February 2010

	Health Impacts In August 2008 the Canadian Medical Association released a summary report titled No Breathing Room – National Illness Costs of Air Pollution. The report provides estimates of health effects and corresponding economic costs. The Climate and Health Council has developed a communiqué entitled What’s Good for the Climate is Good for Health for decision-makers and health professionals. This document contains messages such as Climate Change is an Avoidable Threat to Health and Health Needs Sustainable Development. A Workshop Report on Seniors’ Health and The Environment is available. The workshop was held on February 5^th and 6^th, 2008 and was organized by the Vulnerable Populations Office of the Safe Environments Programme of Health Canada.	What’s New! The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has created an Idle Reduction Tool kit just for you! The kit includes sample bylaws, policies and a list of resources available for you to use. The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons sent a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper calling upon the Government to become a global leader and to adopt specific green house gas reduction targets. The Alliance for Resilient Cities (ARC) is offering a series of Webinars on Climate Change. For webinar topics or on how to become a member please see Clean Air Partnership website.
	Natural Resources Collaborative Urban Forestry in the GTA. A presentation from Meaghan Eastwood from the Toronto Region Conservation Authority on the background and role of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority as well as the methodology and design of their study. A presentation of several programs offered by LEAF including backyard tree planting and tree tenders training. LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests)
	Climate Change and Global Warming Children should have a strong voice in the international climate change debate – and they were given the chance in Copenhagen for the first Children's Climate Forum. Make the change – show you care is a report from the event with personal stories and an Official Declaration.
	Transportation The Municipality of Whistler has developed a Neighbourhood Zero Emission Vehicle Authorization Bylaw. Natural Resources of Canada sent out their Fall Edition of the Idle-Free Zone newsletter. Includes articles on workplaces going idle-free; more idle-free campaigns and highlights from a recent survey.
	Energy Conservation See what some Toronto Area Jurisdictions are doing in response to the green energy commitment. This scan - Green Energy Production Scan Greater Toronto Area Jurisdictions - is primarily intended to provide a list of municipalities that are currently producing renewable energy through installation of wind turbine, solar panels, cogeneration facilities, photovoltaic system and other renewable energy producing facilities. Town of Stratford develops a Wind Energy Policy.

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