Environmental Health

Tainted science used to justify continued use of pesticide linked to cancer

“Monsanto papers” suggest some studies Canada used to okay glyphosate use were biased

OTTAWA – With the recent revelation that Monsanto allegedly manipulated studies on glyphosate, health and environmental groups are calling on the federal government to carefully consider the notorious “Monsanto papers” as it deliberates the future of the chemical’s use in Canada.

“Some of the studies and publications Health Canada relied on to approve the continued use of glyphosate in Canada have been implicated in alleged misconduct by the chemical giant, Monsanto,” said Dr. Elaine MacDonald, Healthy Communities director at Ecojustice. “The question now is whether Canada will choose to turn a blind eye to this fact and continue to rely on this research to justify exposing Canadians to products that could cause cancer.” Read More

ACA Clean Air Forum 2018

Nov 20 2018 - 8:00am to 4:30pm

The Clean Air Forum is an opportunity to gather together and discuss air quality within our local airshed.  Stakeholders include municipalities, air quality and public health professionals, community environmental interests, industry, government, academia and students. The Forum will be held at Paul Byrne Hall at MacEwan University and include panel presentations, dialogue and an opportunity to share ideas in a workshop environment. Read More

Location

Paul Byrne Hall, MacEwan University
9-115, 10910 104 Avenue NW
T5K 2Y9 Edmonton , AB

Draft PM2.5 objective posted for public comment

Initiative: 
Ambient Air Quality Objectives and Guidelines— Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
Deadline: 
25 Jul 2018

On May 25, 2018, Alberta Environment & Parks posted the draft Amibient Air Quality Objectives and Guidelines — Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) for a 60-day public review and comment period. The draft guideline proposes reducing the 24-hour objective to 29µg/m3 from 30µg/m3. Read More

Ban Chlorpyrifos Presentation

Apr 1 2016 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Sheryl McCumsey, co-ordinator for Pesticide Free Edmonton, will be giving a presentation about the harmful effects of the pesticide Chlorpyrifos.

This pesticide is used throughout and around our city. The presentation will include how this is not being properly evaluated by Health Canada and what we can do about it. Edmonton remains the last municipality in Canada to use this for mosquito larvae. The event will take place at the University of Alberta Education Building South room 122. Read More

Location

Room 122
Education Centre South, University of Alberta
Edmonton , AB

Alberta coal “economic note” based on shaky information

Health savings of provincial climate plan ignored while some costs are double counted

CALGARY — Ben Thibault, electricity program director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statements today in response to the economic note on Alberta’s coal phase out plan released by the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI).

“The information the economic note relies on to conclude Albertans will pay a ‘steep bill’ to phase out coal is shaky. It generally cites the province's Climate Leadership Report (CLR), but the CLR does not support the assertion.

Read More

For health’s sake, it’s time to phase-out coal-fired electricity generation

Health, clean energy and environment groups come together to call for an end to Alberta’s dirty coal problem

CALGARY — World leaders will converge on Paris next month for climate change talks. Alberta is developing a strategy to demonstrate its intention to contribute to the global imperative of tackling climate change. Phasing out coal for producing electricity promises to be a hallmark of this strategy.

The time has come to bring greater attention to the public health benefits that would be realized by accelerating the phase out of coal-fired electricity. Read More

Capital Region Fine Particulate Response

Alberta Environment & Sustainable Resource Development has finalized and released the Capital Region Fine Particulate Matter Reponse—a plan to reduce and maintain ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at all stations in the Capital Region below numerical Canada-wide Standard. In addition to the full report, an overview of the response is available for download at the Capital Region Cumulative Effects Management page on the AESRD website. Read More

Marda Loop Justice Film Festival

Nov 18 2014 - 7:00am to Nov 23 2014 - 7:00am

Justice Film Festival LogoThe 9th Annual Marda Loop Justice Film Festival runs November 18-23, 2014. The Festival is a 6-day documentary film celebration, held at the River Park Church Auditorium, plus Stephen Leacock Theater at Mount Royal University, the Globe Theatre, and John Dutton Theatre at the Central Library. We will screen 24 documentaries—please stay for post-film conversations.

Free Admission Read More

Location

various locations Calgary , AB

Phasing Out Coal — A Healthy Decision

Sep 30 2014 - 2:30pm to 5:30pm

Coal-fired plants make people sick and die, particularly children and those with chronic illnesses, and they cost society huge amounts of money desperately needed for other purposes.
—Dr Alan Lockwood, MD, The Silent Epidemic, MIT, 2012

The majority of Alberta's electricity is generated by coal fired plants (Alberta Energy, 2012). The research is now clear that burning coal comes with substantial human health costs. In Alberta alone coal contributes to over 100 fatalities and more than 4,000 asthma symptom days every year (Alberta study here). What are the impacts of coal on human health? How can Alberta include health issues related to burning coal in its energy strategy? Read More

Location

MacHall A (lower level)
MacEwan Student Centre, University of Calgary (2500 University Drive NW)
T2N 1N4 Calgary , AB

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