Release of Trees Ontario Health Paper A Healthy Dose of Green: A prescription for a healthy population

TORONTO, February 10, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Today, at the Ontario Forestry Association's 63rd Annual Conference, Trees Ontario presented a paper entitled A Healthy Dose of Green: A prescription for a healthy population.

A Healthy Dose of Green highlights the direct links between the natural environment - especially trees and forests - and human health. These links include the physical, physiological, and rehabilitation benefits of forest environments, the physical activities they promote, and the many ecosystem services they provide.

"This paper provides an excellent overview and a unique perspective on ways by which changes in our environment may lead to improved health and well-being," said Dr. John McLaughlin, Senior Investigator at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, and Professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health in Toronto. "Trees Ontario is to be congratulated for its summary of scientific literature, which begins a much needed cross-sectoral dialogue on the how forests and the greening of communities can contribute to better health."

"The paper aims to draw attention to the existing body of research by scientists and highlights the restorative effects of trees and forests," said Rob Keen, Trees Ontario CEO. "It offers recommendations to address the degradation of our natural environment through increased awareness, conservation and enhancement efforts."

Forests and green spaces have been linked to a significant decline in asthma, heart disease, diabetes, stress and certain childhood illnesses, as well as improved rehabilitation and faster hospital recovery rates.

This year, the theme of OFA's annual conference is Healthy Forests for Healthy People. "It is important that we understand the effects of our natural environment on our personal health. Our aim was to draw attention to these effects so that proactive health promotion strategies could be developed," said Tracy Smith, Executive Director of the Ontario Forestry Association.

"Trees are good for our health," added Keen. "They replenish our oxygen, filter out air pollution, protect our drinking water supplies, and help cool our cities and towns."

About Trees Ontario

Trees Ontario is a not-for-profit tree planting partnership. Our goal is to increase support to plant 10 million trees per year across the province, thereby promoting better health and wellness for all Ontarians. For more information, please visit www.treesontario.ca.

New Canadian Electrical Code a Green Light for the Future

Electric vehicle charging stations, renewable energy systems, fuel cells all addressed in 2012 CEC

TORONTO, February 6, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - CSA Standards, a leading standards-based solutions organization, today officially announces the availability of the 2012 Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), Part 1. The 2012 CEC is the 22nd edition of Canada's primary standard for electrical installations and includes more than 180 updates and revisions - the most comprehensive set of changes ever - including future-looking developments toward sustainable technologies that help address climate change issues, as well as several considerations addressing the safety of Canada's children.

New and extensively updated sections focus on renewable energy sources, such as solar photovoltaic installations and wind-generated electricity, new requirements for electric vehicles and home-based vehicle charging stations, as well as tamper-resistant receptacles for child care facilities.

"New sustainable technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels and power generating wind turbines have never been more prevalent," says Bonnie Rose, President, CSA Standards. "With major manufacturers bringing these products to market in greater numbers, they can no longer be considered simply emerging technologies, but part of our daily lives. Electrical safety surrounds Canadians every minute of every day, and CSA's 2012 Canadian Electrical Code is grounded in sustainability and safety improvements that will undoubtedly have a positive impact on future generations."

The 2012 CEC makes tamper-resistant receptacles in child care facilities mandatory. Unless otherwise defined by a regulatory authority having jurisdiction, this requirement applies to all facilities providing care to children seven-years-old or younger.

Unique installation requirements for a variety of renewable energy systems including wind and fuel cells are addressed in the 2012 CEC. Hydrokinetic generation systems that convert tidal or ocean current into energy, and micro-hydro systems that are very small versions of hydro power stations that convert the energy of streams creeks into usable electricity, are also covered. Lastly, existing requirements for solar power have been updated considerably to reflect new technologies, techniques, and calculations.

CSA's 2012 Canadian Electrical Code may also be considered a roadmap for the enhanced safety and success of electric vehicles. As electric vehicles become more commonplace, increased standardization has become critical to help ensure that charging infrastructure is properly addressed in terms of safety, capacity, and consistency. The 2012 CEC fulfills this need through new and enhanced rules addressing the safety, load calculation, and installation of electric vehicle charging equipment. This includes commercial applications for fleet vehicles and home installations such as a residential garage or car port.

"Developing standards is vital to the adoption of green technologies," says Bob Oliver, CEO of Pollution Probe, a national, non-profit organization that exists to improve the health and well-being of Canadians by advancing policy that achieves positive, tangible environmental change. "The strides CSA Standards is making toward the development of standards and codes for renewable energy and sustainable technologies, such as the new 2012 Canadian Electrical Code, will help make these technologies safer and provide Canadians with more choices for sustainable energy sources as demand for these products by environmentally conscious Canadians continues to grow."

About CSA Standards

CSA Standards is a leading standards-based solutions organization serving industry, government, consumers and other interested parties in North America and the global marketplace. Focusing on standards and codes development, application products, training, advisory and personnel certification services, the organization aims to enhance public safety, improve quality of life, preserve the environment and facilitate trade. CSA Standards is a division of CSA Group, which also consists of CSA International, which provides testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products; and OnSpeX, a provider of consumer product evaluation, inspection and advisory services for retailers and manufacturers. For more information visit www.csa.ca

More commuters choosing to carpool to reduce stress and share cost of driving

TORONTO, February 6, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Today marks the beginning of Carpool Week, an annual awareness campaign presented by Metrolinx's Smart Commute Program, aimed at getting more people to share the ride to work.

Commuters surveyed by Smart Commute consistently cite cost savings and reducing the stress of battling traffic congestion as the top two reasons why they choose to carpool.

For people like CarpoolZone.ca user Cynthia Koch, who commutes from Waterdown to Mississauga, carpooling has becoming an effective way to deal with rising stress levels, and greatly reduces the costs associated with her commute to work.

"I was spending two to three hours commuting each day, a tonne of gas, frustration and a lot of stress." Cynthia now makes arrangements to share driving responsibilities with her colleagues, which she's found creates time for collaboration and brainstorming. "Some of our best ideas and best initiatives have come out of carpool."

Another big motivator for some carpoolers is the desire to make a contribution to improving the environment.

"I started carpooling to reduce my commute costs and to reduce my ecological footprint," says Rob Wilson, carpooler and ecologist at Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority in Newmarket. "I have now been carpooling for six to seven years, and I carpool four to five days a week. It is nice to sit back relax and enjoy the view. I have now helped many other people in our office form carpools of their own with the help of Smart Commute Central York and the Carpool Zone website."

CarpoolZone.ca is a free, easy-to-use, online ride-matching service offered by Smart Commute that makes it easy to find a driving buddy. There are currently 1,450 carpools registered in the CarpoolZone database, and more than 204 employers with 524,000 employees across the GTHA are currently designated as Smart Commute workplaces.

"Employers realize that a stressful and costly commute can seriously affect job satisfaction," says Mark Singh, Manager, Smart Commute. "Our recent survey of commuters showed that if we can make it easy to find someone to carpool with, they would be willing to try it. Even carpooling once or twice a week can make a big difference."

About Smart Commute

Smart Commute is an initiative of Metrolinx and the municipalities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area that works with employers to improve commuting options for their employees. Smart Commute helps employers and commuters in the GTHA explore different commuting options like carpooling, cycling and transit. Our goal is to ease gridlock, improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while making your commute less expensive and more enjoyable. To date, 204 employers with 524,000 employees across the GTHA have signed on and are designated as Smart Commute workplaces.

About Metrolinx

Metrolinx is the Province of Ontario's regional transportation agency for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). The organization's mission is to champion, develop and implement an integrated transportation system for our region that enhances prosperity, sustainability and quality of life.

About CarpoolZone.ca

History and Technology

The CarpoolZone.ca website was launched in the fall of 2005. Features include:

...Search options that let users decide how flexible they are in distance, driving times, and other preferences

...Google maps that are used to display locations and map out routes

...Intelligent route matching that improves the number of possible carpool matches. Route-based matching considers the entire route traveled, allowing matches with commuters who can be picked up along the way

...Routes that can be customized to show the roads and highways actually traveled

2011 Statistics:

...More than 40,000 people registered
...More than 1,450 carpools registered
...Combined average monthly savings by commuters of $769,000
...Combined average monthly reduction of 270 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions
...Combined average monthly reduction of 1.2 million km of car travel - equivalent to making 140 return trips between Toronto and Vancouver

For more information about Carpool Week and carpooling in the GTHA, visit www.smartcommute.ca.

Boreal World Heritage Site Nomination Celebrated

A Natural "Noah's Ark" Legacy for Future Generations

WINNIPEG, January 18, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) welcomes the official submission of the magnificent Pimachiowin Aki boreal region of Manitoba and Ontario as a candidate UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Extending from the East Side of Lake Winnipeg across the border into Ontario, the Pimachiowin Aki nominated area embraces the homelands of Bloodvein River, Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi, Pikangikum and Poplar River First Nations and has sustained their diverse cultures for countless generations. The Atikaki Provincial Park in Manitoba and the Woodland Caribou Provincial Park in Ontario are also included in the nominated area.

"Pimachiowin Aki is so rich in life that it has been described by leading international scientists as one of the world's great remaining "Noah's Arks," noted CBI Executive Director Larry Innes.

"The CBI congratulates the First Nations whose people have lived in this region for millennia, their vision in bringing forward this proposal, and applauds their collaborations with the governments of Manitoba, Ontario and Canada," said Mr. Innes

"This is an excellent example of Canada's potential to lead the world in finding collaborative solutions for the protection and sustainable use of Canada's vast and globally important boreal forest. International recognition of Pimachiowin Aki as a World Heritage Site would be an important validation of this goal."

Pimachiowin Aki, which means "land that gives life," is an ecologically and culturally diverse 33,400 km2 boreal heartland. It is part of one of the largest unfragmented forest blocks on earth and supports a rich ecological community, including forest birds, mammals, freshwater fish and medicinal plants.

CBI was proud to support this nomination at today's commemorative event in Winnipeg, co-hosted by the Government of Manitoba and the Pimachiowin Aki Corporation.

There are more than 930 World Heritage Sites designated by UNESCO in 153 countries. These sites are recognized as globally significant for their outstanding cultural and natural values - places like Machu Picchu, Egypt's Pyramids and the Canadian Rockies. Canada has 15 World Heritage Sites. If added to the World Heritage List, Pimachiowin Aki will be the first World Heritage Site located in Manitoba, and the second listed in Ontario.

The Canadian Boreal Initiative brings together diverse partners to create new solutions for Boreal Forest conservation and acts as a catalyst for on-the-ground efforts across the Boreal Forest by governments, industry, Aboriginal communities, conservation groups, major retailers, financial institutions, and scientists.

Conserving Habitat in Rice Lake Plains, Ontario

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, Ontario, January 17, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Canada's Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced the Nature Conservancy of Canada's successful acquisition of the Hazel Bird Nature Reserve - 117 hectares of land in Hamilton Township in Northumberland County, Ontario. This project was secured in part with funding from Environment Canada's Natural Areas Conservation Program.

"The Rice Lake Plains contain some of the largest examples of prairies and savannahs in Ontario. With this investment, we are taking action to protect and conserve our ecosystems and sensitive species for present and future generations," said Minister Kent.

The easternmost segment of the Oak Ridges Moraine is the area south of Rice Lake known as the Rice Lake Plains. Historically, the Rice Lake Plains were dominated by prairie and savannas covering at least 17,200 hectares. In 1992, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources commissioned a survey of the tallgrass prairies of southern Ontario and this survey identified approximately 2,100 hectares of tallgrass communities remaining in this area. That is only about 12 percent of the original extent. The acquired property contains priority Black Oak savannah communities and documented habitat for Eastern Hog-nosed Snake and grassland birds. An assessment of birds in the Rice Lake Plains identified the property as significant for grassland birds, including the Whip-poor-will. It also is the site of one of the last documented populations of Wild Lupine (the primary food for Karner Blue butterfly) in the Rice Lake Plains, and will become a restoration area for this species.

"This project is possible through the incredible partnership with the Government of Canada and the generosity of private partners," said James Duncan, Ontario Regional Vice President of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. "Together we are building a natural legacy that will be enjoyed by our children and grandchildren."

The Government of Canada's $225-million Natural Areas Conservation Program is an important on-the-ground initiative that takes real action to preserve Canada's environment and conserve its precious natural heritage for present and future generations. It is through the ongoing contribution from all donors that we can ensure the protection of natural areas in Canada. As of March 2011, the Natural Areas Conservation Program has protected 160,796 hectares of habitat, which includes habitat for 101 species at risk.

For more information and to view a backgrounder on this announcement, please visit the Web site of Environment Canada at http://www.ec.gc.ca/.

Ontario Biodiversity Council welcomes the Environmental Commissioner's call for government action to conserve Ontario's biodiversity

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, January 10, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Ontario Biodiversity Council acknowledges the Environmental Commissioner's special report on biodiversity and supports his recommendation that the Ontario government play a key leadership role in the conservation of our natural heritage.

The special report titled "Biodiversity: A Nation's Commitment, An Obligation for Ontario" calls on the government of Ontario to develop a coordinated and strategic plan for biodiversity conservation.

In June of 2011, the Ontario Biodiversity Council released "Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy, 2011" calling on government, First Nations, conservation groups, industry and all Ontarians to help in protecting what sustains us. Adapted from the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity International Aichi targets, the renewed strategy establishes 15 targets that reflect Ontario's biodiversity conservation needs over the next decade.

Upon release of its strategy, the Ontario Biodiversity Council, made up of diverse interests reflecting broader civil society, received special recognition from the Executive Secretary to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Ontario has joined jurisdictions around the world in aligning with international commitments to halt biodiversity loss.

"I look forward to the government's response to Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy in the coming months," says Jon Grant, Chair of the council. "We remain committed to work with government, First Nations, conservation groups, industry, and all Ontarians to implement Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy. Our wealth and prosperity, our quality of life, and our well-being are directly tied to Ontario's biodiversity."

To read the complete strategy: http://ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca


About the Ontario Biodiversity Council

The Ontario Biodiversity Council is a group of 20 volunteers who represent environmental and conservation groups, government agencies, academia, Aboriginal communities, and industry associations. The council was created out of a recommendation in the first (2005) Ontario Biodiversity Strategy, to guide its implementation, evaluate progress, and update the strategy.

Ontario Universities making major gains in Going Greener

photo credit: fadedgenes/via Flickr - University of Guelph recycling

TORONTO, January 11, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Universities across Ontario made major progress in their green initiatives last year by reducing emissions and energy use, improving water and waste management, strengthening green building and transportation standards, and increasing engagement with students, and staff and faculty, according to the latest report by the Council of Ontario Universities (COU).

Ontario Universities: Going Greener Report 2011 is based on a survey of green initiatives to which a total of 19 universities (21 campuses) responded.

"The results demonstrate the continued leadership of Ontario universities in advancing sustainability on their campuses," says Alastair Summerlee, Chair of COU and President of the University of Guelph. "Ontario universities continue to embed green initiatives in their institutions and their green procurement practices are extending the environmental benefits well beyond the university sector."

Ontario university presidents made their sustainability pledge in 2009 and have been reporting annually on their progress since then. Substantial progress is being made year over year and the 2011 highlights include:

...About 85 per cent of campuses, compared to 70 per cent last year, track costs/savings resulting from green initiatives

...Nearly twice as many campuses regularly set and review targets for reducing greenhouse gas/carbon dioxide emissions

...81 per cent of campuses, up from 65 per cent, engage their students in driving sustainability, and consider them to be an integral part of their sustainability efforts

...71 per cent of Ontario university campuses generate their own renewable energy

...To improve waste management, studies or audits are now being conducted by 95 per cent of campuses to determine how much and what type of waste is produced

...Environmental issues are being incorporated into a wide range of disciplines so universities can ensure that, regardless of their area of study, students graduate with a better understanding of environmental issues

"Ontario universities continue to demonstrate their leadership in going greener," says Bonnie M. Patterson, COU President and CEO. "They have a strong dedication to sustainability and that is showcased in this latest survey, where improvements can be seen in almost all categories."

See the full report at http://www.cou.on.ca/issues-resources/key-issues/more/going-greener.aspx

Visit the Council of Ontario Universities website at www.cou.on.ca

Follow them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CouncilofOntarioUniversities

Follow them on Twitter at @OntUniv