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Manitoba Finance Minister Rosanne Wowchuk responded that switching bipole routes would delay hydroelectric megaprojects in Manitoba's north and jeopardize lucrative power deals.

McFadyen has repeatedly vowed that if his party forms government in the October 4, 2011 Manitoba election, he will cancel the longer western route in favour of building the bipole line east of Lake Winnipeg.

In late 2007 the governing NDP directed Manitoba Hydro to build down the west side to protect pristine boreal forest on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. A World Heritage Site nomination is being proposed for about one fifth of these boreal lands.

Manitoba Hydro president Bob Brennan said the environmental licence application for Bipole III will be filed in fall 2011, perhaps after the October 4 election. The new estimated cost for the bipole project is $3.28 billion.

Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972, WED marks the first meeting of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, in Stockholm June 5-16 1972.

The 2011 theme, 'Forests: Nature at Your Service', underscores the intrinsic link between quality of life and the health of forests and forest ecosystems, while also supporting the 2011 UN International Year of Forests.

Thousands of events will be taking place around the globe, emphasizing how individual actions have exponential impact, with activities ranging from school tree-planting drives to community clean-ups, car-free days, photo competitions on forests, bird-watching trips, city park clean-up initiatives, exhibits, green petitions, nationwide green campaigns and much more.

Anyone can register an event on the WED website. Each of these individual actions, when taken collectively, will go a long way to securing important forests services for generations to come.

To participate, simply upload your photo into a blue wave avatars, and include a message about water if you're so inclined. For every seat that's filled in the stadium, RBC will donate $1 to the World Wildlife Fund, up to $100,000, so the WWF-Canada can protect water, the world's most precious natural resource.

The RBC Blue Water Project is a 10-year, $50 million global commitment to protect freshwater. Launched in 2007, this is the most ambitious philanthropic program in RBC's history. RBC has pledged more than $28 million in charitable grants to 400+ organizations around the world. The fund promotes responsible water use with employees and clients, and supports initiatives that encourage growth of water-related businesses.

"If the Japanese can pull it together in the midst of a devastating natural disaster, then I don't know what excuse the government of Canada could have for failing to produce it on time," said Graham Saul, Executive Director of Climate Action Network Canada.

The data, which is required annually, but reports 2009 emissions, allows government officials and scientists to measure progress in reducing pollution, and whether individual countries are meeting their Kyoto Protocol targets.

The Canadian data was finally released May 18, 2011, and shows that Canada had reduced its overall emissions by 6%, resulting from plant closures due to the economic recession, and a lessened reliance on coal.

Canadian emissions, however, have grown faster than in any other G8 country that signed Kyoto, and remain 23% above our 2012 Kyoto commitment (of 6% below 1990 levels).

Emissions solely from Canada's oilsands grew by 40% between 2005 and 2009.

Nearly half the emissions reduction are due to three Manitoba large emitters:

1. Hudson Bay smelter in Flin Flon, Manitoba was shut down, reducing emissions by 185,190 tonnes;
2. The Brandon, Manitoba Hydro Electrical Generating Station ceased using coal, reducing emissions by 299,742 tonnes;
3. TransCanada Pipeline near Rapid City, Manitoba reduced emissions by 159,162 tonnes.
4. Tembec mill, powered by coal and natural gas, also shut down in 2009.

In 2008, the Manitoba government legislated its Kyoto goal - a 6% reduction in emissions below 1990 levels must be met by December 31, 2012. Manitoba's 2009 emissions are still nearly 10% above 1990 levels.

Manitoba Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie admitted it will be a challenge for Manitoba to meet its Kyoto target, stating: "We won't get there incrementally. We're likely going to need to make some significant changes. We're going to need some big ideas."

GHG emissions data for Manitoba for other high emission sectors is still based on estimates and projections.

A May 2011 Duke University study found that methane levels in private water wells are, on average, 17 times higher when within 1,000 yards of a natural gas drilling site. The study was instantly criticized by the natural gas industry, citing lack of baseline reference data. Ironically, however, the natural gas companies have much of the needed baseline data, but refuse to release it. "I asked them for the data and they wouldn't share it," said Robert Jackson, one of the Duke study authors.

Several other recent reports have warned of the dangers of natural gas fracking. A March 2011 Cornell University Study estimated the greenhouse gas emissions associated with fracked gas are 20% to 50% higher than emissions from coal. A January 2011 research study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency showed that methane releases from the hydraulic fracturing of shale gas were 9,000 times higher than previously reported.

The release of the studies could immediately shape the increasingly intense public debate over drilling and hydraulic fracturing. France is on track to be the first country to ban hydraulic fracking. Quebec implemented a partial ban, pending further study, following recommendations of a government commissioned report. A provincial review of fracking is scheduled in Nova Scotia.

"It is a fabric device that you fill with sand and it amounts to an artificial reef," says Tom Farrell who is the Reeve of the RM of Victoria Beach, who said he learned about this technique searching the internet.

Stuart Juzda, a local resident who is in favour of erosion control, but is worried about the impact on the public beach, remains sceptical of the new technique. "You don't simply do research on the internet to see whether or not it's worth attempting," says. "Rather you actually take a serious look at the project itself before you spend the money."

The municipality is hiring consultants to design and construct the aggradation project, and plan to create a community shoreline advisory committee to hold public meeting on shoreline erosion control structures, beach preservation and related issues. Manitoba Water Stewardship’s Shoreline Erosion Technical Committee will monitor to evaluate the project’s success.

Erosion of the shoreline has become a contentious subject at the resort area, about 100 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg. A controversial proposal to a build a massive rock erosion barrier along the King Edward and Alexander beaches was shelved following public outcry, and replaced with a temporary erosion barrier. The province had to issue a stop-work order against a controversial rock wall being built by a group of cottagers along Arthur Beach, and the matter is now before the Courts.

In Winnipeg, the Living Prairie Museum is partnering with schools to plant pockets of butterfly gardens. Each garden will have at least ten indigenous tall grass prairie plant species beneficial to butterflies and caterpillars.

In addition, Winnnipeg and area gardeners can purchase native prairie plants to their yards from the Living Prairie Museum, located at 2795 Ness Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Saturday May 21 & Sunday May 22 from 10am-4pm, and every Sunday till June 26 between 12-4pm.

The United Nations proclaimed May 22 International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) in 1993 to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues, and to commemorate the adoption of the text that formed the Convention on Biological Diversity. The 2011 theme for Biodiversity Day is Forest Biodiversity to coincide with the United Nations declared 2011 International Year of Forests.

During 2010 two new parks were established in natural region 1a, for a combined total of 610,260 hectares of new protected lands and waters. A small addition totaling 1600 hectares was made in the transition of Birch island from Park Reserve to Park.

"While we saw two new protected areas established during 2010, Manitoba's forested boreal regions continue to lack protected areas. And there continues to be no new protected lands in the scope of the future world heritage site on the east side. 2010 was another year when the work plan for intended new protected areas was not fulfilled," commented Gaile Whelan Enns, director of Manitoba Wildlands.

Release of the Protected Areas Audit is followed by the annual protected areas grade for Manitoba.

"Canada should recognize that clean, drinkable water and sanitation are basic human rights," said Amnesty International Canada Secretary General Alex Neve.

"The United Nations has already recognized water and sanitation as a human right, which means that every government must now come up with a plan of action based on the 'obligation to respect, protect and fulfill' these rights," said Council of Canadian chairperson Maude Barlow.

AFN National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo stated: "First Nations have inherent rights to water in their traditional territories and these rights were never given up. First Nation leaders have called for Canada to respect the Aboriginal and Treaty right to clean drinking water and want to work in partnership with the government on this priority, consistent with the principles of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples."

"The company and the Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board have given us little information. What we do know is that the health of our community is at stake," said Lubicon Chief Steve Nosky. In the wake of the disaster First Nations across Canada have expressed their solidarity with the people of Little Buffalo.

"We need immediate action and we are also calling for an independent investigation into this incident. We have a responsibility to protect Mother Earth and the traditional hunting and trapping territories of First Nations. This is a clear demonstration as to why we need plans in place to deal with future disasters," said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo.

Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus stated: "The Dene have always been fearful of a possible break in a pipeline such as this. Therefore the Dene Nation will support the Lubicon Cree Nation and will continue to follow and monitor this environmental catastrophe."

"What this demonstrates is that oil pipelines will break and leak. Clearly this will add to the immense opposition from northern BC residents who agree that the risks of Enbridge's Northern Gateway Pipeline project are not worth sacrificing the environment or local communities," stated Carrier Sekani Tribal Council Chief David Luggi.

Moving Planet is a worldwide rally to demand solutions to the climate crisis—a single day to move away from fossil fuels.

On September 24th, 2011 people in countries literally all around the world will organize thousands of events with a common theme: moving the world beyond fossil fuels.

In Sao Paolo, Brazil hundreds of activists will "take back" a viaduct that is locally notorious as a symbol of bad auto-centric traffic planning.

In Johannesburg, South Africa, youth will join hands with trade union members and call for an end to coal mining and jobs training programs for transitioning miners.

Check out the Moving Planet map to see if there's an event planned near you—and, if not, plan one. Come on bike, on skates, on a board, or just on foot. Come with your neighbors and your friends, your family and your co-workers. Come be part of something huge.