Artsy Fartsy

Compact City

Somewhere I have more of these wee drawings - some nicely coloured inside the lines - of compact towns with rocks and trees and wilderness close at hand. They were inspired by the Corporation of the City of Londontown, a shamefully low, flat city that stretches wastefully toward the edges of the known universe, spreading its miles of tarmac and concrete and costly infrastructure outward without reason.

Link to Zoom w a View

Photo GH

Conservation

Conservation Quiz Answer

What happened to the California couple who scaled back their watering during the states's drought?

All is revealed in the photo below:

Three things. 1. The correct answer to yesterday's quiz was 'D'. (We have a winner and a California committee is - right now - determining if there will be a prize or not.)

2. If you live in California and are under emergency orders to conserve water it is still okay to water your lawn. In fact, you'll be slapped w warnings if you don't. Similarly, in Canada, if you hear the water level in the Great Lakes is declining, one should continue to water lawns thoroughly, wash cars with lots of soap (then rinse), fill swimming pools right to the top, take lengthy showers, flush twice, and stock up on bottled water. Everything's fine. We'll just create more fresh water.

And 3, the news clip left me with questions. Are there other barriers to conservation of vital and limited resources, e.g., water, fossil fuels, peace on earth? Do such barriers constitute a Catch-22 or Catch-44?

Link to Conservation

Photo of London Free Press news clip by GH

Conservation

Conservation Quiz

The quiz is inspired by a short news clip ('Mixed Message') from The London Free Press, July 18.

Q: Can you finish the sentence?

(From clip)... A couple received a warning that they might -

A. Not be scaling back enough to comply with state expectations

B. Be fined for not scaling back enough to help the state conserve precious supplies of underground water

C. Be jailed if compliance does not occur within week

D. Be fined for creating an eyesore (i.e., dry patches on lawn)

E. Be run out of town on a hot shingle

Link to Motorcycle Miles re conservation

Photo GH

Motorcycle Miles

'small, quick, economical commuting machines'

["Even my motorcycle, hiding behind 4th car, cost me $$ to park in Ottawa recently"]

I do like my motorcycle and my other two-wheelers and I know that sometime in the future, maybe sooner than I think, I will have to make some changes in the number of toys I currently own. For example, as I age I will need more functional storage because it will become harder to lift my CCM bicycle off hooks in the ceiling of The Annex in my backyard. And as the price of fuel rises, surely I will feel inclined to consider a smaller, more economical motorcycle over my 1100cc Yamaha.

From where I stand, we North Americans will soon have to make adjustments, due to fuel costs, to the number and size of vehicles we own and operate, if we have not done so already. I am certain small, quick, economical commuting machines will be more-widely considered than today as an intermediate option to travel (before facing the harshest of realities). Sharing vehicles too will be considered as an intermediate option.

But we will be very slow to give up on the chief cause of rising fuel costs - our desire to have gas-fuelled machines in every driveway for almost every person in North America.

That being said, we should begin to talk now about modes of transportation for the masses, as well as new types of communities built to conserve all forms of present-day fuels. Walking communities, solar- or geo-thermal powered communities where conservation of energy is the topic of the day.

Conservation of energy, today, is not chiefly on our minds. We still are chiefly considering personal (for me) forms of transportation as if the rising price of fuel is not leading us toward an energy crisis where the wealthy will win and the masses will be stuck in the mud, or in far-distant subdivisions, filled w fuel-driven needs.

Time to talk.

Link to more Motorcycle Miles

Photos GH

Motorcycle Miles

Motorcycle Options

["Last minute look at the '94 Yamaha Virago before blast off"]

I'll likely be one of those guys who will have some sort of two-wheeler around the house until I'm in my nineties and ready to sell off toys. I already have three.

I have a 1994 1100cc Yamaha Virago motorcycle that runs like a top. My recent roundtrip between Halifax and London proved once again how reliable, practical and exhilarating two-wheeled travel can be. I also own a 1951 red CCM and 2012 Miele hybrid bicycle. Both are smooth moves. But I'm always looking at other options.

[Yamaha president H. Yanagi introduces Tricity: London Free Press]

Yamaha's new three-wheeler is a modern update on an old theme, at least for those who live outside North America. It's one of several small, quick, economical commuting machines up for sale. And because fuel prices are heading north and are unlikely to reverse direction, small commuters will get some airplay even in London, home to more miles of expensive tarmac than The City Corporation will ever be able to properly maintain.

Link to a good review of three-wheelers at Gizmag. Read all the comments too : )

I have my own ideas about 'small, quick, economical commuting machines' as well. Whodda thunk?!

One, I like them to a certain degree.

More to follow.

["Look at the storage, in one leather saddlebag. Awesome??"]

Link to Motorcycle Miles

Photos GH

controversy vs conservation

[Recent London Free Press article]

Electricity rates are going north soon and the increase will raise the level of rhetoric and controversy in parliament halls and around kitchen tables, coffee shops and other places people gather.

"The increase is needed for infrastructure," some will say. "It's an assault on our hearts and wallets," others will say.

I say, lost in the controversy and shouting will be a simple message: Conservation of energy resources will easily save you $3.63 per month. Stop complaining, save your energy.

Whether it's oil or electricity, our energy demands are unsustainable. Our resources are not limitless. 

Photos and cartoon by GH

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Please click here to read 'let's give our head a shake'

Climate Change Concerns: London's wet, mlld winters

For many years London, Ontario found itself at the center of a toxic triangle. We heard much about high CO2 measurements found in Sarnia (thank you to Chemical Valley), centres along the north shore of Lake Erie (thank you to many coal-fire energy plants in the Ohio Valley) and Burlington (thank you to Hamilton). We knew about high numbers of smog days in the summer.

["London is known for wet, warm winters" Photo by GH]

Now we find ourselves in the center of a cold conservative circle, where in spite of much evidence to the contrary, the average citizen is expected to believe that global warming is a thing of the distant past, and the cooling trend a few people have heard about somewhere should become cause for much celebration.

  ["Link to NASA for hot news."] 

Though it isn't rocket science to read thermometers at 100s of meteorological centers around the world, record temperatures year by year on land and water, and average the results, I still like to seek out information from NASA, and not people within the cold conservative circle. Though 2011 may have been cooler than the previous year, on average, it still ranks as one of the top ten hottest years in the last 100 years. (Only 8 years have been warmer since 1880). We've experienced cool years on occasion in the past, but the trend since 1908 cannot be denied.

I feel a much smaller lifestyle is in order and the best purchase for the future is a small home or apartment near a bus stop. After a few more hot years or wet, mild winters, more people will likely agree.

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The only thing that might be cooling is the amount of news about climate change in conservative newspapers. Do you know of one?

Please click here for more Climate Change Concerns

London Water Bill: “We will pay more for water” PT 3

My plan about London’s water rate increases is brilliant in so many ways. Small users catch a break because they conserve, medium users are encouraged to become small users, and large users - people and businesses that use the most water and put the biggest demands on infrastructure - pay more for the privilege.

“It will cost more to water my big lawn.”

“It will cost more to wash my car.”

“It will cost more to fill my pool.”

“It will cost more to send my kids swimming.”

“The price of golf will go up.”

“The price of beer will go up.”

True, some users will pay more for some household duties and recreational activities.

In my opinion, some increases are long overdue.

[Photos by G.Harrison]

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What other activities will cost more? 

Please click here to read London Water Bill: “We will pay more for water” PT 2

London Water Bill: “We will all pay more for water” PT 1

Many Londoners have much to learn about water conservation.

Please click here to read ‘Easy ways to use less water and save money’ by Mark Salerno.

However, many Londoners are already conserving, and pay the minimum fee, but are worried they’ll soon have to pay more to fund high infrastructure repair and maintenance costs.

["Me? Pay more? I'm already unplugged!!"]

They should be worried. Infrastructure costs related to water are - and will be - huge. The ‘water conservers’ should pay more. So should everyone else.

More to follow.

[Photo by G.Harrison]

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Please click here to read more about conservation of resources

Climate Change Concerns PT 2: “Scrap loose change”

A controversial idea - to add iron to the oceans and ultimately, hopefully, suck carbon right out of the air - is making the rounds.

[“Seeding the ocean with iron has PROS and CONS”]

Fertilizing the ocean doesn’t sound as easy or as efficient as simple conservation, cutting back on goodies, living small, reducing spending, saving loonies or loose change in a jar, etc.

However, conservation has its controversies or problems as well. I mean, how does one shift two or three generations of people from “bigger is better” to “smaller is saner?”

How can one develop the habit of throwing loose change into a jar, or savings account, after years of living like a high roller?

[Photos by G.Harrison]

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Please click here to read Climate Change Concerns PT 1: “Scrap iron”

Climate Change Concerns PT 1: “Scrap iron”

[“Iron out our problems?” August 16, London Free Press]

Should we add iron to our oceans - to sink CO2 to the ocean floor, maybe - or try something easier and proven to be far more effective? 

[“Is there an easier way to reduce carbon?”]

[“Hopefully?”]

[CONS: “There’s so much we don’t know, but...”]

But, surely there’s an easier, effective way to reduce carbon. Hmmmm... scratchin’ my chin here.

[Photos by G.Harrison]

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Please click here for more Climate Change Concerns.

Canada’s Global Warming File PT 3: Thick rhetoric

Canada’s global warming file is thick on rhetoric.

A recent headline, built around words belonging to Peter Kent, Canada’s federal Conservative Environment Minister, proves as much.

[rhetoric n. impressive, but insincere, exaggerated]

“We’re halfway home,” says Mr. Kent. 

But where’s home? And would I want to live with him there?

Conservative Prime Minister S. Harper ripped up the Kyoto Protocol and replaced it with his own targets. Out went the stringent and the necessary. In came the weaker, the global warming brush off.

And though federal officials admit more must be done, and Kent says “the Harper government has been working hard,” very little action has actually been done by our government, thus paving the way for even less to be done in the future.

Though Canadians can give a nod to a few provincial governments, do many believe 'federal standards for fuel efficiency on light cars and trucks’ will lead us toward a sustainable future related to fuel, energy and resource use? 

[“I highly doubt it,” says an environment critic.]

Peter Kent’s words are nothing but rhetoric and hyperbole.

I have more faith in Clark Kent, bicycles, smaller meals and conservation of vital resources.

You?

[Photos by G.Harrison]

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Please click here to read Canada’s Global Warming File PT 2: Peter Kent vs Clark Kent

Link to Free Press article by D. Akins

Canada's Global Warming File PT 1: Peter Kent vs Al Kent

Two Kents aim at targets. Who will win?

Peter Kent. Canadian federal Conservative Environment Minister. Aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Al Kent. Canadian camper. Aims at box toilet.

[Carbon chart by G.Harrison]

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Please click here for more It Strikes Me Funny

Climate Change Concerns PT 4: “Buy less carbon”

Bet on climate change and severe weather havoc.

Also, save $1.00 per day (or more) and lower your carbon emissions. 

$1 x 7 billion per day = financial savings, and more. 

[Photos by G.Harrison]

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Please click here to read Climate Change Concerns PT 3: “Telltale signs of crime”

Click on ‘line one link’ to read recent news article about “betting on climate change” by Gwynne Dyer (July 14, London Free Press)

Climate Change Concerns PT 3: “Telltale signs of crime”

Extreme weather events will become more extreme. Bet on it.

Our fingerprints are all over the crime scene.

[Photos by G.Harrison] 

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Please click here to read Climate Change Concerns PT 2 and link to Gwynne Dyer’s recent article re climate. 

The Better Mousetrap: Conserve money, little guy

[Photo link]

Little guys, take note.

Lorrie Goldstein, a relatively well-known Sun Media newspaper columnist, recently wrote an article entitled ‘How the UN can get its green mojo back’, and tells the organization how it can improve its handling of the global warming file after less-than stellar results were achieved at June’s Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro. 

Besides writing a short intro and listing seven pieces of advice for the UN, Mr. Goldstein signs off by saying, “Anyway, United Nations, you don’t have to thank me. Just get busy.”

Cocky guy, that Goldstein. Wags his finger at the UN, thinks he can set them straight.

But I’m not so sure about that. By simply admonishing the UN (and the 50,000 delegates who attended last month’s Earth Summit), he’s ignoring ‘the little guy’, i.e., me, and you, and 99.999% of the people who have a say about the future health and sustainability of the planet, and I think that’s where a lot of the real power dwells.

Actually, ‘ignoring’ is the wrong word. Goldstein does mention the little guys when he writes, “As for the rest of the world, concerns over global recession have pushed worries about global warming to, you should pardon the expression, the back burner.” 

I say, that certainly is a broad brush with which the rest of us - seven billion strong, and not employed by the United Nations - have been painted. 

Admittedly, the global recession affects certain economic matters within every country of the world, and many governments, media outlets, corporations, erstwhile families and individuals have ‘THE ECONOMY’ writ large upon the top of their agendas, because they believe that is where the secret of success resides. However, in my opinion, a vast number of the planet’s citizens do wonder, and worry, if much will ever be done to develop sustainable economic practices in the here and now to ensure reasonable health and prosperity for future generations. 

As well, a vast number believe when governments, media, corporations, etc. focus chiefly on economic and lifestyle concerns, thereby pushing concerns about global warming or climate instability to, ‘you should pardon the expression, the back burner’, they do so to the detriment of the environmental and quality of life files.

More to follow.

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Please click here for a related post. 

Climate Change Concerns: Londoners are now ‘six-planet’ consumers

[“Success in 2100 would be a world in which a recognizable descendant of our current civilization is still thriving.” Gwynne Dyer, Mar. 22, London Free Press]

We have been taught to live for today by many avid instructors: Government and business leaders, media and economists, parents, family members and friends, and even by our own thirsts. Conservation (or a philosophy to ‘live small’) is not our cup of tea, or at least not for the majority. To most, it might even be for babies.


["Are we riding too fast?": photo by GH]

However, a recent newspaper article by Gwynne Dyer suggests we are on the wrong path, even here in the very heart of south western Ontario, i.e., London.

“Unfortunately, the way we are living is not sustainable. We have taken too much land out of the natural cycles in order to grow our own food on it. We are destroying the world's major fish populations through overfishing and pollution. We also are driving most of the larger land animals to extinction.” (March 22, The London Free Press)

Dyer says nothing about our extravagant use of water but he easily could have, simply by sharing a few details from a recent United Nations study that calls for a very close look at global water management policies, and says that the demand from agriculture, an industry that currently uses around 70% of the world’s freshwater, is likely to increase by about 20% by 2050, due to population growth on planet earth, i.e., from seven billion (the present level) to nine billion.

Dyer describes our current situation as “a six-planet civilization.” By that he means we require six Earths “to sustain the present human population in the high-energy, high-consumption style that is the hallmark of the current global civilization.” And for no other reason, in my opinion, than to provide a bit of comic relief, he goes on to say, “And for the foreseeable future we will have only one planet, not six.”

Six planets. Here we are in 2012 living as if we have six Earths from which to draw resources. And for those who haven’t been paying much attention, it was only about 15 years ago that the phrase “five-planet consumption” was first bandied about in the news. Really, in only 15 years our population and overall consumption has grown to such a degree that another Earth is needed to sustain us in the lifestyle we so richly deserve.

However, I think it goes without saying, “for the foreseeable future we will have only one planet.”

These few details make me wonder if we should take a closer look at our ‘live for today’ philosophy.

Please click here to read Gwynne Dyer’s full article.

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Please click here for more Climate Change Concerns.

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Zoom w a View: “Pancake Bay, Lake Superior”

The shoreline of Pancake Bay, Lake Superior presents a view worth conserving.






Photos by GHarrison, August 2007.

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Please click here for more Zoom w a View

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Climate Change Concerns: PT 3 “Water, water everywhere?”

Without a doubt, I say “water, water is not everywhere” and our demands are growing from all quarters.

A growing population is an irresistible force upon a finite resource. As is agriculture, energy development and use, sanitation needs, our thirst for recreation, cooking requirements, and more.


Many topics related to water conservation will be discussed: A reduced population. Rationing. 90 second showers. Composting toilets. Meatless meals. Smaller food portions. Smaller homes, furnishings, appliances. Reduced spending on all goods. Bottled water bans. Fossil fuel reductions. Oilsands withdrawal. Swimming pool closures. Rain water for gardens. “No Golf” Days. Etcetera. (No stone will be left unturned.)

Some attempts at conservation will be made. I predict, however, almost all will be touched by crisis.

Drink up?

[Photo of Pancake Bay by GHarrison]

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Please click here to read the following:

Climate Change Concerns: PT 1 “Water, water everywhere?”

Climate Change Concerns: PT 2 “Water, water everywhere?”

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Live Small: Living inside a small circle

As long as I have access to parks, pathways, a good computer, coffee shop and hardware store, I think I can get used to living inside a small circle.

I thought of the phrase ‘a small circle’ the other day as I prepared to take my compost out to my new compost bin. The bin is homemade, as is the almost matching garbage can bin, and they both reside inside the small circle of my back and side yard. And beside my garbage bin is my writing alcove, decorated to the nines with homemade artwork.






When the weather warms I’ll spend several hours per week inside that small circle. I’ll take out a compost deposit, circle back to the garbage bin with another deposit, then sit down in my alcove and do a bit of writing, i.e., after admiring the artwork made from leftover materials.

Coffee, when needed, will be close at hand. As will be most of my earthly needs. All inside ‘a small circle.’

I don’t mind if, as I age, more and more daily activities occur inside a small or even shrinking circle. (They may have to anyway, as energy prices rise). The convenience and routine is enjoyable, and as long as I have access to the larger world, whether for a bag of nails, exercise walk through the city, or occasional long trip (e.g., a train ride to the west coast, as is happening in April) I’ll be a happy camper.

Can you see yourself living inside a small or smaller circle? Have you chosen to do so in the last few years?
What are, or might be, the advantages?

[Photos by G.Harrison]

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Please click here for more Live Small.

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