Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu (one of the other co-authors of the previously mentioned Realistic Energy Plan for Toronto) has a good op-ed piece in The Toronto Star about flow-batteries and why they’re cooler than gas-fired power plants. Check it out.
Monthly Archives: April 2006
First Bike of the Year
It is with a healthy mixture of excitement and embarrassment that I announce that today was my first “bike to work” day of the year. Excitement because I love biking around Toronto; embarrassment because it took me this long to get my tires pumped and find the key to my bike lock.
This morning reminded me of what I discovered last summer: that despite all obstacles and barriers, and even when compared to the first way, another way, and the better way, biking really is the best way to get around the city. Unfortunately, it still needs to be even easier and safer before it will enjoy the mass-adoption we need it to.
Let’s be realistic. The population of Toronto is expected to grow by 1,000,000 over the next few years (and that doesn’t even include the number of Green Party voters I’m trying to trick into moving to my riding). Just try and picture a million more cars on the road. No? How about 500,000 more? Ok, try imagining cramming just 10 more people onto a Yonge Street subway at rush hour. Ain’t gonna happen.
I’m not saying there’s no room to improve TTC infrastructure, but I’m doubtful it will happen in time. As for automobiles, Queen Street isn’t going to get any wider. Cycling is a big part of this city’s future. And that’s good news, but we’ve got some work to do before we get there.
An Inconvenient Truth
I know, I know, there are almost no good movies out right now. But be patient. Last night I saw three trailers for what look like good ones, including An Inconvenient Truth.
This documentary follows Al “I used to be the next president of the United States” Gore on his campaign of awareness regarding global warming. I’d never suspected Gore would become one of those movie-star presidents, but hey, whatever gets the job done.
My main criticism was that the trailer seemed very heavy and fear-based (“this is the scariest movie you’ll see all year”), which can be paralyzing and lead to a loss of hope. But when I saw the official movie poster, all was forgiven.
Mark May 26th on your calendars.
G.R.E.E.N. Conference at St. Clement’s School
I had a great time running a workshop this morning at the (3rd?) annual G.R.E.E.N. Conference, organized by students from the Bishop Strachan School, Havergal College, Crescent School, St. Clement’s School, and Upper Canada College. The acronym stands for Global Action, Respect, Environmental sustainability, Education, NOW! Over a hundred students were there to learn more about various environmental issues and how their lives are affected by them.
These students (many of whom are either voting age or just on the cusp) were extremely impressive. For one, they showed up for this thing on a Saturday morning (no word on whether or not they were forced). But more than that, they knew more about political issues–from NAFTA and other trade issues to electoral reform to current goings-on in Ottawa–than many people I’ve spoken with. The keynote speaker, Leah Henderson, spoke about the choice between acting from a place of hope or a place of despair. Meeting these people gave me a lot of hope. I wish I could have a similar conversation with a new group every weekend. (I’m available.)
Also, I told them to ask all of their parents to give me money. We’ll see how well that goes.