FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Climate Change Connection to World Water Day (March 22)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Climate Change Connection to World Water Day (March 22)

HAMILTON, March 21th, 2016:  With Climate Change finally accepted as a challenge for all inhabitants of planet earth, longstanding events such as World Water Day should garner greater attention. A warming climate will result in greater amounts of water evaporating from oceans and lakes. The most noticeable effect of climate change for Canadians will come in the form of greater volumes of rain. Flash floods and unpredictable weather patterns can wreak havoc on cities and towns, leading to flooding of homes and businesses. Canadians can take steps to protect their homes by redirecting water away from their foundations, but in many cases if all that water simply runs into overflowing sewer systems, it can still backup and flood basements. Costly backwater valves are a necessity moving forward, but residents can also take inexpensive steps to slow down the rain by installing storage capacity in the form of rain barrels.Close to 200 grassroots, non-profit organizations are officially marking World Water Day by launching rain barrel sales to raise funds for their local projects. Whether it be donating to local or distant charities, providing assistance directly to those in need in their community, building beautiful outdoor spaces, or promoting sustainability, these schools, horticultural societies, service clubs, and faith-based groups, all support the use of rain barrels in the sustainable management of our water resources. In record numbers, Canadians are taking action in support of their local non-profit organizations.

World Water Day is observed annually on March 22nd.  First celebrated in 1993, it was designated by the UN to highlight the importance of fresh water and to advocate for sustainable management of our water resources. “Water and Jobs” is the theme for 2016 and focuses on all areas where water is linked to workers involved with it. Water is at the core of sustainable development. Water resources, and the range of services they provide, underpin poverty reduction, economic growth and environmental sustainability. From food and energy security to human and environmental health, water contributes to improvements in social well-being and inclusive growth, affecting the livelihoods of billions.

Canadians can do their part to conserve water while nourishing organizations that promote sustainable water practices by supporting a local rain barrel sale. Sale locations can be found at RainBarrel.ca.

Rain barrels provide a free source of water that is ideal for vegetables, trees, lawns and plants because it does not contain fluoride and chlorine which are added to many municipal water systems. Rain barrels can reduce flooding potential and divert rainwater from storm sewers thus reducing the introduction of surface contaminants such as oil into our natural waterways. When outdoor water restrictions are in place, water from a rain barrel can be used to wash vehicles, water lawns, clean floors and do laundry. Having a source of stored water can be beneficial if an emergency ever arises. The WorldWaterDay.ca website is presented as a resources for Canadians to share water related information and events.

About RainBarrel.ca – RainBarrel.ca reclaims food grade barrels and re-purposes them as rain barrels. Once used to transport fruits and vegetables, they now offer years of reliable service as rain barrels. Partnering with various non-profit organizations, RainBarrel.ca helps stage truckload fundraisers in communities across Canada with new communities added each week. Several municipalities distribute our newly manufactured rain barrels at a reduced cost to their residents. For more information, please contact Larry Pomerantz at [email protected], 905-545-5577, or visit RainBarrel.ca. See the list below for local community contacts and sale event information. Please CLICK HERE to view our rain barrel fundraising video.

Diverter & Rain Barrels 1

Community Partners:

More groups are added often. For the most up-to-date list of partners, visit RainBarrel.ca/Truckload-Sales.

Ajax, ON: Lincoln Avenue Public School
Ajax, ON: Pickering High School
Bancroft, ON: North Hastings Community Trust
Barrie, ON: Innisdale Green Team Simcoe County District School Board
Barry’s Bay, ON: Madawaska Valley Lions Club
Beaverton, ON: St. Paul’s Anglican Church
Belleville, ON: Nicholson Catholic Church
Belleville, ON: Quinte Conservation
Bethany, ON: Grandview Public School
Bradford, ON: Chris Hadfield Public School
Brantford, ON: Muslim Association of Brantford
Brighton, ON: Brighton Lions Club
Brockville, ON: Volunteer Centre of St. Lawrence-Rideau
Calmar, AB: Pigeon Lake Watershed Association
Cambridge, ON: rare Charitable Research Reserve
Cobourg, ON: Habitat for Humanity Northumberland
Collingwood, ON: Rotary Club of Collingwood
Creemore, ON: Bee Natural Caretakers
Darlington, MB: Pembina Valley Bible Camp
Delhi, ON: Delhi United Church
Dundas, ON: Dundas Central Public School
Durham, ON: Edgehill Country Day School
Edmonton, AB: Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Edmonton
Espanola, ON: Espanola Fibre Arts Festival
Etobicoke, ON: Discovery Community Christian Church
Fall River, NS: Lockview High School
Fergus, ON: Centre Wellington District High School
Fort Erie, ON: Friends of Fort Erie’s Creeks
Gatineau, QC: Aylmer United Church
Grimsby, ON: The Kinette Club of Grimsby
Guelph, ON: Centennial Collegiate Vocational Institute
Guelph, ON: McElderry Community
Hagersville Hagersville Secondary School
Haliburton, ON: JD Hodgson Elementary School Student Council
Halifax, NS: Halifax Christian Church
Hamilton, ON: Crown Point Community Planning Team
Hamilton, ON: The Escarpment Project
Hamilton, ON: Westmount Secondary School
Harriston, ON: International Plowing Match & Rural Expo
High Prairie, AB: Lesser Slave Watershed Council
Kerrobert, SK: Kerrobert School Community Council
Kingston, ON: Knights of Columbus
Kingston, ON: Girls Inc. Limestone
Kitchener, ON: Forest Hill’s TreeGeneration
Kitchener, ON: Laurentian Hills Christian School
Kitchener, ON: JW Gerth P.S School Council
Lindsay, ON: Kawartha Conservation
London, ON: London Central Lions Club
London, ON: Children’s Aid Society of London and Middlesex
London, ON: Jack Chambers Public School
London, ON: Optimists Club of Byron
London, ON: SARI Therapeutic Riding
London, ON: Summerside Optimists Club
Maple, ON: Dr. Roberta Bondar Public School
Markham, ON: Markville Secondary School
McLennan, AB: Mighty Peace Watershed Alliance
Meaford, ON: Beautiful Joe Heritage Society
Melancthon, ON: Pine River Institute
Milford, ON: County Sustainability
Milton, ON: Spartans Wrestling
Minden, ON: Friends of Ecological and Environmental Learning
Moose Creek, ON: Moose Creek Pool
Nanaimo, BC: Ecole Quarterway PAC
Napanee, ON: Communities in Bloom (Town of Greater Napanee)
Napanee, ON: Napanee District Secondary School
Nepean, ON: 62nd Ondechra Scout Troop of Ottawa
Newmarket, ON: Windfall Ecology Centre
Newmarket, ON: Sir William Mulock Secondary School
Niagara Falls, ON: Niagara Roller Girls
Niagara, ON: Niagara Cheerleading
Oshawa, ON: Unifor
Oshawa, ON: Kiwanis of Westmount Oshawa
Oshawa, ON: Oshawa Curling Club
Oshawa, ON: Woodview Park Neighbourhood Association
Oshawa, ON: We Grow Food
Ottawa, ON: Norman Johnson Alternate
Ottawa, ON: Woodroffe High School
Ottawa, ON: Just Food | Community Networking Gardening
Ottawa, ON: Canadian Organic Gardeners – Ottawa Chapter
Ottawa, ON: Riverview Alternative Parent Council
Pembroke, ON: First Step Options Pregnancy Resource Centre
Petersburg, ON: Colour Paradise Greenhouses
Port Dover, ON: Community and Children’s Safety Village of Haldimand-Norfolk
Port Perry, ON: Kawartha Conservation
Prud’homme, SK: Prud’homme Library
Rivers, MB: Rivers Wetland Center of Excellence (Rivers Collegiate)
Riverton, MB: Riverton Early Middle School Parent Advisory Scarborough
Sarnia, ON: Sarnia Artwalk
Scarborough, ON: West Hill Highland Creek Lions Club
Scarborough, ON: North Bridlewood Jr. PS Parent Association
South River, ON: East Parry Sound Literacy Council
St. Eustache, MB: Ecole St. Eustache PAC
St. Catharines, ON: Greening Niagara
St. Catharines, ON: Holy Cross Catholic High School
St. Catharines, ON: Canadian Martyrs Catholic School
St. Catharines, ON: Denis Morris Catholic High School
St. Jacobs, ON: St. Jacobs Public School Home and School Association
St. Marys, ON: St. Marys Operation Wallacea Expeditioners
St. Thomas, ON: St. Thomas Lions Club
Stratford, ON: Bedford Public School
Sudbury, ON: Sudbury Community Garden Network
Sudbury, ON: Sudbury and Nickelbelt Green Party Riding Association
Tara, ON: Tara and District Kinette Club
Thornbury, ON:  Beaver Valley Community School
Toronto, ON: Don Mills Residents Inc.
Toronto, ON: Drewry Secondary School
Toronto, ON: Guildwood Refugee Action Committee
Toronto, ON: Haven on the Queensway
Toronto, ON: Immaculate Heart of Mary
Toronto, ON: Toronto and Region Conservation Area
Toronto, ON: Toronto Zoo
Toronto, ON: William G. Miller Public School Parent Advisory Council
Uxbridge, ON: New Animal Shelter for Uxbridge-Scugog
Val Caron, ON: Confederation Secondary School
Waterdown, ON: Flamborough Baptist Community Garden
Waterloo, ON: Waterloo Cooperative Preschool
Waterloo, ON: Lincoln Heights Public School
Waterloo, ON: St. Agnes Church
Whitby, ON: Father Leo J. Austin Green Team
Winnipeg, MB: Crescent Fort Rouge United Church
Winnipeg, MB: Strathmillan School
Winnipeg, MB: Seven Oaks Adult Learning and Immigrant Services Centre
Winnipeg, MB: UMEARTH
Woodstock, ON: Woodstock and District Developmental Services

More groups are added often. For the most up-to-date list of partners, visit RainBarrel.ca/Truckload-Sales.

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