For the month of February, Thompson's A.C.E. (Acts to Cut Emissions) Online Survey was hosted on the Community Led Emissions Reduction (CLER) webpage of the www.thompson.ca website.
One hundred and forty four individuals participated in the survey, including those who responded during the Winterfest Cultural Celebrations on Feb. 13 and at City Centre Mall Feb. 27. The survey consisted of 35 questions highlighting greenhouse gas reduction topics to be addressed in Thompson's A.C.E. Plan. A detailed analysis of the survey will be available shortly on the CLER web page of www.thompson.ca. Some of the results are summarized below.
Not surprisingly, most respondents indicated that the weather was the greatest limiting factor in walking/biking to work/school; following that, respondents had "too far to travel" and "too much to carry." Only 19 per cent cited safety as a consideration to walking or biking to work/school.
Respondents said they would need to have better lighting on the trails; better snow removal and paved trails before they would use the walking/biking trail system. A third of respondents said they would use the trail system spring, summer and fall as opposed to 15 per cent who would use it year round if these improvements were made. The trail system would then be used a couple of times per week by, again, a third of respondents, while 22 per cent said they would it use it daily.
The entire city should be designated as no idling according to 26 per cent of respondents, while 23 per cent thought no idling in parking lots only would be sufficient. Only 13 per cent did not support no-idle zones anywhere in the city.
The majority of respondents rarely use the transit system, while over a third did not know we have a transit system! Three main barriers to transit use are, "Can walk faster than the bus" or "it takes too long to get anywhere" and lastly, "No bus service when I need it". Seven options were given for evaluation as to how relevant they are in getting people to use the transit system.
Approximately 50 per cent of responses for each option were classified as "irrelevant", which sounds like transit usage is not a priority for most. For those who indicated they would consider taking the bus, of equal importance were increased frequency during peak hours, more routes and increased night time service.
About 80 per cent of the respondents rated the recycling system as poor to average at best. Of those who do not recycle, 44 per cent indicated the reason why as "the service is not available where we live." However, if that service were to become available, 81 per cent stated they would recycle and over half said they would compost. Over 50 per cent of respondents would support a neighbourhood composting initiative. If the city offered a rebate on a composter, 40 per cent said they would purchase one and use it, while an additional 45 per cent indicated they would consider it given more information. A workshop on eco-lawn care/landscaping and composting would be of definite interest to over half of respondents (another 11 per cent might also be interested depending on what's served for lunch!).
The A.C.E. Winterfest Symposiums on reducing greenhouse gases in Thompson, held on Feb. 25-26, were information and discussion oriented events with guest speakers from Climate Change Connection, Manitoba Eco-Network, Resource Conservation and the Manitoba Youth Environmental Network. The event on the evening of Feb. 25 had 14 participants and the daytime event on Feb. 26 had 20.
Priorities for Thompson from the ensuing discussions include improvements to the recycling centre, improved sidewalk maintenance, improvements to the walking/biking trails, development/review of a municipal lawn watering and green-space policy, annual composting workshops, bike racks at municipal buildings and all parking lots as well as a compost facility for lawn and garden wastes. Participants of the symposiums said they found the events informative and interesting, especially Curt Hull's presentation on the extent and complexities of climate change. Areas where more information and future discussion could focus on include safe and walk-able communities, community gardens and small-medium size business initiatives.
For more information on these and other initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases in Thompson, please contact Andrea Hatley, Climate Change (CLER) Coordinator 677-7766 or [email protected]
