehicle in any manner as to interfere with the movement of traffic or the clearing of snow from the highways. SECTION 298 A Provincial Offenses Officer appointed for carrying out of the oviions of his baw; yon deciavery of sv vericle parked, stopped or in contravention of this by-law may cause it to be moved or taken to and placed or stored in a suitable place and all costs and charges for removing, care and storage enforced in the manner by The Repair and Storage Your continued co-operation is The Corporation of the Township of Scugog (905) 985-7346