I just have to say it Scott Vaughan is one cool Environment Comissioner! Check out his frank 2012 report on how Canada’s faltering on our climate change commitments and the at times overlooked impacts of contaminated sites. Click here to access the whole report online. I also included one of his videos here but, click here, if you want to watch some more of his videos – they make his job seem accessible.

The NBEN’s staff are taking the challenge will you? June 3- June 9th the National Commuter Challenge gets underway and competitors are asked to try and find active ways to get to work! We here at the NBEN are challenging you as an individual or group to enter today. Why not join it: Is a week-long event during Canadian Environment Week (June 3 – 9, 2012) Is a friendly competition between Canadian cities and workplaces Encourages Canadians to leave their cars at home Rewards walking, cycling, carpooling/ride-sharing, taking transit and telecommuting Celebrates active and sustainable transportation Is nationally hosted by…

In response to the federal government’s recent attacks on environmental groups, through budget cuts and weakening environmental regulations, the country’s leading environmental organizations are planning a black out campaign- vowing to darken their websites on June 4th 2012. The Sierra Club has called the government’s approach a “war on nature and democracy”, and blacking out websites is one way they are planning to do to fight back. Help spread the word via social networks and visit the website for more information: http://BlackOutSpeakOut.ca, If you want to take personal action consider signing the petition to Save Canada’s Environmental Laws: http://www.envirolawsmatter.ca/

There's a great new internet resource that anyone working on climate change issues will find handy.  This look at the global world gives a good idea of exactly what is going on. The intro video is one and a half minutes long and fascinating to watch.  Check it out by clicking here!

Four million dollars have been awarded in the 2012 Environmental Trust Fund announcements. The projects are divided into six categories: ●    sustainable development (59 projects, $1,609,500); ●    restoration (11 projects, $238,000); ●    protection (36 projects including 20 Environmental Risk Assessments, $444,500); ●    education (70 projects, $1,344,250); ●    conservation (17 projects, $390,500); and ●    beautification (two projects, $36,000). The media annoucement is at http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2012.04.0359.html And a complete list of awards at  http://www.gnb.ca/0009/0373/0002/ETFAwards.pdf The chart below illustrates the awards by sector. NGO Solid Waste  Municipal  University  Industry  Autochtone Other  TOTAL 2008  2045500 304700 525000 595500 350300 22000 26000 3869000   53% 8% 14%…

The NBEN congratulates the recipients of the annual Milton F. Gregg Conservation Awards presented by the CCNB on the 27th of April at the Spring into Action auction and awards evening. The award for lifetime achievement was presented posthumously to recognize the late Florian Levesque from Balmoral. Lawrence Wuest of Stanley received the award for environmental activism.  Post-Carbon Moncton was recognized for its organizational achievement and Betty Lizotte from Saint John was recognized for her volunteerism. http://www.conservationcouncil.ca/News/news04261201.aspx

Wombat Wisdom just might be the best little video ever! The wombat clearly lays out the whole global picture – in less than 1 minute! It's an inspiration to everyone who is working for social change!  Be sure to take a minute to watch it. Wombat wisdom video - http://globalcommunity.org/flash/wombat.shtml

Attention New Brunswickers, The Gouvernment of New Brunswick is looking for nominations in regards to the 2012 Environmental Leadership Awards. Do you know someone who has made an outstanding effort to promote solutions to environmental issues? Click here to send your nominations.

NB Forests: Have a look! Concerned about the level of clearcutting across the New Brunswick landscape?  Frank Johnston has assembled links to satellite photos that tell the tragic tale of NB forests. Keith Wilson has taken a video of clearcutting along the Cains River. Both are eye-opening! _____________________________________________ Please find a set of Google Map links of selected areas of New Brunswicks deforested landscape below. Clicking on the link leads to the Google map satellite view. If you have Google Earth or the Google Earth Plugin installed the Earth view is accessible from the Google Map page. The full frame…

The NB Government issued a press release on Thursday April 5th (slipping it in right before the Easter weekend to make sure everyone got a chance to see it) announcing the new Species at Risk Act. This Act would replace the existing Endangered Species Act. The Government states that this new Act is intended to improve the approach to conserving the species at risk, but at least one environmental group is not pleased with the proposed new legislation. As stated by David Coon, Executive Director of the NBCC, in a CBC News article “It still has weaknesses we identified during…