BY AINSLEY GRAHAM, FW Writer

Toronto is making some changes. The city’s
“Green Plan” is starting to take full force
throughout the city and the rest of the GTA. The
cities budget for this new green plan stands at
$42 million for energy conservation, $20 million
for renewable energy projects and $22 million for
retrofitting city facilities.

Most Torontonians recognize this substantial
change in the world’s priorities and would like to
lend a helping hand but most of us do not know
where to start.

Actions are being done by the city when
confronting Toronto’s pollution problem but
there are ways that we as citizens can help even in
the tiniest ways.

Gardening has become a growing leisure
activity amongst 72% of Canadian adults. The
cities community garden project helps to beautify
our city, as well as encouraging communities to
come and work on a single project. Community
gardens are run by those living within the
community; these participants are responsible for
the maintenance, organization and management
of the gardens health and productivity. These
gardens are planted on public or private land and
contain trees, bushes, shrubs, and vegetables.

Parents can get their little ones involved
in the Greener Toronto program through a
summer school programs for children in JK to
Grade 8, which teaches kids about physical,
ecological and community health.

Toronto is also trying to green our city by
setting a plan in motion to make transportation
more eco-friendly. A plan is being implemented,
which will encourage individuals to use greener
products in their vehicles and equipment, such as
using lower impact fuels like biodiesel, natural
gas and the use of hybrid electric vehicles.

Toronto and the GTA are aware that the
majority of its inhabitants commute to the city
for work and play. So for those of you who do
drive into the city, be aware that Toronto has
a 3-minute idling limit on vehicles. A study
was produced by Health Canada on Toronto’s
air quality and they found that a number of
contaminants in the air were linked to respiratory
problems amoung Torontonians. This by-law
allows for idling for 3 minutes in a 60 minute
time period.

The environment is becoming increasingly
more important to Canadians each year and with
the help of the city, participating in eco-friendly
practices has become much easier- proving that in
the end, a little bit definitely goes a long way.

Toronto’s Environmental Fun Facts:
• Toronto has reduced greenhouse gas emissions
by 40% since 1990.
• Metro Hall is the first municipal facility to be
cooled by Lake Ontario, instead using airconditioning.