Saturday, December 31, 2005
Mainstream Wakeup / Climate Change
Sun and wind never send us an invoice – The change in energy is possible
WEB Reference, Dec. 2005 (Norsk Hydro ASA) - Some weeks ago in the USA and in the Caribbean we experienced hurricane Katrina, then Rita, then Wilma and lastly Alpha and Beta. Shortly before that, we had damages in billions of dollars caused by Typhoons in Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea. And before that we had floodings in Austria, Switzerland and Germany. The causes of the increasing amounts of natural disasters is mainly the greenhouse-effect. And the cause of the greenhouse-effect is our energy-policy. http://www.sonnenseite.com/index.php?pageID=60&article:oid=a3983&template=article_detail.html.
Sun and wind never send us an invoice – The change in energy is possible
WEB Reference, Dec. 2005 (Norsk Hydro ASA) - Some weeks ago in the USA and in the Caribbean we experienced hurricane Katrina, then Rita, then Wilma and lastly Alpha and Beta. Shortly before that, we had damages in billions of dollars caused by Typhoons in Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea. And before that we had floodings in Austria, Switzerland and Germany. The causes of the increasing amounts of natural disasters is mainly the greenhouse-effect. And the cause of the greenhouse-effect is our energy-policy. http://www.sonnenseite.com/index.php?pageID=60&article:oid=a3983&template=article_detail.html.
Zero Waste / Eco Parks
Tilbury Eco-Industrial Partnership
WEB Reference, Dec. 14, 2005 (DRS) - This concept of working together to share resources for maximum financial, environmental, and social benefit is called Eco-Industrial Networking (EIN). We are forming a partnership to foster EIN in the Tilbury industrial area. With your participation, the Tilbury Eco-Industrial Partnership will be the second largest eco-industrial retrofit in North America, extending from Highway 99 to 91 and between Burns Bog and the Fraser River. http://www.drsociety.bc.ca/TEIP_index.htm.
Tilbury Eco-Industrial Partnership
WEB Reference, Dec. 14, 2005 (DRS) - This concept of working together to share resources for maximum financial, environmental, and social benefit is called Eco-Industrial Networking (EIN). We are forming a partnership to foster EIN in the Tilbury industrial area. With your participation, the Tilbury Eco-Industrial Partnership will be the second largest eco-industrial retrofit in North America, extending from Highway 99 to 91 and between Burns Bog and the Fraser River. http://www.drsociety.bc.ca/TEIP_index.htm.
Zero Waste / Landfills / Power
World’s First Solar Hydrogen Production Station from Landfill Gas
WEB Reference, Dec. 19, 2005 (PR Web) - Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco elaborated on the potential benefits at the November 21st, 2005, City Council Meeting. "I think there are going to be tremendous spin-offs from this as we move forward," said Mayor Fiacco. "It’s more than just capturing methane gas from the landfill, it’s much bigger than us and I think our grandchildren will be very appreciative ... in knowing that this is the vision that this Council had for this community and the region." Tom Beck, President and CEO of SHEC LABS said, "This project, "SHEC Station #1", when completed will have the capacity of producing 1.2 million kg of renewable hydrogen per year and will prevent 81.1kt of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) emissions from entering the atmosphere, every year!" Mr. Beck goes on to say, "The life expectancy of this plant is well over 40 years, in 40 years there will be a new landfill in this city that we can sequester the methane from to create renewable energy. Imagine if every city had this insight, the world would start to become a different place." … "This is a very important piece of a global environmental puzzle that will now be showcased in the city of Regina," http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20051207/bs_prweb/prweb319465_1.
World’s First Solar Hydrogen Production Station from Landfill Gas
WEB Reference, Dec. 19, 2005 (PR Web) - Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco elaborated on the potential benefits at the November 21st, 2005, City Council Meeting. "I think there are going to be tremendous spin-offs from this as we move forward," said Mayor Fiacco. "It’s more than just capturing methane gas from the landfill, it’s much bigger than us and I think our grandchildren will be very appreciative ... in knowing that this is the vision that this Council had for this community and the region." Tom Beck, President and CEO of SHEC LABS said, "This project, "SHEC Station #1", when completed will have the capacity of producing 1.2 million kg of renewable hydrogen per year and will prevent 81.1kt of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) emissions from entering the atmosphere, every year!" Mr. Beck goes on to say, "The life expectancy of this plant is well over 40 years, in 40 years there will be a new landfill in this city that we can sequester the methane from to create renewable energy. Imagine if every city had this insight, the world would start to become a different place." … "This is a very important piece of a global environmental puzzle that will now be showcased in the city of Regina," http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20051207/bs_prweb/prweb319465_1.
Events / Leadership Training / Landscaping – Victoria & Burnaby, BC – Jan & Feb
Organic Horticulture for Landscape Professionals: 1-week intensive program
EMAIL, Dec. 9, 2005 (GAIA College) - Coming to Victoria in January, 2006, and Burnaby in February, 2006. Take this opportunity NOW to position yourself and your business at the leading edge of your profession. This is an intensive course for landscapers wishing to enter the rapidly growing organic market. Organic is "in", and sophisticated customers are willing to pay a premium for certified organic products and services. Graduates will be well prepared to write the SOUL certification exam for Organic Land Care Professionals. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT an introductory horticulture course - studens are expected to have prior landscaping or gardening experience. For more information on the 1-week intensive program please visit the Gaia College website at http://www.gaiacollege.ca/professionals.php. For more information on organic certification please visit the Society for Organic Urban Land Care website at: http://www.organiclandcare.org/certification/index.htm.
Organic Horticulture for Landscape Professionals: 1-week intensive program
EMAIL, Dec. 9, 2005 (GAIA College) - Coming to Victoria in January, 2006, and Burnaby in February, 2006. Take this opportunity NOW to position yourself and your business at the leading edge of your profession. This is an intensive course for landscapers wishing to enter the rapidly growing organic market. Organic is "in", and sophisticated customers are willing to pay a premium for certified organic products and services. Graduates will be well prepared to write the SOUL certification exam for Organic Land Care Professionals. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT an introductory horticulture course - studens are expected to have prior landscaping or gardening experience. For more information on the 1-week intensive program please visit the Gaia College website at http://www.gaiacollege.ca/professionals.php. For more information on organic certification please visit the Society for Organic Urban Land Care website at: http://www.organiclandcare.org/certification/index.htm.
Sustainable Future / Good News
UN Meet Agrees on Future Steps to Tackle Climate Change
WEB Reference, Dec. 12, 2005 (One World Online, UN News Center) - The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Montreal concluded with the adoption of more than forty decisions that will strengthen global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/123784/1/.
UN Meet Agrees on Future Steps to Tackle Climate Change
WEB Reference, Dec. 12, 2005 (One World Online, UN News Center) - The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Montreal concluded with the adoption of more than forty decisions that will strengthen global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/123784/1/.
Environment / NGOs
The NGO Community is Super-Organized
BLOG Reference, Dec. 14, 2005 (BCSEA) – (Scroll down to mid-article) - The global Climate Action Network (www.climatenetwork.org) has over 340 NGO members, offices in 13 countries in the world, and its leaders are really well organized. They know each other, and many have been to COP conferences before. They know the ropes, they know how to work together, and they know what they want. Canada's participation in the Network (www.climateactionnetwork.ca/e/) is equally well organized. http://www.bcsea.org/blog.
The NGO Community is Super-Organized
BLOG Reference, Dec. 14, 2005 (BCSEA) – (Scroll down to mid-article) - The global Climate Action Network (www.climatenetwork.org) has over 340 NGO members, offices in 13 countries in the world, and its leaders are really well organized. They know each other, and many have been to COP conferences before. They know the ropes, they know how to work together, and they know what they want. Canada's participation in the Network (www.climateactionnetwork.ca/e/) is equally well organized. http://www.bcsea.org/blog.
Events / EcoVersity - Arundel, near Montreal QC, Canada - Jan 14-16, 2006
Call for Delagates for the New University Project
ELIST, Dec. 20, 2005 (GoodWork.ca) -The second founding meeting of the New University Project is being held from January 14th-16th at Arundel Nature Center, near Montreal. - Call for Delegates, Jan 8 deadline. This meeting will continue the visioning and organising process begun at the founding meeting in August of last year. The New University Project seeks to create a new Canadian post-secondary institution that embraces principles of ecology, social justice, and accessibility, providing students with a meaningful and engaged university education. Help create on of the first ecological and alternative post-secondary places of learning in Canada! Please visithttp://www.newuniversity.net for application forms and more information regarding the meeting. The event is open to anyone interested in attending. Deadline for registration forms is JANUARY 8TH 2006. Contact: lherbert@riseup.net.
Call for Delagates for the New University Project
ELIST, Dec. 20, 2005 (GoodWork.ca) -The second founding meeting of the New University Project is being held from January 14th-16th at Arundel Nature Center, near Montreal. - Call for Delegates, Jan 8 deadline. This meeting will continue the visioning and organising process begun at the founding meeting in August of last year. The New University Project seeks to create a new Canadian post-secondary institution that embraces principles of ecology, social justice, and accessibility, providing students with a meaningful and engaged university education. Help create on of the first ecological and alternative post-secondary places of learning in Canada! Please visithttp://www.newuniversity.net for application forms and more information regarding the meeting. The event is open to anyone interested in attending. Deadline for registration forms is JANUARY 8TH 2006. Contact: lherbert@riseup.net.
Events / Sustainable Business / Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Jan 26-27
ECO Canada Conference 2006
ELIST, Dec. 6, 2005 (Good Work) - We are pleased to announce the launch of ECO Canada Conference 2006, a first-time annual environmental sector event. Thurs Jan 26 - Fri Jan 27, 2006 (Workshops January 25) Doubletree International Hotel (Airport). This conference responds to these important questions being asked by environmental corporate executives: * What important environmental business trends does my company need to prepare for? * What areas of skills and knowledge will help my company gain the competitive advantage? * How can I recruit and retain the best people to maintain and grow my business? CONTACT, PROGRAM & REGISTRATION: Conference Website: http://www.eco.ca/conference/.
ECO Canada Conference 2006
ELIST, Dec. 6, 2005 (Good Work) - We are pleased to announce the launch of ECO Canada Conference 2006, a first-time annual environmental sector event. Thurs Jan 26 - Fri Jan 27, 2006 (Workshops January 25) Doubletree International Hotel (Airport). This conference responds to these important questions being asked by environmental corporate executives: * What important environmental business trends does my company need to prepare for? * What areas of skills and knowledge will help my company gain the competitive advantage? * How can I recruit and retain the best people to maintain and grow my business? CONTACT, PROGRAM & REGISTRATION: Conference Website: http://www.eco.ca/conference/.
Events / EcoDesign – Vancouver, BC
Sustainable Urbanization: Turning Ideas Into Action -- Film and Video Proposal Submissions InvitedVANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 2005 (WPC) - In June 2006 thousands of people from around the world will gather inVancouver for the UN World Urban Forum. Concurrent with the World Urban Forum, the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the Planning Institute of B.C. (PIBC) will be hosting the first-ever World Planners Congress (WPC) (June 17 - 20, 2006). The main theme of the WPC is Sustainable Urbanization: Turning Ideas Into Action. The Film and Video programme will also be screened at Super Saturday, an event being jointly hosted by the CIP, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. 2006 World Planners Congress Submissions, Planning Institute of British Columbia; email: info@wpc2006.com; Mailing address: 2006 World Planners Congress, 110 - 355 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC V6C 2G8; Tel: 604.873.7665 (Michael) or 604.873.7559 (Hugo); Fax: 604.696.5032.
Sustainable Urbanization: Turning Ideas Into Action -- Film and Video Proposal Submissions InvitedVANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 2005 (WPC) - In June 2006 thousands of people from around the world will gather inVancouver for the UN World Urban Forum. Concurrent with the World Urban Forum, the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the Planning Institute of B.C. (PIBC) will be hosting the first-ever World Planners Congress (WPC) (June 17 - 20, 2006). The main theme of the WPC is Sustainable Urbanization: Turning Ideas Into Action. The Film and Video programme will also be screened at Super Saturday, an event being jointly hosted by the CIP, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. 2006 World Planners Congress Submissions, Planning Institute of British Columbia; email: info@wpc2006.com; Mailing address: 2006 World Planners Congress, 110 - 355 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC V6C 2G8; Tel: 604.873.7665 (Michael) or 604.873.7559 (Hugo); Fax: 604.696.5032.
Transportation / Solutions
Four New Campuses Offer Car Sharing Through Zipcar
PORTLAND, OR, Dec. 15, 2005 (EFSWN) - Earlier this month, Zipcar, a provider of self-service cars for use by the hour or day, announced that four new colleges - University of Minnesota, Brown University, Rutgers University and University of Massachusetts-Boston - will make Zipcars accessible to their college community. Because participating in a car sharing program is often cheaper than owning a car, car sharing programs can reduce the number of vehicles on campus. As a result, they have become increasingly attractive to campuses facing limited parking, high infrastructure costs and increased traffic congestion. At University of Massachusetts at Boston is using car sharing to reduce motor-pool costs by replacing 10 state-owned vehicles with two Zipcars. http://www.zipcar.com/press/releases/press-32.
Four New Campuses Offer Car Sharing Through Zipcar
PORTLAND, OR, Dec. 15, 2005 (EFSWN) - Earlier this month, Zipcar, a provider of self-service cars for use by the hour or day, announced that four new colleges - University of Minnesota, Brown University, Rutgers University and University of Massachusetts-Boston - will make Zipcars accessible to their college community. Because participating in a car sharing program is often cheaper than owning a car, car sharing programs can reduce the number of vehicles on campus. As a result, they have become increasingly attractive to campuses facing limited parking, high infrastructure costs and increased traffic congestion. At University of Massachusetts at Boston is using car sharing to reduce motor-pool costs by replacing 10 state-owned vehicles with two Zipcars. http://www.zipcar.com/press/releases/press-32.
Stewardship / Human Impact
Support Available: Consider Organic Psychology
FRIDAY HARBOR, WA, Dec. 2005 (Institute of Global Education, UNESCO NGO Consultant) - The June, 2005 issue of Taproot, the Outdoor Education Journal of the State University of New York, Cortland, describes a nature-connecting tool that provides humanity with a new, empowering yet gentle, science of Organic Psychology. This social technology gives us the ability to overcome health and thinking disorders that result from our destructive tendency to exploit the "Revolutionary consciousness" found in natural systems. It helps us tap into the grace and restorative powers of nature and increase our personal and environmental well-being. "Now, I more actively support the environment, and my health and relationships have improved from doing these sensory activities with attractions I find in natural areas." We bring the unique value of Organic Psychology to the public by building mutually beneficial relationships with caring professionals like yourself: administrators, counselors, teachers, therapists, writers, consultants, publicists, artisans, funding agents, business people and other practitioners who value improving the health of natural systems that are shared by, and flow through, humanity and the global life community. http://www.ecopsych.com. / http://www.ecopsych.com/2005taproot.html.
Support Available: Consider Organic Psychology
FRIDAY HARBOR, WA, Dec. 2005 (Institute of Global Education, UNESCO NGO Consultant) - The June, 2005 issue of Taproot, the Outdoor Education Journal of the State University of New York, Cortland, describes a nature-connecting tool that provides humanity with a new, empowering yet gentle, science of Organic Psychology. This social technology gives us the ability to overcome health and thinking disorders that result from our destructive tendency to exploit the "Revolutionary consciousness" found in natural systems. It helps us tap into the grace and restorative powers of nature and increase our personal and environmental well-being. "Now, I more actively support the environment, and my health and relationships have improved from doing these sensory activities with attractions I find in natural areas." We bring the unique value of Organic Psychology to the public by building mutually beneficial relationships with caring professionals like yourself: administrators, counselors, teachers, therapists, writers, consultants, publicists, artisans, funding agents, business people and other practitioners who value improving the health of natural systems that are shared by, and flow through, humanity and the global life community. http://www.ecopsych.com. / http://www.ecopsych.com/2005taproot.html.
Science & Technology
Top 10 Green Energy Schemes Named
WEB Reference, Dec. 30, 2005 (BBC News) - Ten new green energy projects have been named as best in the UK for leading the way in cutting carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/4567928.stm.
(The photo of the Eden Project is beautiful!) More pictures: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4569370.stm.
Top 10 Green Energy Schemes Named
WEB Reference, Dec. 30, 2005 (BBC News) - Ten new green energy projects have been named as best in the UK for leading the way in cutting carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/4567928.stm.
(The photo of the Eden Project is beautiful!) More pictures: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4569370.stm.
