happy; pesticides; tobacco; pot; drug ads; EMFs; cities

[angela bischoff]

(Thursday February 14 at 9pm on CBC-TV)
HOW TO BE HAPPY
Since the time of Aristotle humans have been trying to find the key to
happiness, and how we can be happier. More than 35,000 books have been
published on the topic, and it's been the subject of numerous TV shows,
movies and motivational seminars. Now the pursuit of happiness has become
the subject of serious scientific study, and the results show
there are some simple things we can all do to make ourselves even
happier.

In this documentary, we'll tell you what happiness is (and what it
isn't), help you find out how happy you are, and give you practical tips
on how you can increase your happiness.
http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/howtobehappy/index.html

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Pesticides-herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, combination fertilizer /
pest control products-are currently widely available and used. Human and
environmental health are not being adequately protected. Exposure to lawn
and garden pesticides is associated with a host of adverse health effects
such as cancer, reproductive problems and neurological diseases.

Since June 2001, when the Supreme Court of Canada upheld the pesticide
by-law passed by the Town of Hudson, Quebec, several municipalities in
Canada have implemented similar by-laws while others have opted for public
education options. 

Although municipalities can restrict the use of pesticides within their
boundaries, they do not have jurisdiction over the sale of pesticides.
This is a provincial responsibility. Pesticide by-laws, therefore, can
prohibit the application of pesticides by lawn care companies and
individuals but cannot prevent retail outlets from selling pesticides. 

The Pesticide Reform Ontario Project, initiated by Pesticide Free Ontario,
is seeking new Ontario legislation to control the sale and urban landscape
use of pesticides.

If you live in Ontario, please take a minute to send an email message to
the Minister of the Environment. It's easy. Go to:
http://www.pesticidereform.ca/

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Make Alberta's election an environmental one with Conservation Voters of
Alberta!

The Mar. 3, 2008 Alberta election offers an opportunity to ensure that
candidates and parties are held accountable for their positions on the
issues that matter to Albertans.  Environmental health - clean air, land,
water, and communities - continues to rank high in polls of Albertans'
priorities.

The Conservation Voters of Alberta will engage in the 2008 provincial
election by endorsing candidates on the basis of their environmental
platforms and track record.

Learn how your volunteer or financial support for these efforts can help
make them a success. You might also consider getting involved with a local
group in your community. Check us out, and check out our questionnaire to
the candidates, brochures, etc.

http://www.conservationvoters.ab.ca/

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Smoking drug Champix's risks flagged
by Carly Weeks, Globe and Mail, February 5, 2008

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080205.wlchampix05/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home

Just one year after it was approved for use in Canada, federal health
officials are investigating safety concerns about smoking cessation
prescription drug Champix amid fears it is linked to suicide and serious
psychological problems.

The investigation and reports of major side effects highlight what many
medical experts describe as chronic problems with the way new drugs are
approved in Canada and the ability of government officials to adequately
monitor them once they're put on the market.  <snip>

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a safety warning Friday. <snip>

The FDA said, "it appears increasingly likely that there may be an
association between Chantix and serious neuropsychiatric symptoms," and is
urging doctors to take the reports of health problems into serious
consideration before issuing a prescription for the drug.

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Harper wants jail-time for growing pot

In response to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's flawed drug policy, which
emphasizes increased crime control (ie. mandatory minimum sentences for
growing marijuana) rather than harm reduction and drug
policy reform, researcher and educator Dr. Susan Boyd in partnership
with Beyond Prohibition Coalition has created an educational
website... check it out!   http://www.educatingharper.com/

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CanWest Global Attacks Drug Ad Laws
Posted in February 1st, 2008
by rob in Canadian Politics, Health, Media

It’s arguably the year’s most important health care story. We’ve heard
little about it, though, because media are deeply implicated in it
themselves.

Direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceutical drugs (DTCA) is
unfettered in only the U.S. and New Zealand. Canada, as the world’s eighth
largest drug market, makes a juicy target to be next.

But ironically, Big Pharma isn’t the one fighting to legalize pushing
amphetamines during Degrassi reruns; it’s CanWest Global (owners of the
Victoria Times-Colonist, Global TV, CH TV, Vancouver Sun, Vancouver
Province, Dose, Metro etc). CanWest has launched a lawsuit under the
Charter of Rights and Freedoms, trying to tear down Canada’s limits on
pharmaceutical advertising.

Full article here: http://robwipond.com/?p=50

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Downtown Toronto new cell phone towers present a public health threat to
area residents and workers

http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com/home/Frontpage/2008/02/11/02216.html

http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com/home/Frontpage/2008/02/01/02182.html

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C40 is a group of the world's largest cities committed to tackling climate
change.
http://www.c40cities.org/

Check out the incredible Best Practises happening around the world
http://www.c40cities.org/bestpractices/

For example, Växjö, Sweeden is half way to becoming a city free from the
use of fossil fuels. An incredible 51% of its energy comes from sources
such as biomass, renewable electricity, geothermal and solar.

And Rizhao, a city of 3 million people in northern China, is using solar
energy to provide energy, heating and lighting. An incredible 99% of
Rizhao’s households use solar water heaters, while almost all traffic
signals, street lights and park illuminations are powered by photovoltaic
solar cells.

Seoul, South Korea's Weekly No Driving Day program entices two million
cars to stay off the road one day a week – decreasing traffic volume by
3.7%

Now that's greenspirational!

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