On November 27, 2008 the Manitoba community greeted the arrival of the Children's Health & Environment Partnership. Over 90 people of all ages joined us in our celebration and had the rare opportunity to hear Dr. Leigh Fraser-Roberts MD deliver an informative speech on the topic of children's environmental health and her call to action.
With our heads full of brains and our shoes full of feet, it was just about time for a very special treat. Joining the celebration, was a group of performers who have come together from very different backgrounds to form the Winnipeg Slam Team. Guest performers Andrea von Wichert, Bonnie Holmes, Paul Friesen, Leif Norman and T'ai Pu delighted adults and children alike with their animated words and inspiring ideas. The event closed with an engaging piece called Familia led by the Poetry Slam Team and some of our pint-sized attendees.
If you happened to miss our wonderful celebration or just want to re-live the fun - browse through this section for:
a slideshow of photos from the event
the keynote address delivered by Dr. Leigh Fraser-Roberts
info bites or information on our efforts to make the event child and planet-friendly
an organizational success story about the Manitoba Children's Museum (COMING SOON!)
SPECIAL THANKS
We must acknowledge the many people who worked behind the scenes and for months before-hand to make our launch to the Manitoba public - a warm and welcome one.
Thanks to: Dr. Leigh Fraser-Roberts, Winnipeg Poetry Slam Team, Ian Greaves, Cathy Hellsten, Sandra Madray, Barbara Martin, Anne Lindsey, Rosemarie Gjerek, Kate Dykman, Steve Rauh, Kristle Calisto-Tavares, Mike Berg, Kris Antonius, Julie Bell, Curt Hull, Julie Fine, Manny Calisto, Brad Tyler-West, Randall McQuaker, Gilbert Tavares, Eddie Calisto-Tavares, Liz Dykman, Chaise Calisto, Mickenzie Tyler-West.
Welcome to all and thank you for inviting me to speak to you today. I see we have a varied audience in terms of ages and there are lots of activities, so I shall keep my comments brief. I am a pediatrician, the mother of four fabulous children, and have both a personal and a professional interest in the links between the environment and health. I am pleased to be a part of this launch celebration.
Children's environmental health is a vast and complex topic which is increasingly recognized as a global public health matter of great importance. We all can attest to the power of our environment in influencing the state of our well being. The connection is easy to understand when it is as dramatic as drought, war, major chemical spills or life in the slums of the world. For children, the reasons why we focus on the environment and its links to health are so they have safe places to play, food sources and drinking water which are safe from mercury, lead and many other toxins and a sustainable environment for future generations on this planet.
The most profound effects between the environment and health are likely to be the direct result of climate change. The prairies may fare relatively well as compared to the North, the coasts, or the mountains where weather changes may be more extreme. Our US president-elect Barack Obama seems seriously committed to the issues related to climate change, and my hope is that this will push the Canadian government to at least keep pace with our neighbours south of the border.
Environmental contamination in many realms is another major challenge. Each one of us experiences thousands of chemical exposures in our day to day lives, and many of these exposures may be harmful to our health. Air pollution (indoor and outdoor), lead, pesticides, water contaminants (chemical and microbial), hormonally active agents and environmental tobacco smoke are all affecting our health.
Furthermore, children are particularly vulnerable to toxic environmental exposures for several reasons. Pound for pound they eat more food, drink more water and breathe more air than adults. They inhabit the air close to the ground, roll in the grass and on the carpet, and put everything in their mouths to check it out. They also have critical periods of vulnerability, such as fetal development, where their nervous systems and other organs are rapidly changing and open to teratogenic influences which can modify their futures.
It was very important to the Children's Health & Environment Partnership to find an event venue that is both KID-friendly and PLANET-friendly. The Manitoba Children's Museum offers children a wonderful learning environment that is fun and safe. Breathe easy because all products used to clean their facility are non-toxic to humans and the earth.
THE BENEFITS
Fume-free. Once upon a time we all thought the scent of harsh fumes meant that we were walking into a clean and hygienic environment. Not so. Today, indoor air quality can be up to 10 times worse than the air outside and smelly toxic cleaners only help contribute to that.
Biodegradable. Help the earth out by using cleaning solutions that break down in soil and water. That's what leave no trace is all about.
Safe and sound. Ten percent of calls made to poison control centres are the result of children having severe reactions to conventional cleaning products. Play it safe with cleaning products that are made from natural ingredients.
HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?
Our summer season might be short but our prairie gardens grow - thanks to the rich, organic material derived from composting organic and yard waste. We are happy to report that the Children's Museum has an on-site compost heap.
THE BENEFITS (beyond a beautiful garden)
Goodbye waste. Diverts at least 35% of waste and lessens the burden on landfills.
Dirt cheap. No need to spend money on fertilizers and nutrient additives for your garden.
Keeps nature employed. What else would micro-organisms and earthworms do?
IT'S JUST SO TRASHY...
Our thoughts on making garbage disappear.
If glass, paper and cardboard can be reused and/or recycled...then there isn't any trash.
If dishes are reusable rather than disposable...then there isn't any trash.
If food scraps (no dairy and meat) and chlorine-free napkins can be composted for a healthy, thriving summer garden...then there isn't any trash.
If all of the consumables (food and drinks) at tonight's event can be purchased without disposable packaging...then there isn't any trash.
CHEW ON THIS!
With the availability of local and organic foods and the emergence of social enterprises, we were able to apply environmental and community economic development principles to the selection of food for our Launch Celebration. Food was provided by Organic Planet Worker Cooperative and Tall Grass Prairie Bakery.
THE BENEFITS
Nutritious. Organic foods are higher in nutrients because they are grown in enzyme-rich soils.
Edible dividends. Food was purchased from cooperatives and businesses that aim to generate profit while addressing social and environmental challenges. Supporting enterprises with alternative business models also fuels skill development and job creation (i.e. our economy).
Close to the source. Locally grown foods are better for you and the planet. The farther food has to travel to get to you, the more greenhouse gas emissions are emitted.
