July 02, 2009

Andrew Nikiforuk’s best-selling book Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of a Continent is important not just for what it has to say about the dirty fuel project in Northern Alberta but also for what it has to say about Canada’s energy and economic policies.

The book, published by Greystone Books with the David Suzuki Foundation, also has a lot to say about the effect of the tar sands on the entire continent. Because of that, it has garnered a lot of interest in the U.S. as well as Canada.

The book’s importance has now been recognized by the U.S. Society of Environmental Journalists, which is awarding it their highest honour, the 2009 Rachel Carson Environment Book Award.

According to the judges, all of whom are accomplished journalists or journalism educators, “The competition in most categories was intense.” Awards are given out in nine categories for reporting, one for a student, and one for a book.

The prize, which comes with US$10,000, will be awarded at the SEJ’s 19th annual conference in Madison, Wisconsin, on October 7.

The book was also awarded the $5,000 City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize, an award for outstanding books written by authors from Calgary.

Posted by Ian Hanington at July 02, 2009
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June 25, 2009

Pedal for the Planet

Do you enjoy cycling? Do you care about the environment? Then get involved with Pedal for the Planet!

Between June 28 and July 4, people across the country will join in to show their support for meaningful climate action. Using bikes, trains, and other modes of green transportation, participants will show their personal commitment to change and relay their call for a strong new climate treaty to be negotiated in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December 2009.

Participants will converge on Ottawa during the weekend of September 18-20, bringing the hopes and wishes of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

You can join the team for an hour, a day, a week - or for the whole ride. The Pedal for the Planet team would love to have you for as long as you would like to participate.

Orientation events are happening starting June 27. Check out the Pedal for the Planet site at www.kyotoplus.ca/pedal/ for more details.

Posted by Ian Hanington at June 25, 2009
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June 17, 2009

Climate change, energy issues require cooperation

We’re pleased to see that both elected political parties in B.C. – along with the B.C. Green Party – agree that a carbon tax is a necessary tool for dealing with global warming. With the NDP advocating for a strengthened tax, we have the opportunity to develop an effective climate change policy in B.C. that can set an example for other jurisdictions.

We also agree with the 21 B.C. mayors who have called on the government to improve the carbon tax by allocating a portion of the revenues to public transit.

With an added cap-and-trade system, which all parties also support, we can put a price on carbon in a way that will lead to reduced emissions. A lot remains to be done, but this issue is so crucial that the only way to move forward is for everyone to work together.

The NDP’s call for a more thorough environmental review of run-of-river power projects is also great news.

We have argued all along that true run-of-river hydro has the potential to be an important part of the clean-energy mix needed to help British Columbia address the issue of climate change while protecting against local environmental impacts.

However, run-of-river hydro projects can result in unacceptable impacts if they are improperly located, poorly designed, or built and operated in a manner that does not minimize impacts on the local environment.

B.C. needs an ecosystem-based management strategy that minimizes the environmental impacts of development – one that assesses the cumulative impacts of multiple power developments, ensures that minimum water flows protect stream ecosystems, and minimizes wilderness fragmentation resulting from access roads and power lines.

We will gladly continue to work with all who believe in science-based solutions for climate change and energy issues.

Posted by Ian Hanington at June 17, 2009
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June 16, 2009

David Suzuki Digs My Garden--100% Pesticide-Free

Wow. Ever wondered how resourceful, passionate and articulate Canadians are about the environment.

Posted by Panos Grames at June 16, 2009
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June 03, 2009

Happy Clean Air Day!

Here’s an amazing fact from the BC Lung Association: 6-10 litres of air enters our body every time we take a breath. That adds up to approximately 20,000 litres of air passing through our lungs each day! The simple act of breathing is a profound reminder of our connection to the environment.

Unfortunately, many of us live in cities where smog is a problem and this impacts our health. Last year, the Canadian Medical Association estimated that 21,000 Canadians would die from the effects of air pollution.

Back in 2007, the federal government pledged to cut air pollution from industrial facilities in half but hasn’t followed through. Join us in sending a message to federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice at: Jim.Prentice@ec.gc.ca. Wish him a happy Clean Air Day and ask him when the government is going to follow through on its commitment to reduce air pollution by 50%.

Check out the Clean Air Day web site at www.cleanairday.com

Posted by elijah v at June 03, 2009
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June 02, 2009

David Suzuki, most trusted Canadian

He’s outspoken. He’s often controversial. And people trust him. It’s no wonder. David Suzuki has been speaking the truth about environmental issues for more than 40 years.

In fact, Canadians place more trust in Dr. Suzuki than anyone else – by a long shot, according to the Reader’s Digest 2009 Trust Poll. “David Suzuki received more first-place rankings than the second and third places combined,” writes Jonathan Kay in the Reader’s Digest article “The Canadians You Trust”. (The Queen was second and Gen. Rick Hillier third.)

In 2004, voters chose Dr. Suzuki as the greatest living Canadian in CBC’s national contest “The Greatest Canadian”, in which he came in fifth overall.

We’re delighted that so many people respect and trust Dr. Suzuki. And we hope this will inspire even more people to take to heart his message that we must do all we can to protect this small blue planet we call home.

Posted by Ian Hanington at June 02, 2009
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June 02, 2009

Earth Run was awesome!

More than 1200 green hearted people participated in the inaugural Earth Run events in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Nelson and Winnipeg.

Over $24,000 was raised toward environmental initiatives. THANK YOU to all those that contributed, raised the funds, participated and volunteered. You have set the seeds for expanding the run across Canada for 2010.

A BIG thank you! to all the participants and volunteers that made the events possible. We have set the stage for expanding the runs across Canada for 2010.

Earth Run 2010 is April 25, email info@earthrun.com to help/get involved.

Posted by elijah v at June 02, 2009
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May 12, 2009

It's time to put the planet before politics

It's election day and a number of B.C. mayors, community leaders, David Suzuki and the former premier Mike Harcourt are calling for the new government, regardless of political stripe, to take a concerted approach to climate change.

The "Planet Before Politics" call to action was launched in open letter published online in the Globe and Mail:
"As citizens of this planet, it is our responsibility to put the planet before politics and urge the next B.C. government and federal politicians to do the same."

Check out the full list of signatories and their call to action:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090508.wPOLbc_letter0509/BNStory/politics/

Posted by Kristen Ostling at May 12, 2009
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April 29, 2009

Eco Karma Rocks: See k-os and support DSF!

Posted by Sutton Eaves at April 29, 2009
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April 28, 2009

Watch DSF's marine team on the World Fishing Network!

Check out interviews with five members of DSF’s marine and freshwater conservation team, who were featured on the World Fishing Network last week during its Go Green! broadcast and online campaign. The message of the campaign – React-Replenish-Release – aimed to educate anglers about waterways, fisheries and eco-systems, and how their actions impact the environment.

DSF's mariners are shown discussing their work on salmon, aquaculture, fish habitats, watershed protection and fisheries management. Click on their names to hear why these issues are important and what you can do to help!

Scott Wallace

Jeffery Young & John Werring

Bill Wareham

Jay Ritchlin

Posted by Sutton Eaves at April 28, 2009
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