Announcements

Manitoba fieldRCEN Delegate Report – Agriculture 2020: Challenges and Opportunities

On May 26th, Agriculture Canada held a one day multi-stakeholder consultation to develop a common understanding of the current state of the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based sector, the key drivers shaping its future, and how the sector can thrive now and in the decade ahead. Participants discussed the challenges and opportunities that lay before the sector and how governments and industry can work together for its long-term success. The selected RCEN delegate for this consultation, Ruth Pryzner from Mixedwood Forest Society, has produced the ENGO report from the Agriculture 2020 consultation. 

Join the “Put Solar On It” Campaign

The folks at 350.org are currently organizing a global work party set to take place this October. On 10/10/10, thousands of communities will join together to celebrate climate solutions. All over the world, people will be putting up solar panels, installing wind turbines, digging community gardens, and more. Join these international efforts by sending the following message to world leaders: “Will you join us? Install solar panels on your roof, and then enact legislation to make it possible for everyone in your country to join you in the clean energy future. We need you to act symbolically—and then we need you to act for real.” Join the campaign at http://putsolaron.it/.

New Environmental Trend Data from CESI

Environment Canada has recently updated results of the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) initiative. Key findings at the national level include:

  • Air quality: There were no significant changes in exposure to fine particulates between 2000 and 2007
  • Water quality: Of the sites monitored, 82% rated freshwater quality as excellent, good or fair, and 18% were rated as marginal and poor
  • GHGs: Canada’s 2008 greenhouse gas emissions decreased 2.1% from 2007
  • Protected areas: Canada has protected 9.4% of its land as of mid-2009 and about 0.6% of its marine territory

CESI tracks environmental results for air quality, water quality, greenhouse gases and protected areas. This update builds on previous releases yearly from 2005 to 2008. For all of the updated information, please visit the CESI indicators site.

The Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) facilitates networking and communication between more than 600 ENGO’s, concerned citizens and government departments working to Protect the Earth and Promote Ecologically Sound Ways of Life. To make a submission for the next edition of the e-bulletin, to subscribe or to share your feedback, please send an email to bulletin@cen-rce.org. Submissions should be written in English and French, be issue-specific*, include contact information or a relevant website address, and have a body content less than 100 words in length. The deadline for sending your submissions is Mondays at 11:00am. * The RCEN is a non-partisan organization and does not take political positions on environmental issues. With the exception of relevant environmental publications, we will not post announcements for businesses or for-profit enterprises.