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Monthly Archives: October 2011

Taking Root

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The event is a ribbon cutting for the newly reinvigorated orchard plus a nature walk by one of the experts on Glendon campus, Professor Schoenfeld. His website, which is hosted by IRIS, can also be seen here [glendon.irisyorku.ca] which is an amazing history of the Glendon Campus and its trees

"Taking Root"
Wednesday October 26th. Senate Chamber, York Hall C Wing
10:30-11:30, Nature Walk with Professor Schoenfeld.
11:30-12:30, Official Ribbon Cutting, followed by refreshments, games with Glendon's Roots and Shoots, and presentations.

Sustainable Prosperity Research and Policy Network

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Summary
The Sustainable Prosperity Research and Policy Network (SP Network) invites proposals for research projects on market-based approaches to environmental protection and economic sustainability.  Priority will go to proposals that respond to the research topics below, especially those suggested in Appendix 1.  Proposals should be a maximum of two pages and may be submitted on any policy-relevant topic however. Grants will normally be under $8,000.  We encourage applications by November 17, 2011 or earlier, although later applications will be accepted subject to funding availability.  Decisions will be made promptly and be based on reviews by a subcommittee of SP’s research network and staff.

Priority Areas for Research (Fall 2011)
Proposals may be submitted on any topic concerned with market-based policy or flexible regulatory approaches to enhance environmental protection and economic sustainability.  However, the following research topics have been identified as priorities for the coming year.  Appendix 1 provides additional information on priorities within each research area.

1.    Market-Based Instruments (MBIs) and the Low Carbon Economy
1.1   Design of Carbon Pricing Systems
1.2  Governance, Revenue Management and Inter-Jurisdictional Issues in Carbon Pricing
1.3  Clean Technology and the Low Carbon Economy
1.4  Case Studies on the Effectiveness of Carbon Pricing

2. Market-Based Tools for Sustainable Communities
2.1  Market Tools for Sustainable Transportation
2.2  MBIs and Sustainable Infrastructure
2.3  Economic Instruments for Managing Municipal Water: Quality and Quantity
2.4  MBIs and Sustainable Municipalities: Other Issues (e.g., sprawl, density)

3. Ecosystem Services Markets
3.1  MBIs for Ecosystem Goods and Services
3.2  Improving Water Quality with Economic Instruments
3.3  Natural Capital and Productivity
3.4  Other Topics in Ecosystem Goods and Services Pricing and Markets

4. Emerging and Cross-Cluster Research Issues
4.1  Effectiveness and Limits of MBIs
4.2  Environmental Accounting and New Environment-Economy Indices
4.3  Competitiveness, Regulation and MBIs
4.4  Green Jobs and Renewable Energy
4.5  Other Applications of MBIs in Canada

Proposal Format
The process aims to be simple and fast.  Proposals should be a maximum of 600 words (two pages) and should include the following sections:
Name of applicant(s): list all researchers and/or students involved
Proposal title
Research topic(s) (e.g., 3.1 MBIs for Ecosystem Goods and Services (SP staff can assist))
Description of the research project, including methods or approaches and the role of students
Description of specific research deliverables, knowledge outreach plan and timing (e.g., prepare a background research report and present at a policy conference).
·         Budget (including any other revenues)
Proposals submitted by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows require a brief letter from a permanent faculty member indicating willingness to supervise the research and take responsibility for grant administration.

Potential applicants are encouraged to contact SP staff if they have questions or want to discuss their proposal prior to the deadline.

Deadline:  We encourage applications by November 17, 2011 or earlier, although later applications may be accepted depending on the availability of funds.  Decisions will be made promptly.

Address for Submission:  Send by email to: Brandon Schaufele, Research Director, Sustainable Prosperity Network, email: bschaufele@sustainableprosperity.ca

Fresh Ideas: Can Urban Farming Save the World?

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Ran Goel, Co-Founder, Fresh City

Our Children are obese. Our rivers are polluted. Our oceans are dead zones. OJur climate is changing. Our farmers are going broke. Our best farmland is being paved over. And to add insult to injury, you can hardly find a  decent tomato these days.

Enter Fresh City. Founded by Schulich graduate Rona Goel, Fresh City empowers young people ot farm - and, save the world - one Toronto yard at a time. Come learn how one urban farming start-up is pursuing the triple bottom line.

Location: W253 Schulich School of Business

Time: November 7, 2011 11:30-1:00pm

Register at: www.schulich.yorku.ca/COERBregistration

Post Election De-Brief

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SUSTAINABLE ENERGY INITIATIVE SEMINAR SERIES

Future Directions for the Green Energy Act and Sustinable Energy

Join the Faculty of Environmental Studies Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI) for an interactive panel discussion on the results of the 2011 provincial election and the future of sustainable energy in Onatrio

Panelist line-up:

Mark Winfield: FES professor and SEI co-chair

Jose Etcheverry: FES professor and SEI co-chair

Marion Fraser: Fraser & Company president, former senior policy advisor to Ministry to Energy

Tyler Hamilton: FES professor, Toronto Star clean energy and technology columinist

Kristopher Stevens: Ontario Sustainable Energy Association executive director

This event is free, but registration is required due to limited space.

Location:

Lunch in 280N York Research Tower, followed by seminar in 120E Stedman Lecture Hall

RSVP to tarob@yorku.ca

ARBOR Day 2011

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Sponsored by the York University Bookstore from proceeds of the five-cent charge for plastic shopping bags.

INVITATION:

Everyone is invited to participate in the annual Arbour Day event, come out, get involved, plant a tree, or flowering shrub, do something good for York and something great for our environment.

DATE:

Friday Oct.28, 2011

TIME:

Planting starts at 1:00 pm and goes to 3:00 pm with a ceremonial tree planting and presentations being held at 2:00 pm

LOCATION:

Meet up with organizing staff on the south side of York Blvd. just east of the Busway.

“ Look for Arbour Day sign”

DETAILS:

Come prepared to plant, with appropriate clothing and foot wear. The event will proceed rain or shine. Equipment and tools will be provided by the York Grounds Section.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For questions or additional information contact

John Wilson, Facilities Development, 416 736-2100 ext. 77598

Valerio Larivera, Grounds and Vehicles Supervisor 416 736-2100 ext. 77598

 

Sustainability Education Symposium

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Sustainability Education Symposium

The Sustainability Education Symposium is a one day event exploring new approaches to incorporate sustainability into teaching and research. It provides a platform to connect researchers, educators, and students who have an interest in sustainability.

Where: Hart House Music Room, University of Toronto
When: October 27th, 9:30 - 16:00

Timetable

9:30 Reception
10:00 Keynote Speech by Dr. Karel Mulder
11:00 Workshop I - Challenges
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Workshop II - Solutions
14:30 Presentation
15:30 Dissolution

The Speaker

Dr. Karel Mulder is a Professor at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and a world leader in Engineering Education for Sustainable Development (EESD).

Since 1998, Dr. Mulder has been the project leader of the project Education for Sustainble Development. He is the initiator of the series of Engineering Education in Sustainable Development Conferences that take place biannually since 2002.

Dr. Mulder lectured at various universities abroad and cooperates with several Sustainable Development units at universities throughout Europe.

Karel Mulder

The Workshops

The workshop gives participants an opportunity to discuss their individual challenges and interests in a small group setting. After a networking lunch, a second facilitated session will focus on developing concrete ideas to implement in research projects and course curricula.

Innovations in Water Source Protection, Protected Areas, & Ecosystem Resilience

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A Plenary & Workshop on Blue+Green Resilience and Innovation: "Innovations in Water Source Protection, Protected Areas, & Ecosystem Resilience"

Join Three of the World's Leading Ecosystem Science / Design Experts:

Keith Bowers

Former Chair of the Society for Ecological Restoration International and Founder and President of Biohabitats - conservation planning, ecological restoration and regenerative design firm. Keith is an internationally recognized landscape architect and restoration ecologist who has planned, designed, and manged the construction of over 300 ecological restoration projects throughout North Amercia. Ketih is currently serving as the Global Restoration Ambassador on the board for the Society for Ecological Restoration, President of the board of directors for the Wildlands Network and is the Ecosystem Restoration Theme Group Lead for the Commission on Ecosystem Management of the IUCN.

F. Stuart (Terry) Chapin III.

Professor Emeritus of Ecology in the Department of Biology and Wildlife at the Univeristy of Alska Fairbanks and Past-President of the Ecological Society of America. Terry has worked on the effects of changes in climate and wildfire on Alaskan ecology and rural communities. He is especially interested in ways that communities and agencies can develop options that increase sustainability of ecosytems and human communities over the longterm in spite of rapid climatic and social changes. Terry tries to determine how climate, ecology, and subsistence resources are likely to change in the future and enable people to make more informed choices about options for long-term sustainability.

Jim Harris

Professor and Chair in Environmental Technology at Cranfield Univeristy in Bedfordshire, UK. Jim focuses on the exploration and application of "ecosystem services" as a concept, and its potential application in planning and a target for ecological restoration programs. His work on Novel Ecosystems is changing the ways we do restoration. Jim is Past-Chair Society for Ecological Restoration and part of the International Journal Restoration Ecology, NERC Peer Review College, the British Society of Soil Science, and the Environment and Land Use Committee of the Institute of Biology.

Logistics of the Event:

The morning plenary will accommodate approximately 150 people and is open to all on a first come first served basis. Keith, Terry, and Jim will each speak on the overall topic for about 40 minutes each. There will be opportunities for the audience to ask questions. This will be located in the Minto Lecture Hall at the University of Waterloo. The session will be moderated by Stephen Murphy, Professor and Chair of the Department of Environment and Resource Sudies at the University of Waterloo.

In the afternoon, there is an opportunity for up to 60 pepole to participate in a workshop where we plan to have up to 20 people each in a discussion of "Innovations in Water Source Protection, Protected Areas, and Ecosystem Resilience." This requires registration and a nominal $20 non-refundable fee for afternoon refreshments and reserving a place. Once registered, we will contact participants and ask each to send our workshop coordinator some questions or issues they wish to have addressed. Depending on response and trends in responses, we will select several for more detailed anlysis and resolution during the workshop. This is an opportunity to have 3 of the most well-known and leading minds and a group of like focused colleagues help work through thorny problems or cases. The goal will be to solve those issues or suggest specific avenues to get them solved and compile these discussions into 2 products - one scholarhip and one pratitioner based.

Contact information:

Registration and Logistics Coordinator - Jennifer Balsdon (jh4lau@uwaterloo.ca)

Workshop Facilitator - Jonaki Bhattacharyya (jonaki@uwaterloo.ca)

Please contact Jennifer for gerneral inquiries and workshop registrations.

Date: December 7, 2011

Time: 9:00am - 11:45am

Location: Minto Lecture Hall, EV3 1408, University of Waterloo

Please note the plenary is first come first served and the smaller afternoon workshop requires reservations.

Workshop - please send a $20 cheque payable to Stephen Murphy that  will be put towards the food provided at the workshop.
Address:
Stephen Murphy
Department of Environment and Resource Studies (ERS), University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo ON Canada N2L 3G1

Best of Both Worlds: Challenges and Best Practices

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Introduction

The idea of a “best of both worlds” collaborative conference initially arose in Malaysia and South Africa and later received support from the United Kingdom. A common feature shared amongst these countries was their concerns relating to the vulnerability of their rich biodiversity, the historical-cultural links amongst the countries and the rapid changes that are occurring in the biophysical and social contexts in developing countries.

The convening of a FIFTH international Best of Both Worlds Conference is in support of the UN’s Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) initiative. Seven  years into the Decade, this conference is as a forum for practitioners, teachers and those involved in education and communications to meet and share experiences in strengthening the framework for sustainable living. We would like to share experiences in networking particularly during this conference and learn about success stories in different workplaces.

Objectives

The primary objective of the Conference is to create an opportunity to share international and local experiences in establishing effective networks in environmental education (EE) and education for sustainabie Development (ESD).  In addition, the Conference seeks to:

  • showcase Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) initiatives, achievements and challenges
  • showcase DESD initiatives, progress and challenges
  • reflect on DESD achievements and challenges to date

Who should attend.

The organisers would like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to all practitioners of EE and ESD involved in school, tertiary or adult education. The conference seeks to engage educators, researchers, government officials, academicians, tour agents, protected areas and resource managers, decision / policy makers, property developers, NGOs and individuals involved in promoting environmental awareness and communications.

Organised by:  The University of South Africa

16-20 April 2012

Venue: ATKV Klein Kariba Resort, Bela-Bela, South Africa

Keynote speakers will be:

Prof Joy Palmer-Cooper

University of Durham in England

Dr Jim Taylor

Wildlife and Environment Society of Southern Africa

Prof Callie Loubser

University of South Africa

 

Conference Organiser:

Joann Kruger

Cell:       +27 76 231 7407

E-mail:   bestofboth@telkomsa.net

Website:  www.unisa.ac.za/bestofbothworlds

Climate Justice and Politics Workshop 2011

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Bringing a Democratic Canadian Perspective to the Climate Change Conference in South Africa: Taking Action on Climate Change

Date: Wednesday October 26th, 2011

Time: 1pm-4pm EST

Location: 305 York Lanes, York University Keele Campus, Toronto

And virtually for outside participants (see below).


Climate justice and politics workshop

At the same time that international climate negotiations have reached a deadlock, a growing number of people are experiencing the effects of climate change in their daily lives. But those effects are not distributed equally. People who are already marginalized—women, dispossessed classes, indigenous peoples, ethnic minorities, and citizens of poorer countries—are deprived of the resources necessary to build resilience and adapt, and are thus bearing the brunt of the consequences of a warming world.

To foster dialogue and promote discussion around these issues and in preparation for the upcoming COP 17 in Durban, South Africa, this Climate Justice and Politics virtual workshop will feature five student panellists. Our panellists will discuss climate justice and politics from perspectives ranging from ethics and philosophy to critical discourse analysis to the political economy of global warming.

Discussion topics will be

- Just and unjust solutions to climate change and human displacement (Aaron Saad)
- Climate change and hybrid ethics: a review of four ethical theories (Mihae Ahn)
- Animals and climate change (Rachel York-Bridgers and Paul York)
- Capitalism, climate change and the discourse of ecological modernization (JP Sapinski)
- Resilient Cooperation – A (Re)new(ed) Alternative to Sustainable Development (Chris Bisson)

The presentations will be followed by a commentary by guest discussant Dr. Ellie Perkins, from York University’s Faculty of Environmental Studies.

This workshop is an opportunity to meet and share ideas with like-minded climate justice activists and academics. It is also intended to solicit input from the audience to inform the work of the York University delegates who will participate in COP 17 in November 2011.

The workshop will take place on Wednesday October 26, from 1:00 to 4:00pm (EST)

Physical location: Room 305 York Lanes, York University, Toronto.
Virtual location: For those who would like to join in the discussions from anywhere in Canada and the world, the workshop will also take place in the cyberspace. Click here for instructions on how to connect.

Please see http://nanisiniq.tumblr.com/ for more information on our partners in Arviat. This is a website devoted to Nanisiniq: Arviat History Project.

What does Ontario’s new Cabinet mean for Environment and Energy issues?

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This blog was originally published in Professor Mark Winfield's blog.

Re-elected Premier Dalton McGuinty’s new cabinet was sworn-in on October 20. At this stage it looks, on the whole, like good news for environmental issues. Veteran Jim Bradley, who as environment minister from 1985-1990 in the government of David Peterson transformed the ministry from a relatively minor player within the province government to a major centre of influence, returns to the environment portfolio. Bradley put a solid but unspectacular performance in the previous McGuinty government as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing – it is unclear if he is intended to continue in that mode at the Ministry of the Environment or whether his appointment might signal a return to a more activist agenda.

The appointment of the extremely capable Kathleen Wynne as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing would seem likely to cement the progressive directions on land-use planning in southern Ontario that were established during John Gerretsen’s tenure in the portfolio, including the Greenbelt and reforms to the Planning Act, under the first McGuinty government. The integration of the infrastructure and transportation portfolios under former Ottawa Mayor Bob Chiarrelli may strengthen the focus on public transit, and more broadly the integration of land-use planning and transportation, although that remains to be seen. The apparent return of responsibility for forest management to the Natural Resources portfolio, now under John Gravelle, from the economic development oriented Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, also looks like a positive development.

Chris Bentley, the Attorney General in the second McGuinty government has been assigned the energy portfolio. The statement on his appointment from the Premier’s office that he “will continue to drive Ontario’s transition towards clean, renewable energy while ensuring we stay on track to create 50,000 clean energy jobs” would seem to reinforce the message that the Green Energy Act’s Feed-in-Tariff system is secure, although a series of serious challenges lie ahead within the portfolio.

Finally, John Gerretsen has been appointed as Attorney-General. Gerretsen, who was the author of a number of progressive initiatives while minister of municipal affairs and housing and then environment, will be now be handling the question of whether the government will introduce anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) legislation. The likelihood of some sort of legislative initiative would now seem much greater.

Although the new appointments provide some short-term reasons for optimism, it is important to keep in mind that the province’s fiscal situation means that the possibility of a major retrenchment remains very real. The prospect of an extensive restructuring of the province’s approach to environment and natural resources matters, pending the report of the Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services, continues to loom large as well.

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