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- Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, November 20,2002 ^ Viewpoint by Alex Shepherd MP Durham Climate Change The health and well being of future generations depends on the world taking action now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. emissions. And if this is left unchecked, the ensuing climate change will affect the quality of life of billions of people. In Canada the effects of climate climate change are already with us. That's why Canada not only supports the Kyoto Protocol, but played a leadership role in negotiating it. Canada bargained hard and will use a Canadian approach to meet emissions targets and use Canadian tools that will suit and protect our economy. Canada has a great many benefits benefits it can capitalize on because of Kyoto. For example, Industry Canada estimates that ratification ratification of the Protocol can boost investment in renewable energy 15-fold to over $7 billion per year. With the world-wide increase in demand for environmental environmental technologies, as countries countries move to meet their Kyoto targets, Canada has the people and know-how to develop and market new environmental technologies and profit from them. Then there are the opportunities opportunities for Canada's agricultural sector. Ethanol is a fuel that comes from plants, not fossil sources. When mixed with gasoline we reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There are boundless opportunities for com and potato potato producers, not to mention farmers who grow other commodities commodities that can be turned into ethanol. The Kyoto Protocol is good for Canadians' health as well. Action to reduce greenhouse gases will lead to a reduction of smog--causing pollution which contributes to 5,000 premature premature deaths each year. Additional health and environmental environmental benefits brought on by reducing greenhouse gas emissions emissions are estimated at $300 and $500 million each year. Failure to act on climate change has real costs too. The scientific community agrees that most of the warming occurring occurring over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities. If we fail to take action we will, witness increased temperatures,; including sustained hot spells and heat emergencies. There will be changes to the growing season, changes in weather patterns, including an increased frequency and severity severity of droughts and warmer, moister air masses over some cities, leading to the concentration concentration of pollutants. Then there are the changes we will see in our marine environments. environments. The movement of fish will change, (and animals and insects) thinning of the artic ice pack, changes to water levels levels that can lead to poorer water quality, an increase in water- borne diseases and disruptions in Great Lakes navigation. Polls show an overwhelming overwhelming amount of support by Canadians for the. Kyoto Protocol. They expect the federal federal government to act responsibly responsibly with their country's resources and environment. The government is continually continually fine tuning its implementation implementation strategy and consulting with industrial sectors about approaches that will benefit Canadian companies; : Ratifying Kyoto is a contract with ourselves to protect our health, our environment and holding true to Canadians' belief in multilateral action as the best way to address global problem. Fred DeVries proprietor • FREE ESTIMATES • COMPETITIVE RATES • • INSURANCE CLAIMS • FRED'S AUTOBODY (905) 623-6353 163 Baseline Road, Unit 1 Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3L4 Complete Collision Repair, Restoration and Refinishing OIL UNDERCOATING Ron's Garage $60M 983-8151 Temzin Gyalstan, (C) donated $9,000 to the Newcastle Arena Association for a new time clock. Accepting the donation of behalf of the Association is Chairman, Gordon Lee. Gyalstan's daughter is below the cheque, and Mayor Mutton looks on. Newcastle Arena gets facelift The newly renovated Newcastle Arena was officially officially opened Saturday evening with local contributors and Clarington Councillors on hand. The upgrades were made possible in large part with a $300,000 interest free loan from the Municipality. Gord Lee, Chairman of Newcastle Arena Association (NAA), gratefully acknowledged acknowledged three local residents for their outstanding fundraising contributions. Joan Kimball of the Village Cards & Gifts was thanked for her participation participation in the 50+ Dance that raised $3,500. The Newcastle Men's Town League's Jason Rogers was applauded for his $1,000 contribution. The loudest ovation, accompanied by pounding hockey sticks, was saved for Tenzin Gyalstan, owner of the Newcastle IGA, who donated the new scoreboard, valued at $9,000. All were given special special mementos from the NAA. The extensive renovations can be seen throughout the facility including the remodeled remodeled foyer, new washrooms, new dressing rooms for the teams with showers and a vis itor's area upstairs with better viewing and new windows. Additionally, the new ceiling and overhead lighting offer a better view to all spectators and players. Protective netting, netting, to prevent injuries from flying pucks, is being installed this week. Newcastle Arena Association Association has seven years to pay back the loan and according to Lee, they are confident that the support of local residents will make this , happen. Parents, coaches and kids were very pleased with all thé changes. DURHAM REGION the Flu Protect yourself and the ones you love from the Flu. The Durham Region Health Department will be dEpartment offering FREE influenza clinics throughout Durtiam Region for all residents over the age of 6 months, AJAX CLARINGTON PICKERING McLean Centre November 19, (2pm - 8pm) Community Centre (HMS Room) November 20, (2pm - 8pm) BROCK Cannington, Trinity United Church: November 23, (10am - 2pm) Beaverton, Lakeview Manor November 30, (10am - 2pm) BR00KUN Brooklin Community Centre: November 23, (9am ■ 2pm) Newcastle, St. George Anglican Church Hall November 25, (2 pm - 8pm) Courtice, Secondary School November 26, (4pm-8pm) 0SHAWA Loblaws, Gibb St. November 20, (1:30pm -8pm) November 27, (1:30pm -8pm) November 29, (1:30pm -8pm) Northview Library November 26, (1:30pm - 8pm) Loblaws, Liverpool Rd. November 18, (1:30pm - 8pm) November 21, (1:30pm - 8pm) November 27, (1:30pm - 8pm) SCUGOG Scugog Community Centre November 21, (2pm - 8pm) WHITBY Henry Street High School November 18, (2pm - 8pm) Durham Board Education Centre November 30, (10am-4pm) For more information call 1-866-FLU-N-YOU or the Durham Region Health Department at 905-723-8521 ext. 2900 or 1-800-841-2729 ext. 2900 or visit the website at www. region.durham.on.ca