© Conservation Council of New Brunswick 2024
In this edition of EcoNews, we counter the Alberta government’s misinformation campaign against the federal clean electricity regulations, share our thoughts on New Brunswick’s new energy plan and delve into why a failed U.S. SMR project should be a warning sign for New Brunswick’s nuclear energy plans. Additionally, our citizen’s engagement officer, Madiha Kantroo, shares her story of climate disaster in the Kashmir region. We also send a thank you to our fantastic donors and supporters and welcome another two members to the Conservation Council team!
A heartfelt thank you to our donors and supporters
As we welcome the new year, we want to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated during our year-end fundraising drive. In tough times, your unwavering commitment and support inspires us. You exemplify the spirit of New Brunswickers who understand how important it is to protect air, water, land and forests.
For those who generously contributed, you can get your 2023 tax credit donation receipt by clicking the link below. Your support drives change and helps shape a sustainable future.
Unveiling "Tell the Facts" Campaign: Taking a Stand for Clean Energy in New Brunswick
Alberta’s government has been running misleading and fear-based ads in New Brunswick about the federal clean electricity regulations. So, we decided to hit back with the facts.
Despite what Alberta’s government claims, the draft regulations won’t mean power bills will quadruple, and there is no evidence supporting the claim that there will be more blackouts.
Check out Tellthefacts.ca and send a letter to federal politicians demanding a strong, clean energy future.
The good and bad of New Brunswick’s energy plan
New Brunswick needs a clean energy transition as soon as possible. In December, the provincial government released its 12-year roadmap meant to guide New Brunswick into a carbon-neutral economy by 2035.
Our team was pleasantly surprised with aspects of the strategy, including plans for new renewable energy projects, but found it to be lacking in several other areas, like leaving an open door for fracking projects.
Check out our thoughts in this statement:
U.S. SMR trouble
The sudden collapse of a planned small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) project in the United States should be a clear warning for similar projects planned for New Brunswick. Investors are suing Oregon-based Nuscale Power, alleging that the company hit the financial viability of a project to build six SMRs in Idaho.
Basically, the NuScale project collapsed because there were not enough customers to fund the cost of the expensive electricity it would produce. Dr. Moe Qureshi, our director of climate research and policy, shares why this should ring alarm bells for New Brunswick:
Branch out and weave for climate change
Join our community-engaged artist-in-residence and mentorship program, From Harm to Harmony, for an exciting event, “Branch Out and Weave for Climate Change” on Jan. 26 and 27.
Karen LeBlanc will guide you through this hands-on exploration of branch weaving, where you’ll learn to transform nature’s elements into artistic expressions. Using Karen LeBlanc’s expertise, we’ll learn how beautiful branch weavings are made. The creations will demonstrate how we’re all interconnected to nature and highlight how a sustainable future depends on a delicate balance.
The prep and info session will take place via Zoom on Jan. 26 from 7-8 p.m. and the weaving workshop will run on Jan. 27 from 1-4 p.m.
Our team keeps growing!
We’re thrilled to introduce two new additions to our team who share our commitments to combatting climate change and ensuring accessible, affordable energy in New Brunswick.
Let’s welcome Autumn Downey, our new climate change coordinator. A New Brunswick local and a graduate in chemistry from the University of New Brunswick, Autumn brings invaluable expertise to our work. Her unwavering dedication to forging a sustainable environmental future will be pivotal in addressing climate change and its impacts.
Also joining us is Faith Mambo, our new energy and climate change coordinator. Faith, a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability, earned top honours in political science and environmental studies from the University of New Brunswick. Her focus aligns perfectly with our goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and paving the way towards a net-zero and ultimately zero-carbon economy in New Brunswick and beyond.
Finding hope through climate art
Too often, it takes a severe disaster to make us realize we need to take action against a threat. At 15 years old, Madiha Kantroo, our citizen’s engagement officer, witnessed climate disaster firsthand when her home in the Kashmir region flooded following torrential downpours. That catastrophe was the spark that started Madiha’s eco-anxiety. Madiha shared her story about the flood and how she found hope in climate art following the disaster:
We work hard to ensure a strong environmental voice is heard in New Brunswick’s print, radio and television media. Here are the latest stories Conservation Council staff have been called upon for expertise, analysis and commentary:
CCNB in the News
Jan. 11| An unidentified sailboat appeared in the St. John River in southern New Brunswick in the fall and never left. The Conservation Council’s marine conservation director Matt Abbott tells the CBC that he is concerned about the pollution potential if the boat sinks. Read the story here.
Jan. 10| Dr. Moe Qureshi tells the Telegraph-Journal why we hit back with the facts against Alberta’s misleading campaign against the clean electricity regulations. Read the story here.
Dec. 13| When New Brunswick released its energy plan in December, our director of climate solutions, Dr. Qureshi, immediately reviewed the plan and gave his take on it to several media outlets:
Listen to Dr. Qureshi’s interview with CBC’s Shift-NB.
Read Dr. Qureshi’s interview with Acadia Broadcasting.
Read Dr. Qureshi’s interview with the Telegraph-Journal.
Dec. 8| American Iron and Metal has been hit with a $219,000 bill for firefighting costs related to the Saint John scrapyard fire in September. Matt told CTV that the bill is just the start of the accountability process related to the fire. Watch Matt’s interview here.
Dec. 1| Dr. Qureshi responds to a Fraser Institute report that found the world would need to open up 388 new mines within the next decade to meet government objectives for electric vehicle purchases. It’s far from a perfect solution, but it is the lesser of two evils, Dr. Qureshi explains. Read the story here.
Nov. 14| The Milltown dam demolition project is a huge win for water conservation in New Brunswick. Matt tells the Telegraph-Journal that the St. Croix River has the capacity for as many as 80 million fish, and the removal of the dam will improve habitat for water life in the area. Read Matt’s interview here.
Nov. 12| Why take the bus when walking is just as fast? That’s the dilemma that Dr. Moe Qureshi faced when he moved to Fredericton and began working with the Conservation Council last March. He tells the Telegraph-Journal that the inconvenience of public transit in the city is a major barrier to getting cars off the road. Read the interview here.
Nov. 8| In November, Irving Oil announced that it will begin using natural gas produced by potatoes to help power its refining operations in Saint John. The company frames the deal as part of its decarbonization goals, but Dr. Qureshi tells allNewBrunswick that he believes the agreement is likely a result of the federal Clean Fuel Regulations, which require refiners to decarbonize or pay penalties. Read the story in allNewBrunswick. (Paywall)
Nov. 1| Recent amendments to the Electricity Act in New Brunswick would force N.B. Power to buy electricity generated by SMRs, even if it isn’t the lowest-cost option. Dr. Qureshi tells Global News that this could mean ratepayers would be on the hook for the cost of the potentially expensive operations. Read Dr. Qureshi’s interview here.