[All] GREN News Feb. 7, 2017

[water.lulu at yahoo.ca]

Hi folks
Lots of stuff happening. Here is the latest. 
LOCAL NEWS 
Wacky January Weather recorded at UW Weather Station. There were four cold days in the first part of the month with 12 days in a row above zero, which is something that we haven’t seen in January since 1944. Temps were over 3 degrees above average, making it the warmest January since 2006.
With the 111.2 mm of precipitation in the month it was the second highest total in the last 18 years. 
January weather summery online here; http://weather.uwaterloo.ca/
Region has more Gas Tax money! The Region of Waterloo has received an average of about $9.6 million per year in gas tax funding, but could see its funding increased to $12 million in 2019-20, $14.4 million in 2020-21, and $19.2 million in 2021-22. Good time to give a strong push to purchase Hidden Valley!http://www.570news.com/2017/02/03/enhanced-gas-tax-program-coming-2019/
SARA Act wants to downgrade Rainbow Mussel ProtectionRainbow Mussels helped me protect Clair Creek at the OMB and it helped stopped a pit in West Montrose. They are an indicator species of where cold water recharges rivers and tributaries. When their habitats are at risk our water quality, water flow and flow rates are too.  It seems rather odd for any freshwater aquatic species to be de-listed in the age of climate change with the issues we've had with floods, droughts, erosion, nitrate, phosphate and effluent but when you consider how many of them are in the way of Line 9, and other pipelines you can see why some folks would rather disregard the little guys. Often times rare species are the only policy we've got to left to protect window recharge zones and primary recharge areas away from wellheads and intakes. Not much use protecting the intakes and wells if we destroy the recharge zones that provide the water.  To help maintain their status, please complete the survey here; http://isdm.gc.ca/survey-enquete/eng/916a957zh or give written comment here: http://registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/document/default_e.cfm?documentID=3109
Oxford sustainability showcase The event takes place on April 20th at Oxford Auditorium in Woodstock ON. Featured presenters include:    
   - Doug Yates, director of environment and energy at GM Canada will share the story of GM’s zero waste to landfill practices.    

   - Milfred Hammerbacher is co-founder of s2s Technologies Inc., a firm partnering with Sifton Properties to establish a 70-acre community in London that will feature net-zero energy and water consumption, electric vehicle readiness and smart grid infrastructure.   

   - Dr. Chih C. Chao, a principal of Cantech Environmental Services and former professor, who has worked with natural and social scientists to search for and implement feasible approaches that lead to sustainable low-carbon circular economic systems.
For more info visit here: http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2017/02/07/oxfords-sustainability-showcase-takes-place-april-20-at-oxford-auditorium-in-woodstock

PROVINCIAL NEWS
Electric Cars got a BoostBy 2018, Ontario will require new workplaces, townhouses & homes be made with EV chargers.
http://www.cantechletter.com/2017/02/ontario-makes-easier-buy-electric-vehicle/

Ontario Green BondGovernment of Ontario raised 800 million in Green Bond money to support environmentally friendly infrastructure projects. https://news.ontario.ca/mof/en/2017/02/green-bond-proceeds-to-fund-environmentally-friendly-infrastructure-projects.html

Permit ProblemsOntario Government issued more kill permits for moose...than the entire moose population. Calls to cancel spring calf hunt underway.  https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/02/05/ontario-should-stop-hunt-of-moose-calves-editorial.html
The issues facing moose are many. There are ticks bringing lyme disease north. Main vector is deer mouse and with Ontario's snake and turtle decline, less prediation = more mice.The bigger issue though is the use of Round Up by the Forestry Sector.  This is resulting in dramatic decline of deer in New Brunswick and likely impacts moose as well since the pesticide eats broad leaf food supplies needed by these species. http://www.nationalobserver.com/2016/06/27/news/how-irvings-intimidate-their-critic
To help stop the calf cull please call or email the following representatives: Bill Mauro Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry bmauro.mpp.co at liberal.ola.org     Phone: 807-623-9237
or MNR Peterborough Public Imput 705-755-1940

Trump's nixing NAFTA = water threatOntario hikes water taking fees but Council of Canadians concerned that Trump's Nafta threats will result in bulk water exports to US. https://nowtoronto.com/news/ecoholic/nestle-nafta-water-exports/

NATIONAL NEWS
Oil Spills Data shows system issues 
Human Error caused 20 oil spills/leak a year over the past 3 years alone.  That's up from and average of 4 spills over 6 years. http://globalnews.ca/news/3212533/human-error-a-growing-factor-in-pipeline-leaks-national-energy-board/
Video showing spills in Alberta from 1975 to 2012. http://globalnews.ca/news/571494/introduction-37-years-of-oil-spills-in-alberta/
Alberta's regulator assumed that 100% of oil from spills was reclaimed in 53% of cases. http://calgaryherald.com/business/energy/estimates-of-convenience-researcher-says-alberta-spills-data-too-positive#pt0-138248
NEB Policy reviewThe NEB is revising planning and safety policy currently, Public comments welcome until March 31. For more information visit here:https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/conservation/assessments/environmental-reviews/national-energy-board-modernization.html
The passing of Professor Steven Renzetti Canada lost a water champion this week with the passing of Professor Steven Renzetti. As an Economics Prof from Brock University he dedicated his work to the economics of water conservation and management. He founded the Water Economics Policy and Governance Network and served on the Science Advisory Committee to the International Joint Commission's Great Lakes Water Quality Board. I met him in 2009 at the GRCA and have been inspired by his work framing conservation issues with economics. No doubt his legacy will continue to inspire the conservation efforts of many others for years to come. Here is a lovely tribute to his work:  http://watercanada.net/2017/in-memory-professor-steven-renzetti/

Canadian Water Network: Raindrops to RiversAn online presentation took place featuring the research of Dr. Scott Jasechko, assistant prof. of water resources at University of Calgary. Here is a glimps of the findings.    
   - The "age" of water influences what nutrients & pollutants are found in waterways   

   - About 1/3 of water in an "average" river is less than 3 months old. The rest is older. This includes snow and rain and the age is determined by isotopes.    

   - In Canada we tend to have more 'heavy water' during the summer and in contrast, in the winter 'light' water prevails.   

   - Young water flow in rivers increases vulnerability to contaminants during storms.
   - 1/3 of rivers is young water where landscapes are well connected, rapid delivery of nutrients and pollutants   

   - In these landscapes little time for degradation or detection of pollutants reaching waterways   

   - Since water flows downhill there may be higher risk of nutrient contamination in flat landscapes    

   - About 1/3 of global human water use is from groundwater. Agricultural water use breakdown is 40% groundwater and 60% surface water.   

   - Just because groundwater is dominantly old, there is some new [potentially contaminated] water   

   - Only 6% of world's groundwater is replenished in ~50 yrs. "Modern" groundwater is also more vulnerable   


Related Abstract; http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/v9/n2/full/ngeo2590.htmlDr. Scott Jasechko's website http://www.isohydro.ca/


INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Endocrine Issues exposed.Huffington Post did an excellent video with Harvard experts, approx. 55 minutes long titled Hormone-Altering Chemicals: Fertility and Health Implication. Lots of shocking facts here. Only 2% of shampoos are tested for safety. Product testing laws are woefully outdated. 40 min. into video an expert confirms Corexit (used during the Gulf Spill) is actually the active ingredient of a laxative used by pregnant woman. 
Water Rising QuicklyNOAA warns of 8 foot see level rise by 2100. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sea-level-rise-will-hit-the-us-this-century-noaa-warns/Here are videos of what that may look like in Major US cities. https://www.fastcoexist.com/3067846/see-how-the-coming-8-feet-of-sea-level-rise-will-drown-your-city
Bee Defenders Alliance in EU Court Bee Defenders Alliance enter court hearings next week, they’ll be facing off against teams of corporate lawyers for Bayer, Syngenta and BASF to uphold a European ban against clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiametoxam, belonging to the class of neonicotinoids. In 2011, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that honey which includes pollen of Monsanto’s GMO corn MON 810 constitutes a genetically modified foodstuff and therefore requires an admission under EU genetic engineering legislation. Without such an admission, the sale of the contaminated honey is prohibited. With this ruling, the ECJ strengthened the rights of consumers and beekeepers who can now claim compensations if they cannot market their honey due to a contamination with GMO pollen which does not have an approval for human consumption. By preventing an out-of-court settlement they make sure the ECJ puts the protection of nature before the profits of the agro-chemical giants. The trial is in the last phase. To send a message of support or to help sponsor this effort visit here; https://actions.sumofus.org/a/send-a-message-to-the-beekeepers-taking-on-bayer-and-syngenta-in-court/?akid=27423.11806931.JTImsh&rd=1&source=fwd&t=2

QUICK SIGN PETITIONS
Sign here to make Toronto a carbon free city https://www.change.org/p/climatefast-let-s-make-canada-s-largest-city-carbon-freeClose Pickering Nuclear Power Plant.  http://www.cleanairalliance.org/close-pickering/#.WJn03YOxEeg.twitter
Have a great week everybody! 
Lulu :0) 
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