The Roberta Bondar Foundation

Contributing to UN discussions on Sustainable Development

bondar — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:36:08 +0000

On June 7, 2011 I attended on behalf of The Roberta Bondar Foundation, a Toronto Consultation on the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). This was one of a number of meetings that have been convened to provide the Canadian government input on our contributions to Rio + 20.
The delegates divided up into study groups and subsequently met at joint sessions to exchange ideas. One point that was unanimously endorsed was that the government should make concrete and practical suggestions rather than espousing “motherhood” statements.
An issue of note was that there should be a concentrated effort to develop new sources of energy and energy efficient processes. There should be close examination of alternative sources of energy to avoid ones that actually use more energy than they save. The group that I was in discussed renewable energy and clean technology. For example, concerning green regeneration, solar panels are used on Mongolia in rural areas to run the basics. This is interesting, for in the developed world, this same technology is viewed as being too expensive.

Developing countries are able to avoid the whole infrastructure associated with traditional energy delivery such as power-lines. They have the opportunity to grow and leap-frog beyond such infrastructure. Therefore they can become more resilient.

Betty I Roots PhD DSc FRSC
Director
The Roberta Bondar Foundation

United Nations World Environment Day

bondar — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 17:59:14 +0000

United Nations World Environment Day Celebrations Culminate in Toronto with Launch of Global and Canadian Reports on Forests and Biodiversity.

The North American celebrations of World Environment Day (WED) culminated in Toronto, Ontario at a press conference on Monday, 6 June with the launch of a United Nations report on forests and a report on Canada’s biodiversity by the country’s leading green economy think tank, as well as an award presentation ceremony honoring the winners of UNEP’s International Children’s Painting Competition.

Learn More…

Roberta Bondar at the AGA

bondar — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 17:59:04 +0000

Roberta Bondar Exhibit
October 12 – December 11
Art Gallery of Algoma – 10 East St.

Learn More…