Climate Change Connection – Update 148

(1) Western Manitoba Youth Conference on Climate Change
(2) JOB – Manitoba Eco-Network Youth Coordinator
(3) Green Map of Winnipeg’s Spence Neighbourhood
(4) NEWS – Scientists identify ‘tipping points’ of climate change
(5) Aboriginal Clean Energy Project Development Training Program
(6) News Release – Manitoba Designates Polar Bears As Threatened
(7) Greenhouse Gas Management in Manitoba – General Orientation Workshop

(1) Western Manitoba Youth Conference on Climate Change
http://www.climatechangeconnection.org/Getconnected/Youthconferences.htm
About the conference…
Today’s youth will inherit climate change. They will also inherit the habits and mindsets that led to climate change, unless they understand how greenhouse gas emissions – individual and societal – are created and how they can be reduced.
This year’s conference will address the key issues that contribute to global warming and explore global and local impacts of climate change. Experts on climate change, sustainable transportation, and consumerism will speak about trends and events here in Manitoba and around the world.
Conference details…
For all high schools in Western Manitoba
Date: March 13th, 2008
Time: 9:15 – 3:15
Location: Yellowhead Centre, Neepawa, Manitoba
To register for the conference…
Climate Change Connection is pleased to invite four S2-S4 students and one teacher (from each school) to the second Western Manitoba Youth Conference on Climate Change.
Registration forms and agendas can be viewed at http://www.climatechangeconnection.org/Getconnected/Youthconferences.htm.
For more information about the events, please contact Susan at susan@climatechangeconnection.org or 943-4836.
(2) JOB – Manitoba Eco-Network Youth Coordinator
http://www.mbeconetwork.org/jobs.php
Be a part of Manitoba’s Youth Environmental Movement!
As part of an initiative to create a network for environmental youth groups, Manitoba Eco-Network is hiring a part time Youth Coordinator for a contract position from March 1 until the end of April or mid-May and again from September to December 2008. The position may be extended dependent on funding. This person will help to connect environmentally-minded youth in local high schools and post-secondary institutions as well as youth who are actively engaged in existing environmental groups.
Qualifications:
This position requires a highly motivated and outgoing individual with the following skills:
– ability to work independently
– excellent written and oral communication skills
– ability to organize and coordinate events
– good computer skills, preferably including website maintenance
– ability to prepare and give presentations
Job Description
– Develop a contact list for Winnipeg high schools and university environmental groups
– Visit student groups and compile information about their activities and initiatives
– Promote information sharing between groups using online tools
– Organize a forum for youth groups to be held in October 2008.
A typical day might involve getting in touch with several environmental youth groups to find out information about their current activities and posting this information to the website. You might research resources for youth and distribute this information. You would call and confirm details regarding venue and speakers for a forum you are organizing. You might travel to a high school where a new student group is starting up and make a presentation about the benefits of joining the network.
The positions is for 10 hours per week at $12 per hour.
Deadline for applications is February 22 at 4 pm.
Please submit a cover letter and resume to:
Manitoba Eco-Network.
3rd Floor, 303 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 1L9
info@mbeconetwork.org
Fax: 204-989-8476
When submitting applications by email, please include “Youth Coordinator” in the subject line.
We thank all those who apply for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
(3) Green Map of Winnipeg’s Spence Neighbourhood
http://greenmap.mbeconetwork.org/
On February 7th, the Manitoba Eco-Network and the Spence Neighbourhood Association (SNA) launched a Green Map for the Spence Neighbourhood. The purpose of a Green Map is to promote sustainability and community participation in the natural and built environment. The map highlights ecologically and socially significant places within Winnipeg’s Spence Neighbourhood. Over 70 destinations have been identified! The map can be view at the Spence Neighbourhood Association office at 615 Ellice Avenue and at 430 Landside the Magnus Eliaison Recreation Centre. You can also view that map at http://greenmap.mbeconetwork.org/maps/spence-neighbourhood.
The map and the directories that you find on this site are works in progress and individuals are encourage and invited to place nominations, as well as corrections/updates to destinations selected. To nominate a destination, visit the Get Involved section of the website (http://greenmap.mbeconetwork.org/suggestions/how-to-get-involved).
(4) NEWS – Scientists identify ‘tipping points’ of climate change
The Independent | Steve Connor | Science Editor | February 5th, 2008
Nine ways in which the Earth could be tipped into a potentially dangerous state that could last for many centuries have been identified by scientists investigating how quickly global warming could run out of control.
A major international investigation by dozens of leading climate scientists has found that the “tipping points” for all nine scenarios – such as the melting of the Arctic sea ice or the disappearance of the Amazon rainforest – could occur within the next 100 years.
The scientists warn that climate change is likely to result in sudden and dramatic changes to some of the major geophysical elements of the Earth if global average temperatures continue to rise as a result of the predicted increase in emissions of man-made greenhouse gases.
Most and probably all of the nine scenarios are likely to be irreversible on a human timescale once they pass a certain threshold of change, and the widespread effects of the transition to the new state will be felt for generations to come, the scientists said.
“Society may be lulled into a false sense of security by smooth projections of global change. Our synthesis of present knowledge suggests that a variety of tipping elements could reach their critical point within this century under anthropogenic [man-made] climate change,” they report in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The study came out of a 2005 meeting of 36 leading climate scientists who drew on the expertise of a further 52 specialists. It is believed to be the first time that scientists have attempted to assess the risks of what they have termed “tipping elements” in the Earth’s climate system.
The nine elements range from the melting of polar ice sheets to the collapse of the Indian and West African monsoons. The effects of the changes could be equally varied, from a dramatic rise in sea levels that flood coastal regions to widespread crop failures and famine. Some of the tipping points may be close at hand, such as the point at which the disappearance of the summer sea ice in the Arctic becomes inevitable, whereas others, such as the tipping point for the destruction of northern boreal forests, may take several more decades to be reached.
While scenarios such as the collapse of the Indian monsoon could occur within a few years, others, such as the melting of the Greenland ice cap or the West Antarctic ice sheet, may take several centuries to complete. “Our findings suggest that a variety of tipping elements could reach their critical point in this century under human-induced climate change,” said Professor Timothy Lenton, of the University of East Anglia, who led the study.
A tipping point is defined as the point where a small increase in temperature or other change in the climate could trigger a disproportionately larger change in the future. Although there are many potential tipping points that could occur this century, it is still possible to avoid them with cuts in greenhouse gases, said Professor Lenton.
He added: “But we should be prepared to adapt … and to design an early-warning system that alerts us to them in time.”
Irreversible changes
* Arctic sea ice: some scientists believe that the tipping point for the total loss of summer sea ice is imminent.
* Greenland ice sheet: total melting could take 300 years or more but the tipping point that could see irreversible change might occur within 50 years.
* West Antarctic ice sheet: scientists believe it could unexpectedly collapse if it slips into the sea at its warming edges.
* Gulf Stream: few scientists believe it could be switched off completely this century but its collapse is a possibility.
* El Niño: the southern Pacific current may be affected by warmer seas, resulting in far-reaching climate change.
* Indian monsoon: relies on temperature difference between land and sea, which could be tipped off-balance by pollutants that cause localised cooling.
* West African monsoon: in the past it has changed, causing the greening of the Sahara, but in the future it could cause droughts.
* Amazon rainforest: a warmer world and further deforestation may cause a collapse of the rain supporting this ecosystem.
* Boreal forests: cold-adapted trees of Siberia and Canada are dying as temperatures rise.
To view original document visit http://www.pnas.org/cgi/reprint/0705414105v1.
(5) Aboriginal Clean Energy Project Development Training Program
http://www.cier.ca/taking-action-on-climate-change/current-initiatives.aspx?id=64&linkidentifier=id&itemid=64
Five scholarships for registration fees are available for the Aboriginal Clean Energy Project Development Training Program. Include a cover letter/email requesting consideration for the scholarship with your registration.
The Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER), Lumos Energy and the Aboriginal Clean Energy ACE Network have joined forces to provide a one-day training program for Aboriginal Leaders interested in developing a clean energy project on their lands. The course runs February 27, 2008 in Toronto, ON following a two-day conference, Opportunities to Develop Renewable Energy Projects with Aboriginal Communities, Industry and Government Partnerships.
The course provides training and guidance to First Nations, Aboriginal, and northern community leaders with the desire to develop a clean energy project and assist them to develop the set of characteristics and skill necessary todo so. Appropriate support tools and resources are also provided.
(6) News Release – Manitoba Designates Polar Bears As Threatened
February 7, 2008
– – –
Greater Protection for One of Manitoba’s Most Unique Species: Struthers
Effective today, polar bears will be recognized as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, Conservation Minster Stan Struthers announced today.
“We must continue to take action to protect one of our province’s most unique species which is clearly being affected by climate change,” said Struthers. “This builds on the listing two years ago of the woodland caribou as threatened under the Manitoba Endangered Species Act.”
Declaring the polar bear a threatened species will further ensure its protection, along with its habitat on both Crown and privately-owned land, said Struthers. The new listing provides the ability to restrict development near critical habitat along the Hudson Bay coastline in Manitoba.
Significant changes that are impacting polar bears and their surroundings include:
– changes in Arctic sea ice breakup which is critical for polar bear survival,
– earlier spring breakup and a longer ice-free period on Hudson Bay for the western Hudson Bay sub-population shared between Manitoba and Nunavut,
– a 22 per cent decline in the overall western Hudson Bay sub-population to just 935 bears in 2004, and
– a steady decline in polar bear hardiness and reduced survival of cubs.
In 2002, the provincial government introduced the Polar Bear Protection Act, which regulates the capture, holding and export of live polar bears. There are also stronger regulations under a new Resource Tourism Operators Act, which established fines and stricter licensing regulations for outfitters and ecotourism operators, some of who work in these sensitive habitats.
The minister also noted Polar Bear International announced in December 2006 it was relocating its world headquarters to Manitoba. The move strengthened co-operative efforts with
Partners in the Park to increase education and research on polar bears in the Hudson Bay region.
“Dramatic climate changes to polar bear habitat continue to be researched and documented by scientists from around the world here in Manitoba,” Struthers said. “Our government will continue to lead the way in aggressively implementing our climate-change plan to help protect the polar bear and recognize that by ensuring its future health, we are ensuring the well being of all Manitobans.”
(7) Greenhouse Gas Management in Manitoba – General Orientation Workshop
Calculating, tracking and reporting GHG reductions stemming from programs managed by government departments, crown corporations and industry.
The Government of Manitoba, the Canadian Climate Exchange and the Canadian Standards Association are working together to develop and implement the Manitoba Climate Action Portal. The Portal will assist the Government in meeting its GHG emission reduction target. Through its registries, the Portal will help Manitoba departments, crown corporations, business and other entities calculate, track and report emission reductions/removals, thereby improving Manitoba’s GHG inventory.
This workshop will help participants understand the basics of calculating, tracking and reporting emission reductions/removals stemming from GHG programs and projects. It will begin with an overview of “Greenhouse Gas Management Essentials”, followed by details of the upcoming Manitoba Climate Action Portal. Participants will learn more about a proposed two track approach to calculate, track, register and report emission reductions/removals through the use of:
* ISO 14064 greenhouse gas (GHG) quantification & verification standards and registry for larger
projects; or
* A streamlined approach to report and register emission reductions associated with broad-based
programs.
A cross-section of relevant GHG project examples will be provided for illustration purposes. Upon completion of the workshop, participants will have a better understanding of the Manitoba Government’s current approach to climate change, and GHG programs and projects that may be explored to materially improve Manitoba’s GHG Inventory.
One-day Workshop – $350
Date: March 4th, 2008
To register or for more information call 1-800-463-6727 or seminars@csa.ca.
Susan J. Lindsay
Project Manager
Climate Change Connection
3rd Floor, 303 Portage Avenue
R3B 2B4
Tel: 204-943-4836
Fax: 204-989-8476
www.climatechangeconnection.org