Blog

A frank discussion of Canada, the environment and Sierra Club Canada Foundation

John Bennett — December 22, 2014

BENNETT BLOG / December 22, 2014

Reflecting is a good thing this time of year. First, I want to thank you for your support and apologize for being so annoying with my constant demands.

Then, give a big sigh of relief…we got through yet another year without being silenced. It is a real concern - many organizations have audits hanging over their heads and others fear they will be next. It can have a chilling effect, and we have felt the chill, examined our operations and made numerous administrative changes…but we will not be silenced. We will continue to speak out--that is our role...

Sarnia, meet Love Canal

John Bennett — December 9, 2014

BENNETT BLOG / December 9th, 2014

One of the most appalling environmental tragedies in American history, Love Canal, is sending its toxic legacy to Sarnia. About 80 truckloads of material—deemed too contaminated to remain in the ground near a residential area of Wheatfield, New York—are headed for Sarnia.

There are several reasons to be concerned.

Here comes the sun, but I say...

John Bennett — December 4, 2014

BENNETT BLOG / December 4th, 2014

Have you ever wondered why there needs to be a Sierra? This billboard is all the explanation necessary.

It seems ‘Friends of Science’, Canada’s own climate change deniers, have rounded up some money from Big Oil for a campaign in Montreal and Calgary. Why? It is a classic disinformation campaign to counter important global talks on reducing greenhouse gas emissions that got underway this week in Lima, Peru.

The perfect stuffer…socks, undies AND Dizolve

John Bennett — November 12, 2014

Use code SIERRA2014 at checkout before December 31, 2014 and receive 20% off your entire purchase of DIZOLVE!

20% of the profits go to our #SaveTheBees and other important programs!

Last year I wrote to our supporters introducing them to this great laundry product.

Well, you loved DIZOLVE!

So today I am pleased to be able to offer you another chance to stock up on these feather-light, safe and environmentally friendly laundry strips. No more lugging boxes to the basement or laundry mat!

This is where we are and what we have to do

John Bennett — October 24, 2014

Friends:

Below is the blog I was working on Wednesday while our building in Ottawa was in lockdown. It would not have been possible without the sacrifice and courage demonstrated in front of the War Memorial and in the halls of Parliament. I speak on behalf of the entire Sierra Club Canada community in expressing our gratitude, our sorrow and our hope this never happens again.

Sincerely,
John Bennett, National Program Director
Sierra Club Canada Foundation

 

This is where we are and what we have to do

Next week I'll be attending the 25th anniversary meeting of the Climate Action Network Canada -- an organization I led from 1998 to 2007. I had no idea I’d end up with the job when Kai Millyard called me about forming the network back in 1989.

Hey Sierra, I've got a little song for you!

John Bennett — October 17, 2014

Listen! Can you hear it? That's a 300 year old oak tree singing in your ear!

It's true. The song is called the 'Ballad of the 300 Year Old Oak Tree ' and it's been created for you and me and every Sierra Club of Canada Foundation supporter.

You can buy it for 99¢ from iTunes and we will receive the royalties!

Bee-ware: Bayer is back with a new neonic

John Bennett — October 10, 2014

Flupyradifurone is a new neonicotinoid pesticide from Bayer. That’s right, another one!

Here is what Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has to say about it:

“Flupyradifurone may pose a risk to bees, non-target beneficial arthropods, and freshwater and saltwater invertebrates when used for foliar application. Flupyradifurone may pose a risk to birds and small wild mammals when used for soybean seed treatment.”

Flupyradifurone can enter the environment through a number of different insecticide applications covering a large number of ‘pests’ in a variety of crops. It can also enter groundwater and the aquatic environment through surface run-off.