HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-01-10, Page 8Page 8 January 10, 2007 • The Huron Expositor
News
Planting trees, buying locally can help combat
global warming, say Friends of Bayfield River
Susan HundertInark
With the environment as the
number 1 issue on Canadians'
minds during the warmest 'winter
ever, Friends of the Bayfield River
president Ray Letheren says there's
plenty that can be done locally to
combat global warming.
"Global warming is a symbol of
environmental degradation and try-
ing to reverse it is an integral part
of what we (the. Friends of the
Bayfield River) do," says Letheren
during a recent phone igterview• ` planted in the watershed to bring
the forest cover back to a healthy
level.
He adds that trees also help
improve water quality of the
Bayfield River by stabilizing soil.
"The water is
extremely high in
the Bayfield
River right now
of the -first ways local residents can
reduce global warming.
"When we realize we cut down
nearly every tree in sight over 100
years ago, we know we don't have
the resources to absorb the
methane and carbon we produce
locally by industry, farming and dri-
ving and the tree becomes the focus
of our endeavours," he says.
With 25 per cent forest cover rec-
ommended for a healthy ecosystem,
Letheren says the Ausable Bayfield
Conservation Authority estimates
that 12 million trees need to be
"We're hoping to get people edu-
cated and concerned locally. If peo-
ple start to realize how they impact
the environment, they might start
to change their behaviour," he says.
Because a huge number of trees
were cut down in Huron County
when the region was settled,
Letheren says planting trees is one
Church
Services
You are invited to attend these area churches
St. Thomas
Anglican Church
ACavegatondMieParchtxThe Hay Spot
Jarvis St. Seaforth 527-1522
Rector The Rev'd Sue Malpus M Div
Sunday, January 14
WORSHIP AT 9:30 AM
Everyone Welcome
St. James Roman
Catholic Church
Welcomes you
14 Victoria Street, Seaforth
527-0142
Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm
Sun. 11:00 am
Fr. Chris Gillespie
Bethel Bible Church
An Associated Gospel Church
126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982
Sunday School 9:45 am
Sunday Worship 11:00 am
B&G Club Wed. 7:00 - 8:15 pm
Youth Activities Wed. 7:00 pm
Pastor Mark Kennedy
EVERYONE WELCOME
Egmondville
g
United Church
Sunday, January 14
WORSHIP 11 AM
SUNDAY SCHOOL 10AM
NORTHSIDE UNITED
CHURCH
54 Goderich St W
Rev. John Gould
Sunday January 14th
Worship 11 am
Sermon: "Finding Hope Amid
Ashes and Ruin"
All Welcome.
Sunday School & Nursery During Worship
First Presbyterian
Church
Goderich St. W.. Seaforth
Rev. Henry Huberts
Sunday January 14
11:15 am service
Lunch to follow
Sunday School & Nursery Provided.
and if we had more trees up your
way (near Seaforth), we wouldn't
get the rushes of water we're get-
ting that take the soil and fertilizer
and pesticides with it," he says.
Letheren says another way to
combat global warming is to look at
ways we, as consumers, contribute
to the fuel used and the greenhouse
gases produced shipping goods to
local markets.
"If we become more conscious con-
sumers, we can go to a store manag-
er and ask why they're bringing in
products that aren't produced local-
ly," he says.
He points out that buying produce
and meat produced locally instead
of from international sources
reduces greenhouse gas and helps
local farmers.
And, with plastic and styrofoam
produced from oil products,
Letheren says becoming more vocal
about excessive packaging and
returning the packaging to the
stores,- consumers will be sending
the message that more environmen-
tally -friendly packing goods are nec-
essary to reduce global warming.
Finally, writing a letter to politi-
cians at every level can help to rein-
force the message that voters want
action on environmental issues.
"If you and I write a letter to
(Prime Minister Stephen) Harper or
(Premier Dalton) McGuinty, that
plays _a big role in developing
national policy. That's why the envi-
ronment is the number one issue
today," says Letheren.
Alliance wait times improving for
cataracts, CT scans, hips and knees
Susan Ilundert,nark
Wait times at Huron -Perth Healthcare
Alliance hospitals haven't reached provincial
medians yet but they are decreasing, CEO
Andrew Williams told the Alliance board last
Thursday in Seaforth.
"We are seeing improvements.,.The invest-
ment from the province is starting to trickle
down and we're doing a lot more volume.
We're trying to get to people as quickly as we
can and we're keeping a close eye on it," said
Williams.
Comparing recently -released October and
November wait times to those in April and
May, Williams said the median for cataract
patients in Clinton was 123 days in
October/November compared to 181 days in
April/May.
The median of cataract patients in Stratford
was 37 days in October/November compared
to the provincial median of 65 days.
CT scan medians in Stratford .in
October/November were at the same level as
the province at 14 days, compared to 17 days
in April/May for the Alliance.
Hip replacements were 169 days in the
Alliance for October/November, compared to
the provincial median of 95 days.
Knee replacements in the Alliance in
October/November were 200 days,
compared to the provincial median
of 126 days and the Alliance's 207
days in April/May.
When asked if the recent move
by ophthalmologist Dr. Rick Bains
to Huron County would improve
cataract wait times, Williams said
the change won't be sudden since
Dr. Bains is replacing the services of
four ophthalmologists from London.
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