How to reduce your carbon footprint - FREE SEMINAR

Monday, May 26th, 2008
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
London Central Library - Stevenson & Hunt Rooms

Introduction: Maike Luiken, Ph.D., Chair, IEEE London Section, Dean, Applied Research, Business Development & Innovation, Sustainability Development, Lambton College
Keynote Speaker: Peter Smith - Commercial Manager, TransAlta Sarnia Regional Cogeneration Plant

This three hour seminar is designed to help individuals and householders reduce their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. “Governments at all levels are failing to take any significant action to tackle this important issue, and so it’s up to us to do what we can now and to let government and industry know what we expect of them” said workshop leader, Peter Smith, “we can’t just wait for them to finally get the message.”

Moving beyond the “debate” on whether global warming is caused by human activity, the seminar will provide a review of the science before leading each participant through a detailed calculation of their emissions. The seminar will be divided into three sections looking at practical solutions to reduce the emissions associated with transportation, household and lifestyle choices “during which participants will get some surprises when they learn how everyday actions, such as their food choices can have a dramatic impact on emissions” promised Smith. As an example, Smith calculates that a Kiwi fruit flown from New Zealand to Canada is responsible for 8 times its own weight in CO2 emissions.

“Canadians may be surprised to learn that per person they consume almost 25% more primary energy (coal, oil, gas, nuclear and hydro) than Americans, in fact as a whole Canada uses as much primary energy as the entire continent of Africa – the equivalent of 10 tonnes of oil per person” said Smith.

For more information contact Peter at petersmith777ca@yahoo.ca or visit http://london.ieee.ca/ or http://bluewatersustainabilityinitiative.ca/.