The BC government recently launched a new website, FracFocus.ca that provides information on chemicals used in the fracking process at particular sites. Although the government is requiring oil and gas companies to provide the information, they are not required to do so until 30 days after they have completed their project.
A report released by Canada's Commissioner on the Environment, Scott Vaughan criticizes Environment Canada for failing to regulate and punish polluting industries. The report describes a lack of knowledge and consistency within the organization. Read more at the CBC.
After complaints about the water started to flood in from residents of Pavilion, Wyoming, the EPA decided to do some testing. Results showed "that ground water in the Pavilion aquifer contain[ed] methane, benzene, other petroleum hydrocarbons and other chemical compounds." The toxic chemicals are suspected to be the result of nearby fracking.
Several New Brunswick municipalities have passed moratoriums or outright bans on seismic testing, the first step in oil and gas exploration, within their municipal boundaries. Unfortunately, this represents the full extension of municipal powers. A company can still move ahead with drilling should they choose. Although some argue it is unlikely any company would take that step without conducting seismic testing first, municipalities would like to have more control over the industry. In the end, the province is able to override all municipal decisions.
Using well documented research to back up his claim, Al Gore is noting the direct link between the large algae blooms and low water levels of the Great Lakes as a direct result of climate change. He is urging governments to address the issue, noting that both the environmental and economic fallout from continued decline will be severe. Read more in Bloomberg Business Week.
}At the Union of BC Municipalities conference, municipal leaders passed the Blue Communities resolution, "the resolution asks for the federal government to provide funding for public water infrastructure and delivery projects and "unhook" funding for water infrastructure and maintenance projects from public-private partnerships (P3s)." Most BC municipalities have publicly owned water facilities and leaders want to make sure that continues, to be recognized as a "Blue Community, " a municipality "must recognize water as a human right.
September 27th 2011 served as "Earth Overshoot Day," meaning humanity's demands on nature have surpassed what nature can provide. The extreme depletion of fish stocks, forests and clean water is has lead to a situation where the earth cannot replenish itself at the pace at which we are taking from it."Earth Overshoot Day shows the day on which our total Ecological Footprint (measured in global hectares) is equal to the biocapacity (also measured in global hectares) that nature can regenerate in that year.
A comprehensive sustainable growth plan for Edmonton was approved by city council on July 20th. "The Way We Green describes a future Edmonton that is carbon-neutral, generates zero waste, is significantly less dependent on fossil fuels, has clean air and water, is able to withstand and bounce back intact from a range of possible environmental disturbances, and where in the course of everyday life, residents experience a strong connection with nature." City staff is now working on an implementation plan to be presented in the fall.
Filed in:
Climate Change,
Building & Urban Design,
News Stories,
Energy,
Reports and Studies,
Biodiversity,
Tools and Best Practices,
Food Security,
Pesticides,
Transportation,
Waste,
Water | July 25, 2011
A new report takes an independent look at 27 North American Cities and rates their environmental performance. The US and Canada Green City Index reports on 9 key areas in urban sustainability; CO₂, energy, land use, buildings, water, waste air and environmental governance. Each city is provided with an environmental profile that examines in detail areas where the city excels or needs improvement.
In a commitment to have zero waste, Oakville Ontario is launching a new partnership with retail stores and restaurants to provide access to tap water. Participating vendors will have a Blue W sign indicating people are welcome to come in and refill their water bottle. The city is also providing a mobile water bar that will be at events throughout the summer.
