DARYN CAISTER:  Environment Minister Jim Prentice has signed an international agreement to join a new memorandum of understanding framed around continental protections for wilderness conservation. The signing of the agreement with the United States and Mexico came as Mr. Prentice complained that his conservative government has not received enough credit for its environmental credentials. These complaints stem partially from criticism at home over the conservative governments alleged foot dragging over climate change as well as international criticism largely from Europe. The agreement itself does not lay down any specific policies, but does outline a cooperative framework under which the three countries can start to work together to set aside large areas of undeveloped areas for conservation both on land and at sea. In the agreement there are also provisions for joint monitoring of the health of the protected areas as well as language around smoothing out cooperation efforts for mitigating climate change within the designated areas. Mr. Prentice spoke proudly at the meeting over a decision to expand the Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada, which will make the World Heritage site in the Northwest Territories the sixth largest national park in the world. [ index ]

SHAK HAQ:  This past Monday, Canada’s Ministry of the Environment announced over $400,000 in funding for four projects aiming to clean up the Detroit River Area of Concern. A total of 37 projects in the Great Lakes will receive funding from the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund this year, estimated to be around $2.2 million.

Jeff Watson, an MP for Essex, gave details of the LaSalle Riverfront Park Habitat Restoration project. The Essex Region Conservation Authority and the Town of LaSalle will use soft shoreline engineering techniques to restore a stretch of Detroit River Shoreline in a way that will create and enhance wetland and fish habitat. Irregular rock shoreline habitats will be built to encourage fish habitat.

Ray Renaud, Past Chair of the Essex Region Conservation Authority stated, “The LaSalle Riverfront Park Fish Habitat Restoration Project will provide important habitat for a large number of the 60 or so fish species that inhabit the Detroit River. This will complement similar projects completed throughout the Area of Concern…Additional projects focused on water quality and habitat improvements will be undertaken in the Area of Concern and across the region, thanks to the support of the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund.”

Using the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund, the Government of Canada is partnering with provincial and local governments and community organizations to help clean up the 15 Canadian Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes Basin. The fund supports environmental restoration activities in three priority areas: fish and wildlife habitat rehabilitation and stewardship, contaminated sediment assessment and remediation, and innovative approaches to improve municipal wastewater effluent quality. [ index ]

DARYN CAISTER:  The federal government has appointed a Supreme Court judge to look into the British Colombia salmon collapse earlier this year. Judge Cohen, has been a supreme court judge since 1987 and has a history of working with sustainable development and environmental issues. Judge Cohen has been granted sweeping powers by the federal government to get to the bottom of the crisis including the ability to call witnesses and have access to any necessary information and documentation. The crisis came after the BC salmon run was expected to be in excess of 10 million fish at the beginning of the season, and the resulting count was less than 1 million. The appointment came after much public outcry inside BC and beyond, including fisherman and local indigenous tribes who have had to shut down much of their fishing catch for the season. Within the mandate, Judge Cohen will investigate the “causes for the decline of Fraser River sockeye salmon including, but not limited to, the impact of environmental changes along the Fraser River, marine environment conditions, aquaculture, predators, diseases, water temperature and other factors.” Representatives from the BC Fisheries Survival Coalition, who were one of the groups petitioning for the inquiry, said in response to the announcement that they hope the inquiry leads to sweeping changes. A group representative said that they hope that the fisheries management system become an accountable system that is based on science rather than politics. Judge Cohen has been instructed to provide a preliminary report by August of 2010, and will provide a full report by May of 2011. [ index ]

SHAK HAQ: The Government of Canada will invest up to 77.75 million over seven years to support the production of ethanol in Saskatchewan. The investment will also go towards sustaining job creation and stimulating the economy.

Ray Boughen, MP for Palliser announced that the ecoENERGY for Biofuels program will provide the investment to Terra Grain Fuels’ ethanol facility to strengthen the Canadian renewable fuel industry. He said, “This investment is an example of how our Government is delivering results for families in Saskatchewan…This funding will help sustain local jobs and economic opportunities, while contributing to a healthier environment for all Canadians.”

Grain-based ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40 per cent on a life-cycle basis when compared to gasoline. With biodiesel, the emissions reduction can be as much as 60 percent.

Over nine years, the Government of Canada plans to invest up to $1.5 billion through the ecoENERGY for Biofuels program. As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan they are also committing $1 billion for the Clean Energy Fund and $1 billion for the Green Infrastructure Fund. As renewable energy is becoming a key issue in Canadian politics, Natural Resources Minister, Lisa Raitt, recently hosted three national roundtables to discuss strategies for securing a strong energy economy for the future. [ index ]

DARYN CAISTER: Prominent Ontario politician George Smitherman has announced that he will be running for Mayor of Toronto during next years elections. The move has came as he announced he was stepping down as the Provincial Minister of Energy and Infrastructure to focus on the Mayoral race. Mr. Smitherman held a prominent role in provincial politics as one of the most visible and loudest members of Mr. McGuinty’s government. He was also one of the primary champions of Ontario’s new green energy act, and was formerly also the Minister of Health, deputy premier of Ontario and MPP for Toronto Centre. Mr. Smitherman now joins several other politicians who have either announced or are rumoured to be preparing to run for the office including councillors, Adam Giambrone, John Tory, Shelly Carroll, Michael Thompson, Denzil Minnan-Wong and former Winnipeg mayor Glen Murray. While some commentators are have been making much of Mr. Smitherman’s chances, his announcement has been clouded to some degree over accusations that he is abandoning his post as Energy Minister before the real impact of his policies come to fruition. Among them has been a proposed massive deal with Samsung Electronics to make a huge investment into Ontario’s blossoming wind energy market that some say will but too much of Ontario’s green energy job creation plans in one basket. Mr. Smitherman also avoided any public blame for the eHealth scandal earlier this year which he was largely overseeing in his position as Health Minister which saw his successor, David Caplan resign. Aside from the official announcement Mr. Smitherman has not been available for much public comment since the announcement. [ index ]

SHAK HAQ:  Environment Minister Jim Prentice has established what the press calls a Climate Change War Room in an attempt to control the predicted negative media during the Copenhagen climate change conference.

Down the hall from the Environment Ministry’s offices, the War Room will have dozens of staff dealing with the media backlash from Canada’s continued obstruction of negotiations in Copenhagen.

Last week in Barcelona during preliminary negotiations, more than 400 environmental organizations at the conference declared Canada to be the most obstructionist country in the world.

John Bennett, Sierra Club Canada’s executive director, says, “This government turns everything into a partisan political event. Using Environment Canada staff this way is wrong and not what people I know there signed up to do…The minister is confused — the future of the planet is at stake, not the future of the government.”

Environment Canada and other departments usually temporarily reassign staff to work on climate negotiations, however this is the first time they are being used to combat media backlash in a War Room. [ index ]

DARYN CAISTER: Famous anti-tar sands activist Dr. John O’Connor’s study results have come into question after a review of his findings. Dr. O’Connor gained international fame after he published a report in 2006 that’s seemed to show drastically increased cancer incidents for residents of Fort Chipewyan in Alberta living downstream from the tar sands development. A review of the findings by the Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons this year now seems to draw some doubt on his findings. The review was delayed by almost 2 years due to Dr. O’Connor refusing to submit his original clinical data according to the review board. The Alberta review board called Dr. O’Connor’s report “inaccurate” and “untruthful”, and concluded that Dr. O’Connor obstructed efforts by the Alberta Cancer Board and Health Canada to investigate his claims. While there is currently no public evidence that Dr. O’Connor submitted fraudulent data, it does call into question his findings, including apparently not being able to verify all of the reported cancer cases that his paper reports. Dr. O’Connor now lives and works in Nova Scotia, and said that he is in good standing with the medical college, he is however refusing to discuss his original findings with the media, which according to an agreement with the college, prohibits anyone else from fully disclosing his original clinical data either at this time. Dr. O’Connor also pointed out that discrepancies with his data do not overshadow his report’s conclusions. Local supporters and environmental groups however are claiming that the review is the result of a “witch hunt” against the doctor, and accuse the college and federal public health official of trying to smear Dr. O’Connor. Officials said that they had no intention of punishing Dr. O’Connor at this time as it would not “serve the public good”, but that they wish for the cases facts to be released, and that further advocacy in the future be fair and balanced. [ index ]

SHAK HAQ:  The Cape Jourimain Nature Centre in Bayfield, New Brunswick, received the Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award last week in Saint John. The award is one of several National Awards for Tourism Excellence, which represent the best of Canada’s tourism industry. The National Awards for Tourism Excellence, presented by the Globe and Mail, were developed in 2003 by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.

Sabine Dietz, executive director of CJNC, said, “This award recognizes that there is more to working towards sustainability than trying to be green…Our approach to sustainability permeates every aspect of our operations and we constantly ask questions about the sustainability of our actions, purchases, and choices. And all of this is reflected in our approach to education and outreach, on-site as well as off-site.”

The Nature Centre offers an opportunity to explore the area’s past and appreciate the delicate balance between humans and nature. Built on the principles of education, appreciation, and sustainability, the centre features a number of innovative green technologies that reduces its ecological footprint and the environmental effect of thousands of visitors.

The centre prides itself on practicing what it preaches. They ensure they purchase local and organic foods, support local artisans, and use less electricity and renewable resources such as solar panels.

This is not the first award for the CJNC. This past spring, the CJNC received a sustainable tourism award from Parks Canada on a provincial level. The centre also received the Premiers Award for Energy Efficiency to recognize the work of staff member Lois Nicholson, to reduce the centre’s energy usage. They were also named one of the top ten tourism attractions in New Brunswick this year by a panel of tourism experts. [ index ]

LEEANNE MACGREGOR:  Ocean researchers have realized some startling new facts about the growth rate of the Pacific garbage patch. First discovered 12 years ago in open ocean, far removed from any continent, the Pacific garbage patch is becoming a magnet for oceanographers. Heavy current in the area combines with slack winds to keep debris swirling in one giant, concentrated mass. Researchers have determined that the garbage patch has doubled in size in the last decade and is now two times the size of the state of Texas. The type of garbage found in gyres ranges from industrial plastic pieces and fishing buoys to land-based consumer garbage such as plastic water bottles and bags. The vast majority of the garbage mass, though, is small broken down pieces of plastic the size of a grain of rice. Scientists have shown that PCBs, DDT and other toxins are readily absorbed by the plastic particles, which are then eaten by fish and sea birds. Fish from the area tested positive for the same chemicals as that appeared in the plastic, raising concern about human consumption of fish. Oceanographers believe there are a total of five such ocean-litter gyres and increasingly, the plight of the world’s oceans is gaining mainstream attention. One project in California is trying to come up with a way to clean up the Pacific garbage gyre by turning plastic into biofuel.
 [ index ]

LEEANNE MACGREGOR:  The organization that monitors the population of Atlantic tuna fish was heavily critiqued this week as it held its annual meeting in Brazil. The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas or ICCAT is accused of setting fishing quotas too high and not paying enough attention to illegal fishing. Stocks of bluefin tuna are at an all time low of 15 percent of their 1970’s levels. ICATT has routinely set quotas above the amount set by its scientific advisors, – a fact that has prompted many in the European Union to call for a new regime in fishery policy, one guided by the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species. Conservation groups present at the ICCAT meetings are pushing for a zero quota of Atlantic Bluefin in order to let the fishery recover.

Also discussed at the ICCAT meetings is the threat that tuna fishing poses for albatrosses and other sea birds. The long line fishing method used to catch tuna produces a by-catch of Wandering Albatross. Wandering Albatross numbers have dropped by half since the 1960s and are considered a critically endangered species.
 [ index ]

LEEANNE MACGREGOR:  In environmental business news, South Korea has become the newest country to join the international carbon labelling scheme proposed by UK-based company, Carbon Trust. This week the Korean Ministry of Environment announced that it will begin introducing the carbon labelling scheme this year with the eventual completion of the program by 2011. Carbon labelling requires companies to audit the amount of carbon used in the production, distribution, usage, and disposal of their product and report this amount to the consumer by way of a label. Each subsequent year, companies must re-apply for a carbon label for their products showing that they have made gains in reducing the amount of carbon needed to produce their product inàorder to be re-issued the lael. Conscious consumers will then be able to determine whether or not to support a company based on the presence, (or absence), of a carbon label. South Korea is the world’s ninth largest emitter of carbon dioxide and is the eleventh largest exporter. Products from LG Electronics and Samsung are to be some of the first to utilize the carbon label. In 2008, Carbon Trust helped UK companies reduce their carbon emissions by 2.3 million tonnes. South Korea joins the US, China, and Qatar in introducing Carbon Trust product labelling. [ index ]

LEEANNE MACGREGOR:  The rate of Brazilian rainforest destruction this year is the lowest in twenty-one years. According to the latest figures, 7,000 square kilometres of forest has been harvested this year, – a figure down 45 per cent since last year. Some environmental groups say the drop in deforestation could be a result of the economic downturn and the decreased global demand for meat, soy, and timber. Brazilian officials say that the economy accounts for some of the decline but so does the government’s improved efforts to combat illegal logging operations. At the Copenhagen Climate Summit in a few weeks, Brazil plans to lay down a proposal for voluntary reductions in carbon emissions of between 38-42 per cent by 2020. Part of the strategy for a reduced carbon footprint is to decrease the rate of rainforest destruction by 80 per cent. [ index ]

TYLER IRVING: On Monday, BC Premier Gordon Campbell spoke to representatives of the province�s Independent Power Producers Association to reassure them that his government is committed to supporting green power development. However, his plans are attracting criticism on a number of fronts.

Campbell has been quite vocal about his intention to make BC a centre of green energy. To accomplish this, he has enacted a plan that will see BC Hydro buy more energy from independent renewable producers. These companies are largely wind power or controversial �run-of-river� projects, which withdraw water from mountain streams to run turbines.

Critics say that buying large amounts of privately produced power will drive up the cost of electricity. They were given encouragement by the BC Utilities Commission, which in July ruled that the government�s energy plan was not in the public interest, and that BC has enough generation capacity without buying large amounts of private power. Meanwhile, environmental activists worry that diverting mountain streams will have negative impacts on salmon runs.

Campbell has overruled the Utilities Commission and is forging ahead with his plan. At the meeting, he announced the creation of four government task forces that will study everything from carbon markets to electricity pricing to community engagement. The task forces will report to a new parliamentary committee which Campbell himself will chair. He expects the first reports to be delivered by January. As for BC Hydro itself, on Wednesday its long-time CEO Bob Elton stepped aside, leaving the organization leaderless at a time when it is facing sweeping changes in policy. [ index ]

DYLAN JERVIS: Auditor General Sheila Fraser released an audit on Tuesday that points the finger at the federal government for failing to enforce environmental regulations on First Nations reserve. Specifically, the audit notes that garbage often is not dumped in licensed landfill sites, and that there is no monitoring of water and air quality. Whereas in most places in the country, municipal and provincial governments oversee sewage and waste disposal, First Nations reserves are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government. However, Fraser�s report notes that the Indian and Northern Affairs Department has no idea how much solid waste is disposed of in 80 of the 135 reserves it directly oversees. One passage in the audit reads: �We found that the department neither promotes nor conducts significant surveillance on reserves to look for illegal dump sites or garbage burning and is not equipped to monitor compliance, conduct inspections, or enforce the regulations.” The audit also notes that fines are not stiff enough to prevent illegal dumping, and that there is not enough training to teach aboriginal people to manage their local environments or enforce the few rules that do apply. It further recommends that the Indian and Northern Affairs department close the regulatory gap and give aboriginal people more control over their local environment. [ index ]

TYLER IRVING: A report released last Friday by Hatch Management Consulting states that Ontario�s Green Energy Act could create $4.5 billion in value for the province. Most of that value will be realized by the companies that build renewable energy projects, but transmission companies and local distribution companies will also benefit.

The value will come from rules that guarantee renewable energy producers fixed prices for their electricity over a period of 20 years, as well as rules stating that new project proponents must source spend a significant proportion of their costs in Ontario.

While this is good news for the province�s battered job sector, the new projects can only go ahead if there is room in the Ontario electricity market for the new capacity. Furthermore, there is worrying evidence that some firms will be given special treatment. Last month, shortly after revealing the new rules, Energy Minister George Smitherman stipulated that a certain amount of the available capacity will be reserved for �renewable energy generating facilities whose proponents have signed a province-wide framework agreement with the Province.� Some think that is code for the Samsung group, who are in negotiations to set up a solar energy equipment manufacturing centre somewhere in southwestern Ontario. If the government is already bending the rules for its favourite projects, it could mean instability for other players in the market. [ index ]

DYLAN JERVIS: Federal Environment minister Jim Prentice traveled to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland on Friday to sign a Polar Bear conservation agreement. The agreement, between Canada, Nunavut, and Greenland almost slashes in half the number of bears able to be hunted in Nunavut from 105 per year, to less than 64 per year. This comes after Greenland has reduced its quota to 68 bears peryear. The �Memorandum of Understanding� between the three Governments addresses the Polar Bear hunt in the hunting areas shared by all parties, including Baffin Bay and Kane Basin. The agreement follows a National Roundtable on polar bears held earlier this year by Minister Prentice about how best to protect Canada�s 15,500 strong polar bear population. At the meeting, the need to form an agreement on managing shared polar bear subpopulations was identified as a high priority.  [ index ]

TYLER IRVING: On Monday, the government of Ontario revealed the design of the new green license plates it will start granting to owners of hybrid or electric vehicles next year. The plates feature green lettering on a white background with a picture of a trillium in the middle. The design was selected in an online vote between four possible choices. It received 47 percent of the 14,000 votes cast.

In addition to making fuel efficient cars more visible, the plates will entitle the bearers to a number of benefits. These will include the ability to take advantage of charging stations at GO Transit and other provincially operated parking lots, as well as reserved parking at the University of Toronto and some private companies, including Walmart Canada. They will also be able to access High Occupancy Vehicle lanes even if they are only carrying the driver.

Transport minister Jim Bradley says that the Ontario government wants one out of every 20 vehicles on Ontario�s be an electric vehicle by 2020. [ index ]

DYLAN JERVIS: The Ottawa citizen reports that some African Nations have expressed frustration at Canadian negotiators for delaying climate change progress talks in Barcelona, Spain. Mama Konate, the director of the West African country of Mali�s National Meteorological service and a negotiotator at the talks, finds Canada to be particularly silent, and not sufficiently active regarding problems with reducing emissions. African nations also staged a one-day protest at the Barcelona talks in response to the developed world�s refusal to make the deep cuts in CO2 emissions recommended by climate scientists. In the House of Commons, Environment Minister Jim Prentice defended Canada�s policies, arguing that these were the toughest international environmental negotiations that the nation had been involved in. Canada has currently set a target of reducing its emissions to roughly 1990 levels by 2020, though the Harper government has repeatedly delayed introducing regulations for this plan. In contrast, developing countries, which are also most affected by climate change, have called on the developed world to cut their emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2020. [ index ]

Naomi Jehlicka: Yesterday, the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works approved the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act on a vote of 11-1.
This bill provides for an economy-wide cap-and-trade carbon market.
It also aims to get tough on corporate pollution, create millions of jobs in the renewable energy sector, and reduce national dependency on foreign sources of energy.
Despite this victory for climate justice, the bill has a long way to go before it is placed in front of President Obama for signature or veto.
The legislation must first be debated, then passed by Congress, then passed by the House and Senate, and only then placed in front of President Obama, who has the power to either accept or reject the bill.
While an important step for America in the quest to reduce its environmental impact, the bill will most likely not be passed in time for the impending international climate change negotiations in Copenhagen this upcoming December.
The developments will be closely followed by the Green Majority in the months to come. [ index ]

Naomi Jehlicka: A report published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences lends evidence to the hypothesis that the glaciers on the largest mountain in Africa are melting due to climate change.
Scientists at Ohio State University predict that rising global temperatures could cause the glaciers on Africa�s highest peak to disappear within 25 years.
Through studying ice core samples, Dr. Thompson and his colleagues concluded that the glaciers are decreasing in size and thickness at accelerating rates, and that global warming is a major contributor to this happening.
The data collected by Dr. Thompson shows that 85 per cent of the ice that covered Kilimanjaro in 1912 melted by 2007, and that 26 per cent of the ice there in 2000 is now gone.
In addition to having an effect on the mountain�s biodiversity, the rapidly melting glaciers will also have a direct impact on the lives of people who make their homes near the base of the mountain.
The majestic glaciers draw between 30 to 40 thousand tourists each year and the government of Tanzania is wondering what will happen to the economy when the ice fields disappear and tourists come no more.
Curbing climate change is the only way to prevent the glaciers from melting into nonexistence, but this can only be accomplished through a strong and effective international climate change treaty. [ index ]

Naomi Jehlicka: On November the 3rd, delegates from all over the world met to discuss the status on Tiger protectionism at the 2009 Kathmandu Global Tiger Workshop.
The delegation of 250 experts, scientists and government officials found that immediate action is necessary to save the tigers from extinction.
To achieve this, the workshop urges the Convention on the International Trade for Endangered Species to implement a resolution related to tigers and to avoid financing development projects that adversely affect critical tiger habitats.
It also calls for increased protection against tiger poaching and trafficking in tiger parts.
As it stands, there are only about 3,200 tigers left in the wild and WWF�s goal is to double that number by 2022.
Implementing these measures is one way of getting there. [ index ]