Tag: Other Org Action

New study highlights Indigenous nations’ opposition to nuclear projects

A new study released in New Brunswick this week analyzed statements about nuclear energy and radioactive waste by Indigenous communities in New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario, the only provinces with nuclear power reactors. The 18 power reactors in Ontario and the one in New Brunswick, as well as the one in Quebec shut down in 2012, have all produced hundreds of tons of radioactive waste.

The study found that overall, Indigenous nations and communities do not support the production of more nuclear waste or the transport and storage of nuclear waste on their homelands. They have made their opposition known through dozens of public statements and more than 100 submissions to the regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Read the story HERE in the NB Media Co-op.

COP 29: A band-aid on a bullet wound

CRED-NB is a member of Climate Action Network Canada, an organization representing more than 100 groups across the country advocating for climate action. Several Climate Action Network Canada staffers participate every year in the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings to find global solutions to the climate crisis. Today Climate Action Network Canada issued a media release calling COP 20 “a band-aid on a bullet wound.” The media release HERE, includes a bullet-point summary of the highlights as well as quotes from other members of the network who attended COP 29.

Can climate action be decolonized?

To help environmental non-government organizations (ENGOs) make radical change within their organizations, practices and actions, a coalition of Indigenous and settler activists created “Decolonizing Climate Action: A Tool Kit for ENGOs in So-called Canada.” The Tool Kit resource begins from the unsettling standpoint of challenging the system of capitalism, a root cause and driver of the climate crisis. A core message is that redistributing land, power and wealth should be at the heart of collective climate action. Read the short article with links to the toolkit, HERE.

New videos available on nuclear energy featuring NB participants

The videos of the two webinars last week are now available:

1) More Nuclear in Canada’s Energy Future?
Panel: M.V. Ramana (UBC), Susan O’Donnell & Emma Fackenthall (STU), Laura Tanguay (York U), Mark Winfield (York U), chair Janice Harvey (STU)

2) Nuclear is Not the Solution:The Folly of Atomic Power in the Age of Climate Change
Discussion of the new book by M.V. Ramana (UBC) with student research assistants from St. Thomas University Kate Haché, Erin Hurley and Emma Fackenthall

October 10: Two webinars about nuclear power and the energy transition

The CEDAR project at St. Thomas University – a CRED-NB champion group – is hosting two webinars about nuclear power and the energy transition.

At 8 PM Atlantic / 7 PM Eastern: More Nuclear in Canada’s Energy Future? will feature profs and students from three universities.

At noon Atlantic / 11 AM Eastern, Professor M.V. Ramana, University of British Columbia will discuss his new book Nuclear is Not the Solution: The Folly of Atomic Power in the Age of Climate Change with three student research assistants at St. Thomas University.

October 10 – Save the date! More info and registration links HERE.

New article: Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) in Canada

The World Information Service on Energy (WISE) in the Netherlands invited CRED-NB core member Susan O’Donnell and Northwatch coordinator Brennain Lloyd to write an article for the Nuclear Monitor, a publication of WISE and the The Nuclear Information & Resource Service (NIRS) in the U.S.

The article, “Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) in Canada” is an overview of the difference between CANDU and SMR reactors, how SMRs complicate radioactive waste management, who and what is behind the SMR push in Canada, and the future of SMRs in Canada. You can read the article HERE.

Climate events in Fredericton and Sackville – July 31 + August 1

“It’s time to discuss the ways to tackle climate change at the grassroots level, the role of local communities in shaping Canada’s energy policies, and strategic actions and innovative solutions to cap emissions and accelerate our transition to cleaner energy.”

That describes events planned in Fredericton and Sackville by Sierra Club Canada and local hosts. The events are open to everyone.

Sierra Club Canada – Atlantic Chapter are good friends of CRED-NB. Stop-SMRs in NB is a Sierra Club Canada campaign. July 31 in Fredericton and August 1 in Sackville you can meet Sierra Club national programs director Gretchen Fitzgerald and local climate advocates and experts.

In Fredericton @6 PM Wednesday, July 31, at the Charlotte St. Arts Centre Gretchen will co-host with Moe Qureshi of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick (CCNB).

In Sackville @11:30 AM Thursday, August 1, at the Sackville Commons at 18 Lorne St., Gretchen will co-host with Tantramar Alliance Against Hydro-fracking (TAAHF) and include speaker Sabine Dietz (CLIMAtlantic).

Pizza will be served in Fredericton • in Sackville there will be “an assortment of light snacks prepared by ‘Ketchup With That’ kitchen.” Organizers asked anyone planning to go to respond to the Facebook event page: Fredericton page HERE • Sackville page HERE

Chief Akagi requests public hearing to review any new governance arrangement for the Point Lepreau nuclear reactor on Peskotomuhkati homeland

In May, former New Brunswick Energy Minister Mike Holland tabled a bill to change the Electricity Act. The change would allow NB Power to enter a partnership with Ontario Power Generation (OPG). The bill became law in early June.

In a letter to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) on May 29, Peskotomuhkati Chief Hugh Akagi outlined his initial concerns with the proposed agreement between NB Power and OPG, which reportedly includes a partial ownership stake in the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station.

The letter is from the Passamoquoddy Recognition Group (PRGI) which represents the Peskotomuhkati Nation in Canada and the interests of rightsholders and the Peskotomuhkati ecosystem, including the Point Lepreau Nuclear Station. Any new owners of the Lepreau CANDU nuclear reactor will have rights and responsibilities that PRGI wants clarified.

Read the story published today in the NB Media Co-op, HERE.