Joe Pantalone's Green Toronto

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Don’t Nuke Green Energy: Stop Darlington | Greenpeace Canada

Don’t Nuke Green Energy: Stop Darlington | Greenpeace Canada

The Ontario government is planning to spend $36 billion repairing reactors and building risky new reactors at the Darlington site east of Toronto, in part to replace the aging reactors at the Pickering station, which will close by 2020. This plan will divert billions of dollars that should be invested in cheaper and cleaner green energy sources and will drive up electricity prices.

A new report by Greenpeace and the Pembina Institute shows that replacing the Pickering reactors with green energy would be cheaper and would protect Ontarians from the high-cost and risks of new reactors.

Please tell Ontario’s Energy Minister Brad Duguid not to nuke green energy! Tell him you want affordable green energy instead of expensive and risky new reactors.

Click Here to send your letter to Energy Min. Duguid

"The nuke industry still can't guarantee the safety of our ground water. Green energy anybody?"

Northern communities being courted as the site for a radioactive waste dump should be wary of the safety claims being made by the waste management agency controlled by the nuclear industry, says a new analysis of the scientific studies on underground waste disposal commissioned by Greenpeace.

Canada’s Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) began looking in May for a community willing to have the nuclear industry’s harmful and dangerous waste buried in its area. The NWMO is offering large economic benefits to any community willing to take large quantities of the nuclear industry's radioactive waste. The agency has claimed such a proposal would be safe for the environment and community.

The End of the Line Trailer

 

Olivia Chow presents THE END OF THE LINE tonight at the Bloor Cinema.
Imagine an ocean without fish. Imagine the global consequences. Join MP Olivia Chow on Wednesday, September 15 at 6:30 for THE END OF THE LINE, a powerful film about one of the world's most disturbing problems – overfishing. Stick around after the film for a discussion with Greenpeace Executive Director Bruce Cox. For more information visit http://oliviachow.ca/endoftheline. FREE!

Canada’s Shorelines need your help!

Join WWF this week across Canada, from September 18 to 26, for the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, presented by Loblaw Companies Limited. Help your neighborhood river, stream, lake or ocean remain clean and healthy for another year by cleaning up shoreline litter. This amazing conservation effort is a great way to reconnect with nature and it’s a fun and easy activity for people of all ages. By putting aside a couple hours to volunteer, you can help keep our shorelines healthy for many generations to come! On September 18, come out to Woodbine Beach in Toronto to the WWF-hosted cleanup event. Or check out the online map for a complete list of cleanup sites near you! Gather your coworkers, family and friends and spend time being a part of the solution. Picking up litter has never been so rewarding!

50 things we can do to stop Global Warming.

1. Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb (cfl)

CFLs use 60% less energy than a regular bulb. This simple switch will save about 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. We recommend you purchase your CFL bulbs at 1000bulbs.com, they have great deals on both screw-in and plug-in light bulbs.

2. Install a programmable thermostat

Programmable thermostats will automatically lower the heat or air conditioning at night and raise them again in the morning. They can save you $100 a year on your energy bill.

3. Move your thermostat down 2° in winter and up 2° in summer

Almost half of the energy we use in our homes goes to heating and cooling. You could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple adjustment.

4. Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner.
Cleaning a dirty air filter can save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.

5. Choose energy efficient appliances when making new purchases

Look for the Energy Star label on new appliances to choose the most energy efficient products available.

The Human Effect On Climate Change And Global Disasters

Climate change is a change in the statistical distribution of weather over periods of time that range from decades to millions of years. It can be a change in the average weather or a change in the distribution of weather events around an average (for example, greater or fewer extreme weather events). Climate change may be limited to a specific region, or may occur across the whole Earth.

In recent usage, especially in the context of environmental policy, climate change usually refers to changes in modern climate. It may be qualified as anthropogenic climate change, more generally known as "global warming".

Anthropogenic factors are human activities that change the environment. In some cases the chain of causality of human influence on the climate is direct and unambiguous (for example, the effects of irrigation on local humidity), while in other instances it is less clear. Various hypotheses for human-induced climate change have been argued for many years. Presently the scientific consensus on climate change is that human activity is very likely the cause for the rapid increase in global average temperatures over the past several decades. Consequently, the debate has largely shifted onto ways to reduce further human impact and to find ways to adapt to change that has already occurred.

Toronto Greens At Cabbagetown Festival Parade

 

Toronto Centre candidate Ellen Michelson thanks supporters at the Cabbagetown Festival parade on Saturday September 11, 2010.

Warchild Canada

This past saturday I stopped by the War Child Canada booth and signed their card (pictured) and I also signed up for their newsletter. I encourage you to do the same.

For more information about their international work and events  planned in Toronto, take a peek at the website www.warchild.ca 

The next big event is taking place next week on Tuesday, September 21st. The event, Busking for Change, is in its 3rd year, floods the streets of Toronto with artists who play music and raise cash. To see which artists are participating please visit: Busking For Change

Also, today – Monday, September 13, 2010 – Aeroplan will be matching all points donated to War Child. War Child uses these miles to travel to international programs and these donated points offset operational costs significantly. To donate please click here.

For all you sports fans, War Child is the Argo’s charity partner for the upcoming game on Friday October 15th. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the organization and are on sale at a discounted price of $25 for more information or to pick yours up visit www.warchild.ca/argosgame.

To view the photos of other supporters signing the War Child poster click here. 

How to Relate to an Atheist

This article seeks to help theists understand the viewpoint of atheists and relate to them in a respectful way.

  Steps

1. Understand that Atheists are human beings with the same rights as theists.
2. Recognize that they are community members who are entitled to the same rights as you are in developed societies. This is due to the fact that one of the criteria for being a developed society is the absence of discrimination on the basis of religion.
3. Understand that Atheists recognize standards of ethics and morality, even if they do not match yours.  They may also have many or all of the same morals as you, but for different reasons.
4. Be aware of the commonality of negative propaganda about atheists, such as "Atheists hate our country". This propaganda is never true.
5. Respect their right to hold a differing opinion.

  Tips

• Learn specifics about Atheism, agnosticism, and naturalistic philosophy, this will make it easier to relate to those you meet.
• Communicate with friendliness.
• Treat others as you'd like to be treated.
• Don't assume, ASK, atheists are far less likely to be offended by questions regarding their lack of faith.
• If you attempt to convert or argue with an atheist, be prepared, as he/she probably knows several well reasoned arguments.

  Warnings

• Avoid condescension and self-righteousness when debating.
• Debate respectfully and be well informed on your views, your opposition's views, and the standards of respectful debate.
• Atheists are not stupid. Most loud and proud atheists are very rational thinkers who've been exposed to both sides of the fence. If you have not seen how atheists talk, debate or reason, do your homework before approaching one with a discussion. Failure to understand another person's view prior to discourse can result in being ridiculed for ignorance.
• Atheism is not a religion or an organized set of beliefs. Therefore, do not categorize or generalize atheists as a group. The definition of an atheist is someone who has not accepted the claim that there is/are (a) god(s). That is the only unifying belief, beyond that, you would be foolish to assume anything. An Atheist may be pro-choice or pro-life, support or oppose same-sex marriage, be liberal or conservative, or belong to any political party.  They may enjoy traditionally religious holidays, or even religious art and music.  An Atheist may have come to the same moral or political conclusions as you, only by different reasoning.
• There is no way to tell without asking, but religion may be a painful subject for an Atheist - either due to previous religious disagreements with family and friends, or for philosophical or moral reasons.  If they show discomfort beyond what you would expect in an academic debate, it may be best to change the subject.  Otherwise, you may inadvertently drive them farther away from your side.
• An Atheist may avoid discussing religion because they don't want to change your mind.  They may be able to admire your faith without sharing it, and accept it as part of who you are.

  Things You'll Need

• An open and understanding mind
• Willingness to hold yourself to the same standards as the questions you ask them.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Relate to an Atheist.  All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Bedbugs

The insect of the year for 2010 is most definitely the bedbug. This old critter that most of us know from the nursery rhyme; "Good night, sleep tight don't let the bedbugs bite." is of course more than a nursery rhyme. Bedbugs have a real gross out factor, but apparently are not a public health threat and are infesting mattresses across North America. You may have heard about recent infestations at high end retailers, and even just before TIFF opened this year a tweet caused and uproar and the bedbug patrol stormed into action. In August we posted this video from Isabella Rosselini's series Green Porno featuring the bedbug. It is pretty educational and funny. There's been a lot of talk about these gross little creatures lately so I thought I'd try to share some useful bedbug information. As well as a creepy and gross video from National Geographic.

Here are some Facts & Myths from Toronto Public Health.

Myth: Bed bugs are too small to see.

Fact: Although they may be difficult to find because they hide well, bed bugs are big enough to be seen with the naked eye. Bed bugs look similar to an apple seed in size and appearance.

Cabbagetown Festival & Parade

Cabbagetown Festival

Wow, what a great weekend for Toronto Centre Greens! We had a booth on Parliament Street in for the Cabbagetown Festival, a street fair put on by the Cabbagetown BIA. We had a great turn out of Greens for the parade, including Toronto Centre Federal Candidate Ellen Michelson and Provincial party leader, Mike Schreiner. Over the two days at the booth we met many interested residents and listened to their concerns. If you are interested in volunteering with the Green Party of Canada or The Green Party of Ontario please get in touch with me.

How to Avoid Getting Shot by a Police Officer

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Whether or not you have done something wrong, there is no reason to be shot by a police officer -- that is, unless you give them one. Here are some ways to avoid personal harm in situations with a police officer that has their gun drawn. A lot of this advice may seem like common sense, but when there's a gun pointing at you, it's easy to panic and accidentally do something threatening.

  Steps

1. Never flee from police. If the police approach you and speak to you, do not run or even walk away. Regardless of your rights, doing this arouses suspicion and greatly increases the chance of a fatal misunderstanding. If you are innocent, you have nothing to gain by fleeing, but you should also avoid speaking to the police as much as possible as you are not required to by law and could get yourself into trouble. Even if you are guilty of a crime, fleeing will always make things worse.
2. Avoid any sudden movements. No matter what you're doing, stop in that position and try not to move. At this point, any movement you make that is unexpected is one step closer to getting shot...especially any movements you make with your hands.
   
   
   • If you're in a car, don't reach for anything. An officer might assume you're reaching for a weapon or hiding drugs. For more details, see How to Act when the Police Pull You Over.
3. Do what you're told, and do it slowly. The officer will tell you exactly what he or she wants you to do. That typically includes putting your hands on the back of your head, walking backwards toward the sound of their voice, or lying down on the ground. Obey their orders, but do it at a slow enough pace that you don't alarm them.
4. Do not talk. At this point, you've either already broken the law and don't need to make it worse on yourself, or you are the victim of a misunderstanding and need to cooperate to prevent an unfortunate accident. Chances are good that if the officer has drawn their weapon, you will almost certainly be arrested, and there is not much you can say to stop that from happening.  There will be plenty of time to talk once you are in cuffs and no longer considered a threat.
   
   
   • An exception to this may be if the officer tells you to do something that involves moving, it's good to tell him what you are doing, even if it seems redundant. It will keep them feeling safe so they don't shoot you. For example:
     
     
     • Officer: "Let me see your I.D." You: "It's in my glovebox/backseat/sock/etc. I'm going to reach down/over and get it for you, OK?" Then move slowly.
     • Officer: "Lay down on the ground!" You: "I'm going to lay down on the ground, but I have a bad hip/back/knee, so I need to hold on to this pole/fence/wall to get on the ground."
   • It is almost always in your best interest to remain silent. In most countries, you do not have to answer any questions unless you have a lawyer present, although beware - if you are not sure of your rights (being in a foreign country can affect this, or being in a country with a shaky human rights record) then it is best to answer questions politely and give only the bare details away. If you do not speak the local language fluently, however, do not attempt to defend yourself verbally; you may accidentally say something that, when translated, incriminates you in some way.
5. Let yourself be handcuffed. Yes, it may be uncomfortable, but retaliation or struggling is only going to result in serious injury. In many places, it is police protocol to place handcuffs on even the most cooperative of suspects.

  Tips

• Don't brandish a weapon. If you have got a gun or knife in your pocket or waistband, leave it alone. Don't draw it, even to surrender it. The officer would much rather find it on his or her own than have you whip it out and wave it around. If you would prefer to surrender the weapon, clearly speak words to the effect of "I would like to turn over my weapon" and the officer will tell you what to do next.
• Should the circumstances force you to engage in combat with an armed suspect, disengage and retreat the moment the police arrive, or as soon after their arrival as you can. If at all possible, avoid attempting to render first aid until the fight is over.  Also, don't touch any evidence  that may  have been left behind.

  Warnings

• Never shine a laser pointer toward officers. This can very easily be mistaken for a laser sight, a modification commonly affixed to firearms to enhance a weapon's accuracy.

  Related wikiHows

• How to Act when the Police Pull You Over
• How to Deal With Riot Control Agents
• How to Help a Friend Who Gets Arrested in the Middle of the Night
• How to Get a Job With a Criminal Record
• How to Fight a Traffic Ticket
• How to Avoid a Speeding Ticket

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Avoid Getting Shot by a Police Officer.  All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Is Applesauce More Dangerous Than Climate Change? Glenn Beck Prophecy COME TRUE!

 

In 2009 Glenn Beck made some bold predictions about the future of our planet and in August 2010 THEY CAME TRUE! http://www.truthfool.org

Watch HOME. Online viewing and discussion Thursday Sept. 9th

Watch HOME on Doc Op or www.pushfoodforward.com

on Thursday September 9 at 8:00 PM EST

 

Food Forward is partnering with Doc Op, to host an interactive online screening of Home, a documentary on the sustainability of the planet under present human systems, including agriculture and energy use. Darcy Higgins of Food Forward will be on hand by video conference to discuss the film's implications for life and policy choices in Toronto, after screening a portion of the film.

"The film HOME by Yann Arthus-Bertrand is a beautifully shot panorama of the Earth and the damage done to it by modern humanity. It includes a moving narration about the evolution of the Earth, nature, agriculture, humans, and the crises of habitat destruction, energy depletion, climate disruption, degradation... of the environment, health, economic disparity, and more."

Join Doc Op's Facebook page here.

How to Accept Being Atheist

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Atheism isn't an easy thing to come to terms with for anyone. They make up less than 3% of the population in the world and face persecution from many religions. However, learning to accept your disbeliefs will ultimately lead to higher self-confidence and a more positive self-image, along with the increased ability to accept others.

Steps

1. Determine if you truly are an atheist. To clarify, the dictionary definition of atheist is ‘a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings.' Are you confused about your faith, or lack thereof? Has there been a recent event in your life that made you question it? If you were formerly religious, do you feel as though God let you down in some way? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you may not be an atheist—rather, you may be at a crossroads in your life. You might be making decisions right now, and that’s perfectly normal for one who is confused.
   
2. Do research on other religions. Perhaps you might not be Christian, but a Muslim, or vice versa. You could be mistaking atheism as a permanent stage, when it is really a temporary transition from one faith to the next. We’re all a little puzzled by the complicated question of belief.
   
3. If you resolve that you are an atheist, don’t be ashamed of it! Even if you were raised in an environment that actively condemned non-believers, you are your own person, and that includes your beliefs. Don’t concern yourself with the supposed myths that atheists are ‘immoral’ or ‘damned.’ Learn to accept yourself, even if you feel as though you are being judged for it. If people dismiss you upon finding out that you are an atheist, then they truly aren’t worth your time. It’s better to let go of those people in your life, as their intolerance is more than likely exhibited in other areas to other people.
   
4. Surround yourself with understanding friends. Friends show their true colors when they’re faced with challenges or something new. Find friends who love you as a person and can look past and accept you for your atheism, even if they don’t necessarily agree with it.
   
5. Learn to love, accept, and live with religious people. They are people—just like you! No one wants to be looked down upon for something so insignificant in the long run. What matters, obviously, is our character. We are people before atheists or Christians, Muslims or Jews, Buddhists or Hindus. It’s good to get different perspectives, too, especially if you’re in the aforementioned transitional stage. Remember that true friends won’t try to convert you to their side and will let you choose for yourself. Hopefully, they’ll respect your decision.
   
6. Talk to a counselor or therapist if you’re feeling extremely insecure, depressed, or otherwise uncomfortable with your decision. It’s also a good idea to do this if you’re being ridiculed for your atheism. A therapist will not judge you and offer very helpful advice.
   

Tips

• Try to meet other atheists if possible. It can help you to understand that you’re not alone. Listen to their stories of self-acceptance and take heed in them.
  
• Read books about atheism, the most notable being Richard Dawkins’s ‘The God Delusion.’ It is an empowering book for atheists, promoting the fact that atheists can lead fulfilled lives and should be proud while not overbearing. ‘God Is Not Great’ by Christopher Hitchens and ‘The End Of Faith’ by Sam Harris are also good places to start.
  
• Be sure to keep telling yourself that there’s nothing about you to be ashamed of. You’re a free person, and you are free to practice—or not practice—whatever you would like.
  

Warnings

• Broach carefully when the topic of religion is brought up in a conversation. Although it’s a general rule of society not to discuss religion, it will inevitably happen. When it does, don’t be aggressive about your beliefs, and most certainly don’t be hostile when you’re responding to someone’s admission of faith.
  
• Be patient with those that are intolerant of you or your views. Do not attack them or their beliefs. Instead, ask them politely that they refrain from bringing your beliefs into the conversation. If you’re already engaged in a debate with someone, try to bring the topic back up so that you can change it. Be warned, however, as this may be a signal of admitted defeat to your opponent.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Persuade an Atheist to Become Christian
  
• How to Be an Atheist in a Christian Home
  
• How to Survive an Argument With an Atheist
  
• How to Deal With Ignorance with Regard to Atheism
  
• How to Enjoy Being Atheist
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Accept Being Atheist. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Toronto Islands Bike Ride and Picnic

Toronto Cyclists Union Newsletter: Share your love of cycling with a newcomer to Toronto!
Join CultureLink and the Toronto Cyclists Union for a Toronto Islands Bike Ride and Picnic on Saturday September 11.
This event will launch CultureLink's BIKE HOST program. BIKE HOST builds on the province-wide HOST program which matches newcomers with established residents. Volunteer Hosts help newcomers get comfortable in Toronto, by introducing them to their social networks and fun activities. In turn, Hosts have the opportunity to learn about other cultures. The BIKE HOST program will be focused on cycling as a shared activity. If it’s successful, the BIKE HOST program will help make the cycling community stronger and more inclusive.
This event is open to:
•    newcomers
•    established residents who are interested in BIKE HOST
•    experienced cyclists who can help make the event fun and accessible!
DATE & TIME: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1:30PM
In case of rain, we will reschedule for one week later, Saturday September 18.
The group returns to the mainland by 9pm. (You may leave anytime).

WHERE: MEET AT THE ISLAND FERRY DOCKS
At the foot of Bay Street, south of Queen's Quay
We take the Centre Island Ferry.
For directions and a map click here. For more information about the Toronto Islands click here.
On Centre Island, you can find us at our picnic site in Area 26. Ask Park staff.

SPACE IS LIMITED. PLEASE REGISTER NOW!

Contact Barbora at bgomezova@culturelink.net, 416-588-6288 x210
For more information visit the Partnership for Integration and Sustainable Transportation: bikeunion.to/partnership
or the Host Program at CultureLink Settlement Services: welcomingcommunity.ca

Gay Scientists Isolate Christian Gene

A thought for today.

Writing is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as the headlights, but you make the whole trip that way.

Helping the Environment Through Recycling and the Use of Bamboo

Author: nealon52@aol.com

Bamboo is world reknown for being the fastest growing wood on the earth. Bamboo can grow to maturity in seven years as opposed to an American Oak or Maple that take over twenty years to reach a harvestable growth. In addition to how fast it grows, it's geographic coverage is expanding as well, since it can grow in virtually any climate. It is a tough, durable wood, that can be stained to resemble most other hard woods or at the same time it can be a natural color that is very popular with today’s modern designs. So why else should bamboo be apart of your house? And will it really help with the environment and consumer recycling?
First you should realize that bamboo is being used in many of today’s products without us even realizing it. Even though bamboo shoots are relatively skinny, the material is being used in everything from flooring, to cabinets, to doors. As mentioned before, bamboo can be stained and it then resembles almost any other wood – from this it has been substituted in many wood products. What this means is that since people are not doing their part to help the environment, bamboo can be used as a “stop gap” until the recycling idea catches up with everyone.

Tar Wars (Greenpeace spoofs Star Wars)

Happy Labor Day!

I was looking around the interweb to find a bit of background information about Labor Day and came across a blog called Today's Inspiration and it had this handy post that will tell you all you need to know!  Enjoy your day off everybody.

Green Transportation: How It Helps the Planet Against Climate Change

Author: ashlysun

So you've decided to make the planet a better place to live in by going green, and now you've decided that you want your everyday travelling to be more eco-friendly and less harmful to the environment. Then it must be time to make the switch to green transportation. Green energy transportation is a type of sustainable transport that involves human power, public transportation, smart design and renewable energy.


Usually, public transport and car pooling is considered a green mode of transport, compared to private vehicles, although for some people a better definition of green transport is one that does not involve non-renewable energy.

(Image copyright the Daye. 2010)

Punk is Not Dead

Quebec City, August 2010, Mark Daye

ALL CAN! Community conversations with Pride Toronto board applicants

I received an invitation to this event and I thought it was an interesting follow up to the earlier post about the new appointment of Chad Simon to the Pride Toronto board.


An all-candidates-style discussion with those who want to join Pride Toronto's board of directors, hosted by Janne Farrow.


Join the Pride Coalition for Free Speech and Xtra as we get to know future Pride Toronto board members and quiz them in an all-candidates meeting format.

Public. Transparent. Accountable.

We all want a strong, vibrant Pride. Be part of the solution.

CNE Air Show Cancelled

Last week I posted this link to a petition to cancel the air show at the Canadian National Exhibition (The EX). If you haven't signed it, I hope you will consider doing so and make this image (courtesy of thestar.com) a permanent fixture.

The petition states;

The Toronto Coalition to Ground the Air Show is a group of Toronto citizens who are concerned about the massive impact of the CNE's annual Canadian International Air Show on civic life.
Every Labour Day Weekend the skies over Toronto are filled with the ear-splitting, window-rattling sounds of low-flying warplanes.
This is an unnecessary and unwarranted intrusion into the lives of young children, people who have experienced the horror of war, those who work nights or are ill, or anyone who simply wants to enjoy the last weekend of the summer.
Airshows over urban areas are a gratuitous source of noise and air pollution, a threat to public safety, and idealize war.

 

See the petition here.