Green Guelph

I have not hidden from anyone my upmost respect for Bob Bell. I like him a lot. Very level headed and just an honest man trying to his part for our city. I’ve known him for some time. Years ago when I worked for a bike store in downtown Guelph, Bob would always come in and drop off his WIKE trailers and we always sold so many of them! They were and still are great! Anyways….I’m ranting on an on, sorry.

I found this video on the Guelph Greens website and it’s only a minute and a half of Bob’s comments about the current prorogation of parliment. His thoughts are interesting….in fact I mostly agree with what he says. He’s not playing the Green Party talking points which is nice. He’s just saying how he sees it. I like that. I like the part about him thinking the break was actually needed to realign the direction of our country. Watch the video and then tell me your thoughts. Maybe i’ll share my thoughts with you in the comments section…here’s the video:

I have raised this issue several times myself but now the Guelph Mercury is asking some of the same questions.  Here is an article written by them that all of Guelph should be reading!

Guelph’s Patrick Quirk has helped clarify something important about the proposed civic organic waste treatment plant.

His private research, and his efforts to make public its fruits, have revealed that there is misunderstanding not only in the community, but seemingly within Guelph city council, as to what the operating costs of this facility would be. As well, Quirk, an accountant, has by his efforts seemed to revealed that the cost estimate that has arguably become the one most frequently floated by some civic players is apparently a too-low one.

That’s significant. This remains a hot political subject. Mayor Karen Farbridge who has made efforts to reveal the complexity and possibilities of per tonnage treatment costs on this plant, insists that building the plant is what a majority of the community wants. She might be correct. But the community has perceived this issue without the context of the costs associated with this strategy, and those linked to other organic waste treatment possibilities.

Is this what a majority of Guelph would want at almost any cost? Or would it be a nice-to-have notion at a certain price point?

The Guelph Waste Management Coalition has offered arguments and statistics that suggest other courses would be more prudent environmentally and economically. But that group’s assertions and research are also hard to assess because it is so opposed to any wet-plant scenario – at least at the site of the city’s first effort.

In the last municipal election campaign, what to do about the city’s organic waste was a big issue. The strategic platform response of candidates was typically that they were open to considering all options. After the election, however, council moved almost immediately to the compost plant option – without a great deal of debate or exploration of other avenues. That’s interesting politicking. So, too, it seems is not doing enough to make clear what the costs will be of going down that road.

FINDING HOPE WHEN THE HEAT IS ON:
Spiritual Resources in Environmental Crisis
Wed. Jan. 27th at 7:30 P.M. &
Wed. Feb. 10th at 7:30 P.M.
At the Fat Duck Pub,
(Corner of Kortright and Edinburgh Road, Guelph)
Two relaxed conversations on spirituality and the environment – specifically where we find hope in the face of the environmental crisis that so threatens the future of our planet. Join the conversation with two presenters that care deeply about the fate of the planet:
Mike Nagy – on Jan. 27th
Jim Profit – on Feb. 10th
Come and join the conversation. All welcome.

My office purchased these cups for our staff and as “give-aways” to promote both our brand and to make the environment just that much better! Better yet, the cup company is located in GUELPH!! These cups are amazing folks. They are totally reusable, customizable, microwave and dishwasher safe, thermal, stackable and good for hot or cold beverages. 

More than the product itself being fantastic, the company’s service is top notch. They really give you lots of choices and help you through the design process. Our cups were delivered right to our door packaged very well and I cannot overstate how much I would recommend them to you. 

Also, the cost of these cups is totally reasonable! Give your advertising budget a look over for this year and make room for these cups. They truly do have shelf life and your brand will be walking around for all to see! Please contact them today. Here’s their info: 

Green Menu 

www.reusablecups.com 

I picked up my daughter from school today and after the big run out the door with arms open wide to give me a hug (I’m going to miss that later in life!) she said “Daddy I got my water bottle today!” I responded by saying “Oh, that’s good!” But, to be honest, I had no idea what she was talking about. It wasn’t until we got home that she took the Wellington Water Watchers “message in a bottle” water bottle (say that 5 times fast!) out of her backpack! Then I knew what she talking about! And she was seriously over the top happy about it. She said “There’s a message inside! Look Daddy!” So I opened up the bottle and a little message with water conservation tips for both the kids and the parents was on it. She is on cloud nine. What an absolutely fantastic idea. And just think….hopefully hundreds of other kids are saying the same thing to their parents tonight as they show them the bottle. Well done Wellington Water Watchers. Well done.

Cam Guthrie

In December we had Doug Prest of SolarG and Josh McPhie of EstillEnergy give a high flying presentation on the Green Energy Act and current opportunities in Solar Photovoltaic Energy in Ontario.

Come out next Tuesday Jan 19 @ 7:30 to the Woolly for a down to earth discussion and hear where Mike Discoll would like to plant us (eventually).

Here is what the Natural Burial Co-operative is up to:

If people do think about their last impact on the Earth, it is not always an environmental assessment. Current burial practices use huge amounts of energy and non-biodegradable materials in encasing, burying and and processing our bodies. Only 2-3 generations ago, burial was simpler, and the Natural Burial Co-operative is working to have environmentally benign options readily available to its members. Go to www.naturalburial.coop or come listen to Mike’s 15 minute presentation over your favorite beverage.

From what Mike tells me the Natural Coop members are dying to make a difference. Come out for a pint – I am sure we will have a lively discussion.