[UVic-sustainability] News and Events for the Week of Nov 24th
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 25 November 2014 16:00
- Written by editor
NEWS:
This week UVic President, Jamie Cassels, was quoted heavily in an op-ed written by the founders of the Free the Children Network on the legacy of the Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal, India. In the early 1990s Cassel's wrote a seminal work on multi-national corporate responsibility called The Uncertain Promise of Law: Lessons from Bhopal, which argued that the parent companies could be held responsible when a subsidiary is shown to be negligent. The 30th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster is coming up this December 2nd.
The op-ed mentions two novel cases in Canada were the actions of multi-national subsidiaries are being used to hold the parent company accountable. One case was brought against HudBay... Minerals, for alleged human rights abuses in Guatemala, and another brought against Chevron Canada by a community in Ecuador for alleged pollution.
In other law related news, Chris Tollefson, ED of UVic’s Environmental Law Centre, was quoted in an article about the “flurry” of litigation on resource related issues in BC. One way to reduce the need for litigation in the first place would be for BC “to get out of the agreement that authorizes the National Energy Board, a federal agency, to approve projects such as the Northern Gateway…” Tollefson also noted that NGOs and First Nations incur significant costs when they decide to litigate. "In the average case you are looking at a liability of between $25,000 and $100,000 easily.” “It’s a very serious commitment,” said Tollefson.
AT UVIC:
WOULD YOU LIKE CARBON OR CHIMPS WITH THAT?
Friday November 28th, 2:45 to 5:00pm
David Turpin Building B215
A Lecture by Geography Post-doc: Tropical rainforests are home to more than half the planet’s biodiversity – and millions of people depend on them for their livelihoods. But human activities, like logging and farming, destroy or degrade huge areas of tropical rainforest each year. Restoring these lands is critical to conserving biodiversity and providing ecosystem services, but ecosystem restoration can be difficult, expensive, and slow. This talk will explore how past and present human activities in Uganda’s Kibale National Park affect rainforest, wildlife, and people.
BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR
Sunday November 28th, 7:00 to 9:00pm
UVic Farquhar auditorium
Ignite your passion for adventure, action, and travel! The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour will exhilarate you with amazing big-screen stories when it comes to the University of Victoria at 7 PM on Sunday, November 30. Journey to exotic locations, paddle the wildest waters, and climb the highest peaks. Get your tickets today and be taken away to the most captivating places on earth. Tickets can be purchased here
CREATING A BLUE DIALOGUE WEBINAR SERIES
Monday December 1st 9:00 to 10:30 am
Online registration is now full, but interested readers can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it."> Raluca Hlevca for details about the on-campus viewing at the Centre for Global Studies
In this webinar, Eli Enns (ICCA Consortium/POLIS Project), Nadia Joe (First Nations Fisheries Council), and Merrell-Ann Phare (Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources) will discuss the critical need for and importance of co-governance of water and watersheds with First Nations. The speakers will describe successful examples, emerging opportunities for change, and what conditions or frameworks must be in place to ensure co-governance arrangements can really thrive.
COMMUNITY EVENTS:
MASON BEE CLEANING AND OVERWINTERING WORKSHOP
Saturday November 29th 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Compost Ed. Centre--1216 North Park Street
This is a hands on workshop where you will learn how to clean your Mason Bee condo and your Mason Bee cocoons.
Cost: $15 for members $20 for non-members
OAKLANDS WINTER MARKET SATURDAY
Saturday November 29th 10:00am to 4:00pm
Oaklands Community Centre--1-2827 Belmont Avenue
Grab your wellington boots, that favourite wool-knitted sweater (and perhaps a rain coat) and waltz on down to Oaklands Community Centre & the Oaklands Gym for a chance to indulge in all the creative-makings of the beautiful West Coast. Facebook
Matt Greeno
Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Campus Planning & Sustainability
University of Victoria
O: 250-721-6678
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.