Pollution

       How many of you hold your breath when in the school’s parking lot at the end of the day? All of us whose bus is parked in the second or third row of buses have noticed it. The exhaust coming from the buses left on idle are harmful to both our health and the environment. Bus drivers arrive to school approximately 20 minutes before classes end. In the winter, most of them leave the motors running that whole time.

       First of all, the unnecessary exposure to diesel exhaust can be linked to health problems such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, coughing and difficulty in breathing, decreased lung capacity, lowered resistance to infection and even lung cancer. Over 90% of the particles emitted by diesel engines carry their toxins deep into the lungs. It has also been found that exhaust levels are actually higher inside the school bus, and especially at the back.

Secondly, the exhaust, mainly composed of carbon dioxide, is very harmful to the environment. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most important greenhouse gas which contributes to global climate change by trapping the earth's outgoing energy as heat in the atmosphere. This exhaust, as it is filled with dirt and soot, also contributes to the odd colouring of the snow.

       In 2005, the New Brunswick Minister of Education announced an anti-idling policy for all school buses in the province. What is Quebec waiting for?!

       So, want to help the environment? Tell your bus driver about your concerns and ask him/her to keep the engine off!

Rachelle Urtnowski-Morin

Depression

Depression has always been an issue in the teen world. For some teens, they may feel as if everything in their lives is falling apart, and although many do not take depression seriously, this is a major problem.

Depression is often linked to suicide, which is the second leading cause of deaths for teens in Canada. Unfortunately, suicide and suicide attempts have increased by 300% in the last thirty years. These teenagers need to be dealt with in a matter that doesn’t resort to death. Although the “teen years” are known to be the best years of one’s life, for some it can be confusing, stressful, and dismal, but this can be changed with the help of professionals and the support of friends and family. In most cases of suicides, the person committing the dreadful act doesn’t actually want to die, which turns out to be attempted suicide. These attempts are a cry for help, but in an extreme manner.

Today in order to help teens in distress, hotlines through internet, phone, etc, have been created in order to support adolescents in their time of need. Suicide can be avoided if those around someone in depression make sure that they get the help they need. Today, professionals on the matter have come out with warning signs, and steps to take so that such an act isn’t committed.

People need to start taking this problem seriously and realize that it is real and continuously getting worse. If you know someone in a depression, you should take the necessary steps to ensure their well-being, and if you are in a depression yourself, talk to someone about it and don’t give up, there are always solutions.

Shawn Lefebvre