Media Clipping — March 13, 2001, The Daily News, Halifax

Bluenosers’ ‘footprint’ too big, report says

By Cathy Nicoll

Nova Scotians waste resources - study

Nova Scotians are wasting resources at an alarming rate, but it's not too late to turn the tide, says a GPI Atlantic ecological report.

"If all the world's people were to consume at Nova Scotian levels, we would need four additional planets Earth to provide the necessary resources and waste assimilation capacity," states the 90-page report released yesterday.

The study found Nova Scotians have an "ecological footprint" of 8.1 hectares per person; that's how much space is needed provide the resources they consume, and to absorb their waste and emissions.

That compares with 1.3 hectares for every African. The Canadian average is 7.7 hectares.

Ronald Colman, GPI Atlantic director, said Nova Scotians can change the bleak outlook by taking simple steps such as car pooling, riding a bicycle, buying more locally grown foods, turning off lights and turning back the furnace.

"For those methods to work, we need good public policy," Colman said.

In the early '90s, the John Savage Liberals set a goal to reduce solid waste by 50 per cent. At the time, it seemed laughable.

"But we did it, and in a short period of time, so I think if we present this to Nova Scotians - both the public and the government - they would really work together. I think we can do it," Colman said.

The Environment Department, the Halifax Regional Municipality and Clean Nova Scotia each contributed $3,000 toward the study.

The formula to measure the ecological footprint was calculated by University of British Columbia scientists. A global footprint found there are 1.8 hectares available for each of the Earth's six billion people.

Copyright © 2001, The Daily News