1.

Calls For Delegates

1. Technical Expert Group for the Screening Assessment of Living Organisms listed on the Domestic Substances List

2.

ACTION ALERTS

1. Mow Down Pollution Program  

3.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Launch of National Film Board New ‘Green Screens’ Screening Series   

4.

RESOURCES

1. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 4th Assessment Report on Climate Change 

5.

CALLS FOR INPUT / COMMENTS / NOMINATIONS / PARTICIPATION

1. Call for Nominations: Agriculture Caucus Steering Committee
2. Call for Applications: CIDA Youth Internships 2007-2008
3. Call for Comments: Draft Environmental Performance Agreement Regarding Locomotive Emissions

6.

Events

1. Climate 2050 Conference on Technology and Policy Solutions
2. Growing the Margins Conference   

7.

Employment

1. Assistant Campaigner, Transboundary Watershed Alliance
2. Director, Sierra Club of Canada - Atlantic Canada Chapter   

1.

Calls For Delegates

i.

Technical Expert Group for the Screening Assessment of Living Organisms listed on the Domestic Substances List

The RCEN is seeking one ENGO Representative to participate in the Technical Expert Group for the Screening Assessment of Living Organisms listed on the Domestic Substances List. The duration of the term is 1 year, from May 2007 to May 2008, with a possibility of renewal. The ENGO Representative will attend one face-to-face meeting in Ottawa in May or June 2007, followed by three teleconferences. Environment Canada/Health Canada’s New Substances Program will cover the selected delegate’s costs related to travel, accommodations, meals and incidentals, as per Treasury Board Guidelines. Per diems for the selected delegate to attend the face-to-face meeting(s) and for preparatory work prior to the face-to-face meetings and teleconferences will also be covered. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 20, 2007. If you are interested in participating, visit the RCEN website.
For more information, contact Leela Ramachandran, National Caucus Coordinator, telephone: (613) 728-9810 ext. 223.

2.

Action Alerts

i.

Mow Down Pollution Program

Clean Air Foundation is currently running a program, Mow Down Pollution, from April 19-29, 2007 in 160 Home Depots locations across Canada. Mow Down Pollution encourages Canadians to reduce green house gas emissions and air pollution by retiring their old gas lawn mowers and trimmers. Individuals who bring in their old mowers to be retired and properly recycled can receive up to $100 to purchase a new environmentally friendly alternative - push-reel or low emission lawnmowers or trimmers. Since 2001, the Mow Down Pollution program has resulted in the return of over 12,000 mowers and trimmers across Canada, and the reduction of over 270 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. For more information, visit the Clean Air Foundation website.

3.

Announcements

i.

Launch of National Film Board New ‘Green Screens’ Screening Series

The National Film Board (NFB) Mediatheque has launched a new screening series, Green Screens. The Series partners films from the National Film Board with experts and panellists from the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy (CIELAP). The first screening on April 16, 2007 features ‘Refugees of the Blue Planet’ – winner Best Canadian Long Form Film at the Planet in Focus Festival. Following the film, a discussion will take place with various experts on the subject:  Lawson Hunter, journalist and writer; Danny Harvey, professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Toronto; and Mary Jo Leddy, director of Romero House for Refugees. To RSVP: 416-973-2273.
For more information, visit the NFB website.

4.

Resources

i.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 4th Assessment Report on Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released its 4th Assessment Report, "Climate Change 2007: Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and
Vulnerability", providing a comprehensive and rigorous picture of the global present state of knowledge about climate change. To learn more, visit the IPCC website. At the end of the summary for policy makers is a glossary of terms. For more information, contact Michael Williams, UNEP, tel.: +41-79-409-1528.

5.

Calls for Input / Comments / Nominations / Participation

i.

Call for Nominations: Agriculture Caucus Steering Committee

The RCEN is currently conducting a call for nominations for membership on the Agriculture Caucus Steering Committee. This is an excellent opportunity for RCEN members to be part of Caucus decision-making and the planning of activities! This call is open to all RCEN members who belong to, or are willing to join, the Agriculture Caucus. Current Steering Committee members are eligible to re-apply. The nomination deadline is Friday, April 27, 2007.
For more information, visit the RCEN Call for Nominations webpage or contact Leela Ramachandran, tel.: (613) 728-9810 ext. 223.

ii.

Call for Applications: CIDA Youth Internships 2007-2008

The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is currently accepting applications for two internship positions in Costa Rica in 2007-2008: a) Internship in Ecosystem Sustainability and Health - Volcán de Buenos Aires, Puntarenas, Costa Rica; b) Internship in Ecosystem Sustainability and Health - San Isidro De El General, Perez Zeledon, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Intern training will occur during May 2007. Placements in Costa Rica will begin in June 2007 for a duration of seven months. The internship involves a stipend of CAD$1200 per month while in Costa Rica, plus expenses.
For more information, visit the CIDA website.

iii.

Call for Comments: Draft Environmental Performance Agreement Regarding Locomotive Emissions

Environment Canada (EC), Transport Canada (TC) and the Railway Association of Canada (RAC) have agreed on a draft Environmental Performance Agreement which is, in essence, an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that meets the criteria of EC’s policy framework for Environmental Performance Agreements. The Environmental Performance Agreement establishes a framework through which the RAC, its member companies, EC and TC, will address emissions of criteria air contaminants and greenhouse gases from railway locomotives operated by Canadian railway companies in Canada. The MOU is posted on Environment Canada's CEPA Registry website for a 15-day consultation period. ENGOs and individuals are invited to forward their comments before April 20, 2007 via e-mail.
 For more information, you may also contact Don Stewart, Chief, Analysis and Policy, at (819) 934-2233.

6.

Events

i.

Climate 2050 Conference on Technology and Policy Solutions

The Veolia Environment Institute (France), the Pew Center on Global Climate Change (USA), and the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (Canada) will host the Climate 2050 conference on Technology and Policy Solution in Montréal on October 24-26, 2007. The conference will explore technology pathways and innovative policies to deliver effective climate action over the next half century. Climate 2050 will bring together speakers from government, business and academia to explore the critical technology and policy challenges. Online registration will be available as of 30 April 2007.
For more information, visit the Climate 2050 Conference webpage.

ii.

Growing the Margins Conference

The Growing the Margins Energy Conference and Exhibition will take place in London Ontario on April 12 and 13, 2007. The event will focus on the social, economic and environmental benefits of on-farm energy conservation and generation and is expected to attract livestock and field & horticulture crop farmers, greenhouse operators, food and beverage processors, technology and service providers, government representatives, utilities, researchers, financial institutions and others.
For more information or to register, please visit the GTM conference website.

7.

Employment

i.

Assistant Campaigner, Transboundary Watershed Alliance

The Transboundary Watershed Alliance (TWA) is seeking to hire a full-time Assistant Campaigner to work on community liaison and regional promotion of TWA conservation priorities in northwest British Columbia and Yukon. They are looking for an enthusiastic, flexible, committed and outgoing person with excellent communication, organizational and strategic skills to work with northern BC communities on issues related to resource development and conservation. The ideal location for the position would be Whitehorse, Yukon or northwest BC, though other locations may be considered. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2007.
More information on this posting is available on the TWA website.

ii.

Director, Sierra Club of Canada - Atlantic Canada Chapter

Sierra Club of Canada is seeking a Director for its Atlantic Canada Chapter. Reporting to the volunteer Executive Committee, the director serves as the principal permanent staff person accountable for the overall operations, growth and development of the Chapter. The director is responsible for the successful implementation and management of policy, programs and finances and works with members, staff and volunteers on advocacy, media relations, campaign planning, program development, fundraising and supervision of staff and contractors. The deadline to apply is April 23, 2007.
More information on this job offer is available on the Sierra Club of Canada website.