[Uvic-sustainability] News and Events for week of March 31st

Details: Published on Monday, 31 March 2014 13:20; Written by editor

NEWS

The final report on the UVic Sustainability Action Plan: Campus Operations (2009-2014) is now available online. The report details how well we have progressed in achieving our many goals related to promoting sustainability in operational areas including energy, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, transportation and water. The Martlet has published a story on the renewal of the Sustainability Action Plan and opportunities for student and staff input into sustainability goal setting and planning for the next five years and beyond. See article here.

Volunteers are needed to help out at the UVSS STUFF SWAP, Apr 7th, 8th & 9th, 11 AM to 2 PM, SUB, Michele Pujol Room. Help sort and sell used items including clothing, books, shoes, electronics and small kitchen appliances (no large bulky items like furniture or mattresses) dropped off by students and staff. Contact Nadia... at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and see Facebook for more info.

The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has released its latest update on the science of climate change and the news is not good. The lead author stated, “We are now in an era where climate change isn’t some kind of future hypothetical…We are in an area where impacts from climate change are already widespread and consequential.” US Secretary of State John Kerry has also responded saying, “the costs of inaction are catastrophic”. See Huffington Post and CBC.

Meanwhile at home, what’s Canada doing to stop global warming and climate change? Not much, according to a scathing editorial published yesterday in the New York Times. Even closer to home, our provincial government is introducing legislation making it easier to explore for oil and gas and other types of development in BC Parks and on farmland protected under the Agricultural Land Reserve.

EVENTS

WHAT IS THE ANTHROPOCENE?
Apr 2nd, Noon to 1 PM, DTB B243
The ES 580 class host a seminar on What is the Anthropocene? Should we accept this term to describe our times? And if so, with what caveats or qualifications?

Safer Cycling: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Reducing Bicycle Accidents

Apr 2nd, 6 to 8 PM, Fairfield Community Ass’n, 1330 Fairfield Rd

Dr. Christian Juhra (University of Munster, Germany), Dr. Elizabeth Borycki, Dr. Alex Kuo, and Dr. Kushniruk from UVic and BC Trauma Registry are conducting a study investigating brain injuries caused by bicycle accidents in BC and the north west of Germany. Dr. Juhra will also speak about the helmet usage and infrastructure in Munster, Germany. See website for more info.

Victoria Matters: Sewage Treatment in the CRD

Apr 2nd, 7 PM, Victoria Events Centre, 1415 Broad St.

Public forum with speakers Albert Sweetnam, Program Director, Seaterra Program; Geoff Young, Chair, Core Area Liquid Waste Management Committee, CRD Board of Directors; Richard Atwell, Director, Sewage Treatment Action Group; Vic Derman, Saanich Councillor, CRD Board of Directors. See Facebook for more info.

UNITY FOR THE CLIMATE: OFFICIAL LAUNCH

Apr 5th, 11 AM to 12:30 PM, Beacon Park Pavilion, Sidney

Celebration of the start of Joseph Boutilier’s 5,000 KM unicycle journey to Ottawa to call for government action on climate change featuring music, poetry, speeches and more. See website for more info.

UVSS STUFF SWAP
Apr 7th, 8th & 9th, 11 AM to 2 PM, SUB, Michele Pujol Room
Moving out and need to purge? Need new stuff? Bring your gently used clothing, books, shoes, electronics and small kitchen appliances (no large bulky items like furniture or mattresses) and pick up some new-to-you stuff. Any leftover items will be donated to charity. Volunteers also needed! Contact Nadia at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it."> This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and see Facebook for more info.

Get updates throughout the week by following us on Facebook and Twitter:

Rita Fromholt

Sustainability Coordinator

Office of Campus Planning & Sustainability

University of Victoria

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it."> This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., O: 250.853.3758, C: 250.884.5751