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Text Box: Celebrate Earth Day with FOE and RAFFI Friends of the Earth Canada and its international network has joined singer/songwriter RAFFI in releasing his new single, ‘SustainABILITY’, in celebration of Earth Day April 22, 2009. The song is available as a free download from FOE's website commencing 9 pm EST April 21, 2009. "I have long been an advocate for sustainability," says Raffi Cavoukian, Canadian singer, author and founder of Child Honouring. "That's why I asked Friends of the Earth to join in releasing my new song, ‘SustainABILITY,’ in celebration of Earth Day 2009.” “Friends of the Earth's mission to heal communities and restore the earth aligns with my own commitment to advance Child Honouring as the children-first way of sustainability. Sustainability is more than an idea—it’s a code of conduct.” Read more Earthdancers support FOE Canada Water Initiatives earthdancers performed in their 18th season production in Sudbury Ontario and FOE’s Beatrice Olivastri was invited to attend. “I am moved to see the heartfelt way these young dancers embrace both their art and the challenge of saving the planet,” she said. “Sudbury should be proud of the leadership these young dancers are demonstrating on environmental action, on the business of culture as well as its enjoyment and on strategic philanthropy.” This is a year round commitment for the earthdancers’ company, based at the Sudbury School of Dance, and they inspire their families and local companies and institutions to sponsor their performances. This year, the dancers raised close to $7,000 which has been donated to Friends of the Earth Canada, VETAC, Sudbury’s Re-greening Committee and Junction Creek Stewardship Committee, a community based group working to “restore native wildlife, insect and plant life and to improve the quality of life for humans as well”. www.earthdancers.ca FOE Congratulates Canada & the US on a major step toward Coastal Clean Air The joint request by Canada and the US to the International Maritime Organization proposes an Emission Control Area that would force large ships frequenting US and Canadian ports to use progressively cleaner fuel. “This is a starting point not an end point” said Beatrice Olivastri. “Ships are currently burning fuel 1800 times dirtier than diesel trucks…We want continuous reductions as well as details on enforcement…” Read Media Release

EarthWords

Text Box: Action Alert Ontario’s proposed Green Energy Act(GEA) is under attack for its mandatory energy efficiency house labeling. You can support this provision by going to www.supportgreenenergyact.ca and sending in your comments.

Text Box: And Now Birds Sing And Now Birds Sing On the 45th anniversary of Rachel Carson’s death and in honour of Earth Day, this new play tells Rachel Carson’s story and battle to protect the environment through the lens of her remarkable friendship with Dorothy Freeman. This gentle drama explores our connections (and disconnections) with the world around us. April 29-May 3 Irving Greenberg Theatre - Centre Studio 1233 Wellington St. W(corner of Wellington / Holland) Wed-Friday 7:30 pm / Saturday 3:00 and 8:00 pm / Sunday 1:00 pm Student matinee, Thursday April 30 at noon Come and see a new play by our senior staff scientist, Dr. Sheila Forsyth Check out the play website at http://www.personare-bearami.com/Site/Welcome.html You can send Sheila a message at Sheilaf@foecanada.org

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Questions or comments? E-mail us at foe@foecanda.org or call 1888 385-4444

April 2009-Issue 26

Friends of the Earth CANADA E-Newsletter

Friends of the Earth Canada

260 St. Patrick Street, Suite 300 Ottawa, ON K1N 5K5

(613) 241-0085 www.foecanada.org

Whither (or Whether) Water Policy in Canada?

A paper presented to a meeting of the Canada United States Law Institute, April 3, 2009 in Cleveland Ohio. Read the recent paper by Dr David Brooks, Senior Advisor – Fresh Water for Friends of the Earth Canada. He addresses three kinds of actions needed – those that are really modifications of Canada’s 1987 water policy, those that involve a shift in direction from the 1987 policy and need to be developed over the coming decade and third, some troubling issues in Canada-US water policies.

David Brooks on tour for the new Water Soft Path book

FOE is looking for friends and colleagues who would like to host David during his speaking tour. Please contact FOE if you or your campus or group would like to host David during his speaking tour on “Making the Most of Water We Have” in Fall 2009.

Ontario’s proposed Green Energy Act(GEA)

The Act is under attack for its mandatory energy efficiency house labeling. You can support this provision by going to www.supportgreenenergyact.ca and sending in your comments. The mandatory audit is a sound way to assist home sellers in appropriately pricing their homes and managing negotiations with potential buyers. For those who have undertaken energy upgrades, the value can be fully reflected in pricing the home for sale. For those who have not yet invested in energy efficiency, the audit still provides an important tool in appropriately pricing their home. Knowing what investments are needed and their estimated costs ahead of an offer will save sellers from the dreaded pressure cooker of the last minute price negotiation after the home inspection takes place.

Even if the seller declines to do upgrades recommended in an energy audit, the audit is attached to the property tax number – not the owner. So the buyer can benefit from a free audit, do upgrades within 18 months and get substantial government subsidies. Read FOE’s statement.

Making the Most of Water We Have: The Soft Path Approach to Water Management published by EarthScan in July 2009

Good thing then for water wasting Canadians that David and colleagues have worked together with EarthScan to produce the first book to present and apply the “soft path approach” to water management – a strategy that frees up water by curbing water waste. The book focuses on controlling water demand and use rather than technological solutions to water supply and applies concepts long accepted in the energy field to water resource management.

“Canadians are probably the greatest water users in the world.” Dr. David Brooks

Protecting the Earth for Tomorrow