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NORTHERN CLIMATE CHANGE NETWORK LISTSERV, Jan/07– Issue 6
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A New Layout
- In the News...: As you’ve likely noticed, the topic of climate change/global warming is in the media almost everyday lately. While it would be impossible to include every related news item reported, this category will provide a select number of references to key issues reported in the news.
- Events: This category will provide details and references to key events such as workshops and conferences related to climate change.
- Resources: In the last issue we provided a small subset of the resources listed in our Who’s Who page. This will be a regular series in the listservs so that we can profile several resources and draw attention to new additions to the page. Our hope is to make your search for valuable information more focused, and to raise awareness about the many initiatives and projects currently underway.
IN THE NEWS...
Fast-growing plants may weather climate change better: study
Jan. 9/07 - "Plants with short life cycles can adapt more quickly to change than those that reproduce slowly, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Irvine. The findings are reported in Tuesday’s issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences." CBC News. Details.
Arctic melt soaks up carbon dioxide
Jan. 8/07 - "The clouds of global warming don’t exactly boast a silver lining, but there is a little bonus. Melting sea ice in the Arctic is enabling ocean waters to soak up more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere." New\Scientist Environment. Details.
Yes, things are heating up, new environment minister says
Jan. 5/07 - "Canada’s new environment minister, John Baird, isn’t saying what he’ll try to do about global warming, but he suggested in a CBC interview on Friday that weird weather has eliminated any doubts that temperatures are rising." CBC News. Details.
Environment needs new policy, not new minister
Jan. 4/07 - "Prime Minister Stephen Harper needs to improve federal policies that protect the environment, not replace one minister with another, say advocacy group representatives." CBC News. Details.
UN Climate Change Conference in Nairobi
- Nov. 18/06 - Some progress made at international climate talks. GreenPeace International
- Nov. 17/06 - Conference successfully concludes with decisions to support developing countries. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
- Nov. 17/06 - Climate Action Network Canada’s on site newsletters and bulletins
- Nov. 16/06 - French minister slams Canada’s Kyoto retreat. CBC News
- Nov. 14/06 - Officials report progress in talks at UN climate change conference. UN News Centre
From An Inconvenient Truth to Convenient Answers
Nov. 20/06 - "Responding to the urgent need for solutions to the problem of global warming, the leading eco-friendly home products company Seventh Generation joins with the largest environmental website TreeHugger.com to launch CONVENIENT TRUTHS, a user-created video contest promoting accessible, influential, and inspiring responses to reducing our carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuel." E-Wire.
Harper ’twiddling his thumbs’ on Climate Change: Graham
Nov. 9/06 - Graham cites a recent survey conducted by CBC News and Environics Research Group, which found 71 per cent of Canadians believed the federal Conservatives’ proposed clean air plan is not tough enough in dealing with environmental issues. CBC News. Details.
Canada’s Clean Air Act
How does our new Act compare to the Kyoto goals?
The Kyoto goal: Reduce GHG emissions levels to six per cent below 1990 levels by 2012 - Actual Canadian target: 563 million tonnes by 2012.
The Conservative goal: Reduce GHG emissions levels to between 45 and 65 per cent of 2003 levels by 2050 - Actual target: 340-490 million tonnes by 2050.
Will there still be an Arctic ice cap by 2050?
Is Canada Violating our Legal Obligations to the Kyoto Protocol?
Nov. 3/06 - C-CIARNBC recently drew attention to a report of the legal opinion provided by Dr. Roda Verheyen, LL.M. (London), attorney at law, on whether Canada is currently in violation of its obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) and/or the Kyoto Protocol. The opinion finds Canada is currently in breach of the FCCC in 3 respects, in breach of the Kyoto Protocol in 2 respects, and likely in breach of the Kyoto Protocol in 1 respect. Report.
Living with Climate Change
Nov. 22/06. Prince George Citizen. "There’s no denying it has been a season of weird weather in the Central Interior. This fall will be remembered for a merciless snowstorm that crippled homeowners and businesses from Vanderhoof to the Hazeltons in late October, and for gale-force winds last weekend..." Details.
EVENTS
Workshop: Managing Climate and Weather Risks for Peace River District Agriculture
February 6 & 7, 2007 - Grande Prairie Inn, 11633 Clairmont Road, Grande Prairie Alberta. This workshop will address climate change impacts and adaptation concerning northern agricultureal producers in the Peace River watershed. Stay tuned for details.
Understanding and Enabling Adaptive Management in Natural Resource Management
The BC Forest Practices Branch is pleased to host two session of this workshop:
Session 1: Monday, February 12, 2007 – Victoria BC
Session 2: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 – Kamloops BC
*Venues to be determined.
There is no fee, however registration is on a first come first serve basis. For more information, contact Kandy Schroder, Selkirk Management Services, Phone: 250-512-9039.
A Small Fish in a Big Pond
Tuesday, January 30, 2007. This presentation, by Ralph Matthews and Robin Sydneysmith, is part of the Climate Change and Sustainable Development seminar series held at 2:00pm in room 120, AERL Building, 2202 Main Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC. There is no requirement to register and no admission fee.
Climate Change, Energy and a Green Future
Wednesday, January 24th, 2007. Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, will deliver this presentation with an open discussion afterwards at 7:00pm in the Canfor Theatre, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC. Admission is free. For more information contact Lara Beckett.
RESOURCES
The resources listed here are a small subset of those listed in our Who’s Who page.
NEW! Climate Change in the Canadian Columbia Basin
The Columbia Basin Trust, with the assistance of a Steering Committee of climate change and adaptation scientists, has developed and distributed a pamphlet entitled "Climate Change in the Canadian Columbia Basin: Starting the Dialogue". This document will provide the preliminary information on climate change needed to initiate dialogue on this issue in the communities of the region. Pamphlet.
Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium
PCIC provides practical information about the numerous components and timescales of the climate system: past, present, and future. Details.
Canadian Model Forest Network - Climate Change Strategic Initiative
"The Climate Change Strategic Initiative (CCSI) provides an opportunity for the research community and the Canadian Model Forest Network to examine the effects of climate change on individual Model Forests and smaller forest-dependent communities". Details.
