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Ecowrappin'
Try this quiz!!!
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
As part of my first column of 2003, I thought it would be good to look back at some of the stories that happened with respect to the environment. However, instead of doing a dull monologue of events, I thought it would be interesting to phrase the stories into 10 questions. All of these topics have been in the news in 2002. The answers will appear after the questions.Good luck!
Name the international agreement which is attempting to reduce global fossil fuel emissions.
Name the location of an oil spill causing immense environmental destruction (and if you're really good, the name of the tanker). There was one in the fall of 2002.
What is the name of Canada's newest and largest wilderness territory? (Hint: 7 letters)
Name the Canadian Federal Minister of Environment (as of Dec. 2002)
Name the Canadian federal Act that protects the environment.
Name the Ontario provincial Minister of Environment (as of Dec. 2002).
What is the provincial bill that contains an Electronic Registry and is overseen by Ombudsman, Gord Miller? (Hint: check the archives under Ecowrappin' article: Where does the buck stop?)
Where does Toronto's household garbage go?
Where does Wallaceburg's household garbage go?
Place the following 3 R's in the right order. Recycle, Reduce, Reuse.
Answers:
Kyoto Agreement. Canadian Parliament ratified the Kyoto agreement in December 2002. Canada has agreed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (eg. of some are carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide) to 6 % below 1990 levels. Let's start using those bikes.
There have been several great tanker spills in the past decade. Two this year are the tanker Prestige off the coast of Spain. As well this year, in June the Jessica spilled diesel oil off the coast of Galapagos Islands. Other famous ones were Sea Empress off the coast of South Wales in 1996 and Exxon Valdez off the coast of Alaska in 1989.
Nunavut
Dave Anderson made headlines this year by promoting the Kyoto agreement much to the chagrin of Ralph Klein, premier of Alberta. Klein was a bit of a comic in his battle against Kyoto. According to Klein, previous global climate change was probably due to dinosaur farts. Better to implicate dinosaurs than the oil industry.
The federal environmental act is called CEPA ñ Canadian Environmental Protection Act. It is interesting reading although most of us need a dictionary and a lawyer to help translate the act.
Chris Stockwell is the Ontario Minister of Environment as of December 2002.
Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights. You can find more information under this e-paper archives under Ecowrappin.
Toronto just signed another 5 year agreement with the state of Michigan. The garbage is trucked over the Bluewater Bridge in Sarnia. Two trucks made headlines by over turning on Highway 402 in December this year. Needless to say, local Michigan communities and people using the 401/402 are not thrilled. The citizens of Vaughn township in Toronto held one of the largest New Year's celebrations because their landfill is now officially closed diverting the garbage to Michigan.
Wallaceburg household garbage goes to Ridge Landfill. You can't miss it. Just look for the only hill in the horizon and swarms of seagulls.
The correct order is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Just remember that Recycle is your last option. Reducing and reusing materials is first.
Kris Lee is a high school science teacher in Wallaceburg, Ont. She is working hard to bridge the gap between industry and community, with a major goal of reducing harmful effects to the environment. For over 10 years Kris has been an active member of several national industry and government advisory panels.
