Actually, geeks rule. I am a geek. You know what I did tonight? I finished my term paper. I'm fairly proud of it, especially considering I haven't written a term paper since my second year of university (4 or 5 years ago). My undergrad education classes were so lame - no term papers, no finals. I thought it was great, until I get to these special ed classes and find that I have to write a final exam and a term paper. I always worry about it for nothing though. I'll check it over tomorrow, submit it, then forget about it. It feels so good to be done!
I really miss getting involved in community things. Back home, I was heavily involved in my church, in my school and in other community things that made me feel like I was doing something worthwhile. I joined the Kinettes group here but as a newcomer to a community it's difficult to contribute to certain things because you just don't know everyone. So I was thinking - when I move to Saskamatoon in July, what will I do?
Sean's involved in politics. That's not my thing. I could join the Kinettes group there, but I'd like to try something new. Sean had talked about getting involved with the city to develop better recycling programs and stuff, but it didn't really work out. I think that's something I'd be interested in.
Brea, do you remember that Kids' Environmental Club we tried to make when we were younger? My favourite book back then was "50 Ways Kids Can Save the Planet" and I had this bright idea that we would start a kids' club with monthly newsletters, complete with info on topics like global warming and tips on how to be more environmentally friendly. Again, I'm a geek. But what a good idea, eh?
Obviously that didn't work out. But I've always been into recycling and the whole bit and I used to get very upset when people would litter. I always thought that Stoon did a pretty good job of setting up recycling centres around the city until we went to Ontario last summer.
Hamilton, along with a lot of other cities, organize their trash according to specific criteria. They have a blue bin for this, another bin for that, and it's all picked up by the city. Last night the National on CBC featured Sudbury's environmental initiatives. I realized then that Saskatoon really sucks in this regard.
It doesn't matter that Saskatoon is much smaller than these cities and it doesn't matter how much curbside programs cost; what matters is that we need to do more. Not everyone has a car to take their recyclables to the blue bin depots that are scattered around the city. I see on the City of Saskatoon's site that not a lot is happening. They were taking applications for an advisory committee, but the deadline has passed and it doesn't seem that there is much else for people to get involved with.
Crappy. It's something I'm really interested in. Until another opportunity comes along, I'll nag my city counsellor repeatedly and hope that they get on the environmental bandwagon.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
O'Doyle rules!
Posted by Meg at 11:07 PM
Labels: environment, school
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4 comments:
Yeah, I remember our club. We were going to change the world! I still remember making the posters for it.
I used to be such an advocate for everything when I was a child and teen (remember my tee shirt "Take a step against child labour!"?) and I am not really anymore... it's sort of sad. So I'll nag with you! ;)
Meg said: "and it doesn't matter how much curbside programs cost"
Yes it does.
Cheers,
lance
I understand that low-income families probably can't afford the high costs of curbside programs. I was speaking for myself, though, (and I guess I should have emphasized that in the post) when I said it doesn't matter how much it costs. I can personally afford the extra cost of programs like this and I'm willing to put my money towards more environmentally-friendly programs and things like efficient light bulbs. You don't get much for free nowadays. I don't know what the answer is but somewhere along the line we're going to have to give up something if we want to be more environmentally conscious.
In Ontario (and the rest of Canada) curbside recycling struggled to break even, however, it was implemented because it is a required part of city life.
I was shocked, shocked!, that Saskatoon had no real recycling plan. To add insult to injury (and pure stupidity) for the average person to recycle in this city you have to DRIVE somewhere (wtf?).
How so many people can throw tin cans and glass jars into the garbage so easily is amazing to me, especially since it is 2007!
So ya it costs Lance, but it shouldn't matter. Unfortunately, we have a Mayor and a city council (for the most part) that has its head stuck up its ass when it comes to recycling.....of course when the electorate isn't demanding something then they are also the ones with their heads firmly inserted in their asses....
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