http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070615.CLIMATE15/TPStory/TPNational/Ontario/Leaf blowers, gas mowers could be banned by 2010JENNIFER LEWINGTON CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEFJune 15, 2007
Leaf blowers and gas-powered lawn mowers stand at the top of the city's hit list under sweeping proposals unveiled yesterday by Toronto to fight climate change. "People are ready," Mayor David Miller said late yesterday, commenting on wide-ranging measures aimed, in part, at enlisting local residents in the global-warming fight. "We are not asking them to change their behaviour that much," he added. "The people are way ahead of governments and commentators." The potential ban on two-stroke engines, such as leaf blowers, could take effect by 2010 - too slow for some environmental groups. But the city would get rid of its own polluting equipment by 2009. Meanwhile, in a move that puts road tolls on the political map, the city is calling for a discussion with area municipalities and the province on regional "road pricing." While not lobbying for tolls - Mr. Miller still has scars from his successful mayoral 2003 election - he said the province, Toronto-area municipalities and the newly minted Greater Toronto Transportation Authority should examine the idea as a way to invest in public transit. The money has not yet been found for Toronto's $6-billion "transit city" plan, announced earlier this year for a major expansion of light-rail service. "Car drivers know that what they are getting in exchange for paying a bit more is better public transit," Mr. Miller said. "It would have to be regionwide." These and other measures are set for debate on Monday at the parks and environment committee, with comments from the public. The city held one public consultation in April on the broad outlines of its climate change package announced in March, but is moving ahead at a fast clip. The mayor-controlled executive committee is set to debate the package later this month, again with public input, before council votes on the measures in mid-July. Once council gives its broad endorsement, city officials will come back by fall with details on how to put all the measures into effect. This year, the city plans to spend $1-million for additional tree planting and green-roof initiatives as a small down payment on its aggressive goal to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2020, compared with 1990 levels. Next year, the city plans to spend $85-million for new green programs, including a $32-million energy conservation fund to reduce reliance on fossil fuels at city facilities, universities and hospitals. Environmental spokesmen generally praised the measures, which include a new "live green Toronto" program to help neighbourhoods devise their own energy-conservation and green-power initiatives, tougher building standards to promote energy efficiency, incentives for renewable energy alternatives and a possible rule that all taxis and limousines switch to low-emission or hybrid technology by 2015. "This is the kind of plan we need," said Keith Stewart, manager of climate change for the World Wildlife Fund. "As long as it is clear that this is how we are going to do it, not if, then Toronto can be a leader in Canada and North America in fighting global warming." But he added "implementation will be tough and hard to do." Franz Hartmann, executive director of the Toronto Environmental Alliance, called the city measures "a work in progress" and urged an immediate ban on leaf blowers and gas-powered lawn mowers. CITY'S PROPOSALS Sweeping proposals by the city to fight climate change will be debated over the next few weeks. They include: A possible ban on leaf blowers and gas-powered lawn mowers by 2010; Creation of a "live green Toronto" program for community groups and neighbourhoods to develop local measures to conserve energy and water and generate green power, such as solar panels; A requirement that 10 per cent of commercial and institutional roofs be eco-friendly by 2020; A proposed expansion of bike lanes and trails to 1,000 kilometres, up from 300 kilometres, by 2012; A proposal for all taxis and limousines to switch to low-emission or hybrid technology by 2015. and some talking points:A gasoline-powered lawnmower run for an hour puts out about the same amount of smog-forming emissions as 40 new automobiles run for an hour. One old, gas-powered lawn mower running for an hour emits as much pollution as driving 650 miles in a 1992-model automobile. "No nation can preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare." --James Madison, April 20, 1795
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