In this edition of EcoNews, we release our joint report on the health benefits of electric buses and ask why climate change isn’t a bigger part of the provincial election conversation. We’ll also show you how your vote can make a difference for the climate, highlight our recent radio ads and share inspiring stories like one senior’s journey to a more energy-efficient home.

You’ll also learn how we’re standing with Stop Spraying New Brunswick to protect our forests, get the latest on our whale-watching fundraiser and see why we’re proud to be recognized at the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. Plus, we’ll stand with seniors pushing for bold climate action and share the results of our recent survey on the environmental issues you care most about. Scroll down to read more!

Driving towards a healthier future

For nearly a century, the iconic yellow-orange school bus has been a familiar symbol of education across Canada. But the exhaust from these diesel, gas and propane-powered buses is putting our kids’ health at risk.

Every day, about 215,000 children across Atlantic Canada—including right here in New Brunswick—take these buses to school. With each trip, they’re exposed to harmful air pollution that’s been linked to asthma, heart disease and even learning difficulties.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Ecology Action Centre and N.B. Lung to bring you Electric School Buses Report: Driving Towards a Healthier Future. This report outlines clear, easy steps for parents, teachers and community members to create cleaner air and healthier communities for our kids. Let’s work together to bring electric buses to our province!

Why aren’t candidates talking about climate?

As we head into the final stretch of the provincial election, it’s clear that climate change has been largely missing from the conversation about issues affecting New Brunswickers. But we’re all feeling the impacts every day — extreme weather caused by climate change means power bills are rising, groceries are more expensive and even insurance costs are going up.

Climate change and affordability are two sides of the same coin. Clean energy, efficient homes and climate-friendly policies aren’t just good for the environment—they’re essential for keeping our bills down and protecting our wallets.

We’ve called on political leaders to recognize the urgency of this crisis and give New Brunswickers a real plan for climate action. Check out our news release to learn more, and let’s work together to ensure climate action is a top priority this election.

Vote for climate action

If you’re wondering how to vote for climate action during this provincial election, you need to check out the handy list of election resources on the new elections portal on our website. From correcting environmental misinformation to breaking down how our electoral system works in simple terms, we’ve got you covered with these useful resources.

Check out our podcast on environmental misinformation and watch new videos from our From Harm to Harmony artists Mario Doiron and Shoshanna Wingate that speak about crafting a shared vision for New Brunswick’s energy future and the importance of inspiring hope and resistance against environmental harm.

By voting for leaders who understand the connections between everyday issues and climate change, we can create a better future for our families and neighbourhoods. Click below to learn more:

Did you hear our election ad?

Did you hear our recent audio ad during this provincial election campaign? We ran the ad in early October to ask people to consider climate change when voting.

We’re hoping you can take one minute to let us know if you heard the ad and what you thought by filling out our short questionnaire! If you haven’t heard the ad and would like to listen, check it out below:

Comfort and independence

Energy poverty is a harsh reality for over one-third of New Brunswickers, leaving many families with the difficult choice of keeping their homes warm or putting food on the table.

Meet Jane Van Horne, a retired nursing home nurse living in Fredericton. Like many New Brunswickers, Jane’s home was once energy-inefficient and costly to heat. But with a few affordable, practical changes—like installing a heat pump and making her home more energy efficient—she’s not only saving money on her energy bills but also enjoying a much warmer, more comfortable home.

We created a short video with Jane to show how she made changes to save money while reducing her environmental footprint. Click the link below to see:

Together, we can stop glyphosate spraying

Stop Spraying New Brunswick (SSNB) has been at the forefront of the fight to end the use of glyphosate in our forests. You’ve likely seen its signs, and now our logo is proudly displayed on SSNB’s new signs, showing our united effort to protect our province.

Glyphosate spraying affects our forests, wildlife and water sources, and it’s time we all come together to demand better from our leaders and decision-makers.

Join us in supporting SSNB’s efforts by visiting its website to learn more about how you can get involved.

Drop by and visit our executive director!

We always want to hear from you! So, starting Oct. 29, our executive director, Beverly Gingras, will host biweekly public drop-in sessions every second Tuesday from 6-7:30 p.m. at Conserver House, 180 St. John St., Fredericton.

This is your opportunity to share the environmental issues that matter most to you, offer your ideas and discuss our ongoing work to protect New Brunswick’s land, air and water. Whether you have questions, suggestions or simply want to learn more about us, we’d love to see you there!

What you told us: Survey results are in!

In August, we asked our supporters to participate in a brief survey to get information about what environmental issues matter to them. The answers you gave are helping to inform our ongoing strategic planning, and we found some interesting results.

We heard from respondents that the Conservation Council does important work to protect and advocate for our environment while holding government and industry accountable. What we also heard loud and clear is that nearly everyone who took part is feeling alarmed, anxious or worried about the current state of our environment. The biggest concerns? Climate change, the loss of wildlife and biodiversity, forest management and herbicide use. These concerns are driving our work forward as we continue fighting for a better province for everyone!

Also, congratulations to David Williams, who won a one-of-a-kind creation from New Brunswick fabric artist Danielle Smith after completing the survey!

Thank you for being part of this important conversation!

A whale of a good time!

We had such a great time at our whale-watching fundraiser last month, and we couldn’t have done it without you! As to be expected on the Bay of Fundy in September, the weather was windy and chilly, but nothing a jacket and toque couldn’t deal with. We spotted some whales and we shared a wonderful experience with supporters from across New Brunswick.

But this event wasn’t just about enjoying the beautiful Bay of Fundy and its magnificent marine life. Ticket sales supported the Conservation Council’s work protecting New Brunswick’s coastlines and marine ecosystems, as well as the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – New Brunswick Chapter (CPAWS-NB). Together, we’re working to safeguard our province’s natural beauty.

We want to send big thanks to Quoddy Link Marine, Out to Lunch Catering and Bantry Bay Farm for their tremendous help!

If you missed out on tickets and still want to support us, consider becoming a donor or a member (you’ll get first access to tickets for events like this in the future). Together, we can keep New Brunswick’s land and waters safe for generations to come.

Honoured to be a finalist!

What an honour! We were thrilled to be named a finalist for the Charitable Organization Award at the 2024 Fredericton Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. While we didn’t bring home the award, we’re incredibly proud to have stood alongside the Fergusson Foundation, which took home the award, and the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services, which was also recognized for its important work.

This recognition highlights the impact of the Conservation Council’s work in our community—whether it’s advocating for clean energy, protecting our forests and waters or promoting climate action. We couldn’t do it without the support of people like you, and we want to thank everyone who has been part of this journey with us.

A special thank you to the awards selection committee and the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce for celebrating our work and congratulations to all the nominees.

Seniors stand for climate

Seniors in our province and across the country have witnessed the effects of climate change over their lifetimes. On Oct. 1, at the New Brunswick Legislature, a passionate group of seniors made it clear that climate change isn’t just an issue for future generations—it’s impacting our communities right now. At the Conservation Council, we stand with them and urge leaders to push for bold solutions that protect all New Brunswickers.

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:

Conservation Council in the News

Oct. 7 | As affordability and health care dominate in provincial election issues, we urged political parties to recognize climate action as essential to addressing both. Danielle Smith, our director of climate engagement and campaigns, tells the CBC that the impacts of climate change — such as rising insurance claims, heat-related illnesses and energy costs — are directly linked to personal health and economic challenges. Despite record-breaking heat and increasing climate-related risks, Danielle notes political platforms lack strong climate commitments. She calls for ambitious climate policies, including net-zero electricity by 2030, zero-emission school buses and greater land and water protection.
Read the story.

Oct. 7 | Ahead of the upcoming election, we partnered with three other environmental groups, including the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society New Brunswick Chapter, Nature N.B. and the Nature Trust of New Brunswick, to demand answers from party leaders on their plans to protect the province’s natural spaces.

We all asked if leaders will commit to safeguarding 30 per cent of lands and waters by 2030, modernize outdated forest laws and support new Indigenous-led protected areas. These decisions could shape the future of our forests, waters and wildlife.
Read more.
Read the party responses.