Lots of events Durning the week of october 16 to 20th. Check them OUT!
The Meeting
Bad day for the clean-up last Wednesday, having it next week during the GSEC meeting meet in front of the cannon at 5:30 instead. It will be on Gordon St. South dress
warmly! Here is the meeting we had instead:
1.Retrofit call to action
2.No pipeline call to action
3.Muggy Monday kick off/Cover the Cannon-event info working group info
Announcements
4.Trick or Eat
Time sensitive
5.October 17 OPIRG SPEAKERS Ontario energy crisis critique of Nuclear approach
6.October 17 INCONVIENT TRUTH RETROFIT TALK
7.October 18 Cannon will be covered with DISPOSABLS, Free coffee to lug-a-muggers
8.October 25-26 Temagami integrated planning
9.Costa Rica Fieldtrip OCT 11 info session
Not So time Sensitive
10.Spirit Bear Petition [online]
11.Climate Change petition [online] to the Canadian government (great declaration)
12.Fair trade chocolate for Halloween treats
13.Items GSEC has taken on so far and items that have been brainstormed. E-mail the GSEC account if your interested any of these ideas or have new items.
14.Rock climb with Kristi
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- Thanks to Becky Wallace from the CSA for her information about Retrofit. There will be a showing of “An Inconvenient Truth” on Tuesday October 17 at 7:00 pm in War Memorial followed by a powerpoint presentation and discussion about the university’s energy use and issues. If anyone is interested in helping out with tabling, letters to the ontarion, petitions etc, or wants to form a working group, please email the gsec account with the subject “retrofit”
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-thanks to Bryn for stopping by with information about the “stop the pipleline” issue. a
member of the community has donated $500 for the cause, and the group is planning to have presentations in elementary schools about water conservation and what kids can do to help. for more information about the issues surrounding the pipeline please visit
www.stopthepipeline.ca
-if anyone in GSEC is interested in forming a working group to help with school
presentations, tabling etc. or knows people in a school that would be interested in
having a presentation, please email the gsec account with the subject “pipeline”.
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Alright GSEC, for all You interested in the Lug-A MuG
campaign…Here’s your chance to help us start off with
bang….litterally!
GSEC along with Global Youth Network are organizing a collaborative
awareness-raising event at the CANNON on October 18th 2006.
Picture the cannon…now picture the cannon fenced off and completely
covered with hundreds of disposable cups! Wouldn’t that grab your
attention!?
Alongside there will be travel mugs for sale and FREE fair
trade-organic coffee for all those who embrace the power of the MUG!
Information pamflets and signs will adorn the area praising the ideals
of LUG-A-MUG!
Sounds good?
Alright, so here’s how you can get involved.
All you have to do is email the group leader in any volounteer area
that interests you. Remember, these are dynamic and open to your
suggestions/ideas:
A- Backgroud info (Peter Rose – prose@uoguelph.ca)
- surveys of cup sales on campus
- # of resources needed to make disposables and/or enviro harm
done in cup production
- compiling past survey resuls from GSEC mug survey
- new mug survey?, etc
B- Display team (kaylin – kaylin@uoguelph.ca)
- banner making
- information/pamflets compiling (based on background info)
- engineering the cannon cup coverage
- LUG – A – Mug Buttons !!!!! (we have a button maker!!)
- tabling
B- Collecting (kaylin – kaylin@uoguelph.ca)
- The fun bit: Running around campus with a friend collecting as
many disposable cups as humanly possible!
- can be done over a period of a week, or in a day, whatever works
- organising collection areas/ times/ storage etc.
C- Free Coffee giveaway at the display (Myriam Lefebvre )
- basically an historic “muggy monday” revival at the cannon, but
on a wednesday!
- organize signup sheet
- Ordering (with GSEC money) Organic -Fair Trade coffee from
planet bean (we can help with this)
- making sure coffee dispenser is out
- Assuring continued coffee making
- making sure extra reusable mugs are present
- most of this has been done in the past and info on all these
steps can easilly be retrieved by (jon)jchoquet@uoguelph.ca or (pete)
prose@uoguelph.ca
Ok, well that sums up everything.
I hope we can all work togethor to make this an awesoome event!
-jonnyc
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As well, Meal Exchange is accepting registrations for this year’s
Trick or Eat program happening Halloween evening, Tuesday October 31st.
Check out www.uoguelph.ca/~meal for details and registration.
GSEC should totally join up as a group.
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SPEAKERS AGAINST A NUCLEAR ONTARIO: Searching for a viable energy future.
October 17th 2-4pm, ,2006
MacKinnon Room 223, University of Guelph campus
Paul McKay and Keith Stewart, long time experts on energy in Ontario will be arriving in Guelph as a part of their provincial tour discussing Ontario’s energy future…or future disaster.
Brought to you by OPIRG-Guelph and GSEC (Guelph Students for Environmental Change)
Why do we need to discuss this now?
The McGuinty government has recently announced a future power supply plan which features extending coal plants, more nuclear plants, and minimal conservation gains. The capital cost alone is $70 billion. That will inevitably mean cutbacks in health, education, social services, public transit, and other infrastructure – not to mention more smog, greenhouse gases, and nuclear wastes.
Who are the speakers and why should we listen to them?
Paul McKay is a multi-award winning journalist. His writing has appeared Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Kingston Whig-Standard, Ottawa Citizen, Harrowsmith Magazine and Maclean’s Magazine. In the 1980s while on staff at OPIRG Peterborough he wrote Electric Empire: The Inside Story of Ontario Hydro, 1983 – a full-length book examining Hydro’s proposed expansion plans. It warned of future financial, operational and environmental problems due to heavy reliance on nuclear reactors. Since then he has continued to be a rare voice in the mainstream media challenging unsustainable energy practices and informing Canadians about wise alternatives.
Keith Stewart has spent his working life working for the environment. He is currently the Manager of the World Wildlife Fund Campaign on Climate Change. Previous to that he was the Director of the Toronto Environment Alliance. In 2004 he co-wrote, “Hydro: the Decline and Fall of Ontario’s Electric Empire.
Below is a press release he wrote. Keith brings a wealth of knowledge about the challenges of convincing governments to look past immediate economic gains in favour of creating a sustainable future.
More from Keith Stewart:
Ontario Ignoring Two Darlingtons-worth of Environmentally-Friendly Energy
(Toronto: August 17, 2006)
Combined Heat and Power Plants an Untapped Alternative to Coal, Nuclear Power – Today, as the Ontario Power Authority closes the bidding on no more than a modest 1,000 megawatts of new electricity supply from combined heat and power plants, WWF-Canada expressed dismay that the province is failing to tap into thousands more megawatts of this environmentally friendly ‘recycled’ energy.
Combined heat and power (CHP), also known as co-generation, refers to installing specialized turbines to capture and ‘recycle’ the waste heat produced by industrial or commercial operations to produce electricity. Many of Ontario’s large and medium-sized industries are candidates for co-generation, which would allow them to use a waste (heat) to avoid purchasing huge amounts of electricity, and potentially sell electricity into the grid, while cleaning up the air and reducing fossil fuel pollution that causes global warming.
WWF-Canada called on the Ontario government to more aggressively pursue combined heat and power plants at facilities such as paper or steel mills, chemical and petroleum refineries, smelters, food processing plants, pipeline compressor stations, cement kilns and car manufacturing plants, as an alternative to coal and nuclear plants.
“Big industries use huge amounts of energy and often produce huge amounts of waste heat which they could be using to generate electricity,” said Keith Stewart, manager of WWF-Canada’s climate change campaign. “Recycling waste energy will help their bottom lines while helping to clean up our air and protect the climate.”
Approximately 2,000 MW of electricity is already produced at CHP facilities in Ontario (out of a total generating capacity of 30,000 MW). A government-commissioned report found that the technical potential for this kind of ‘recycled’ power is over 16,000 MW, and industry experts estimate that at least 9,000 MW are cost effective now. Yet the government’s 20-year electricity plan, released on June 13 2006, limits CHP development between now and 2025 to 1,000 MW.
To capture this potential, WWF-Canada called on the Ontario government to:
Ø Eliminate the 1,000 MW limit on combined heat and power projects, and instead pursue all cost-effective projects.
Ø Pay a fair price for electricity from CHP, including recognition of its environmental benefits and reduced transmission costs. .
Ø Remove policy barriers to CHP such as costly grid connection charges and staffing requirements.
“Instead of investing tens of billions in nuclear plants and pumping out millions more tonnes of pollutants from dirty coal plants, the McGuinty government should pursue the cleaner, faster and cheaper options, including getting ‘double-duty’ electricity from energy already being used at existing industries,” said Stewart.
Combined heat and power, along with dramatically cutting energy waste and investing in green power sources such as wind and water power, is the quickest, cheapest and most reliable way to end Ontario’s dependence on dirty coal and dangerous, debt-plagued nuclear plants. Details regarding CHP’s potential were laid out in a report released last month by the David Suzuki Foundation, Greenpeace Canada, Ontario Clean Air Alliance, Pembina Institute, Sierra Club of Canada and WWF-Canada.
Dr. Keith Stewart
Manager, Climate Change Campaign
WWF-Canada
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INCONVIENT TRUTH at War MEM, RETROFIT TALK TO FOLLOW
There will be a showing of “An Inconvenient Truth” on Tuesday October 17 at 7:00 pm in War Memorial followed by a powerpoint presentation and discussion about the university’s energy use and issues.
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Cover the Cannon/Coffee give away
GSEC along with Global Youth Network are organizing a collaborative
awareness-raising event at the CANNON on October 18th 2006.
Picture the cannon…now picture the cannon fenced off and completely
covered with hundreds of disposable cups! Wouldn’t that grab your
attention!?
Alongside there will be travel mugs for sale and FREE fair
trade-organic coffee for all those who embrace the power of the MUG!
Information pamflets and signs will adorn the area praising the ideals
of LUG-A-MUG!
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September 28, 2006
TEMAGAMI INTEGRATED PLANNING
Public Forums In Ottawa and Toronto
Speak Out for Old-Growth Protection!
Tentative dates (please mark your calendars!)
Ottawa: Wednesday October 25th – 7:00 PM
Toronto: Thursday October 26th – 7:00 PM
Temagami’s backcountry is in trouble. For years the concerns of the majority of the
public and self-propelled recreationalists have been overwhelmed by those of industry
and, as a result, the ecology of the area and its recreational values have been
consistently eroded. The Red Squirrel Road extension, where over 300 people were
arrested in 1989 putting their own liberty on the line to prevent the destruction of this
unique place, has been upgraded after being closed for over a decade. Logging is taking
place right now.
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) needs to see that people still care about
protecting this old-growth forest and we have a chance to show them! Come out to a public
forum on planning for recreational, cultural and ecological values in Temagami. There
will be a presentation by representatives from the MNR, who will then receive comments
and concerns from the public. It is vital that all those who wish to see non motorized
recreation and protected canoe routes in Temagami be present to share their views with
the MNR. Your participation in this process can make a real difference!
This process is to plan for, maintain, protect and expand recreational, environmental and
cultural heritage values in Temagami. The initiative is open to the entire public, and
for the first time in Ontario there is a resource planning process that is not formulated
around the needs of consumptive industries. Here is our chance to influence decisions
about the future of Temagami!
The MNR background paper can be found at this link:
http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/planning_pdf/tema_background.pdf
An announcement will be sent out once the locations have been confirmed. The meeting in
Toronto will be held on the University of Toronto campus.
For more information contact our Forest Campaigner, Victor Lorentz, at
victor@earthroots.org or 416-599-0152 x13
Associated Links:
on Earthroots’ website under the “Take Action for Temagami” button:
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Costa Rica fieldtrip info – Wednesday!
Hi everyone, each year UofG students go to Costa Rica as members of an 11-day
volunteer work/trek/learn, adventure. Now here’s your opportunity:
Costa Rica field trip information session:
Wednesday, October 11th
5:30-7:00 pm
MACK 235
Participants live in Durika, a truly sustainable community and experience rainforests, Pacific Ocean surf, exotic wildlife and a whole lot of adventure! The expedition combines volunteer work, trekking in old growth forest and exploring the incredible diversity of one of the most beautiful countries on the planet.
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WOULD YOU SELL EVERYTHING YOU OWNED?
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14 years ago, 40 people sold everything they owned to start Durika, a community located at 6,000 ft on the rainforest slopes of the volcanic mountain spine of Costa Rica. ( www.durika.org )
The community has created one of the most successful eco-villages on the planet, utilizing alternative energy, organic farming and sustainable construction. They opened up their homes to eco-tourism 7 years ago and the money raised has helped create a Biological Reserve containing over 11,000 hectares of virgin rainforest. The Preserve provides a vertical wildlife corridor connected to La Amistad, the largest national park in Central America, recently named a UNESO World Biosphere Reserve. This remains one of the last remaining habitats for the endangered Jaguar.
Many University of Guelph students have visited Durika in the past 5 years through JourneySouth, a Toronto “natural travel” outfit that organizes experiential education trips to Costa Rica for university and high school students. (www.journeysouth.com)
Come find out how you can join one of this year’s field trips. (departures are
February 18, April 26 and Aug 23). This is a remarkable once in a lifetime experience.
If you can’t make it Contact:
Jo Dowbiggin JourneySouth
jdowbigg@uoguelph.ca 416 306-0760
“Small opportunities are often the beginning of great adventures.” – Demosthenes
(384-322 BC)
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Spirit Bear petition
Protection for an endangered bear in BC threatened by logging; for
more information visit www.spiritbearyouth.org and go to the “voice your support” option to sign petition.
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Petition the Canadian Government about Climate change
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/CYCC/petition.html
Read the declaration its really good.
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FAIR TRADE CANDY FOR HALLOWEEN
Hello friends of fair trade,
I am delighted to announce that this year Cocoa Camino minis have been
packaged specially for Halloween to support fair trade awareness campaigns!
Gather together orders from friends, colleagues, neighbours, and fellow fair trade
activists, and together purchase one case with 10 bags of Halloween minis for $100,
shipping & tax included.
Please have a look at the attached announcement and order form, and contact Caitlin at
613-235-6122, extension 260, or at caitlin@lasiembra.com to place orders or for any
questions.
Quantities are limited. Please place your order no later than Monday,
October 16, 2006.
Have a great Fair Trade Halloween!
Caitlin
PDF poster of Candy Click to download FRENCH VERSIONPDF poster of Candy Click to download ENGLISH VERSION
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Brainstorming ideas
(names or e-mails beside items are people who have agreed to take e-mails from others interested about the idea. For example if your interested in muggy Monday contact myriamjl{at}gmail{dot}com , she will take your e-mail and next meeting we will begin organizing for the idea to become action in working groups)
-Retrofit Contact (gsec[at]uoguelph[dot]ca)
-No pipeline for guelph initiative Contact (gsec[at]uoguelph[dot]ca)
- buy nothing day
- ethical paper policy – Peter (prose{at}uoguelph{dot}ca)
- skill share – Kerry (kschutte{at}uoguelph{dot}ca)
- outdoor recycling
- swap centre – Jon (jchoquet{at}uoguelph{dot}ca)
- energy retrofit and other projects
- documnetary series
- vermi-composting Gabe (gsmith01{at}uoguelph{dot}ca)
- composting giveaway
- reuseables in centre 6, daily grind, L/A pit -Kimberley Ootjers kootjers{at}uoguelph.ca
- muggy mondays, lug-a-mug – Myriam (myriamjl{at}gmail{dot}com)
- anti-idling tool
- social to see ‘who killed the electric car’ at the bookshelf
- sustainability pledge
environment radio -Kristi Mahy (kmahy{at}duoguelph{dot}ca)
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Hey GSECers,
I just joined the U of G rock climbing club (its in the AC basement). I am looking for
someone(s) to climb with… or else all I can do is boulder by myself 
Give me an email
if you are interested.