[All] Gren news

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Provincial News
Ontario Cap and Trade Auction Results are in:
A total of 25,296,367 current (2017) allowances were sold at a settlement price of $18.08 and a total of 812,000 future (2020) greenhouse gas emissions allowances were sold at a settlement price of $18.07. The auction generated $472,031,155 in proceeds, which by law will be invested in programs that will reduce greenhouse gas pollution and help families and businesses reduce their own emissions through the climate Action Plan https://news.ontario.ca/ene/en/2017/4/ontario-announces-results-of-first-cap-and-trade-program-auction.html

Ontario Bans Snapping Turtle HuntsThe MNR received more than 13,460 comments, many of which focused on "opposition" to the turtle hunt, It is listed as a species of Special Concern under the SARA Act. 
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/ontario-bans-snapping-turtle-hunt-after-public-outcry-1.4053109
DGR UpdateCanadian Environmental Assessment tells OPG to rewrite their report on the proposed Deep Geological Repository by Lake Huron saying the data is to vague. This pushes back the decision by the Federal Environment minister until sometime next year. http://www.citynews.ca/2017/04/07/feds-criticize-vague-report-on-burying-nuclear-waste-near-lake-huron/

18 First Nation's communities located in the Province of Ontario are getting new water treatment supply systems and training. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/drinking-water-upgrades-announced-1.4044285
National News
Biodiversity redistribution under climate change: Impacts on ecosystems and human well-being but embracing First Nation's knowledge can help foster resilience. CBC summery here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/british-columbia-science-animal-biodiversity-redistribution-climate-change-1.4050520Abstract here: http://science.sciencemag.org/content/355/6332/eaai9214
Parks are leaving the ParkClimate Change is moving the ecosystems of Provincial Parks out of the protective delineation areas. http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/climate-change-moving-park-ecosystems-out-from-current-zones-study
Cut the Salt! It's estimated that 23 million tonnes of salt based de-icer are applied to North American roads every year threatening hundreds of lakes.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/lakes-road-salt-chloride-study-1.4064476

Big Changes for EAsExpert Panel calls for major changes to environmental assessments in Canada with a big focus on planning with compliance to Treaty Rights.Quick summery by Environmental Defense: http://environmentaldefence.ca/2017/04/11/big-changes-ahead-canadas-environmental-laws/Full report available online here: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/themes/environment/conservation/environmental-reviews/building-common-ground/building-common-ground.pdf

Non Compliance at Tar SandsAlberta's tar sands created 220 km of toxic ponds with 1.2 Trillion litres of contaminated water. Independent assessment found that the cleanup plans of six major Tar Sands operators don't meet new rules.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/oilsands-alberta-regulatory-cleanup-report-tailings-1.4048104
Delay for Line 3Enbridge Line 3 oil pipeline environmental review will be late. Originally due April 3rd now due May 15th.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4245042-enbridge-line-3-environmental-review-will-be-late#.WOMVKdn0ipg.twitter

Divestment in Alberta Tar SandsInternational majors shed about $25 billion of their oil sands assets in the past year. 
http://boereport.com/2017/04/01/state-oil-companies-stay-in-oil-sands-as-conoco-shell-exit/

Tar Sands dominated by 4 companies. 
70% of oil sands production is concentrated between four producers: Suncor, CNRL, Imperial Oil, and Cenovus.
http://boereport.com/2017/04/05/canadian-oil-sands-are-stealing-the-ma-show/
Tar Sands is Game OverCanada’s oilsands too long a game to fit the new environment says John Brussa, a Director of six oil & gas firms.
http://www.calgaryherald.com/flight+foreign+capital+means+more+challenging+times+ahead+oilsands/13230401/story.html

Too close for comfort...Floating oil platform has a near miss with a massive iceburg off the coast of Newfoundland. http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/news/regional/2017/3/30/floating-oil-platform-off-newfoundland-has-near-miss-with-iceber.html
Oral Knowledge Reveals Ancient SettlementNew evidence found of a Heiltsuk settlement in BC shows they've lived on the land for 14,000 years. Evidence found confirms stories told by elders about areas that did not freeze during the ice age. Scientists found the exact location with a unique geology of thick peat and thin soil that radiated heat. While Canada 150 celebrations are underway Heiltsuk 140000 still remains somewhat under the radar. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/archeological-find-affirms-heiltsuk-nation-s-oral-history-1.4046088
Farming & Source Water ProtectionReducing run-off from farmlands and improving soil health are the best path to address flooding and excess nutrients, according to a University of Manitoba expert on watershed management. The article features several ways to reduce phosphorus loading both on and off farmlands. 
https://www.manitobacooperator.ca/crops/on-farm-water-collection-key-to-drainage-management/#.WOlsa8KyNVY.twitter
Aquahacking Contest for Lake ErieThere is a $75,000 prize for team who innovates a workable solution to help Lake Erie. Details here: https://aquahacking.com/en/
Invasive Species is a major issue...that folks still don't know about. 
I personally attended the recent Aquahack event at the University of Waterloo which encouraged folks to share ideas regarding the threats to Lake Erie. The idea of invasive species was presented as a threat to biodiversity and fisheries. Not a word was said of the infrastructure risks posed by Zebra Mussels and nobody at the event was aware of these risks at all so I relayed the knowledge I had on the impacts to Line 5,  municipal water intakes and nuclear plants. Much more attention is needed on the issue. The power point I created about the impacts to Darlington and Pickering Nuclear is in a PDF file the attachments along with photos of Line 5.  Feel free to circulate the info. 
Mining with Electric VehicalsSandvick developed electric vehicles for mining. It reduces ventilation needs which is cleaner, safer and more quiet. http://mining.sandvik.com/en/products/equipment/underground-loading-and-hauling/electric-lhds

US NEWS
An EPA employee sends an eye opening whistle blowing letter to EPA head Pruitt revealing a toxic culture of information suppression and concerns for scientific credibility. In my view it mirrors many of the same issues that Canadian employee experienced when Harper was in power.  The letter can be viewed online here: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3538076-EPACoxlet.html

Senators start inquiry into the Dakota Access Oil Pipeline approval process http://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Senators-Start-Inquiry-Into-DAPL-Approval-Process.html
Al Gore calls for folks to organize international climate marches on April 29th. https://www.climaterealityproject.org/join-peoples-climate-march?utm_source=agsocial&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=PCM
International News
Japan based Kaneko has recently broke the efficiency record of solar panels—which now stands at 26.6%
https://futurism.com/company-japan-just-broke-world-record-solar-panel-efficiency/
Solar Power and Salt Water are successfully growing vegetables in the desert. http://reliefweb.int/report/world/feature-solar-energy-and-salt-water-power-vegetable-farms-desert?utm_content=buffer31826&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Plunging Renewables Costs = End of Fossil Fuels Inevitable -Solar to plunge 57% by 2025, Wind by 30%http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/renewable-energy-transition-from-fossil-fuels-inevitable-canada-clean-energy-a7658891.html?utm_content=buffereccdf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer http://

Take Action
$10 "feather pin" is available on Etsy. 100% of the proceeds go towards Chippewas of the Thames Supreme Court costs. (Court decision still pending)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/496892255/chippewas-of-the-thames-first-nation

Sign here to help Cook Inlet's Beluga whales from the ongoing natural gas leak:http://action.biologicaldiversity.org/o/2167/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=17582#.WOVWly8Bfh4.twitter

Have a good one everybody! 
Lulu :0)

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