The Cost of Healing the Planet

Some friends and I are engaged in the Drawdown Eco Challenge heading toward Earth Day - when we hoped to have a different kind of celebration. But we are learning at our own pace - and even competing well at this writing as the team with the third most points in the Canadian section. We get points for doing things that help the planet and learning more about them.

This respected research organization has published its report in 2020 following the best selling book already referenced in our resources section. You can download the report here- which outlines the ten best solutions and their cost. It’s not insignificant - but what it also reveals is that the saving far surpass it. You can download the full report here.

Time for Reflection

In these days of withdrawal from our normal active lives, there are opportunities to poinder issues of importance now and those with implications for the future.

As I look from my 22nd floor at a freight train crossing through a dense part of the city, transportation of goods is even more important now. Since it is one of the major areas in need of rethinking to embrace climate change, here is what a new paper from the Pembina Institute has to say.

50 Simple Ways

The Guardian features suggestions from experts for things we can do in our daily lives to improve life for the planet. You can find them here

Small changes - big impact

Graphic: Sergio Peçanha, Washington Post, 2020.

The Washington Poat has an article this morning about peer pressure and how we can influence others in the battle for climate change. You can read about it here.

And another one reminds us of the impact of single use plastics - where a picture is worth a thousand words.

Even single use plastics can be re-used. But try to avoid bringing it home in the first place.

Valuing our Ravines in Toronto

City Council member Josh Matlow wrote in a recent newsletter

Toronto Moves Forward with Ravine Strategy Implementation Plan

“Toronto’s unique ravine system is one of our greatest and greenest assets. The scale and scope of this urban green space system – over 300 km and 11,000 hectares – makes Toronto the envy of urban areas across the world. In Midtown, we're lucky to have several ravines that offer peaceful escape from our busy lives. That's why I'm pleased that City Council unanimously adopted the Toronto Ravine Strategy implementation plan this week. 

Ravines contain 87 per cent of Toronto's environmentally significant areas, as well as forests and wetlands, and significant plant and animal species. Unfortunately, this critical part of our green infrastructure is threatened by invasive species, climate change, and direct impacts from resident use.

This action strategy wouldn't have happened without advocacy from passionate residents in our community and across the city.”

This is good news, To keep it happening, citizen input is required.