Subject: McGill University Book on Environment and Economics
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THE GALLON ENVIRONMENT LETTER
506 Victoria Ave., Montreal, Quebec H3Y 2R5
Ph. (514) 369-0230, Fax (514) 369-3282
Email cibe@web.net=20
Vol. 5, No. 7, February 12, 2001=20
To be removed hit "reply" and type in "remove now".
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CANADA CANADA CANADA CANADA
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NEW BOOK ON ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMICS AND SOCIETY,=20
MCGILL UNIVERSITY
The book is entitled, "Ethics, Economics and International Relations: =
Transparent Sovereignty in the Commonwealth of Life". It is written by =
Dr. Peter G. Brown, Director of the McGill School of Environmental =
Studies, McGill University, Montreal, published by Edinburgh University =
Press. Peter Brown tries to get us beyond traditional economics, even =
beyond incrementalism where we try to piecemeal traditional economics =
with green taxes and other economic instruments. Brown develops what he =
calls "Stewardship Economics", an economics that makes humans one part =
of the resource base and the web of life. It takes humans out of the =
centre where resources and all other life forms are made for the use and =
abuse of humans. Here is what Brown says: "Stewardship economics =
extends, and may hope to complete, the quest for a general theory by =
explicitly locating the human economy in the earth's biophysical =
systems. It requires therefore both an accurate description of the =
economy in those systems and a normative structure that will allow us to =
say how these systems should function. Stewardship economics recognizes =
the finitude of the earth and its systems." Brown warns that, "the most =
pervasive scientific error made by mainstream economics is that it =
carries forward, as an unexamined background assumption that humans are =
not significant actors in the earth's biophysical systems. In more =
economic texts there is no description of any kind of nature.....it is =
as if the rest of the physical world did not exist or that humans could =
not affect it."
Brown reminds us that, "our concern is with the commonwealth of life: =
for its flourishing, including its own, and its restoration." He adds =
that, "the thrust of this book is the depiction of a contract between =
all persons to respect each other's basic rights, and to extend the =
contract to all life." To achieve a stewardship economy that operates =
within the commonwealth of life (e.g, the resource rich life-supporting, =
economy-supporting ecosystem), Brown states that society has fiduciary =
responsibilities that include operating an economy within a "Common Pool =
Resource" (CPR). The concept was first developed by Elinor Ostrom and =
reported in her book "Governing the Commons". Brown writes, "a common =
pool resource can be a fishery, a forest, the Internet, the air, the =
oceans, the ecological health of a stream, and so on. In all these =
cases, and many, many more resources units can be appropriated by =
individuals without regard to the health of the system," and states =
that, "Ostrom has identified eight characteristics of institutions that =
are successful in protecting common pool resources. Markets, private =
property, and government may all have roles to play in a successful =
system." For more information contact Dr. Peter G. Brown, Director, =
McGill School of Environment, 3534 University Ave., Montreal, Quebec H3A =
2A7, ph. (514) 398-2827, email pgb@mse.mcgill.ca . Visit their website =
at http://www.mcgill.ca/mse/=20
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=20
GALLON TO GIVE TALK ON THE HISTORY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL
MOVEMENT IN CANADA, PIMLOTT LECTURE
Gary Gallon, President of the Canadian Institute for Business and the =
Environment (CIBE), will give a talk on "The History and Economics of =
Environmentalism in Canada", at the University of Toronto Lecture =
Series. The lecture series is held annually by Innis College in honour =
of Dr. Douglas Pimlott, the famous Canadian scientist who specialized in =
demystifying wolves, their families and their habits. Co-hosted by Dr. =
Beth Savan, Director Environmental Studies at Innis College and Monte =
Hummel, head of the World Wildlife Fund Canada, the Pimlott Memorial =
Lecture will be held Thursday, February 15, 2001, 6:00 pm, at the Town =
Hall, Innis College, University of Toronto, 2 Sussex Ave., Toronto, ph. =
(416) 978-3424, email karyn.samson@utoronto.ca .
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CONCERN EXPRESSED IN EUROPE ABOUT CANADA'S=20
ENVIRONMENTAL DECLINE
Environment officials in the United States and Europe have been watching =
in disbelief as Canada, particularly its Provinces, fall behind on =
environmental protection and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Where =
Canada was a leader in the 1970's and the 1980's, it has failed to keep =
up with world environmental progress in the 1990's. Much of this came =
from the massive budget cuts and senior science and engineering staff =
cuts in Environment Canada and the provinces in the mid-1990's. At least =
Environment Canada has been turned around with new cash and some staff =
infusions from the Government of Canada. But Alberta, Quebec, and =
Ontario continue to treat environment as an obstacle to economic =
development and have relegated environmental protection to the back of =
the Cabinet Bus. This environmental backslide in Canada has not gone =
unseen by the rest of the world. The Center for International Climate =
and Environmental Research (CICERO), based in Oslo, Norway, has just =
published an article entitled, "Canada on the Brink: From Frontrunner to =
Laggard?, and written by researchers, Jonas Vevatne and Santiago Olmos. =
They wrote that, "Canada was lambasted as "Fossil of the Week" at the =
Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP 6) in The Hague by environmental =
activists and was accused of attempting to water down the Kyoto =
Protocol. At the same time, the election campaigns were underway in =
Canada where climate issues were hardly mentioned. What is happening to =
one of the most active environmental frontrunners of the 1980's when its =
Minister of Environment doesn't even show up to COP 6 ?"=20
CICERO said that, "Canada was named Fossil of the Week for its efforts =
to include existing forests and agriculture in the category of carbon =
sinks (absorption of carbon dioxide n forests and land). Canada was =
criticized particularly strongly for its demand that export of nuclear =
energy technology should be covered by the Clean Development Mechanism =
(CDM), so that it could export nuclear power plants to developing =
countries as a greenhouse gas reduction measure.", adding that even, =
"David Runnalls believes that the criticism was well deserved." The =
article cites as one of the reasons for Canada's decline is the decline =
in environmental interest by the two large opposition parties. The =
Canadian Alliance, the official opposition, and the Block Quebecois are =
both more interested in expanding regional powers, not environmental =
powers. CICERO quoted David Runnalls, President of Canada's =
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) based in =
Winnipeg, saying that, "the main opposition party, the Canadian Alliance =
dedicated only one sentence to environmental protection in its 23-page =
program, and has not formulated any climate policy or position on the =
Kyoto Protocol. The Liberal strongly emphasized the possible economic =
benefits of climate measures but have nevertheless failed to make the =
environment an issue in the campaign." The report stated that, "the =
strong polarization of the election race has dampened the parties' =
willingness to enter into a debate on the environment, and there is =
little to indicate that there will be any change in the short run." For =
more information contact the Center for International Climate and =
Environmental Research (CICERO), Pb. 1129, Blindem, Sognsvelen 68, 0318 =
Oslo, Norway, ph. 47.22.85.87.50, email santa@cicero.uio.no , or =
jonas.vevatne@cicero.uio.no . To download the full paper go to =
http://www.cicero.uio.no/cicerone/00/6/Eng/cic6santiago.pdf . Also see =
the GCSI article on politics and GHG in Canada =
http://www.gcsi.ca/risingheat.html . And see the West Coast =
Environmental Law Centre's report card on GHG and Canada at =
http://www.wcel.org/wcelpub/2000/13244.pdf .=20
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SEMINAR ON MEETING CANADA'S COMMITMENTS TO
KYOTO PROTOCOL, CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
The School of Community and Public Affairs at Concordia University's and =
the McGill School of Environment will host an evening panel on "Climate =
Change: Meeting Canada's Commitments" Wednesday, 14 February 2001, from =
6 to 8 pm at the Concordia University Faculty Club Lounge, 1455 de =
Maisonneuve, Hall Building Blvd., Room H767, Montreal, Quebec. The panel =
will be chaired by Desiree McGraw of the McGill School of Environment =
and will include: Jean Charest, leader of the Quebec Liberal Party and =
former Environment Minister (Canada); Ted Ferguson from Canada's Clean =
Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation Office; Elizabeth May, =
Executive Director of the Sierra Club of Canada; and, Frank Muller, =
Professor of Environmental Economics, Concordia University and Visiting =
Professor, McGill School of Environment . For more information, contact =
the Concordia University at ph. 514-848-2575.=20
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VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, TO HOST
UNEP INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S CONFERENCE IN 2002
Victoria, British Columbia, has been selected as the venue for the =
fourth UNEP International Children's Conference on the Environment which =
will take place from 22 to 24 May 2002. The Conference will be held at =
the University of Victoria and is expected to bring together 800 =
children (10 to 12 years old) from over 115 countries, providing them =
with an opportunity to learn about and voice their concerns on the state =
of the environment as well as to showcase environmental initiatives by =
schools. The Conference is also expected to produce a statement from =
children to the world leaders who will meet in the summer of 2002 in =
Johannesburg for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Among the =
issues the Conference will focus on are: resource conservation, climate =
change and water. "I am very pleased that Canada will host this =
important event", said David Anderson, Minister of the Environment for =
Canada and current President of UNEP's Governing Council. "There are =
natural links between a healthy environment and healthy children. The =
various experiences, observations and ideas of the children around the =
world really bring home to us their desire for concrete actions to =
address environmental issues in a tangible manner." For more information =
contact Theodore Oben, Programme Officer, Children Youth and Sport =
Programmes, UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya, tel: 254-2-623262, fax: 623692, =
e-mail: theodore.oben@unep.org; or Tore J. Brevik, UNEP =
Spokesman/Director, Communications and Public Information, tel: =
254-2-623292, fax: 623927, e-mail: Tore.Brevik@unep.org. See also =
www.unep.org/children_youth/ . For Canada, please contact: Anne L. =
Mathewson, Chair, ICC Canada 2002, Corporate & Environmental =
Communications Manager, Tetra Pak Canada Inc., Markham, Ontario, tel: =
1-905-305-9777, e-mail Anne.Mathewson@tetrapak.com . For Connecticut, =
please contact: Mr. Tim Love/Joanne Tawfilis, Coalition for Justice and =
Community Understanding, Ledyard, Connecticut, tel: 1-860-464-2999, fax: =
1-860-464-2368, e-mail justice1@worldnet.att.net
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MINING OPERATIONS IN CANADA RELEASED 2.3 MILLION
POUNDS OF HEAVY METALS IN 1998
The Canadian Environmental Defence Fund (CEDF) in Toronto, said mining =
smelters in Canada released more than 2.3 million pounds of heavy metals =
in 1998, including arsenic, mercury, lead and nickel compounds. These =
have all highly poisonous and harmful to people's health and the =
environment. The fund said the worst polluter was Inco Ltd., the western =
world's largest nickel miner, which released 1.1 million pounds of heavy =
metal into the environment from its facilities in Ontario and Manitoba. =
"Overall, Inco released almost two billion pounds of sulfur dioxide =
which causes acid rain," CEDF said. Their report listed Noranda Inc., =
Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting Co., a unit of Anglo American Plc, =
Falconbridge Ltd. and Cominco Ltd., as major polluters. Mausberg said =
the information for the report came from information provided by the =
mining groups to a consultant for Environment Canada. Ranked by =
facility, the fund's report said Inco's Copper Cliff operation in =
Sudbury, Ontario, was a major polluter, followed by Noranda's Horne =
smelter in Quebec, then Hudson Bay's Flin Flon smelter in Manitoba, =
Inco's Thompson operation in Manitoba, Falconbridge's Kidd Creek =
facility in Ontario and Cominco's Trail zinc operation in British =
Columbia. "We certainly have a strategy in place to spend considerable =
money to make considerably more progress in the Sudbury area and out in =
Thomson, to address both the sulfur dioxide and the metal emissions," =
Inco spokesman Jerry Rogers said. Noranda said it was trying to reduce =
toxins from Horne by more than 50 percent. The smelter processed 720,000 =
tonnes of copper concentrates in 1999. "We are currently working on a =
program, and have already spent C$60 million, to reduce those emissions =
by another 50 percent within the next two, two and a half years," =
Noranda spokesman Denis Couture told Reuters. Story by Lesley Wroughton, =
Reuters News Service. See the Mining Association of Canada website at =
http://www.mining.ca/ . Visit the Canadian Environmental Defense Fund =
website at http://www.cedf.net/ . =20
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AMERICANA ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW IN MONTREAL, MARCH 28 =
TO 30, 2001
AMERICANA 2001 is a Pan-American Environmental Technology Trade Show and =
Conference that will be held March 28-29-30, 2001 in Montreal Convention =
Centre (Quebec) Canada. For its 4th edition, with the theme "Evolving =
solutions for a changing world", AMERICANA keeps growing in 2001 =
expecting 10 000 participants, 400 exhibitors for the Trade Show, 300 =
guest speakers in different tracks (Air, Climate Change, Water, =
Contaminated Sites, Solid Wastes, Environmental Management, etc.) and =
600 business meetings that will be organized for the International =
Business Matchmaking Program. AMERICANA 2001 is organized by RESEAU =
environnement, the Quebec's largest business association in the =
Environmental Industry. For more information contact Americana 2001, 911 =
Jean-Talon East, # 220, Montreal, Quebec H2R 1V5, Ph. (514) 270-7110, =
Fax (514) 270-7154. Email info@americana.org . Visit their website at =
http://www.americana.org .=20
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GORD MILLER, ONTARIO'S ENVIRONMENT COMMISSIONER TO SPEAK
AT CEIA ONTARIO BUSINESS BREAKFAST
Gordon Miller the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario will speak =
Thursday, February 15, 2001, 7:30 am at an environment business =
opportunities breakfast (EBOB) hosted by the Canadian Environment =
Industry Association, Ontario Chapter at the International Plaza Hotel, =
Ballroom C, 655 Dixon Road, Toronto, Ontario. A hot breakfast will be =
served. Expect to join up to 100 environment business representatives at =
the breakfast. Cost of the breakfast is $55. To register contact CEIA =
Ontario, 2175 Sheppard Ave., E., Suite 310, Toronto, Ontario M2J 1W8, =
ph. (416) 491-1670, fax (416) 491-1670 email info@ceia.on.ca . Visit =
their website at http://www.ceia.on.ca .=20
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AWMA CONFERENCE ON IMPLEMENTING CANADA-WIDE STANDARDS
The Air & Waste Management Association (AWMA) will sponsor a the =
"Implementation of Canada-Wide Standards Conference" March 7 and 8, =
2001, at the Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre. It is cosponsored by =
Environment Canada and chaired by Dr. Jane Pagel, Vice-President, =
Corporate and Government Affairs, Jacques Whitford Environment Ltd. The =
keynote speaker will be Barry Stemshorn, Assistant Deputy Minister, =
Environmental Protection Service, Environment Canada. It will deal with =
ozone and small diameter particulate, mercury and petroleum hydrocarbons =
in soil standards, and dioxins, furans and benzene. The Canada-Wide =
Standards are an attempt by the provinces and the Canadian Council of =
the Ministers of the Environment (CCME) to take over the =
standard-setting role of the federal government. So far the Canada-Wide =
Standards are late and have delayed what would have come out of the =
federal government under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act =
(CEPA). The Canada-Wide standards are weak and don't meet standards that =
are required in the United States, plus they are unenforceable at the =
national level since the provinces have been mandated to enforce each of =
the Canada-Wide Standards within their own jurisdiction. Quebec, Ontario =
and Alberta have so far stripped their environment ministries of =
resources and staff that they are not in a position to enforce new =
standards. In essence, the provinces would be operating with an unfunded =
mandate - - they are required to do it, but don't have the resources to =
do it. The cost of participation for non-members is $625.00. For more =
information contact AWMA, One Gateway Center, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, =
Pennsylvania 15222, ph. 1-800-270-3444, or ph. (412) 232-3444, fax (412) =
232-3450. Visit the website at http://www.awma.org . =20
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SECOND ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON GREEN TAXES IN
VANCOUVER, B.C., APRIL 2001
The Second Annual Global Conference on "Environmental Taxation Issues: =
Experience and Potential," will be hosted by the Pembina Institute in =
Vancouver, British Columbia from April 1st to 3rd, 2001. It is =
co-sponsored by Cleveland State University, the BC Institute of =
Technology, and the Government of British Columbia. The objective of the =
conference is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information =
and research findings among scholars, executives, tax professionals, =
non- governmental organizations and policy makers focussed on =
environmental taxation issues, experience and potential throughout the =
world. Participants will include professors of taxation, accounting, and =
finance from major universities worldwide, tax and accounting =
professionals from leading CPA and law firms, executives from industry, =
members of non-governmental organizations and officials from =
governmental bodies throughout the world. The registration cost is $250 =
+ GST. Contact Aida Burgos, BCIT Venture Development Centre, 3700 =
Willingdon Ave., Burnaby, B.C. V5G 3H2, ph. (604) 453-4018, fax (604) =
436-0286, email aida_burgos@bcit.ca . Download conference brochure, =
registration form and call for papers from the website =
http://www.piad.ab.ca/ , and click on "What's New".
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Letter to the Editor, Dear Gallon Environment Letter:=20
=20
The article on Birdwatching as a $25 billion dollar "industry" tells me =
how out of touch the urban environmental movement is in America. I too =
enjoy birdwatching. I have been a compiler for 25 years and have several =
feeders at my home, but to equate birdwatching with the steel industry =
or the chemical industry, strains the imagination. Explain to me exactly =
what birdwatching produces? Could we even exist without the steel =
industry and chemical industry. I am disappointed in your shortsighted =
logic. Without the agricultural industry the minerals industry and the =
other basic raw materials industries that make our country great and =
allow us the standard of living we enjoy... there wouldn't be any time =
for bird watching. We would be spending 90% of our time seeking shelter =
and finding food to survive. Let's put a little more thought into your =
articles. We can enjoy birdwatching and have both a viable steel =
industry and chemical industry without trashing them. Sincerely, =
Michael Noel, Farmer/Rancher, email =20
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Dear Editor,
Instead of just harping on the "What if we had less democracy" vein of =
thinking, how about the following, also from USA Today, on the topic of =
"What if we had more democracy"?? Thanks, by the way, for including the =
letters to the editor in this issue of your newsletter. And you do an =
incredible job of pulling together lots of useful environmental news, =
and I do appreciate that. (You don't need to add this email address to =
your mailing list -- Sincerely, Craig Harvey, email harvey@ic.net
*************************************************************
WICKES STORE IN BANGOR, MAINE BLOCKADED FOR SELLING
INTERFOR, B.C. WOOD PRODUCTS
Members of the Student Environmental Action Coalition in Bangor, Maine, =
protested in front of the do-it-yourself store hardware store "WICKES" =
in Bangor, demanding that the company stop selling old-growth word =
products from International Forest Products (Interfor) out of British =
Columbia. Student perched atop three tall metal tripods, whiles others =
chained themselves to the bases, blocking entrances to the store. Eleven =
students from College of the Atlantic and the University of New =
Hampshire were arrested. "WICKES knows the history of Interfor Forest =
Products in the ancient temperate rainforest in British Columbia, Canada =
and yet the company still carries Interfor's products," said Mike =
Roselle, Forests Campaigner for Greenpeace, who supported the student =
action. "Today's protest is part of a national grass roots uprising =
across the United States. Concerned citizens are doing everything in =
their power to expose both Interfor's highly destructive practices and =
the stores that refuse to stop selling their products," said Roselle. =
The students maintain that forest products must come from well-managed =
forests that have been certified to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) =
standards or better. Many retailers, including home furnishing giant =
IKEA, have already pledged to use only forest products that have been =
FSC- certified. Although many forestry companies operating in the Great =
Bear Rainforest are working with environmental organizations in British =
Columbia to protect highly contentious areas within the rainforest, =
Interfor walked away from negotiations and has resumed its logging =
plans, says Greenpeace. Since then, environmentalists have exposed the =
company's plans to log 18 pristine valleys and critically important =
areas of the Great Bear Rainforest in the next five years. Contact Rob =
Fish, Student Environmental Action Coalition, Bangor, Maine, email =
ecology12@yahoo.com=20
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MAPLE LEAF PACKING FACTORY POLLUTES MANITOBA RIVER
A Maple Leaf Pork plant was built in Brandon, Manitoba, once it promised =
to help build and pay for the maintenance of a new Brandon municipal =
sewage treatment plant that the Maple Leak Pork plant could use to =
discharge its slaughterhouse waste. The u.v. treatment system broke down =
and a new computer system installed to run the waste water operations =
was found to be incompatible with the rest of the new sewage treatment =
plant operations. As a result, the Maple Leaf-assisted sewage plant =
began discharge large amounts of improperly treated pork and human waste =
into the Assiniboine River during a long period in the Summer of 2000. =
Downstream water users were not notified of the pollution. Their =
drinking water and recreation water were harmed by it, according to Bill =
Paton, a Brandon University biologist. He said that farmers who irrigate =
strawberries and lettuce with river water should have been told to take =
precautions. In June, the amount of fecal coliform discharged into the =
river from Maple Leaf waste exceeded the limit in the treatment plant's =
licence from Manitoba Conservation. By July, the mean reading was more =
than six times the licence limit. Fecal coliforms are bacteria found in =
the guts of warm- blooded animals. They are used as an indicator for =
other disease-causing organisms that are harder to detect. Swimming is =
not recommended when fecal coliform levels are above 200 per 100 =
millilitres of water. The mean reading for July 2000 at the end of the =
Maple Leaf pipe was 1,255, but that would have been diluted in the =
river. The strain of E. coli that killed seven people in Walkerton, =
Ont., last summer is rarely found in pigs, but Paton sees parallels to =
Walkerton in the lack of checks and balances when something goes wrong. =
The $12-million sewage treatment plant was built by the City of Brandon =
as an incentive for the new slaughterhouse. City staff run the treatment =
facility, although Maple Leaf pays the operating expenses. Source, =
"Downstream warning urged in wake of pollution surge", By Helen =
Fallding, Winnipeg Free Press, Mon, Jan 8, 2001.
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NORTH AMERICAN FISHERIES ECONOMICS FORUM, TO BE HELD IN
NEW ORLEANS, APRIL 2001
The first North American Fisheries Economics Forum will be held on April =
1 to 4, 2001 at the Pontchartrain Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. The =
goals of the Forum are to strengthen communication between North =
American fisheries economists in industry, government and academia, and =
to provide opportunities to discuss research results, research in =
process and future research needs and plans. The keynote theme for the =
Forum is "The State of North American Fisheries Economics." Sessions =
relating to this keynote theme will include discussions on the future of =
North American fisheries economics, fisheries economics data, teaching =
fisheries economics, and publishing in the area of fisheries economics. =
Other special sessions will be held on topics including seafood trade =
and the internet, economics of fishing cooperatives under the American =
Fisheries Act, bio-economic models and fishery management, measuring =
efficiency and capacity in fisheries, economic assessments of marine =
reserves, catfish economics, and economics and conflicts between =
commercial and sport fisheries. Additional sessions on other topics are =
under development. The Forum will serve as the inaugural meeting of the =
North American Association of Fisheries Economists. This Association =
will be affiliated with International Institute of Fisheries Economics =
and Trade (IIFET), an international organization of fisheries economists =
which meets in even-numbered years in different countries around the =
world. The most recent IIFET meeting was held in Corvallis, Oregon in =
July 2000, and the next meeting will be in Brisbane, Australia in July =
2002. North American Fisheries Economics Forums will be held in =
odd-numbered years in different coastal areas of North America. For =
additional information, contact Gunnar Knapp, Program Chair, University =
of Alaska Anchorage (telephone 907-786-7717; e-mail =
afgpk@uaa.alaska.edu). The deadline for submitting abstracts is February =
2, 2001. Additional information about the First North American Fisheries =
Economics Forum, including lists of sessions and participants and =
procedures for submitting abstracts, registering for the Forum and =
making hotel reservations, may be found at the website =
http://www.naafe.uaa.alaska.edu .=20
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U.S. EMISSIONS OF GREENHOUSE GASES CONTINUE TO INCREASE:
COAL, OIL AND NATURAL GAS LARGEST SOURCES
Total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the six main greenhouse gases =
(weighted to reflect equivalent emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2)), in =
the United States rose from 6,689 to 6,748 million metric tons. These =
gases include CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, =
perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. The CO2 from fossil fuel =
combustion at power plants and factories is the largest source of all =
greenhouse gases, accounting for 80 percent of all emissions in 1999. =
Fossil fuel combustion was responsible for 88 percent of total =
greenhouse emission growth from 1990 to 1999. The study also shows that =
from 1990 - 1999, GHG emissions from cars, trucks and buses rose 21 =
percent, while total highway miles traveled climbed 13 percent. A =
Federal Register notice announcing a 40-day public comment period on the =
report was published Jan. 9, 2001. To receive a hard copy of this =
document, fax a request to the Agency at 202-260-6405, or write to the =
following address: U.S. EPA, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Market =
Policy Branch (MC: 2175), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC =
20460. For technical information, call Wiley Barbour of EPA's Office of =
Air and Radiation at ph. (202) 260-6972. The report is available at =
http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/publications/emissions.
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**
U.S. EPA REGION 10 ISSUES RFP ON PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP AND
RECYCLING
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 is soliciting =
proposals for projects that address product stewardship, recycling, =
source reduction, reuse, market development, or green purchasing. The =
amount of the contracts could range from US$10,000 to $20,000. Grants or =
cooperative agreements will be awarded though Solid Waste Assistance =
Funds (SWAF) under the authority of Section 8001 of the Resource =
Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976. Goals EPA Region 10 seeks to fund =
proposals that fit into one or more of the following categories: Promote =
education and outreach on source reduction, product stewardship, reuse, =
recycling, composting, and/or buying recycled products Identify and test =
strategies that lead to improved environmental performance by Region 10 =
business organizations. Provide technical assistance or spur innovative =
technology development to promote source reduction, product stewardship, =
reuse, recycling, composting, and/or buying recycled products. Stimulate =
market development for materials that are difficult to recycle, such as =
construction and demolition debris, electronics, tires, etc. Incorporate =
EPA initiatives (e.g., community-based environmental protection, =
environmental justice, extended product responsibility, sustainability, =
protecting children's health from environmental threats) with source =
reduction, product stewardship, reuse, recycling, composting, and/or =
recycled product procurement projects. EPA Region 10 includes the states =
of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and the lands in Indian country =
belonging to federally recognized tribes in those states. Matching funds =
are not required under this solicitation. All matching funds or other =
contributions provided by the grantee are subject to audits and all =
federal regulations. Written proposals should be submitted on =
double-sided recycled paper with a minimum of 30% post-consumer content. =
The proposal process relies extensively on direct communication (in =
person or by phone, fax or electronic mail) with the EPA Region 10 =
contact. For this solicitation please contact Domenic Calabro at ph. =
(206) 553-6640 or by e-mail at calabro.domenic@epa.gov. The deadline for =
application is February 15, 2001, when a two-page pre-proposals should =
be received by the EPA. Applicants are encouraged to contact an EPA =
Region 10 representative prior to submitting their pre-proposal. Contact =
Domenic Calabro at ph. 206-553- 6640 or email calabro.domenic@epa.gov. =
This solicitation and additional EPA Region 10 Solid Waste Program =
funding information are available on the Internet at the website =
http://www.epa.gov/r10earth/productstewardship.htm :
************************************************************************
GREENING INDUSTRY CONFERENCE ON GLOBALIZATION AND
COMPETITIVENESS WAS HELD IN BANGKOK, JANUARY 2001
The Greening of Industry Network (GIN) held its annual conference on =
"Sustainablity at the Millennium: Globalization, Competitiveness, and =
the Public Trust", January 21-24, 2001, in Bangkok, Thailand. It was the =
9th International Conference of the Greening of Industry Network The =
Honorary Conference Chair was Dr. Supachai Panitchapakdi, Thailand's =
Deputy Prime Minister and Director-General Designate of the World Trade =
Organization. The co-chair was Jan Pronk, Minister of Environment of the =
Netherlands. The four-day conference featured more than 150 =
presentations in plenary sessions, workshops, exhibitions, posters, =
discussion and debate, delegates from business, government and research =
will explore that latest research, business strategies, policies and =
case studies on cross-cutting issues of industrial development, =
environment and society. They pursued the issue of transition "From =
Environment to Sustainability". The conference started with sessions on =
Fair Globalization Policy, Doctoral Research Workshops, and a meeting of =
the Environmental Management Accounting Network.
This convening marks the first international GIN conference in Asia, and =
we will use the occasion to launch the Second Decade of the Greening of =
Industry Network. The conference program is posted at =
http://www.eric.chula.ac.th/GIN-Asia/. Conference sponsors include =
Chulalongkorn University, Thailand Ministry of Science, Technology and =
Environment, United States-Asia Environmental Partnership, Netherlands =
Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, Asian =
Development Bank, United Nations Environment Programme, European =
Community, Regional Institute of Environment Technology - Singapore, =
Ford Motor Company, Kenan Institute Asia, International Human Dimensions =
of Global Environmental Change - Industrial Transformation, New Jersey =
Institute of Technology. See =
http://www.eric.chula.ac.th/GIN-Asia/sponsors.html .
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Copyright (c) 2001=20
Canadian Institute for Business and the=20
Environment, Montreal & Toronto
All rights reserved.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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THE GALLON =
ENVIRONMENT=20
LETTER  =
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506 Victoria Ave., =
Montreal, Quebec=20
H3Y=20
2R5
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Ph. (514) 369-0230, Fax (514)=20
369-3282
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Vol. 5, No. 7, February 12, 2001
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now".
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CANADA CANADA CANADA =20
CANADA
=
=20
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NEW BOOK ON ENVIRONMENT, =
ECONOMICS=20
AND SOCIETY,
MCGILL UNIVERSITY
The book is entitled, "Ethics, Economics and International =
Relations:=20
Transparent Sovereignty in the Commonwealth of Life". It is written by =
Dr. Peter=20
G. Brown, Director of the McGill School of Environmental Studies, McGill =
University, Montreal, published by Edinburgh University Press. Peter =
Brown tries=20
to get us beyond traditional economics, even beyond incrementalism where =
we try=20
to piecemeal traditional economics with green taxes and other economic=20
instruments. Brown develops what he calls "Stewardship Economics", an =
economics=20
that makes humans one part of the resource base and the web of life. It =
takes=20
humans out of the centre where resources and all other life forms are =
made for=20
the use and abuse of humans. Here is what Brown says: "Stewardship =
economics=20
extends, and may hope to complete, the quest for a general theory by =
explicitly=20
locating the human economy in the earth's biophysical systems. It =
requires=20
therefore both an accurate description of the economy in those systems =
and a=20
normative structure that will allow us to say how these systems should =
function.=20
Stewardship economics recognizes the finitude of the earth and its =
systems."=20
Brown warns that, "the most pervasive scientific error made by =
mainstream=20
economics is that it carries forward, as an unexamined background =
assumption=20
that humans are not significant actors in the earth's biophysical =
systems. In=20
more economic texts there is no description of any kind of nature.....it =
is as=20
if the rest of the physical world did not exist or that humans could not =
affect=20
it."
Brown reminds us that, "our concern is with the commonwealth of =
life: for=20
its flourishing, including its own, and its restoration." He adds that, =
"the=20
thrust of this book is the depiction of a contract between all persons =
to=20
respect each other's basic rights, and to extend the contract to all=20
life." To achieve a stewardship economy that operates within the=20
commonwealth of life (e.g, the resource rich life-supporting, =
economy-supporting=20
ecosystem), Brown states that society has fiduciary responsibilities =
that=20
include operating an economy within a "Common Pool Resource" (CPR). The =
concept=20
was first developed by Elinor Ostrom and reported in her book "Governing =
the=20
Commons". Brown writes, "a common pool resource can be a fishery, a =
forest, the=20
Internet, the air, the oceans, the ecological health of a stream, and so =
on. In=20
all these cases, and many, many more resources units can be appropriated =
by=20
individuals without regard to the health of the system," and states =
that,=20
"Ostrom has identified eight characteristics of institutions that are =
successful=20
in protecting common pool resources. Markets, private property, and =
government=20
may all have roles to play in a successful system." For more information =
contact=20
Dr. Peter G. Brown, Director, McGill School of Environment, 3534 =
University=20
Ave., Montreal, Quebec H3A 2A7, ph. (514) 398-2827, email
pgb@mse.mcgill.ca . Visit their =
website at=20
http://www.mcgill.ca/mse/">
http://www.mcgill.ca/mse/ =
******************************************************************=
DIV>
GALLON TO GIVE =
TALK ON THE=20
HISTORY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL
MOVEMENT IN CANADA, PIMLOTT=20
LECTURE
Gary Gallon, President of =
the Canadian=20
Institute for Business and the Environment (CIBE), will give a talk on =
"The=20
History and Economics of Environmentalism in Canada", at the University =
of=20
Toronto Lecture Series. The lecture series is held annually by Innis=20
College in honour of Dr. Douglas Pimlott, the famous Canadian =
scientist=20
who specialized in demystifying wolves, their families and their habits. =
Co-hosted by Dr. Beth Savan, Director Environmental Studies at Innis =
College and=20
Monte Hummel, head of the World Wildlife Fund Canada, the Pimlott =
Memorial=20
Lecture will be held Thursday, February 15, 2001, 6:00 pm, at the Town =
Hall,=20
Innis College, University of Toronto, 2 Sussex Ave., Toronto, ph. (416)=20
978-3424, email karyn.samson@utoronto.ca=20
******************************************************************=
DIV>
CONCERN EXPRESSED IN =
EUROPE ABOUT=20
CANADA'S
ENVIRONMENTAL DECLINE
Environment officials in the United States and Europe have been =
watching in=20
disbelief as Canada, particularly its Provinces, fall behind on =
environmental=20
protection and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Where Canada was a =
leader in=20
the 1970's and the 1980's, it has failed to keep up with world =
environmental=20
progress in the 1990's. Much of this came from the massive budget cuts =
and=20
senior science and engineering staff cuts in Environment Canada and the=20
provinces in the mid-1990's. At least Environment Canada has been turned =
around=20
with new cash and some staff infusions from the Government of Canada. =
But=20
Alberta, Quebec, and Ontario continue to treat environment as an =
obstacle to=20
economic development and have relegated environmental protection to the =
back of=20
the Cabinet Bus. This environmental backslide in Canada has not gone =
unseen by=20
the rest of the world. The Center for International Climate and =
Environmental=20
Research (CICERO), based in Oslo, Norway, has just published an article=20
entitled, "Canada on the Brink: From Frontrunner to Laggard?, and =
written by=20
researchers, Jonas Vevatne and Santiago Olmos. They wrote that, "Canada =
was=20
lambasted as "Fossil of the Week" at the Sixth Conference of the Parties =
(COP 6)=20
in The Hague by environmental activists and was accused of attempting to =
water=20
down the Kyoto Protocol. At the same time, the election campaigns were =
underway=20
in Canada where climate issues were hardly mentioned. What is happening =
to one=20
of the most active environmental frontrunners of the 1980's when its =
Minister of=20
Environment doesn't even show up to COP 6 ?"
CICERO said that, "Canada was named Fossil of the Week for its =
efforts to=20
include existing forests and agriculture in the category of carbon sinks =
(absorption of carbon dioxide n forests and land). Canada was criticized =
particularly strongly for its demand that export of nuclear energy =
technology=20
should be covered by the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), so that it =
could=20
export nuclear power plants to developing countries as a greenhouse gas=20
reduction measure.", adding that even, "David Runnalls believes that the =
criticism was well deserved." The article cites as one of the =
reasons for=20
Canada's decline is the decline in environmental interest by the two =
large=20
opposition parties. The Canadian Alliance, the official opposition, and =
the=20
Block Quebecois are both more interested in expanding regional powers, =
not=20
environmental powers. CICERO quoted David Runnalls, President of =
Canada's=20
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) based in =
Winnipeg,=20
saying that, "the main opposition party, the Canadian Alliance dedicated =
only=20
one sentence to environmental protection in its 23-page program, and has =
not=20
formulated any climate policy or position on the Kyoto Protocol. The =
Liberal=20
strongly emphasized the possible economic benefits of climate measures =
but have=20
nevertheless failed to make the environment an issue in the campaign." =
The=20
report stated that, "the strong polarization of the election race has =
dampened=20
the parties' willingness to enter into a debate on the environment, and =
there is=20
little to indicate that there will be any change in the short run." For =
more=20
information contact the Center for International Climate and =
Environmental=20
Research (CICERO), Pb. 1129, Blindem, Sognsvelen 68, 0318 Oslo, Norway, =
ph.=20
47.22.85.87.50, email
santa@cicero.uio.no , or
jonas.vevatne@cicero.uio.no=
A> . To=20
download the full paper go to http://www.cicero.uio.no/cicerone/00/6/Eng/cic6santiago.pdf">http=
://www.cicero.uio.no/cicerone/00/6/Eng/cic6santiago.pdf=20
Also see the GCSI article on politics and GHG in Canada
http://www.gcsi.ca/risingheat.html">
http://www.gcsi.ca/risingheat=
html=20
And see the West Coast Environmental Law Centre's report card on GHG =
and=20
Canada at
http://www.wcel.org/wcelpub/2000/13244.pdf">
http://www.wcel.org/w=
celpub/2000/13244.pdf=20
********************************************************************=
***
SEMINAR ON MEETING =
CANADA'S=20
COMMITMENTS TO
KYOTO PROTOCOL, CONCORDIA =
UNIVERSITY
The School of Community and Public Affairs at Concordia =
University's and=20
the McGill School of Environment will host an evening panel on "Climate =
Change:=20
Meeting Canada's Commitments" Wednesday, 14 February 2001, from 6 to 8 =
pm at the=20
Concordia University Faculty Club Lounge, 1455 de Maisonneuve, Hall =
Building=20
Blvd., Room H767, Montreal, Quebec. The panel will be chaired by Desiree =
McGraw=20
of the McGill School of Environment and will include: Jean Charest, =
leader of=20
the Quebec Liberal Party and former Environment Minister (Canada); Ted =
Ferguson=20
from Canada's Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation =
Office;=20
Elizabeth May, Executive Director of the Sierra Club of Canada; and, =
Frank=20
Muller, Professor of Environmental Economics, Concordia University and =
Visiting=20
Professor, McGill School of Environment . For more information, contact =
the=20
Concordia University at ph. 514-848-2575.
********************************************************************=
*
VICTORIA, BRITISH =
COLUMBIA, TO=20
HOST
UNEP INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S CONFERENCE IN =
2002
Victoria, British Columbia, has been selected as the venue for the =
fourth=20
UNEP International Children's Conference on the Environment which will =
take=20
place from 22 to 24 May 2002. The Conference will be held at the =
University of=20
Victoria and is expected to bring together 800 children (10 to 12 years =
old)=20
from over 115 countries, providing them with an opportunity to learn =
about and=20
voice their concerns on the state of the environment as well as to =
showcase=20
environmental initiatives by schools. The Conference is also expected to =
produce=20
a statement from children to the world leaders who will meet in the =
summer of=20
2002 in Johannesburg for the World Summit on Sustainable =
Development. =20
Among the issues the Conference will focus on are: resource =
conservation,=20
climate change and water. "I am very pleased that Canada will host this=20
important event", said David Anderson, Minister of the Environment for =
Canada=20
and current President of UNEP's Governing Council. "There are natural =
links=20
between a healthy environment and healthy children. The various =
experiences,=20
observations and ideas of the children around the world really bring =
home to us=20
their desire for concrete actions to address environmental issues in a =
tangible=20
manner." For more information contact Theodore Oben, Programme =
Officer,=20
Children Youth and Sport Programmes, UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya, tel: =20
254-2-623262, fax: 623692, e-mail:
theodore.oben@unep.org; or =
Tore J.=20
Brevik, UNEP Spokesman/Director, Communications and Public Information, =
tel:=20
254-2-623292, fax: 623927, e-mail:
Tore.Brevik@unep.org. See =
also
http://www.unep.org/children_youth/">www.unep.org/children_youth/=
.=20
For Canada, please contact: Anne L. Mathewson, Chair, ICC Canada =
2002,=20
Corporate & Environmental Communications Manager, Tetra Pak Canada =
Inc.,=20
Markham, Ontario, tel: 1-905-305-9777, e-mail
Anne.Mathewson@tetrapak.com=
A> . For=20
Connecticut, please contact: Mr. Tim Love/Joanne Tawfilis, =
Coalition for=20
Justice and Community Understanding, Ledyard, Connecticut, tel: =
1-860-464-2999,=20
fax: 1-860-464-2368, e-mail justice1@worldnet.att.net=
DIV>
**************************************************************
=
MINING OPERATIONS IN =
CANADA RELEASED=20
2.3 MILLION
POUNDS OF HEAVY METALS IN 1998
The Canadian Environmental Defence Fund (CEDF) in Toronto, said =
mining=20
smelters in Canada released more than 2.3 million pounds of heavy metals =
in=20
1998, including arsenic, mercury, lead and nickel compounds. These have =
all=20
highly poisonous and harmful to people's health and the environment. The =
fund=20
said the worst polluter was Inco Ltd., the western world's largest =
nickel miner,=20
which released 1.1 million pounds of heavy metal into the environment =
from its=20
facilities in Ontario and Manitoba. "Overall, Inco released almost two =
billion=20
pounds of sulfur dioxide which causes acid rain," CEDF said. Their =
report listed=20
Noranda Inc., Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting Co., a unit of Anglo =
American=20
Plc, Falconbridge Ltd. and Cominco Ltd., as major polluters. Mausberg =
said the=20
information for the report came from information provided by the mining =
groups=20
to a consultant for Environment Canada. Ranked by facility, the fund's =
report=20
said Inco's Copper Cliff operation in Sudbury, Ontario, was a major =
polluter,=20
followed by Noranda's Horne smelter in Quebec, then Hudson Bay's Flin =
Flon=20
smelter in Manitoba, Inco's Thompson operation in Manitoba, =
Falconbridge's Kidd=20
Creek facility in Ontario and Cominco's Trail zinc operation in British=20
Columbia. "We certainly have a strategy in place to spend considerable =
money to=20
make considerably more progress in the Sudbury area and out in Thomson, =
to=20
address both the sulfur dioxide and the metal emissions," Inco spokesman =
Jerry=20
Rogers said. Noranda said it was trying to reduce toxins from Horne by =
more than=20
50 percent. The smelter processed 720,000 tonnes of copper concentrates =
in 1999.=20
"We are currently working on a program, and have already spent C$60 =
million, to=20
reduce those emissions by another 50 percent within the next two, two =
and a half=20
years," Noranda spokesman Denis Couture told Reuters. Story by Lesley =
Wroughton,=20
Reuters News Service. See the Mining Association of Canada website at
http://www.mining.ca/">
http://www.mining.ca/ . Visit the =
Canadian=20
Environmental Defense Fund website at
http://www.cedf.net/">
http://www.cedf.net/ .
********************************************************************=
AMERICANA ENVIRONMENTAL =
CONFERENCE=20
AND TRADE SHOW IN MONTREAL, MARCH 28 TO 30, 2001
AMERICANA 2001 is a Pan-American Environmental Technology Trade =
Show and=20
Conference that will be held March 28-29-30, 2001 in Montreal Convention =
Centre=20
(Quebec) Canada. For its 4th edition, with the theme "Evolving solutions =
for a=20
changing world", AMERICANA keeps growing in 2001 expecting 10 000 =
participants,=20
400 exhibitors for the Trade Show, 300 guest speakers in different =
tracks (Air,=20
Climate Change, Water, Contaminated Sites, Solid Wastes, Environmental=20
Management, etc.) and 600 business meetings that will be organized for =
the=20
International Business Matchmaking Program. AMERICANA 2001 is organized =
by=20
RESEAU environnement, the Quebec's largest business association in the=20
Environmental Industry. For more information contact Americana 2001, 911 =
Jean-Talon East, # 220, Montreal, Quebec H2R 1V5, Ph. (514) 270-7110, =
Fax (514)=20
270-7154. Email
info@americana.org .=20
Visit their website at
http://www.americana.org">
http://www.americana.org .
********************************************************************=
****
GORD MILLER, ONTARIO'S =
ENVIRONMENT=20
COMMISSIONER TO SPEAK
AT CEIA ONTARIO BUSINESS=20
BREAKFAST
Gordon Miller the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario will speak=20
Thursday, February 15, 2001, 7:30 am at an environment business =
opportunities=20
breakfast (EBOB) hosted by the Canadian Environment Industry =
Association,=20
Ontario Chapter at the International Plaza Hotel, Ballroom C, 655 Dixon =
Road,=20
Toronto, Ontario. A hot breakfast will be served. Expect to join up to =
100=20
environment business representatives at the breakfast. Cost of the =
breakfast is=20
$55. To register contact CEIA Ontario, 2175 Sheppard Ave., E., Suite =
310,=20
Toronto, Ontario M2J 1W8, ph. (416) 491-1670, fax (416) 491-1670 email =
info@ceia.on.ca . Visit their =
website at
http://www.ceia.on.ca">
http://www.ceia.on.ca .
********************************************************************=
****
AWMA CONFERENCE ON =
IMPLEMENTING=20
CANADA-WIDE STANDARDS
The Air & Waste Management Association (AWMA) will sponsor a =
the=20
"Implementation of Canada-Wide Standards Conference" March 7 and 8, =
2001, at the=20
Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre. It is cosponsored by Environment Canada =
and=20
chaired by Dr. Jane Pagel, Vice-President, Corporate and Government =
Affairs,=20
Jacques Whitford Environment Ltd. The keynote speaker will be Barry =
Stemshorn,=20
Assistant Deputy Minister, Environmental Protection Service, Environment =
Canada.=20
It will deal with ozone and small diameter particulate, mercury and =
petroleum=20
hydrocarbons in soil standards, and dioxins, furans and benzene. The =
Canada-Wide=20
Standards are an attempt by the provinces and the Canadian Council of =
the=20
Ministers of the Environment (CCME) to take over the standard-setting =
role of=20
the federal government. So far the Canada-Wide Standards are late and =
have=20
delayed what would have come out of the federal government under the =
Canadian=20
Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). The Canada-Wide standards are weak =
and=20
don't meet standards that are required in the United States, plus they =
are=20
unenforceable at the national level since the provinces have been =
mandated to=20
enforce each of the Canada-Wide Standards within their own jurisdiction. =
Quebec,=20
Ontario and Alberta have so far stripped their environment ministries of =
resources and staff that they are not in a position to enforce new =
standards. In=20
essence, the provinces would be operating with an unfunded mandate - - =
they are=20
required to do it, but don't have the resources to do it. The cost of=20
participation for non-members is $625.00. For more information contact =
AWMA, One=20
Gateway Center, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222, ph. =
1-800-270-3444,=20
or ph. (412) 232-3444, fax (412) 232-3450. Visit the website at
http://www.awma.org">
http://www.awma.org .
********************************************************************=
*****
SECOND ANNUAL CONFERENCE =
ON GREEN=20
TAXES IN
VANCOUVER, B.C., APRIL 2001
The Second Annual Global Conference on "Environmental Taxation =
Issues:=20
Experience and Potential," will be hosted by the Pembina Institute in =
Vancouver,=20
British Columbia from April 1st to 3rd, 2001. It is co-sponsored by =
Cleveland=20
State University, the BC Institute of Technology, and the Government of =
British=20
Columbia. The objective of the conference is to provide a forum for the =
exchange=20
of ideas, information and research findings among scholars, executives, =
tax=20
professionals, non- governmental organizations and policy makers =
focussed on=20
environmental taxation issues, experience and potential throughout the =
world.=20
Participants will include professors of taxation, accounting, and =
finance from=20
major universities worldwide, tax and accounting professionals from =
leading CPA=20
and law firms, executives from industry, members of non-governmental=20
organizations and officials from governmental bodies throughout the =
world. The=20
registration cost is $250 + GST. Contact Aida Burgos, BCIT Venture =
Development=20
Centre, 3700 Willingdon Ave., Burnaby, B.C. V5G 3H2, ph. (604) 453-4018, =
fax=20
(604) 436-0286, email
aida_burgos@bcit.ca . Download =
conference=20
brochure, registration form and call for papers from the website
http://www.piad.ab.ca/">
http://www.piad.ab.ca/ , and click =
on "What's=20
New".
********************************************************************=
*********
Letter to the Editor, Dear Gallon Environment Letter:=20
The article on Birdwatching as a $25 billion =
dollar=20
"industry" tells me how out of touch the urban environmental movement is =
in=20
America. I too enjoy birdwatching. I have been a compiler for 25 =
years and=20
have several feeders at my home, but to equate birdwatching with =
the steel=20
industry or the chemical industry, strains the imagination. Explain to =
me=20
exactly what birdwatching produces? Could we even exist without =
the steel=20
industry and chemical industry. I am disappointed in your =
shortsighted=20
logic. Without the agricultural industry the minerals industry and =
the=20
other basic raw materials industries that make our country great and =
allow us=20
the standard of living we enjoy... there wouldn't be any time for bird=20
watching. We would be spending 90% of our time seeking shelter and =
finding=20
food to survive. Let's put a little more thought into your =
articles. =20
We can enjoy birdwatching and have both a viable steel industry and =
chemical=20
industry without trashing them. Sincerely, Michael Noel, =
Farmer/Rancher,=20
email
*****************************************************************
Dear Editor,
Instead of just harping on the "What if we had less democracy" vein =
of=20
thinking, how about the following, also from USA Today, on the topic of =
"What if=20
we had more democracy"?? Thanks, by the way, for including the letters =
to the=20
editor in this issue of your newsletter. And you do an incredible =
job of=20
pulling together lots of useful environmental news, and I do appreciate=20
that. (You don't need to add this email address to your mailing =
list --=20
Sincerely, Craig Harvey, email
harvey@ic.net
*************************************************************
WICKES STORE IN BANGOR, =
MAINE=20
BLOCKADED FOR SELLING
INTERFOR, B.C. WOOD =
PRODUCTS
Members of the Student Environmental Action Coalition in Bangor, =
Maine,=20
protested in front of the do-it-yourself store hardware store "WICKES" =
in=20
Bangor, demanding that the company stop selling old-growth word products =
from=20
International Forest Products (Interfor) out of British Columbia. =
Student=20
perched atop three tall metal tripods, whiles others chained themselves =
to the=20
bases, blocking entrances to the store. Eleven students from College of =
the=20
Atlantic and the University of New Hampshire were arrested. "WICKES =
knows the=20
history of Interfor Forest Products in the ancient temperate rainforest =
in=20
British Columbia, Canada and yet the company still carries Interfor's =
products,"=20
said Mike Roselle, Forests Campaigner for Greenpeace, who supported the =
student=20
action. "Today's protest is part of a national grass roots uprising =
across the=20
United States. Concerned citizens are doing everything in their power to =
expose=20
both Interfor's highly destructive practices and the stores that refuse =
to stop=20
selling their products," said Roselle. The students maintain that forest =
products must come from well-managed forests that have been certified to =
Forest=20
Stewardship Council (FSC) standards or better. Many retailers, including =
home=20
furnishing giant IKEA, have already pledged to use only forest products =
that=20
have been FSC- certified. Although many forestry companies operating in =
the=20
Great Bear Rainforest are working with environmental organizations in =
British=20
Columbia to protect highly contentious areas within the rainforest, =
Interfor=20
walked away from negotiations and has resumed its logging plans, says=20
Greenpeace. Since then, environmentalists have exposed the company's =
plans to=20
log 18 pristine valleys and critically important areas of the Great Bear =
Rainforest in the next five years. Contact Rob Fish, Student =
Environmental=20
Action Coalition, Bangor, Maine, email
ecology12@yahoo.com
********************************************************************=
*******
MAPLE LEAF PACKING =
FACTORY POLLUTES=20
MANITOBA RIVER
A Maple Leaf Pork plant was built in Brandon, Manitoba, once it =
promised to=20
help build and pay for the maintenance of a new Brandon municipal sewage =
treatment plant that the Maple Leak Pork plant could use to discharge =
its=20
slaughterhouse waste. The u.v. treatment system broke down and a new =
computer=20
system installed to run the waste water operations was found to be =
incompatible=20
with the rest of the new sewage treatment plant operations. As a result, =
the=20
Maple Leaf-assisted sewage plant began discharge large amounts of =
improperly=20
treated pork and human waste into the Assiniboine River during a long =
period in=20
the Summer of 2000. Downstream water users were not notified of =
the=20
pollution. Their drinking water and recreation water were harmed by it,=20
according to Bill Paton, a Brandon University biologist. He said that =
farmers=20
who irrigate strawberries and lettuce with river water should have been =
told to=20
take precautions. In June, the amount of fecal coliform discharged into =
the=20
river from Maple Leaf waste exceeded the limit in the treatment plant's =
licence=20
from Manitoba Conservation. By July, the mean reading was more than six =
times=20
the licence limit. Fecal coliforms are bacteria found in the guts of =
warm-=20
blooded animals. They are used as an indicator for other disease-causing =
organisms that are harder to detect. Swimming is not recommended when =
fecal=20
coliform levels are above 200 per 100 millilitres of water. The mean =
reading for=20
July 2000 at the end of the Maple Leaf pipe was 1,255, but that would =
have been=20
diluted in the river. The strain of E. coli that killed seven =
people in=20
Walkerton, Ont., last summer is rarely found in pigs, but Paton sees =
parallels=20
to Walkerton in the lack of checks and balances when something goes =
wrong. The=20
$12-million sewage treatment plant was built by the City of Brandon as =
an=20
incentive for the new slaughterhouse. City staff run the treatment =
facility,=20
although Maple Leaf pays the operating expenses. Source, "Downstream =
warning=20
urged in wake of pollution surge", By Helen Fallding, Winnipeg =
Free=20
Press, Mon, Jan 8, 2001.
********************************************************************=
***
NORTH AMERICAN FISHERIES =
ECONOMICS=20
FORUM, TO BE HELD IN
NEW ORLEANS, APRIL 2001
The first North American Fisheries Economics Forum will be held on =
April 1=20
to 4, 2001 at the Pontchartrain Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. =
The goals=20
of the Forum are to strengthen communication between North American =
fisheries=20
economists in industry, government and academia, and to provide =
opportunities to=20
discuss research results, research in process and future research needs =
and=20
plans. The keynote theme for the Forum is "The State of North American =
Fisheries=20
Economics." Sessions relating to this keynote theme will include =
discussions on=20
the future of North American fisheries economics, fisheries economics =
data,=20
teaching fisheries economics, and publishing in the area of fisheries =
economics.=20
Other special sessions will be held on topics including seafood trade =
and the=20
internet, economics of fishing cooperatives under the American Fisheries =
Act,=20
bio-economic models and fishery management, measuring efficiency and =
capacity in=20
fisheries, economic assessments of marine reserves, catfish economics, =
and=20
economics and conflicts between commercial and sport fisheries. =
Additional=20
sessions on other topics are under development. The Forum will serve as =
the=20
inaugural meeting of the North American Association of Fisheries=20
Economists. This Association will be affiliated with International =
Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade (IIFET), an international=20
organization of fisheries economists which meets in even-numbered years =
in=20
different countries around the world. The most recent IIFET meeting was =
held in=20
Corvallis, Oregon in July 2000, and the next meeting will be in =
Brisbane,=20
Australia in July 2002. North American Fisheries Economics Forums will =
be held=20
in odd-numbered years in different coastal areas of North America. For=20
additional information, contact Gunnar Knapp, Program Chair, University =
of=20
Alaska Anchorage (telephone 907-786-7717; e-mail
afgpk@uaa.alaska.edu). The =
deadline for=20
submitting abstracts is February 2, 2001. Additional information about =
the First=20
North American Fisheries Economics Forum, including lists of sessions =
and=20
participants and procedures for submitting abstracts, registering for =
the Forum=20
and making hotel reservations, may be found at the website
http://www.naafe.uaa.alaska.edu">
http://www.naafe.uaa.alaska.edu<=
/A> .=20
********************************************************************=
*****
U.S. EMISSIONS OF =
GREENHOUSE GASES=20
CONTINUE TO INCREASE:
COAL, OIL AND NATURAL GAS LARGEST=20
SOURCES
Total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the six main greenhouse =
gases=20
(weighted to reflect equivalent emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2)), in =
the=20
United States rose from 6,689 to 6,748 million metric tons. These gases =
include=20
CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and =
sulfur=20
hexafluoride. The CO2 from fossil fuel combustion at power plants and =
factories=20
is the largest source of all greenhouse gases, accounting for 80 percent =
of all=20
emissions in 1999. Fossil fuel combustion was responsible for 88 percent =
of=20
total greenhouse emission growth from 1990 to 1999. The study also shows =
that=20
from 1990 - 1999, GHG emissions from cars, trucks and buses rose 21 =
percent,=20
while total highway miles traveled climbed 13 percent. A Federal =
Register notice=20
announcing a 40-day public comment period on the report was published =
Jan. 9,=20
2001. To receive a hard copy of this document, fax a request to the =
Agency at=20
202-260-6405, or write to the following address: U.S. EPA, Office of =
Atmospheric=20
Programs, Market Policy Branch (MC: 2175), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., =
Washington, DC 20460. For technical information, call Wiley Barbour of =
EPA's=20
Office of Air and Radiation at ph. (202) 260-6972. The report is =
available at
http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/publications/emissions">
http://w=
ww.epa.gov/globalwarming/publications/emissions.
********************************************************************=
*******
U.S. EPA REGION 10 =
ISSUES RFP ON=20
PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP AND
RECYCLING
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 is soliciting =
proposals=20
for projects that address product stewardship, recycling, source =
reduction,=20
reuse, market development, or green purchasing. The amount of the =
contracts=20
could range from US$10,000 to $20,000. Grants or cooperative agreements =
will be=20
awarded though Solid Waste Assistance Funds (SWAF) under the authority =
of=20
Section 8001 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of =
1976. Goals=20
EPA Region 10 seeks to fund proposals that fit into one or more of the =
following=20
categories: Promote education and outreach on source reduction, product=20
stewardship, reuse, recycling, composting, and/or buying recycled =
products=20
Identify and test strategies that lead to improved environmental =
performance by=20
Region 10 business organizations. Provide technical assistance or spur=20
innovative technology development to promote source reduction, product=20
stewardship, reuse, recycling, composting, and/or buying recycled =
products.=20
Stimulate market development for materials that are difficult to =
recycle, such=20
as construction and demolition debris, electronics, tires, etc. =
Incorporate EPA=20
initiatives (e.g., community-based environmental protection, =
environmental=20
justice, extended product responsibility, sustainability, protecting =
children's=20
health from environmental threats) with source reduction, product =
stewardship,=20
reuse, recycling, composting, and/or recycled product procurement =
projects. EPA=20
Region 10 includes the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and =
the lands=20
in Indian country belonging to federally recognized tribes in those =
states.=20
Matching funds are not required under this solicitation. All matching =
funds or=20
other contributions provided by the grantee are subject to audits and =
all=20
federal regulations. Written proposals should be submitted on =
double-sided=20
recycled paper with a minimum of 30% post-consumer content. The proposal =
process=20
relies extensively on direct communication (in person or by phone, fax =
or=20
electronic mail) with the EPA Region 10 contact. For this solicitation =
please=20
contact Domenic Calabro at ph. (206) 553-6640 or by e-mail at
calabro.domenic@epa.gov. The =
deadline=20
for application is February 15, 2001, when a two-page pre-proposals =
should be=20
received by the EPA. Applicants are encouraged to contact an EPA Region =
10=20
representative prior to submitting their pre-proposal. Contact Domenic =
Calabro=20
at ph. 206-553- 6640 or email
calabro.domenic@epa.gov. =
This=20
solicitation and additional EPA Region 10 Solid Waste Program funding=20
information are available on the Internet at the website
http://www.epa.gov/r10earth/productstewardship.htm">
http://www.ep=
a.gov/r10earth/productstewardship.htm=20
:
********************************************************************=
****
GREENING INDUSTRY =
CONFERENCE ON=20
GLOBALIZATION AND
COMPETITIVENESS WAS HELD IN BANGKOK, JANUARY=20
2001
The Greening of Industry Network (GIN) held its annual =
conference on=20
"Sustainablity at the Millennium: Globalization, Competitiveness, and =
the Public=20
Trust", January 21-24, 2001, in Bangkok, Thailand. It was the 9th =
International=20
Conference of the Greening of Industry Network The Honorary Conference =
Chair was=20
Dr. Supachai Panitchapakdi, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and=20
Director-General Designate of the World Trade Organization. The co-chair =
was Jan=20
Pronk, Minister of Environment of the Netherlands. The four-day =
conference=20
featured more than 150 presentations in plenary sessions, workshops,=20
exhibitions, posters, discussion and debate, delegates from business, =
government=20
and research will explore that latest research, business strategies, =
policies=20
and case studies on cross-cutting issues of industrial development, =
environment=20
and society. They pursued the issue of transition "From =
Environment to=20
Sustainability". The conference started with sessions on Fair =
Globalization=20
Policy, Doctoral Research Workshops, and a meeting of the =
Environmental=20
Management Accounting Network.
This convening marks the first international GIN conference in =
Asia, and we=20
will use the occasion to launch the Second Decade of the Greening of =
Industry=20
Network. The conference program is posted at
http://www.eric.chula.ac.th/GIN-Asia/">
http://www.eric.chula.ac.t=
h/GIN-Asia/.=20
Conference sponsors include Chulalongkorn University, Thailand Ministry =
of=20
Science, Technology and Environment, United States-Asia Environmental=20
Partnership, Netherlands Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the=20
Environment, Asian Development Bank, United Nations Environment =
Programme,=20
European Community, Regional Institute of Environment Technology - =
Singapore,=20
Ford Motor Company, Kenan Institute Asia, International Human Dimensions =
of=20
Global Environmental Change - Industrial Transformation, New Jersey =
Institute of=20
Technology. See
http://www.eric.chula.ac.th/GIN-Asia/sponsors.html">
http://www.er=
ic.chula.ac.th/GIN-Asia/sponsors.html=20
=
=20
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; =
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nbsp; &n=
bsp; =20
Copyright (c) 2001=20
&nb=
sp; &nbs=
p; =20
Canadian Institute for Business and the=20
&nb=
sp; &nbs=
p; =20
Environment, Montreal &=20
Toronto
&n=
bsp; &nb=
sp; &nbs=
p; =20
All rights =
reserved.
=20
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