Footprints

Here we are about to vote in another group of people into positions of power in our area in the next couple of weeks. It is sometimes hard to know who to vote for, who will represent our views, diverse as they are. And then you hope that they are telling the truth when they answer a question about their views on policy etc.

I'd like a politician that could see the long view, could get along with the other members in council and actually get something done of value to the community, rather than their own interests. Wouldn't that be nice?

I think a very important issue in the Kawartha Lakes is environmental. We always think that what we do in our little towns doesn't impact much in the bigger picture, but you have to start somewhere. We now have reached the point where what scientists are calling "Mankind's growing footprints" are outpacing what the Earth can do to heal itself. The theory is that up until recently our presence here was sustainable in the sense that our demands did not exceed the capacity of the planet to renew itself. However, we are now seriously on our way to destroying it. According to the World Wildlife Fund's 2006 Living Planet Report, humans are now turning resources into waste at a pace 25% faster than the Earth can turn waste back into resources. Canada is ranked as the fourth largest footprint. We can see that in our little corner of the world. Go to the dump any day and you will see bulldozers covering up entire couches. Couches that don't look that bad to me, and is obvious that they aren't going to decompose anytime soon with all the polyester and metal included in the works. The big argument is always "it takes more money to recycle that it does just to throw it away". But that's not a very clever long term view.

We here in the Kawartha Lakes rely in part on our tourism for our economy. If we don't keep our environment clean, have reasonable building done and save our farmland, we will soon be just another city. We already have issues with our many beautiful lakes being closed at the first long spell of summer. And we know that what we are doing to our planet is destroying a lot of the other species that we share this space with.

I say let's ask our candidates whether they are going help us lessen our own footprint by encouraging environmentally sound ideas. Let's invest in a couple of turbines. I would certainly invest in such a venture. I remember it being said that the turbine built in Toronto recouped all the invester's money within a year! And check out the link above for all the benefits and energy savings. (and for the record, house cats kill more birds than a turbine would). And lets put pressure that our Provincial and Federal governments keep to their promises. A thirty year plan just isn't good enough.

Whoever gets in on November 13th, I say well done. But I also ask that you keep in mind what a beautiful place it is here. Can we keep it that way? Progress done responsibly will lessen our footprints.