The Alberta Environmental Network (AEN) is a non-profit, non-partisan umbrella organization comprised of groups throughout the province dedicated to helping preserve and protect Alberta's environment. Field Notes is your source for the latest news & updates from the AEN & our member groups.
The Canadian Environmental Network has posted the August 4th, 2010 edition of the e-Bulletin.
Highlights
Canadian Youth Delegation to Attend UN Biodiversity Conference in Japan
The RCEN and the Youth Caucus are pleased to announce the Official Canadian Youth Delegation going to the tenth Conference of the Parties (COP-10) of the Convention on Biological Diversity taking place in Nagoya, Japan, from October 18-29.
Given that 2010 is the United Nation’s International Year of Biodiversity and August 2010 marks the beginning of the United Nation’s International Year of Youth, we applaud Canadian youth’s commitment to both of these years and, more importantly, youth participation in discussions that will shape our future. Get to know the delegates here, and show your support by buying a t-shirt to help them fundraise for the trip!
RCEN 2010 Conference: Visions of the Saint Lawrence in 2021
Join us on Sunday, September 19th, for this plenary on the ecosystem services provided by the Saint Lawrence River. Speakers will discuss current threats to its biodiversity and possible solutions for the next 10 years, with a special focus on the moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the Saint Lawrence.
Confirmed Speakers:
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Bertrand Brassard, Vice-President Exploration and Director, Nevado Venture Capital Inc.
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Marie Lagier, Executive Director, Stratégies Saint-Laurent
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Jean-Patrick Toussaint, Chief, Scientific Projects, David Suzuki Foundation
Register today to attend the Conference! September 17-19 in Montreal Read more »
The Pembina Institute's Chris Severson-Baker posts on Capital Power's application to renege on a commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions at their Genesee 3 coal-fired power plant. The commitment was part of the original approval to build the power plant.
…allowing companies to renege on environmental commitments made at public hearings once projects are operating would be set a dangerous precedent and completely undermine the credibility of the Alberta approvals process.
Deadline:
16 Aug 2010 (All day)
Attention groups working on environmental projects!
The deadline for Alberta Ecotrust's Letter of Intent to apply for a Major Project Grant is Monday August 16.
Funding up to $30,000 is available to eligible groups engaged in programs and projects that fall within the following environmental priorities: Water, wilderness & wildlife, air & climate.
For more information and to apply, please visit our website: http://www.albertaecotrust.com/grant/types/major
Accountability and transparency are essential principles of democracy, but when it comes to managing Alberta's environment they can sometimes be in short supply. The Environmental Law Centre's Jason Unger discusses accountability in the regulatory approval process, the lack of a legal remedy to address broken promises, and proposes two legislative changes to address the issue.
The word “accountable”, meaning “responsible; answerable” (Black’s Law dictionary 9th ed.), evokes the idea that we must pay the piper for unmet promises…
…It seems, however, that accountability for environmental impacts and decisions related to them are becoming increasingly elusive.
The Pembina Institute's Nathan Lemphers goes on a quest in search of emergency preparedness plans in case of a oil sands tailings lake breach, and finds only secrecy and a lack of transparency.
Communities downstream of the oil sands are already skeptical about whether the Government of Alberta and oil sands operators are diligently managing the impacts and risks associated with oil sands development…
…A lack of transparency around tailings management is only adding to the skepticism and concerns.
