© Conservation Council of New Brunswick 2024
In this edition of EcoNews, we bring you the inspiring results of new polling showing New Brunswickers are united in calling on the Higgs government to protect more of the beautiful wild spaces in our province; we share the news of a ‘rare sighting’ on the endangered species file; we bring you the latest on an appeal of Health Canada’s glyphosate review decision; we revisit the devastation of the 2017 ice storm and see how the lessons learned five years ago can serve our leaders today as they write the next five-year climate action plan; we give you the scoop on where you can watch the premiere of a new film about saving the critically-endangered North Atlantic right whale, and more.
New Brunswickers United In Love For Nature And Its Protection
As New Brunswickers exchanged valentines this week, citizens gave a special note of affection to our forests, rivers and wildlife. It came in the form of new polling showing that a love of nature and the demand to protect more of it unites all of our citizens. The Conservation Council and our allies in nature protection released a province-wide survey of New Brunswickers in which 90 per cent of citizens said they want the Higgs government to keep its promise to increase protected areas in the province—a pledge now in its second year overdue. The heartening results revealed that whether they live in a small, rural community, or a city, are young or elderly, are in a certain income bracket, have been here forever or have chosen to settle here, all New Brunswickers share a deep love and appreciate for nature and its protection. Now, it’s time for government to listen, respect citizens’ wishes, and get on with the job.
‘Last of the Right Whales’ Premieres This Weekend In NB Theatres
A film we and many others have been looking forward to is finally landing on the silver screen—just in time for World Whale Day (Feb. 20)! Last of the Right Whales follows a disparate group of people— a wildlife photographer, a marine biologist, a whale rescuer, and a crab fisher—united in their cause to save the critically-endangered North Atlantic right whale. Click below to learn more about the film and see where you can watch in New Brunswick theatres for its premiere this weekend.
New Species Given At-Risk Status First In 10 Years
Regulations under N.B.’s Species at Risk Act are as rare as some of the endangered birds, plants, insects and animals the legislation is designed to protect. But there’s been a recent sighting. The Department of Natural Resources recently posted draft regulations listing the transverse lady beetle and the bank swallow—the first updates since the legislation came into effect in 2013. You’ll remember that the Conservation Council and other prominent Indigenous and environmental groups have been pressuring the Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Mike Holland, to uphold his duties under the Species at Risk Act.
Court Orders Canada’s Glyphosate Review Back To The Drawing Board
The Federal Court of Appeal has sent Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency back to the drawing board, saying it must review its 2017 decision to renew the use of glyphosate and gave the department strongly worded direction on how to conduct a proper review to avoid “the endless merry-go-round” of court applications. The ruling stems from a lawsuit brought forward by Safe Food Matters Canada, who also spoke out against glyphosate use in New Brunswick during the standing committee hearings last summer and fall.
Applying Lessons From 2017 Ice Storm to N.B.'s Next Climate Action Plan
Families reduced to the risky decision of using their barbecue indoors, just to stay warm. Rumours of home invasions and missing generators flooding social media. Downed power lines and broken, ice-coated branches littering the streets. Hard to believe that this was our province, five year ago, when a devastating late January ice storm left nearly 300,000 New Brunswickers without heat or power, and everyone asking, “Why weren’t we better prepared? And how can we do better?” In this article, we revisit the carnage of the 2017 ice storm and the lessons learned as New Brunswick looks to write its next five-year climate action plan.
Use Our Toolkit To Have Your Say In Climate Plan Consultation
There is still time to let the provincial government know how you feel about climate change in New Brunswick and what you want to see in our province’s next five-year climate action plan. We want to help as many New Brunswickers as possible speak up for more affordable, reliable renewable energy, more energy efficient and comfortable homes, and more sustainable options for getting around. Check out the link below for our toolkit where you’ll find sample submissions on what government can do to make it easier and more affordable for citizens to act on climate change. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 24, 2022.
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:
Feb. 17, 2022: Our Executive Director Lois Corbett speaks with Radio-Canada about our poll showing overwhelming support for nature protection in New Brunswick. Read the story.
Feb. 15, 2022: Coverage of our nature protection poll in the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. Read the story.
Feb. 16, 2022: Read Acadie-Nouvelle coverage of our nature protection poll here.