Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Suburban “green” space.


This past weekend I spent a few hours rediscovering the Rattray marsh. The marsh, located along the shores of Lake Ontario west of Port Credit, is an "environmental gem". Sheridan creek runs through the forest that leads to the marsh. In the forest it is easy to forget that just a few metres away is the bustle of suburban life. Rarely does the sound of “civilisation” penetrate the forest canopy. The creek babbles as it lazily winds its way towards the lake. The creek feeds the marsh that is held back at a shale bar. The “bar” controls the marshes water level. The water was very low, almost empty in fact. The only inhabitants present were a single swan and two ducks. The usual population of carp have been penned in as part of an invasive species study.
Numerous sailboats could be seen everywhere along the lakes calm deep blue surface. The city of Toronto, some 30kms distant, dominated the eastward view. The bright afternoon sun highlighted every detail of the city, including the tan coloured ground haze. October 8th, and pollution still clings to the city. Of course, the tan haze seems to stay with the city all year long now. It’s very rare not to see it.
If, as the global warming naysayers claim, humans are not having an influence on the environment, then what “natural” cause has created this haze?
What naturally occurring element is it composed of?
Why does it only occur over urban centres?
I’m sure the global warming naysayers could put a spin on their answers to these questions that might actually make them sound plausible.
Walking through the marsh as it is enveloped in a tan haze would some how lessen the natural beauty.

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