Bike-to-Work Week is starting soon on May 31 - June 6! From VACC.BC.CA - Bike to Work Week encourages people to try biking to work and celebrates with those that already do. Cycling is a great way to increase personal and environmental health, cut down on transportation costs, and have some fun on your way to work. During the week, log your commutes to win prizes (including a bike-a-day giveaway!) and visit commuter stations, which are celebratory pit stops along bike routes where you can enjoy food & drinks, bike maps, bike maintenance, and fabulous prizes – all for FREE! If you’re thinking about participating in Bike to Work Week, have your workplace consider one of our workshops to support ... continue reading.

OTTAWA--Ecojustice filed arguments on behalf of Sierra Club Canada today that claim the Canadian government acted unlawfully in gutting the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) through regulations last year.  The Canadian government now has until April 5th to respond.  If the lawsuit is successful thousands of projects that were approved without an assessment could be revisited. "We are asking the courts to declare the government's actions illegal and to require them to register all projects that have gone ahead," said John Bennett, Executive Director of Sierra Club Canada. "This government should give Canadians the opportunity to review the environmental impacts of stimulus projects and request that impacts from the projects be addressed to protect the environment." The lawsuit challenges the ... continue reading.

Victoria, BC - "Stop ignoring the strange sounds your car is making. If you take your car in for regular tune-ups it will be more fuel-efficient. And guess what? You'll save up to $132 a year in gas!" This is one of the eco-tips you might hear on the radio over the next few months, in English but also in Mandarin, Punjabi and Spanish. The Multicultural Environmental Education Program (MEEP) at the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre (VIRCS), the first program of its kind in Canada, has launched the "Green is for Everyone Eco-tips" on the radio to make it easy for newcomers and new Canadians to understand the benefits of taking climate action. The eco-tips were produced by VIRCS volunteers, ... continue reading.

New study reveals substantial, unreported quantities of greenhouse gas emissions from the oil sands in the Boreal Forests of Alberta, Canada. Media release from Global Forest Watch Canada: October 2, 2009 (Edmonton, AB) -- A new research paper, Bitumen and Biocarbon, was released this week by Global Forest Watch Canada. The paper reveals that significant amounts of greenhouse gases are emitted through the disturbance and/or removal of biocarbon (trees, shrubs, peats), which overlay Alberta's oil sands. These emissions have not previously been measured nor reported by governments and industry. "We wanted to know what volumes of greenhouse gases will be emitted by the oil sands industries from existing and planned levels of development within boreal forest ecosystems," said Peter Lee, ... continue reading.

Canadian cities, like American cities, are facing transformational challenges in sustainability, economic, and urban management. There is a call for climate action and pressure for new approaches to manage the shift towards better ecological practices and greater resilience. Sustainability imperatives are primarily being driven by energy demand and price fluctuations, the shock of the financial bubble and rippling economic downturn, and urban system demands with population growth. Resilient Cities: Urban Strategies for Transition Times Dates: October 20-22, 2009 (with some shoulder programs on October 19) Daily Timeframe: 7:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. (with some shoulder programs in the evenings) Location: Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre (East), 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, B.C. The 3-day conference will explore strategies to make cities ... continue reading.

Even rats and mice refuse to eat genetically modified foods, like tomatoes. More reports are surfacing regarding potential links between genetically engineered foods (GMO) and cancer, allergies, and genetic defects in new born babies. Yet, in Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has approved GMO corn, Rogers Sugar/Lantic Inc. is working with Monsanto to produce GMO sugar, and Aqua Bounty Farms is looking to commercialize GMO salmon. The Canadian Federal government, under the Harper administration, blocked consensus at the International Seed Treaty meeting in June this year. Learn more about GMO foods during your lunch hour, by watching Jeffrey Smith's video, 'Everything You HAVE to Know about Genetically Modified Foods'. Everything You HAVE TO KNOW about Dangerous Genetically Modified ... continue reading.

Media Advisory from the Gitga'at First Nation: The Enbridge proposal to ship oil from Alberta's tarsands through the pristine territory of the Gitga'at First Nation has received another setback. During recent discussions, Enbridge president Pat Daniel and Northern Gateway Pipelines president John Carruthers heard a clear, candid and consistent message from the Gitga'at: "NO" and "NEVER". Hereditary Chief, Ernie Hill Jr.  told the CEOs, "You are welcome in our Territory as individuals, but your project is not". Carruthers made it clear they are in the pipeline business, not shipping. In other words, when a spill happens they are not responsible and don't look to them for any fixes. Vessels ranging from cruise ship size to supertanker would be negotiating the ... continue reading.

Prime Minister's announcement about green energy in B.C. is really about supporting the mining industry.September 16, 2009 (Victoria, BC) -- The Prime Minister's announcement today of funding for the Northwest Transmission Line ("NTL") in British Columbia was disingenuous. Contrary to the PM's statements, the NTL will primarily serve the mining industry and lead to a massive increase in energy consumption in Northern BC."This transmission line is about electrifying coal and metal mines more than it is about clean, green energy," says Eric Swanson, Dogwood's Corporate Campaigner. "Research shows that there are a variety of much less expensive options for reducing the carbon footprint of diesel-dependent communities in the region," says Swanson. "Canadians have real cause for concern if money for ... continue reading.

Learn more about career opportunities in B.C.'s growing "green" sectors.The Burnaby Employment Resource Centre, in conjunction with the B.C. Labour Market Report, has brought together representatives from leading environmental companies, organizations, associations, and training programs to discuss:green jobs in fields such as architecture, utilities, engineering, construction, manufacturing, waste management, management consulting, and public awarenesscertification and training requirementshow to get started on a green career pathwho's hiring and what skills are in demand  Date:  Thursday, October 1, 2009Time:  1:00 to 3:00 p.m.Location:  Michael J. Fox Theatre, 7373 McPherson Ave., Burnaby, B.C.Map:  View hereCommute:  500 metres from Royal Oak skytrain stationParking:  free limited parking at Michael J. Fox TheatreAdmission:  FreeRegister with Training Innovations at:  http://www.training-innovations.com/register-for-gc  For more information, contact: Training Innovations, Inc. ... continue reading.

Celebrate fresh, wild, local seafood this Summer! The second annual Wild BC Seafood Fest will take place: Date: Saturday August 29, 2009 Time: 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Place: Steveston Harbour Authority Fisherman's Park, Richmond, B.C. (in front of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site 12138 Fourth Avenue) Join members of BC commercial fishing industry and some of BC's most acclaimed chefs and seafood experts as they demonstrate a variety of amazing wild BC seafood recipes and provide tips on buying, storing and preparing some of our favourite wild BC seafood. Plus sample their amazing creations and receive copies of the featured recipes to savour them at home! Award-winning fishmonger from The Salmon Shop and Screaming Mimi's ... continue reading.