Recent Blog Entries

Someone should probably double check my math. Unit conversion gets so complicated for me so quickly...

 

According to the Stolkholm International Water Institute:

Survey found at http://www.energy.alberta.ca/

 Please fill it out. You have until June 1, 2009. 

The survey is mostly choice questions, but I've included here my text responses  from the open ended questions at the end of the survey. I'm pretty sure I missed some things, and might have misworded others, but I'll post it here to see if anyone responds. I'm interested in hearing other Albertans' impressions. 

     

March 11, 2009           Alberta Hansard          341-342

 

Environmental Self-monitoring

I can't believe I haven't written anything since the launch party. There's been so much going on that needs talking about, but I can't even begin to try to reiterate that here. I need to check out the forums to see what's been said and what's being discussed in real time.

 Did you know?

The North Saskatchewan River is controlled by 2 hydroelectric dams. This means that the entire flow is regulated. Since more people need more electricity in the winter, the dam gates are opened and more water is allowed to pass through the turbines during the winter months. Think about how this might be different from a natural river. 

           The environment has made it to the forefront of media spotlight, yet again, largely due to the recent economic catastrophe that has befallen our world.  The promise of new, green collar jobs has the public and politicians in a frenzy over, what I like to call, the two-birds-with-one-stone environmental policy. The idea is that the implementation of large-scale environmental projects will provide ample, green jobs over the next few years to stimulate economic recovery.  At the same time, that dreaded two letter word, carbon-footprint, will be reduced all the while.

            President Obama has stressed that the millions of new jobs will come from the mass production of environmentally friendly vehicles, retro-fitting of old homes, and the development of greener infrastructure.  Sustainable Prosperity, a Canadian environmental research organization, has echoed similar rhetoric suggesting that the potential exists for hundreds of thousands of green jobs in Canada.  At this point, one can only guess if these large-scale environmental projects will stimulate economic recovery.  However, there is certainly is a real potential.

             So why aren't we discussing the potential of a new, green economy in a regional public forum?  Afterall, the recent economic strife has shown us that Alberta's ‘invincible' economy is still susceptible to global economic meltdowns.  A new regional environmental council could allow municipal governments to cooperate on infrastructure issues, job losses in the trades, and the rejuvenation of communities and neighborhoods in the Capital Region. Maybe a Capital Region Environmental Council would finally bring the municipalities to agree on something. Perhaps I am dreaming.

-J.J. Ziebart

About the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society (EBC)

The Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society (EBC) has been a leader in the
Edmonton and area environmental and cycling community since 1980. Our
goal is to support the bicycle as a healthy and ecologically sound
mode of everyday urban travel by providing bicycle services and
resources.

Position Overview

The Project Coordinator is responsible for developing, implementing,
and overseeing the projects and day-to-day operations of EBC to meet
the society's goal of encouraging and facilitating bicycle use in
Edmonton and promoting and strengthening the society.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities and a work plan will be developed in
conjunction with the Board of Directors. Generally, the Project
Coordinator's duties will include the element of the following:

Event coordination
Organize and promote community events to encourage bicycling and other
forms of sustainable, active transportation, including: Commuter
Challenge Week, Clear Air Day, Carfree Day, Bike Month and Bikeology,
and "Recycle a Bicycle" Days and other events throughout the year.
This will include volunteer coordination. The coordinator will also be
responsible for investigating the potential of organizing a conference
on sustainable cities, smart growth, active transportation and
transportation demand management (TDM) in Edmonton.

Organizational development
Develop the organization to facilitate ongoing programming. To do this
the Project Coordinator will apply for additional grants and
charitable status, promote the work of EBC in the community, increase
membership and the volunteer base of EBC, and create/redesign internal
processes and logs to track information such as the number of bicycles
received, recycled and returned to the community.

Community outreach and support
Work with outside organizations to promote cycling as well as
coordinate ongoing EBC services such as cycling education courses,
bicycle maintenance workshops, and free community repair clinics. The
Project Coordinator would also be responsible for media relations on
behalf of EBC.

Liaising with City of Edmonton and other cycling-related organizations
Engage with the City of Edmonton and appropriate departments on the
update of the Transportation Master Plan and the Bicycle
Transportation Plan, and generally working to ensure the city
supports, adequately funds and develops cycling infrastructure in the
city. This will include advocating for more funding for sustainable
transportation from other levels of government. In addition, the
Project Coordinator will work with other cycling organizations, local
businesses and the city to ensure adequate cycling infrastructure,
such as secure bike racks and appropriately maintained cycling roads
and paths, are available throughout the city.

Qualifications/Education/Experience

The ideal candidate:
o Is an avid utilitarian cyclist
o Is familiar with the bicycling community in Edmonton
o Has at least a high school education
o Has experience with public outreach activities, campaign development
and advocacy
o Has experience working with and supervising volunteers in a non-
profit environment
o Possesses excellent written and oral communication skills, and is
comfortable working with the media
o Is familiar with government decision-making, especially at the
municipal level
o Has experience preparing outreach materials, reports, policy papers,
budgets, etc. in a non-profit environment
o Is proficient using standard computer office and web applications
o Has excellent time management skills and is able to work
independently

Reporting

The Project Coordinator is responsible to the EBC Board of Directors.
The Project Coordinator will be required to provide updates and
reports at monthly board meetings.

Supervision

Because the board of EBC is volunteer-run, the Project Coordinator
will be required to work independently, but will have two liaisons
from the Board of Directors who will have primary responsibility for
supervision and support.

The Project Coordinator will be required to supervise volunteers and
may be required to supervise seasonal staff.

Working Conditions

This is a one-year position with the possibility of extension
dependent on securing additional funding.

The annual salary for the Project Coordinator position is $32,000
based on an average workweek of 35 hours per week.

Hours of work are flexible and will depend on workflow, deadlines and
season. Daytime, evening and weekend work will be required.

EBC will provide an appropriate workspace, but a home-based office or
mix of the two is also acceptable. However, EBC is unable to supply
required equipment for a home-based office.

Start date is flexible, but will start no later than January 5, 2009.

Application Process

Please apply electronically with a cover letter, resume and three
professional references to: jobs@edmontonbikes.ca with "EBC Project
Coordinator Application" in the subject line.

Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on Friday, December 5, 2008.

While EBC appreciates all applications, only candidates selected for
interviews will be contacted.

Keegan McEvoy
Volunteer Coordinator EBC
780.642.2502    

6 Rules for Suburban Living

An exercise in sarcasm.

By Justin

I felt I needed to write this, so that when I approach my "real" article on suburban living my sarcasm won't overshadow my overall argument and analysis. Hopefully, you will find it enjoyable.

1)Everyone must have their own personal vehicle.

The massive sprawl associated with suburban development often translates into a less-than-convenient transit system. A personal vehicle is needed to fulfill activities like commuting to work, shopping, and going to the bar. However, sharing a vehicle is unacceptable, because of the extent to which a personal vehicle is necessary for personal use. It is almost impossible for two people with differing schedules to share a vehicle. Walking also takes forever, because of the massive sprawl.

2)Walking is for losers and adolescent teens who hate having their parents drive them.

Everyone who appears to be walking alongside a major roadway/artery is too be viewed with contempt. Every driver automatically thinks " Why is that person walking, doesn't he/she have a car?" Because they are walking, it is assumed that he/or she fits in the above categories.

3)Whoever dies with the most "toys" wins.

A man's, or woman's, value is determined not by the content of his/or her character, but by the amount of awesome stuff that he/she has. For example, purchasing a new car, boat, or motorcycle is a great way for the baby boomers to feel younger and more valuable-----but it is also mandatory in suburbia to do so after the age of 45. A hummer is the optimal choice for those that can ( or can't) afford it.

4)Every subdivision has to be named after environment destroyed by development.

Subdivisions serve as great memorials for the environment. It is, however, more common to name a subdivision after the trees being cut-down than after the animals that were chased away.For example, a name like Oak Ridge or Spruce Meadows often is more common than a name like Fox Creek or Deer Mountain. Lakes, creeks, and rivers can used within subdivision names, although it is much less common( for example, Lakeland Ridge or Creek Village). It is also acceptable, for example, to name a subdivision Emerald Hills, even thought it has no emerald hills in it( or underneath it for that matter.) Deer Mountain would also be acceptable to use, even though there is no mountain near it.

5)Who say's environmentalism doesn't exist in the Suburbs?.

In the suburbs, environmentalism essentially means not throwing cans into the garbage and recycling your newspapers( which are then delivered to the recycling station in Ford 5150's and Chevy Silverados). It's a great way to feel a sense of self-satisfaction, knowing that you helped the environment.

6)It is illegal to build a building more than 3 stories tall( as it is in Strathcona County).

We must actively promote suburban sprawl by limiting the height of buildings, so that condo and apartment complexes can't be built. This way, we can ensure that only houses are built and people will continue to need personal vehicles for completing their daily activities. It is a matter of protecting the suburban way of life: a culture in itself.

I hope that you enjoyed it.

Cheers,

Justin

After checking out the site last weekend we've decided to go ahead with the creation of a Native Plant Garden on an abandoned site in the MIll Creek Ravine (plants provided by the Edmonton Naturalization Group. Need only bring a few tools).

There's talk about having a fire and roast after the work is completed. I think a potluck scenario probably works best.

Saturday, September 20, 2008
Time:	1:00pm - 5:30pm
Location:	Meet outside the "Rount 99 Diner" (We can walk from there)
	8820-99st NW

 

Anyone interested in Guerrilla Gardening is encouraged to check out our Blog and Facebook Group.

http://edmontongg.blogspot.com

Congratulations to every involved in tonight's launch party!! I am so impressed; too often it is too easy to let the doom and gloom news get you down, especially in this province. I am so honoured to be a part of such a vibrant and intelligent group of people who understand the value of community  and the environment we live in. Thank you all so much!!