A virtual tour of NB wetlands • feeling like you’ve stumbled into Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day • a flurry of activity surrounding TransCanada’s Energy East pipeline project • and, another banner year for renewable energy. Here’s the latest from Conserver House:
Worthy of protection
We celebrated World Wetlands Day (Feb. 2) by partnering with wildlife and conservation photographer Nick Hawkins to create a virtual tour of NB wetlands. His stunning images show why these important ecosystems deserve our protection. Plus, Nick is offering a 25% discount on ready-to-hang mounted prints delivered directly to your door, with half the proceeds generously donated to CCNB. Use the coupon code “CCNB.” We also marked wetlands day with a blog about the saga that has been the effort to get proper protections for our wetlands in NB — warning: you just might feel like you’re stuck in a time loop…
Pipeline updates
We responded to the major announcement from Montreal-area mayors rejecting the Energy East pipeline, saying it’s another signal we should be moving away from fossil fuels and toward renewables. We also welcomed changes that will ensure carbon pollution impacts are considered when new energy megaprojects are assessed. We reported on the troubling findings of the federal Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development’s 2015 Fall Audits looking at pipeline and pesticide safety. Among other findings, Commissioner Julie Gelfand determined risky pesticides were being left on the market for years and that half of all the pipelines her office examined had failed to meet the conditions placed on their approval. Our Fundy Baykeeper closed the week by talking about the risks Energy East poses to the Bay of Fundy on CBC’s Maritime Connection.
Where the real jobs are
While pipeline and shale gas proponents continue to spread false promises about jobs, we know the real opportunities for good jobs in New Brunswick will come from renewables and energy efficiency. Global markets agree — last month we wrote about the report from Bloomberg Business confirming another record-breaking year for renewables in 2015, with more money invested and more new capacity added than ever before. The Canadian Wind Energy Association is also reporting that Canada finished sixth in the world for bringing on new wind energy capacity in 2015.
A major success
Thank you to everyone who supported our 2015 Aveda Atlantic Water Fund Campaign to raise money for our Fundy Baykeeper and Marine Conservation program. It was a great success — we blew past our goal of $4,200 and raised a total of $4,896, including a $500 bonus for having the second-highest number of campaign donors. The funding will go toward our work to patrol the Bay of Fundy from Alma to St. Stephen and ensure this valuable ecosystem remains protected.
Don’t forget: February is the last month to sign our petition against herbicide spraying in New Brunswick’s public forests.
Did you hear? We’re proud to participate in a new collaborative to raise appreciation of the plants and animals that keep New Brunswick beautiful and wild.