Posted by: Dan Brosemer (odin) on March 20, 2007 at 03:18:32
from the no-not-a-flying-car dept.
Indian automotive manufacturer Tata is bringing a compressed-air powered car to the consumer market. We've written before about MDI's air-powered cars as they're used in Mexico City, but this is the first time a leading auto manufacturer will be bringing them to the public. This is bigger than just India. Tata is a global company and maybe we'll see these cars in other areas they influence. The press release is available on MDI's website.
Posted by: Kathie Brosemer (kathie) on July 15, 2004 at 12:48:33
from the if-you-must-drive-at-least-Drive-Green dept.
Environment Canada will be here shortly, with their gizmos and gadgets that tell you just how much the family beast pollutes the air. The really nice thing is they'll also tell you how to fix that, which will usually result in your spending a whole lot less on gasoline. Get the vehicle checked out while you can: July 26 and 27, 10 am to 7 pm, at the Canadian Tire lot. It's fast, it's free, and it will save you some dough if you follow up on the recommendations.
Posted by: Kathie Brosemer (kathie) on July 15, 2004 at 12:45:51
from the got-nasal-congestion?-make-your-nose-bigger dept.
In response to the recent news that the city is looking at extending Willow and/or Pine streets north, to ease "congestion" on Great Northern Road, urban sprawl activist Andre Riopel had this to say. Read his comments below.
Posted by: Kathie Brosemer (kathie) on July 15, 2003 at 11:24:33
from the what's-coming-out-your -tailpipe? dept.
If you drive a gas-powered vehicle, get it to the Canadian Tire parking lot next Tuesday or Wednesday, between 10 am and 7 pm. That's when we'll be helping the Environment Canada technicians test the exhaust. There is no fee for this service, and since the emissions regulations haven't come to Northern Ontario yet, there's also no fines if your vehicle doesn't pass the test. So you have no reason not to come!
Reasons to come: 1. Find out how to improve your vehicle's gas mileage, and save money! 2. Find out how to fix an emissions problem and reduce pollution. 3. Make sure you don't contribute more than your share to the Sault's "bad air days" (see below). 4. See all your favourite Clean North volunteers! 5. Meet cute guys (well, I guess that doesn't work for everyone)! Don't miss it!
Posted by: Kathie Brosemer (kathie) on January 16, 2003 at 13:21:41
from the worth-the-effort dept.
This in from Terry: "I plan to attend the next meeting Feb 4th & would like to discuss the possibility of starting up a car coop here similar to what has been done in Ottawa, Kitchener-Waterloo & other large S. Ontario centres. Am interested in working with other people to get this going, not spearheading it myself."
Posted by: Kathie Brosemer (kathie) on September 18, 2002 at 12:29:49
from the hold-your-breath! dept.
Here's a shocker from the Earth Policy Institute! Story by Bernie Fischlowitz-Roberts
The World Health Organization reports that 3 million people now die each year from the effects of air pollution. This is three times the 1 million who die each year in automobile accidents. A study published in The Lancet in 2000 concluded that air pollution in France, Austria, and Switzerland is responsible for more than 40,000 deaths annually in those three countries. About half of these deaths can be traced to air pollution from vehicle emissions.
In the United States, traffic fatalities total just over 40,000 per year, while air pollution claims 70,000 lives annually. U.S. air pollution deaths are equal to deaths from breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. This scourge of cities in industrial and developing countries alike threatens the health of billions of people.
Governments go to great lengths to reduce traffic accidents by fining those who drive at dangerous speeds, arresting those who drive under the influence of alcohol, and even sometimes revoking drivers' licenses. But they pay much less attention to the deaths people cause by simply driving the cars. While deaths from heart disease and respiratory illness from breathing polluted air may lack the drama of deaths from an automobile crash, with flashing lights and sirens, they are no less real. Full Story here.
Posted by: Kathie Brosemer (kathie) on April 28, 2002 at 08:37:57
from the one-less-car dept.
The city of Sault Ste. Marie is considering an "upgrade" to Black Road south of Second Line, which if implemented will be a major step backwards in the provision of cycling infrastructure. The long-term concerns are:
Bicyclists will be killed. Fewer people will choose to bike and more will continue to use cars.
Precedent will be set for future road upgrades to ignore the needs of non-motorized road users. Until this, we had been making progress on this issue.
There is a poll at Soo Today's website - please go there and vote. One vote per person. Even if you never bicycle, even if you never plan to use Black Road, please vote. Each bicyclist, each bike trip, leaves the air cleaner for the rest of us to breathe. It's one less car. Let's appreciate that. sootoday.com
Posted by: Kathie Brosemer (kathie) on April 02, 2002 at 21:51:01
from the good-people-are-hard-to-keep dept.
Ok, I know it seems like yesterday we were hiring for this position, but I guess a bike job has quick turnover (bad pun, in case you were wondering). This is one of our rare paying jobs, thanks to a Trillium Foundation grant to start the community bicycle workshop. But we're looking to replace the coordinator who has gotten on his bike and moved on. The old posting is here. Please get us a resume by Friday, April 5th. Thanks!
Posted by: Kathie Brosemer (kathie) on March 27, 2002 at 21:45:31
from the cars-stink dept.
Here's a link to a diatribe we can all appreciate: the problems with cars won't be solved by those so-called "green" cars, gas/electric hybrids and their ilk. We need better transit, better-designed cities, pedestrian-friendly urban spaces. Enjoy! www.oriononline.org
Posted by: Kathie Brosemer (kathie) on December 14, 2001 at 14:29:59
from the as-toxic-as-salt dept.
OTTAWA, November 30, 2001 - A 60-day public comment period starts December 1, 2001, with the publication in the Canada Gazette, Part 1 of the recommendation that road salts, which contain inorganic chloride salts with or without ferrocyanide salts, be added to Schedule 1 under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). The government will make a final decision on this legal step following a complete review and consideration of the comments received. Canadians are welcome to provide comments until January 29, 2002 to Environment Canada. More, below.
