Some in-situ environmental impacts as serious as mining
Today, the Pembina Institute released Drilling Deeper: The In Situ Oil Sands Report Card. It is the first comparative environmental assessment of in-situ oilsands projects. Scores among the nine Canadian operating projects surveyed ranged from 25 to 60 per cent, with five of nine projects scoring less than 50 per cent. The average score of 44 per cent demonstrates substantial room for improvement across the sector.
EcoLiving Events and The City of Calgary presents “Earth Hour in Calgary” at Olympic Plaza. Come out and show that Calgary supports this global initiative. Activities start at 8:00pm and conclude at 9:30pm. Particpate in our countdown, listen to local musicians, discuss climate change solutions and have some hot chocolate heated by the solar power.
Registration is not required but comments are encouraged on either the EcoLiving or Footprint Facebook Site.
Transition Towns (TT) are communities that seek out methods for reducing energy usage as well as increasing their own self reliance in positive response to climate change and ever-escalating prices in fossil fuels. They’re places that are more economically independent, ecologically sound, and socially connected. As a globally-connected marketplace, we are coming to realize that unbridled growth is not sustainable, and that reliance on imports from afar may become an impossibility within just a few years.
Albertans left out of the process, lose royalty revenue
Chris Severson-Baker, Policy Director for the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the competitiveness review released today:
"Albertans, the owners of the province’s oil and gas resources, were completely left out of the process of reviewing Alberta’s royalty rates.
"The review happened behind closed doors primarily with industry at the exclusion of representation from Alberta citizens.
"Albertans are the owners of the resource, the provincial government is the manager of the resource and the oil and gas companies are hired to undertake developments. The goal is to maximize value to Albertans, yet they have been excluded from negotiations. We can’t be sure that today’s changes will allow Albertans to get the best value from the development of their resource because they weren’t consulted as part of this review.
Michael Moore, Senior Fellow, Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy, University of Calgary speaks on Geothermal energy and carbon offsets
Event is free for members, $5 for non-members. A lifetime YEP Membership is $30 and can be purchased at the door.
Presented by Harold Orr
Free presentation and discussion. Free refreshments at 6:30 pm +
Start with your existing house to save energy, money and green house gas emissions! Come and hear Canada’s legendary figure in energy efficient construction present the findings from his latest project. This talk will be of interest to home owners, builders, engineers and architects.
Despite good progress by a multi-stakeholder group in understanding issues around Athabasca River water withdrawals, Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) is concerned there will still not be protective water rules for low winter flows. AWA believes oilsands mine river withdrawals must cease during low winter flows.
Alberta conservation groups are seeking an emergency order from Jim Prentice, Federal Environment Minister to enforce habitat protection for the endangered Foothills and Oil Sands woodland caribou herds. “Minister Prentice has recently acknowledged that there is a need for industry and the Alberta government to work with Ottawa to improve Canada’s environmental reputation. Alberta’s caribou desperately need Federal help, and this is Prentice’s chance to take meaningful action,” says Rocky Notnes with the Athabasca Bioregional Society.
Topic: The campaign to develop more renewable power in Alberta.
Presenter: Roger Gagne, Citizens Advocating Use of Sustainable Energy (CAUSE)
Hosted by the U of C Eco-Club
Learn more here:
http://www.causeonline.info/calendar/12524838/
If you’re an owner or operator of a small or medium sized business, and you’re looking for options for greener power, you don’t want to miss this event.
will present wind, solar, and geothermal solutions (respectively) for small and medium sized businesses.
Refreshments and networking will follow.
Note: RSVP to stephanie [at] reapcalgary [dot] com.
The Alberta Environmental Network is funded in part through a grant from:
