The E-Update – September 17, 2007

The E-Update – September 17, 2007
The Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network
A Network of more than 30 Member Groups
Many Voices for the Environment

In this E-update you will find:
Events
1. Tuesday, September 18th – Letter Writing Session: Calling All Environmental Voters!
2. Food Security Network Assembly – Register Now
3. Hike with East Coast Trails Association
4. September Meeting of the Natural History Society
5. Beaches World Tour 2007 – Last Chance to Catch the Early Bird Rate
6. Ocean Net Day Clean Up and Hike
7. The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
8. Much Ado about Mushrooms
9. Art Show at MUN Botanical Garden
10. Green Speak Radio – Now on Tuesdays!
11. Humber Natural History Society Meeting
12. Lecture on Green Design at Grenfell College
Job Opportunities
1. Environmental Education Centre – Position Available Immediately
Articles
1. Article from The Coast in Halifax: The Power of One by Tim Bousquet
2. Letter to the Editor – Helping to Minimize Climate Change by Lucia Salazar
3. Biofuels not necessarily all that green – David Suzuki
Actions
1. Respond NOW on Climate Change
2. International Car Free Day – September 22, 2007
3. Contribute to NLEN E-Update
Grants
1. Call for Green Pitch Applicants
2. Reminder – NLEN Member Support Program
3. EcoAction Deadline – October 1, 2007
* A Message for the NLEN Members
** A message to Readers of the NLEN E-update
*** What is the NLEN about?
**** For more information.
Now for the details:
Events
1. Letter Writing Session: Calling All Environmental Voters!
In light of the upcoming provincial election, the Northeast Avalon Sierra Club group would like to host the first NLEN letter writing session to ask candidates how their platforms address the voters’ environmental concerns. A template letter will be provided with the message that the environment is a top priority for provincial voters and should be a key focus of this campaign.
Letter writers will be encouraged to customize their own letters around their own specific interests and concerns, and contact information will be provided for all candidates so that we can send the letters to any or all of them, depending on the issue. Media contact lists will be available if people are also inspired to write a letter to the editor.
This session is open to everyone including member groups and the general public. Paper, writing utensils and refreshments will be provided. Come and bring friends!
Where: Environmental Gathering Place Boardroom, 172 Military Road
When: Tuesday, September 18 at 7:30 pm
Who: NLEN Member Groups, Friends, Family, General Public
2. Food Security Network Assembly – Register Now
There are still some spaces available for the Food Security Network’s
Assembly on Food Security in Newfoundland & Labrador, but the registration
deadline is soon! Please see attached for an Update on conference
activities.
Come and participate in this important event which is bringing together
people from every region and different sectors of the province. Come give
voice to your hopes, ideas and dreams for a food secure province!
This conference is for you if…
…you are concerned about access to nutritious, safe, affordable,
culturally appropriate food;
…you are concerned about a healthy, sustainable, safe, socially just food
supply;
…you are someone who eats!
You can email your registration form (available at www.foodsecuritynews.com)
to sherril_g@hotmail.com or fax it to 709-895-8339.
Financial concerns? – there are still some conference subsidies available –
please contact me for more information.
Sherril Gilbert
Executive Director
Food Security Network of Newfoundland & Labrador
DON’T DELAY – REGISTER TODAY!
Provincial Food Security Assembly
October 18 – 20, 2007
St. John’s, NL
REGISTRATION PACKAGE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE:
http://www.foodsecuritynews.com
3. Hike with East Coast Trails Association
Sept. 23 Pouch Cove-Flatrock 16 km
Sunday 6 – 7 hours Rating: Moderate
Start time: 9:30 am
Meet in the parking lot across the highway from the church in Flatrock
Car Pool: 8:45 am, Arts and Culture Centre parking lot in the corner by Allandale Road and Prince Phillip Drive.
Leader: Mark Graesser mark@mun.ca 722-8963
Sweep: Cindy Flynn cindyflynn@gov.nl.ca 745 5462
4. September Meeting of the Natural History Society
September Meeting of the Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
Dr. Norm Catto (Department of Geography, MUN) will give an illustrated talk entitled “Natural Hazards in Newfoundland and Labrador” on Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. at the MUN Botantical Garden (306 Mt. Scio Road).
Join us for our first meeting of the fall. Norm led a fascinating field trip on beach dynamics along the Southern Shore several years ago. I expect that his talk on natural hazards will be equally fascinating. He’ll discuss flooding, storm surges, coastal erosion, landslides, and rising sea level in Newfoundland.
Everyone is welcome; bring a friend. See you at the talk.
Cheers, Rita Anderson, President
5. Beaches World Tour 2007
We are pleased to invite you to the Beaches World Tour 2007, taking place Tuesday, October 9th to Thursday, October 11th at the Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Please email nlen.ed@gmail.com to receive the brochure for additional information, and visit www.blueflag.ca for full conference details and online registration.
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this exciting and informative event! Beaches World Tour is a conference on best practices and key issues at beaches and coastal areas around the world. Panel discussions will address health and water quality, coastal zone management and sustainable tourism, equity and access to coastal resources, and impacts of climate change on coastal areas. Hear about best practices at specific beaches in over 20 countries and how the Blue Flag program has helped to improve coastal environments.
Opening keynote speeches will be made by Murray Simpson (Research Scientist at the Centre for the Environment, Oxford University) on the impacts of climate change on sustainable coastal tourism, and Lara Hansen (Chief Climate Change Scientist, WWF International) on the effects of climate change on ocean and coastal habitats.
Other noteworthy presentations will be made by Calum McPhail (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency) speaking on Bathing Water Signage and predictive water quality models in Scotland; Donna Francy (US Geological Survey) describing predictive and rapid methods to provide “nowcasts” of bacterial levels at Great Lakes beaches; and Blue Flag representatives from numerous countries discussing Blue Flag coastal management initiatives and successes at beaches around the world.
The conference will include an evening reception, refreshment breaks, daily luncheons, and one conference dinner.We encourage you to make your travel and accommodation arrangements as soon as possible. A block of rooms has been reserved under the name “Environmental Defence October Conference” at a special rate of $169 per night. Please call the Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel at 1-800-905-0667 before September 17th, 2007 in order to receive this special rate. Additional information is available at www.blueflag.ca
We look forward to seeing you in Toronto!
Blue Flag Canada
Program of Environmental Defence
317 Adelaide St. W., Suite 705
Toronto, ON M5V 1P9
Tel: 1-866-420-8477 (only in Canada), or
416-323-9521, ext. 233
Fax: 416-323-9301
Email: jfrye@environmentaldefence.ca
6. Ocean Net Day Clean Up and Hike
Join Ocean Net for an East Coast Trail Hike and Participate in 3 Beach Cleanups!
In a proclamation signed jointly by our Premier and Environment Minister on September 13, 2004, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador declared the 3rd Friday in September as Ocean Net Day. Ocean Net is delighted to be celebrating its 3rd Annual Ocean Net Day and this year we will be hosting a variety of events and activities the weekend of September 21-23, 2007.
The Ocean Net Hike/Cleanup event on Saturday, September 22nd at 9:00am will be in partnership with the East Coast Trail Association (www.eastcoasttrail.com). This is a beautiful 2-hour hike from Fort Amherst to Freshwater Bay. Volunteers can also meet us at the parking lot on the left side of Cape Spear Drive (before the Blackhead turnoff – just watch for the Ocean Net Sign!) and walk down the 20-minute access trail to Freshwater Bay. Please pack a lunch, a bottle of water and wear sturdy footwear!
JOIN NOW and celebrate Ocean Net Day! Please feel free to print off the attached poster and post it at your home or office!
If not US, who? If not NOW, when?
Ocean Net
276-A Water St.
St. John’s, NL
A1C 1B7
(T)753.3680 (F) 753.4679 (E) info@oceannet.ca (W) www.oceannet.ca
7. The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
September 15-23, 2007
Help us protect Canada’s shorelines.
Every September, Canadians from all walks of life take action to restore the health of their local shorelines.
Be a part of the solution.
Register today to organize or join a shoreline cleanup in your community. It’s easy, it’s fun and it’s good for our environment. Shoreline cleanup supplies and support materials are provided free of charge.
To get involved go to www.vanaqua.org/cleanup or call (toll free) 1-877-427-2422.
8. Much Ado about Mushrooms!
The Brother Brennan Environmental Education Centre is hosting a weekend
getaway devoted to learning about mushrooms. “Much Ado About Mushrooms”
(October 12 -14, 2007) is an intensive week-end at a location perfect for
study of the natural environment. The Instructor, Dr Andrus Viotk, will
present lectures, workshops and field excursions to enthusiastic beginners
who wish to learn to identify many of Newfoundland’s beautiful mushrooms.
The course will conclude with a search for edible mushrooms to take home.
The course fee of $170 includes instruction, accomodation and all meals.
There are discounts for students and children. For more information visit
www.brotherbrennancentre.ca or email helenspencer@esdnl.ca
Thanks for your support.
Helen Spencer
“”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
“””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””‘”””””
Helen Spencer
Environmental Education Teacher
116 Strawberry Marsh Road
St John’s, NL
A1B 2V5
9. Art Show at MUN Botanical Garden
Painting in The Garden – MUN Botanical Garden Art Group Exhibition
Art works related to nature – plants, scenery, etc. in watercolour, pastel, oil, acrylic, gouache, pen and ink, and mixed media. On display at MUN Botanical Garden from Friday, September 7 to Sunday, September 23, 2007. For more information on the art show, please contact Joyce Cho (telephone: 722-4278, e-mail: cho@physics.mun.ca).
Exhibit hours may vary due to private bookings. Please call the Garden at 737-8590 for more information.
10. Green Speak Radio – Now on Tuesdays!
Green Speak Radio, Mondays 4-5pm, 93.5FM or www.chmr.ca
PLEASE NOTE that Green Speak Radio has switched it’s airing day. You can now listen to Green Speak Radio on TUESDAYS from 4-5pm, switched from it’s long standing slot on Mondays. I hope that GSR listeners make the move to Tuesdays with me, sincerely Shelley.
The Tuesday, September 18th episode of Green Speak Radio will feature an interview with the Leah Fusco, BikeShare Coordinator with MUN project Green and the musical guest will be Jill Porter.
Have an idea for a feature guest or artist for Green Speak Radio?
Email your suggestions to greenspeakradio@gmail.com
Green Speak is sponsored in part by the NL Environment Network, the
Western Environment Centre, MUN Project Green, the Wellness Coalition
St. John’s Region and 93.5 CHMR-FM.
11. Humber Natural History Society Meeting
The first HNHS meeting of the 07/08 season will take place on Wednesday October 3, at 7:30 PM in Room AS375 of the Sir Wilfred Grenfell College.
Guest Speaker: Professor Keith Nicol
Topic: “Exploring the High Arctic”. The presentation will provide impressions of the high arctic in Greenland and Northern Canada with emphasis on the human and physical landscape, and will be illustrated with numerous photos including polar bears and ivory gulls.
12. Lecture on Green Design at Grenfell College
On Monday September 17, 2007, Dr. Rudy Sookbirsingh, Geography/Environmental Studies, will lecture on “Green Design: A Question of Social Responsibility”. The talk will take place in the Forestry Centre of SWGC, Room FC2014 at 7:00 PM. All are cordially invited to attend.
Job Opportunities
1. Environmental Education Centre – Position Available Immediately
The Brother Brennan Environmental Education Centre has a position
available for an enthusiastic, energetic individual to help teach the
environmental education program. The Teacher Assistant position involves
teaching and supervising grade 6 or grade 8 students who are staying for
one or two nights at the Centre. Knowledge of flora, fauna and
environmental issues and a love of hiking, camp-fires and working with
children are an asset. Experience in an overnight setting with children
will also be helpful. First-aid certificate and Certificate of Conduct
are needed. The position is available immediately and will run until the
end of November. Pay will be approximately between $460 and $560 every 2
weeks (depending on whether working a 2 day or a 2 1/2 day shift).
Please fax or email resume to Helen Spencer at 753 1145 or
helenspencer@esdnl.ca
Articles
1. Article from The Coast in Halifax: The Power of One by Tim Bousquet
What are you doing to be more environmentally conscious?”
That was the question for the day on CBC Radio’s Maritime Noon last week. The next day the CBC aired Ian Hanomansing’s new show, Feeling the Heat, which is devoted to helping people find “ways to balance practical and environmental concerns in their everyday lives.”
You see a trend here? The shows are telling us that concern for the environment is a personal issue, a lifestyle choice. If we just drive the right car or the take the bus, screw in the right light bulbs, become experts in sorting garbage, we’ll achieve eco-bliss. It’s up to you and me, individually.
Well, no.
Don’t get me wrong: I don’t want to discourage people from learning how to live with a lighter enviro-footprint. Far from it. And I’m continually trying to do the right thing in my own life-retrofit the house, grow a garden and so forth. Good on the CBC for helping us learn how.
But all our individual efforts won’t amount to squat if they aren’t accompanied by major-radical, even-political action.
As I’ve pointed out before, if we are to avoid cataclysmic climate change, we in Canada need to cut our greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent. In Nova Scotia, however, almost half of our collective GHG emissions come from four coal-fired power plants. Do the math: You can walk everywhere, use a composting toilet, eat only dandelions from your yard, whatever. It won’t matter. If those four plants keep operating, we simply cannot avoid the worst effects of global warming.
As for the nation as a whole, on the one hand we can have 33 million people individually bringing cloth bags to the grocery store and making sure their car tires are properly inflated. On the other hand, we can mine the tar sands, which hold enough stored GHG that, if released, will make it impossible for Canada to meet even the weak emission targets of the Kyoto Protocol, and much less the targets necessary to actually head off global warming.
It’s as simple as that: Canada either mines the tar sands or successfully minimizes the effects of climate change. If we keep mining the tar sands it won’t matter how many microwave clocks are unplugged.
Yes, yes, I can anticipate the letters of outcry already: We need to do both! We need to do the political things and we need to incorporate the environmental ethic into our personal lives!
And I agree. The problem is, the “do the political thing” is often, almost always, left out of the equation.
Google “things you can do to help the environment” and you’ll come up with around 9,000 lists of various suggestions. From my cursory read, hardly any of the lists even mention getting involved politically and the few that do tend to put it near the bottom, at 53 out of 55, or whatever.
But political action should be number one-at the top of every list compiled for those concerned about the environment. We should do all the other stuff, certainly, yet do it not as atomized individuals but rather as part of an active, participatory citizenry.
If you have the money to buy a hybrid car, then you’ve got the money to support candidates who will move Canada away from a tar-sands economy. If you have the time to travel on our under-funded bus system, then you’ve got the time to call your MLA and demand action over the coal plants. If you have the smarts to figure out the calculus of recycling, then you’ve got the smarts to organize your neighbours politically.
That’s what you can do for the environment.
2. Letter to the Editor – Helping to Minimize Climate Change by Lucia Salazar
We are approaching the season when heating is needed in our homes and workplaces. Many buildings, like the university and nursing homes, have central heating that either cannot be controlled in individual offices or have one thermostat for several offices. These offices may get so hot that people have no other option than to open the windows. Unfortunately, the thermostat senses a loss of heat and works harder to raise the temperature to the same level everywhere. The more the furnace works, the more greenhouse gases we are producing. Wouldn’t it be more reasonable to install thermostats in every office? Although this change will cost some money, the savings will be considerable higher than the expense when we take into account that we will not be paying for heat that escapes through the windows. I have been in some buildings on weekends and found that windows had been left wide open since Friday, and during all this time the heating had been escaping and the furnace had been working.
The same situation occurs with the air conditioning that no one seems able to set at a comfortable temperature, making the workplaces so cold that some people have to wear sweaters or open the windows. I have been in stores that have the air conditioning running at high speed when the temperature outside is only 15-C. Is it really necessary? Some stores turn on the air conditioning and lock their doors open.
Climate change is something that we hear about every day and it has become part of our lives. Decisions to reduce the impact of our carbon footprint on climate change not only lie with goverments but also with our employers and retailers. Individuals can also help by dressing in layers.
Lucia Salazar
St. Philip’s
3. Biofuels not necessarily all that green – David Suzuki
Earlier this year, when I crossed our great country to talk to Canadians about environmental issues, some media pundits took issue with our vehicle of choice – a diesel bus. Even when I explained that diesel actually has a lower carbon footprint than gasoline, some of them immediately shot back with – then why isn’t it biodiesel?
In truth, we had actually wanted to showcase an alternative fuel like biodiesel, we just couldn’t find a leasing agent who could get us an appropriate vehicle. But from the very beginning we were also nervous about highlighting something that might be more of a problem than a solution.
Turns out, we were probably right. According to a recent analysis published in the journal Science, attempting to save the planet by wholesale switching to biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel may unintentionally have the opposite effect.
Proponents of biofuels, which are often made from plants such as corn or sugar cane, often point to their many advantages over fossil fuels like gasoline. Biofuels are less toxic or non-toxic in comparison to fossil fuels. They are a renewable resource, whereas once fossil fuels are gone, they’re gone. And biofuels can be grown just about anywhere you can grow crops, reducing the need for giant pipelines or oil tankers, and potentially helping to reduce conflicts in areas like the Middle East.
So far so good. But things start to get complicated when you look more closely. Much has already been debated about the energy requirements to produce some biofuels, especially corn-based ethanol. Ethanol made from corn only contains marginally more energy than what is needed to produce it. In fact, we use about a litre’s worth of fossil fuels to grow, harvest, process, and transport a litre of corn-based ethanol. Many people argue that making corn-based ethanol is more of an agricultural subsidy for farmers than it is a sound environmental policy.
Things get even dodgier for biofuels when you look at the land area that would be needed to grow fuel crops. We use a lot of fossil fuels. Switching to biofuels would not reduce the demand for fuel, just change the way we get it. And that would require a lot of land. In fact, substituting just 10 per cent of fossil fuels to biofuels for all our vehicles would require about 40 per cent of the entire cropland in Europe and North America. That is simply not sustainable.
Of course, reducing the amount of fuel we use, no matter what the type, is very important. But the authors of the recent article in Science say that if our primary motive in switching to biofuels is to reduce global warming, then we have to look at all our options for the land that would be needed to grow fuel crops.
The authors conclude: “If the prime object of policy on biofuels is mitigation of carbon dioxide-driven global warming, policy-makers may be better advised in the short term (30 years or so) to focus on increasing the efficiency of fossil fuel use, to conserve the existing forests and savannahs, and to restore natural forest and grassland habitats on cropland that is not needed for food.”
In other words, biofuels alone are not the quick-fix answer to global warming. In fact, strong legislated policies to improve the efficiency of our cars, homes and industries is a much more effective strategy. In the longer term, biofuels may certainly play an important role. Some technologies, like cellulosic ethanol, which is made from woody debris, are very promising and they need to be supported by government and industry now, so they can be available on a larger scale in the coming years. Biofuels have many advantages, but we have to look at all our options and make sure we make the best choices to ensure a more sustainable future.
Actions
1. Respond NOW on Climate Change
Respond NOW on Climate Change: www.TakeRealAction.ca. – Please respond right away during the short public comment period to the governments’ dismal report on how it will (not) meet Kyoto.
Please take the time to do this. The deadline for public comment is September 20th, 2007. The government needs to hear how outrageous it is that they’ve walked away from their legal Kyoto obligations without even trying.
2. International Car Free Day – September 22, 2007

3. Contribute to NLEN E-Update
The fall season is an exciting time of year for new ideas and new projects, and we would love to hear about YOUR great news so that we can tell everyone else about it! With the changing of the seasons we are considering a slightly new format for the e-update, so we’d love to have lots of new submissions on anything and everything environment-related. Please send news, upcoming events, interesting articles, website links and anything else you come across that you’d like to share. We’d especially love to get media articles that feature our member groups. If you’re interviewed, or have a letter to the editor published, let us know!
Grants/Opportunities
1. Call for Green Pitch Applicants
CALL FOR PITCH SUBMISSIONS!
WIN $3500 IN DEVELOPMENT FUNDING & SERVICES!
Green Pitchers – Perfecting the Art of the Pitch for Environmental Filmmaking
Always wanted to make a film about an environmental issue close to your heart? Struggling to find the finances to pull it together? Welcome to Green Pitch, an opportunity to pitch your idea to the people with the power to give your project the green light. With Environmental NGOs, broadcasters, producers and established filmmakers on board to lend their insight, this workshop will give participants the opportunity to test their green ideas in front of creative professionals. Selected participants will gain valuable first-hand feedback as they present their pitches for the chance to win $3500 in development funding and services ($1500 cash & $2000 services)!* The winning Green Pitch will be announced on Sunday October 28th, 2007 at the Awards Ceremony.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 26TH, 2007 * 1:30pm-4:00pm (Registration begins at 1:00pm)
Bata Shoe Museum * 327 Bloor St West
* Development prize does not confer production funding nor a broadcast license
Application forms and guidelines available beginning Tuesday September 11, 2007 at www.planetinfocus.org
2. Reminder – NLEN Member Support Program
Hello Members,
As we all move into the fall season, and projects start gearing up again, keep in mind the NLEN Member Support Program!
The Member Support Program has been created to lend financial support to member groups that require assistance. The NLEN covers partial costs associated with attending workshops or conferences, planning events or producing educational or informational publications of our member groups. Check out the member groups section on our website at www.nlen.ca for more info.
* A Message for NLEN Members
This E-update is intended to announce your meetings and showcase your interests and events. Please send notices by Friday 10 a.m. as a paragraph with 12 point font, no bold/italics/underline/all caps, single spaced and left hand justified. Notices less than 200 words, and with no attachments, are best.
** A Message to Readers of the NLEN E-update
Attempts are made to cover a range of environmental issues and events. You are welcome to contribute information by Friday 10 a.m. At this time not all submissions are guaranteed.
*** What is the NLEN about?
The NLEN (www.nlen.ca) is a network of more than 30 member groups and associates throughout the province. The goal of the NLEN is to facilitate communication between non-government environmental organizations, and assist members with initiatives through non-advocacy means. Member groups operate to conserve, protect or restore the Earth’s ecosystem through action, education; stewardship and/or modeling ecologically sound ways of life. All provinces and the Yukon have environmental networks funded by the Canadian Environment Network. Visit CEN /RCEN at www.cen-rce.org.
The NLEN recognizes the link between environment and health and therefore is a member of the Environmental Health Working Group of the Provincial Wellness Advisory Council as well as a member of the Wellness Coalition – St. John’s Region and a member of its’ Healthy Environments Sub-Committee.
The NLEN is located on the third floor of the Environmental Gathering Place, sharing space with 5 environmental groups including: Protected Areas Association, www.paanl.org; Northeast Avalon Coastal Action Program, www.naacap.ca; Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society-NL, www.cpawsnl.org ; and the Atlantic Canada Sustainable Energy Coalition.
**** For information about the environment, NLEN mandate and membership, or this E-update (comments, contributions, subscribe, unsubscribe, preference for E-update with NO attachments) contact:
Executive Director, NL Environment Network
nlen.general@gmail.com
ph:709-753-7898, fx:709-726-2764
The Environmental Gathering Place
172 Military Road – PO Box 5125, Stn. C,
St. John’s, NL, A1C 5M3
—
Katie Temple
Executive Director
ph: 709-753-7898, fx:709-726-2764
Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network, www.nlen.ca
Located at the Environmental Gathering Place
172 Military Road
P.O.Box 5125, Stn.C
St. John’s, NL
A1C 5M3
The NLEN is a member of the Wellness Coalition – St. John’s Region and recognizes the link between environment and health. The NLEN also recognizes the link between environment and adventure tourism. All provinces and the Yukon have Environment Networks, funded by the Canadian Environment Network.