News

2,400 delegates from 180 nations met in Bonn, Germany for preparatory talks under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The meetings were intended to shorten the huge 200-page draft negotiating text outlining options for combating global warming.

The main stumbling blocks include level and source of financial support and scale of emission reductions. Poor countries want support for mitigation and adaptation to come from developed nations since they are historically responsible for climate change.

Industrialize countries have tabled emission reduction pledges of 15 to 21 percent below 1990 levels, which will not stop global warming from surpassing the critical 2 degree Celsius threshold.

The HGIMT website checklist determines your town's green efforts with a toolbox of program ideas and links to innovative solutions. Materials are divided into three sectors: local government, school system and business community.

The Columbia Institute offers a similar online resource tool for communities and local elected leaders in Canada. The Centre for Civic Governance supports community leadership to address social and environmental challenges through sharing best practices.

The Saskatchewan Environmental Society obtained data from the Saskatchewan government that shows average pH levels for rain and snow in the La Loche area, just west of Fort McMurray, Alberta, are 4.93. According to Environment Canada any value less than five falls under the definition for acid rain.

Alberta's oilands emit more than 150,000 tonnes nitrous oxide and sulfur dioxide, acid-rain-causing gases, every year. Increased soil acid damages tree roots and leaches nutrients too deep for plants to use. Sufficient acid rain kills all lake species.

Up to 70 percent of this oilsands air pollution crosses the provincial boundary. Canadian federal regulation and policy regulates acid rain, including acid rain from oilsands emissions.

The Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act requires Canada to prepare a Plan that describes the measures and policy actions taken to meet its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 6 percent below 1990 levels by 2010.

NRTEE reviewed "A Climate Change Plan for the Purposes of the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act - May 2009". NRTEE concluded that many of the emission reductions attributed to specific measures and policies are overestimated. The NRTEE also questions whether it was sufficient to rely on Canada's KPIA annual assessment approach with its short-term focus and unclear definitions.

• The majority of the world is living in peace with conflicts decreasing over the past decade
• Despite government and business leaders response to the global environmental situation, it continues to worsen
• The oceans are warming about 50 percent faster than the IPCC reported in 2007
• Arctic summer ice could be gone by 2030
• The world's energy demand could double by 2030 with China and India accounting for over half the increase
• Without major policy and technological changes, fossil fuels will meet 80% of primary energy demand by 2030
• The world's population is expected to grow from 6.7 billion to 9.2 billion by 2050

• Supporting emissions reduction targets of at least 25 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2020, in line with what scientists currently tell us is necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
• Insisting that any national system for regulating industrial greenhouse gas pollution has to be fair to all economic sectors and regions.
• Insisting that Canada do its fair share to help poor countries adapt to the impacts of climate change and adopt clean energy technology.

"Canadians want to be part of the solution to climate change. But citizens can't do it alone. They expect the premiers and Prime Minister to work constructively to ensure that Canada implements an effective climate action plan to reduce emissions with strong science-based targets," says Ian Bruce, climate change specialist with the David Suzuki Foundation.

Dr. Nina Pierpont, a leading New York pediatrician, studied 10 families living near wind farms. Most of the individuals developed a range of health illnesses, labeled as Wind Turbine Syndrome (WTS). Dr. Pierpont's full thesis is to be published in October.

The research found that low-frequency noise and vibrations emitted by wind turbines affect human vestibular system or ear bones, which are responsible for balance and spatial orientation. Dr. Pierpont recommends a minimum distance of 2 km between wind turbines and residences.

Previous research and acoustic engineers working for the wind industry have denied health risks. Governments in Denmark, Germany and France are moving towards building off-shore wind farms in response to concerns over potential health risks.

The public commenting period on the Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Natural Resources proposed requirements for the application, review and decision-making process for Renewable Energy Approvals ended July 24, 2009.

Groups raised concerns over the health effects of wind turbines. The MOE has proposed generous setbacks of 550 meters from dwellings and 125 meters from property lines, roads and railroads.

Supporters fear the setbacks could eliminate three-quarters of the wind turbine projects set for construction.

The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) hosted the meeting in Montreal on South-South Cooperation to share knowledge and improve the success of the regional organizations. (Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), Central Africa Forests Commission (COMIFAC).)

"This meeting has been a great success in bringing together the expertise and experience of the three regional bodies, and to initiate a process of learning from each other," said Raman Letchumanan from the ASEAN Secretariat.

Results of the meeting will be considered when developing a multi-year plan of South-South Cooperation on biodiversity.

A Federal Court ruled although not illegal, it was unreasonable for the government to claim it could not identify breeding grounds and critical habitat. The judge gave both sides a month to come up with a plan to revise the grouse's recovery strategy.

"The sage-grouse case will put an end to years of government inaction. There is reason to believe endangered species across Canada will finally receive protection with federal courts forcing the government to obey its own laws," said Alberta Wilderness Association vice-president Cliff Wallis.

The sage grouse, found across southern Alberta and Saskatchewan have been listed as endangered since 1998. Agriculture, roads, and oil and gas development has fragmented their habitat range, reducing it from 100,000 to 6,000 square kilometers.

Nalcor Energy's preferred route for its transmission corridor would cross Gros Morne and is drawing strong criticism. The lines connect the massive $10-billion Lower Churchill hydroelectric project in Labrador to Newfoundland.

Gros Morne is one of the province's most popular tourist destinations and is known for its fiords and stunning scenery. Each national park in Canada also contributes to the regional economy significantly. UNESCO previously removed a site in Germany from its list after construction of a four-lane bridge. Listing, and delisting decisions are based on UNESCO standards for world heritage sites.

Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams has said it might be too expensive to build the transmission line around the park, and that he is willing to risk the WHS to cut development costs. Construction of the project could start as early as 2010 if a panel of provincial and federal representatives approve the project's environmental assessment.

Due to reaction from the community living around the mill, the minister has now asked Manitoba's Clean Environment Commission to conduct an investigation and make recommendations as to permanent shut down of the pollution abatement equipment (called "regenerative thermal oxidizers" or RTOs).

The CEC public meetings are being held in the last week of July 2009. A transcript and public posting of presentations will be on the CEC web site. Recommendations to the minister follow.