Protection of the Environment

During COVID-19 and the world Pandemic many countries that monitor air quality are reporting a significant improvement. Greenhouse gas emissions are down by over 30% in the U.K. Down by over 20% in Canada and down 17% worldwide. Reduced CO2 emissions and cleaner air are one of the Upsides to COVID-19.

1. Plastic bags – Elimination and removal of bags

Plastic bottles, cups, glasses – to glass & stainless steel – reusable bottles, cups and glasses, is a part of the solution.

2. Push to more affordable electric and hybrid vehicles.

Make mass transit, busses and subways, more economical, comfortable and affordable

3. Energy – get off oil move to clean energy – wind, solar, natural gas – hi-efficiency heating in commercial, industrial and residential sectors. I like the Green Party of Canada’s plan and would like to see it implemented much sooner.

4.Clean up the oceans

5.Stop overfishing – One solution for the challenges posed by overfishing is by creating aquacultures.  How to support oyster aquaculture in Nicaragua that you can read more about here. Education and support to find other ways.

6.Work from home – or work from anywhere, I am an advocate of that, all though I recommend you do not tell people where you are. Human nature and jealousy will work against you. The set up of home offices can make for so many positives. Reduce traffic, reduce the size of commercial office space, reduce energy by downsizing massive offices that would no longer be required. Turn the office spaces into retail, storage or housing.

7.Faster train travel, a better system of long distance travel that could eliminate some air travel and reduce CO2 emissions.

8.Plant trees and protect forests – find other building materials such as recycled wood, plastic and combinations of things

9.Tighter monitoring of known pollution industries – metal manufacturing, chemical, cosmetic etc. The Canada Environmental Protection Act needs to be updated.

10.Mining, fracking and drilling, find other methods that do no harm or make it too costly to carry out. Make the producers pay higher taxes or build environmental replacements to repair or replace what is removed or spoiled. France, Ireland, Germany, and Bulgaria have banned fracking altogether.

11.Buildings – multi residential, hi-rise buildings – energy saving – green only. Reducing carbon emissions, improved waste water treatment, access to rapid transit and many other environmental benefits are all cheaper and easier to do when people live in dense communities.