This #MeowMonday edition of EcoNews features adorable photos of the Lynx kittens found near Fredericton and the fabulous news on a record-breaking year for renewable energy investment and the continued fracking moratorium. We report on the great ideas that came out of a recent town hall meeting on climate change and energy solutions and invite you to a sunny day’s party.
Lynx kittens found near Fredericton
A logging crew found two young kittens on Crown land south of Fredericton that may turn out to be endangered Canada lynx. Officials are still uncertain whether these cuties are lynx or baby bobcats because they’re very young and their tell-tale markings might still change.
The kittens were turned over to the Department of Natural Resources and then sent to the Atlantic Wildlife Institute near Sackville, where they are now.
Read more here.
At an all-time high! Renewable energy breaks records in 2015
2015 was a record-breaking year for new supplies of wind, solar and hydro plants, according to a new report by REN21. Approximately 147 Gigawatts of renewable energy was added to global power generation in 2015. The global response to reducing climate pollution is accelerating and New Brunswick needs to be part of it. Read more here.
New Brunswick announces indefinite fracking ban
In case you didn’t already hear the good news, Energy and Mines Minister Donald Arsenault responded to the Hydraulic Fracturing Commission’s February report on May 27th by announcing that the moratorium his government put in place in 2014 would be extended “indefinitely.”
The Conservation Council welcomes the Gallant Government’s decision to extend the fracking moratorium in New Brunswick as good public policy.
Read our statement here.
Read New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance statement here.
Read our timeline (looks like we’ll have to update our timeline) on New Brunswick’s fracking moratorium in our Spring 2016 EcoAlert Magazine, found here.
Newfoundland expert panel says it can’t recommend fracking
Days after New Brunswick announced it won’t be lifting its fracking moratorium, Newfoundland released its report on the possible impact of hydraulic fracturing in the western part of the province. The final report stopped short of saying whether such an industry should go ahead, saying more scientific information would be needed before considering the practice again. Read more here.
We like the Solstice so much we decided to celebrate it twice!
Mark your calendars! All are invited to the Conservation Council’s Summer’s Here Party at Conserver House on Thursday, June 23rd.
Celebrate the summer solstice and an indefinite fracking moratorium with fellow nature lovers and take a stroll around our blooming pollinator garden.
Enjoy a barbecue complete with veggie options (of course) as you chat with Conservation Council cats and friends.
We’ll be flicking on the barbecue at 4:30pm. A film screening of Catching the Sun will follow at 6:00pm. Catching the Sun tells the inspiring story of the transition to a clean energy economy in the U.S. and follows unemployed workers hoping to find jobs in the thriving solar industry.
There’s plenty of fun to be had on the longest day of the year. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Please RSVP to info@conservationcouncil.ca
Invest in Fredericton’s clean energy future and create jobs, citizens tell their federal MP
Last month, residents voiced their ideas for Fredericton’s renewable future at a public town hall for Canada’s Climate Action Plan, hosted by Member of Parliament Matt DeCourcey.
Their recommendations included everything from investing in clean energy projects for Fredericton, to retrofitting the city’s transportation system with green technology and developing a city-wide electric car co-op, to renovating our infrastructure in preparation for extreme weather. Read more here.