SEN Info Bulletin

Nuclear Energy Forums: Hear from Both Sides of the Debate

There are several Nuclear Energy Debates set for next Monday and Tuesday in Saskatchewan: Monday, October 20th at 7 pm at Third Avenue United Church in Saskatoon and Tuesday, October 21st at 7 pm at Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Regina.

An additional Nuclear Debate: What are the pros & cons of Nuclear? How does nuclear affect you as a student? has been set up for Monday, October 20th at 1:30pm in Room 241 Arts Building, U.of S. Campus, Saskatoon.

Guest speakers:

Dr. Gordon Edwards is the president of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility and one of the foremost experts on nuclear energy in Canada. For over thirty years, he has brought transparency and accountability to every aspect of Canada's nuclear industry. He has acted as a consultant to many government organizations, such as the Auditor General of Canada, the Ontario Royal Commission on Electric Power Planning, the Select Committee on Ontario Hydro Affairs, and Sitting Task Force for Radioactive Waste.

Dr. Jeremy Whitlock is an engineer with extensive experience in the nuclear industry, and he is past president of the Canadian Nuclear Society. The CNS is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the exchange of information in the field of applied nuclear science and technology.

Sponsored by Unitarian Church Social Justice Committee, Saskatoon Public Library, Canadian Nuclear Society, Sask Council for International Cooperation (SCIC) and Canadian Nuclear Society, and the University of Saskatchewan. Admission is free.

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Green Life TV Series Premiers Tonight

The Saskatchewan Education for Sustainable Development Network has launched the environmental documentary series Green Life: Learning to Live with the World, airing on SCN Thursday nights at 9 p.m. and repeated Saturday nights at 7 p.m., premiering October 16th, 2008.

Green Life explores how the people of Saskatchewan are changing the way they live in an effort to embrace more environmentally conscious and responsible lifestyles. Created by Larry J. Bauman, Sandhya Padmanabh, and acclaimed natural history film-maker and ecologist Robert J. Long, the series showcases the lifestyles of the modern ecological pioneers of our province, offering an exciting glimpse into some of the innovative ways people are living. Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN) is the provincial broadcaster for Green Life and provided initial financing for the series.

"Finding a balance between our current way of life and protecting Earth's resources is on everyone's mind right now," said Producer Sandhya Padmanabh of Lasa Media Arts. "I think people will be pleasantly surprised to see the philosophical and practical advances being made in this province. This is also a collaborative success story. We were very fortunate in our relationship with the Sask ESD Network, and we had very strong support from our regional broadcaster SCN, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum Associates, and the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment."

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Biomass Project Approved in Saskatchewan

Regina - An alternative energy technology has been approved for Go Green funding through the Ministry of Environment.

Titan Clean Energy Projects Corporation of Saskatoon will use $160,250 of Green Technology Commercialization Grant funding to help in bringing its biomass briquetting technology to market.

The process will turn waste agricultural and forestry biomass, such as oat hulls, into a carbon-neutral heat and energy source for traditional coal consumers. Use of the waste biomass in this way will also reduce emissions of methane that would normally occur through decomposition. The product may also be used in woodstoves as a high-energy, eco-friendly alternative to firewood.

With the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 35,000 tonnes annually - the equivalent of taking more than 8,000 cars off the road for one year - this technology is a practical example of a low carbon energy source.

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Celebrate Waste Reduction Week October 19th to 25th

Waste Reduction Week would like to introduce its new spokesmuppet - none other than Oscar the Grouch! Whether you're at home, work or school, commuting, playing, shopping, holidaying or helping in the community, you can reduce waste during "Waste Reduction Week" and throughout the year. Check out Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council's website at http://www.saskwastereduction.ca/wrw/index.html for a picture of Oscar and loads of ideas for recycling.

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University of Saskatchewan Joins Carpool.ca

The University of Saskatchewan is now a member of Carpool.ca. In order to encourage and facilitate carpooling, Carpool.ca offers a free on-line ride matching service to those wishing to explore carpooling options. To find a potential carpool partner, visit www.carpool.ca and add your file to the database. What do you have to lose? Sign up today and begin saving money and protecting the environment. http://www.carpool.ca.

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Fighting Rural Poverty in Northern Uganda

Welcome to an SCIC Development issues luncheon in honour of the International Day for Eradication of Poverty, and Co-ops Week! The guest speaker will be Tom Tibamwenda of the Uganda Cooperative Alliance, speaking about fighting rural poverty in northern Uganda. We will also count audience members for the "Stand Up Against Poverty" campaign. RSVP to 757-4669 by October 15th!

The event will be held at the College Building, Room 108, at the University of Regina Old Campus. Admission $5.00 (includes African lunch).

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Route 99 - Valeport Marsh

Join Nature Regina for a trip along Route 99 in the Qu’Appelle Valley from Highway 6 to Craven, then on to Valeport Marsh. There should be a variety of migrants, including lots of waterfowl, some raptors, shorebirds and gulls, and songbirds (late warblers, sparrows, and maybe Northern Shrike). We may stop at Condie on the way home. For more information, please contact Lauren at 584-1171.

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Nuclear Energy Forum: Hear from Both Sides of the Debate

Guest speakers: Gordon Edwards and Jeremy Whitlock. Sponsored by Sask Council for International Cooperation (SCIC) and Canadian Nuclear Society. Admission is free.

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Living Green: Energy Efficient Home Construction and Renovations

Find out how relatively small changes in your home can make a difference to greenhouse gas emissions and your wallet! The EnergGuide for Houses retrofit and rebate program is available to home owners in Saskatchewan. Find out how to make your home more energy efficient and be eligible for rebates. Presenter: Erin Rodger of SaskEnergy.

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Population: Does Size Matter?

Part of the Coffee House Controveries Series, an informal 20 minute talk by University of Regina Faculty of Arts professors followed by 20 minutes of discussion. Dr. Bernard Thraves will lead the night’s discussion.

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Sarah Kramer Book Launch

The international best-selling author and co-author of 3 vegan cookbooks, is just bringing out her fourth cookbook – Vegan a Go-Go. The Regina-born author is including a Regina stop in her book tour, so please come out, buy her book, and chat to her as she signs it! This event is open to the public. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. The event is hosted by the Regina Vegetarian Society and is sponsored by Eat Healthy Foods. For more information: regvegsoc@yahoo.ca.

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Clothing Swap and Potluck

Give your old clothes a new life! Swap them with a friend or neighbour and bring home a new outfit. It is time for another Cathedral Clothing Swap and Potluck. The last swap was very popular, make sure you do not miss out.

Bring a dish to share as well as your own plate, serving utensils and cutlery. This event is free and family friendly! For more information: info@reginaecoliving.ca.

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Living Green: Let’s Talk Trash!

The City of Regina is undergoing a Waste Management Study and you could be the first to find out about Regina`s plans to help residents reduce the amount of trash going to the landfill. Presenter: Waste Minimization Department, City of Regina.

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Antarctica: Images of the Wild and Pristine

Join the Saskatoon Nature Society for their October Meeting as they welcome Richard Kerbes who traveled to the Antarctic Peninsula last December and will share his unforgettable experiences. A retired Canadian Wildlife Service biologist, Richard Kerbes has a special interest in polar regions having studied nesting geese in arctic Canada for several decades.

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Clean Slate Event

3 Reasons to clear your overdue fines during Saskatchewan Library Week: It's Free! It's Fun It's Good for the Planet! 1 piece of clean, recyclable household plastic = $ 1 off existing fines. For more information visit us online at http://www.saskatoonlibrary.ca or telephone 975-7566.

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Take a Bite Out of Climate Change: Local Communities Lead the Way

6:00 - 7:30pm Good Food Fair. Local food and information displays Local food and information displays Mendel Art Caravan with children’s activities, followed at 7:30pm by presentations:

From Hunger to Health: Food production and environmental sustainability in Ethiopia - Muktar Abduke Ahmed, SOS Sahel, Ethiopia; Reclaiming Indigenous Food Culture: The Muskoday First Nation vision - Harvey Knight, Muskoday Organic Workers Coop, Muskoday First Nation; Feeding the Heart of the City: The core neighbourhoods build good food alternatives - Karen Archibald, CHEP Good Food Inc, Saskatoon

This World Food Day event is sponsored by the Saskatoon Food Coalition, Oxfam Prairie Region CHEP Good Food Inc and Beyond Factory Farming For more information: Oxfam Canada (306) 242 - 4097, michelleb@oxfam.ca.

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Nuclear Debate

What are the pros & cons of Nuclear? How does nuclear affect you as a student? Presented as part of Green Yourself Week (see below).

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Nuclear Energy Forum: Hear from Both Sides of the Debate

Guest speakers: Gordon Edwards and Jeremy Whitlock. Sponsored by Unitarian Church Social Justice Committee, Saskatoon Public Library, Canadian Nuclear Society. Admission is free.

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Green Yourself Week

Green Yourself Week will feature information booths in the Arts tunnel, speakers and workshops, a nuclear debate, an appearance by Severn Suzuki, films and much more. All events are free and will provide lots of opportunities to learn what you can do in your day to day life to decrease your ecological footprint. The schedule is posted at: http://www.ussu.ca/images/GYW2008_Schedule.jpg.

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Eating Locally

The average ingredient we eat for a meal has travelled approximately 1, 500 miles from production to consumption. Amy Jo Ehman, and independent journalist, talks about her year-long experiment with eating locally and its many benefits for your health, the community and the environment.

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Composting 101

Are you thinking about things you can do to improve your ecological footprint on the planet? How about composting? Come to this session and find out how to buy or build and maintain your own backyard composter. If you already have a compost bin, and have questions about bettering your compost efforts, come and get some answers. Presentation by the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council (SWRC). Event presented in partnership with the Saskatoon Public Library and SWRC.

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United Nations Day Celebration

Commemorate the 63rd United Nations Day Friday October 24th 2008 and the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

8.00 am - Flag Raising at City Hall Square. 7:30 pm at Mayfair United Church (33rd Street): Human Rights Panel "UDHR at 60: Progress and Challenges" with Professor Ken Norman (U. of S. Law School) and Genevieve Leslie (SK Human Rights Commission). Musicians to be announced, refreshments served. All are welcome.

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Ness Creek Annual General Meeting

We will have our Year End Report, our Audited Financial Statements, Q & A, and Election of the 2008/2009 Board of Directors.

Our Society benefits from working with folks who are fun, creative, enthusiastic and hard working, so if you fit some of these categories, consider letting your name stand for election to our new Board. If you're interested in putting your name forward - or if you know folks that are interested - please contact Brenda at ness.creek@sasktel.net.

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Dr. Jared Diamond

Dr. Jared Diamond explores the current and future state of human societies and the role that business can and should play in ensuring that the prosperity we currently enjoy is still here for future generations. He uniquely weaves in the interconnected stands of ecology, history, anthropology, commerce, group psychology, and geography to describe the problems we collectively face, and the ways in which we can respond to them.

Cost for Reception & Speaking Engagement: $26.25 plus services charges; for Speaking Engagement Only: $10 plus service charges. Tickets available at Ticketmaster, Turning the Tide Bookstore, U. of S. College of Agriculture & Bioresources, or call 938-7800 or (800) 970-7328.

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Building Sask Green Conference

The Building Saskatchewan Green conference and sustainable living expo are painting Saskatchewan Green October 30th and 31st, 2008 at Saskatoon's TCU Place for an engaging and incredible event. The 5th annual Conference boasts Mike Holmes from HGTV’s Holmes on Homes, who will be spreading his green renovation message, along with an impressive tradeshow of local businesses in a festival-like atmosphere.

Do you have a green product or service that you want to position in front of a green consumer? We invite you to be one of the businesses or organizations we showcase to the public when offering them concrete solutions for implementing environmental lifestyle choices. Details at http://www.buildsaskgreen.ca/ or contact Tammy at 306-384-6044 or tammy.rsvp@sasktel.net.

The U. of S. Office of Sustainability is offering scholarships for students to attend this conference. If you are interested in attending, submit your request with two to three paragraphs explaining your interest in attending to fmd.sustainability@usask.ca.

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The Role of Co-operatives in Health Care: National and International Perspectives

The Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, University of Saskatchewan, and the Community Health Co-operative Federation are pleased to invite you to attend this day-long conference. This event will be of particular interest to researchers, health care administrators, practitioners, policy makers, elected officials and students. Details at http://www.usaskstudies.coop/. For more information, call (306) 966-8509 or email coop.studies@usask.ca.

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Organic Connections Conference

Western Canada's largest organic agriculture conference and trade show. Details at http://www.organicconnections.ca/.

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A Provincial Women's Symposium

The newly-formed Prairie Lily Feminist Society is hosting its first provincial event, A Women's Symposium, December 6 and 7 in Saskatoon. Details and brochure at http://prairielilies.wordpress.com/symposium/. You can also reach the Lilies at prairielilies@gmail.com.

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Organic Commercial Greenhouse Management Workshop

Learn how to create a commercial greenhouse business without the use of chemicals. Workshop cost is $50 and includes lunches for two days. Workshop instructor is Patricia Hanbidge. For registration and more details please call Bridget & Crystal at 306-734-5160.

Brought to you by: Eco-Action Community Funding Program, Craik Sustainable Living Project, Palliser Regional Library Craik Branch, Town of Craik, Carlton Trail Regional College and boilingfrog.ca.

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Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin AGM

For more information, phone (306) 665-6887 or Toll Free: 1-800-567-8007 or visit http://www.saskriverbasin.ca.

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Clean Slate Volunteers Needed

On Saturday, October 18th, SES is collaborating with the Saskatoon Public Library for the Clean Slate Event. On that day, Saskatoon residents can keep their plastics out of the landfill by dropping their containers off at any Saskatoon Library branch from 1 - 5 PM. For every container brought in, residents will receive $1 off their library fines. Folks who do not have library fines are welcome to drop off their plastic containers as well.

The Saskatchewan Environmental Society is looking for volunteers to help with this initiative. They still need a few people for westside libraries to do two hour shifts during the afternoon. If you can help out, please contact Rochelle at 665-1915 or info@environmentalsociety.ca.

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RCE Saskatchewan Education for Sustainable Development Recognition Program

The RCE Saskatchewan Recognition Program provides recognition to innovative research, projects, and activities promoting Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the prairie region. The intent is to celebrate the efforts of organizations and individuals who are building capacity for ESD in Saskatchewan. Projects will be recognized at a celebratory luncheon held at the Eco-Centre in the town of Craik on Thursday, November 20, 2008. Project leads will receive a certificate of recognition, promotion of their project at the event and on the RCE Saskatchewan website, and an opportunity to network with other project recognition recipients and RCE Saskatchewan members. Media will also be alerted to the event.

The project must have a component that has taken place in Saskatchewan, and have taken place between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008. The deadline to apply is midnight October 27, 2008. If you have any questions, please contact the RCE Recognition Event Planning Committee at rcesaskrecognition@gmail.com Details at http://www.saskrce.ca.

EcoAction Community Funding Program

Funding is available through the EcoAction Community Funding Program for projects that address Environment Canada’s priority issues of Clean Air and Climate Change, Clean Water, and Nature. At this time, funding priority may be given to eligible projects that address Clean Air and Climate Change issues. The maximum amount available per project is $100,000. Applicants must ensure that at least 50 percent of the total value of their project comes from sources other than the federal government.

EcoAction Community Funding Program has moved to one deadline per year, November 1st of each year. Please make sure your proposal for projects starting in 2009 are submitted on, or before, November 1st.

More information at http://www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction/what_is_e.html.

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Do you want to participate in the EcoLawn Project?

The EcoLawn Project is a research project whose objective is to find an alternative to non-native lawn grass. We will work with participants to plant common yarrow, which is a native drought tolerant leafy plant suitable as a lawn alternative. The only thing you need to do to participate in the project is to provide an open area in your front or backyard (maximum size: 30 sq. ft.) that is ready for planting. Participation in this project is free, but the participant need to prepare the area, i.e. remove any existing vegetation before the start of the project. Planting can be done in the fall of 2008 or the spring of 2009. For more information please contact: malin.hansen@uregina.ca.

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4th Annual Environmental Employer of the Year Awards

This is the 4th year that environmental companies will be recognized for their excellence in human resource areas of employee growth and recognition by the Awards administration body, ECO Canada. The Environmental Employer of the Year Awards are designed to both recognize excellence and inspire advancement and innovation for outstanding HR practices.

Companies can apply within two categories: small- to medium-sized company (15-50 employees) and large company (51+ employees). Award finalists will be judged by an independent selection committee consisting of human resource professionals in the community. The application deadline is Friday, October 17th, 2008, and full details are available at http://www.eco.ca.

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