EcoNews — Another chance to move past coal

In this edition of EcoNews, we share with you our letter to the newly-minted federal environment minister asking him to shut the door on New Brunswick’s plan to keep burning coal beyond 2030; we call on Premier Higgs for an updated climate action plan and electricity system reform in the upcoming legislative session; we invite grandmothers and moms to tell us their inspirational climate stories; we bring you news of a new polluter pay regulation and a new watershed management plan for Shediac Bay; we invite you to participate in some fantastic upcoming events, and more.

Another Chance To Move Past Coal In New Brunswick

With the UN’s climate conference (COP26) on the horizon, we wrote to Canada’s newly-minted Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Hon. Steven Guilbeault, imploring him to seize the opportunity to shine internationally and ensure New Brunswickers aren’t the last citizens in Canada suffering from coal plant pollution. You’ll remember that this summer, the Higgs Government asked the feds for permission to continue burning coal at the Belledune Generating Station beyond the mandated 2030 coal phase out. In our letter to Minister Guilbeault, we call on him to reject the province’s plan and strengthen the federal government’s commitment to coal phase out and the creation of a near-zero electricity grid no later than 2035.

Tell Us Your Story: Moms, Grandmothers, We’d Like To Hear From You!

We’re looking to tell your story. One of the most powerful things we can do to influence our friends, families and communities is to talk about what we care most about, how we’re trying to make a difference, and share struggles, triumphs, and most importantly, hope. Do you talk to your loved ones about climate change? Are you taking steps in your home to be more conscious of the energy you use and how your home is powered? How do you think climate change will affect the kids and grandkids you love? Any act toward a cleaner world powered by non-polluting energy is inspirational—no story is too small or too grand to share. We hope you’ll join us in this conversation as part of our project, For The Love Of New Brunswick. Click the link below and fill out the short form to get started!

Conservation Council To Higgs: It's Time To Get Serious On Climate Action And Electricity Reform

With the provincial legislature resuming on Nov. 2, we’ve written a letter to Premier Higgs with our recommendations to advance climate action in this legislative session and better protect New Brunswickers’ health and safety and make it easier for citizens to power their homes and lives with more affordable, non-polluting energy sources. As New Brunswick’s climate action plan turns five years old in December, we urge the Premier to review and update the plan, particularly when it comes to electricity policy and reform. We need to replace our fossil fuel power plants with cleaner, more affordable and reliable non-polluting energy within 10 years, and that requires leadership, consultation and action from our provincial government.

Corbett Calls For Legislation To Protect All Rivers, Lakes, Bays And Coasts

We were pleased to see the province’s Department of Environment release a new watershed management plan for Shediac Bay late last week, after much effort from a technical working group and water protection allies, including the Conservation Council. While a good step for Parlee Beach, our Executive Director, Lois Corbett, says it’s time for the province to deliver on the key promise laid out in the 2018 water protection strategy: a province-wide water protection law. With growing threats from development and climate change, we can’t rely on voluntary actions alone—as prescribed in the new Shediac plan—to ensure our beloved beaches, lakes, streams, bays, wetlands and drinking water supplies are protected.

Making Polluters Pay For Household Waste Critical Part Of New Regulation

The provincial government has amended the Designated Materials Regulation filed under the Clean Environment Act that will force companies who make packaging and paper products responsible to manage and fund the recycling programs for those products. The new law means corporations like Walmart, Proctor and Gamble, Loblaws, Sobeys, Canadian Tire and Brunswick News will foot the bill for the cost of the recycling programs for packaging and paper products they put in the market place instead of municipal taxpayers. As our Executive Director writes in the article linked below, polluter-pay regulations like this one are welcome news, but we need to go the full measure with an updated waste reduction plan that leads New Brunswick towards a circular economy.

North Atlantic Right Whales At Lowest Numbers In Nearly Two Decades

North Atlantic right whale numbers are sadly on the decline, with human activities being the greatest threat to these animals. Our Fundy Baykeeper, Matt Abbott, says that while the latest population estimates are grim, recovery remains possible, and our team continues to work with partners at the Marine Animal Response Society, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Oceans North, fishing associations, and many scientists to reduce threats to these whales and see their numbers start to once again climb.

Upcoming Events

Check out some of the fantastic events coming up from the Conservation Council and our friends!

Nov. 16, 2021 — How The Energy And Utilities Board Makes Decisions That Affect All Of Us: This webinar will help you understand how the EUB works and contextualize its current mandate within the broader context of climate change and the global shift to a more efficient and renewably-powered system that powers our lives. Our Louise Comeau will moderate the panel of EUB and Public Advocate experts. Register here.

Nov. 6, 2021 — New Brunswick Environmental Impact Assessment Law Workshop: Our friends at East Coast Environmental Law are offering a free workshop on Nov. 6 on environmental impact assessment law in New Brunswick. The workshop will highlight opportunities for public engagement in important environmental decision-making processes. Register here.

Nov. 3-4, 2021— The New Brunswick Environmental Network is holding its annual Climate Change Adaptation Collaboration conference. This year’s theme, “Building Relationships to Advance Climate Change Adaptation from an Agricultural Lens” will help ‘break down the silos’ to work together. See the agenda and register here.

Nov. 3, 2021 — Zeroing Out Emissions From Canada’s Grid: Join the David Suzuki Foundation’s Clean Power Pathways team and top Canadian energy experts Mark Jaccard and Sara Hastings-Simon for what promises to be a deep dive into pathways to clean electricity. Learn more and register here.

We work hard to ensure a strong environmental voice is heard in the New Brunswick print, radio and television media. Here are the latest stories Conservation Council staff have been called upon for expertise, analysis and commentary:

Oct. 26, 2021 — Lois Corbett, our Executive Director, spoke with the Kings County Record about the province’s extended producer responsibility program, a new regulation that makes the companies who producer paper and packaging waste pay for the recycling and disposal of these products. Read the story here.

Oct. 25, 2021 — Louise Comeau, our Director of Climate Change and Energy Solutions, spoke to the CBC’s Harry Forestell about the upcoming climate conference, COP26, and the need and opportunities for urgent climate action in New Brunswick and across Canada. Watch the segment (beginning at 8:46) here.