AIR POLLUTION SOURCES ARE SHIFTING

In general, Waterloo Region reflects the shift away from industrial manufacturing, similar to other parts of Canada as well as the U.S. Anybody heard of the U.S. rustbelt? My understanding is that references Detroit, Flint and other former U.S. major manufacturing locations whether of automobiles, refrigerators, furniture, washers, dryers and so much more. Locally in Waterloo Region, water demand from industry has been drastically reduced. Do you recall decades ago, claims that a pipeline to Lake Huron (?), Lake Ontario (?) or whimisically at the time Lake Erie were on the front burner? Later it was determined that for environmental reasons Waterloo Region was stuck with taking water by pipeline from their own watershed which means Lake Erie. Things have since changed dramatically. The Region of waterloo have gained expertise in managing contaminated groundwater supplies in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. Also at great expense Grand River water can be used and treated and finally industrial demand has plummeted. ............................................................................................................... Along with this there is good news environmentally. Both air and water pollution has been reduced simply by the lessening of everyday industrial operations. For those not in the know, our Ministry of Environment does not remotely stop ongoing industrial pollution. It merely regulates it via either Certificates of Approval (C. of A. formerly) and now Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECA). Yes folks these are exactly what their name implies. They are APPROVALS for ongoing, everyday pollution based upon the ridiculous and outdated theory that our environment can absorb and mitigate a certain level of toxins on an ongoing basis. Furthermore it is based on the wholly arrogant, self-serving idea that human beings with calculators and computers can exactly measure the loading to our soil, ground/surface water and air and determine exactly how much each individual polluter can add to the toxic load without causing a catastrophe. That this thinking has been a gross failure should be self-evident. Climate change is merely the most obvious. Groundwater and soil contamination does have a small component of mitigation euphimistically referred to by consultants as natural attenuation. It does not work quickly nor at all for many major contaminants yet is heavily relied upon by professional fairy tale marketers. Lastly we still depend on "Dilution is the solution to pollution". The theory is dump your crap in rivers and creeks and it keeps getting diluted as it enters larger rivers, lakes and finally the ocean. Anybody recall claims that our oceans, coral beds, fish stocks etc. are in great shape and increasing? Hardly. ....................................................................................................... On December 15/20 the Waterloo Region Record published an article titled "Wildfires are now top source of air toxins". Wildfires have taken over from industrial sources. However why do you think that wildfires in California, Oregon, British Columbia and around the world are increasing? Climate change folks. Forests and woodlands are hotter and drier from release of greenhouse gases and accompanying increased tempuratures, melting of polar ice and so much more. We are on an environmental merry go round and can't seem to get off of it. Covid may be awful but to date pales in comparison with Climate Change.