© Conservation Council of New Brunswick 2024
In this edition of EcoNews, we’re calling for participants to join our Citizens’ Assembly on Electricity Affordability and highlighting efforts to combat energy poverty in New Brunswick through our ‘Switch on Hope’ energy poverty campaign. You can also find out how to take action to halt and reverse nature loss and give your input on Canada’s 2035 emissions reduction target. Additionally, read the inspiring story behind the Skutik and Salmon Falls restoration and learn more about wind chill factors!
Join our Citizens' Assembly on Electricity Affordability and Energy Poverty
A growing number of Atlantic Canadians are experiencing energy poverty, forcing them to make hard choices like having to heat their home or feed their family. That’s why we are organizing an Atlantic-wide forum to discuss ideas on electricity affordability, energy poverty and electricity grid modernization to make recommendations to the provincial and federal governments.
Our Atlantic Citizens’ Assembly on Energy Affordability is taking place in May. We are looking for six people from each Atlantic province from all walks of life who are serious about building an affordable, reliable, renewable electricity system.
Successful applicants will receive an honorarium of $200 after fully participating for their contribution and time. Click below to learn more about this opportunity to make a difference in your community!
Switch on Hope Energy Poverty Campaign launch
We were thrilled to have hosted an exciting event on Saturday, Feb. 24 to kick off our Switch on Hope’ Energy Poverty Campaign. The event featured the highly anticipated debut of two music videos with songs about energy poverty, created by local youth with help from local musician Matthew Elliott, also known as Stephen Hero and David R. Elliott. Check out the videos on our YouTube channel!
Combatting energy poverty in New Brunswick
Promoting energy efficiency and affordability is an important part of our work at the Conservation Council, helping to save energy and fight climate change. In these tough times, many people are struggling to heat and cool their homes and keep the lights on.
We’ve created some new resources to help people better understand energy poverty and the resources that are available in New Brunswick. That includes a new fact sheet on why we need to expand the definition of energy poverty and a video highlighting provincial energy efficiency programs. Check out the links below to see these resources!
New Brunswick budget recommendations
The New Brunswick government is set to release it’s budget on March 19. Right now, Atlantic Canada is facing an unprecedented number of climate-related disasters, including wildfires, floods and warming oceans. Additionally, the natural spaces and species in New Brunswick are in decline, and immediate action is needed to halt and reverse this crisis.
We need to take immediate action to tackle these problems by investing in environmental initiatives and energy efficiency programs. This can help mitigate the effects of climate change, improve affordability and public health and promote social equity.
We’ve developed a list of recommendations the province should consider in the upcoming budget. We urge the government to prioritize initiatives that will address the climate crisis and protect our environment. You can find all of our recommendations by clicking below:
Help halt and reverse nature loss!
Canada has committed to create a national biodiversity strategy to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and fully recover nature by 2050. However, while Ottawa has started working with stakeholders on the strategy, it’s behind schedule and time is running out for nature.
While the process drags on, the biodiversity and climate crisis worsens. This poses a threat to the environment, affecting our health. We all depend on a healthy environment to survive, from the air we breathe, to the water we drink and the food we eat.
Click the link below to tell the government to prioritize a national biodiversity strategy that protects species and communities alike:
Weigh in on Canada’s 2035 emissions reduction target
Your voice matters in the fight against climate change. The federal government is currently seeking public input to establish Canada’s 2035 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, and you can be part of this crucial conversation.
From now until March 28, you have the opportunity to share your insights and ideas in a virtual public engagement forum. By participating, you’ll help shape the policies and initiatives that will guide our nation towards a more sustainable and greener future.
Let’s work together to make a difference!
Celebrating Skutik and Salmon Falls restoration
It’s been a busy few weeks for our marine program director, Matt Abbott, who was sharing the good news about the Skutik (St. Croix Rover) revitalization and Salmon Falls restoration.
Over the last month Matt spoke to about 60 people for the St. Andrews Nature Club speakers series, to a homeschooler group and to three high school classes, with more presentations coming up. Matt shared the good news behind a decade of inspiring Indigenous-led restoration on the Skutik. Fish are coming back, one dam has been removed and plans are being worked on to help fish past other dams. A lot remains to be done, but it is going so much better than we could have hoped for a decade ago!
Learn more about the work done to restore the Skutik by clicking below:
Soil comes alive!
We were so happy to host our friends from the Compost Council of Canada from March 5-7 for a Soil Safari! This series of family-friendly expeditions showcased a cast of soil creatures and their way of life as well as their connections to humans and how they support life on Earth. Our staff even got to get their hands dirty and take part in the fun, learning more about how soil functions and its amazing ecosystem. Learn more about the Compost Council’s work by clicking below:
Fredericton Hyundai offer for Conservation Council members
Have you been thinking about getting a new electric or hybrid vehicle? Conservation Council members can take advantage of a special offer from Fredericton Hyundai!
Fredericton Hyundai is offering Conservation Council of New Brunswick members an additional $1,000 on all trade-ins and a 15% discount on various supplementary products, such as extended warranties, complete care packages, rust protection, and more.
Fredericton Hyundai will also donate $200 to the Conservation Council for each hybrid/electric vehicle purchased under this promotion!
Want to become a Conservation Council member? Click below:
Understanding wind chill factors
For our Learning Outside director, Dr. Nadine Ives, the wind chill has been a thorn in her side this winter — or maybe an icy blast in her face.
Sometimes, students and Dr. Ives are unable to go outside because school policies are to keep students inside when the temperature with wind chill is below -20 . However, often the place they are heading to is sheltered, with little or no wind. On other days, it can also work the opposite way, and it feels colder than the weather app suggests.
So, Dr. Ives is adding info on wind chill to her winter weather activities, hoping that teachers, parents and the rest of us will learn to consider the conditions where we are outside, not just what our phones say. This information complements our existing lessons on temperature and its importance to plants and animals and how to read a thermometer.
Environment Canada has a really good resource about the wind chill which you can check out below. Did you know that Canada played a leading role in developing the wind chill factor?
No shale gas in New Brunswick
It’s time New Brunswick joined many other jurisdictions around the world and permanently banned fracking and shale gas. In this editorial, Jim Emberger, spokesperson for the New Brunswick Anti-shale Gas Alliance, counters a misguided Fraser Institute commentary about reconsidering the shale gas moratorium in this province. The fact is, there is no economic argument for shale gas development, and certainly no environmental one.
Feds help fund N.B. energy savings program
Our team met with federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault on March 11 who was in New Brunswick, announcing more money for the enhanced energy savings program.
The provincial government has also promised $30 million for this project, but even with the federal government’s $20 million commitment it falls short of the $150 million needed to fully address the program’s waitlist.
Still, it’s good to see the government recognizing the importance of these programs. Let’s hope they invest more in the future to make our province greener and more sustainable.
Join our board of directors!
Do you want to make a difference in your community? Are you concerned about New Brunswick’s environment? You can combat climate anxiety and take positive action by joining our volunteer board of directors!
- You’d like to connect with other people who are passionate about the environment.
- You are interested in helping to guide and direct a leading environmental organization like the Conservation Council.
- You are known to be constructive, collaborative and respectful when working with others.
- You are a Conservation Council member or willing to become one.
Interested? Email us the following info:
- Your name and contact information.
- What interests you about becoming a board member?
- Your background (can attach a resume).
We meet regularly (six times a year) either by Zoom or in person and have specific committees that may pique your interest as well.
Be part of the solution. We need you to help us continue protecting the land, air and water in New Brunswick!
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
March 5| In this spectacular story by Hakai Magazine, Matt Abbott, our director of marine conservation, briefly explains some of the work behind a decade of Indigenous-led restoration on the Skutik — a huge win for freshwater protection in New Brunswick. Read the story.
Feb. 20| In February, our executive director, Beverly Gingras, wrote a letter to the provincial government urging faster and more transparent action to complete New Brunswick’s water strategy following a provincial review of the plan. That review failed to outline promised plans to keep old medications that often get flushed down the toilet into New Brunswick’s waters. However, not long after, the Health Products Stewardship Association announced a program to return old pills and medical sharps to pharmacies. Find out more.
Feb. 13| We all know about the threat posed by climate change. While this is covered extensively, we often don’t get to see the wins made in the fight to keep our planet healthy. Dr. Moe Qureshi, our director of climate solutions, spoke with the CBC to share some of these encouraging stories about how we tackle climate change in local communities. Listen to the interview.