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Epoch Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
New Towns Offer a Solution to Canada's Housing Crisis
Commentary Prime Minister Mark Carney says his plan to end Canada's interminable housing crisis is to 'Build Baby Build.' We can hope. Unfortunately, Carney's current plan is little more than a collection of unproven proposals and old policy mistakes including modular homes, boutique tax breaks, billions of taxpayer dollars in loans or subsidies, and a new federal building authority. The enormity of the task demands much broader thinking. Rather than simply encouraging a stacked townhouse here and a condo there, Canada needs to remember what has worked in the past—and take note of what other countries are doing today. With this in mind, Carney should embrace New Towns. Also known as New Towns represent the marriage of inspired utopianism with pragmatic realism. And they can provide the home so many of us crave. Related Stories 3/22/2025 4/14/2025 Originally conceived in Britain during the Industrial Age, Canada witnessed its own New Town building boom during the post-war era. Communities built in the 1950s and 1960s, including Don Mills, Bramalea, and Erin Mills in Ontario, were all designed as separate entities meant to relieve population pressure on nearby Toronto. Other New Towns took advantage of new resource opportunities. Examples include Thompson, Man., which sprang up around a nickel mine, and Kitimat, B.C., which was built to house workers in the aluminum industry. While New Town development largely died off in the 1970s and 1980s, it is enjoying a revival today in many other countries. Facing his own country's housing crisis and building on the UK's past experience, British Prime Minister and Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer has established a On the other side of the Atlantic—and the political spectrum—U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed awarding 10 new city charters for building New Towns on underdeveloped federal land. Meanwhile, several Silicon Valley billionaires are backing To be fair, not every New Town has been a success. In the late 1960s, Ontario tried to build a brand new city on the shores of Lake Erie known as Townsend. Planned as a home for up to 100,000 people, the project fizzled for a variety of reasons, including a lack of proper transportation links and other important infrastructure, such as schools or a hospital. Today, fewer than 1,000 people live there. Despite the lessons of the past, there are three compelling reasons why Carney should include New Towns as part of his solution to Canada's housing crisis. First, by starting with a blank canvas, a New Town offers the chance to avoid the stultifying NIMBYism of existing home owners and municipal officials who often stand in the way of new development. The status quo is one of the biggest obstacles to ending the housing crisis, and New Towns are by their very nature new. Second, because New Towns are located outside existing urban centres, they offer the promise of delivering ground-level homes with a yard and driveway that so many young Canadians say they want. Focusing growth exclusively in existing urban centres such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal—as Carney seems to be doing—will deliver greater density, but not fulfill the housing dreams of Canadian families. Third, New Towns can herald a more prosperous and unified Canada for the 21st century. New Towns could be built in regions such as Ontario's Ring of Fire, rich with minerals the world demands. New Towns could also tighten the east-west ties that bind the country together. Further, this growth can be focused on areas with marginal farmland, such as the New Towns are already beginning to pop up in Canada. In 2017, for example, construction began on Having promised Canadians fast and decisive 'elbows up' leadership, our prime minister should throw his weight behind New Towns. To begin, he could appoint a New Town Taskforce similar to the one in Britain to get to work identifying potential locations. Even better, he could simply say his government thinks New Towns are a good idea and let the private sector do all the heavy lifting. If the millions of Canadians currently shut out of the housing market are to have any chance at owning the home of their dreams, New Towns need to be in the mix. John Roe is a Kitchener, Ont., freelance writer and former editorial page editor of the Waterloo Region Record. The original and longer version of this story first appeared at Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
These Superpowered Bacteria Were Made to Tackle Industrial Contamination
Bacteria are nature's cleanup crew. They play a vital role in breaking down a broad range of organic contaminants, from fallen leaves and animal waste to natural sulfur and petroleum seeps. But the dawn of the Industrial Age put this framework in a jar and shook it, creating chaos: Not only are some manufacturing pollutants outside of many strains' normal processing range, but humans are dumping large quantities of contaminants into the natural environment faster than bacteria can deal with them. In an effort to help the planet bioremediate industrial waste, researchers have generally engineered Vibrio natriegens to tackle several organic pollutants. A Gram-negative marine bacterium, V. natriegens is a salt-tolerant organism with a flexible metabolism that allows it to consume carbon, carbohydrates, alcohols, acids, and more. Its hardiness makes it a desirable target for environmentally focused bacterial genetic engineering—hence a project out of North Carolina State University that gave V. natriegens the ability to break down common plastics last year. In China, researchers explored which clusters of DNA helped single-celled organisms break down contaminants like benzene (a flammable solvent now known to be a carcinogen) and phenol (a crystalline solid that can cause chemical burns but is used to create nylon, pain relief medications, and cosmetic treatments). They found that, when exposed to molecules that could be consumed, these clusters conveniently triggered the production of multiple enzymes capable of tackling that molecule. Credit: Witthaya Prasongsin/Moment via Getty Images The team ordered the DNA behind nine of the contaminant-busting protein clusters. After separating the DNA from its yeast, they inserted each type into a different V. natriegens bacterium, then placed each engineered V. natriegens in a solution with the pollutant they had been designed to bioremediate. Five of the nine edited V. natriegens worked, resulting in bacteria that could break down biphenyl, dibenzofuran, napthalene, phenol, and toluene. From there, it was time to test the engineered bacteria in real wastewater. The team gathered samples from a chlor–alkali plant and a petroleum refinery. In those samples—and in nearby soil—the bacteria were 95% effective at tackling biphenyl, dibenzofuran, napthalene, and toluene and 80% effective at eliminating phenol. The study appeared May 7 in the journal Nature. While encouraging, the engineered bacteria are far from resolving industrial pollution on their own. Not only are their "appetites" limited, but they have no way of eating the (slightly less environmentally harmful) byproducts they produce by breaking down the above contaminants. There's also the question of what downstream effects might result from unleashing engineered bacteria on natural ecosystems. As such, these superpowered bacteria might be a win for science, but ending industrial pollution altogether is another story.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
The Three Minds And Cosmic Evolution
All major and minor events we encounter in our contemporary world result from the human mind. All sweet and sour experiences we accumulate are borne out of the human mind. History's repositories contain the content of all that the human mind has done. All that we are going to taste in the future will be the creativity of the human mind. Mind is the creator of noosphere, sphere of the mind - nous is a Greek word meaning mind or intellect. Noosphere is much larger than our biosphere. The mind is not confined to the body only; it attempts to enlarge its sphere as much as possible. Creating the noosphere is understanding everything, every system, and phenomenon. The mind tries to work at every level, ranging from the body that accommodates it to the whole cosmos. If anything exists in the cosmos, it has to pass through the gateway of the mind; if it doesn't, it doesn't exist. Planet Earth came into existence after the astro-physical stability of the cosmos. Then the evolution of planet Earth into a living planet, and after a journey of billions of years, at the climax of the biological evolution nearly three lakh years ago, the modern mind came into being with the evolution of Homo sapiens. At the beginning of its evolution, the mind was concerned with understanding its surroundings. Gradually, with time, it evolved. Going through its evolutionary journey, the mind evolved art, dharm based on wisdom, and technology, empowering itself. The empowered mind developed an insatiable quest to know, understand, discover, invent, and enjoy everything visible and invisible, every phenomenon, possibility and impossibility. The successively evolving mind is the most imaginative novelty of cosmic evolution . This novelty has now emerged as an actual participant in cosmic creativity. Upon attaining technological evolution driven by the human mind and subsequently ushering in the Industrial Age, not a single ecosystem on the planet is left in its natural state; they are all anthropogenically modified. This modification is an outcome of technological evolution. Transformation of biosphere into a technosphere is a game the human mind is playing. Ever since the origin of the human species with unlimited evolutionary power, the epoch has ushered in the Anthropocene . We have knocked on other planets and are rapidly attaining power to explore nooks and corners of the cosmos. We are in the process of colonising Mars. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo "There are no mysteries of the universe, except the mystery of the mind," says eco-philosopher Henryk Skolimowski, "As the mind is, so is the universe." There are three types of minds ruling the world: The mind complacent with status quo, another with evolution's sensitivities, and yet another as coextensive with reality. Our contemporary world is in doldrums with ecological carnage, environmental pollution , climate change , extinction of species, and terrorism. This is all attributable to the first kind of mind - the mind complacent with the status quo. Such a mind dismisses evolution, is insensitive, distrusts truth, and revolves around certain dogmas. The second and the third types of minds, on the other hand, are minds shining with the evolution's sensitivities, spirituality, compassion, flexibility, wisdom, and eco-philosophical virtues. Authored by: Vir Singh Deepen your understanding of the Bhagavad Gita: Explore chapter 2 with Sri Gaur Prabhu's guidance
Business Journals
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Shop small: Supporting economic development in Lebanon, Tennessee
Lebanon is a community that provides opportunities to many small businesses. It has a unique atmosphere and is just a short drive from downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The city has been a birthplace for businesses that have impacted the world. The shop small atmosphere includes locally owned businesses that thrive alongside large corporations. Lebanon has numerous small businesses, each contributing uniquely to the local economy. From family-owned restaurants and boutique shops to service providers and artisans, these enterprises create jobs, foster community spirit, and offer residents a variety of goods and services. Investing in local businesses strengthens the economy and enhances the community's identity and character. In recent years, the importance of small businesses in driving local economies has gained significant recognition. Lebanon serves as an exemplary model for understanding how supporting small businesses can be a catalyst for economic development. expand The city takes pride in its 200-year history as a thriving community. Fiddlers Grove Historical Village, located on the grounds of James E. Ward Agriculture Center in Lebanon, highlights what life was like during the settlement of Wilson County throughout the Industrial Age. Touring century-old buildings provides a better understanding of the history of Wilson County and its way of life. Downtown Lebanon's historic square offers unique experiences, including shopping, dining, and entertainment. The walkable downtown includes the Capitol Theater, a locally owned microbrewery, and is a short distance from the historic Lebanon Mill. The old Woolen Mill is today home to many businesses and a beautiful event venue. The Lebanon Mill is also a short walk to the Music City Star commuter station, which attracts many entrepreneurs. The community provides small business opportunities throughout the year to support the heart of the city. Shopping local is an excellent way to connect with the community, promote involvement, and make Lebanon unique among other cities. The "shop small" concept emphasizes the significance of choosing local establishments over larger chain stores. By directing consumer spending towards small businesses, residents of Lebanon can significantly impact job creation and ensure that their money circulates within the local economy. A thriving historic downtown is vital to Lebanon's economic development. The city holds a small-town charm that is full of sustainable growth. Lebanon provides affordable living, a strong community, and many recreational opportunities. The Nashville Superspeedway hosts a variety of racing events throughout the year, including NASCAR and the IndyCar Series, which contributes to tourism. The Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the city of Lebanon, also hosts a local event called 'Speedway on the Square,' which brings the spirit of racing to downtown. expand There is more opportunity than ever to be part of Lebanon's vibrant business community. Whether supporting or indulging as an entrepreneur, growth is inevitable. The city takes pride in its 200-year history as a thriving community. Local initiatives promoting small businesses are also vital for encouraging economic growth. Programs that provide entrepreneurs with resources, support, and funding can help them flourish and innovate. In Lebanon, local government and organizations increasingly recognize the need to foster an environment conducive to small business development. The community celebrates each other by investing in small businesses, which helps to support the local economy. Lebanon's historic preservation, small business opportunities, and growth make it a unique place for everyday life. As Lebanon continues to grow, it's crucial for residents to prioritize shopping at local businesses. By making a conscious effort to support these establishments, community members will invest in their own economy and ensure a vibrant, diverse, and sustainable environment for future generations. In summary, Lebanon showcases the significant role that small businesses play in economic development. The community's commitment to "Shop Small" paves the way for sustained growth, enriching the local economy while reinforcing the spirit of community collaboration and support. By choosing to shop small, residents are making a powerful statement about their investment in the present and future of Lebanon. Thank you for choosing to shop small and supporting the backbone of our economy – the small businesses of Lebanon. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and they are vital for the continued growth and prosperity of our community. During May 4-10, Small Business Appreciation Week, residents can use their 'Small Biz Bucks' at local stores. Wilson Bank & Trust, Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce, Historic Lebanon, and the city of Lebanon put these bucks into the community through a long-established community partnership. Come grow with us. Lebanon has so much to offer; whether you visit our historic downtown square full of restaurants and shops or take a walk outside in one of our beautiful parks. Lebanon prides itself on its successful business community and the warm and generous hearts of our residents. Over 200 years ago, Lebanon
India.com
25-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- India.com
How Kitchens Have Evolved From Cooking Spaces To Social And Lifestyle Statements
In India, food is a celebration rather than a mundane everyday chore. While many fondly share stories of their favourite meal cooked by their mothers or grandmother, with changing time men too are taking a keen interest here. Celebrations are incomplete without an elaborate meal, whether it be a festival, a religious get together, a birthday or anniversary. Selvakumar Rajulu, Managing Director of Nolte FZE Dubai shares how kitchens have evolved from cooking spaces to social and lifestyle statements. Even in regular days, Sunday may mean special cooking days for the family where everybody finally comes together. On everyday basis too, every family tries to have at least one meal together. Thus, kitchen is rightly the center of a home, the room with the most heart and substance. In olden times, the kitchen was tucked away in a corner of the house, while modern kitchens are very much the center of attraction. In retrospect, it can be difficult to understand why they were always hidden away in a different area. The rise of kitchens doesn't seem all that shocking or abrupt when we consider the evolution of our society, which includes everything from the Industrial Age to changes in gender roles and the rise in smaller homes. Thus the modern kitchens are now a part of our everyday lives. During the 18th century, kitchen zoning was heavily influenced by appliances. Families now have the kitchen on the same floor as the living area, which makes it easier to draw smoke away, thanks to the development of gas stoves and chimneys. Concerns about smoke permeating the home and an increase in some families' cooking and show kitchens are still present today. These are less of a concern now that appliances have advanced and living spaces have shrunk. Families started paying more attention to kitchens in the 1950s, as evidenced by the rise of kitchen "styles" like farmhouse-style wooden cabinetry and pastel-colored cabinetry. This interest was echoed by architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright. Trends in Kitchen Island design during the 20th century reflected more general changes in aesthetics, such as the early 2000s' emphasis on clean lines or the rise of maximalism's use of striking contrasts. It blended style and function and was no longer a utilitarian area. This development led to the idea of kitchen islands and breakfast bars. Family gatherings have increasingly taken place in kitchens. This arrangement of living and kitchen areas is also a result of the rise in smaller homes. Every home's kitchen has evolved into a hub of activity where family and friends congregate. Food is deeply ingrained in our cultures all over the world, but kitchens are now used for more. This lifestyle is here to stay, as evidenced by the advancements in kitchen technology and the rise in stunning kitchens that blend in with living areas. Nowadays, people congregate in their kitchens, where life really takes place. And the new age consumer is aware that each choice has an impact, thus sustainable kitchens with eye soothing interiors are now ruling the décor trends. Modern appliances that are eco friendly are also a great factor. Hence, kitchens have evolved from a cooking space where women cooked everyday to modern areas where all the members are involved in cooking and they help build a kitchen that will make family bonds stronger over good food and lots of conversations.
