Documents
Municipalities Request Help for Managing Wildlife Populations
Four BC municipalities are putting forward a resolution at this year's upcoming UBCM that asks the Province for help managing expanding wildlife populations.
Read more in the Vancouver Sun.
Equilibrium Green Home Project generates its own power.
Kamploops BC is home to one of the most energy-efficient homes in the world. The newly built 3,000 square foot home is so efficient, builders predict that annual energy costs will be zero. Using solar power technology, geothermal and hot water recovery, the home's green technologies cost an additional $100,000. It is expected that these costs will go down as green technology is more widely adopted.
Read article in Vancouver Sun here.
Decline in Phytoplankton Linked to Climate Change
CCPA's Open Letter to Tony Clement Re: Changes to Census Collection
Statistics Canada's Senseless Census Decision
June 30, 2010
Open letter to the Honourable Tony Clement, Ministry of Industry and Minister Responsible for Statistics Canada and Munir Sheikh, Chief Statistician, Statistics Canada
Dear Sirs,
I am concerned by the Canwest report about the decision to restrict the upcoming Census, and the path the highly-regarded Statistics Canada and the Government of Canada seems to be headed down with regard to the type of information it is interested in collecting.
This latest decision scraps the Census long-form questionnaire in favour of a one-time survey which makes responses voluntary rather than mandatory. This move will weaken the quality and availability of data that tells us what is happening to employment, immigration, housing, incomes and education - the very issues that beg for the best policy decisions possible as we inch our way through recovery.
June Temperatures Set Another Record
Last month's June temperatures were the highest on record. As a result, sea ice is at its lowest level ever. In fact, sea ice levels have been steadily declining, with 19 consecutive years of below-average levels for the month of June. Read more in the Globe and Mail.Tyee Reports Uncomfortable Facts About the Tar Sands
The Tyee reports that the Federal Government has killed a report examing the environmental impacts of Alberta'sTar Sands. According to the evidence presented by several reputable scientists, the industry is rapidly poisoning and depleteing the Province's water supply. Read article here.Green Infrastructure Better for Stormwater Control
Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago have concluded that green infrastructure is better suited to deal with storm water runoff that the traditional use of curbs and gutters, detention ponds and storm sewers. Green infrastructure incorporates permeable pavement, green roofs and constructed wetlands to reduce the flow of pollutants into sewers and ultimately into rivers, streams, oceans and lakes.
Read more here.
Majority of Americans Believe Climate Change is Real
Despite attempts from the US media to discredit climate change science, recent polling in the states revelas that the majority of Americans (74%)believe climate change is occurring. Seventy-six percent believe the governemnet should limit emissions. Read more here.Violence in Neighbourhoods Lower's Childrens' IQ Scores
A murder in a neighbourhood often lowers the IQ scores of children within a 10 block radius. Although this dip in IQ seems to go back to normal after 10 days, the post-traumatic stress of children who live in violent crime-ridden neighbourhoods accounts for lower IQ scores and poorer academic performance. Read article in Vancouver Sun here.Climate Change Added to the G8 Agenda
Prime Minister Steven Harper has just announced that climate change will be added to the G8 and G20 Summit agendas. His announcement comes after receieving intense pressure from other world leaders and environmental groups. Included in the climate change discussion will be a move to wipe out oil and gas subsidies. Read story in the Chronicle Herald.