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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2006-04-05, Page 4Page 4 April 5, 2006 • The Huron Expositor Opinion M awie Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, 11 Main St., Seaforth, ON, NOK IWO Climate change programs still needed in Canada In an inauspicious start to April, the month when Canadians celebrate Earth Day, the federal govern- ment has stopped funding a widely -publicized ini- tiative to cut greenhouse gases in Canada. The One -Tonne Challenge, which tried to per- suade Canadians to do their bit to cut their green- house gases by taking a look at their personal lifestyle choices, was cut off March 31. Close to 100 other climate -change programs set up by the previous Liberal government are now being reviewed and environmentalists and opposi- tion politicians are worried that nothing will replace them to help Canada meet its obligations under the Kyoto Accord. "While Environment Minister Rona Ambrose espouses her support for working within the Kyoto Protocol, Prime Minister Harper clearly stated last week that he prefers starting from scratch and turning our back to our international obligations," says a recent press release from Liberal Opposition Environment Critic Scott Brison. While it's not clear how successful the One -Tonne Challenge or any of the other Liberal environmen- tal initiatives were, it's disturbing to see it end before something else is announced that will con- tinue to keep Canadians working towards energy conservation, less greenhouse gas and the rest of that good stuff. While scientists still seem to be debating if global warming and climate change are real threats to humanity, last year was the hottest on record since temperatures began being recorded in the early 1900s. The increasing number of severe weather events such as the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina seem to be convincing politicians, even . those previous doubters like U.S. President George W. Bush, that climate change is real. As a first world country that produces plenty of greenhouse gases, Canada needs to stay on track contributing to a solution. Susan Hundertmark You know you live in a small town when... I did not grow up in a small town. I am one of Seaforth's happy trans- plants from the city, lov- ing the experience of rais- ing a family in a small town. But, when the following e-mail came to my atten- tion, I had to share it, since even eight years in Seaforth has allowed me to get a chuckle from the list. Signs you were raised in a small town 1. You can name everyone you graduated with. 2. You know what 4-H mean. 3. You went to parties at a pasture, barn, gravel pit or in the middle of a dirt road. 4. You used to "cruise" Main. 5. You said a swear word and your parents knew within the hour. 6. You could never buy cigarettes because all the store clerks knew how old you were (and if you were old enough, they'd tell your par- ents anyhow.) 7. When you did find somebody old enough and brave enough to buy cigarettes, you still had to go out into the country and drive on back roads to smoke them. 8. It was cool to date someone from a neigh- bouring town. 9. The whole school went to the same party after graduation. 10. You didn't give directions by street names but rather by references. Turn by Nelson's house, go two blocks to Anderson's and it's four houses left of the track field. 11. The golf course had only nine holes. 12. You couldn't help but date a friend's ex- boyfriend/girlfriend. 13. Your car stayed filthy because of the dirt roads and you will never own a dark vehicle for this reason. 14. The town next to you was considered "trashy" or "snooty," but was actually just like your town. 15. You referred to anyone with a house newer than 1965 as the "rich" people. 16. The people in the "big city" dressed funny, and then you picked up the trend two years later. 17. Anyone you wanted could be found at the local gas station or the town bar. 18. You saw at least one friend a week driving a tractor through town or one of your friends driving a grain truck to school occasionally. 19. The gym teacher suggested you haul hay for the summer to get stronger. 20. Directions were given using the stoplight as a reference. 21. When you decided to walk somewhere for exercise, five people would pull over and ask if you wanted a ride. 22. Your teachers called you by your older sib- • See THE, Page 6 Ron&bode Boy, I'm glad we're not kids today. It must be tough to grow up in a world this screwed upl Life sure was a lot simpler when we were kids, wasn't it? by David Lacey Forty years earlier.... 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