Nephie Now Measuring Campbell River's Air Pollution

A mobile nephelometer has been monitoring and mapping Campbell River's air quality for the past few weeks. The contraption, from UVIC, will guide the city on how to structure possible policies regarding air quality in the future. For now citizens can attend a "Burn it Smart" workshop tonight from 6:30-8:00pm at Willow Point Fire Hall to discover ways to reduce wood stove pollution.

For more information call Martin at 250-286-5711

The full article from the Mirror can be found here.

City of Campbell River OCP Update

Campbell River is preparing to undertake a comprehensive update to its Official Community Plan with a focus on sustainability. Their goal is to establish a clear vision for the City's future through community discussions.

The City is inviting members of the public to apply to participate in a Steering Committee for the process.

Application forms are available here or at City Hall, upon request.

For additional information contact Rob Buchan
(250) 286-5748
or
rob.buchan@campbellriver.ca

Fish Farming Moratorium

The B.C. Supreme Court has placed a moratorium on the expansion of fish farming in the province. New applications will not be considered until the federal government is transfered administration and regulatory control which shouldn't occur until Dec. 18, 2010.

This is an extension from the original transfer date of Feb 9, 2010. "The purpose of this moratorium is to both meet the spirit of the recent B.C. Supreme Court ruling while ensuring a smooth transition of aquaculture regulation to the federal government," Agriculture and Lands Minister Steve Thomson said in a media release.

The Mirror for more

Campbell River Timber

The City is working towards adopting a wood-first policy in an effort to bolster local business and the forestry industry.

"This Policy shows Council's commitment to our local forest industry and the importance of forest products to the people of Campbell River," Mayor Charlie Cornfield said at the convention. "We need to refocus our energies on revitalizing the forest industry in our community."

The rest of the article from the Courier.

Wikipedia simplifies subsidies.


On a brighter note:

When Olympic speed skating teams receive their medals later this month, they’ll be standing on a podium made out of Campbell River wood.

Mirror article

Canada Sets Emissions Goal

Environment Minister Jim Prentice has filed Canada's greenhouse gas target with the UN, in accordance with the Copenhagen Accord deadline, to reduce emissions 17% by 2020, based on 2005 levels. This is a reactionary target based on an identical goal the US released 2 days earlier, which the Minister acknowledged and stated as an effort to align the continent.

The target is less ambitious than the initial goal set forth by the Harper government in 2007 to cut emissions by 20% from 2005 levels. Although Canada does not contribute as much CO2 on a whole, our emissions per capita are close to the highest in the world making this target less than adequate for a wealthy nation. Still worse is that this goal is no where near the reduction required to avoid a climate tipping point, nor is it binding.

The EU has set its target at a cut of 20% off of 1990 levels by 2020. China is reducing its emissions intensity per GDP unit by 40% relative to 2005 and Brazil by 36-39% from business as usual levels at 2020. Each has its reasons but the inability of nations to set targets based on a comparative baseline is discouraging as these numbers can be misleading and confusing.

Truly, 1990 produced higher emissions than recent years in the EU, making this goal more attainable. China's GDP will continue to grow, as will its emissions and business as usual levels are astronomically high - making Brazil's baseline less impressive. So, although these goals sound like solid progress they are still not enough to halt runaway climate change.

Guardian and ABC News articles for more comparative analysis.

View the entire list of EPI indicators here.

More on Canada's targets from the Vancouver Sun.