Category: Blog

  • Food waste survey

    Western, in conjunction with the City of London, developed a London household food waste survey to help them understand the amount and reasons why food is wasted and what leads to these behaviours. The focus is on food that could have been eaten (e.g. whole fruit, bread, leftovers etc.) rather than the parts of food…

  • Dead Zones

    I saw Stephen King’s “The Dead Zone” for the very first time a few months ago. Interesting to see Christopher Walken, Tom Skerritt, and Canadian Nicholas Campbell as young actors. But the movie was not very scary. Probably partly because there have been much scarier films since then, with much more graphic violence. Moreover, the…

  • CSO’s: Combined Sewer Overflows – A Bad Combination

    [note: CSO’s are alternatively called Combined Sewer Overflows/Outlets/Outfalls] It might be obvious by now that the titles of this blog series are following alphabetical order. I picked that strategy as a writing exercise for no other reason that finding a topic on sewage to fit all letters of the alphabet (Q, X, Y, Z, for…

  • Beaches and Bleaches

    About 20 years ago my girlfriend and I were enjoying a walk along scenic Point Pleasant Park, which overlooks part of Halifax Harbour.  The beach ranges from sand in some areas, to fist-size rocks, to car-sized boulders in other areas.  We were jumping from one such boulder to another when my girlfriend happened to look…

  • Sewage Ain’t Sexy

    Sewage Ain’t Sexy   . . . a monthly TREA blog about the essential conversations we need to have about sewage treatment in London. Of course talk is cheap if not followed up by action  . . .   1. “A’s” for Alberta. Ah, Alberta. Mention the province around environmentalists and you are sure to…

  • Are you ready to celebrate a Waste Free Holiday?

    How are you wrapping your presents this Christmas? With Saturday comics that are recyclable or with traditional wrapping paper that isn’t? What types of gifts are you giving? Ones that end up in landfill in the future because you gave things that were neither needed nor wanted or are you giving ones that create lasting…

  • Consumerism and You

    A new school year has begun and already teachers feel they have no time to prepare a comprehensive lesson plan that could help students understand how their consumer choices affect the environment. And parents are challenged to provide extra learning opportunities at home. There is free help available. If you are a teacher, parent or…

  • How an Intern Can Make a Significant Difference to the Environment

    How an Intern Can Make a Significant Difference to the Environment

    Last spring, while finishing my third year at Western University, I decided to participate in an Internship as an extension of my academic program. While sorting through the different placements available to the Media, Information and Technoculture students, one in particular jumped out at me. The Thames Region Ecological Association (TREA) was offering to hire…

  • Bikes, Bikes, Everywhere!

    Bikes, Bikes, Everywhere!

    Cycling – an excellent source of exercise; an excuse to get outside and get some fresh air; a low-impact method of transportation; a great way to spend quality time with friends and family. Whatever your motive, cycling is enjoyed by many and should be celebrated for all the good things it brings us. June in…