An Environmental Citizen... Who Me?

Yes You Can Make A Difference

Environmental Citizenship, you say?
As Canadians, it is our responsibility to care for the environment. It's also in our best interest. Many Canadians have already put their concern about the environment into action recycling is a good example. But we need to do much more, and get everyone involved.

Where do I start?
The challenge of learning about and protecting the environment may at first seem overwhelming environmental issues are often complex. But there are simple things that everyone can do to benefit the planet and themselves. The key is to start small and go from there!

Begin with your personal life. Learn about the effects your daily life has on the environment and find out how you can make some positive changes.

Think about your own actions as you read about a day in the life of an average Canadian. Can you see how closely your life is connected to the land, air, and water? Are there things that you can do differently?

A Day in the Life of an Average Canadian...
8:00 a.m. The bathroom... where most of all household water is used and wasted.

Did You Know?

• Canadians use, on average, 390 litres of water per day about twice as much as the average European.

• Over half of Canada's fresh water drains north, while 90% of us live within 300 km of the Canada/U.S. border.

• A tap that drips once every second wastes about 10,000 litres of water per year.

What to Do?

• Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or washing your face. Fill a cup or basin instead.

• Put a few drops of food colouring in your toilet tank. If colour seeps into the bowl, it's time to fix the leak!

• Install water-saving devices such as low-flow showerheads and toilet dams to save yourself water and money.

9:00 a.m.
I have the day off, so I'll be able to get some chores done. This cleaner is "new and improved" I think I'll try it. What will I do with these old cleaners beneath the sink though?

Did You Know?

• When you put something down the drain it goes to a sewer and then either to a wastewater treatment plant or is discharged directly into rivers, lakes or oceans.

• Less than 65% of the urban Canadian population receives some sort of sewage treatment, and most facilities cannot treat the hazardous chemicals found in some household products.

• Most chemical household products are not hazardous when used according to the directions on the package. When over-used or incorrectly disposed of, however, they may have a harmful effect on the environment.

What to Do?

• Buy chemical household products that are the least harmful to the environment, and buy them in quantities you will use up.

• Don't use toilets, drains, or storm sewers for garbage disposal.

10:00 a.m.
Driving to the store. It sounds like a tune-up is long overdue.

Did You Know?

• About 11% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Canada are from cars more than rail, marine and air transportation combined. Increased levels of CO2 threaten to enhance the atmosphere's natural greenhouse effect, leading to global warming.

• By burning fossil fuels we contribute to acid rain and smog as well as global warming.

What to Do?

• Walk, ride your bike, carpool or use public transit when possible.

• Keep engines well-tuned and tires properly inflated to maximize fuel efficiency.

• Shut off your engine even for short stops. One minute of idling uses more fuel than re-starting your engine.

12:00 noon
It is so hot, I'd better turn on the air conditioner. While the house cools, I'll go outside to get some sun.

Did You Know?

• Our tans and sunburns are caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV is a natural part of the sun's rays, and has always been harmful. Luckily, ozone in the upper atmosphere acts like a natural sunscreen, protecting people, plants, and animals from most of this UV radiation.

• Scientists have shown that certain chemicals mainly chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are slowly depleting the ozone layer.

• As the ozone layer gets thinner, more UV reaches us, increasing the likelihood of sunburns, eye damage, and skin cancer.

• Although CFCs are no longer used in aerosol sprays, they are still used in products like foam cushioning, refrigerators and air conditioners.

What to Do?

• Avoid purchasing products containing ozone-depleting substances.
  

• Insist that your refrigerator repair technician use CFC recovery and recycling equipment when servicing your refrigerator or freezer.

• Protect yourself from the sun, especially between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when the sun's rays are the most intense. Wear a hat, UV-blocking sunglasses, long-sleeved shirt and pants. Wear sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or greater.

4:00 p.m.
Time to take out the garbage. I'll toss everything into this plastic bag. In time, it will rot at the dump.

Did You Know?

• We generate lots of waste about 1.7 kg each per day. Per capita, this is about twice as much as in Sweden.

• Once waste gets covered over and packed down in a landfill they are exposed to very little oxygen. This means that they decay very slowly, and give off methane as they do so. Since methane is a "greenhouse gas", landfills can contribute to global warming. What's more, methane is explosive!

• Modern sanitary landfills are designed to keep out water, so that by-products don't leak into the groundwater and lakes and rivers. Some of them are also equipped with gas recovery systems that capture methane.

• By 1995, landfills that currently serve 71% of the Canadian population will be full.

• Burning garbage produces gases that must be treated with expensive air pollution equipment. It also produces ash that, if toxic, must be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility.

What to Do?

• Take unwanted articles of clothing, furniture, and books to appropriate agencies. What you no longer need may be useful to someone else.

• Shop at second-hand stores and garage sales; use the classifieds to find what you need instead of purchasing brand new items.

• Make a compost to divert organic materials away from the landfill or incinerators.

ENVIRONMENTAL CITIZENS IN ACTION!
Everything old is new again! Employees at Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site (Winnipeg) are learning from the past and taking action for the present. Worn out historic dresses are made into reversible skirts. When these wear out, they are cut into cloth strips and made into braided rugs; any remaining material resurfaces as rags.

6:00 p.m.
A walk after dinner at the edge of town. How quickly the city has expanded! Most homes have their own yards and lawns.

Did You Know?

• More and more natural areas are being harvested, through forestry or farming, or developed for housing and industry. But natural ecosystems are crucial for the survival of all species, including ours!

• 90% of the original prairies, 68% of Ontario's original wetlands and 65% of Atlantic coastal marshes are gone; over 200 plant and animal species in Canada are at risk of vanishing forever.

• Rapid development in urban areas is also a threat to our cultural heritage; many historic sites have already been destroyed.

ENVIRONMENTAL CITIZENS IN ACTION!
Roddickton, Newfoundland's Junior Forest Wardens cleaned up and reclaimed 28 hectares of an abandoned clear-cut logging site, turning it into a model forest.

What to Do?

• Purchase an existing home and make repairs to it instead of building on natural areas or agricultural land.

• Reduce or avoid the use of pesticides. Remove weeds by hand, or learn to like dandelions. If you do use pesticides, make sure that you follow the directions on the package and dispose of empty containers properly.

• Leave grass clippings on the lawn or compost them.
  

• Water the lawn early in the morning or late in the day when the air is cooler, so that less water evaporates.

• Create wildlife habitat in your backyard. Plant a hedge instead of building a fence. Plant native species adapted to local climate conditions; they require less water and care to flourish. Put up a bird feeder.

• Get involved with a local group to protect natural and cultural heritage.

10:00 p.m.
I'll relax with my new book before turning the lights out for the night. It's all about the environment and how I can be a better environmental citizen something I've been neglecting for too long!

If not You, then Who?
Quality of life for future generations on this planet will be determined by our actions today. You may find yourself saying, "but I'm just one person out of many... what difference can I make?" The answer is: a big one!

Each of us has an effect on the environment every day the key is to make this impact a positive one. We must all take responsibility for our own actions, whether as individuals, or as members of a community or an organization. Let's work together and become good Environmental Citizens! If you don't, who will?

Rate Yourself
We all rely on the environment for food, air, water and much, much more. This means that we share the responsibility for what happens to it. Rate your own lifestyle to see how you score as an Environmental Citizen!

1. I keep water in the fridge instead of letting the tap run to let it get cold.

2. I use both sides of paper before taking it to be recycled.

3. I repair or purchase used items instead of buying new ones.

4. I learn about the nature of Canada by visiting National, Provincial or local parks and historic sites.

5. I take short showers and use a low-flow showerhead.

6. I use a compost pile.

7. I walk, ride, rollerblade, carpool or use public transit.

8. I dispose of leftover cleaners, solvents and used transmission oil properly.

9. I stay informed about the environment.

10. I let my elected representatives know how I feel about environmental issues.

Scoring: do you have these things Always - 5 points; Sometimes - 2 points; Never - 0 points.

Rating:
45-50 You are a fine example of an Environmental Citizen! Continue your efforts by helping others do the same.

20-44 You're well on your way! Try expanding your actions to new areas.

0-19 Just taking this quiz shows you're interested in doing your part. With some simple lifestyle changes, you could help share this responsibility with other Canadians.

Environmental Citizenship
Staying informed, getting involved
The goal of environmental citizenship is a society where individuals and groups have the knowledge and understanding that will lead to responsible environmental action.

The objective of this publication is to provide bias-balanced information and practical suggestions for taking action. It was produced as a co-operative effort between the Governments of Canada and Alberta... an example of people working together!

For more information, write or call the Environment Canada Office nearest you, or contact:

Enquiry Centre
Environment Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H3

Toll Free: 1-800-668-6767

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