© Conservation Council of New Brunswick 2024
In this edition of EcoNews, we send a heartfelt thank you to the amazing donors who make our work possible; we invite you to learn about the wonder of N.B. wetlands—and all they do to help keep our communities safe from climate change and extreme weather—on World Wetlands Day; we introduce you to the newest members of our Climate Solutions team who will deliver on our ambitious policy agenda; we bring you some exciting news from our artist collective; and, finally, we bring you up to speed on the policy files we’ve been advancing since we last wrote you.
Thank You To Our Amazing Donors And Supporters!
We want to send another heartfelt thank you to the members and supporters who contributed to our year-end fundraising drive. We know times are tough out there. We are blown away by both the generosity and conviction of so many New Brunswickers who stepped up to ensure our work moving policy solutions forward for better protected air, water, land and forests continues strong in 2023. Donors can click the link below to get the donation receipt for their 2022 tax credit. If you weren’t able to make a contribution this year, thank you for just being here—for reading our newsletter and staying in touch with N.B. environmental issues. Every action counts as we tackle these challenges together.
Celebrate The Wonder of N.B. Wetlands!
Beaver. Blue heron. Marten. Toad. Every mom and dad in New Brunswick has a story about that magical moment their child saw one of these awe-inspiring creatures in the wild for the first time. Often, though, it’s easy to forget about the spaces that make these special encounters possible: our wetlands. Today, on World Wetlands Day, take a moment to appreciate all our wetlands do for us with our free, educational N.B. wetlands colouring sheets. Better yet, take a stroll to a wetland trail near you and see if you can spot signs of any of the creatures that call these spaces home!
Our Climate Team Is Growing!
From working to make energy more affordable for New Brunswickers to celebrating the power of art to inspire climate action, the Conservation Council’s Climate Solutions program has some ambitious goals for 2023. Big plans demand big talent, and we’re excited to introduce you to the new members of our dynamic team that will deliver climate programs and campaigns in the coming months!
Listen To Our Ancient Forest Lullaby On Spotify!
Need a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life while you’re out on the go? Good news— our soothing, melodic, ‘transport-you-to-the-woods-by-the-creek’ song, Come Home, is now streaming on Spotify. You’ll remember this song was written collaboratively last year by the talented members of our Harm to Harmony community-engaged artist collective. The a capella song features haunting vocals from acclaimed Canadian songwriter Dana Sipos and shares the wisdom of an old growth forest passed on to the people who must protect it. Stream the song on Spotify here, or click the button below to learn more about the project.
Call For Participants: Join Our Citizens' Assembly On Electricity Affordability and Energy Poverty
Our climate solutions team is organizing a forum for citizens to discuss ideas around electricity affordability, energy poverty and electricity grid modernization in order to make informed, grassroots recommendations to the provincial and federal governments. Our citizens’ assembly will take place over two days in January and we are looking for New Brunswickers from all walks of life who are serious about building an affordable, reliable and renewable electricity system. Successful applicants will receive an honorarium for their contribution and time. Click below to learn more about this exciting opportunity to make a difference in your community!
Ensure NB Power Accountability, Transparency: Comeau To EUB
Meanwhile, our Climate Solutions team hit the ground running on its affordable electricity campaign in 2023 with a 21-page submission to the Energy and Utilities Board hearing into NB Power’s latest rate increase proposal. Dr. Louise Comeau, director of our climate team, appeared before the EUB virtually on Monday, Jan. 30 to present. Dr. Comeau’s recommendations include a call for NB Power to provide a detailed plan on how it will aggressively help low-to-moderate income New Brunswickers retrofit their home or dwelling for lower bills and greater efficiency. Read the full submission below.
We work hard to ensure a strong environmental voice is heard in the New Brunswick print, radio and television media. Here are the latest stories Conservation Council staff have been called upon for expertise, analysis and commentary.
Jan. 12, 2023 — Dr. Louise Comeau, Director of Climate Solutions, speaks with CBC Information Morning Moncton about the environmental clean-up costs at Caribou mine. Listen to the interview.
Jan. 11, 2023 — Dr. Louise Comeau, Director of Climate Solutions, speaks with CBC New Brunswick about environmental clean-up costs at Caribou mine. Read the story.
Dec. 22, 2022 — Climate campaign researcher Louis-Charles Vaillancourt speaks with CBC NFLD about our research into the social acceptance of renewable energy projects. Read the story.
Recent press releases we’ve issued include:
Jan. 30, 2023 — Conservation Council Calls On EUB To Ensure Transparency, Accountability From NB Power
Jan. 12, 2023 — Situation At The Caribou Mine Requires Immediate Response From Premier Higgs
Dec. 21, 2022 — Feds Throw Down Gauntlet On Electric Vehicle Transition With National Zero-Emission Vehicle Sales Targets
Dec. 16, 2022 — Tie Industry Air Quality Operating Approvals to Meeting Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards
Dec. 16, 2022 — Latest Shutdown Shows Need For Public Hearings Into Future of Lepreau Nuclear Plant
Dec. 13, 2022 — 10 Per Cent For Nature: Environmental Groups Encouraged By Province’s Nature Legacy Announcement
Dec. 2, 2022 — Canadian Environmental Groups Call For Ambitious Global And National Action To Save Nature Before It’s Too Late