Environment Week Launch

Nova Scotians of all ages have helped the province improve its air and water quality, champion recycling initiatives and better protect our wilderness areas, the Environment and Labour Minister told high school students in Bridgewater today, June 5.

Carolyn Bolivar-Getson noted a variety of Nova Scotia's environmental accomplishments as she kicked off Environment Week, June 4-10, at Bridgewater Junior-Senior High School.

"Community groups, municipalities, businesses and Nova Scotians like you have all helped the province set an example of good environmental stewardship," said Ms. Bolivar-Getson.

Members of the school's Environment Club welcomed the minister and described the new recycling program that collects bottles and cans from a student body of 454.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of municipal recycling and composting programs that have made Nova Scotia a recognized leader in the field. Two billion beverage containers, seven million tires and enough paint to produce 700,000 new litres have been diverted from landfills and recycled since the program began.

"Working with our community and municipal partners, we have made great strides in improving our air and water quality, landfills, sewage disposal, recycling efforts, and protection of our wilderness areas," said Ms. Bolivar-Getson. "Environment Week is a good time to look at the successes we've had as a province."

Other environmental accomplishments include:

• Nova Scotia has become an international leader in waste diversion. Almost 80 per cent of Nova Scotians now have curbside collection of organic material. Nova Scotia has the lowest waste disposal rate in Canada.

• More than 3,000 Nova Scotians are employed in the solid waste-resource management sector.

• A GPI Atlantic study demonstrates that Nova Scotians have seen a net economic and environmental benefit as a result of this waste diversion.

• An amendment to the Special Places Protection Act has made it more attractive for private landowners to offer their land for protection. Several Nova Scotians have already done so.

• In the last two years, nearly 12,000 hectares have been added to the wilderness areas and nature reserves system. Nova Scotia now has 33 wilderness areas and 11 nature reserves.

• Wetlands are now better protected. The process to follow when considering changes to a wetland is now clearly stated as a directive for landowners and provincial inspectors.

• The province met its commitment to adopt new air quality regulations. Sulphur dioxide emissions from industries will be cut in half by 2010, from sources in existence in 2001.

• Nova Scotia's air quality is now checked more closely by better equipment. The air monitoring network was improved by upgrading monitoring stations in Dartmouth, downtown Halifax and Pictou.

• The second in a series of educational children's books, prepared by the Department of Environment and Labour in partnership with Bras d'Or Elementary students, will be released soon. It will be used in classrooms throughout the province.

• The Department of Environment and Labour is encouraging environmental responsibility by setting a good example around the office. A pollution prevention plan includes motion sensors for boardroom lighting and water-conservation devices. A "how to" tool kit is being shared with other departments to encourage best environmental practices government wide. In addition, staff are encouraged to make fuel efficiency and environmental impact the key decision-making factors when purchasing, leasing, or renting vehicles for department use. As a result, the department now has four gas-saving hybrid vehicles.

For more information about Environment Week see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/environmentweek/ .