Good to Know

  RESPONDING TO THE MASS SHOOTINGS IN THE US   It is truly beyond my comprehension and utterly heartbreaking to read how innocent Americans going about their daily routine of shopping have been gunned down, by a fellow American, who had the legal right to arm himself with weapons of mass destruction. (Boulder, Colorado) It’s   beyond   belief and truly disturbing   to me that an American   civilian can legally and openly carry a military assault rifle ( in Colorado)   in time of peace and within seconds can turn happy shoppers into bodies strewn across a   parking lot.    I started to check the numbers of mass murders occurring in the US and other democracies.   As a parent,   what I found the most shocking was the number of mass murderers finding their way into schools. It makes one wonder, why on Earth, did American soldiers journey   to third world countries, like Afghanistan, to protect students  from  terrorist  attacks, when in their  own homeland, over 100 hundred scho

  SUGGESTIONS FOR DOWNTOWN WITH NEW COVID PROTOCOLS   Now that we will experiencing fewer restrictions for outdoor patio, in-door dining, and shopping, I think we need to explore the advisability and advantages of transforming Dunlop Street into a pedestrian strip for the next 3 seasons. Now more than ever, after we have all either limited or completely curtailed all our outdoor activities and connecting face to face with our circle of friends and family, we welcome with enthusiasm as many opportunities  explore  our own community.    From  my experience people throng in vast numbers in appealing and captivating  places which  appeal  to all our senses, our  desire  to socialize in a pleasant and irresistible atmosphere, and enjoy a refreshing drink and a bite to eat. Now that Dunlop has undergone magical  transformation,  there is more space to socially distance, more room for setting up as many outside  activities as possible, and making it more inviting for locals and vis

  YELLOWSTONE PARK AND WOLVES Over the years hunters completely eradicated all wolves from Yellowstone Park in the US. In 1995, 14 wolves were introduced back to Yellowstone Park. No one expected or could predict the dramatic changes that would occur over the coming years.   The hunting of deer by the wolves resulted in a significant decrease in the number of deer in the park. Since deer are herbivores in no time all the naturalized areas started to regenerate. Deciduous trees such as aspen and willow trees started to flourish. Many of the trees that started to thrive were berry trees. As the trees started to return so did all kinds of insects. With readily available food sources insect-eating birds made the park their home. He beavers previously extinct in the park returned. The dams they built provided habitats for otters, muskrats, and reptiles. The wolves killed coyotes and the population of rabbits and mice increased dramatically.   More mice and rabbits

  COSTA RICO DOUBLES RAINFORST IN A GENERATION     Rampant logging in the past cut the country's forest cover by 72% in 1950 to just 26% in 1983.  The devastation caused an alarming decline in biodiversity in the rainforest.  It threatened indigenous creatures such as the poison dart frog. Then the government stepped in restricting logging permits and paying landowners who conserved the land and vastly promoting overseas investments in eco-tourism and pharmaceuticals.     They created many jobs that totally depend on healthy and thriving rainforests.    Deforestation dropped to zero and trees started to regroup.  Now healthy lush forests cover 50% of the country.  It proves the right policies can reverse environmental damage.  What is your country doing to restore and enhance green spaces?  

  T RANSFORMING A BARREN WASTELAND  A small act is completed every single day can create a huge impact.  A farmer by the name Jadav Payeng of Majuili Island, India planted a tree every day for 37 years!  After 37 years he alone had managed to transform a barren wasteland into a wildlife paradise.  The lush forest is twice the size of central park in New York City.  What can you do to make a difference?      

   TWO THUMBS UPS!  S AVING NATURE PROTECTING WILDLIFE IN THE NETHERLANDS The Netherlands is building a giant artificial island to save wildlife.  And they are already boosting biodiversity and reversing damage caused by humans. The waters were polluted after decades of building dykes.  Leftover sediment made the water cloudy.  The environment was so damaged that fish life plummeted.  5 new islands were built using all the silt that caused the original damage!   Over 30, 00 birds have returned to the islands.  And plant life flourished.    And there has been an explosion of plankton in the water.    The UN has warned a threat to biodiversity pose major risks to human survival. 196 nations have signed a treaty to reverse global destruction of nature and wildlife.  Has your country signed and what are they doing to protect nature and wildlife?   

REDUCING GHG EMISSIONS 2021- ELECTRIC BUSES  Vancouver is plugging with battery-electric buses that charge in 5 minutes!  Each bus is expected to cut 100 tonnes of emissions and save $40, 000 in fuel costs PER YEAR! Share with your elected government representatives at all 3 levels of government. In Ontario-  doug.ford@pc.ola.org  justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca   

 TWO THUMBS UP TO SOUTH KOREA   So uth Korea built a bike lane covered by solar panels.  Cyclists are isolated from traffic, protected from the blistering sun, and the solar panels produce clean energy at the same time. 

  IMPROVING THE ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF LAKE SIMCOE   Lately, as a member of Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition, I have been doing a great deal of reading on how to improve the ecological health of lakes in particular Lake Simcoe.   I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered a very simple, virtually cost - free way of improving the quality of the water and increasing marine life in the lake.   It turns out when gnarled, aging trees growing naturally along the lake shore and starting to tumble into the lake should be allowed to do so. (Mother Nature does indeed know best)   All the trees that are allowed to crash naturally into the lake start a second life under the water. And this second life may last up to 600 years!  At the bottom of the lake,  the   dead trees   will attract crayfish, minnows, mudpuppies, tadpoles, a variety of fish, dragonfly nymphs, mayflies, wood ducks, soft shell turtles, blue herons, diatoms, and algae.   A new community of life will have been create