Friday, November 30, 2007
St. Francis Xavier University
At the Sierra Youth Club National Conference in September, Lise, a student from StFX, talks about her experiences as an environmental activist.
St. Francis is a liberal arts institution located in Antigonish, a northeastern Nova Scotia seaside town with a population of 6000.
www.stfx.ca/
George Brown College
Engineering student, Dominique explains her experiences as a member of a brand new environmental club at George Brown College.
George Brown is a college of applied arts and technology with three campuses in downtown Toronto, Ontario.
www.georgebrown.ca/
Lakehead University
Originally from South Western Ontario, Greg discusses his understanding of differences living in a Northern community, the need to manage resources wisely and indigenous rights.
LU is situated at the head of Lake Superior in Thunder Bay, Ontario with a population of 109,140.
www.lakeheadu.ca/
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Concordia
Rosalyne is a Québec student who relates her experiences in working toward environmental sustainability to larger social responsibilities. She also points out that various levels of government need come together to find solutions.
In particular she is very concerned with the future of our Boreal forests.
University of Saskatchewan
At the London, Ontario Youth Conference on Sustainability, Nicole, a student from the University of Saskatchewan reveals that her province is the largest producer of uranium in the world. She also discusses issues related to the corporatization of agriculture and how companies like Monsanto are affecting Canadian farmers.
The University of Saskatchewan is a public research university located on the East side of the South Sakatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan population, 206,500.
www.usask.ca/
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Rights Action
Who We Are
Rights Action is a multi-faceted community development, environmental and human rights organization with its main office in Guatemala City. In both Canada and the United States, Rights Action has tax-charitable status.
Rights Action:
* provides funds directly to over 50 grassroots development, environmental and human rights organizations and projects.
* provides technical support, popular education and organizational strengthening training to these grassroots organizations.
* builds alliances for global justice between community-based organizations, both regionally and north-south.
* provides human rights accompaniment to persons at risk of repression for their environment, development and human rights work.
* does education & activist work in the US & Canada about global human rights, environmental and development issues, and about how citizens and organizations can get involved and work on these issues.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTACT INFORMATION
Canada Office
Rights Action (Canada)
422 Parliament St.
Box 82522
Toronto ON M5A-4N8
email: info@rightsaction.org
Rights Action is a multi-faceted community development, environmental and human rights organization with its main office in Guatemala City. In both Canada and the United States, Rights Action has tax-charitable status.
Rights Action:
* provides funds directly to over 50 grassroots development, environmental and human rights organizations and projects.
* provides technical support, popular education and organizational strengthening training to these grassroots organizations.
* builds alliances for global justice between community-based organizations, both regionally and north-south.
* provides human rights accompaniment to persons at risk of repression for their environment, development and human rights work.
* does education & activist work in the US & Canada about global human rights, environmental and development issues, and about how citizens and organizations can get involved and work on these issues.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTACT INFORMATION
Canada Office
Rights Action (Canada)
422 Parliament St.
Box 82522
Toronto ON M5A-4N8
email: info@rightsaction.org
Monday, November 26, 2007
Media Advisory
For Immediate Release
November 26th, 2007
Students Unite for Global Day of Action on Climate change
Windsor – The University of Windsor's Environment Coalition will be marching from the lawn of the CBC Building to the University of Windsor on Saturday, December 8th at noon to stand up for the Global Day of Action on Climate Change.
The University of Windsor's Environment Coalition consists of a network of environmental groups including: the Environmental Law Society, OPIRG’s Environmental Action Group, Roots & Shoots, Young Greens and the Green Corridor Project.
The March will be on Saturday, December 8th and start at 12pm and go to 1pm.
As the heads of state meet in Bali, Indonesia for the UN Climate Negotiations, Canadians will stand in solidarity with millions around the world to demand action on climate change. The University of Windsor students are joining communities in over 77 countries as they encourage local Windsorites to join them on a march to let politicians and administrators know that it is time for change.
At a time when Climate Change has become a Global Crisis, it is not an issue to be taken lightly, so students of the University of Windsor are making a stand in showcasing their support to the world community and bringing attention to the Canadian Government for the need for a sustainable environmental policy.
-30-
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Invest in Our Communities – Not in War!Join the Weekly Peace Coalition Actions To Demand an End to the War!
JOIN US THIS SATURDAY or ANY SATURDAY to call for the withdrawal of Canada's troops from Afghanistan. We need to keep up the pressure to end this disastrous war! We will be continuing the picket at the entrance to Market Square every Saturday at 11 am.
For those of you who found Fridays at 5 hard to make, we hope you will be able to join us on Saturdays.
Saturdays, 11 AM until NOON
Windsor Market Square Enterance
Ottawa Street & Walker Road
http://www.windsorpeace.org/
Friday, November 23, 2007
International Year of Planet Earth
Earth sciences for society
The International Year of Planet Earth aims to capture people’s imagination with the exciting knowledge we possess about our planet, and to see that knowledge used to make the Earth a safer, healthier and wealthier place for our children and grandchildren International Year of Planet Earth 2007-2009.
What is the International Year of Planet Earth?
The International Year of Planet Earth aims to ensure greater and more effective use by society of the knowledge accumulated by the world’s 400,000 Earth scientists. The Year’s ultimate goal of helping to build safer, healthier and wealthier societies around the globe is expressed in the Year’s subtitle ‘Earth science for Society’.
The International Year runs from January 2007 to December 2009, the central year of the triennium (2008) having been proclaimed by the UN General Assembly as the UN Year. The UN sees the Year as a contribution to their sustainable development targets as it promotes wise (sustainable) use of Earth materials and encourages better planning and management to reduce risks for the world’s inhabitants.
http://yearofplanetearth.org/index.html
The International Year of Planet Earth aims to capture people’s imagination with the exciting knowledge we possess about our planet, and to see that knowledge used to make the Earth a safer, healthier and wealthier place for our children and grandchildren International Year of Planet Earth 2007-2009.
What is the International Year of Planet Earth?
The International Year of Planet Earth aims to ensure greater and more effective use by society of the knowledge accumulated by the world’s 400,000 Earth scientists. The Year’s ultimate goal of helping to build safer, healthier and wealthier societies around the globe is expressed in the Year’s subtitle ‘Earth science for Society’.
The International Year runs from January 2007 to December 2009, the central year of the triennium (2008) having been proclaimed by the UN General Assembly as the UN Year. The UN sees the Year as a contribution to their sustainable development targets as it promotes wise (sustainable) use of Earth materials and encourages better planning and management to reduce risks for the world’s inhabitants.
http://yearofplanetearth.org/index.html
Canadian Youth Delegation
CYD is a project of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition. We are united by our common vision of achieving a stable climate in a just world governed by the principles of sustainability. We seek to bring our expertise, passion and insight to bear on the threat – and opportunity – that is climate change. For more info, see our founding declaration on the climate crisis.
www.cydbali.org
Petition to show support for the outcome of this conference
Hey friends,
Please support this petition and pass on to any and all friends. Send this link far and wide to student and environment groups, friends, concerned citizens, etc. This petition will be brought to Bali with the Canadian Youth Delegation and, in turn, presented to the Canadian government delegation.
***
A delegation of 30 Canadian youth are going to the next UN climate change conference in Bali from Dec 3rd - 14th. The following petition will accompany the youth delegation, so our Canadian government leaders know that CANADIAN YOUTH are concerned about the outcome of this conference.
We will inherit the decisions made at this conference.
Sign this petition.
Make sure your voice is heard.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/canadian_youth/index.html
Please support this petition and pass on to any and all friends. Send this link far and wide to student and environment groups, friends, concerned citizens, etc. This petition will be brought to Bali with the Canadian Youth Delegation and, in turn, presented to the Canadian government delegation.
***
A delegation of 30 Canadian youth are going to the next UN climate change conference in Bali from Dec 3rd - 14th. The following petition will accompany the youth delegation, so our Canadian government leaders know that CANADIAN YOUTH are concerned about the outcome of this conference.
We will inherit the decisions made at this conference.
Sign this petition.
Make sure your voice is heard.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/canadian_youth/index.html
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Windsor's Growing Pains
The most prevalent issue facing Windsor and Detroit communities has become one of defence in the new global order. Above all, it is crucial that we take the necessary steps to preserve and nurture both our abilities to remain economically competitive and to ensure our place at the table of power in political negotiations. This can happen by cooperating at multiple levels of government to take actions and secure the flow of commodities through our international borders, ensuring that our critical infrastructure is not allowed to become privately owned. Solutions need to be agreed upon so that we take the steps to provide room for the expansion of global trade. However, there are many political hurdles which need to be surpassed so that we may succeed in such an endeavour.
There are several issues to consider when attempting to put together the pieces of the puzzle which make up the controversial new crossing between Canada and the United States. First, it is wise to consider the historical evolution of the 78-year-old Ambassador Bridge. It originated as a project to create work for locally unemployed citizens on both sides of the river. While, initially it was designed for the flow of traffic, by 1961, there were only 800 trucks crossing daily. In the early 1990's this figure had risen significantly to approximately, 8,000 trucks daily and gradually peaked at roughly 14,000 trucks per diem. It is important to understand that the integrity of this piece of infrastructure is not designed to support such a high volume of traffic. Roughly 12,000 trucks pass daily, which adds up to an estimated $60 million dollars a year.
Originally this border crossing was a combined public and private venture. During the Depression, when the first owner sold shares to avoid bankruptcy, the Ambassador Bridge became a publicly traded company. For a while, in the late 1970's the largest investor was Warren Buffet, who owned twenty-five percent of this important border crossing. In 1979 Manuel (Matty) Maroun, a Detroit native, purchased the farmer’s remaining shares of stock for $30 million dollars in U.S funds.
As the world's economy continues to grow with enormous pressure from the global marketplace, various tactics have been adopted to protect regional populations. Similar to the European Union, there have been negotiations for a North American Union which would solidify trade between Mexico, United States and Canada allowing a stronger role in world economics. In fact, there are plans to extend a superhighway all the way from Montreal to Tijuana which will directly impact Southern Ontario by increasing the current flow of trade through the Windsor Detroit crossing, which is currently responsible for forty percent of the commodities flowing into Canada. There are also negotiations for a new currency named the Amero which is supposed be introduced to stave off the collapse of our currencies. In light of such issues facing the continental political economy the amount of traffic predicted to come through the border will undoubtedly surpass the Ambassador Bridge's current capacity.
When the City of Windsor was first designed it grew without any conception of the fact that it would be as large as it is today. In the 1960's South Windsor houses were built without considering the impact that they would one day face as high volumes of traffic would eventually push through their neighbourhoods. Instead of restricting specific areas to be zoned for industrial and commercial use, many districts became residential and now the problem has magnified even larger. Despite the fact that the E.C. Row was constructed in order to facilitate transportation, the 401 Highway was stopped just beyond city limits as residents did not want to be affected by noise and pollution affiliated with a highway next to their homes. As a result, any trucker heading from Highway 401 to Detroit must follow two city streets, first Talbot Road and then Huron Church Road. Trucks then pass through 17 traffic lights, resulting in an exorbanant amount of pollution impact for citizens of Windsor.
Although it is understandable that people do not want to live in such close proximity to moving traffic, it is not feasible to expect South-Western Ontario, as the hub of economic trade for all of Canada, will be able to flourish without compromises. The city is growing and it is essential to decide where to make sacrifices. Most importantly, we cannot allow the new border crossing to continue to be privately owned. Out of more than 130 border crossings between Canada and the US, the Ambassador Bridge is the only owned by a private individual. Despite the fact that this company will not release maintenance records, they claim that the 78-year old bridge simply costs too much money to upkeep. Critics suggest that this is merely a ploy to maintain its stranglehold of international crossing revenues by warranting its "twinning".
The company also refuses to let law enforcement officials onto the bridge to monitor trucks which could be potentially carrying explosives, toxic waste or other materials banned by law from crossing the border. In lieu of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centre, issues compromising security are simply unacceptable. For quite some time after this devastating event trucks were backed up for kilometres on Huron Church Road. On some days it took 12 hours for a truck to get trom Windsor to the US Customs on the other side.
Maroun is now proposing to pay the City of Detroit to take over management of the US side of the Detroit-Windsor car tunnel. He's suggesting to funnel its traffic along a secure corridor to the new customs plaza on 80 hectares of Detroit industrial land, most of which he already owns. His plan entails 100 customs booths, doubling the current number on both sides of the border as a means to dramatically reduce crossing times.
“Windsorites” are not unfamiliar with adversity. There are many examples when we have come together as a community to get through tough times. Mayor Eddie Francis summed up much of the sentiment experienced by Windsorites when he acknowledged, "Yes, we've got explosive growth. Yes, things are going well for trade and commerce. But it shouldn't be on the backs and shoulders of Windsor residents. Why are they not entitled to the same quality of life as anyone else in the province?" We are currently experiencing a period of transition and uncertainty. We are changing from being a manufacturing city into a knowledge-based consumer society. It is possible for us to find solutions which will have low-impact upon the quality of our lives if we are patient and open-minded. We must not make the same mistakes that we made before by instead considering the impact of our future growth. By looking to the example of the Peace Bridge in Ohio we can gain a glimpse of what Windsor's new border crossing will be like as one regulated by a Port Authority.
According to the “Border Transportation Partnership” there is an estimated $40 million in profits to be gained by a new span. Without another crossing, Michigan and Ontario will lose 48,000 jobs a year by 2020. In conjunction with Asia-Pacific's emergence as an economic powerhouse, Canada could be in a lucrative position if we are prepared. We must strengthen our regional economy and our quality of life by getting ready for the future.
There are several issues to consider when attempting to put together the pieces of the puzzle which make up the controversial new crossing between Canada and the United States. First, it is wise to consider the historical evolution of the 78-year-old Ambassador Bridge. It originated as a project to create work for locally unemployed citizens on both sides of the river. While, initially it was designed for the flow of traffic, by 1961, there were only 800 trucks crossing daily. In the early 1990's this figure had risen significantly to approximately, 8,000 trucks daily and gradually peaked at roughly 14,000 trucks per diem. It is important to understand that the integrity of this piece of infrastructure is not designed to support such a high volume of traffic. Roughly 12,000 trucks pass daily, which adds up to an estimated $60 million dollars a year.
Originally this border crossing was a combined public and private venture. During the Depression, when the first owner sold shares to avoid bankruptcy, the Ambassador Bridge became a publicly traded company. For a while, in the late 1970's the largest investor was Warren Buffet, who owned twenty-five percent of this important border crossing. In 1979 Manuel (Matty) Maroun, a Detroit native, purchased the farmer’s remaining shares of stock for $30 million dollars in U.S funds.
As the world's economy continues to grow with enormous pressure from the global marketplace, various tactics have been adopted to protect regional populations. Similar to the European Union, there have been negotiations for a North American Union which would solidify trade between Mexico, United States and Canada allowing a stronger role in world economics. In fact, there are plans to extend a superhighway all the way from Montreal to Tijuana which will directly impact Southern Ontario by increasing the current flow of trade through the Windsor Detroit crossing, which is currently responsible for forty percent of the commodities flowing into Canada. There are also negotiations for a new currency named the Amero which is supposed be introduced to stave off the collapse of our currencies. In light of such issues facing the continental political economy the amount of traffic predicted to come through the border will undoubtedly surpass the Ambassador Bridge's current capacity.
When the City of Windsor was first designed it grew without any conception of the fact that it would be as large as it is today. In the 1960's South Windsor houses were built without considering the impact that they would one day face as high volumes of traffic would eventually push through their neighbourhoods. Instead of restricting specific areas to be zoned for industrial and commercial use, many districts became residential and now the problem has magnified even larger. Despite the fact that the E.C. Row was constructed in order to facilitate transportation, the 401 Highway was stopped just beyond city limits as residents did not want to be affected by noise and pollution affiliated with a highway next to their homes. As a result, any trucker heading from Highway 401 to Detroit must follow two city streets, first Talbot Road and then Huron Church Road. Trucks then pass through 17 traffic lights, resulting in an exorbanant amount of pollution impact for citizens of Windsor.
Although it is understandable that people do not want to live in such close proximity to moving traffic, it is not feasible to expect South-Western Ontario, as the hub of economic trade for all of Canada, will be able to flourish without compromises. The city is growing and it is essential to decide where to make sacrifices. Most importantly, we cannot allow the new border crossing to continue to be privately owned. Out of more than 130 border crossings between Canada and the US, the Ambassador Bridge is the only owned by a private individual. Despite the fact that this company will not release maintenance records, they claim that the 78-year old bridge simply costs too much money to upkeep. Critics suggest that this is merely a ploy to maintain its stranglehold of international crossing revenues by warranting its "twinning".
The company also refuses to let law enforcement officials onto the bridge to monitor trucks which could be potentially carrying explosives, toxic waste or other materials banned by law from crossing the border. In lieu of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centre, issues compromising security are simply unacceptable. For quite some time after this devastating event trucks were backed up for kilometres on Huron Church Road. On some days it took 12 hours for a truck to get trom Windsor to the US Customs on the other side.
Maroun is now proposing to pay the City of Detroit to take over management of the US side of the Detroit-Windsor car tunnel. He's suggesting to funnel its traffic along a secure corridor to the new customs plaza on 80 hectares of Detroit industrial land, most of which he already owns. His plan entails 100 customs booths, doubling the current number on both sides of the border as a means to dramatically reduce crossing times.
“Windsorites” are not unfamiliar with adversity. There are many examples when we have come together as a community to get through tough times. Mayor Eddie Francis summed up much of the sentiment experienced by Windsorites when he acknowledged, "Yes, we've got explosive growth. Yes, things are going well for trade and commerce. But it shouldn't be on the backs and shoulders of Windsor residents. Why are they not entitled to the same quality of life as anyone else in the province?" We are currently experiencing a period of transition and uncertainty. We are changing from being a manufacturing city into a knowledge-based consumer society. It is possible for us to find solutions which will have low-impact upon the quality of our lives if we are patient and open-minded. We must not make the same mistakes that we made before by instead considering the impact of our future growth. By looking to the example of the Peace Bridge in Ohio we can gain a glimpse of what Windsor's new border crossing will be like as one regulated by a Port Authority.
According to the “Border Transportation Partnership” there is an estimated $40 million in profits to be gained by a new span. Without another crossing, Michigan and Ontario will lose 48,000 jobs a year by 2020. In conjunction with Asia-Pacific's emergence as an economic powerhouse, Canada could be in a lucrative position if we are prepared. We must strengthen our regional economy and our quality of life by getting ready for the future.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
KYOTO NOW!
On December 8, Rally Around the Earth for Climate Justice and a Safer, Healthier Planet!
You have a power you may not recognize - the power to stop climate chaos. According to the World Health Organization, climate change is already killing 150,000 people every year, and that could double to 300,000 annual deaths by 2030. Whole ecosystems face upheaval and millions of people face displacement. The climate is in crisis, but we can avoid climate catastrophe if we take action now to save the Kyoto Protocol.
People around the world are preparing for the largest planetary day of action yet to stop climate chaos. Join hundreds of thousands of people in 60 countries (and counting) who will be on the streets to demand that world leaders take the urgent and resolute action that is needed to prevent catastrophic climate chaos. The entire world needs to move as rapidly as possible to a stronger emissions reductions treaty, which is both equitable and effective in preventing dangerous climate change.
SAVE KYOTO. SAVE THE WORLD.
In December, 190 countries will meet in Bali, Indonesia for the UN Kyoto Climate Talks to negotiate our future. On December 8, the people of Canada can stand in solidarity with millions worldwide to demand our leaders take real action. It is time for the Canadian government to stop lagging behind and do its fair share on climate change. Long-time industrialized countries like Canada that have emitted most greenhouse gases up to now must take most of the responsibility for the adaptive measures that have to be taken, especially by helping low-emitting countries with limited economic resources.
In Canada, the case is particularly severe: Canada declared our Kyoto targets unachievable and joined Bush's club of polluting nations who think a "voluntary" approach will reach our commitments, rejecting the European model of real greenhouse gas reductions. The focus on reducing emissions "intensity" of the Asia Pacific Partnership is a literal carbon smokescreen that would actually allow overall emissions to go up instead of down. December 8 is our day to tell our government that the only path to a stable climate runs through Kyoto!
IT'S TIME FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE.
We categorically reject false technological "fixes" for climate change. Embracing questionable technologies will not only fail to solve our climate crisis, they may create new and dangerous problems. The renewable energy technologies needed to solve climate change exist today, and we need a "just transition" strategy in Canada to ensure workers in non-renewable energy industries can make the shift to the mass production of sustainable energy from water, wind and sun.
Although they did not cause climate change, billions of people in the global South will be most affected by it, losing their sources of food, livelihoods and sustenance. For many, it is a matter of life and death. Their voices must be heard around the world, and our policies and actions must support their courageous efforts to adapt to, as well as to offer creative solutions to, the alarming changes occurring in their ecosystems right now. December 8 could be the demonstration the world has been waiting for. The Earth needs you to take to the streets to demand climate action. Will you be a part of it?
In Canada, this joint call to action is being issued by Stop Climate Chaos - Canada in partnership with the University of Windsor Environmental Coalition, ACT for the Earth, Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique (AQLPA), the Canadian Biotech Action Network, the Canadian Federation of Students, the Canadian Labour Congress, the Canadian Peace Alliance, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice, the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, Coalition Québec Kyoto, the Communication, Energy, and Paperworkers Union of Canada, Conservation Council of New Brunswick, the Council of Canadians, David Suzuki Foundation, the Ecology Action Centre, Environmental Coalition of Prince Edward Island, Fredericton Peace Coalition, Greenpeace, NUPGE (the National Union of Public and General Employees), Sierra Club of Canada, SOS Eau Water Sankwan, the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa, St John Citizens Coalition For Clean Air, the Toronto & York Region Labour Council, and USC Canada.
TAKE ACTION.
Pan-Canadian actions on December 8 are being organized, through local, city and rural based coalitions, and are currently planned for:
Windsor, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Moncton, Kamloops, Regina, Charlottetown, Winnipeg, Quebec City, Vancouver, Edmonton, Sackville, Calgary, St Johns and Halifax.
Details, including contact information, are here: www.climatechaos.ca. No rally planned for your location? Plan one! Contact actions@ourclimate.ca, director@ourclimate.ca, or campaigns@actfortheearth.org to get involved!
CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR NEW INFORMATION:
www.climatechaos.ca
www.ourclimate.ca
FOLLOW WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE UN:
www.cydbali.org
www.globalclimatecampaign.org
WWW.CLIMATECHAOS.CA
You have a power you may not recognize - the power to stop climate chaos. According to the World Health Organization, climate change is already killing 150,000 people every year, and that could double to 300,000 annual deaths by 2030. Whole ecosystems face upheaval and millions of people face displacement. The climate is in crisis, but we can avoid climate catastrophe if we take action now to save the Kyoto Protocol.
People around the world are preparing for the largest planetary day of action yet to stop climate chaos. Join hundreds of thousands of people in 60 countries (and counting) who will be on the streets to demand that world leaders take the urgent and resolute action that is needed to prevent catastrophic climate chaos. The entire world needs to move as rapidly as possible to a stronger emissions reductions treaty, which is both equitable and effective in preventing dangerous climate change.
SAVE KYOTO. SAVE THE WORLD.
In December, 190 countries will meet in Bali, Indonesia for the UN Kyoto Climate Talks to negotiate our future. On December 8, the people of Canada can stand in solidarity with millions worldwide to demand our leaders take real action. It is time for the Canadian government to stop lagging behind and do its fair share on climate change. Long-time industrialized countries like Canada that have emitted most greenhouse gases up to now must take most of the responsibility for the adaptive measures that have to be taken, especially by helping low-emitting countries with limited economic resources.
In Canada, the case is particularly severe: Canada declared our Kyoto targets unachievable and joined Bush's club of polluting nations who think a "voluntary" approach will reach our commitments, rejecting the European model of real greenhouse gas reductions. The focus on reducing emissions "intensity" of the Asia Pacific Partnership is a literal carbon smokescreen that would actually allow overall emissions to go up instead of down. December 8 is our day to tell our government that the only path to a stable climate runs through Kyoto!
IT'S TIME FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE.
We categorically reject false technological "fixes" for climate change. Embracing questionable technologies will not only fail to solve our climate crisis, they may create new and dangerous problems. The renewable energy technologies needed to solve climate change exist today, and we need a "just transition" strategy in Canada to ensure workers in non-renewable energy industries can make the shift to the mass production of sustainable energy from water, wind and sun.
Although they did not cause climate change, billions of people in the global South will be most affected by it, losing their sources of food, livelihoods and sustenance. For many, it is a matter of life and death. Their voices must be heard around the world, and our policies and actions must support their courageous efforts to adapt to, as well as to offer creative solutions to, the alarming changes occurring in their ecosystems right now. December 8 could be the demonstration the world has been waiting for. The Earth needs you to take to the streets to demand climate action. Will you be a part of it?
In Canada, this joint call to action is being issued by Stop Climate Chaos - Canada in partnership with the University of Windsor Environmental Coalition, ACT for the Earth, Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique (AQLPA), the Canadian Biotech Action Network, the Canadian Federation of Students, the Canadian Labour Congress, the Canadian Peace Alliance, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice, the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, Coalition Québec Kyoto, the Communication, Energy, and Paperworkers Union of Canada, Conservation Council of New Brunswick, the Council of Canadians, David Suzuki Foundation, the Ecology Action Centre, Environmental Coalition of Prince Edward Island, Fredericton Peace Coalition, Greenpeace, NUPGE (the National Union of Public and General Employees), Sierra Club of Canada, SOS Eau Water Sankwan, the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa, St John Citizens Coalition For Clean Air, the Toronto & York Region Labour Council, and USC Canada.
TAKE ACTION.
Pan-Canadian actions on December 8 are being organized, through local, city and rural based coalitions, and are currently planned for:
Windsor, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Moncton, Kamloops, Regina, Charlottetown, Winnipeg, Quebec City, Vancouver, Edmonton, Sackville, Calgary, St Johns and Halifax.
Details, including contact information, are here: www.climatechaos.ca. No rally planned for your location? Plan one! Contact actions@ourclimate.ca, director@ourclimate.ca, or campaigns@actfortheearth.org to get involved!
CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR NEW INFORMATION:
www.climatechaos.ca
www.ourclimate.ca
FOLLOW WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE UN:
www.cydbali.org
www.globalclimatecampaign.org
WWW.CLIMATECHAOS.CA
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Leadership in Environmental Design
The LEED Green Building Rating SystemTM designed by the U.S. Green Building Council advances energy and material efficiency and sustainability for New Construction (LEED-NC) and for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB).
http://www.green.ca.gov/GreenBuildings/leed.htm
http://www.green.ca.gov/GreenBuildings/leed.htm
South Windsor Environmental Club
This club offers students the chance to discuss and act upon the environment. Students will work together to learn more about the environment, pass on this knowledge to other students, and develop plans to create improvements, particularly on the local level. This club meets weekly.
http://www.swindsor.k12.ct.us/highschool/activities/clubs/index.shtml
http://www.swindsor.k12.ct.us/highschool/activities/clubs/index.shtml
Indigenous Environmental Network
"A network of Indigenous Peoples empowering Indigenous Nations and communities towards sustainable livelihoods, demanding environmental justice and maintaining the Sacred Fire of our traditions."
http://www.ienearth.org/
http://www.ienearth.org/
Monday, November 19, 2007
U of W and the Talloires Declaration
On December 8th, the International Day of Action on Climate Change, the Environmental Coalition of the University of Windsor will be encouraging administration to fulfill its commitments to the Talloires Declaration as well as taking on its responsibilities of leadership as an institution of higher learning in the Windsor/Essex community.What is the Talloires Declaration?
Composed in 1990 at an international conference in Talloires, France, this is the first official statement made by university administrators of a commitment to environmental sustainability in higher education. The Talloires Declaration (TD) is a ten-point action plan for incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching, research, operations and outreach at colleges and universities. It has been signed by over 350 university presidents and chancellors in over 40 countries.
http://www.ulsf.org/about.html
The Real News
The Real News is a non-profit news and documentary network focused on providing independent and uncompromising journalism.You can get involved in the production of news.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
The Largest Spill Since 1988
State and local officials were left wondering what exactly went wrong in the wake of a 58,000 gallon oil spill in San Francisco Bay - the largest such spill since 1988 - this past Wednesday. The Cosco Busan, a South Korea-bound container ship, struck one of the Bay Bridge's steel and concrete buttresses Wednesday morning as it was being guided out; the impact gouged the hull, precipitating the massive spill.
NMEAC
The Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council (NMEAC) is the Grand Traverse region's oldest and best-known grassroots environmental advocacy organization.
The Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium
Donna Dillman began her hunger strike outside of the gates of the uranium protest site in Frontenac County, Ontario, Canada, on October 8th, 2007, at 12pm. She is calling for a moratorium on uranium mining in Eastern Ontario and is asking people to show their support by contacting local politicians, media outlets, Internet blogs and any organization you feel may be of help. We also encourage people to come out and show their support. Make a day of it or just drop by to say hello. Bring warm herbal tea, firewood and for the really adventurous, camping supplies so you can stay awhile.Open http://serc.carleton.edu/research_education/nativelands/
In 2000, Montrealer, Naomi Klein published the book ‘No Logo’, which for many became a manifesto of the anti-globalization movement. This movement had shut down the WTO Meeting of 1999 one month before the release of ‘No Logo’. The book reveals the problems with consumer culture by describing the operations of large operations. Her next book published in 2002 is a collection of articles and speeches she had written on behalf of the anti-globalization movement.
Environment Jobs In Windsor!
Hey everyone... if you're looking for work and you're into the environment you should check out the link below - they're hiring both full and part-time positions.
http://www.projectporchlight.com/node/282/
http://www.projectporchlight.com/node/282/
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
CCHW
Citizen's Clearinghouse on Hazardous Waste
Center for Health, Environment and Justice and children's ...The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (formerly Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste) trains and assists local people to fight for justice, ...
www.cehn.org/cehn/resourceguide/cchw.html
Center for Health, Environment and Justice and children's ...The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (formerly Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste) trains and assists local people to fight for justice, ...
www.cehn.org/cehn/resourceguide/cchw.html
Environmental Justice
Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice
Looking for information on pollution in your community?
Click here for great resources! ...
www.dwej.org/
Recycle Bins along the Riverfront
Windsor and Detroit are considered to be international cities. We need to set an example by thinking globally and act locally. There is absolutely no reason we should not have recycling bins in the place where we draw most tourists visiting our community. By April 23rd, 2008 the Environmental Coalition of the University of Windsor hopes to have collected 5000 signatures on our petition. If you'd like to become involved please contact opirg@uwindsor.ca
Action on Climate Change in Windsor
The University of Windsor Environmental Coalition is planning to meet with the larger Windsor Community on the front lawn of the CBC on Riverside Ave. at 12pm on December 8th. We will march along Riverside Ave. up Sunset St. and over to the construction site of the New Medical Building. They we will bring attention to the fact that educational institutions must fulfill a leadership role in our community. We will demand that our institution become more transparent in projects geared toward sustainability so that students and community will know what's going on.
Maude Barlow Is Coming To Windsor!
"This is my standpoint. And I am just not going to budge from it. it's having a world view that is just in some ways immovable." - Maude Barlow
Maude Barlow is perhaps Canada's best known voice of dissent, highly opinionated and passionate. Over the years she's fought on the feminist front, struggled with the Mulroney government over the Free Trade Agreement, and been tear-gassed. The story of this driven, committed woman is told in Immovable Maude: The Life & Times of Maude Barlow.
Monday, November 19 - Windsor, ON
7:00 p.m. Caboto Club, 2175 Parent Avenue
Sunday, November 4, 2007
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