DARYN CAISTER: Ottawa has announced its plans to push ahead with dramatic increases in the production of grain based ethanol production in Canada, despite growing international controversy over the un-measured land use issues surrounding the practice. Environment Minister Jim Prentice received cabinet approval this week to proceed with new regulations requiring refiners to include at least 5% ethanol in their gasoline, similar to current Ontario regulations, by 2010 nationwide. The main issue that is being debated is the frequently un-calculated loss of carbon dioxide absorption abilities of un-farmed natural land that is lost due to the expansion of farmland to produce the fuel as well as other secondary carbon effects. Ottawa currently claims that the program of grain-based biofuels would reduce emissions in Canada by 40%, however these calculations do not include many secondary impact considerations such as those caused by land-use issues. Recently, the US federal government, and the California State government have said that full impact assessments have shown emissions from ethanol programs can be just as dirty as unmixed gasoline depending on the methodologies and practices used by producers, the fuel sources used, and the time periods which are used in measurements. When questioned by Canadian media on the issues of ethanol regulations this week this week, a spokesman from Mr. Prentices office said the minister had “nothing to announce”. Also weighing in on the issue in response to the announcement this week was the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, which said that the new mandate will help drive investment and innovation in Canada that would help to improve both capacity and the efficiency of the biofuel production cycle. Various studies done on the impact of grain based fuel additive programs in Canada and the US have shown vast ranges of impacts across both net positive and net negative results depending on methodology, and the issue is still up for debate. Only certain at this point is the fact that due to the new decision the Canadian biofuels is set to receive a significant boost due to the ruling and may increase production in Canada by 50% in the near future according to federal estimates. [ index ]

CHRIS BERUBE: The BC election took place on Tuesday, ensuring that this will be our last major story on that issue. The BC Liberals won easily in the seat count, picking up 49 seats compared to the BC NDP’s 36. The Liberals picked up 46% of the popular vote, compared the NDP’s 42%. The BC Green Party failed to win a seat, but did pick up 8% of the popular vote. The Greens did not even finish second place in any ridings, and a distant third in Esquimalat Royal Road, where party leader Jane Sterk had been hoping to pick up a seat of her own. Following the vote, the BC NDP has vowed to go through a full scale policy review to see where they can gain a greater connection to voters. Among the policies up for review is certainly their opposition to the provincial carbon tax, which made the party deeply unpopular among environmentalists in the province, many of when worked together as part of a Anbody But James campaign to stop the NDP leader from becoming Premier over her opposition to the tax. However, for all of the discussion on the environment throughout the campaign, in the end, exit polls show that most voters were much more concerned with the state of the provincial economy than the carbon tax or other environmental policies. In the end, over 70% responded that the economy was their number one issue in most post election polling. This may explain the collapse of the Green Party who polled lower this election than during the federal campaign in the province. In her defeat, Sterk also made reference to another vote that took place during the BC election that could have even great consequences for small parties in the province. BC overwhelmingly voted down a proposal to introduce proporational representation in the province. Only 7 of 58 ridings, and 38% of British Columbians voted in favour of the proposal, which would have added additional seats to the BC legislature for smaller parties who did not win an appropriate number of seats compared to their popular vote. The proposal gained far less approval than when it was first introduced in 2004, and garnered over 50% of the popular vote, but not enough to reach the 60% threshold set by the province. [ index ]

CHRIS BERUBE: As for the much discussed carbon tax, many were wondering after the election is Gordon Campebell’s reelection will give the policy new life on the national stage. However, a poll of Canadians performed this week by Harris Decema reveals that while 49% of Canadians are in favour of a carbon tax, only 42% would be in favour of a proposal like that of BC’s, where the tax also applies to oil, gas, and home heating prices. Oddly, support for the tax was lowest in BC, where less than 40% of respondants said they had an favourable opinion of the tax – this is lower than Alberta, who are at roughly 40% support. Quebec showed the highest level of support for the concept, at nearly 60%. [ index ]

DARYN CAISTER: Canada may be drawn into another UN battle over territorial rights, this time from France. The primary source of the dispute is over sub-ocean oil and gas mining rights off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. France filled a letter of intent with the United Nations to lay claim over a huge part of the Atlantic Ocean seabed, in what could become another bitter territorial dispute with foreign nation at is continues to fend of similar claims from countries such as Russia along is western and northern borders. Canada’s immediate response was one of dismissal as it pointed to an earlier 1992 ruling by the International Court of Arbitration with France over the same issue. At the time France did not push up much of a fight over the issues as it was currently primarily concerned with cod fishing rights in the North Atlantic Ocean, however due to massive fishing industry decline, and the collapse of many primary fish stocks the issues of the valuable mining opportunities have re-opened the issue in Frances eyes. Frances new claims would see its nautical boundary rights expanded a further 150 nautical miles past the current 200 mile boundary. While Canada maintains the previous ruling closes discussion of the matter, the International Court of Arbitration ruling is largely devoid of authority as the court itself is a voluntary court for settling disputes and does not necessarily mean that the two countries would not continue to dispute the matter even after a re-opening of the dispute in court which Canada has made clear it is not interested in revisiting. [ index ]

CHRIS BERUBE: Renowned ape researcher Jane Goodall has joined in the increasing chorus of voices opposing BC’s trophy hunt of grizzly and black bears. Says Goodall, “To learn now that the government continues to allow the sport hunt of grizzly bears and even the rare coastal black bear that carries the recessive gene that allows the spirit bear to exist is shocking.” Goodall made her address in a YouTube video posted on a channel dedicated to fighting for the abolition of the bear hunt, which takes place each year in the somewhat ironically named Great Bear Rainforest, which stretches from just north of Vancouver to just below Alaska. While the population of grizzlies in BC is fairly stable, conservation groups claim that of the 430 grizzlies killed in 2007, over 80% were for trophy hunting. This is particularly controversial given that the many of the bears in the area are the kermode bear, a white bear known to the Haida Nation aboriginal population as a ‘spirit bear’, who for them carries deep ancestral importance as the possessors of historical tribal knowledge. The Haida Nation aboriginals have actually been in trouble with the BC government in the past year for harassing hunters seeking out the great kermode bear specifically due to its rarity. Environment Minister Barry Penner had recently announced that he would set up a protected area for bears in the province, including 470,000 additional hectares in the next ten years. However, Penner’s hectares are largely within the area around the Greater Vancouver Area, and does not protect the island to which the Spirit Bears are indigenous. Hunting groups such as the BC Wildlife Federation say they will continue to fight the restrictions to hunting in court, saying it is part of their lifestyle, and should not be tampered with by the government. They filed an injunction to get the restiction zone in place on hunting last year that has been so far unsuccessful. [ index ]

DARYN CAISTER: Ecojustice and the Pembina Institute presented evidence this week against the federal government at the House of Commons Standing committee on Environment and Sustainable Development Hearing’s. The hearing’s which have been called the Oil and Water hearing’s feature the two Canadian environmental lobby and law groups attempting to make the case that the federal government has neglected Canadian laws by failing to protect the environment by controlling in part, the production and expansions of the Alberta tar sands. Simon Dyer, the Tar Sands Program Director at the Pembina Institute said quote “Their failure to act has created severe risks, ranging from contamination by leaking tailings lakes to the collapse of fisheries. Ironically, this unchecked development even threatens the future of the oil sands mining industry itself.” The specific accusations against the federal government are that they have failed to protect the water flows of the Athabasca River, and that they failed to address the issues of toxic leaks from the massive tailings ponds which now rival the size of the city of Vancouver. They also accuse the government of failing to provide adequate oversight and involvement in environmental monitoring and management for tar sands development by deferring to the Alberta government which stands to gain from tar sands profits. Part of the presentation by Ecojustice and the Pembina Institute will include the results from studies they and other Canadian environmental groups have done showing a variety of detrimental effects from the tar sands projects. These studies concluded in part that over 529 million cubic meters of water per year is expected to be drawn from the Athabasca River, of which less than 10% is returned to the river. Other studies show that it takes about 2 to 4.5 barrels of fresh water to produce 1 barrel of bitumen, and that the process produces about 1.5 barrels of toxic tailings for each barrel of unprocessed bitumen. While Ecojustice and the Pembina Institute have said that they remain optimistic for the trial to produce a positive outcome for Canadian environmental policy, the case is far from over and we will continue to keep you updated as events unfold in the case. [ index ]

DARYN CAISTER: Greenpeace and the European Renewable Energy Council released a new report in Ottawa, tailored to show Canadian policy makers that energy sustainability and security are not mutually exclusive. The report, entitled “Energy [R]evolution: A Sustainable Canada Energy Outlook”, concludes that the imidiate implementation of currently available green technologies could reduce the carbon dioxide emissions by the Canadian energy sector by 45% below 1990 levels by 2020, and by 82% by 2050. The report was modeled by the German Aerospace Agency, and was researched and prepared by Greenpeace sought to take an in depth look at current Canadian-specific solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while maintaining economic growth for the next century without coal or nuclear power. Sven Teske, the Greenpeace International’s Director of Renewable Energy spoke at a press conference in Ottawa for the presentation of the document, saying quote “We have the technology and we have the blueprint, now Canada needs the political leadership”. Some of the notable calculations from the report include a $5.9 billion dollar projected annual reduction in Canadian’s energy bills by 2020, and a minimum load of 25% of renewable energy mix by 2020 and a 50% mix by 2050 up from a current country total of about 15%. In addition to a country wide audit of power production, the report concludes that a national aggressive energy efficiency campaign could theoretically reduce primary energy demand by 50% by 2050. While many other outlooks for future greenhouse gas emissions have been produced, this report is significant as one of the first major energy policy analyses that has been produced an in-depth Canada specific policy briefing which includes such a thorough consideration for the Canadian economy. However the report and the methodology have not yet been independently verified by outside sources due to its recent release. [ index ]

CHRIS BERUBE: In brief this week, Canada has denounced the American Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to impose tarrifs on countries that produce unclean forms of energy. A bill, which originated from a recommendation by EPA director Lisa Jackson, will give the US power to use tariffs on all consumer goods to help combat countries exacerbating global warming through thier energy production – a move many Canadian energy leaders see as a blatant move to target the Albertan tar sands. Environment Minister Jim Prentice went before Congress to testify on the matter, saying that Canada would not work with the United States on greenhouse gas emissions reduction initiatives if they initiated a “hostile tax” such as this on Canada’s energy. This announcement comes only one week after it was leaked that Canada would oppose the plans put forward by the European Union for addressing worldwide emissions. Through his entire testimony on the matter, Environment Minister Prentice failed the mention anything about Canada’s own plan for reducing GHG emissions, or curbing emissions from the tar sands. [ index ]

CHRIS BERUBE: And also in brief, the city of Toronto has begun sucumbing to overtures from environmentalists to offer free parking for hybrid vehicles in an effort to encourage consumers to purchase more of them. The city has issued over four hundred parking passes for hyrbid vehicle owners in the city, and is encouraging others in the city to register for free parking service. Officials in the city say that it is unlikley that hybrids will get blanket free parking privileges throughout the city, as Toronto relies heavily on the $102 million collected annually from parking fees from drivers. The idea originates from Kelowna BC, which became the first municipality to offer free parking for hybrids in 2005. [ index ]

KATHERINE BROWN: The Chinese capital of Beijing will raise water prices within the next two months. Chinese officials say that the increase in price is absolutely necessary to conserve scarce freshwater supplies. The large population in China along with increased demands for industrial purposes has put huge pressure on China’s water resources. Wasteful irrigation projects and the pollution of underground water tables have also worsened the situation. In the last fifteen years, Beijing citizens have seen the price of water hiked up 10 times. As a result, there is increasing concern that the rising costs may limit the some of poorest in the city from accessing water—something that is essential for life. [ index ]

KATHERINE BROWN: The UN has agreed to phase out nine more persistent chemicals, after a meeting last week in Geneva. The nine pesticides and industrial chemicals join 12 substances that were targeted to be eliminated under the 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The newly banned chemicals include agricultural pesticides, pharmaceuticals, a flame retardant, and a chemical used in electric parts, firefighting foams, and stain removers. These chemicals have been associated with dysfunctions of the human endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems. They’ve also been known to cause various cancers and neuro-behavioural disorders. Once released, they can travel globally to contaminate the local environment as well as more remote regions. By adding 9 new chemicals to the list of hazardous pollutants, it’s hoped that the substances will eventually be eliminated from the global economy. For now, five of the nine chemicals are no longer being produced, and are fully banned from future use. The remaining 5 are to be phased out with a few exceptions in the years to come. [ index ]

KATHERINE BROWN: Many of the world’s most treasured fruits first came from the forests of Central Asia. Walnuts, apples, plums, and cherries, are among some of the fruits thought to have first come from the region. These forests have been described as a “biological Eden”—as they gave way to the very first apple tree. But these forests are threatened. In the past 50 years, an estimated 90 percent of these forests have been destroyed. In Central Asia, 44 tree species are close to extinction. The threats come from over-exploitation, human development, pests and diseases, overgrazing, desertification and fires. There is great concern for the rapidly disappearing forests—as they serve to be a vital storehouse of biodiversity. If we lose these forests, scientists fears that future food security may be jeopardized. Since the region provided the world with so many of our staple fruits, it’s where the original, wild species still grow. With a rapidly changing climate, we may need to look back to the source to find varieties of fruit that are better suited for new conditions. [ index ]

KATHERINE BROWN: Kenya is planning to set in place thousands of miles of electric fencing around its key national parks. It also plans to double the number of armed guards protecting the wildlife. This will be done to protect water resources and to stop deforestation. A drought has left more than five million people without food this year—putting increased pressure on existing freshwater supplies. Much of the water that’s in high demand– is found in Kenya’s national parks. For this reason, around 15,000 people live illegally in just one of the national reserves, Mau Park. In the past fifteen years, these illegal residents have been responsible for the destruction of just over a quarter of the forest in the park. This of course, has seriously harmed the ecosystem. So Kenya can only expect the conflict between humans and wildlife to escalate—climate change is set to increase the number of droughts. This will force more and more people to enter protected parks in search of food for animals and water. To avoid the harm to the environment that will come with new settlement, the Kenyan government is taking action to safeguard its biological resources through upping security around the parks. [ index ]