News | David Suzuki Foundation

Saskatchewan First Nations and David Suzuki Foundation sign MOU

2013-06-12T10:05:41Z

SASKATOON -- The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and the David Suzuki Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding entitled the Gifts of the Creator/the Environment by our leadership, technicians and the David Suzuki Foundation. The signing ceremony was one of the highlights of the FSIN Spring Legislative Assembly held June 5 and 6, 2013, at the Dakota Dunes Casino on the Whitecap Dakota First Nation.

Vice Chief Kimberly Jonathan acknowledges the hard work and commitment needed to reach the Memorandum of Understanding. "As original stewards of this land, First Nations must assert their rights and responsibilities in protecting the environment for future generations as we were taught by our ancestors," she said. "The David Suzuki Foundation and First Nations have a lot of common principles when it comes to respecting the environment and living in harmony with the natural balance of nature. We look forward to working together to address our common interests."

First Nations continue to maintain and assert their inherent rights and laws that originate from the land, air, and water as gifts from the Creator. In moving forward with economic development in Saskatchewan, we must all be aware of the potential impacts that such development has on the environment.

"The David Suzuki Foundation is deeply honoured to be part of an agreement with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, one that creates a foundation of trust and respect from which we can address areas of mutual interest and concern," said Peter Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of the David Suzuki Foundation.

David Suzuki Foundation board member Miles Richardson emphasized that "First Nations are the best hope for Canada to achieve true sustainability. The David Suzuki Foundation recognizes this through our Aboriginal People's Policy, and today through the signing of this agreement with the FSIN."

The FSIN represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. The Federation is committed to honouring the spirit and intent of Treaty, as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of the Treaty promises that were made more than a century ago.

For more information please contact:
Mervin Brass,
FSIN Communications
Direct: 306.956-1026
Mobile: 306.220-7187
Blackberry: mervin.brass@fsin.com

www.fsin.com

Environmental groups suspend further work with Resolute Forest Products under Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement

2013-05-21T09:05:11Z

Commitment to ongoing work with other forestry companies remains strong

On the third anniversary of the signing of the historic Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement (CBFA), environmental signatories are suspending further work with Resolute Forest Products. They remain committed to continuing their work with other signatory companies to plan for protection of critical Boreal woodland caribou habitat and sustainable forest management practices.

"We are very pleased with the groundbreaking solutions for conservation we have forged under the CBFA with companies such as Tembec, Alberta Pacific Forest Industries, and Millar Western Forest Products in northeastern Ontario and Alberta respectively," said Janet Sumner of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS).

"We are also optimistic about advancing conservation and sustainable forestry plans through our on-going work with Tolko, Weyerhaeuser, and Corner Brook Pulp and Paper in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland.

"However, despite three years of work we feel we have not been able to make meaningful progress towards science-based conservation and sustainable forestry plans with Resolute Forest Products on its large tenures in Quebec and Northwestern Ontario. After creating and revising numerous conservation analyses, and putting several workable proposals on the table, we have come to the sad conclusion that Resolute will not do the minimum that the science says is required to protect our forests and the threatened caribou that call them home," adds Sumner.

"We believe that Resolute is not meeting its commitments to ensure caribou survive on the forests it manages. In our opinion, it has so far proven itself unwilling to strike a balance between its economic interests and the local survival of a nationally threatened species," added Todd Paglia of ForestEthics.

The environmental groups' assessment, based on federal government science, is that Resolute's forestry plans would severely diminish the chances that any caribou herds within their tenures will survive after their logging operations. The federal recovery strategy under the Species At Risk Act requires that all caribou herds in Canada be managed to create a minimum likelihood of 60% survival.

All environmental signatories to the CBFA are suspending further work with Resolute until it can commit to scientifically defensible conservation plans that would give caribou a reasonable chance of survival.

"The CBFA has proven itself a workable model with companies that honour their commitments. Last year, signatories announced a joint caribou action plan for northeastern Ontario that proposed an 8,000km² logging-free zone to protect critical caribou habitat and an increase of wood supply for local mills," adds Sumner.

In Northeast Alberta, signatories supported the establishment of the proposed Dillon River Wildland Park and the Gipsy-Gordon Wildland Park, and this month have agreed on an approach for Caribou Action Planning in the Athabasca and Cold Lake regions. They are now commencing outreach to Provincial, Aboriginal, municipal and energy sector leaders to move forward.

The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement was signed in 2010 by all member companies of the Forest Products Association of Canada and nine environmental groups. Environmental groups continuing to implement the CBFA are the Canadian Boreal Initiative, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, David Suzuki Foundation, ForestEthics, Ivey Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and the International Boreal Conservation Campaign.

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For more background on the CBFA, visit http://www.canadianborealforestagreement.com/

For interviews, contact:

Janet Sumner
janet@wildlandsleague.org
416-971-9453 ×39
416-514-579-7370

Todd Paglia
todd@forestethics.org
360-734-2951 ×201
415-509-1500 cell

David Suzuki Foundation challenges Canadians to get outside

2013-04-21T21:34:53Z

Thousands expected to join 30×30 Nature Challenge during May

TORONTO - The David Suzuki Foundation is launching the 30×30 Nature Challenge today -- a national campaign to get Canadians outside for 30 minutes a day for 30 days during May.

"I urge Canadians to join the 30×30 Nature Challenge," said David Suzuki, award-winning broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. "Commit to getting outside for 30 minutes a day, for 30 days. Whether it's in a local park or backyard garden, getting your daily dose of nature is a key ingredient for a happy, healthy lifestyle."

Canadians have become increasingly disconnected from the natural world. Symptoms of our nature deficit are easy to spot: stress, obesity, heart disease, asthma and depression. However, it is now well documented that time spent in nature can improve physical and mental health -- dramatically reducing stress and mental fatigue while boosting creativity and vitality. Throughout the month of May, participants of the 30×30 Nature Challenge will receive tips about how to reap the benefits of nature by adding more green time to their schedules.

"Fitting a daily dose of green into our busy routines doesn't need to be daunting," said David Suzuki's Queen of Green, Tovah Paglaro. "It can be as simple as holding your next work meeting outdoors, having lunch in a park or walking the kids to school. And since you will have more energy and increased concentration, the time spent in nature will pay off in spades."

The 30×30 Nature Challenge is being presented in partnership with Genuine Health, with generous support from Cisco Systems Canada, Interface Canada, Harvest Power, the Arcangelo Rea Family Foundation and Nature's Path Foods. CBC Live Right Now will be supporting the 30×30 Nature Challenge through its new Get Outside campaign at LiveRightNow.ca starting May 1st.

Stewart Brown, CEO of Genuine Health said, "In 2012, we supported the launch of Your Brain on Nature, a revolutionary book that addressed the importance of nurturing our health with nature. The reality of modern life is that many of us spend several hours each day in front of electronic screens and very little time outside in green space. This is why, for the second year in a row, we are proud and excited to partner on the David Suzuki Foundation's 30×30 Nature Challenge!"

As part of the 30×30 Nature Challenge, the David Suzuki Foundation will work with university researchers to analyze how time in nature affects well-being. By filling out surveys before and after taking the 30×30 Challenge, participants will help to document the benefits of getting outside.

"Through this research, we will explore the impact nature has on our lives," said David Suzuki Foundation spokesperson Aryne Sheppard. "We will test the theory that being more connected to nature goes along with greater environmental awareness and ecologically friendly behaviour -- not to mention feeling happier and healthier."

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For more information, please visit www.davidsuzuki.org/30×30challenge or contact:

Jode Roberts, David Suzuki Foundation (Toronto) cell.647 456 9752 jroberts@davidsuzuki.org
Manon Dubois Crôteau, Fondation David Suzuki (Montreal) 514-871-4932 poste.453 cell.514-679-0821
Theresa Beer, David Suzuki Foundation (Vancouver) 604-732-4228 ext.1239 cell.778.874.3396 

Backgrounder

The 30×30 Nature Challenge

The David Suzuki Foundation is challenging Canadians to join the 30×30 Nature Challenge by signing up at www.davidsuzuki.org/30×30challenge.
Participants start by signing up as an individual or workplace at www.davidsuzuki.org/30×30challenge/sign-up
They will receive tips for how to add nature to their daily routine through the 30×30 website, hashtag #30×30challenge and David Suzuki Foundation social media (@davidsuzukiFDN and www.facebook.com/davidsuzuki)
As part of the 30×30 Nature Challenge, the David Suzuki Foundation will work with researchers at the University of Trent to analyze how time in nature affects well-being through surveys before and after the challenge.
Participants will also be eligible for weekly prizes through the 30×30 Photo Contest and if they complete the opening and closing surveys will be entered to win a $500 prize package from Genuine Health.

Benefits of connecting with nature

Spending an hour in nature can improve memory performance and attention span by 20 per cent. Natural views at work result in increased job satisfaction, better concentration, decreased mental fatigue and lower stress levels.
Plants in a workplace can reduce feelings of anger, anxiety and fatigue by about 40 per cent and stress levels by 50 per cent over three months.
Spending four nature-filled days away from electronic devices can increase your creativity by 50 per cent.
Only a few minutes of exposure to nature can immediately reduce stress levels, blood pressure and muscle tension.

David Suzuki Foundation: Stronger Carbon Tax is right direction for next provincial government

2013-04-11T16:05:42Z

VANCOUVER -- April 11, 2013 The David Suzuki Foundation is asking all B.C. political parties to strengthen the carbon tax -- one of North America's best environmental and economic success stories -- to directly fund our most pressing environmental needs while driving a cleaner, more innovative provincial economy.

The B.C. NDP today released its fiscal plan, which will be included in its election platform. It proposes to close the carbon tax loophole that currently gives industrial polluters, like oil and gas (natural gas venting) companies, a free pass to pollute.

This is a practical and important step forward, but we need to do more, according to Ian Bruce, science and policy manager for the Foundation.

"Closing the loophole on polluters and applying the tax fairly is one part of realizing the full potential of this solution. But to truly benefit communities, our proposal also requires the tax be increased at the same rate it's been increasing since 2008. That's needed to generate up to $1 billion a year of new revenue for developing our clean technology sector, funding transit and other community solutions to climate change that improve quality of life," he said.

"We believe it's time for all parties to recognize the enormous opportunity B.C. has to lead on climate change," Bruce added. "As the financial crisis wreaked havoc worldwide, research shows the carbon tax incentive reduced B.C.'s carbon pollution while spurring innovation and growing our clean technology section by 48 per cent."

British Columbia is not alone in supporting the tax, but the province is falling behind, as other jurisdictions step in to lead the way. Quebec, California, Norway, China and Australia have all announced, introduced or strengthened carbon pricing policies within the past year.

Polling shows British Columbians support climate leadership and climate action. Last summer, more than 1,800 of about 2,000 British Columbians who submitted comments to the Carbon Tax Review asked for a strengthened and expanded carbon tax.

See more about the David Suzuki Foundation's support for a strengthened carbon tax: http://betterfuturebc.ca/nextstep

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ian Bruce, Science & Policy Manager, David Suzuki Foundation
Mobile: 604-306-5095
Email: ibruce@davidsuzuki.org

B.C. Election Community Forum: Building a Better Future for B.C.

2013-04-09T12:13:26Z

Finding harmony between the environment and the economy Hosted by David Suzuki Foundation and S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

Vancouver, BC -- After the May 14 provincial election, the new B.C. government will have critical choices to make on environmental and economic fronts. Those choices will come with opportunities and risks. Opportunities such as strengthening and redirecting the carbon tax to fund transit and innovation, protecting our marine areas and coastal communities and shifting to a clean energy economy. Risks such as building pipelines and gas plants that tie us to a boom-and-bust economic future. These issues are key to the upcoming provincial election and central to our Building a Better Future for B.C. Forum.

"We hope to provide a forum where British Columbians will be more informed of what a sustainable and healthy environment will look like and how they are prepared to support it," said Queenie Choo, CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. "And most importantly, voters will be better informed of the political platform in regards to the environmental issues in the upcoming B.C. election."

"Too often political discussions in B.C. are framed as a choice between a healthy environment and a prosperous economy," said Ian Bruce, Science and Policy Manager with the David Suzuki Foundation. "In reality, we can choose to have both by focusing on solutions that drive environmental innovation while improving the quality of life in our communities and creating jobs we can be proud of."

Please join the David Suzuki Foundation and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. for a lively panel discussion on these key election issues in Cantonese, English and Mandarin, with simultaneous interpretation. Audience participation will be encouraged from invited experts, political party representatives and the public. The panel will include Capilano University economics professor and TV commentator Allen Zhu, Former S.U.C.C.E.S.S. chair and Chinese-language radio commentator Kenneth Tung, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. board member Paul Cheng, cross-cultural communications specialist Fenella Sung, David Suzuki Foundation topic experts Ian Bruce and Bill Wareham, and community leader Michael Yue, who will moderate the discussion.

The forum is open to the media and will be held at Choi Hall, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Social Service Centre (28 West Pender Street, Vancouver) from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, April 13, 2103.

David Suzuki Foundation

We find solutions for living within the limit of nature. Through sound science, education, research and public engagement, we motivate Canadians to take action in overcoming our shared environmental challenges. www.davidsuzuki.org

S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

Established in 1973, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is one of the largest social service agencies in British Columbia. It is a charitable organization providing services in settlement, language training, employment, family and youth service, business and economic development, health care, housing and community development. www.success.bc.ca..

For further information:

Winnie Hwo
Public Engagement and Communications Specialist
David Suzuki Foundation
Tel: 604-732-4228 ext. 1255
E-mail: winnie@davidsuzuki.org

Eileen Lao
Public Affairs Manager
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Tel: 604-408-7243
E-mail: eileen.lao@success.bc.ca

Beneath the Sand: the natural capital beaches exhibit

2013-04-08T14:36:15Z

A multi-media exhibit exploring services provided by nature on eight Metro Vancouver beaches

Vancouver, CAN, April 8, 2013 -- Students in Emily Carr's Community Projects course, in partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation, and in collaboration with the Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCADU), launch an interactive community mapping and storytelling project today.

The Natural Capital Beaches Exhibit, which runs until August 2013, opens tonight from 6 -- 9 pm at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery and features guest speakers, screenings and an artist talk.

The project is the second in a series of collaborations that focuses on natural capital, the economic, non-market value of services provided by nature. It includes a series of eight digital narratives that bring to life research by the Foundation on the value of the Lower Mainland's natural water areas. The study estimates that the region's wetlands, beaches and coastal areas provide at least $30 billion in economic benefits to residents every year.

"The goal of the project is to awaken and teach our community to value the aquatic benefits of BC's Lower Mainland beaches, and, to teach them about possibilities we can create together," says instructor (and alumna) Sarah Van Borek, Faculty of Culture + Community.

Students from a range of disciplines worked together, applying their skills to help the Foundation engage the public to view the nature that surrounds our urban environment in a completely different way: through economic analysis that demonstrates the high value of intact ecosystems for services such as water filtration and carbon sequestration.

"We love what the students are doing," said Michelle Molnar, Environmental Economist and Policy Analyst with the Foundation. "They've animated our research and provided a way for our local community to recognize the bounty of natural wealth we have in our backyards."

Narratives feature stories from diverse community members who, by sharing their unique relationships and/or expertise, highlight the priceless and often lesser known ecosystem services (ie. flood control, habitat, spiritual, educational and cultural) that these beaches provide. The videos are integrated into the Natural Capital Map Application, on the Foundation website.

The exhibit also offers visitors a virtual experience through a video installation with panoramic images and sound walks of the beaches. Interpretive signage includes a series of posters that were designed in collaboration with students from OCADU and illustrate the definitions and importance of ecosystem services provided by Lower Mainland beaches.

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About Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Emily Carr University of Art + Design, established in 1925, is a world leader in education and research. Encouraging experimentation at the intersection of art, design, media and technology, our learning community merges research, critical theory and studio practice in an interdisciplinary environment. Alumni and faculty are internationally recognized as award-winning creators and thought leaders who have enormous impact on both the cultural sector and economy. We engage students, industry, and society to continuously explore and think differently about creativity and how it shapes our world. Emily Carr is building a state-of-the art campus for 21st century learning at Great Northern Way. The University will be at the centre of a new social, cultural, educational, and economic engine for British Columbia. Find out more at ecuad.ca.

About The David Suzuki Foundation
We find solutions for living within the limit of nature. Through sound science, education, research and public engagement, we motivate Canadians to take action in overcoming our shared environmental challenges. www.davidsuzuki.org

Media Contacts:
Theresa Beer, Communications, David Suzuki Foundation
604.732.4228 (Ext. 1239), tbeer@davidsuzuki.org

Roxanne Toronto, Communications Officer, Emily Carr University
604-844-3075, roxanne@ecuad.ca

Groups challenge the failure of B.C.'s environmental assessment office to do its job

2013-04-03T09:09:55Z

Wed., April 3, 2013

Vancouver -- Ecojustice, representing David Suzuki Foundation and Watershed Watch Salmon Society, is in court to ensure that the B.C. government conducts an environmental assessment of a hydroelectric power project for its potential harm to the environment and shares that information with British Columbians.

Under provincial law, the government must complete an environmental assessment of any hydroelectric power project that will generate more than 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The Holmes Hydro Project will produce about 76 MW from 10 tributaries along a 40-kilometre stretch of the Holmes River, an important salmon river near McBride, B.C. But the Environmental Assessment Office, applying the strongly criticized practice of "project-splitting," divided the project into smaller power plants, each of which would produce less than 50 MW, so as to avoid an environmental assessment.

Staff lawyers for Ecojustice will ask the B.C. Supreme Court to overrule the province's decision and ask for an environmental assessment to be completed before the project proceeds.

"It sets a dangerous precedent when the Environmental Assessment Office encourages projects to be split to hide them from environmental assessment¬," said Ecojustice Executive Director Devon Page. "Environmental assessments are about protecting the public interest by ensuring that harmful projects are studied before they are approved. This case intends to ensure that the Minister of Environment and the Environmental Assessment Office take that responsibility seriously."

Many of B.C.'s environmental laws have been weakened over the past decade. Environmental assessment remains an important tool for protecting the environment when industrial development projects are proposed, particularly in British Columbia's rich watersheds and river systems.

Ecojustice's clients -- the David Suzuki Foundation and Watershed Watch Salmon Society -- are concerned about the fate of a depleted population of chinook salmon in the Holmes River, a tributary of the Fraser River, as well as wildlife in the surrounding watershed.

Ecologist Aaron Hill of Watershed Watch Salmon Society is also concerned about the lack of transparency and public input. "When I look at the fact that this project will divert 95 per cent of the streamflow in 10 tributaries along one river, I worry about the cumulative -- or combined -- effects of all of these different parts of the project," Hill said. "I think this is exactly the kind of project that the Environmental Assessment Act is meant to capture," he added.

"The public loses when environmental assessments aren't conducted -- they don't have input into projects that affect their communities and they don't know what possible impacts may arise," said Jay Ritchlin of the David Suzuki Foundation. "We expect renewable energy projects, and all other industrial developments, to be carefully assessed and monitored to ensure that we do not ruin the very rivers and valleys we are seeking to protect."

Ecojustice is the country's leading charitable organization dedicated to using the law to defend Canadians' right to a healthy environment.

For more information, please contact:

Devon Page, Executive Director | Ecojustice
778-828-5512 (mobile)
dpage@ecojustice.ca

Aaron Hill, Ecologist | Watershed Watch Salmon Society
1-250-818-0054
hillfish@telus.net

Jay Ritchlin, Director General -- Western Canada | David Suzuki Foundation
1-604-961-6840 (mobile)
jritchlin@davidsuzuki.org