Social Services
Pathways and Challenges to Institutional Development of On-Site Clean Energy
Renewable Energy World / Eric Paul / 07 February 2012
Institutions seeking to deploy on-site clean energy solutions are facing a number of challenging questions: How can solutions be deployed under tight budget constraints, with a minimum of upfront cost? What deal and financing structures are available to non-tax paying institutions? Is it best to build and own a system internally, or use a third-party developer?
As more institutions look to on-site clean energy generation to reduce operating costs and meet environmental goals, these questions are growing in importance. In this post, I will explore how institutions are approaching these questions, and provide examples of new financing and development approaches being utilized.
Cost-free fundraising program: Think Recycle
Think Recycle is a cost-free fundraising program that rewards members with money and environmental incentives for the collection of unwanted electronics including laptops, tablets, cell phones, digital cameras, inkjet cartridges and toner cartridges! Organizations that are eligible to participate in Think Recycle include schools, charities, institutions, churches, teams, clubs and even businesses.
Think Recycle works with more than 20,000 members, across the United States and Canada, to meeting their fundraising and environmental goals.
Video: London Community Gardens
London Community Gardens from Simon Brothers on Vimeo.
[ Hat tip to Carole Chang and the LLG Health Unit! ]
Global Warming Effects and Threats on Human Health
Natural Resources Defense Council
Climate change is one of the most serious public health threats facing the nation, but few people are aware of how it can affect them. Children, the elderly, and communities living in poverty are among the most vulnerable. Click on a state on the map for more information on climate-health threats, actions being taken to prepare communities, and what you can do. [HC: This is relevant given our proximity to New York State.]
An Energy Efficiency Strategy for Ontario's Homes, Buildings and Industries
Ontario Clean Air Alliance
In the 20th century, Ontario’s economy was built on a foundation of low-cost and abundant energy supplies. From 1906 to 1959 we enjoyed continuously falling electricity rates as Ontario Hydro developed virtually all of our low-cost hydro-electric resources. And starting in 1958 with the completion of the TransCanada pipeline system from Alberta to Ontario, we began to rely on low cost natural gas to heat our homes and fuel our industries. Times have changed, however.
Peak oil and public health: Political common ground?
American University / Press Release / 08 August 2011
Peak petroleum — the point at which the maximum rate of global oil extraction is reached, after which the rate of production begins to decline — is a hot topic in scientific and energy circles. When will it occur? What will the impact be? While geologists and economists debate the specifics, American University School of Communication professor Matthew Nisbet believes peak petroleum and the associated risks to public health may provide an opportunity to bring conservatives and liberals together in the move toward alternative forms of energy.
Growing Old in a Changing Climate
20th Annual John K. Friesen Conference
Population aging and climate change are two of the biggest challenges facing humanity this century. The 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) report states “There is now a strong, global scientific consensus that warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and is caused by human activity..” and resulting changes in weather patterns are “disrupting the balance of natural systems that supply the necessities of life”, namely air, water, food. At the same time, globally the proportion of people aged 60 and over is growing faster than any other age group.
We saw glimpses of the disastrous effects of climate change on older adults after the 2003 heat-waves in Europe where the majority of deaths and morbidity occurred in older adults. More recently, the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health authorities recorded an additional 131 “all cause, all age” deaths during a particularly warm weather interval July 27-August 3, 2009, compared to the same calendar period 2004-2008. Most of these additional deaths were people aged 65 or older, but equally alarming is the fact that the greatest proportional increase in deaths was in the 45-65 age group (the “baby boomers”).
However, extreme heat events are only one threat to human health from climate change. Warmer winters are also expected to bring increased precipitation, more severe and more frequent storms which can affect water supplies and sanitation. A Pacific Institute for Climate Change Solutions discussion paper emphasizes the need to focus attention on vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those in sub-optimal health and socio-economic status, where climate change could have a de-stabilizing effect.
