19] J Business Opportunities - Cont'd from page 14 Here are three crucial issues, the current reality and the solutions proposed by the GPO: Energy: Currently, some 26 per cent of Ontar- io's electricity is generated by buming fossil fuels, such as coal and gas, which emit carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. The GPO maintains that by allowing the price of electricity to reflect its’ true costs, Ontario could meet its energy needs without nuclear, coal, oil or gas generation. Instead, we can achieve a sustainable energy future through amix of renewables including wind, low-impact hydro, bio- mass, biogas and solar combined with aggressive con- servation programs and demand management. Housing: Housing in Ontario is built for and marketed to first-time buyers. In the absence of true- cost energy pricing, Ontario needs a beefed-up build- ing code that recognizes and respects the needs and de- sires of future owners by ensuring that buildings are well-built, efficient, and have low operating costs. On- tario could look to Germany as an example. All new homes built in Germany as of January 1st 2009 will be required to install renewable energy heating systems such as solar panels, wood pellet stoves and boilers and heat pumps. Transportation: The Ontario government's transportation planners have paid little heed to the threat of climate change and the inevitable decline in oil production as the resource is depleted. Even with the knowledge that cars contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, and even with studies show- ing that children growing up within half a kilometre of expressways suffer permanent lung damage, Ontario continues to build 400-series highways and other car- dependent new construction. The GPO advocates walk- able communities linked by efficient transit. Saturday Januai Soup, Italian Breads, Pasta and Dessert ‘excl tax and gra: people. By reservati your table. Winter Escapes + your senses take you to let @ warmer pla lace for a few hours. ry 19% “Bella Notte” Italian Night n ay. 613 476 0004 for informatio Life in the Past - Continued from page 18 - Submitted by Vicki Emlaw