CHBE Sustainability Newsletter (November 2009)
Caroline Cloutier
November, 2009
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For those who like discussions on deep issues around climate change and
sustainability, I would invite you to join the dialogue list serve of the BC
Campus Climate Network. If you want to be added to the list, just email me
We had many discussions around the root causes of climate change. This week
I tried to make a link between religion and climate change. I copied parts
of the discussion below. Feel free to comment on our blog:
http://chbe-sustainability-club.blogspot.com/
__________________________________________
*Climate Change and my Catholic Church*
The world model today, like it or not, is the Unites States. Many felt with
the Obama election that Americans were electing not only their president,
but the president for the entire world. China, India and many Middle-East
countries are now racing to look like the US and the rest of the western
world. Why is it so important to look like us?
I am not too sure why developing countries are racing to be like the western
world, but I have a good idea why we are the dominant culture today. Jared
Diamond, in "Guns, Germs and Steel" explained this conquest in a bright
manner. (Free video on the internet:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4008293090480628280#).
Wikipedia has a great summary of the book:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guns,_Germs,_and_Steel
Assuming that we agreed on the western culture is dominating today and our
life style, linked to our ecological footprint <http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/>,
is totally unsustainable, what is the link with churches?
My catholic educations taught me few things outside universal values:
- as human, we are creature of God and superior to any living thing; (Genesis 1)
- our life is a linear process: birth, raised, become parents ourselves, the
sky become the limit until we die and actually go there. The next stage is
heaven, purgatory or hell. We have only one chance, we won't come back.
Even though many of us, including me, are not going to Church anymore, those
religious teachings are deeply rooted in our behavior. Skeptical? Continue the reading on our blog...
http://chbe-sustainability-club.blogspot.com/2009/11/chruch-and-climate-change-part-ii.html
Alexandre, for the newsletter team
**
Comment this newsletter on our blog: http://chbe-sustainability-club.blogspot.com/
*Got an event to share? Email my teammate Saul: saul...@gmail.com*
*Got news to share? Email my teammate Caroline: cclo...@chbe.ubc.ca*
http://groups.google.com/group/CHBE-Sustainability
News Section
In the news:
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/10/30/cda-greenland-pbear.html
Genomes Of Biofuel Yeasts Reveal Clues That Could Boost Fuel Ethanol
Production Worldwide
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105172421.htm
Sweet Solution To Energy Production
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029160737.htm
Renewable Hydrogen Production Becomes Reality At Winery
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005161332.htm
Bad news
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029211534.htm
Who says it's green to burn woodchips?
Canada named ‘Fossil of the Day!’ Again.
http://www.climateactionnetwork.ca/e/news/2009/release/index.php?WEBYEP_DI=9
Study claims meat creates half of all greenhouse gases
In French:
Le passionnant récit de la ruée vers « l'or vert » en Californie
http://www.rue89.com/american-ecolo/2009/10/26/la-ruee-americaine-vers-lor-des-greentech
Accès Condos : premiers logements "écologiques"
http://novae.ca/article.aspx?id=32841
Synthetic polymers in the marine environment: A rapidly increasing, long-term threat http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WDS-4TK3FFT-3&_user=1022551&_coverDate=10%2F31%2F2008&_alid=1081263350&_rdoc=15&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_cdi=6774&_sort=r&_docanchor=&view=c&_ct=29&_acct=C000050484&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=1022551&md5=27e72ec01db56cd12e3ba0015728ddc8
Sustainable Transportation:
CYCLE TREE: Multi-level Mechanical Bicycle Parking System
http://www.jfe-eng.co.jp/en/en_product/environment/environment2134.html
At Tokyo Auto Show, Hybrids and Electrics Dominate
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/business/global/21toyota.html
Take Action:
Sustainable Communities' Initiative (SCI)
http://www.globalchallengeaward.org/display/public/SCI+Challenge
UN Climate Summit: Countdown to Copenhagen
We still have a chance to save polar bears
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20427325.800-we-still-have-a-chance-to-save-polar-bears.html
Save Talamone Bay in Italy
http://passport.panda.org/campaigns/campaign.cfm?uNC=71578358&uCampaignId=1981#
Help protect the "Iberian Imperial Eagle" in Portugal
Conferences:
Ontario Sustainable Energy Association’s (OSEA) first annual Community Power Conference
15 to 16 November 2009, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, http://www.cpconference.ca
16th Annual A.D. Latornell Conservation
18 to 20 November 2009, Alliston, Ontario, Canada, http://www.latornell.ca
Asia-Pacific Science, Technology and Society (STS) Network 2009 Conference 23 to 25 November 2009, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
http://www.griffith.edu.au/conference/asia-pacific-science-technology-society-network-conference-2009/
Canadian Renewable Fuels
30 November 2009 to 2 December 2009, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
UBC Events:
2. Tar-sands movie and speaker
3. The Eleventh Hour movie and Discussion
4. Planting Garlic with Friends of the UBC farm!
5. Sustainable Buildings 101: The Role of the Engineer – Attaining Balance
Vancouver Events:
1. Open House - Lighthouse; Nov 07, 2009
2. Wildlife Rescue 30th Anniversary Gala; Nov 07, 2009
3. Guest Expert on Green Roofs and Living Walls - Chris Bruntlett ; Nov 14, 2009
4. Home renovation workshop; Nov 14, 2009
5. Home energy efficiency workshop; Nov 16, 2009
6. Open house - green renovations; Nov 18, 2009
7. Green Drinks Vancouver; Nov 18, 2009
8. 3rd Partnership Program - Canada and Germany - Energy Efficient & Green Building; Nov 18, 2009
9. Water From Reservoir to Tap; Nov 19, 2009
10. SOLID WASTE - OPTIONS FOR THE REGION; Nov 20, 2009
11. Water From Reservoir to Tap; Nov 19, 2009
12. Environment and Spirit ; Nov 20, 2009 to Nov 21, 2009
13. Home renovation workshop; Nov 21, 2009
14. CEP Speaker Series: Eco-Preneurs Panel; Nov 25, 2009
15. Green Drinks Tri-Cities; Nov 25, 2009
16. Shifting Gears II Lecture Series: Learning from Toronto; Nov 26, 2009
Soap making and aromatherapy workshop from Friends of the UBC farm
Pure and Simple Soaps!
- Date: Sat. Nov. 14, 9am-12pm
- Location: UBC farm
- Cost: $35
- Organizer: Friends of the UBC Farm
- Details: Learn to make high-quality, vegetable based soaps for all skin types from scratch! See and feel the difference in your skin... Participants will make and take home three different kinds of soaps, plus course notes. Recipes for pet soap, laundry soap and herbal shampoo. A great gift for the holiday season! What to bring: Please bring hand towel to class. Registration: Limited to 20 people. Visit Friends of the UBC farm website to register. **Please note that all UBC Farm Growing Season Workshops require advance payment. Also, our workshops sell out VERY quickly. We apologize for any inconvenience or disappointment. There is great demand for our workshops, and unfortunately we can't accommodate everyone. If the website says the workshop is full, it really is full.** Growing Season Workshops: This event is part of the UBC Farm Growing Season Workshop Series. Our goal is to connect sustainability and life-skills experts with our local community through accessible and affordable workshops. Come join us for a workshop, gain new skills and knowledge, and help support the UBC Farm!
Aromatherapy & Bath Products!
- Date: Sat. Nov. 14 1-4pm
- Location: UBC farm
- Cost: $35
- Organizer: Friends of the UBC farm
- Details: Learn to make body care gifts for the holidays or to keep for yourself! Create and customize a personal roll-on, massage oil, a solid scent body perfume and tub fizzers in a variety of scents and shapes. Recipes on bath oil, bath salts and pampering pedicure products! What to bring: Please bring a shoe box to class. Registration: Limited to 20 people. Register at Friends of the UBC Farm website. Growing Season Workshops: This event is part of the UBC Farm Growing Season Workshop Series. Our goal is to connect sustainability and life-skills experts with our local community through accessible and affordable workshops. Come join us for a workshop, gain new skills and knowledge, and help support the UBC Farm!
Tar Sands Movie and Speaker
- Date: Thursday November 26th, 12:30-2pm
- Location: Norm Theatre, SUB
- Cost: Free!
- Organizer: SEC
- Details: Tell your friends! There will be some really great speakers. Andrew Nikiforuk and Ian McAllister will be giving a speech and the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline which would ship tar sands to oil supertankers on our north coast. We’ll be showing the film Crude Awakening in partnership with Cinema Poltica following the talk.
Invite your friends to the facebook event! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=152734642214&ref=mf
The Eleventh Hour Movie and Discussion
- Date: Thursday Nov. 19 at 6pm
- Location: The Global Lounge on SW Marine Drive (part of Totem Residence)
- Cost: Free!
- Organizer: Common Energy UBC
- Details: This film is a documentary featuring Leonardo DiCaprio that discusses the potential effects of climate change and what we can do about it right now! Check out the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IBG2V98IBY
Planting Garlic with Friends of the UBC farm!
- Date: Friday, Nov. 13 at 2:30pm
- Location: UBC farm
- Cost: free!
- Organizer: Friends of the UBC farm
- Details: An "I heart garlic" planting party! The planting party will also be an opportunity to learn about sheet mulching, because they will use a heart-shaped, sheet mulched base for the garlic bed.
Sustainable Buildings 101: The Role of the Engineer – Attaining Balance
- Date: Thursday Nov. 2 at 5:30pm-6:30pm
- Location: Aquatic Ecosystems Research Laboratory (AERL) Building, Room 107/108 2202 Main Mall
- Cost: Free!
- Organizer: UBC EGB
- Details: UBC EGB is proud to host the second installment of the Sustainable Buildings 101 Speaker Series: The Role of the Engineer – Attaining Balance. Alex Hutton, P.Eng, LEED AP and JS Ratte from Stantec Consulting will be discussing the engineer's point of view in the sustainable buildings industry. With a focus on buildings, they will take a big picture approach in looking at the changing role of the engineer. Don't miss this!
Check out for more info. : http://sites.google.com/site/ubcegb/
IRES seminar series Nov.17 and Dec. 1
- Date: Nov. 17/Dec. 1 12:15pm-1:45pm
- Location: AERL 120 at 2202 Main Mall
- Cost: Free!
- Organizer: IRES
- Details: Nov. 17 “The Copenhagen Round of Climate Accords and Beyond”, Speaker: Hadi Dowlatabadi, Dec. 1 “Progress Towards Ecological Sustainability: What is it, and how can we assess it for a city and a University?”, Speaker: Kai Chan
Open House - Lighthouse; Nov 07, 2009
- 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Location: 2060 Pine Street, Vancouver
- Organizer: Light House Sustainable Building Centre
- Details: On November 7, 2009, Vancouver will become home to Canada’s only green building showcase and information centre when Light House opens its doors to its new Sustainable Building Centre comprising 5,400sf of exhibition and education space . More than 45 exciting green building products and services will be on display at Light House. Be among the first to experience this great new centre and see first hand how Vancouver is displaying its leadership in sustainable development.
- Website: http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/
Wildlife Rescue 30th Anniversary Gala; Nov 07, 2009
- 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
- Location: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue Burnaby, BC
- Organizer: Wildlife Rescue Association of BC
- Details: 30th Anniversary celebration featuring a live and silent auction, live music and loads of information on rescuing wildlife in the metro area. Tickets: $25.00. For tickets call WRA at 604.526.2747 or Allison Morrison at 604.928.1827.
- Website: http://www.wildliferescue.ca/home.shtml
Guest Expert on Green Roofs and Living Walls - Chris Bruntlett ; Nov 14, 2009
- 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Location: TBA
- Organizer: Lighthouse Sustainable Building Centre
- Details: Green Roofs and Living Wall systems are a relatively new phenomenon, but there is a staggering amount of data and information that argues for their widespread use in the built environment. The triple bottom line of “people, planet and profit” can be used to analyze a building’s envelope lifespan, energy performance, stormwater runoff, amenity space, pollution filtration, contribution to the local economy, and potential use for urban agriculture. These collective benefits will be looked at in detail, as well as the different types of green roof and living wall systems available on the market. Specific projects in the Vancouver area will be discussed, as case studies and examples of a new, collaborative form of design and development that benefits every single person involved. Cost $5 RSVP to in...@sustainablebuildingcentre.com
- Website: http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/events_home
Home renovation workshop; Nov 14, 2009
- 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
- Location: VanDusen Gardens, 5251 Oak Street
- Organizer: City of Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association
- Details: Are you planning to renovate or redevelop your home in the City of Vancouver? Then come on out to this open house to hear more about the process of planning your project, obtaining all the necessary permits and new initiatives like laneway housing. City of Vancouver and GVHBA staff will be on hand to answer your questions and help you prepare yourself for a sucessful project. In addition to a number of booths that will be continuously staffed, each half hour there will be a "sit down" presentation on a specific topic, as indicated below. Presentation schedule: 1pm - Building a new house 1:30pm - additions and renovations (decks, dormers, etc) 2pm - Laneway housing 2:30pm - Choosing professionals 3pm - Landscaping Come find Laura and ask her how you could receive up to $5,000 in refunds for your home energy efficiency improvements.
Home energy efficiency workshop; Nov 16, 2009
- 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM
- Location: Canadian Memorial United Church
- Organizer: City of Vancouver
- Details: You could receive up to $5,000 in federal rebates for your home energy improvements! Learn the details of the ecoENERGY Program a free workshop at the Canadian Memorial United Church, Fireside Room RSVP to gr...@vancouver.ca or at the CMUC office at 604.731.3101.
- Website: http://vancouver.ca/oneday/takeAction/atHome/incentive.htm
Open house - green renovations; Nov 18, 2009
- 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Location: Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street (at 15th Avenue)
- Organizer: City of Vancouver
- Details: New energy efficiency and environmental protection requirements are coming to the City of Vancouver’s Building Bylaw in 2010. Join us at an open house to learn about the changes. If you’re planning a home renovation project, or would like to provide feedback on the recommended requirements, we want to hear from you. Come find Laura and ask her how you could receive up to $5,000 in refunds for your home energy efficiency improvements.
Green Drinks Vancouver; Nov 18, 2009
- 5:45 PM
- Location: Steamworks, 375 Water Street
- Organizer: Green Drinks
- Details: A monthly gathering of anyone interested in "green". Green drinkers are from all ages, backgrounds and groups - non-profit organizations, academia, government, small business, big business, self-employed, volunteers, students, concerned citizens and everyone in between.
- Website: http://www.greendrinks.org/index.php?country=Canada&city=Vancouver
3rd Partnership Program - Canada and Germany - Energy Efficient & Green Building; Nov 18, 2009
- 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Location: Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver
- Organizer: Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc.
- Details: High-profile German and Canadian speakers will present the latest technological developments in the energy efficient and green building sector at the conference. The conference and the luncheon are free of charge. Find out more: http://kanada.ahk.de/fileadmin/user_upload/05.Publications/Official_Program_-_Energy_Efficiency___Green_Building_-_Vancouver_Nov_18__2009.pdf
Water From Reservoir to Tap; Nov 19, 2009
- 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Location: Atrium, Richmond Cultural Centre, 100-7700 Minoru Boulevard
- Organizer: Connecting Environmental Professionals
- Details: Jennifer Crosby, Water Treatment Engineer, Metro Vancouver Staff Metro Vancouver is fortunate to have a safe, reliable supply of clean tap water collected from protected natural watersheds. Learn about the pristine environment where your water is stored, how it is distributed to your home, and the latest water system developments, including the Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant. Find out how much water we need for our growing population and discuss some future challenges we face.
- Website: http://www.cepvancouver.org/index.php?L1=events.php
SOLID WASTE - OPTIONS FOR THE REGION; Nov 20, 2009
- 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM
- Location: SFU Work Centre for Dialogue
- Organizer: Metro Vancouver
- Details: The next in a series of Future of the Region Sustainability Dialogues on Solid Waste. About 3.5 million tonnes of garbage are produced each year in the Metro Vancouver region. A little over half is recycled. Up to 500,000 tonnes is being shipped to a Cache Creek landfill scheduled to close in the next few years. With our population continuing to increase, we have to face some difficult questions. What policy and regulatory changes are required to reduce the amount of garbage we produce and what are the financial impacts of doing that? What are the opportunities and the barriers to more sustainable product design, and to increases in recycling? If, despite all these recycling and reduction efforts, we still have over a million tonnes of garbage to dispose of, what should we do with it? Register online.
- Website: http://apps2.metrovancouver.org/sustainability/Smailing_list/EventRegistration.asp?EventID=111
Environment and Spirit; Nov 20, 2009 to Nov 21, 2009
- Location: Centre for Peace, 1825 W 16th Ave
- Organizer: Canadian Memorial Church & Centre for Peace
- Details: Is the current environmental crisis one of the most pressing spiritual challenges of our times? This conference is for people of all faith traditions, and also for the spiritual who find the sacred more readily in forests, mountains and on beaches. As we all come closer to embracing the sacredness of nature, the environment and our planet, we come closer to activating the divine within each one of us that can make a difference in shifting the tides of the environmental changes of our world today. Learn views from various world traditionsand explore your own beliefs and how they influence your relationship with the environment. $10 for Friday, $25 for Friday/Saturday (lunch included) RSVP to 604.731.3101
- Website: http://www.canadianmemorial.org/environment_and_spirit.html
Home renovation workshop; Nov 21, 2009
- 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Location: Renfrew Community Centre
- Organizer: City of Vancouver
- Details: Are you planning to renovate or redevelop your home in the City of Vancouver? Then come on out to this open house to hear more about the process of planning your project, obtaining all the necessary permits and new initiatives like laneway housing. City of Vancouver and GVHBA staff will be on hand to answer your questions and help you prepare yourself for a sucessful project. In addition to a number of booths that will be continuously staffed, each half hour there will be a "sit down" presentation on a specific topic, as indicated below. Presentation schedule: 1:30pm - Building a new house 2pm - additions and renovations (decks, dormers, etc) 2:30pm - Laneway housing 3pm - Choosing professionals 3:30pm – Landscaping
CEP Speaker Series: Eco-Preneurs Panel; Nov 25, 2009
- 7:00 PM
- Location: UBC Robson Square
- Organizer: Connecting Environmental Professionals
- Details: Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company, Small Potatoes Urban Delivery (SPUD), Small Energy Group and Greenomics Corporation will speak about their experiences starting up a successful, environmentally & socially responsible enterprise, followed by a moderated discussion with the audience. Admission to our speaker series costs $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Membership details are available online. RSVP online.
- Website: http://www.cepvancouver.org/index.php?L1=events.php
Energy efficiency workshop for homeowners; Nov 25, 2009
- 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM
- Location: Dunbar Community Centre - 4747 Dunbar
- Organizer: City of Vancouver
- Details: At this workshop participants will learn about the federal ecoENERGY rebate program (up to $5,000) for energy efficiency as well as other incentives. The workshop will explain details of the program, how homeowners can access the grants, the types of renovations or upgrades that make a home more energy efficient and the benefits of an energy efficient home. Workshop is free. Register at 604-222-6060 for activity code 45551.403DN
- Website: http://vancouver.ca/oneday/takeAction/atHome/incentive.htm
Green Drinks Tri-Cities; Nov 25, 2009
- 7:00 PM
- Location: Riversprings Community Recreation Centre
- Organizer: Green Drinks and Boiling Point Network
- Details: Come talk with like-minded people, socialize and discuss anything green. You'll get a chance to make great connections, speak to passionate people and learn how to become more sustainable.
- Website: http://www.tricitygreendrinks.com/
Shifting Gears II Lecture Series: Learning from Toronto; Nov 26, 2009
- 7:00 PM
- Location: UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
- Organizer: SFU
- Details: Free admission; reservations required. Call 778-782-5100 or email cstu...@sfu.ca Elyse Parker, as the Director of the Public Realm Section for Toronto’s Transportation Services Division, is helping to actively re-envision streets and public spaces for city greening, sustainable practices, beautification and active transportation. Find out how Toronto is taking designs for a healthy city — and healthy people — to the streets.
- Website: http://www.sfu.ca/city/fpl5popup.htm
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The newsletter team includes Alexandre Vigneault and James Butler for the comments, Ana Stefanova and Caroline R. Cloutier for the news, Rebecca Beaton for the UBC event list, Saul Pazos-Knoop for the Vancouver event list.
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