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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-01-10, Page 4Page 4 January 10, 2007 • The Huron Expositor Opinion Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, 11 Main St., Seaforth, ON, NOK 1WO 411. impra come al Among North Americans, provoking concern about global warming sometimes seems to be a hard sell. Reduced snow removal budgets, the possibility of year-round golf, farmers planting in January and ease of travel are the benefits cited in just this week's edition of The Huron Expositor as we ques- tioned various community members how they feel about this winter's abnormally high temperatures and resultngiack of snow. A green hristmas and New Year's - accompa- nied the same week by the loss of an ancient Arctic ice shelf the size of 11,000 football fields broken off of Ellesmere Island - hasn't exactly sent us all marching on our various levels of government demanding policies that might actually make a dif- ference in the reduction of greenhouse gases. We've all heard the grim prognosis if we continue. on the current path - increasingly violent weather, more frequent and severe droughts, water short- ages, destructive wildfires, melting Arctic ice, ris- ing sea levels causing the flooding of coastal cities, mass animal and plant extinctions, dramatic spread of disease and millions of environmental refugees forced to flee their homes. And, that's all predicted to occur within the next 40 years or so - unless we make some big changes now. So far, however, our politicians have spent far more energy resisting what needs to be- done than being leaders. But, even at a municipal level, we could be doing so much more to contribute to a solution that could prevent some of the most dire predictions about the consequences of global warming. Planting trees, shopping at home, walking when- ever possible or carpooling, using energy-saving lightbulbs, becoming more vocal and conscious con- sumers - they're all simple and helpful actions that will make a difference. Canadians might stand to gain a balmier climate through global warming - but the accompanying violent weather, drought, water shortage, disease and refugee migration might be the high price to pay for it. Susan Hundertmark Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 E-mail us at seaforth@bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com OUBECO t MIRA `We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs.' Canada A rainy season is replacing winter in Huron County Who would ever have believed that Huron County - the land of the lake effect snow squall and the resulting seven snow days (on average) a winter - would be develop- ing a rainy season to replace winter? After a green Christmas and the unabated balmy weather continuing into January (even Monday's taste of snow wasn't close to our normal wintry blast), you don't have to be hit in the head with a large chunk of ice off of Ellesmere Island to know that global warm- ing is real. It seems Ontarians are all walking around in a bit of a daze - they can't quite believe their luck that they don't have to shiver and shovel and wonder how they're going to get to work in the morning. But, they still can't help but feel this is all somehow just terribly wrong. And, how will we in Huron County main- tain our identity without the snow? When I first moved to Huron County in the early 1980s from London, Ont. as a recent journalism grad, I was met with just a little bit of scorn. It seems I had moved from the "banana belt" and I was warned I would find my winters quite a bit more challenging up here in the great white north. I must admit, those oracles of winter trials and tribulations were correct. I endured more than a few white -knuckled trips through blinding blizzards. rT-1111M11 By Susan Hundertmark I once narrowly avoided becoming a hood ornament of a transport truck as it barrelled out of a white-out into my lane. And, I, in my littleellow Volkswagen Superbeetle - now at the side of the road - sat shiv- ering with the cold and fear from my near -death experience before being able to continue my journey. Those are the shared experiences that build character in Huron County - and they're the stories we use (with a fair amount of bravado and machismo) to frighten and impress those who come after us. "Oh, you've just moved here from Toronto? Wait until you experience a Huron County winter," we offer knowingly. What will we have to set us apart without a character molded and challenged each winter by the elements? Maybe the best part about this "winter that never really was" is the awareness that maybe the doomsayer scientists are actually right and we need to take a very serious look at how we all contribute to global warming. With the recent federal cabinet shuffle and the fanfare about the change in federal Environment Ministers, it sounds like the government is starting to understand how concerned Canadians are about climate change and the environment. Maybe a large chunk of Ellesmere Island floated all the way to Ottawa before melting. • Ron & bave I'm writing a letter to my future self. Nobody understands me because I'm just a kid, but when I'm a grown-up I'll understand. I can reach across the decades to the one grown-up who will know everything I've been through and who can appreciate me for what and who I really atm b David Lace SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 36.18 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. SENIORS; - 34.17 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. Fes: 36.18 a year in advance, plus $181.48 postage, G.S.T. exempt U.S.A.: 36.18 a year in advance, plus $92.56 postage, G.S.T. exempt Published weekly by Sun Media at 11 Main St., Seaforth. Advertising is accepted on condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space oa u - pied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, bait the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services at a 4rrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the Toss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT 40064683 PAP REGISTRATION NO. 7605 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO Circulation Department P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, ON., NOK 1 WO Member of the Canadian Ca tmenitrap Aaaoclition & the pntab Community Newts uoc/at/on Tom Williscraft Publisher sem° 4 40 Bernie Pugh Advertising / Office Susan Hundertmark Editor Jeff Heuchert Reporter Dianne McGrath Marcie Riegling Front office Composing Editorial and Business Offices - 11 Main Street.,Seaforth Telephone (519) 527-0240 FaX (519) 527-2858 Mailing Address - P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK 1 WO