Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Noise Pollution
A Report on Noise Pollution that I presented to the Council in Halifax , Nova Scotia .

Report on Noise Pollution Behind
the Bedford Place Mall
Bedford ,Nova Scotia

Table of Contents Introduction
Health Effects of Noise Pollution
Current Legislation
The Problems
Recommendations


Introduction
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This report presents the findings of research that was done on Noise Pollution by a resident and taxpayer of Bedford , Nova Scotia .
The report's main emphasis is on the problems associated with commercial noise pollution along with recommendations as to what can be done to alleviate any negative impact on residents who live near such noise . These recommendations certainly can be applied to other areas with similar problems .
The report provides current medical research to support the need for progressive legislation in the area of Noise Control.
The current noise bylaws for the Bedford area are looked at and discussed along with recommendations given.

Health Effects of Noise Pollution
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Our annoyance to noise is often turned inward and passed on to the body where it shows up as tension . According to former United States Surgeon General William Stewart , noise is a major contributor to diseases ,which in 1980 alone ,took the lives of more than one million Americans .
Who knows what it is doing to Canadians ? A growing body of evidence suggests that noise can cause or aggravate headaches ,digestive problems,
ulcers and asthma.
Asleep or awake , the ear listens to everything within hearing distance . During waking hours ,sounds 70 to 75 decibels trigger automatic reactions . During sleep ,noises no louder than 55 decibels can set off an alarm . The nervous system responds by tensing muscles , constricting small blood vessels ,accelerating heart and breathing rates and increasing secretion of fluids in the stomach and intestines . Confronted with too much sound ,human physiology gears up for danger too often and for too long at a time. The space-age term for our perpetual state of readiness is tension . Chromic tension contributes to many of the problems and illnesses that plague human life .
High blood pressure and a high level of cholesterol -a clotting substance in the bloodstream , are believed to increase the risk of heart disease . In studies carried out by acoustic researchers , both of these conditions have been linked to noise . High blood pressure is a sign that the heart is working too hard to pump blood through the veins and arteries . Noise studies have turned up alarming connections between blood pressure and noisy environments.
German researcher Dr. Gerd Jansen learned that exposure to 75-90 decibels caused blood pressure to rise in the humans who participated in his laboratory experiments . (trucks-90 decibels, regular traffic - 70 decibels)
In 1981 the Environmental Protection Agency cautioned that continuous exposure to noise 70 decibels and up can be hazardous . Dr. Gerd Jansen in the course of his blood pressure studies learned that sounds in the range or 75-90 decibels cause tiny blood vessels in the toes ,fingers ,skin and abdominal organs to contract . This narrowing of small blood vessels or capillaries can reduce blood flow to affected body parts by as much as one half. Occurring too often it can interfere with the body's normal workings and make us susceptible to illness .
When noise keeps you awake night after night , you begin to feel tired and run down . The noise that doesn't wake you also takes a toll on health . According to Swiss sleep researcher H.R. Richter ,most of us are disturbed by night sounds that we don't notice or remember on awakening . Electronic equipment used to monitor brain waves showed that sounds don't have to be loud ti interfere with rest .
Russian researchers found barely audible 35 decibels can leave you feeling tired in the morning .
According to Dr.Nathaniel Kleitman of the University of Chicago ,too many restless nights will leave you with tired weak muscles .

Current Legislation
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The current legislation in Bedford and Halifax is inadequate and has to be changed . What is now in place only accommodates the business sector.
(i.e.Zellers,SuperStore & the Bedford Place Mall )and not the residents .
The noise bylaw in Bedford allows trucks with refrigeration units to operate from 7:00am to 9:30pm throughout the week . At times there have been up to "five" large refrigeration transport trucks behind Bedford Place Mall (i.e Farmers Dairy) with their engines and refrigeration units running and parked near residential homes . At times there isn't even a truck driver in the truck . IGA may have unloaded and the refrigeration unit will still run because of no driver .IGA has since gone and now another store is there in its place ready to open soon . Let us hope that history does not repeat itself .
What is interesting to note here is that in Bedford's Noise Bylaw certain exceptions were placed into the Noise Bylaw that shouldn't have been . One exception os the one dealing with garburator and refuse compacting equipment . The noise given off from these is a steady hum and if you live in a residential neighborhood it can be very annoying .
Bedford's IGA operated its compactor from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. when it was located at in Bedord . It was especially annoying after experiencing this for years . The IGA abutted residential homes . They should only be allowed to operate the compactors at certain times of the day and these compactors should not be located near residential homes where people's enjoyment of their property will be disturbed .
Under the current legislation unloading can occur from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. behind the Bedford Place Mall and Zellers takes full advantage of this . During the day the sound coming from the unloading area of Zellers sounds like a bowling alley and that is when you are in your home . Don't residents have a right to an enjoyment of their property ? Just why was an unloading area placed 40 feet behind a residential home when residents disapproved of it going there in the first place ? Why weren't residents listened to ?
The noise generated by the air-conditioning units is another annoyance which should be easily solved by relocation of these units away from the residential homes . At times the noise is continuous and is always background noise making if difficult to enjoy ones own backyard .
Another surprise with our Noise Bylaw is where noises from concrete -finishing machinery is exempt . If you live near a business where this may occur you are out of luck . They can go 24 hours with absolutely no regard for the health of the surrounding residents in the area . During Zellers's expansion in Bedford , this was the case . Businesses such as IGA ,Zellers & the Bedford Place mall have to show more social responsibility toward those who support them financially ,especially to those who are their next door neighbors .
It is important that we worked towards a community where business and residents can live together in harmony . I believe this can be only done through cooperation and courtesy .

The Problems
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(1.) Trucks arriving at the back of the Bedford Place Mall are leaving their engines and refrigeration units running.
(2.) The unloading area for Zellers is too close to residential homes . At times while they are unloading , the sound resembles a bowling alley in some of the homes .
(3.) Trucks are going to the new site for the SuperStore Development at 1 truck every 3 minutes from 7:00 a.m to 9:30 p.m. from Monday to Saturday hauling gravel and rocks .They are using the back of the Mall that abuts residential homes to do this .Not only do we have the regular Noise pollution from the transport tucks visiting Zellers and IGA but now we have additional truck traffic . At times there have been at least "8" transport trucks at the back of the mall .
(4.) Other trucks who do not do business with the mall use the back of the mall to avoid the Bedford Highway. The trucks going over the speed bumps at the back of the Bedford Place mall can even cause dishes to rattle and children to lose their sleep.
(5.) Trucks will unhitch their trailers with refrigeration units at the IGA unloading area and leave them running , especially on Sunday .
(6.) The noise barrier is inadequate . At present , what is considered by Bedford's former Town Planner (Donna Davis Lohnes ) as a noise barrier , is completely inadequate . I suggested at the time other alternatives that were being used elsewhere in Canada but these suggestions were not even considered . The location of Zeller's receiving doors in Bedford were never agreed upon by my family . The decision was made at a time when Bedford was shutting down as a town . The decision to put a receiving area for Zellers right behind a residential home is a good example of poor planning. Our protest to this decision was ignored . We have been told that this decision has devalued our home by at least $10,000 .
(7.) Trucks are stopping to close their trailer doors with their engines running ,near the fence that abuts the residential homes .
(8.) With the possibility of the Bedford Place Mall being allowed to open longer there will be an increase in the above problems . I am concerned that there may be a new law introduced with regards to Sunday shopping .
(9.) One truck may be running 15 mins. But right after that one another comes and then another . To worsen this condition is the limited space in which the trucks making deliveries have to work with . At times there are as many as 8 transport trucks with their engines running . This continues day after day and can only take its toll on the health of the individuals who are subjected to it . The cumulative affect is one the department of Health and the Department of the Environment should be concerned with . Immediate action needs to be taken by both departments.

Recommendations
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(1.) Changes need to be made to the noise bylaw that would ensure residents' health are note effected and that they will be able to have the right to appreciate their property .
(2.) Trucks entering the back of the Bedford place Mall need to turn off their engines along with their refrigeration units .
Only one truck should be allowed to enter the back of the Bedford Place Mall at any one time to unload their products . The trucks waiting to unload should wait at the front of the Bedford Place Mall until it is their turn to unload . Instead , what is occurring is that up to three to five trucks with their engines and refrigeration units running , are waiting for their turn to unload at the back of the Mall where there are residential homes .
We have been informed by Noise Watch the trucks do not need to be idling in order to use the refrigeration units . They just need to plug into a power source . If the power source generator can be housed indoors , then the noise would be cut down drastically . The generator should of course be muffled ,however the ideal would be for them to just turn off for the short time they are there . (15 mins. To 30 mins) This goes on for the whole day !
(3.) If the above is impossible then relocation of the loading doors away from residential homes is a must .Especially ,Zellers unloading area . The system they use for unloading goods is far to noisy .
The noise from thins area at times resembles a bowling alley . Zellers has to find a quieter way to unload other than with a forklift . Also , occasionally smaller trucks who are making deliveries to Zellers leave their engines running . This is not healthy for the environment nor is it healthy for the children in the area .
If the above is not possible then the unloading area at Zellers should be relocated .
(4.) Build a proper noise barrier . The wooden fence that was built behind the Bedford Place Mall is only esthetically pleasing and does not block out the noise from the Bedford Place Mall.
(5.) I have also requested the Halifax Regional Municipality to request a review of scientific literature regarding stress-related health effects of noise to be done by the Central Regional health Board . Nothing has been done to date on my request .
(6.) I have also requested Mr. Angus Shaffenburg of the HRM development Department to respond to this report and to give reasons as to why residents are being subjected to such Noise Pollution . No response to date .
I have also sent a copy of the report to MLA Peter Christie along with Councillor Peter Kelly who is now the mayor of Halifax , Nova Scotia .

Update : IGA has moved and so has the the trucks with refrigeration but the trucks "continue" to use the back of the Bedford Place Mall as a route to avoid the traffic lights on the main highway .
They also use it as a route to get to the new SuperStore . The speed bumps they have at the back of the Mall do nothing to prevent the noise generated by these trucks as they pass over them . At times the houses shake when the trucks speed over them .
The store Winners is now in the location where IGA use to be . Their waste system is noisy and is not a desirable one in my opinion . Canadian Waste although it boasts of being environmentally friendly is noisy when it picks up its garbage . At times the noise is so bad the houses shake . Winners could go to a more environmentally quiet collection system but at this time is choosing not to . We hope that they do.
Zellers still continues to unload its trucks in an unfriendly manner creating noise in the surrounding area .It refuses to look at environmentally friendly ways to unload their products that would lessen the noise for residents that abut this establishment . I hope that these companies begin to realize their corporate responsibility to the residents who abut them and begin to do something about the noise they are generating . We do have a right to be able to appreciate our properties.

INCINERATION

Incineration
Is it an alternative to getting rid of our waste ?

Incineration cannot be regarded as a long term solution for a finite planet,especially a planet threatened by human activities .


Is incineration risk -free?

The Nova Scotia Medical Society , the Allergy and Environmental Health Association , the American Public Health Association , the Physicians of Orilla (after their community was threatened with an incinerator and a lawsuit) , the Bavarian Medical Society and other health -orientated organizations have cautioned against incineration . They advise that incineration is a risk that should be avoided . Will our councillors in our communities put our health at risk if they consider the advice of incineration advocates over the caution of health experts.

Will incineration save taxpayers money ?

Incineration costs more than the alternatives and has in the past depressed property values .

Is incineration near schools and residences healthy ?

The World Health Organization recommends siting garbage incinerators far from populated areas due to health risks.Who should we believe , the World Health Organization or people who stand to benefit financially from incineration ?

Are incineration and landfilling the only choices ?

Alternatives to incineration are MORE effective and can leave as little as 16% for disposal ,FASTER by several years to implement and less expensive by 1/3 or more . Alternatives ,not incineration ,were the recommendation of Metro Authority's own Solid Waste management Advisory Committee , of the City of Halifax Task Force on waste management and the Ecology Action Centre .

Are the Alternatives not proven technology ?

The World Health Organization identifies recycling and composting as proven technology that will continue to grow in use in the future . Who especially recommends composting be considered in areas with a need for humus in their soils ,such as in Nova Scotia .

Does Incineration convert Waste -to - Energy ?

Incineration is actually a WASTE-OF-ENERGY. Incineration only recovers a small proportion of the energy needed to produce paper by burning . Recycling saves much more energy and reuse saves all the energy . Burning is a waste .

Does incineration solve the landfill problem ?

Incineration WORSENS the landfill problem because the ash is toxic .Toxic materials put into a landfill leak out ; the only "Russian Rouleete "question is ,when?

Let us hope the New Brunswick Provincial and Municipal governments especially surrounding the Fundy National Park Area ,which is now on the list to be voted as one of the Seven Greatest Wonders of the World ,do not allow incineration as an option to solve the garbage crisis.
JACKS LAKE and SANDY LAKE AREA - URBANIZATION AT IT'S WORST !! BEDFORD ,NOVA SCOTIA ,CANADA

Urbanization at its worse !


Jacks Lake and Sandy Lake -Bedford

Nova Scotia -Canada

The Jack lake Land Assembly is a 960-acre site located within the community of Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is NW of the Bicentennial Highway and between the Hammond Plains Road Highway 101. The site is covered with a second growth forest ranging from upland hardwoods to lowland bog shrubs and is being threatened by developers and politicians that lack vision.

The Site
What stands out in this area are the mature coniferous stands southwest of Jack Lake. This is the location of the Osprey and it is also where most of two or three species of wood warblers are found. It also has this area the potential for attracting other species not resident at present.
The older hardwood stands along the northeast margin of this area and are the most attractive stands on the whole site. The scarlet tanager has been sighted in this area. Owls such as the Long eared owl has also been sighted in this area and is rather unique to this area.

There have been sightings of small common small mammals such as squirrels, mice and moles. Signs of larger furbearers such as raccoon have been observed particularly near the Jack lake Area. Also there is evidence of white tailed deer activity in this area also. In general, the areas around marsh lake and along the Sackville River provide exceptionally rich habitat conditions for wildlife. On one survey done numerous deer, waterfowl and small mammals were sighted in the Sackville River.

Environmental problems will escalate with urban and economic expansion along with our natural resources becoming more and more scarce. It is important that we have areas to recharge our batteries in light of this and that we reserve areas for future generations to be able to do this. We are the caretakers of this earth and it is our responsibility to leave this world a better place than we found it. We must begin to realize that we are only one aspect to the life cycle and that there are other organisms that live on this planet that have a right to be here also. Ours is not to dominate but to coexist in harmony with other living organisms. To disregard this will be our downfall.The proposal for 17,000 homes to be built in this area is one giant step toward this downfall!

Let's not make the same mistake in the Fundy National Park Area . The Council in the Alma area along with the Provincial government should make sure that this does not happen.

A TICKING TIME BONB

An environmental trip I took with three wonderful High School Students.A trip that has a great impact on us all. The following is a what we learned about the area and tried to tell both Federal and Provincial levels of government 10 years ago.The question is has anything been done ? If not are we sitting on a time bomb ?


Nuclear Waste Dumping


Murmansk , Russia



There are two climatic zones : Taiga and Tundra .

The Tundra zones stretches from the coastal areas of the city of Murmansk , along the Kola Peninsula to the White Sea.Although there are no continuous areas of Permafrost there can be several years of ground frost .

The taiga zone is covered by coniferous and deciduous forests .

The counties of Murmansk and Arkhangelsk in nothwestern Russia has more nuclear reactors in operation than any other region in the world .

The region contains 182 nuclear reactors in operation as well as 135 nuclear reactors no longer in operation .

Radioactive waste is stored at 15 different places in the region . The radioactivity DUMPED in this region constitutes approximately 2/3 of all the radioactive waste ever dumped in all the oceans of the world .

The Russian Northern Fleet , is this regions largest consumer of Nuclear energy .

The Northern Fleet has :

84 nuclear submarines

2 nuclear -powered battle cruisers

71 nuclear submarines containing

135 nuclear reactors are laid up at the Northern Fleets Bases .

Seven nuclear - powered icebreakers and one nuclear powered container ship are presently in operation .

Radioactive and used assemblies are stored aboard five ships right outside of Murmansk .

16 dumped nuclear reactors constitutes the major potential pollution problem .

Kola Nuclear power Plant , the only Power Plant in this region is regarded as one of the worlds least safe nuclear power plants and is presently experiencing severe economical and technical problems .

Military activities are responsible for the largest sources of radioactivity in this region . Tidying up after the cold war may prove to be an expensive as the armaments race once was . Cleaning up will require financial and technical resources . It is essential that in order for this to be done that the Northern Fleet opens up and releases technical information needed to evaluate the costs of various measures , as well as presenting a survey on what problems are the most acute . It is necessary that an International Civil Agency be established to gather international resources to solve the problems in this region caused by the nuclear armaments race . The international Agency may be established within the United Nations . It is of great importance that the agency be granted access to inspect military sites .

Future Activity

There are several planned projects in the county of Murmansk and Arkhangelsk . According to plans , all solid radioactive waste from the Northern Fleet , Murmansk shipping Company ,Kola Nuclear Power Plant and the shipyards of Severodvinsk that cannot be destructed at incineration plants , are to be transported by ship to a depot on Novaya Zemlya .

A depot for high level radioactive waste is also planned in the same area of Nova Zemlya .

According to plans discarded nuclear submarines and reactor sections from the Northern fleet , along with the ship Lepse from the Murmansk Shipping Company , is to be deposited here.

A canal of 60 - 70 metres is planned to be blasted into the beach , along with minor tributary canals , where the Lepse and discarded nuclear submarines and or reactor sections are to be towed in . When the canals are filled up , a dam is to be built and water pumped out ,before the entire canal is to be covered by gravel an concrete . There is need for storage facilities for 274 reactors from 150 submarines to be broken up . According to plans the reactors are to be covered in a protective matter to prevent radioactive leakages . The three reactors from the icebreaker Lenin were covered in polyester before they were dumped into the Kara Sea . Such protection may prevent radioactive leakages for approximately 500 years .

Plans have been made for the construction of floating nuclear power plants which may be placed at the coast of northwestern Russian Regions at present experiencing problems concerning power production . The plans comprises rebuilding of nuclear icebreakers and nuclear submarines into power plants

According to plans a network of terminals are to be built enabling submarine takers to unload oil under the ice . This is due to the problems of provision of goods and places along the northen coast of Siberia .

There are plans in the work for the destruction of chemical weapons and other chemical waste by way of nuclear detonation . The detonations are to take place on the island of Nova Zemlya. Nuclear warheads , high level radioactive waste and reactors from discarded submarines are to be destroyed by nuclear detonations on Nova Zemlya . 8500 tons of plutonium are generated yearly at civil nuclear power plants in the former Soviet Union . Destruction of this waste by nuclear detonations is being considered an alternative .

Accidents

There have been several accidents concerning the Soviet nuclear submarines belonging to the Northern Fleet . Among the most serious accidents are several reactor breakdowns and fires causing submarines to sink , or the reactors to be dumped in the Kara Sea at a later point . At several accidents a break down in the nuclear reactors cooling system has resulted in radioactive discharges , exposing the crew to radioactive discharges , exposing the crew to radiation . According to information gathered by Green peace at least 507 persons aboard Soviet Nuclear submarine have died as a result of accidents .

There have been accidents at storage facilities for nuclear waste along with theft of fuel assemblies from the Northern Fleets storage facilities on the Kola Peninsula .

Sable Offshore Project

Sable Gas Project , Nova Scotia , Canada
Project linked to Global Warming






SABLE ISLAND GAS PROJECT

My first article will be on the negative aspects of the proposed Sable Island Gas Project , in Nova Scotia , Canada . Just why are we nodding our heads to this project in light of Global Warming ?

GLOBAL WARMING : Strictly speaking ,global warming and global cooling refer to the natural warming and cooling trends that the earth has experienced through its history . However the term "global warming" has become popularized as the term that encompasses all aspects of the global warming problem . This includes the potential climate changes that will be brought about by an increase in global temperatures .

GREENHOUSE GASES : Most of the greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere . Although they exist in relatively small amounts , their heat - trapping properties allow the earth's surface to be maintained at a temperature that is habitable for humans , animals , and plants as we know them . The main greenhouse gases are water vapour , carbon dioxide , methane , nitrous oxide , ozone and halocarbons .

GREENHOUSE EFFECT : The "greenhouse effect" is the popular term for the warming function the atmosphere plays in the global ecosystem . Just as the glass in a greenhouse holds the sun's warmth inside ,so the atmosphere traps the sun's heat near the earth's surface and keeps the earth warm . We call this the natural greenhouse effect . It makes the earth a unique planet for growing and living things .

ENHANCED GREENHOUSE EFFECT : If concentrations of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increase ,they will intensify the natural greenhouse effect . This will cause what is referred to as the "Enhanced Greenhouse Effect". Scientists agree that if humans continue to add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels and clearing of the forests , the greenhouse effect will be enhanced . This will cause Global temperatures to rise at an unprecedented rate .

DO WE HAVE CAUSE FOR CONCERN : Atmospheric problems are clearly global in nature . We can not afford to cultivate a provincial attitude towards the problems we will be facing down the road on the environment . The atmosphere is a global commons which we are all equally dependent . The continued degradation of the atmosphere by industry has profound implications for life as we know it on this planet . The World Commission Report on Environment and Development , Our Common Future clearly states the problem . The burning of fossil fuels puts into the atmosphere carbon dioxide , which is causing gradual global warming . This greenhouse effect may by early next century have increased average global temperatures enough to shift agricultural production areas , raise sea levels to flood coastal cities and disrupt national economies . Other gases threaten to deplete the planet's protective shield to such an extent that the number of human and animal cancers would rise sharply and the oceans food chain would be disrupted . Clearly we all have a responsibility to NOT leave this legacy for our children . The time for sweeping environmental problems under the rug is over , such as with the Sydney Tar Ponds or looking for quick solutions to our garbage problems by way of incineration . Action must be taken now before we reach a point of no return .

CONSUMPTION PATTERNS : Our consumption patterns have to be radically changed along with our lifestyles . Atmospheric scientists now agree that a major climate warming greater than any yet experienced by humans is likely to occur . According to the State of the Environment Report put out by the Department of the Environment in 1990 the evidence is clear , human activities are changing the planetary atmosphere . This report goes on to state that the amount of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere has increased 10% since 1958 and is increasing at a rate of 0.4% per year . This represents an increase of about 25% in preindustrial periods. Climatologists have indicated that what we can expect if we ignore the signs to Global Warming and continue down this road of no return is the melting of the Polar Ice Caps , drowned coastal cities and vast migrations as new climatic patterns bring with it drought and heat and make some parts of our planet uninhabitable . In a report put out by Canada's Department of the Environment called The Minister's Task Force on Clean Air dated November 1992 it states that greenhouse gases primarily include Carbon Dioxide , chlorofluorocarbons , and methane . Emitted in increasing volumes by human activity , they augment the natural greenhouse effect of the earth's atmosphere by radiating the earth's heat back to the surface . The report goes on to say that the goal of the Nova Scotia Action Strategy on Global Warming is to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by the year 2000 . It goes on to say that there is an "URGENT" need to identify how this goal will be met and to develop specific initiatives for the implementation of the Action Strategy . It stated that the achievement of the stabilization goal was inextricably linked to energy efficiency and conservation . Stopping the increase in Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere is an imperative goal . Scientists currently estimate that a reduction of more than 50% will be required to stop the Global Warming trend .

WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT : If the concentrations of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increase , they will intensify the natural greenhouse effect . This will cause what is being termed as enhanced greenhouse effect . Scientists agree that if humans continue to add greenhouse gases to the atmoshere through the burning of fossil fuels such as Natural Gas the Greenhouse Effect will be enhanced . This will cause Global temperatures to rise at an unprecedented rate . According to a fact sheet put out by the Department of the Environment in Canada , called Atmospheric Environment Service , over the next 50 years , this process is expected to increase average world temperatures between 1.5 and 4.5 C. Such a major warming will have profound global impact . It goes on to say that Canada being a country of climatic extremes would be among the most significantly affected areas in the world . The environment is our life support system . As we approach the 21st Century ,however , there are indications that we are severing this lifeline . The 23 billion tonnes of Carbon Dioxide that we pour into the atmosphere each year through the burning of fossil fuels such as Natural Gas are produced by governments that can be lobbied by the oil and gas industry and by the 5 billion people who occupy the earth . Canadians contribute more than most ! It is time that we turn the tide . It is time that our Energy Board in Canada take a "NEW" direction and not one dicated by the oil and gas industry , but towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy source for Future Generations .

SABLE ISLAND :The construction disturbances for the wells and pipelines and onshore processing plants , the inenvitable pipeline leaks , breakages , well blowouts , release of toxic drilling muds , human errors etc. will impact severely upon marine mammals , the fishery that is trying to make a comback , seabirds , the aquaculture industry ,ecotourism and the overall quality of life along the Eastern Shore . Sable Island itself is a priceless ecological treasure as is the Gully , the submarine canyon close to proposed wells which is home for many marine mammals . The Gully is a candidate for a Parks Canada Marine Natural Area designation . Will this be a risk now ? Why should more Natural Gas be extracted from the earth given the reality of Global Warming ? Shouldn't we be trying to uphold what was recommended at the Convention on Climate Change in Montreal? Our Federal Government was supposed to be committed to freezing our net emissions of greenhouse gases at 1990 levels . Where is the commitment to what was accomplished and recommended at this Convention .

====================================================================== SURVEY ON NOVA SCOTIAN RESIDENTS ON PROPOSED SABLE ISLAND GAS PROJECT ====================================================================== This report presents the findings of a survey of various communities in Sackville , Nova Scotia , Canada, on the proposed Sable Island Gas Project conducted by Millwood Environmental Action Team and coordinated by Frederick V. Hall (Faculty Advisor) . The study focused on the awareness and opinions of Nova Scotians on the issues that surround the Sable Island Gas Project . The primary research objective was to provide Millwood Environmental Action Team with the information necessary to make a consolidated statement on the issue of the development of natural gas off the coast of Nova Scotia. While the Province and the business sector have stated their personal views on this project , Millwood Environmental Action Team has not taken a stand on the issue , pending the outcome of extensive consultation with all groups that will be affected by this project . The survey was one of the main components of the consultation process .

The OBJECTIVES OF THE SURVEY - Assess Nova Scotian's awareness of the Sable Island Gas Project - Assess the importance of the issues surrounding the Sable Island Gas Project - Give Nova Scotians the opportunity to voice their opinions on the Sable Isalnd Gas Project These research objectives were achieved by having the children at four elementary schools take home the survey to their parents . The target of this study focused on young families who had small children in Elementary school . 1000 households in the area were chosen . A 48.5% response rate was achieved giving the survey a 95% confidence level , +/- 5% . 19 times out of 20 . The survey was also administered to 579 High School Students .

METHODOLOGY

The Survey of our community on the Proposed Sable Gas Project was developed for residents of Nova Scotia . We consider that community encompasses all of Nova Scotia and its residents within . It was developed with input from Millwood Environmental Action Team with help from faculty advisor ,Frederick V. Hall . The data from the survey was collected through passing out of the survey to 579 High School students along with passing out 1000 to surrounding households . Several drafts of the survey were completed and pretested with several of the students at Millwood High School . After their initial responses were analysed ,any subsequent amendments were made . A total of 485 surveys were returned of the 1000 released into the community . The total response to the survey was 48.5% . Several open-ended questions were manually tabulated to maintain both the integrity and diversity of responses . The completed survey sample of 485was within the scientific guidlines as set out to achieve an accurate sample . As calculated , the results of this survey will be the same 19 times out of 20 , with a margin of error of +/- 5%.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY : The results of the Survey of Sackville Residents on the Proposed Sable Island Gas Project indicates that the residents overwhelmingly want a plebiscite on the Proposed Sable Island Gas Project . Almost 73% of the residents said that their opinions on the Sable Island Gas Project should be addressed through a Plebiscite . This would ensure that the opinions of residents were heard . At Millwood High School where 579 respondents replied to the survey 94.6% indicated that the opinions of Nova Scotians with respect to the Sable Island Gas Project should be addressed through a Plebiscite . Residents overwhelmingly (60.82% ) do not believe that the Province has consulted with the public on the Sable Island Gas project adequately . At the High School 50% did not believe the Province has consulted with the Public adequately . As well, 41% of the respondents from the surrounding community do not believe the public was adequately informed by their elected officials on the Sable Island Gas Project . At the High School it was 44% . It is interesting to note that survey respondents from the surrounding community (58.84%) believe that we are to reliant on the burning of fossil fuels . The respondents from the High School 51.6% indicated the same . Two open-ended questions were given to give the respondents a chance to "VOICE" their opinions on the Sable Island Gas Project and the Greenhouse Effect . A definite pattern emerged as responses were being recorded . The three concerns that were very evident from all the responses were that residnets are very concerned about the environmental impact this project will have on the environment ,the lack of communication surrounding the Project ,economic concerns and the impact this Project will have on enhancing the Greenhouse Effect.

NEXT : GLOBAL WARMING AND THE SABLE ISLAND GAS PROJECT.


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Atmospheric problems are clearly global in nature . We can not afford to cultivate a provincial attitude towards the problems we will be facing down the road on the environment . The atmosphere is a global commons which we are all equally dependent . The continued degradation of the atmosphere by industry has profound implications for life as we know it on this planet .
The World Commission Report on the Environment and Development , Our Common Future clearly states the Problem : The burning of fossil fuels puts into the atmosphere carbon dioxide ,which is causing gradual global warming .
The greenhouse effect may by early next century have increased average global temperatures enough to shift agricultural production areas, raise sea levels to flood coastal cities and disrupt national economies . Other gases threaten to deplete the planet's protective shield to such an extent that the number of human and animal cancers would rise sharply and the oceans' food chain would be disrupted .
Clearly we all have a responsibility to not leave this legacy for our children . The time for sweeping environmental problems under the rug is over , such as with the Sydney Tar Ponds in Nova Scotia , Canada or looking for quick solutions to our garbage problems by way of incineration . An option that Halifax , Nova Scotia nearly chose .
Action must be taken now before we reach the point of no return . Our consumption patterns have to be radically changed along with our lifestyles . Some scientists believe that it is already too late .
While attending the Caretakers of the Environment Conference in Murmansk, Russia on Artic Ecology five years ago , it was the belief of some of the Russian scientists who attended the conference that Global Warming was inevitable and is now occurring . Their philosophy was that we must now start planning for the changes that will occur .
While in this area my students and myself had the opportunity to see , listen and talk to Russian citizens on their experience with the oil and gas industry . The industry had a complete disregard for the environment and the people living in this area . What I saw and heard has haunted me ever since . The devastation left by the oil and gas industry in this area of the world is crimmal .
I was moved when I was presented , before leaving , with a drawing done by a young orphan , which depicted his homeland with discarded pipes along with deforestation and injured reindeer .
Clearly , the companies proposing the Sable Island Gas Project must put their own past records on view for the public to review .
Industry proceeded at a faster rate in the Murmansk Reion disregarding the negative impact it would have on the environment and the people . It appears that even though we are proceeding at a slower pace in our area of the world than Murmansk we are slowly repeating the mistakes that were made in this region of the world . The only difference I see in our region of the world and that of the Murmansk Region is that we are slower at killing ourselves and our environment than the Russians are .
NEXT : IS NOVA SCOTIA HEADING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION !
The world's temperature is rising and there is no doubt in my mind that the levels of Carbon Dioxide produced by the burning of fossil fuels such as natural gas , coal and oil are the culprits to Global Warming .
Are we to ignore the evidence that natural gas is a contributing factor to the enhancement of the Greenhouse Effect by glibly saying that it's better than coal and a lot cleaner .
Atmospheric scientists now agree that a major climate warming greater than any yet experienced by humans is likely to occur . Recent studies suggest that the average surface temperature of the earth may increase by 3.0 C with an enhanced greenhouse effect equivalent to the doubling of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere . Such warming would probably be accompanied by amplified warming in high -latitude regions in both autumn and winter , by drier summers in mid-latitudes of the northern hemisphere , by increased moisture availability in polar regions , and by a possible mean global rise in sea level of about 1 M.
According to the State of the Environment Report put out by the Department in 1990 the evidence is clear ! Human activities are changing the planetary atmosphere . This report goes on to state that the amount of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere has increased 10 % since 1958 and is increasing at a rate of 0.4 % per year . This represents an increase of about 25 % in Carbon Dioxide concentration since preindustrial periods .
Climatologists have indicated that what we can expect if we ignore the signs to Global Warming and continue down this road of no return is the melting of the polar ice caps ,drowned coastal cities and vast migrations as new climatic patterns bring with it drought and heat that will make some parts of our planet uninhabitable .
In a report put out by the Department of the Environment called the Minister's Task Force on Clean Air dated November 1992 , it states that Greenhouse gases primarily include Carbon Dioxide ,chlorofluorocarbons ,and methane . Emitted in increasing volumes by human activity , they augment the natural Greenhouse Effect of the earth's atmosphere by radiating the earth's heat back to the surface . The report goes on to say that the goal of the Nova Scotia Action Strategy on Global Warming is to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by the year 2000 . It goes on to say that there is an "URGENT" need to identify how this goal will be met and to develop specific initiatives for the implementation of the action strategy . It stated that the achievement of the stabilization goal was inextricably linked to energy efficiency and conservation .
Stopping the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is an imperative goal . Scientists currently estimate that a reduction of more than 50 % will be required to STOP the Global Warming trend . If the concentrations of the Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increase , they will intensify this natural greenhouse effect . This will cause what is termed as an enhanced greenhouse effect .
Scientists agree that if humans continue to add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels such as "NATURAL GAS" and clearing the forests , the greenhouse effect will be enhanced . This will cause global temperatures to rise at an unprecedented rate .
According to the fact sheet put out by Environment Canada called Atmospheric Environment Service over the next 50 years , this process is expected to increase average world temperatures between 1.5 and 4.5 C . Such a major warming will have a profound global impact . It goes on to say that Canada being a country of climatic extremes would be among the most significantly affected areas in the world .
The environment is our only life support system . As we approach the 21st century , however , there are indications that we are severing this lifeline . -Energy consumption has increased worldwide . - Global temperature have been on the rise .
In Canada energy demands have also been on the rise . Along with these increases in energy demands there have been increases in Carbon Dioxide levels . The above was taken right out of a report called the Minister's Task Force on Clean Air . The threat to this lifeline in our Province is evident especially with the approval of the Sable Island Gas Project .
If we continue down this road according to the Department of the Environment in their report called " The State of the Environment " rising sea level will increase the frequency and severity of flooding in many coastal communities . The flooding risk will be greatest during storm surges when maximum high tides are amplfied by severe storms .
Next : So what just are the alternatives to Natural Gas and why hasn't our National Energy Board done their homework ?
In order to stabilize the emissions at 1990 levels by 2000 and making further reductions in subsequent years politicians are going to have to make some decisions which will be unpopular economically to some economic sectors and regions .
Invest in Solar Power . -
Invest in Wind Power . -
Invest in Geo-Thermal energy . -
Utilize our oceans energy along with developing "small" hydro projects with little environmental impact .
Development of new forest within Canada to enhance natural carbon sinks to remove more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere . -
Place a moratorium on clearcutting -
Increase the number of Protected areas within Nova Scotia and Canada -
Place a moratorium on all incineration in Nova Scotia and canada -
Develop a Carbon Dioxide emission tax for industry _
Invest in researching into finding sustainable clean energy for future generations .
In March 1990 Canada's environment ministers agreed to devise a National Strategy to deal with Global Warming . The three principles that were released were:
(1.) Limit Greenhose gas emissions from all sources .
(2.) Help Canadians anticipate and prepare for the potential effects of any warming that might occur .
(3.) Improve our scientific abilities to understand and predict climate change .
The 23 billion tonnes of carbon Dioxide that we pour into the atmosphere each year through the burning of fossil fuels such as Natural Gas are produced by governments that can be lobbied by the oil and gas industry and by the 5 billion people that occupy this planet . Canadians contribute more than most ! It is time that we begin to turn the tide > it is time that our Energy Board in Canada take a new direction and not of the one dictated by the oil and gas industry , but towards a cleaner energy for tomorrow generations .