Environment

Environment, sustainable living

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Cobourg resident shares journey from quiet taxpayer to vocal critic of stormwater fees

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The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Earlier this week, images of the flooding in Toronto filled the news. A torrential rainstorm overwhelmed the sewer system, causing massive power outages, closing major roads, and costing millions to the city, businesses, and homeowners. It is also a vivid example of stormwater management, which is the ability of municipal infrastructure to remove water when it rains or snow melts. Cobourg is embroiled in a controversial change to how it funds that infrastructure. In this interview, you will meet one of many critics of the proposed system. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Community, Environment, Politics, Social Justice

Personhood proposal for the Ganaraska River, plus details of the new $48.7 billion child welfare plan

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Alderville First Nation Chief Taynar Simpson and Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky are exploring the possibility of seeking personhood for the Ganaraska River. This is similar to the efforts to protect the Magpie River in Quebec. Simpson explains in this podcast that giving the river the status of a person under the law would provide better protection than what currently exists. While the talks are moving forward, this is the first time the initiative is being made public, and the implications are explained. This podcast also includes the details of a $47.8-billion child welfare agreement announced at the recent Assembly of First Nations meeting near Montreal. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Community, Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Environment, Politics, Social Justice

Rural coalition organizing panel on protecting farmland in Northumberland County

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It is a well-known statistic. Ontario is losing more than 300 acres of farmland every day. It is stunning when you realize we are talking about our food source. What you don’t hear as often is how this affects Northumberland County. But there is a group trying to change that. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Agriculture, Community, Environment, Northumberland County, Politics

Longtime county resident and MP leads charge to preserve Canada’s largest urban park

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Rouge Valley Urban Park

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The full interview with bonus material:

Preserving land in its natural state is critical for the future. With all the pressures to develop affordable housing, the idea of making sure we protect and preserve areas can easily get lost. In this interview, you will hear a story about ensuring our natural heritage does not get overlooked. Pauline Browse, a former MP and a lifelong resident of Hamilton Township, will talk about protecting the Rouge National Urban Park located in Scarborough. This is a fight she has waged for more than 30 years. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Environment, Northumberland County

Northumberland Land Trust dedicated to preserving natural areas across county

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CHUBB POINT RESERVE

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Driving through Northumberland County, it is easy to spot various lots with woods or forests. It is one of the great attractions of living here. But the pressure to develop properties is constant. Many rural municipalities are overwhelmed by the number of building applications on these lands. Many times, it involves clearcutting the lot to build. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Environment, Heritage, Northumberland County

County sells recycling plant to Emterra Environmental as producers take over recycling

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MATERIAL RECOVERY FACILITY

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Northumberland County Council recently inked a deal to sell the Materials Recovery Facility or MRF, as it is also known, for an undisclosed amount. A major corporation, Emterra Environmental, is hoping to buy it. Emterra runs recycling operations across Canada and the United States. Two county representatives, Adam McCue, associated director of operation for public works, and Jennifer Moore, the CAO, will tell us what this means for curbside pickup and the plant’s future. Originally aired: April 14, 2023 Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Environment, Northumberland, Politics

Province’s proposal to build on Greenbelt not a great idea, says Naturally Northumberland host

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The full interview with bonus material:

Recently, the Ontario government announced it wants to turn over portions of the Green Belt for housing development. The Greenbelt is about 7,000 sq. kilometres of protected land stretching from the Golden Horseshoe to the eastern edges of the Durham Region. For developers, it is welcomed the news as it opens opportunities for new housing along the northern edges of the GTA. For environmentalists and farmers, it is not so good. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Environment, Planning and Development, Politics

County protects beautiful, natural landscapes in face population growth, says planner

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The full interview with bonus material:

Take a drive anywhere in Northumberland County, and you are sure to come upon a beautiful landscape. We all know the rolling hills, beautiful forests, lakes, and streams.

Already the pressure is on. Within the next 30 years or sooner, Northumberland County could grow to 122,000 people. Right now, there are about 85,000. Those numbers could be surpassed much sooner as more people move to the area in record numbers. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Environment, Planning and Development, Politics

Local group’s insights into climate change conference sheds light on global efforts

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Blue Dot Northumberland protest

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The full interview with bonus material:

For the past 26 years, representatives from 197 countries have met to tackle the issue of climate change. These meetings are called a Conference of the Parties or COPS. The most recent meeting held in Glasgow ended just last week. Scientists warn us that if the global temperature rises by 1.5 degrees Celsius, our planet and all life will be destroyed. If you doubt climate change is real, look at British Columbia over the past week. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Climate change, Community, Environment

Port Hope residents urged to participate in climate survey to drive municipality towards change

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Port Hope Flooding

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It is easy to say there is a climate crisis. It is much harder to fix it. Rising lake levels closed beaches and caused property damage along the shores of Lake Ontario across the county. Flooding along rivers and creeks is more evidence. Then, there are the sweltering, dry summers. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Environment, Politics