Sierra Club of Canada

SCC Green Gazette

November 2004

Sierra Club of Canada's monthly news update from the National Office,
Chapters and Groups

National Office
Atlantic Canada Chapter
Ontario Chapter
Prairie Chapter
BC Chapter
Sierra Youth Coalition
SCC Groups

NATIONAL OFFICE

2004 Membership Drive

The One Earth One Chance 2004 membership drive has come to a close. Any new memberships postmarked 31st October 2004 or earlier will be counted. Results will be announced in the December 2004 Green Gazette.

Calendars now available

Sierra Club 2005 Wilderness Wall Calendars and Engagement Calendars are now available through your chapter office. They make a great Christmas gift while supporting your chapter. Please contact your chapter for more information.

Sign up for Action Alerts!

The purpose of the list is to broadcast Sierra Club of Canada national environmental campaign information, such as campaign updates, alerts and press releases to members and friends of the Sierra Club of Canada.

Anyone may subscribe to this list and receive messages, but only the editors of this list may post messages.

To subscribe and unsubscribe:

www.sierraclub.ca/mailman/listinfo/scc-issue-alerts/

National Board Meeting

The National Board will meet in Ottawa from Nov. 12-14th. The weekend promises to be productive and engaging. Discussion will range from new board member orientation and fundraising workshops to discussion of the 5 year strategic plan and the 2005 conservation goals.

Sierra Club of Canada Environmental Achievement Awards Ceremony

On November 15th the Sierra Club of Canada will be presenting two awards. The Hon. David Anderson will receive the Sierra Club of Canada John Fraser Award for Environmental Achievement and former MP, Mr. Clifford Lincoln will receive the Sierra Club of Canada Lifetime Achievement Award. Past recipients of these awards include The Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien and The Rt. Hon. Herb Gray.

We are honoured to have His Excellency Ambassador John Fraser in attendance to present the awards on Parliament Hill.

Stephen Hazell Appointed Executive Director of the Sierra Club of Canada Foundation

October 29, 2004 Ottawa - The Board of Directors of the Sierra Club of Canada Foundation announced the appointment of Stephen Hazell as its first-ever executive director.

www.sierraclub.ca/national/media/item.shtml?x=754

Atmosphere and Energy

Carmakers dodge Kyoto responsibilities while driving up emissions: Industry’s offer of 12.5% improvement not enough

October 21, 2004 (Ottawa) The offer by Canadian carmakers to only meet half of its Kyoto target is unacceptable, says the Sierra Club of Canada, reacting to a Canadian Press report that carmakers have proposed to boost the fuel economy of their vehicles by 12.5 % instead of 25% as laid out in Canada’s Kyoto plan.

www.sierraclub.ca/national/media/item.shtml?x=743

Coalition Opposed to Seismic Shocked by Crab Study Results

October 4th 2004 Margaree NS: The coalition of environmentalists, tourism operators, fishermen, First Nations and concerned citizens, Save our Seas and Shores Coalition, expressed shock over the results of the December seismic experiment on snow crab.

www.sierraclub.ca/national/media/item.shtml?x=740

Health and Environment

Canada must take lead on Convention on Hazardous Waste:
Stop Undermining Ban on Hazardous Waste Movement to Developing Countries

October 25, 2004 Ottawa: The Sierra Club of Canada called on the Canadian Government to stop its opposition to restrictions on international hazardous waste shipments, and to take a lead on crucial issues at the 7th Conference of the Parties (COP), being held in Geneva, Switzerland.

www.sierraclub.ca/national/media/item.shtml?x=749

Protecting Biodiversity

CSA Appeal

On November 1st, 2004 the Sierra Club of Canada, together with the Sierra Legal Defence Fund and the National Aboriginal Forestry Association, initiated formal appeals procedures against eleven certificates issued in accordance with the Canadian Standards Association’s (CSA) Sustainable Forest Management standard. By initiating these appeals we hope to address specific shortcomings in particular management units; improve the rigour and accountability of auditors; ensure greater consistency between the claims made regarding the CSA standard and what the CSA standard actually delivers; and generate commitment to improve the CSA standard. To read more about the appeals, visit: www.sierraclub.ca/forests.csa-appeal.

Feds Issue Historic Extinction Decision

October 22, 2004 (Ottawa) An announcement by the federal Minister of Environment not to place two sockeye salmon populations on the federal list of endangered species is an historic extinction decision and sets the worst possible precedent for the future, says the Sierra Club of Canada, Environmental Defence and Nature Canada.

www.sierraclub.ca/national/media/item.shtml?x=748

CHAPTERS

ATLANTIC CANADA CHAPTER

BACK

SECOND TRIAL FOR POLLUTING ENGINEERING FIRM

A lawsuit against the engineering firm, Gemtec Ltd and Robert Lutes, a senior engineer, is proceeding to trial for the second time. The company had recommended that a closure option for the Gemtec dump be accepted. Unfortunately, this option would allow 140,000 cubic metres of toxic leachate to leak into the Petitcodiac watershed, annually.

Source: Moncton Times and Transcript, Oct.22/04

ATLANTIC ENERGY COALITION FORMED

A new Atlantic Canada Energy Coalition was launched in October to promote safe and sustainable energy solutions for the region. The first priority of the coalition will be to decommission the Point Lepreau nuclear power station at the end of its operating life in 2007 or 2008. NB Power’s current plan is to refurbish Point LePreau at an estimated cost of $1.4 billion, instead of investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects such as wind. We need your help on this important campaign! Please write to your elected officials or local newspapers.

For more information on how to get involved, please contact Emily McMillan at (902)444-3113 or emilym@sierraclub.ca

ACC EXCOMM MEMBER MEETS WITH PEI LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

On behalf of the Atlantic Canada Chapter, ExComm member Tony Reddin made a submission to a PEI Special Legislative Committee on Climate Change, on Thursday, Oct. 28th. He hopes to work with youth on a joint presentation from ACCSCC/SYC concentrating on opposition to the refurbishment of Pt. LePreau.

ONTARIO CHAPTER

BACK

Ottawa Organic Farmer's Market

Sat, Oct 30 2004 10:00AM to 02:00PM
Location: école Parsifal School Ottawa
Contact: Daniel Van Vliet Email: info@sierraclub.com
Takes place each Saturday, all year

Sat, Nov 6 2004 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Metro Hall, 55 John St., Room TBA Toronto
Contact: Paula Boutis Ph 416-862-4829

Sat, Nov 6 2004 03:00PM ro 12:00PM
Location: Pinto Valley Ranch - Galette Side Rd. Ottawa
Contact: Daniel Van Vliet Email: info@sierraclub.ca
Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door.
Proceeds will go to paying for expert environmental advice and legal costs related to the Fitzroy Boat Bypass.
For more information, contact Joanne @ 613.623.2942

Mon, Nov 8 2004 07:00PM to 09:00PM
Location: Suite 412 - 1 Nicholas Street Ottawa
Contact: Daniel Van Vliet Email: info@sierraclub.ca

Sat, Nov 13 2004 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Community Room, Whole Foods, 87 Avenue Road (Bay Subway Station) Toronto
Contact: Patty DeLaat or Jamie Kirkpatrick at Office Ph 416-960-9606 (office tel)
Email: pdelaat@hotmail.com
Web: ontario.sierraclub.ca/ecocertification/
Please register with the chapter office by November 10th. Limited to 20 participants.

This hour and a half session is designed to introduce you to the elements of planning a successful conservation campaign.

Mon, Dec 13 2004 07:00PM ro 10:00PM
Location: Ottawa Ontario
Contact: Daniel Van Vliet Ph 613 233-7889
Email: info@sierraclub.ca

Wed, Jan 5 2005 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Location: Metro Hall, Room TBA Toronto
Contact: Michelle Email: michelleseem@gmail.com

Interested in discussing various environmental issues in a smaller group? Come out to one of the EcoCertification Discussion Group meetings!

The Sierra Club of Canada - Prairie Chapter features an evening for members, volunteers and interested individuals on the last Wednesday of every month (excluding July, August and December). Join us for an evening of story telling, campaign organizing, sharing and learning focused on the diverse issues faced by our prairie communities. Refreshments provided.

Have an issue or topic you would like to hear more about? Contact Geneva Rae (genevar@sierraclub.ca)

South Saskatchewan Group
Contact Dan Parrot for information on monthly meetings and campaigns.
voal@hotmail.com

Interested in forming a local Group of the Sierra Club of Canada in your region? Contact Sonja Mihelcic at sonjam@sierraclub.ca

Be sure to check out our website and find out how the newly elected City Councillors feel about key environmental issues. www.sierraclub.ca/prairie

Looking for the ideal gift? Sierra Club calendars are among the most popular nature calendars ever published. Their classic formats, awe-inspiring photography, and quality production have made them perennial favorites of people around the country and around the world! Take advantage of this strong reputation and support our local conservation work at the same time!

2005 Wilderness Wall Calendar - spiral bound, month-by-month format, featuring 12 majestic North American landscapes. $17.95 + S&H

2005 Engagement Calendar - week-by-week format, featuring 57 spectacular photographs and "wire-o" binding. $19.95+S & H

Oct 7, 2004 ( Victoria , B.C.)—Six script writers ages 16-25 from across Canada are winners in Youth in Media’s Action on Climate Change “Take Two”, a project in which youth create public service announcements on climate change solutions for television broadcast.

October 15, 2004 (Victoria, B.C.)—Sierra Club of Canada, BC Chapter says the B.C. government’s decision yesterday to approve the environmental assessment for Jumbo Glacier Resort threatens critical ecosystems and discounts years of public process and community input

Oct 20, 2004 (Victoria, B.C.)—Sierra Club of Canada, BC Chapter says threats to steelhead and Coho stocks resulting from Fraser River chum salmon fishery could have been avoided if federal fishery managers had listened to fishermen and conservationists.

Oct 26, 2004 (Victoria, B.C.)—Sierra Club of Canada, BC Chapter is applauding reports released by Canada's and B.C.’s Auditors General. The reports criticize both federal and provincial governments for lacking a clear vision for wild salmon conservation.

(Ottawa) On October 19th, Canadian and American students demanded their rights to clean, renewable energy. With coordinated actions on university campuses throughout both countries, students sang the Clean Energy Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Canada) and the Declaration of Independence from Dirty Energy (U.S.). “Energy Independence Day will be the biggest Canada-U.S. student energy action ever,” says Geneva Guerin, National Coordinator of the Sustainable Campuses Project for the Sierra Youth Coalition.

Lillian MacLeod’s long struggle to address illegal dumping of septage near her Cape Breton home may soon be paying dividends. William Lahey, NS Deputy Minister of Environment and Labour met with concerned citizens of Middle River on October 22nd to discuss a recently completed independent review of the septic lagoons on Crowdis Mountain. Lahey’s frank admission of obvious mishandling of the case by DOE is unusual if not unprecedented. He promised direct intervention and a tight time-line in dealing with this protracted case. Check out the link below for more details and media articles: www.safecleanup.com/jag/grngazet/

A dozen brave people defied the rain to hike to the top of Mt Kaaikop (830 m) on Sunday October 17 (see the picture). They were rewarded at the summit with the first snow of the season!

Une douzaine de membres ont bravé la pluie lors d’une randonnée au Mont Kaaikop (830 m) le dimanche 17 octobre (voir la photo). Ils ont été récompensés au sommet par leur première neige de la saison !

Each year in Quebec, we throw away 2 billon plastic bags. Each one requires 400 years to decompose in nature. We are developing a campaign to reduce our consumption. Among the options, re-usable bags, a Plas-Tax (very successful in Ireland), biodegradable bags and raising awareness.

Chaque année au Québec, nous jetons 2 milliards de sacs de plastique. Chacun prendra 400 ans à se décomposer dans la nature. Nous développons donc une campagne pour réduire notre consommation. Parmi les options, nous faisons la promotion de la ré-utilisation des sacs, d’une « Plas-Tax » (taxe qui obtient beaucoup de succès en Irlande), utilisation de sacs bio-dégradables et sensibilisation du public.