A new report finds the average person carries pesticide residue in their body that exceeds government-approved levels. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:
Transcript
A new report finds the average person carries pesticide residue in their body that exceeds
government-approved levels. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:
The Pesticide Action Network analyzed blood and urine samples of more than 9,000
people. The samples were collected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
According to the report, every sample contained pesticide residue. The highest
concentrations were found in adult women, children and Mexican Americans, who were
more likely to work in agriculture.
Angelica Barrera is with the Pesticide Action Network. She says the current testing of
these products isn’t enough, and they’re calling on Congress to impose tougher
regulations.
“To put the burden of proof on the chemical manufacturers, that before they put anything
on the market, they need to prove that that pesticide is in fact safe for public use.”
The most commonly found pesticide residue was from chlorpyrifos, an chemical used in
agriculture. A spokesperson for Dow Chemical, which makes the pesticide, said their
products are safe if used properly.
For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Karen Kelly.
A Canadian doctors’ association has released a report warning patients to stay away from pesticides. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:
Transcript
A Canadian doctors’ association has released a report warning patients to stay away from
pesticides. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:
The Ontario College of Family Physicians considered 250 scientific studies of humans
between 1990 and 2003. The group found consistent links between exposure to pesticides
and a number of illnesses, including brain tumors, prostate cancer and leukemia.
Dr. Rinna Bray chairs the college’s environmental health committee. She recommends
people limit pesticide exposure on what they eat, what they put on their lawns and what
they use in their homes.
“The writing’s on the wall. And it is our obligation to let the public know and warn
people that pesticides are dangerous at chronic low doses that you find in your home and
your garden.”
Bray says children are the most vulnerable, in part because their bodies have more
difficulty excreting the chemicals. The study comes as many communities, including
Toronto and the province of Quebec, ban the cosmetic use of pesticides.
Pesticide manufacturers maintain that exposure to the chemicals does not pose an
unacceptable risk to people’s health.
For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Karen Kelly
A new report has found that utilities with the best environmental practices have higher values on the stock market. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:
Transcript
A new report has found that utilities with the best environmental practices have higher values on
the stock market. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:
The New York-based financial research firm Innovest found a correlation between sound
environmental management and strong financial performance among companies.
The firm compared 26 utilities on environmental factors such as toxic releases.
Researcher Carla Tabossi says they found the companies with the highest environmental scores
outperformed others on the market.
“The environmental quality of corporations turns out to be a very good proxy for the overall
management quality of firms, which happens to be the primary determinant of stock market
performance.”
Tabossi has also found that a growing number of asset managers are considering environmental
issues when constructing investment portfolios.
For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Karen Kelly.
A Canadian environmental group has released a list of the greenest and meanest vehicles on the road. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:
Transcript
A Canadian environmental group has released a list of the greenest and meanest vehicles on the
road. The Great lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:
It’s no surprise that hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight and the Honda
Civic hybrid topped the list of environmentally-friendly cars.
As for gas guzzlers, Environmental Defence Canada rated the Volkswagen Touareg, the
LandRover Range Rover and the Lexus LX 470 as the worst.
Jennifer Foulds is with Environmental Defence Canada.
She says traditionally, the green list has been dominated by Japanese automakers.
“The big three hasn’t really cracked the green list yet. They tend to have vehicles that aren’t quite
as fuel efficient, don’t have the same level of tailpipe emissions as some of the foreign made
vehicles.”
This year, the Ford Focus did qualify for the green list.
Foulds says it may soon be joined by other American cars as Ford, GM, and Daimler Chrysler
prepare to release their own hybrid vehicles.
For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Karen Kelly.
A Canadian environmental group is protesting Canada’s decision to seek public comments before giving protection to endangered species. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:
Transcript
A Canadian environmental group is protesting Canada’s decision to seek public comments before
giving protection to endangered species. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly
reports:
Representatives of the Sierra Club of Canada say they were blindsided by the federal
government’s decision.
The government announced public consultations to consider adding 63 new species to Canada’s
Species at Risk Act.
The Sierra Club’s Rachel Plotkin says endangered species should be chosen by scientists, not by
the public at large.
“Either a species is becoming endangered or its not becoming endangered. It’s not whether or not
someone wants it to be on the list because they recognize that might impact their profit and their
industry.”
Plotkin says socioeconomic issues are already considered when action plans are developped to protect a species.
Unlike the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the Canadian law only protects species on federal land.
However, new listings in the U.S. are also subject to public comment.
For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Karen Kelly.
The Wipeout sled from McGill University in Montreal gets a push at the start of the Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race. (Photo by Karen Kelly)
The University of Calgary, Alberta Chuckboggan team heads down the hill fully clothed for this year's event. Traditionally, the team has competed naked. (Photo by Karen Kelly)
The Seamen of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario do the chicken dance with the mascot from Concordia University in Montreal. (Photo by James Kelly)
Every year, engineering students throughout North America hold competitions to test their skills. They build robots and solar cars – combining technical prowess with creative design. In Canada, engineering students have devised their own contest. As the Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports, their contribution to the engineering world is a toboggan made of concrete:
Transcript
Every year, engineering students throughout North America hold competitions to test their skills.
They build robots and solar cars – combining technical prowess with creative design. In Canada,
engineering students have devised their own contest. As the Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s
Karen Kelly reports, their contribution to the engineering world is a toboggan made of concrete:
(sound in gym)
It’s 10 am, Friday morning. The gym at Carleton University in Ottawa is packed with
engineering students. They’ve arrived for the technical exhibition of the Great Northern Concrete
Toboggan Race.
Why concrete?
Because it’s the last thing you’d expect on a sled.
Teams from 14 universities across Canada are here to display their designs – and to show off their
school spirit.
(sound of chanting)
There’s the oompa loompa team wearing overalls and matching green braids.
There’s the Big Fat Greek Tobaggan crew – hanging out in togas beneath a cardboard Parthenon.
And there are the Flaming Fowls, with caps featuring chicken legs made of yellow felt.
But it’s not just about costumes – it’s about the sled…
“So what’s special about your sled?”
“Well, one major thing its covered in feathers. As you can see, we went for a giant chicken.”
Giant as in 300 pounds – complete with a concrete bottom and a papier mache chicken head on
top. Andrew Kwiatkowski is team captain.
“Our running surface, what we did, we made a contour bottom so it’s higher up in the front and as
it goes back, it progressively flattens out so in theory, it will compact the snow and make us ride
faster.”
“Have you tried it out?”
“No, because our brakes – we actually worked on it on Wednesday before coming up. We didn’t
get a chance to test anything.”
The Flaming Fowls are not alone. Most of the sleds will make their inaugural run tomorrow – the
day of the race. Test runs, they say, are too risky. Hit a bump too fast, and the concrete can
crumble.
(sound)
“Well, we’re from university of Waterloo. Our sled’s name is Return of the Sledi, obviously Stars
War theme…”
Dan Roscoe runs a hand over the thick slab of concrete that coats the bottom of his sled. Each
sled is required to have a concrete bottom, a working brake, and room for five passengers.
Roscoe is particularly proud of the Sledi brake, which relies on borrowed parts to cushion the
sudden stop.
“The whole braking unit is riding on the aluminum column there, which at the back has 2 springs
off a Ford Pinto, so hopefully the riders won’t stop as quickly as the brake does.”
The competition offers a reward for best braking system, as well as best design, top speed and
best toboggan aesthetics.
(chanting)
But it’s really not about the prizes. Josh White and Emil Lauren are with Team Oompa Loompa.
And their focus is on having fun.
“It’s an awesome time. Plus, it’s really cool. You get to actually build something and apply what
you learned in class so it’s…and you’ve got to love the challenge. Building something that’s
theoretically impossible like super strong lightweight concrete, a sled out of things a sled
shouldn’t be built out of. It’s kind of fun just meeting that challenge.”
(cross fade with scraping)
The next morning, the teams gather at the top of a local ski hill. They huddle around their sleds,
rubbing them with thick layers of wax.
Carlos Deolivera is captain of Return of the Sledi. His team’s made some last minute safety
adjustments – covering sharp edges with styrofoam.
“So do you think this styrofoam held on by duct tape will actually protect people?”
“It’s a 300 pound toboggan with five riders, it’s not gonna be being cut that’s going to kill ya, it’s
the weight and the momentum of everything hitting ya. It’s just a little bit of safety in a
dangerous sport.”
Nearby is the team for the University of Calgary Chuckboggan – as in chuckwagon. They’re
mourning the loss of their longtime toboggan ritual.
“University of Calgary had a long tradition of nakedness at this competition. So last year we
brought it back, did a fully naked run in Edmonton, and got suspended by the university so this
year there won’t be any nudity, I don’t think. And it’s quite a bit colder here, too, I think.”
(sound of chanting)
The race begins and the crowd chants as the chickenhead tobaggon slides to the top of the 78 foot
hill.
“You guys ready?”
“Never. If we’re not, it doesn’t matter. We’re petrified.”
“You’re petrified?”
“Oh yeah. You can almost say we’re chicken, oh! (groans)”
The fog horn blows and the sled gets a push. The huge chicken slides about ten feet – and then
grinds to a stop.
(ohhh!)
It’s a disappointing finish for the chicken team as they push their sled to the side of the track.
Next up is the University of Calgary’s Chuckboggan.
(horn, then whoosh)
They fly by – fully clothed – and cross the finish line, winning first place. A few minutes later,
the Return of the Sledi grabs second place.
(little sound)
The Flaming Fowls do make it down the hill eventually – pushed by a crowd of other competitors.
But that’s the spirit of this event – in the end, helping a giant chicken cross the finish line is just as
important as whether you win or lose.
For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Karen Kelly.
Environmentalists are praising Canada’s new prime minister for his promise to meet the goals laid out by the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:
Transcript
Environmentalists are praising Canada’s new prime minister for his promise to meet the goals laid
out by the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly
reports:
In his first week in office, Canadian prime minister Paul Martin promised that Canada would meet
its Kyoto target. The country has pledged to reduce greenhouse gases by 30-percent in the next 8
years. Martin’s plan includes new spending on environmental innovations that will conserve energy.
John Bennett of the Climate Change Action Network says it’s a commitment that will reap large
rewards.
“If we now were to turn our investment dollars into conservation and efficiency, we could not only
make a profit, but we could reach the Kyoto targets at the same time.”
The Kyoto treaty will not become legally binding unless Russia signs on as well. Russian officials
have yet to make a decision. But both Canada and the EU have pledged to meet the Kyoto targets
regardless.
For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Karen Kelly in Ottawa.
Scientists are starting to use satellite transmitters to learn more about the winter migration patterns of loons. (photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
A new program is using satellite transmitters to learn more about the migration patterns of loons. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:
Transcript
A new program is using satellite transmitters to learn more about the migration patterns of loons.
The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:
Loons are well-known for returning to the same lakes each summer – year after year. But until
recently, scientists didn’t know much about the bird’s winter migration. That’s changing, as loons
from New York state make their way south, carrying satellite transmitters.
Nina Schoch is Coordinator of the Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program. It’s a joint venture
between private groups and government agencies. She says the information gathered will help
researchers understand and protect loon habitat across the country.
“In the winter, it’s unknown if they’re using the same spot each year or if they move around. So
we want to identify those locations, and once we know that, we’ll have a much better
understanding of things that impact loon populations on their wintering areas.”
Things such as acid rain, oil spills or a recent botulism outbreak in the Great Lakes.
Schock says once they know how these birds spend the winter, they’ll be able to develop plans
that help the loon population survive.
For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Karen Kelly.
Environmentalists are giving Canada’s new prime minister strong marks for his plans for the environment. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:
Transcript
Canadian environmentalists are giving Canada’s new prime minister strong marks for his plans
for the environment. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:
Environmental groups see promise in the plans laid out by Canadian prime minister Paul Martin.
Martin has pledged an investment in new technology to meet Canada’s commitment to the Kyoto
Protocol. And he’s put a new emphasis on funding for cities.
Elizabeth May is Executive Director of the Sierra Club of Canada. She says a new deal for cities
could be a good deal for the environment.
“We hope to see better funding for mass transportation, better and smarter urban planning to
urban sprawl, reinvestments in a number of things that we really feel are environmental priorities,
but are seen through the lens of municipalities.”
Paul Martin has strong ties in the business community. May expects he’ll have a good rapport
with environmentalists, as well.
For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Karen Kelly.
Oil companies and environmental groups are working together to press the Canadian government to support renewable energy. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly has more:
Transcript
Oil companies and environmental groups are working together to press the Canadian government
to support renewable energy. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly has more:
It’s not often that an environmental group like Pollution Probe finds itself in the same camp as
companies like Shell Canada and Suncor Energy. But they agree on one thing: Canada is lagging
behind other developed countries in its financial support for renewable energy projects.
Diane Humphries is with the oil company Suncorp.
The company’s investing in wind power.
But electricity is so cheap in Canada, Humphries says such projects need government help to
make them affordable.
“Canadians are enjoying least cost electricity… We need additional incentives to be put in place to
match, or become more competitive with the current price of electricity.”
Humphries believes the combined voices of environmentalists and business people will convince
the federal government to increase its investment.
For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Karen Kelly.
