Good luck with the fight – and do come join us in our call to the United Nations to implement a Universal declaration of Planetary Rights to prevent this kind of environmental destruction.

From all of us at Trees Have Rights Too

May 22, 2006
Globe and Mail
Why is Cancer Sweeping Tiny Fort Chipewyan?
by Patrick Brethour

The article is reproduced on a few websites, specifically at:

http://oilsandstruth.org/why-cancer-sweeping-tiny-fort-chipewyan

The medical reports from the local doctor, and an independent doctor following up on the initial research have generated considerable fallout on the web – there has been reporting by CBC and many independent Oil Sands watchdog and cancer sites.

This is a prime example of an “environmental justice issue” – the basic idea behind this concept is that people of ethnic minorities, low-income neighbourhoods, or other socially-disadvantaged groups are more likely to have environmental dis-amenities (such as sewage processing plants, power stations, chemical plants, disposal sites, etc.) in their backyards, and less likely to have environmental amenities (parks, clean waterways, nature reserves, etc.).

head over to canadianpacific.wordpress.com, click on the videos page and watch Majora Carter’s video about environmental justice in New York City for more info.

The Breast Cancer website offers the opportunity to help add some extra funds to important causes by clicking daily on links that bring money from the sponsors. This is a very simple method, which has apparently been very effective in providing supplies.

It is a small effort with no cost that anyone can do. (However, it is no substitute for bigger efforts.)

If you look at the top, you can click and support the following causes:
Hunger
Breast Cancer
Child Health
Literacy
Rainforest
Animal Rescue

Money isn’t the solution to everything, but it sure helps.

Another important site is

GOODSEARCH
http://www.goodsearch.com/
This is another important website which uses the same fundraising method by sponsorship. Everytime you use this search engine, a penny goes to the organization of your choice. If 1000 people search twice a day, $7300 will be raised for that organization in a year.

I am supporting the “Cameroon Wildlife Aid Fund” , which is the organization that rehabilitates orphaned chimps and gorillas in Cameroon (which they do with the most selfless integrity.) I am associated with the Canadian branch of this organisation and its members. They were the ones who opened my eyes to the bushmeat trade and inspired the cell phone recycling program.

Abay’s Return: A young Ethiopian girl’s brilliant struggle to end Female Genital Cutting in her village.

Phil Borges, the creater of the film, states that his “photographic projects are devoted to the welfare of indigenous and tribal people. My intention is to help bring attention to the value these cultures represent and the challenges they face.” His projects include indepth portraits about women around the world who have made a significant impact in their community, who would have gone unnoticed had it not been for this collection.
http://www.philborges.com/we/women-empowered.html

I strongly recommend watching this video, because it is nothing less than expiring.

Do you want to help guide the kicking-est climate coalition in Canada?
Do you see yourself as a stalwart sweetheart of sustainability?
Do you just want to jump for climate justice?

The Canadian Youth Climate Coalition is assembling a 6-person, regional steering committee, who will work with staff to help make the CYCC a presence across the country! The CYCC is a national coalition of youth organizations and youth who have come together to demand and create real solutions to the climate crisis. In the past year, the CYCC has organized
10 successful days of action, the Canadian Youth Delegation to the UN Climate Negotiations, and we’re in the process of taking it up a notch!

We are seeking one person to represent: the Atlantic, Ontario, Quebec, the Praries, BC, and the North. Candidates must reside in the region for 3/4 of the year, and be less than 30 years old.

Steering committee members will:

– identify opportunities for partnerships and expansion
– liaise with both individual volunteers and member organizations in their region
– assist staff in preparing materials, proposals, etc
– help develop decision-making procedures
– other tasks as necessary

Approx 6 hours commitment/month.

If you’d like to join us in this exciting adventure, please send your resume and 1 paragraph detailing your vision of the climate movement in Canada to:
cycc.elections@gmail.com, with the subject line: name, region – standing for election by March 18.

Because the CYCC is a coalition of organizations, steering committee members will be elected by a representative from each member organization, plus one vote each from local groups (in Ottawa, Vancouver and Winnipeg.

Questions can be addressed to Barbara at cycc.elections@gmail.com, and more information can be found at http://www.ourclimate.ca (including our list of member orgs)

What are you supporting when you buy that giant flawless tomato? Some say that you are buying a mutated monster of a vegetable, supporting a prejudiced industry and destroying local agriculture…And some just say that you’re buying a fruit. Now in its 4th year, the growing Sustainable Business Conference held by Concordia University will yet again open the floor to discussion on Friday, March 14th. The one-day conference and networking event will center around the theme of “Food for Thought”, where industry leaders are invited to discuss the value of the fair trade certification, pros and cons of genetically modified organism (GMOs) and local versus organic sourcing in the context of Montreal and international business.Through keynote speakers, panel discussions, a locally sourced lunch and wine & cheese, participants will be able to share their knowledge of these hot topics, and build awareness of recent successes. Speakers include:Rob Michalak, Director of Social Mission!
& Public Relations of Ben & Jerry’sMartin Valiquette, General Manager of Libert? natural foodsDr David Dennis, President & CEO of Performance PlantsDario Iezzoni, General Manager of EquitaTimothy J. LaSalle., CEO of the Rodale InstituteRob Clarke, Executive Director of Transfair CanadaDr Satoshi Ikeda, Canada Research Chair in the Political Sociology of Global Futures and Associate Professor at Concordia University

Join us for this eye-opening event at 7h45am on March 14th, in the DB Clark Theatre, 1455 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Ouest. Take advantage of our earlybird special prices valid until March 7th 2008. General admission is only 30$! Register online today at http://sbc.concordia.ca.

S’attaquer ? la grosse affaire: le sommet de la CCJC en Alberta (2008)
Appel ? la participation au comit? organisateur

Hello friends and climate change warriors

As many of you are aware, the next national Summit of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition (CYCC) is going to be in Alberta and is going to concentrate on the topic of the Tar Sands. Why? Because the Tar Sands are the big elephant in the room. Our government is talking about taking real action on climate change without ever questioning the merit
of the massive development in the tar sands as if there is no
contradiction between the two. In 2007, CYCC Council flagged the tar sands as an area where we need to focus our learning.

The CYCC Alberta Summit is to take place sometime in late May/ early June of 2008 will be the beginning of a consolidated CYCC tar sands campaign. It will be a place where we can:

- learn the intricacies of the situation in the tar sands at an
environmental, social, technical, political, personal level;
- understand what activists are already doing on the tar sands issue;
- decide on the format and message of a Canadian youth-led tar sands campaign;
- get training on media, group building non-violent direct action, social justice and other topics that are essential to our campaign toolkit; and
- establish a strong western Canada membership base for
the CYCC.

We’re now getting into the design and implementation phase of the Summit, and we are looking for a Summit Committee to help with both the practical/logistical and conceptual/philosophical aspects of planning this important event. If you feel strongly about what topics should be
covered at the summit, if you have information or tools that you want to share at the summit, if you’re able to help with outreach, if you’re a wicked organizer or fundraiser, if you really care about this issue and want to get right into it- please put your name forward for the Summit Committee.

We?re asking for a minimum commitment of 1 hour conference call every two weeks, but beyond that you can take on as much as you are able to. You must self-identify as youth and be willing to be a CYCC member (a $0 lifetime membership fee and oath applies!) This will be a big event and you will be sure to gain the fame and fortune you’ve been looking for as part of the Summit Committee! If you?re interested, please send an email to Meredith and/or Aftab.

Meredith.prairie@gmail.com

aftab.erfan@elf.mcgill.ca

–
Jeh Custer
Prairies Coordinator
Sustainable Campuses Project
Sierra Youth Coalition

Email: prairies@syc-cjs.org
Phone: 306.242.9476
Web: http://www.syc-cjs.org/sustainable/

“The revolution begins with education…” (Kwame Ture)

Energy Conservation Funding in Ontario [plus Canada-wide links, below]
Organization: Ministry of Energy, Ontario, Canada
Application deadline: Mar 14, 2008

The Ministry of Energy has renewed the Community
Conservation Initiatives (CCI) fund for 2008/2009 to
support small local community grassroots conservation
initiatives. The 2007/2008 CCI program supported over
thirty projects in communities across Ontario totaling
over $1.1 million.

The CCI program supports incorporated not-for-profit
organizations that deliver innovative energy conservation
initiatives to their local community. CCI is intended to help
raise awareness about energy conservation, engage energy
consumers to undertake conservation actions, and foster
long-term behavioural change toward energy conservation.
Priority is given to projects that enhance the capacity of
individuals or communities to conserve — and/or promote
small-scale (“behind the meter”) renewable energy.

The application deadline for the 2008/2009 CCI program is
March 14, 2008. In general, the maximum CCI contribution
available to individual projects is $50,000. Projects can be
up to ten months in length. All projects supported by the
CCI program must be completed by March 21, 2009.

For more information about applying to the CCI program please visit
http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=conservation.community

The CCI program is one of many initiatives of the
government of Ontario to build a culture of conservation.