Climate Issue Highlights 2007-2020
2020 - Emergency Demands Action
This article was originally published in the Chronicle Journal on February 11, 2020. It was submitted by Graham Saunders, president of Environment North on behalf of all the board of directors of Environment North.
"Thunder Bay City Council voted unanimously last month to declare a climate emergency, joining hundreds of others across Canada including the City of Kenora and Grand Council Treaty #3. It is a recognition of the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. ..." Read the article.
2019 - Climate Sense and Sensibility
This article by Environment North president Graham Saunders was first published in the Chronicle Journal on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.
"The Oxford Dictionary announced “climate emergency” as the word of the year: “a situation in which urgent action is required to reduce or halt climate change and avoid potentially irreversible environmental damage resulting from it”. ..." Read the article.
2019 - Climate Changes Everything
Over 100 people attended Dr. Diane Saxe's excellent (yet sobering) presentation which was cohosted by Environment North, Lakehead University Office of Sustainability and EarthCare Thunder Bay. Click here for a video of the event taken by Net News Ledger Thunder Bay
Click here for the REDUCING MY FOOTPRINT FACTSHEET
Click here to read the Chronicle Journal "Accountability ensures government puts environment work ahead of games" article by Graham Saunders.
2017 - Studying Permafrost in a Changing Climate
Élise Devoie presented her research on permafrost as part of the Environmental Knowledge Learning and Sharing seminars.
The Chronicle Journal article, by Kerstin Muth about Élise's research was published on October 23, 2017.
"The word permafrost conjures up something very stable, permanent. The definition, ground that is frozen for two or more years in a row, conveys this as well. However, dramatic changes are occurring in Canada’s North due to climate warming, especially in areas of “discontinuous permafrost”. ..." Read the article and view the event poster.
2014 - Last lump of coal burned at Thunder Bay Generating Station. An update from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance:
"It's official: Coal is kaput in Ontario
On April 8th, the Thunder Bay Generating Station burned its last lump of coal marking the end of an era in Ontario. Thunder Bay was the last of the province's five dirty coal-fired generating stations to close. Nanticoke, formerly the largest coal-fired power plant in North America, was closed in December 2013, following on the heels of the closure of the Lambton Generating Station in October 2013, the conversion of the Atikokan station to biomass, which began in 2012, and the closure of Lakeview Generating Station in 2005.
Now with this final puff from Thunder Bay, Ontario has successfully eliminated the province's single biggest source of smog, toxins, acid rain and greenhouse gases. This is no less a victory for people in Northern Ontario than it is for residents of the once smog-choked South. Coal burning at Thunder Bay and Atikokan led to rising mercury levels in northern lakes and damaged northern forests through acid rain. Fortunately, the north is rich in cleaner energy alternatives, from water power to wind.
Ontario's coal phase out is a remarkable achievement and a tremendous example to the world. This is a great day for our province and our planet! The OCAA is proud to have played a central role in pushing forward the largest single action on climate change in North America. Thank you for your help!"
2012 - City disapproves of withdrawal from Kyoyo Protocol
The article, City takes diplomatic shot at Harper over climate by Grahram Saunders, was originally published in the Chronicle Journal on June 5, 2012.
"Thunder Bay city counil passed a resolution last week that stated their disapproval with the Conservative government's decision to withdraw Canada from the Kyoto Protocol. ..." To read more click here.
2009 Climate Change Accountability Act Update
On March 4, 2009, the second reading of the Climate Change Accountability Act, Bill C-311, took place. Bruce Hyer gave a compelling 15 minute speech. Read the speech.
2007 - Climate Change: Solving it Together II - A Summary and Carbon Offset Calculation
Environment North held its second conference on climate change and its relevance for the region. The event was sold out, with 235 people participating.
Climate Change: Solving it Together II is a brief summary of the speakers and main points of their presentations.
We need to offset one tonne of carbon! A goal of Environment North was to make this a "carbon-neutral"? event. Transportation, food, lighting and other details result in greenhouse gas emissions. Environment North reduced some carbon costs by using local food produce and offering incentives that encouraged walking, cycling, public transit and car pooling. Actually, we should not down play this - these measures reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by about half a tonne! The conference produced about one tonne of carbon. We will be offsetting this carbon by investment in a renewable energy project in the Northwest. Continue reading
2007 - Climate Change: Solving it Together I
February 3, 2007: Environment North's first climate change conference was held at Confederation College. It was Hosted by EN and the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists. Official Poster