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Stories
From Our Members, Associates, Caucuses & Friends
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Caucuses:
Energy
Ministry
of Energy Supports Energetic Kimbercote Initiatives: The renewable
energy conference will be held at Kimbercote on the weekend of March 23rd-25th
Fight
Global Warming: Switch to Compact Fluorescent Bulbs!
Proposal
to Construct and Operate New Nuclear Reactors at Bruce Power site
Living-Off-the
-Grid...Alternative Energy for the Home
Caucuses:
Water
Waterkeeper
objects to garbage pellets proposal for Lafarge
Caucuses:
Air
A
ban on the burning of used oil in space heaters.
OPA
rolls the dice: By The Ontario Clean Air Alliance
On
Monday, February 12th, 2007, Oakville Town Council passed the bylaw restricting
non-essential pesticide use on private property. Nine out of twelve
Councilors supported the bylaw, with the Mayor voting in favour as well-
the final vote was 10 to 3. The new bylaw will be more clearly defined
and plans made for implementation in the coming months. It will come
into effect on January 1st, 2008.
Thank
you citizens of Oakville! Together we have achieved an important victory
for our health and the environment!! |
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Ursula
Franklin, member of theVoice
of Women,was recently interviewed on CBC Tapestry.
To listen to the interview please
click here
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Latest
Version of Listings of Species at Risk in Canada Now Available: The
Committee on the Status
of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)has
just released the latest version of its listings of species at risk in
Canada. The booklet, available online, contains information on the 534
species deemed at some level of risk in Canada, including 65 bird species
and subspecies.
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KYOTO
RALLY. Individuals,
environmental groups, political action groups, and other organizations
are urged to join and promote this rally, 11 March. Simultaneous rallies
across the country will focus public and political attention on the collective
need to meet commitments.
http://www.canadiansforkyoto.com/
Contact
person: Brennan Louw, canadiansforkyoto@yahoo.ca.
Toronto Rally is 12 - 2pm at Nathan Phillips Square.
| The
Ontario Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform: The Citizens’ Assembly
is a first for Ontario. It gives citizens a direct voice in determining
the options we have when we vote and how our votes are translated into
seats for Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs). The Assembly will identify
what principles Ontarians value most in their electoral system. And it
will hold public consultations to hear what other citizens value. Based
on what the Assembly hears and learns, it will recommend whether Ontario
should keep its current electoral system or change to a new one.
If
the Assembly recommends a new electoral system, the Ontario government
has promised to put it to a referendum by the next election in October
2007 so that all voters can have their say.
Visit:
http://www.citizensassembly.gov.on.ca/en-CA/home%20page.aspx
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Green
Roof Policy Development Workshop
Find
out what leading jurisdictions are doing to turn wasted rooftops into cleaner
air and water! Green Roof Policy Development Workshops
Waterloo,
Feb. 27th, 2007 Peterborough, March 22nd, 2007
Toronto, March 26th, 2007
This
half-day workshop will examine what kind of incentives currently exist
in other jurisdictions, how the incentives are tied to performance standards
and how policy makers can assess what types of incentive programs will
work best in their areas. It will also provide a framework for planners
and governmental agencies to gain an understanding of the multi-faceted
impacts of green roofs and areas of consideration for implementing green
roof policy. Tuition is $95 or $45 for NGO's and students
For more information or to register please
visit www.greenroofs.org
Let Nature
Do the Work!
Fundamentals
of Permaculture
July
16 to 22, 2007
at
the Ecology Retreat Centre, Orangeville
Hands-on
training in design principles for creating sustainable, self-sufficient
and ecological living
with
Gregoire Lamoureux of the Kootney Permaculture Institute and Richard Griffith
of the Permaculture Action Worknet
What
is Permaculture?
The
design of homes, farms and towns on the intricately balanced relationships
seen in the natural world. The conscious design of cultivated ecosystems
that have the diversity, stability and resilience of natural environments.
For
more information on the course: Call: 1-800-486-5460 or info@ecologyretreatcentre.com
The Friends of the Frink Centre is working in partnership with nine
other organizations to host the
Second Annual Sustainable Living
Symposium: Living Today for Tomorrow
This event will be held at Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario
on March 31st, 2007.
For details visit our website www.fofc.ca/symposium2007.htm
Click on the picture to
read Climate Action Network Canada's Newsletter
A one-day “show and tell”
workshop consisting of six presentations, time for questions plus an end
of day ‘Panel Discussion’ which will focus on studies/surveys that have
been completed nationally and provincially on various sociological aspects
of BMP adoption.
Environmental
BMP Adoption Workshop
How can we as “practitioners”
motivate our clients to adopt more BMPs on the landscape
March 22, 2007
Mississauga Grand Banquet
& Convention Centre
35 Brunel Road, Mississauga,
ON
GET TO KNOW OUR CLIENTS – THE ONTARIO FARMING
COMMUNITY – BETTER;
Develop a better understanding
of what motivates farmers to adopt/not adopt beneficial management practices
(BMPs)
Influence future environmental
programming through the workshop results;
Allow for more influence
in program design from agricultural professionals.
New Global Forest Watch Canada
GFWC released the summary results
of an up-to-date survey of human disturbances in the Pascagama region of
the Boreal in Québec, which reveals many recent impacts caused by
logging and associated roads. The study was undertaken using satellite
imagery over the period of 1990 to 2006. Check out the press release and
report at: http://www.globalforestwatch.ca
| Alternatives Journal is looking ahead. As we draw up our plans for
the upcoming years, we want to hear from you.
So tell us - What do you love about Alternatives? Which column do you
wait for? What do you think is missing? And if you dont already subscribe
to the magazine, we would love to know why. The survey below is short,
and will only take 5-10 minutes to complete. Those few minutes of your
time will help us immensely as we shape the future of the magazine.
Please
click here to participate in the survey. |
Are You Preventing Climate Change? Show
Us How and Win!
Deadlines are looming all
over the place. Scientists say we may have as little as 10 years to change
out carbon-emitting ways or our atmosphere will get too warm for comfort.
And our Convenient Truths contest to do something about all that ends on
February 28th.
If you haven't sent an entry
in, now is the time for positive action! Get out your cell phone
or video camera and make an inspiring one- to two-minute video that shows
the world the ways you've found to save energy, reduce your carbon footprint,
and stop global warming cold. If our judges like what they see, you'll
win some of almost $30,000 in sustainable prizes.
Check out http://www.truths.treehugger.com
for the rules, the videos, and more. Then aim your lens and shoot your
way to fame, fortune, and planetary salvation!
David Suzuki is touring to champion
climate change and other issues.
More information posted
on the website: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/about_us/dr_david_suzuki/appearances.asp
The Organic Council of Ontario
is pleased to invite you a free event featuring guest speaker Gord Smith
of ACNielsen who will give a talk entitled:
REVIEW OF CERTIFIED ORGANIC
GROCERY FOOD PRODUCTS AT CANADIAN RETAIL IN 2006
Gord will report on a recent
study of certified organic food sales in Ontario and across Canada during
the Organic Council of Ontario’s Annual General Meeting on March 28th,
2007. Members and non-members are welcome to attend.
Please visit www.organiccouncil.ca
for more information.
Research and Development Program
At the Canadian Environmental
Assessment Agency
The Agency is pleased to
announce that two new research projects have been selected for the 2006-2008
monograph series. The lead researchers and their project titles are listed
below.
For additional information
on these projects, please visit: http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/insert%20page |
The
Toronto Zoo invites you to attend and participate
in this 3-day interactive forum which will address current critical issues
in the field of road ecology and its relevance to the management of habitat
and species at risk. The goal of the forum is to create a working partnership
and open dialogue between road ecologists, biologists, urban planners,
and road engineers.
For more information and
to register, visit www.torontozoo.com/AdoptAPond/BlandingsEcopassages.asp
Workshop on source water
protection
on March 3, 2007 in Peterborough
The event will explore opportunities
for public participation in the next phase of the Clean Water Act's implementation.
There will be a range of perspectives represented, including those of the
local Conservation Authority, an expert on wells and rural water supplies,
and a couple members of the Water Guardians Network. The event is
open to the public, so come out for what promises to be an important and
informative afternoon!
For more info contact: Jessica
Ginsburg, Canadian Environmental Law Association, jginsburg@cela.ca
or
visit: http://www.cela.ca
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At an Energy From Waste
Forum put on by the Recycling Council of Ontario (Nov.3/06) We learned
that York and Durham, Niagara and Hamilton also want incinerators and Peel
wants to expand the one they have. There are many solid reasons not
to do this including contributing to Climate Change.
BEFORE HALTON REGION BUILDS
AN $800M INCINERATOR WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE RAMIFICATIONS ARE.
P.O.W.E.R. and Oakvillegreen
are bringing an outstanding expert in this field to give us some solid
information.
Dr. Paul Connett, Professor
Emeritus of Chemistry from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY specializes
in Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology.
Author of 6 peer review
articles on dioxin and other articles on waste management, Dr. Connett
will speak on “The economic and environmental dangers of waste incineration
and a safer and sustainable alternative strategy”.
Where: 707 Galaxy Hall, 475
North Service Road East, Oakville
When: Tuesday, March
27, 2007 7:30 PM For information call Barbara Halsall
905-873-0344
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Wye Marsh’s Renewable
Energy Programs
Wye Marsh is thrilled to
announce that we are erecting two demonstration wind turbines this spring!
Funding has been secured to allow us to install two small wind turbines,
one a 1.8kW to be connected to the Wye Marsh grid and the other at 1.0kW
to simulate and educate people about off grid applications. We are
grateful to the Ministry of Energy’s Community Conservation, Midland Power
Utility Corporation for their generous donations towards this project and
the educational components involved. A committee of dedicated volunteers
is currently pricing equipment and measuring for electrical hook-up. Volunteers
will do the bulk of the installation in the spring. Information panels
will be erected and various statistics will be tracked so that the public
and school children can learn as much as possible about this renewable
energy source.
Funding from Shell Environmental
Fund is specifically for renewable energy and conservation education programs,
targeting the curriculum for Grades 5 and 10. Science kits, demonstrating
solar, wind, biogas and other renewable energy sources, will be purchased.
Children and teenagers from both grades will have the opportunity to learn
about new technologies and energy conservation ideas. The kits will
complement the Wye Marsh’s actual on-site wind turbines and solar panel
systems. Education of our children is key to preserving our environment
and changing the way we use resources. For more information
about this exciting project visit www.wyemarsh.com
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"Rural
Youth: Leading Today, Tomorrow and Beyond"
We’ll have the speakers
to motivate and the opportunities to ‘have your say’!
WHEN: Tuesday, March 6, 2007
WHERE: Ramanda Inn
on the Bay, 11 Bridge Road, Belleville, (613) 968-3411
REGISTER TODAY!!!
Visit www.torc.on.ca
for full Forum Agenda and Registration Form
Contact Ramada Inn on the
Bay, Belleville to book your accommodations TODAY! (613) 968-3411
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
TORC Winter 2007 Public
Issue Forum
Rural Youth: Leading Today,
Tomorrow and Beyond
TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2007
Ramada Inn on the Bay, Belleville,
Ontario
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Planet in Focus
announces its 2007 Call for Entries!
Canada's most acclaimed international
environmental film and video festival showcases outstanding and compelling
films and videos covering a broad range of environmental themes by Canadian
and international filmmakers. Our mission is to screen and promote the
use of film and video across Canada and internationally as a catalyst for
public awareness, discussion, and appropriate action on the environmental,
ecological and social health of the planet. Recognizing that the 'environment'
is contested terrain, both as a biophysical entity and as a philosophical
frame, Planet in Focus invites submissions in all genres that critically
examine the concept of 'environment' and challenge current human/nature
relations.
2007 Spotlight: International
Polar Year:
This year Planet in Focus
will be focusing on works from and about the Circumpolar Regions of the
Arctic and Antarctic as part of the 125th anniversary of International
Polar Year, an initiative that launched international scientific Polar
research and exploration. Special consideration will be given to works
covering the themes of International Polar Year: atmosphere, ice, land,
oceans, people and space. The nations and regions included are Canada,
Denmark/Greenland, the Russian Federation, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, United
States, Norway and the Antarctic.
FINAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE
JUNE 15TH, 2007.
To submit a film or to discover
more about the festival please visit: www.planetinfocus.org
_____________________________________________________________________________
OEN Network News
February 2007 Volume 18, Number 5
Editors: Naveen Ahuja & Phillip Penna
Network News is published 3-6 times per year by the Ontario Environment
Network, a non-profit, non-government network for Ontario environmental
organizations. The OEN seeks to increase the public's awareness of these
organizations and to facilitate communications and cooperation among them.
Opinions stated in Network News are those of the individual contributors,
not of the OEN. The OEN does not take positions, either on its own or on
behalf of its member groups. Rather, Network News acts as a forum for discussion.
Reprints are encouraged; please credit the OEN. Advertising and sponsorship
rates are available upon request.
Please direct correspondence to:
P.O. Box 1412, Station Main
North Bay, ON P1B 8K6
Tel: 705-840-2888 Fax: 705-840-5862
Email: oen
(at) oen.ca
For more information about Environmental Issues in Ontario, please to
go our OEN Caucus Action Pages which can be found at http://www.oen.ca/caucus.html.
