Loading...
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. If you are unemployed or on El Attend A FREE WORKSHOP Call today to learn about your options 519-524-2515 519-482-1700 519-235-0471 519-527-0305 519-357-4995 Goderich Clinton Exeter Seaforth Wingham 7 h„ prolan is hmdod in pe,t by the Government of Genal. CCai tac�'ta Linda Reaume tR.�ent i,n.nlI3 I Rob .Smith West Coast kitchens.. And Much Afore • Kitchen' • ('ustomVanities • Entertainment 11nits • Ili Offices PROFESSIONAL, INSTALLATIONS CUSTOM DESIGNS & COUNTERTOPS Visit Our Showroom" 50 West St. Goderich 519-440-0352 • 1-866-440-0352 6"Arrich & (Mirk( (bomber of Commerce Rucinm of the Year Award 2(RI6 Email: wecicnastkit(acabteiv.an.ca