<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State" downloadurl="http://www.5iamas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place" downloadurl="http://www.5iantlavalamp.com/"/>  <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> <img width=322 height=41 id="_x0000_i1026" src="cid:image001.jpg@01C704C6.D30FEB20"><o:p></o:p> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State style="BACKGROUND-POSITION: left bottom; BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(res://ietag.dll/#34/#1001); BACKGROUND-REPEAT: repeat-x" tabIndex="0" w:st="on">Ontario</st1:State></st1:place>’s Conservation Movement<o:p></o:p> To subscribe or unsubscribe to this listserve, go to <a href="http://www.weconserve.ca/" title="http://www.weconserve.ca/">www.weconserve.ca</a><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Connecting the Dots on Conservation and Climate Change <a href="http://weconserve.ca/articles/?p=27">http://weconserve.ca/articles/?p=27</a> <o:p></o:p> Chris Winter<o:p></o:p> Executive Director, The Conservation Council of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ontario</st1:place></st1:State><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Here's a couple of interesting developments -- signs that we are making some headway.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> First, a CBC national poll shows that the environment is the number two issue, behind health care. The environment was the top issue for 13 per cent of the people polled, up from 4 per cent last January.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Second, the same poll shows that 71 per cent feel that the federal government's approach on the environment is not tough enough. Only 3 per cent felt it was too tough. <o:p></o:p> Third, <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ontario</st1:place></st1:State>'s Chief Energy Conservation Officer released his annual report yesterday. Ontarians used 2.5 per cent less electricity per capita last year (seasonally adjusted figures). It's baby steps for conservation, but it's movement in the right direction. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Now connect the dots. We're concerned about climate change, we don't think the government is doing enough, and we are investing our own time and money in conservation.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> We're scared about the future and we are taking action. We want our governments to help us.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The governments that adopt a "conservation first and foremost" approach in a climate change strategy will be the one to gain widespread public support. Yes, we need to set limits on the major emitters, but what most people are looking for is help to become better conservers in their own lives. It's a climate change strategy for the people.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> To all my friends and colleagues in the conservation movement, keep it up. The public demand for our products and services is on the rise, and the powers that be are beginning to see the light.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> CBC Poll: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/public-opinion/" mce_href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/public-opinion/">http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/public-opinion/</a><o:p></o:p> Conservation Bureau Report: <a href="http://conservationbureau.on.ca/Page.asp?PageID=924&#038;ContentID=1680" mce_href="http://conservationbureau.on.ca/Page.asp?PageID=924&#038;ContentID=1680">http://conservationbureau.on.ca/Page.asp?PageID=924&ContentID=1680</a><o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> </div> </body> </html>