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ENVIRONMENT

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You and Your Vehicle
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Ontario's Environmental Leaders

Today’s corporate world is very competitive, but that doesn’t mean the environment has to pay the price. The Ontario Environmental Leaders program aims to recognize and showcase companies who go the extra mile to help preserve our environment, and strive to reduce their impact on the environment by improving their processes, and increasing their efficiencies.

Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GREEN)

    Why Global Rivers?
  • Serves as valuable resource
  • Transcends national boundaries
  • Connects all people
  • Addresses shared concerns

The colour is GREEN. It means Global Rivers Environmental Education Network and it gives real meaning to the expression "testing the waters" as students and teachers alike take to local rivers and creeks in 135 countries in many parts of the world, including Canada. GREEN, a global water-sampling program with which General Motors has been involved since 1989, is a resource for schools and communities which encourages students to study and work to improve the quality of water in their local watershed. GM of Canada initiated the program in Canada through a demonstration project in the Oshawa, Ontario area.

    Why a Network ?
  • Stimulates a sense of shared responsibility
  • Exchanges data, concerns and solutions
  • Promotes cultural sensitivity

    Why Environmental Education?
  • Raises awareness
  • Promotes concern
  • Fosters problem solving skills
  • Brings about positive change
  • locally ... and globally

The program helps students conduct a number of basic water quality tests, including: pH, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate, phosphate, turbidity, coliform bacteria, and temperature.

    How does GREEN work?
  • Studying local watersheds in four ways: chemically, biologically, physically, and historically
  • Using data to identify water quality issues
  • Linking schools through computer networks, newsletters and "sister" watershed projects
  • Discovering how personal behaviour impacts water quality
  • Identifying solutions with the help of experts
  • Learning from successful actions in other countries

Why is GM involved?

Many incorrect environmental perceptions exist in communities that are based on lack of knowledge or fear. Through GREEN, GM contributes to the educational process, promotes "good" science, and incorporates real world experiences into the curriculum. It is an opportunity to become involved in the community and educate students so they understand the future environmental needs of society. GM helps to provide students with a sound basic understanding of the sciences, provides realistic learning to everyday life, and establishes positive professional role models in the community.

More information about GREEN can be found at www.earthforce.org/green/

Environmental Outreach and Community Interaction

Since the spring of 2001 GM of Canada employees have partnered with a local high school developing and delivering environmental curriculum through locally developed programs. The courses: Watershed Monitoring and Management (Grade 11) and Industry and the Environment (Grade 12) are approved by the Ontario Ministry of Education. Both courses are being submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Education for renewal this year.

Watershed Monitoring and Management completed its third year at G.L. Roberts CVI (www.durham.edu.on.ca/s_links/schools/glroberts/index.html) in 2004 and will be offered again in 2005.

Grade 11 course - our trip to Oshawa Creek
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