water

Friday June 7, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 7, 2019

Study sheds light on human consumption of microplastics

A study from the University of Victoria has for the first time compiled research on microplastics to try to estimate just how much people are consuming.

June 1, 2019

Microplastics are pieces of plastic that are just under five millimetres in diameter — or smaller than the size of a sesame seed — that come from the degradation of larger plastic products or the shedding of particles from water bottles, plastic packaging and synthetic clothes.

Garth Covernton, a PhD candidate at University of Victoria’s department of biology, said his team looked at 26 papers assessing the amount of microplastics found in individual food items.

May 2, 2018

The study found that a person’s average microplastic consumption — based on those food items previously analyzed — would likely be somewhere between 70,000 and 121,000 particles per year. While younger girls were at the lower end of the spectrum, adult men were at the high end.

People who consume a lot of bottled water could see that number jump by up to 100,000 particles per year.

The study analyzed the amount of microplastics found in fish, shellfish, sugars, salts, alcohol, water and air, which account for 15 per cent of Americans’ caloric intake.

But the other 85 per cent of what people consume, like beef, poultry, dairy and grains, has still not been examined.

March 6, 2015

Covernton compared the study to early understandings of cigarettes and tobacco: While the numbers they came up with did seem large, they don’t yet know exactly what level of consumption is dangerous.

“We’re at the point where we know microplastics at some dose could be harmful, but we’re not at the point where we can say whether what the average person is encountering is the equivalent of one cigarette in a lifetime, or that chronic exposure, like a pack a day.”

Covernton said the findings demonstrate more work needs to be done to understand how the tiny particles might affect human health. (CBC) 

 

Tuesday October 24, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday October 24, 2017

Jagmeet Singh vows to help Horwath topple Wynne

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath can count on some major campaign help from her party’s brightest star.
 

August 3, 2017

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he will do all he can to ensure Horwath replaces Liberal Kathleen Wynne as Ontario premier after the June 7 election.

 
“I’ve committed to supporting the provincial party. I have a personal reason: these are my colleagues, my friends. I also have a vested interest in the benefit of the province and of the country,” Singh said Monday at Queen’s Park where he bade farewell to his former NDP caucus colleagues.
 
“It’s absolutely clear that the province will be better off with Andrea Horwath as premier and the country will be better off with the New Democratic values of putting people first, of standing up for issues that matter to the lives of people,” he said.
 

June 15, 2017

Singh, who resigned as Bramalea-Gore-Malton MPP on Friday, three weeks after winning the federal NDP leadership, said it’s “very special” to be at Queen’s Park.

 
“This is where my political career began and I’m really honoured to be back here as leader of the federal party,” he said.
 
“Andrea’s been my mentor. She appointed me deputy leader.”
 
Horwath expressed delight that Singh will help her party next spring. (Source: Toronto Star) 
 
 

SaveSave

SaveSave

Thursday July 27, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 27, 2017

No guarantee Hamilton’s waterfront trail will open this summer

Uncertainty over the extent of flood damage to Hamilton’s waterfront trail means there is no guarantee the popular path will reopen this summer.

February 27, 2009

The mystery timeline has upset users of one of the city’s most popular trails and forced the relocation of cycling and running scheduled as far ahead as September.

Record spring water levels flooded large swaths of the trail in April, prompting the city to fence off the paved path between Princess Point and Bayfront Park.

Water levels have since receded — spurring pointed questions from residents as well as trespassing — but not enough for the city to assess damage to the trail caused by flooding and pounding waves.

“We know people are impatient, we are getting all those questions. We hope to have the answers soon,” said parks manager Kara Bunn, who is waiting on a final assessment and recommendations from consultant Shoreplan Engineering. “But we know for sure some sections are unsafe.”

The Spectator paddled alongside and, at one point, over top the trail Tuesday to eyeball the damage.

The only remaining drowned section of paved trail includes several metres curving around Cootes Paradise and across from Princess Point.

But asphalt is clearly crumbling into Hamilton Harbour at several locations between the mouth of the Desjardins Canal and the temporary gate near Bayfront Park. In a few spots, the water has clearly undermined the path, despite temporary canvas barriers and sandbags visible along the shoreline. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

 

SaveSave

Thursday June 15, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday June 15, 2017

Today, some unsolicited advice to Ontario’s three political leaders.

In a Toronto Star interview, Kathleen Wynne warns of the dangers of electing a PC government. Say goodbye to a new minimum wage. Goodbye to pharmacare. Goodbye to new initiatives toward accessible, affordable child care. She may be right. But if the Liberals think they can improve their election chances by arguing why someone else is a worse choice, they’re wrong. The tactic has a tinge of desperation about it. A defensive strategy isn’t the answer, nor is political blackmail.

April 29, 2017

The Liberals have had 15 years in office. They have more than their share of baggage. But of late, they have been putting forward significant policy initiatives that are finding favour among voters. They have a vision for a more socially democratic Ontario. That’s what they ought to be marketing if they hope to get back into serious contention.

Brown’s PCs are playing rope-a-dope with the electorate. That’s the strategy boxing great Muhammad Ali employed to defeat George Foreman in 1974 — lie on the ropes, take the punches, wait until your opponent tires and then go on the offensive. The fact that Brown can do the same thing and still be far ahead in most opinion polls is a reflection of how unpopular the Liberals and Wynne are. But it’s not sustainable or appropriate for the man who would be premier.

March 10, 2017

Brown’s current advertising campaign shows him taking part in Pride events and doing other things to demonstrate how he’s leading a big-tent party as opposed to one tied to social conservative values. Good for him. But beyond that, he remains too much of an empty vessel.

We know he favours some form of carbon tax. But Brown’s policy on hydro? Nothing. Child care? Zilch. Pharmacare? Zero. Housing? Very little outside vague commitments to address supply, red tape, demand and establishing a panel of industry experts. Minimum wage? The government’s plan is too much too soon, Brown said, but nothing more.

February 24, 2017

Brown thinks all he has to do to win is not be Kathleen Wynne. He may yet be wrong about that.

Andrea Horwath went on a rant recently about the Liberals stealing NDP plans. No doubt she’s right. But rather than cry sour grapes, the NDP would be wise to announce their platform planks first, full out and in detail. State clearly what the NDP would do on issues like child care and minimum wage. Basically release platform planks before the Liberals can claim them. That’s what they did with their pharmacare vision, and as a result Ontarians have a clear decision to make about which model they like best. That’s the way it should work. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

 

SaveSave

Saturday May 6, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 6, 2017

Shoreline and flood worries as wind and rain hit Hamilton and region

A flood watch was in effect for Hamilton as the city and much of southern Ontario brace for several more days of rain.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) says this forecasted rainfall may result in further increases in water levels and flows in area watercourses, with the potential for significant flooding.

There is further concern about the potential impacts of northerly winds on the shores of Lake Ontario. Those  winds may increase the risk of shoreline flooding and erosion, with Lake Ontario levels already high.

The latest rainfall — from Thursday through to Saturday — comes on top of records numbers for the year so far.

“This has been a record rainy first 125 days of a year, never has there been so much rain in that period in the Hamilton area,” said Dave Phillips, Environment Canada.

Phillips says Hamilton has received about 87 per cent more rain than the city would normally get so far this year.

The potential rainfall may also result in local drainage issues in low-lying or poorly drained areas, and storm sewer systems may become overwhelmed in intense rainfalls over short durations. (CBC News)