In this week’s edition of EcoNews we invite you to learn more about how Marine Protected Areas can promote sustainable coastal economies and thriving habitats for wildlife, bring you our initial reaction to U.S. President Donald Trump’s Paris Accord announcement today, an update on the largest solar array in New Brunswick, an opportunity for you to make a big difference with just a small donation, exciting news from the St. Croix River, and, for the policy wonks out there, news of new regulations to curb air pollution and highlights from four recent federal reviews.
NEWS
Trump or Turnip?
While we are mostly loathe to comment on anything that U.S. President Donald Trump says or does, his announcement today that he will work to extract our neighbours to the south from the Paris Agreement warrants note, at least.
You will remember that the 2015 agreement was the first legally-binding global deal to fight climate change, because it was signed by virtually every nation, including China and India. The world’s leaders committed to steps aimed at curbing global emissions of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide released when we burn fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
Under former President Barack Obama, the U.S. committed to reduce its emissions by 26 per cent to 28 per cent from 2005 levels by 2025. The U.S. accounts for more than 15 per cent of global emissions and is the world’s second largest emitter of greenhouse gases, exceeded only by China. The 2015 deal was signed by 195 countries and was the first time most countries united to tackle climate change. It aims to keep average temperatures “well below” 2°C, and to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced.
While some lobbyists representing big oil and gas interests in Canada may use Trump’s ill-guided move to argue that Canada, and its provinces, should roll back climate change action, we disagree. Now is the time for all the other countries, including ours, to strengthen their resolve, to invest in clean energy jobs and profit on sound public policy.
The heavy lifting on pollution reduction comes mostly from the States anyway, who are also N.B.’s largest export market, like Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and California, for example. Those jurisdictions are not going to turn their backs on the economic opportunities ripe for exploitation in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Neither should the rest of us.
Join us for an Open House on Marine Protected Areas
A reminder to our members that the Fundy Baykeeper is joining our friends at CPAWS NB and officials with Fisheries and Oceans Canada for an open house on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) this evening (Thursday, June 1) between 4-7 p.m in Sackville.
As the federal government moves to protect more of our oceans, there is confusion out there about what exactly an MPA is and what it means for wildlife and the people who live, work and play on the water. MPAs are not a one-size-fits-all solution to ocean management, but if used correctly, they can be a powerful tool in sustaining healthy marine ecosystems around the world.
A good example of MPAs done right happened right here in New Brunswick when fishers and fisheries associations worked with the Fundy Baykeeper (along with other environmental partners, government agencies, and stakeholders such as tourism operators) to establish the first and, to date, only MPA in the Bay of Fundy in 2006 (the Musquash Estuary MPA, pictured above). Click the link below to check out our brief primer on MPAs before you weigh in at tonight’s open house or via Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s online survey.
Shiny news from Hanwell Road
With 60 photovoltaic panels on the roof, Andrew McLeod’s association holds the title for the largest solar array in New Brunswick. And it’s a distinction he can’t wait to lose. “It’s gonna happen, we’re going to lose that title, there is no doubt about it,” says McLeod, CEO of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of New Brunswick (APEGNB), one recent sunny day in May. “And that’s our goal — for us to beat, for someone else to come up bigger and better.”
After all, the largest body of engineering professionals in the province didn’t install the solar array to be Number One, they did it to show people that solar power is already a viable alternative, right here in New Brunswick.
Big things are happening for a little New Brunswick fish
During the stretch of May 17-23, more than 29,000 gaspereau moved up the Milltown fishway located at the head-of-tide on the St. Croix River between New Brunswick and Maine — marking the highest count for this seven-day period since 1996. Seeing the spawning run off to such a strong start is a real cause for celebration, as much of the river was closed to this important and fascinating native fish until 2013.
Feds introduce new regulations to curb air pollution
The federal government is proposing new regulations to reduce emissions from Canada’s biggest polluters. Announced May 25, the rules are aimed at lowering methane emissions and the level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) released from the oil and gas sector. This could be welcome news for residents of Saint John, home to Canada’s biggest oil refinery, Irving Oil (shown above).
Rolling back the 2012 omnibus fiasco?
Readers familiar with the former Harper Government’s series of omnibus bills — you remember, the ones that gutted so many important environmental protections back in 2012 — are no doubt pleased that the federal government is now reviewing a number of the environmental and regulatory processes that were affected. As you can imagine, and as it generally is with reviews of this nature, it’s pretty thick sledding. Luckily, our friends at the Environmental Law Centre recently published a ‘Review of Reviews,’ providing an overview of four reports that have been issued to date, including reviews of federal environmental assessment processes, the National Energy Board, the Fisheries Act, and the Navigation Protection Act. We’ve pulled out the highlights for you on our blog.
UPDATES
Let’s keep the momentum going!
It’s official — New Brunswickers love their Bay of Fundy. In just one week, our Facebook video highlighting the Bay of Fundy Small Change Fund campaign has already reached more than 11,000 views and has been shared more than 190 times! Interest is coming from all over New Brunswick, across Canada, and even down into the Gulf of Maine. Check out the video above (and help keep the momentum going by liking and sharing on Facebook if you haven’t already!) and click the link below to learn more about the project and how you can contribute.
EVENTS
Celebrate Canadian Environment Week with a pollinator workshop at Conserver House!
Celebrate Canadian Environment Week (June 5-11) by joining the Conservation Council on Saturday, June 10 for one of our popular workshops on creating pollinator-friendly gardens and habitats! Learn all about our local pollinators and how you can help provide them with the food and habitats they need to thrive. Click the link below to learn more and register (it’s free!).
Canada 150: Nominate a local environmental champion today!
As part of the federal government’s Canada 150 celebrations this year, Members of Parliament from coast to coast are awarding 20 limited edition Sesquicentennial Pins to local community members who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to their communities.
Always happy to support local festivities and initiatives, the Conservation Council’s Lois Corbett is honoured by her appointment to the four-member Selection Committee tasked with choosing the Sesquicentennial Pin recipients from the Fredericton Riding (which includes the City of Fredericton, Oromocto, New Maryland, and the Grand Lake Region).
Set it and forget it this summer!
Summer is such a wonderful time in New Brunswick– warm weather and longer days mean more afternoons drifting down the St. John River with friends, paddling up the Musquash with your kids, weekends at your favorite beach, backyard BBQs and much more. It’s easy to see why Canadians sometimes forget to support their favorite causes this time of year. But we’ve got a solution that will let you do both: Set it and Forget it, then go out and enjoy your summer! We’re participating in CanadaHelps’ Great Canadian Giving Challenge. Starting today and for the month of June, each donation of $3 or more enters the Conservation Council in a draw to win an additional $10,000 donation. Help us continue our work to clean up Parlee Beach, grow the green economy in N.B., improve our forestry practices, and more — click the icon below to donate today!
