May 28th, 2019 · Comments Off on GREENINGS: Plastic ban born of necessity (May 2019)
China done with being the world’s dumping ground
By Terri Chu
The Ontario government has announced it is mulling a ban on single-use plastics. As environmentalists rejoice at the small bone this gas guzzling loving government throws at us, we should all take a moment to thank China for this small miracle from the “red tape cutting” bandits. Read more
A mature tree at 113 Howland Ave. fell victim to a windstorm in April 2018. COURTESY ARTHUR GRON
By Arthur Gron
In the Annex and Harbord Village, large maples and majestic Dutch elms are maturing and dying out. The trees that are taking their place tend to be smaller ornamental trees, throwing the future of the area’s beloved canopy into question. Read more
April 23rd, 2019 · Comments Off on GREENINGS: Confronting consumption (Spring 2019)
What does the emergence of Marie Kondo mean?
By Terri Chu
Few celebrities have given me hope about the fate of the planet quite like Marie Kondo has. We literally created a mega celebrity out of a woman who teaches you how to throw stuff away. Did coffee just come out your nose? Stop to think about this. A person who teaches you to throw things away is a social media superstar making millions from Youtube, Instagram, and books. Read more
March 14th, 2019 · Comments Off on FORUM: With people-power there is hope (Winter 2019)
MPP Bell sees glass half-full in year ahead
By Jessica Bell
A new year is an opportunity to renew and
recommit to making a difference. Here are three resolutions to help spur
positive social change in 2019. Read more
September 11th, 2018 · Comments Off on GREENINGS: Urban under-representation (Aug./Sept. 2018)
Giving the suburbs a leg up at the expense of progress
Premier Ford wants to do Toronto a favour by slashing the size of council, and only Toronto seems to be targeted. Our ward of University-Rosedale, population 98,600, is now represented by a single councillor. To put this into perspective, Grey County, population 93,000, has 19 representatives to make decisions about roads, sewers, zoning, and all the other services that are vital to day-to-day living. Read more
August 12th, 2018 · Comments Off on GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: The best and worst of local parks (Summer 2018)
Brunswick-College Parkette has received an upgrade and a new name, Doctors’ Parkette. A well-maintained and tidy spot, it’s great place to catch a breather in the midst of the busy city. AHMED-ZAKI HAGAR/GLEANER NEWS
Assessing the parties through an environmental lens
At the risk of sounding like a single-issue voter, it will be no surprise to anyone who has read any of my columns that the environment ranks high. There are lots of other issues, such as healthcare, debt, economic growth, but all that is moot as we stare mass extinction in the face. If you think I’m being hyperbolic, you aren’t paying attention. Before his death, Stephen Hawking gave humanity another two centuries before we’re toast. To me, the long-term survival of our species trumps any short-term issue we are facing at the moment, no matter how pressing it might seem. Read more