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What’s in YOUR recycling? Only these items should go in: • empty containers made of plastic, metal or glass • paper and flattened cardboard To find out where other items go, use the Recyclepedia. Space provided through a partnership between industry and Manitoba communities to support waste diversion programs.
For more information please visit winnipeg.ca/recycling or contact 311
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Even small actions count
E arth Day is here and Valérie Mallamo, executive director at Earth Day Canada, reminds us that individual actions matter. Earth Day’s 2024 theme is Leg Day. Those who hit the gym know exact- ly what leg day means — it’s a small commitment that can eventually achieve solid health goals. Earth Day is meant to promote the health of the planet and this year, we’re being re- minded that we can play our part. A key goal is “to encourage a sig- nificant number of citizens, munici- palities, and organizations to try dif- ferent modes of transportation for Earth Day and adopt new eco-friend- ly habits,” explains Mallamo. The message of carbon emissions and the effects on the planet is well- known, yet many feel only large ac- tions can make a difference. “With over 43% of greenhouse gas emis- sions originating from the transpor- tation sector and a rise in care usage, promoting sustainable mobility is crucial,” says Mallamo. With sustainable transportation practices in mind, getting around town void of single car usage is key to reducing carbon emissions.
“Every action, no matter how small, counts. In fact, it’s often the smallest actions that, taken together, lead to long-term changes in behav- ior,” notes Mallamo. The Earth Day team is challenging people “to try active or sustainable mobility to get to work.” Admittedly, some take the car be- cause we live in a cold climate and the roads can be tricky, but spring is here. It’s a great time of the year to get some exercise, enjoy fresh air and take part in helping our planet. Public transport is also a great op- tion for those who prefer to use it or who are unable to walk or bike. And if it doesn’t reach the location you need to access, Mallamo says, “car sharing remains an economical, ecological and even social alternative.” “We believe that everyone’s efforts can contribute to change.” Should you choose to embrace the Earth Day challenge, keep in mind you won’t be alone. “People can register their walking, running or cycling journeys on Stra- va or on the Earth Day website for a chance to win prizes, such as an elec- tric bike or annual public transport and bike-share passes,” says Mallamo.
People can register their walking, running or cycling journeys on Strava or on the Earth Day website for a chance to win prizes, such as an electric bike or annual public transport and bike-share passes.”
Photo by Mathieu B. Morin
To learn more about Leg Day or Earth Day’s initiatives, please go to: https://earthday.ca.
Valérie Mallamo, Executive director at Earth Day Canada
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BY KRISTIN MARAND P erched at the confluence of adjoining rivers, with verdant green spaces and proxim- ity to several nearby water sources, Winnipeg is a gem in the crown of the prairies. Between 2017 and 2019, the City of Winnipeg developed a community climate action plan to maintain the health of the environment and address growing sustainability and climate concerns. Winnipeg’s current mayor, Scott Gillingham, carries the torch to make good on those commitments and is working towards making the city a cleaner, greener place to live, work, and play. Based on greenhouse gas inventory and forecasting studies, the climate action plan ex- amines Winnipeg’s per capita emissions, how the city compares to other municipalities and sets emissions reduction targets for various sectors. According to the study, Win- nipeg emits 7.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per person per year, placing it in the middle of the six-city comparison. “When we developed our climate action plan a few years ago, we found that Winnipeg’s per capita emissions are significantly lower than some major west- ern Canadian cities,” says Mayor Gillingham. “We’re on par with Toronto and Ottawa.” Winnipeg’s main source of emissions is transportation, whereas the major- ity of our westerly neighbours’ (Calgary and Edmonton’s) emissions stem from buildings. However, Winnipeg’s waste-related emissions are among the highest in the country. The climate action plan proposed reducing emissions by 20% from 2011 levels by 2023 and 80% by 2050. Leading the way on Earth Day Like Mayor Gillingham, bike to your work April 22nd
Photo by Doug Little
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Mayor Gilling- ham states that funding is a sig- nificant challenge to Winnipeg’s becoming more environmentally friendly. He points to the proposed
goals form the document’s vision, objectives, and policy direction, which is currently in the implementation and measurement phases. “In that master plan, we have a goal of achieving a net zero status by the year 2050. We also have the community energy investment roadmap that was adopted by council in 2022. It will also provide us with a series of actions and policies that will help us achieve that goal. And we are also working on a program to replace our old combined sewer and storm drains with new pipes so that it ultimately will help improve the health of our rivers and lakes as well.”
To address residential transportation emissions and a personal campaign priority, Mayor Gillingham explains that the city is increasing sustainable mobility methods such as walking and biking and encouraging commuters to use public transit. He says that in 2023, the active transportation budget was 300% more than the previ- ous year. Examples include the new active transportation pathway in northwest Winnipeg and the incorporation of active transportation in the infrastructure of road renewal projects, such as the addition of an active transportation path along Empress Street. “Over the last several years, we have made major investments in active transportation pathways, and that really encourages people to walk or to cycle or to use some means other than a car to get out and get active,” he explains. “Our transit master plan is a whole brand new route network that will be transformational. It’s going from our current system to a spine and feeder bus route system to encour- age more people to make transit a choice.” This Earth Day, Mayor Gillingham will choose active trans- portation and encourage others to do the same.
North End Sewage Treatment Plant up- grade, projected to cost $2 billion, making it ‘the most complex and expen- sive project in the city’s 150- year history.’ The ambitious project is important for sev- eral reasons, says Gillingham, not the least of which are related to protecting the environment and the quality of nearby lakes and rivers. “It is important so that the city can meet our environmental licensing re- quirements in the province of Manitoba in the Save Lake Winnipeg act to reduce our nutrient loading as a city to the rivers and Lake Winnipeg. It’s also very important so that we can accommodate the growth of the city.” Winnipeg’s climate actions are guided, explains Mayor Gillingham, by documents such as OurWin- nipeg 2045, the city’s 25-year strategic growth and de- velopment plan. Six localized sustainable development
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“Rain or shine, I’ll be riding my bike to work that day. I try to ride as often as I can,” he says. “I have a meeting that afternoon to discuss environmental policy, so it’s very fitting and timely. I encourage others to either carpool, ride the bus, walk, bike that day, to and from work or to their appointments if possible.”
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Over the last several years, we have made major investments in active transportation pathways, and that really encourages people to walk or to cycle or to use some means other than a car to get out and get active.”
Celebrate and learn this Earth Day at FortWhyte Alive!
Join us for a day of nature-based presenters, sessions, and workshops designed to help you learn something new about our planet and how you can help protect it. $5 reduced admission | fortwhyte.org/earthday
— Mayor Scott Gillingham, City of Winnipeg
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Benchmarking the best environmental sustainability strategies for egg farms in Manitoba Egg farmers are coming together to reduce the environmental footprint of egg farms across Canada
is an ongoing sustainability program, so information from every flock in the coming years can be entered and im- provements over time can be tracked. Water, feed, energy use, trans- portation and manure are com- ponents used in the NESTT assessment to measure the sustain- ability of flocks while making na- tional and regional comparisons. Sustainability tools such as solar panels or additional insulation factor into sustainability scores as well. “NESTT can make you aware of areas that you can improve on your farm,” said Harley. “It helps you become a bet- ter farmer.” NESTT will continue to evolve, with more capabilities and tools being add- ed over time based on feedback from egg farmers, new insights and the lat- est technology. This is just one of the many ways egg farmers are moving the industry forward and building a more sustainable future. Did you know? The environmental footprint of Canada’s egg production supply chain declined by almost 50% between 1962 and 2012, while egg production increased by 50%.
Manitoba Egg Farmers
Our Vision: Our Mission:
An environmental, economic and socially responsible egg industry.
To lead a thriving and sustainable egg industry, empowering farm families for generations.
Regulated egg farmers meet high national standards for food safety and animal care.
A n innovative sustainability tool called “NESTT” has launched as the next step in Egg Farmers of Canada’s exciting announcement that egg farm- ers will achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This commit- ment builds on five decades of work to embrace research, innovation and techniques that support sustainable agricultural practices. The National Environmental Sus- tainability and Technology Tool (NESTT) is uniquely designed for all Canadian egg farmers to track, as- sess and benchmark the on-farm sus-
Harley Siemens and his family farm in Rosenort, Manitoba. All eggs in Manitoba grocery stores are locally produced by farming families like Harley’s.
tainability of their own farms. With NESTT, each egg farm’s environmental impact can be measured and compared with other farms across Manitoba and Canada. “NESTT allows farmers to see where they rank in different aspects of pro- duction and their environmental foot- print, compared to fellow producers,” said Harley Siemens, an egg farmer from Rosenort, Manitoba. “NESTT can be used to help influence management practices and decisions.” As of March 2024, more than 80 Manitoba egg farmers have completed their first NESTT assessment. NESTT
SUSTAINABILITY TIP: Add crushed eggshells to your garden!
Sandra and Eric Dyck are egg farmers in Springstein, Manitoba and have solar panels on their farm to offset
electricity costs and positively impact the environment. You can buy eggs from their farm and other local family farms wherever eggs are sold in Manitoba. Regulated egg farmers meet high national standards for food safety and animal care.
Eggshells make a good addition to compost piles and garden soil. Eggshells act as a physical barrier against pests in the garden. The shells also provide calcium and can help increase pH levels in soil, as some plants including lettuce, carrots, cucumbers and beans prefer alkaline soil.
Earth Day ad 2024.indd 1
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Earth Day at the Library Saturday, April 27 Millennium Library 251 Donald Street
For Adults Mending Cafe
Zero Waste Living Marisa Loreno will go over some simple swaps and local resources that can springboard you into climate action. 3-4 p.m.: Buchwald Room, 2 nd floor Life Off Grid: A Film about Disconnecting Life Off Grid is a film about people who have chosen to build their lives around renewable energy. Drop-in. 3-4:30 p.m.: Carol Shields Auditorium, 2 nd floor For Children & Families Family Storytime: Earth Day Extravaganza Share and have fun together in this special Earth Day themed Story Time. For children up to 5 years with a caregiver. Drop-in. 11-11:30 a.m.: Mona Gray Room, main floor Earth Day Crafts Create a repurposed flower craft for Earth Day! Stop by and colour a picture or tell staff your favourite thing about Spring! Drop-in. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Children’s Services, main floor Stuffie Hospital Do you have a stuffed animal/friend that needs some minor repairs or maybe a little TLC? For children up to 12 with a caregiver. Drop-in. 1-5 p.m.: Children’s Services, main floor
Join Katherine from Winnipeg Sews and learn how to mend your clothing. Teens are welcome to attend with an adult. Drop-in. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: ideaMILL, 3 rd floor Recycled Book Art Transform book pages into blackout poems and origami. Examples and supplies provided. Drop-in. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: 4 th floor Indigenous Ways and Interconnectedness Join the circle and listen to Carl Stone share about the environment, In this workshop Kristina Hunter presents solutions to get past the overwhelm and make meaningful, lasting change in the world. 12-1 p.m.: Carol Shields Auditorium, 2 nd floor Repurposed Earring Creations Join Melissa Wastasecoot and create your own pair of earrings from upcycled and recycled beads, feathers, tassels, chains and more. All materials provided. 12:30-2:30p.m.: Buchwald Room, 2 nd floor Recycling Myths Learn what actually goes in your recycling cart or bin and where you can take other items to keep them out of the landfill. 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Carol Shields Auditorium, 2 nd floor interconnectedness, and the importance of both. 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Carol Shields Auditorium, 2 nd floor From Eco-anxiety to Meaningful Change: Creating a Better World and a Better Life
All events are free. Phone, visit any branch, scan the QR code, or register online at winnipeg.ca/library
R - Registration required
Space provided through a partnership between industry and Manitoba communities to support waste diversion programs.
EARTH DAY 2024
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