Manitobans Lacking on Environmental Front
Feb 12, 2009
manitoba, recycling, statistics
Statistics Canada has just released the results of its 2007 Households and the Environment Study, and what it shows about Manitobans with regard to environmental matters is not encouraging.
Specifically, Manitobans are the most likely Canadians to drink bottled water, the least likely to use compact fluorescent light bulbs and among the top users of outdoor chemical pesticides.
The report looked at Canadian usage of such energy saving devices as low-flow shower heads, low-volume toilets, energy-efficient light bulbs and lawn and garden chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
In general, more Canadian households are taking advantage of energy-saving devices. In this most recent survey, 84 percent reported that they had at least one type of energy saving light in their homes. From 1994 to 2006, the number of households that used programmable thermostats more than doubled from 16 to 40 percent.
And in Manitoba usage of such things as energy efficient light bulbs rose as well, albeit not as dramatically. We are still the least likely to use them of any Canadian province.
Of additional concern is Manitobans thirst for bottled water. 37 percent indicated that they drink it, which is eight percent higher than the year previous and seven percent higher than the Canadian average.
Now it’s certainly possible and in fact likely that other provinces have different environmental programs in place and that therefore the blame shouldn’t be left with individual Manitobans. Greener alternatives may be available in other jurisdictions that citizens there are able to take advantage of.
Yet to see numbers that indicate increased usage of products such as bottled water can’t help but lead one to wonder if Manitobans have really acknowledged the importance of adopting more environmentally-friendly behaviours.
It’s more difficult to point fingers when governments themselves fail to take basic steps towards being more considerate of the environment. It was revealed recently that Winnipeg City Hall and other City offices do not even have proper recycling facilities for employees. If those that are in positions of leadership don’t show the way, can we really expect the rest of society to follow?
But there are other programs that could be introduced in Manitoba. A returnable levy on bottles, for example, might lead to greater return rates. So maybe it is time for the Province and City to take a closer look at the services we offer Manitobans and determine if they are sufficient.
And the rest of us can take a look in the mirror and wonder why we really can’t be all that bothered to make a bit more of an effort to recycle and engage in behaviours that are better for the planet.
Comments
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Re Bottled Water: I'm guessing that Manitobans have more right to be concerned about the quality of their drinking water due to the government's failure to ensure that groundwaters are not polluted by industrial hog farming. With at last count 4 times as many pigs as people in the province, this has to be a huge issue. Paula
Paula Mallea - -0001-11-30 00:00
Yes Manitobans lack on the environmental front in many ways. My recent trip to Ontario highlighted to me just how “behind the times” we are here in Manitoba. In Burlington, Ontario each residence may participate in the curb side green cart composting program, a blue box and a leaf yard waste program. There are many community recycling locations and some nearby cities to Burlington now have a ONE bag limit for residential garbage. In comparison to Winnipeg a much larger city than Burlington we are drastically behind. Hopefully the MGEU Workplace Safety Health and Environment Committee will be more proactive and educate our membership on more environmental measures can implement in our communities and workplaces.
Nite Owl - -0001-11-30 00:00
Pardon the pun Paula, but I don't think your water bottle rationale holds water. Yes, some municipalities in our province don't have drinkable tap water, but that problem's not unique to Manitoba: there are many communities across the country with that same problem. Besides, most of our province lives in Winnipeg and there is nothing wrong with our tap water (despite what some might say, it's safe to drink). It would be nice to blame inadequate water supplies for our recyling incompetence, that's just making an excuse for the bigger problem. The truth is, it's our attitude to the environment across the board. We have a sense of entitlement that we should be able to pollute in this province at will without a penalty. When one dump fills up, we just open another. I hate to say it but the one-bag limit from Glen Murray that enraged so many Winnipeggers is just the kick in the pants that Manitobans need. Hit a Manitoban in the wallet and they'll comply.
Jerry - 2009-02-18 12:06