Tonight's Green Drinks cancelled

Sorry for the last minute change of plans, unfortunately tonight's Green Drinks is cancelled. Also note, there will be no Green Drinks event in December due to the holidays, so we will all reconvene in January 2016. See you all in the new year!

The Urgent Demand to Stop the TPP

My fellow Green Drinkers,

While we weren't watching (largely because it was kept secret), Stephen Harper negotiated on behalf of Canada an abdication of our government's democratic authority to a secret, international system of corporate tribunals.  As alarmist as that might sound, that is literally the net effect of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and that is why we must stop it.  This abdication includes environmental regulation.

But don't take my word for it.  Please watch this interview by Pulitzer-Prize-winner Chris Hedges, citing Ralph Nader.



Though everyone in the video has an American perspective, their reservations are every bit as applicable to Canada. (Also, I disagree with them about Bernie Sanders.)

The egregiousness of this is staggering, and that of course, is why this was done in secret.  Recently we celebrated Remembrance Day.  As a veteran, I (David) and my comrades did not serve in order to hand the power of governance over to a bunch of secret, corporate attorneys.  The intention to do so demonstrates such utter contempt for the citizens of these countries.

We must contact our MP's, our Minister of International Trade Chrystia Freeland, and PM Trudeau and demand that one of the Liberal government's first acts is the refusal to sell-out the Canadian people.  This is very urgent.  In the next two months, the US Congress will be voting on this; it's not clear what Canada's timeline will be. Let's talk about this on Wednesday at Green Drinks--Bitters at 7 pm.

What would you like to be the top environmental priorities for Newfoundland & Labrador’s next provincial government?

Hello Green Drinks St. Johns

What a great start to our Autumn gatherings as we are beginning to see new faces again and pleased that we have regular Green Drinks dedicating their time each month to support the movement.

A Provincial Election is Happening Right Now

A non-partisan environmental organization GreenPAC that is working to build environmental leadership in Canada.
To help highlight environmental issues during Newfoundland's provincial election campaign, we'd like to put together a blog with ~200-word statements from several Newfoundland environmental organizations answering the question: 

• What would you like to be the top environmental priorities for Newfoundland & Labrador’s next provincial government?

As we're a non-partisan organization, they would ask that this statement not comment directly on party platforms or any individual candidates, and instead focus on environmental issues that the Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network would like the next set of MHAs to work together on.
If you'd would be willing to provide a statement, we would ask to receive it by the end of the day on Friday, November 20th.

What are the top priorities you feel will make the most benefit to our province. What can/SHOULD government do to benefit the environment and how it will have a positive impact on our economy?

Next Green Drinks is Wednesday November 25th 2015 7-930pm

Green Drinks coming up October 28

It's almost time for our next Green Drinks! This month we're back at our regular venue, Bitters Pub on Memorial Campus at 7pm, October 28. All are welcome!

Green Drinks September edition

Welcome back from summer for our first fall edition of Green Drinks! Please join us for an informal evening of networking and lively discussions about any green topic. With the upcoming election there should be lots to chat about.

Date: September 30th at 7pm
Where: Big Ben's Pub, 55 Rowan St, St. John's
Who: We are a group of people from diverse backgrounds with a common interest in the environment. Our events are open to everyone and we welcome new and returning members. 

Shortly after 7pm on the night of the event there will be a brief introduction and an overview of any potential new local issues. If you have an idea or something you'd like to bring to the group, please comment below in advance and we will mention your topic at the beginning.

Update for tonight's event

Due to interest from our members, we are taking Green Drinks to the Marine Institute for the "Bag It" film screening. That means we will be back at Bitters in August.

Join us tonight for the film and the talk. More details about the event are here.

See you there!

Upcoming events

We have two exciting events coming up, in blue and green!

Blue Drinks: Friday July 24, 7 pm at Bitters Pub, Memorial Campus, St. John's. Blue Drinks is a networking event for those interested in water resources. Come on out and check out a live-stream of other Blue Drinks events going on in Atlantic Canada at the same time. This is a special event hosted by a local group NAACAP, so don't miss it! For more info, check out the poster below and here.

Green Drinks: Wednesday July 29, 7 pm at Bitters Pub, Memorial Campus, St. John's. Join us for our regular Green Drinks happy hour.

Hope to see you at both events! Everyone welcome.

What's new at Green Drinks: June Updates

1. The next Green Drinks event is Wednesday June 24.

Details:
Hosted by Green Rock EVS 
7 pm June 24
835 Topsail Road
Potluck style

This is a special one-off Green Drinks Event that will be at Green Rock EVS headquarters, not at Bitters as usual.

Come mingle with other fellow Green Drinkers in a relaxed and warm environment, potluck style. You will have the opportunity to look at some electric cars and bikes and chat about any other environmental issues. As always, people from all environmental backgrounds will be attending -- so this event is open to all, not just car buffs. It will be held as a potluck so please bring a snack to share. If you cannot bring a snack -- please join us anyway. All are welcome.


2. World Oceans Day is June 8. Oceans do a lot for us. They provide us with food, means for transportation, recreational opportunities and they are an endless source of wonder for the natural world. To celebrate World Oceans day there is a ton of events going on this weekend and next week. Check out the calendar of events here.

3. St. John's joins the Blue Dot movement. On Monday June 4th, the City of St. John's declared that its citizens have the right to a healthy environment.  Our city now joins 53 other cities that are part of the Blue Dot movement, started by the David Suzuki Foundation. We are the first city in Atlantic Canada to do so. Congratulations City of St. John's!

 Read the article in the Independent and see the full text of the declaration here:

Whereas the citizens of St. John’s have inherited a beautiful and unique natural heritage that attracts tourists and new residents and is worth preserving for future generations.

Whereas the City of St. John’s understands the City of St. John’s understands that people are part of the environment and that a healthy environment is inextricably linked to the well-being of our community.

Whereas the City of STJ has already taken many concrete actions to ensure safe water, beautiful open spaces, energy-efficient homes, clean streets, and well-planned development.

And whereas Canada is part of a very small and shrinking minortity of countries that has yet to formally recognize the right of its citizens to a healthy environment.

And whereas there is currently a growing national movement led by Canadian municipalities calling for the right to a healthy environment to be enshrined in the Canadian constitution.

And whereas 74,487 Canadians have joined their local movement and 53 municipal governments have passed declarations recognizing the right to fresh air, clean water and healthy food.

Therefore I, Dennis O’Keefe, Mayor of the City of St. John’s, declare on this, the first day of June, 2015, that the City of St. John’s believes in the right of our residents to live in a healthy environment and call upon our provincial and federal governments to ensure the right to a healthy environment in the Canadian constitution.

THIS WEEK--A Hike & Opportunity to Serve NLEN

Last Green Drinks, Sheridan Thompson joined us.  She leads the Newfoundland & Labrador Environment Network (NLEN).  The group is sponsoring a hike this Friday and, more pressing, is looking for new members for their Steering Committee.  Here's what she said:

I really wanted to thank you for your interest in NLEN and sure hope you can make the upcoming AGM - Friday, May 15th, 2 pm, Botanical Gardens.  We are also looking for solid Steering Committee as we have some funding and I could use the support as Coordinator and Project Lead.  Eh hem, we could use a liaison with NAACAP ;)  Anyhoo...see our AGM info below, and if you are interested in receiving our e-update, please go here, scroll down the page and input your email in the box to the right. http://www.nlen.ca/
Thanks again - looking forward to meeting you again soon!
NLEN Coastal Hike and AGM – May 15th

Location
MUN Botanical Garden, St. John's


On May 15th, 2015 NLEN will be having a outdoor hiking workshop incorporating our projects in changing coastlines and experiential education with our AGM this year.  The first half of the day we invite member groups to come learn about our project for 2015 and hopefully share some of the programs and projects they intend to invest their time into.
9 AM – Meet at Middle Cove.  Hike North and learn about strata layers, glaciation, and storm impact on Newfoundland coastlines.  Contact for carpool
10:00 AM – Break with snack and reflection period – let us know what you learned by writing, or art
10:30 AM – Hike back to Middle Cove
11:30 PM – Marine debris identification and count.  We will have a discussion on what types of marine debris can be found on different parts of Newfoundlands coast
12:30 PM – Drive to MUN Botanical Gardens
1 PM – Soup and bread for lunch ( a vegetarian choice will be provided)
2 PM – NLEN 2015 AGM
The hike and lunch is free to one member of each NLEN Member Group.  For additional participants and non-member participants registration fee is $20.
2 PM AGM is open to all who are interested.
For registration or more information, please contact: sheridanthompson@hotmail.com or 709.746.6828

Green Drinks now an official member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network (NLEN)

NLEN is an umbrella organization that connects organizations that work towards a common goal of conservation and sustainability.

Green Drinks is now a member.

I would love to quickly take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you that pitched in your change to help with the $30. membership fee for NLEN. Charlie the Dino and his bucket are very happy with this amazing progress. We have come a long way this year from monthly gatherings to now members of NLEN. Congrats all!

See Everyone at Bitters this May last Wednesday the 27th at Bitters 7-9pm.

What's new at Green Drinks: May Updates

Last week we had great energy at our regular event. Some of the discussion highlights included:

 1.The bizarre flurry of media attention with the Andy Wells letter against electric vehicles (mid April). And the other one calling climate change a farce....(See the follow up here, which included an American professor Michael Mann jumping in to correct non-factual statements).

2. Tesla Powerwall. This is a new battery system that is going to change how the world consumes power. We are watching this all unfold with great interest.

For the upcoming Green Drinks on May 27th, we will be on at Bitters as usual. Originally, we were going to be invited to have Green Drinks at Green Rock EVS, but this has been postponed until June. The reason is that Green Rock EVS needs to go accept their award for EV Dealership Inspiration. Congrats to them!

See you all May 27 at Bitters for another engaging evening for the environment.

Green Drinks Wednesday April 29, 7:00 pm @ Bitters MUN Campus

Hello Green Drinkers!

We look forward to seeing you at our next informal networking event. 

We will be at Bitters Pub, Wednesday April 29th, 7 pm. 

 Look for our mascot Charlie the dinosaur.

For our last Green Drinks event, we "crashed" the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society's event in support of Gros Morne National Park. Thanks to all those who came out to the successful night!

Send us a note or leave a comment if you have something you'd like to bring to the group on April 29th. Our group is growing fast and we are very excited to see so many Green Drinkers in St. John's. Let's keep it up! We welcome all new and regular members.

Cheers!

Net metering coming soon to NL!

Great news everyone! The long awaited net-metering policy is expected to be implemented in NL this year.

Net-metering allows people to produce electricity in their own homes and sell whatever power they don't use back to the grid (i.e. the power company). Net metering is an essential thing to make home power production more mainstream. Hopefully we'll be seeing more solar panels around town soon!

Read more on the developments in the Telegram.

We couldn't be more excited!

Make your garden gold!

Composting is awesome for two reasons:
1. It cuts down on the waste that goes to the landfill.
2. It provides you with a source of rich healthy soil to mix into your garden. It's powerful "garden gold".

Composting at home is easy. Instead of throwing your food scraps into the garbage, put them into a separate bin that gets emptied in your own backyard composter. Every once in a while, top up your compost with some shredded paper/dried leaves/or other dried fibrous materials, give it a stir and let the magic happen.

If done properly, you won't have bad smells, rodents, or other problems! So don't worry, and learn the basics.

Don't have a bin? Don't know what you are doing? The City of St. John's will help you. They are offering workshops for compost newbies and novices where you learn the basics and take home your own bin.

Check it out! Register here.

Let's bring net-metering to NL!

Net-metering is the process of generating power in one's home and selling it back to the grid. Power can be produced at home with solar panels, wind-turbines, or other creative methods. This system allows people to save on their energy costs at home, and if they produce enough power they can even generate profit from their sales to the grid. Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province in Canada that does not allow net-metering. 

To learn more and see how you can support bringing net-metering see People for Power NL, here.

Green Drinks is going on a field trip!

CPAWS is hosting their event "Raise a pint for Gros Morne" at Erin's pub on March 25 at 7pm -- the time our next Green Drinks would normally happen. At the last meeting people expressed interest in taking Green Drinks to Erin's rather than have to chose between events. So we're going on a field trip! 

We will be back at Bitters for our April Green Drinks.

Please RSVP directly to the CPAWS event page if you're interested. 

We will be there with Charlie our dinosaur mascot. See you there!

Petition To Reinstate Net Metering To All Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador

https://www.change.org/p/premier-gov-nl-ca-climatechange-gov-nl-ca-ope-gov-nl-ca-reinstate-net-metering?recruiter=144095680&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=mob-xs-share_petition-reason_msg







Please Read Sign and Share!!

See Everyone Wednesday February 25th 2015 @ Bitters 7:00pm

Green Drinks Wednesday February 25th 2015 7:00 @ Bitters MUN Campus

For new Green Drink members, arrive hungry as Bitters has a delicious menu which can be found right here.

Bitters Website and Menu can be found here : http://www.bitterspub.ca/

Add Green Drinks to your LinkedIn so others may be able to join in the environmental movement

Green Drinks St. Johns has both a Facebook and LinkedIn page :
https://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=5048774&trk=anet_ug_hm

https://www.facebook.com/groups/GreenDrinksStJohns/


Hello and Happy Monday Green Drinkers. Hope you are all ready for our first monthly Green Drinks happening at Bitters on the MUN Campus Wednesday February 25th 2015 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Again as our last meeting, we will have an informal agenda at the beginning if there are any current projects, petitions and/or achievements to discuss as we can bring them forward to the group. Please email me or post on the Facebook page any information you would like to talk about during our gathering.

I am hoping to gather some Green Drinks business cards for everyone so that if you know of anyone who wants to get some more information and/or be part of the Green Drinks St. Johns group you can easily pass the cards along. Also should be in the making of some Green Drinks Posters for offices, retail etc. around the city. There are still many people who would love to voice their concerns about environmental issues and have a group to come to.

I have been working with farmers in completing a book on the life of farmers here on The Rock and they will be receiving information about our Green Drinks group so we hope to see some new faces always during our Green Drinks events.

Some tips when wanting to be the voice of change:

1. Lead by example
2. Educating friends and family about your concerns on the environmental issue
3. Writing a letter to your government and business as well as making petitions

Through education, awareness and working together we can create results right here in our very own province. We may complain about how poor government is taking care of our environment but we need to remember that WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT. We vote them in. Our voices are powerful and together we can make REAL CHANGE. Don't ignore your government, get involved and speak your truth.

Green Drinks February 25th 2015 @ Bitters MUN Campus.

Hello Green Drinkers and a Happy Monday .

Great News as we will be trying our Green Drinks event monthly and this month of February we will be back @ Bitters on the MUN Campus to gather and eat, drink and discuss environmental triumphs and issues still needing work. We can also discuss how everyone enjoyed The Guvnor and if it is a place that we would like to try again or continue @ Bitters. Feedback is very important with our group as our goal is to work together toward achieving environmental success in this province and work together that we are all pleased with our meeting place!!

Green Drinks February 25th 2015 7:00pm - 9:00pm :) Bitters @ MUN.

Attention: Green Drinkers Regular Monthly Meetings

Happy Saturday January 31st Green Drinkers St. Johns NL

A Big Environmental Thank you to all who joined us at The Guvnor this past Wednesday for Green Drinks as again we reached 30 people. The Green Drinks Group is continuously growing in numbers and the past couple of months have been exciting as people have been asking about making our Green Drinks a regular monthly event so we thought we would give it a shot! ( After all, Corner Brooks Green Drinks is Bi-weekly)

So here it is, who would be interested in attending Green Drinks on a monthly basis? This would be an amazing opportunity to stay up to date on what is happening around the communities, stay focused on our goals and petitions plus seeing each other and be able to continue meeting new people every month. I believe our group deserve to be heard monthly and I would like to hear from you..

Green Drinks last Wednesday of every month. the next Green Drinks will be held Wednesday February 25th 7-9pm @ Bitters MUN Campus.

Have a great weekend Green Drinkers

This Wednesday, we're at the Guv'nor Pub

Well, it appears that Bitters is hosting a private event, and it's not us.  So we'll meet at the Guv'nor Pub at 389 Elizabeth Avenue instead.  It's still at 7 pm.  If you can, please RSVP on our facebook event.

Happy New Year First Green Drinks of 2015!! Wednesday January 28th @ 7:00pm ALL ARE WELCOME

Snow Dumping Not Going To Be A Good Thing

Harbour snow dumping 2:10

Crews in St. John's have been busy clearing snow from roads across the city, but a biologist warns dumping all the cleared snow into the harbour poses a danger to the marine environment.

The city has always dumped its cleared snow in the harbour, but increased traffic and security measures — along with concerns about the environmental impact — has the city looking for other solutions about where to put the snow.

Biologist Ian Jones said when snow gets cleared from the roads, there's plenty of litter going along with it.

Biologist Ian Jones says garbage being dumped along with the city's snow is a danger to the marine life in the harbour. (CBC)

"Just walking along, you see enormous quantities of plastic material in the street, [and] in the snow banks," he said.

"When it gets into the ocean…it's about the same density as sea water, so it's floating around down there either in the water column, or on the surface. [Marine animals] just swim along, and if they see anything that looks like food, they eat it."

Jones conducted autopsies on 243 dead birds collected near Holyrood this time last year, and discovered plastic build-up in their bodies.

"It's an example of marine animals picking up plastic debris. It's not digestible, blocks their gut and they die," he said.

According to Jones, the snow should be dumped at the Robin Hood Bay facility along with the city's garbage to avoid these scenarios.

St. John's Mayor Dennis O'Keefe said the city is looking into other options to save money amid concerns about the environmental impact.

"We have to recognize the reality of how long we will be able to dump snow in the harbour from an environmental standpoint," he said.

O'Keefe said St. John's will continue to dump the snow into the harbour until the city comes up with a better solution to the problem of where to put all the snow.....

Land For Sale?

Net Metering

We will not give up until we are heard!

http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2014/nr/1211n06.aspx

All the juicy updates from The Department of Natural Resources Website showing what and where they are with respect to our Net Metering Wishes !

Net Metering

Net metering allows utility customers to generate power from small scale renewable sources for their own use and supply surplus power to the utility if available. To inform the development of a provincial net metering policy in collaboration with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Newfoundland Power, Navigant Consulting Limited was retained to research relevant standard industry practices and provide guidance on developing a proposed net metering policy which will allow small-scale renewable energy sources to be fed into the province’s electricity grid. To view Navigant’s final report, please click “Net Metering Standard Industry Practices Study." 

Reports can be found on the website as they have been researching the potential cost and benefit of approving Net Metering in our province.

http://www.nr.gov.nl.ca/nr/energy/electricity/index.html

Supporting the Diversification of Renewable Energy Sources

Net Metering Report Available on the Provincial Government’s Website

The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced that Navigant Consulting Limited’s final report on net metering has now been released. The report is available on the Provincial Government’s website.

“The Provincial Government, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Newfoundland Power have reviewed the report to inform the development of a net metering policy for Newfoundland and Labrador. It is important that any net metering policy put in place involve input from the provincial energy regulator and industry stakeholders, and provides value while protecting ratepayers. Officials with my department will now meet with the Public Utilities Board and industry stakeholders including Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association over the coming weeks to discuss the outcomes in the report and the framework of a net metering policy.”
- The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources

The Provincial Government selected Navigant Consulting Limited to research relevant standard industry practices and provide guidance on developing a net metering policy which will offer customers with an option to displace their electricity requirements with their own renewable energy sources.

The report is available at http://www.nr.gov.nl.ca/nr/energy/electricity/index.html.

QUICK FACTS

• The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced that Navigant Consulting Limited’s final report on net metering has now been released. The report is available athttp://www.nr.gov.nl.ca/nr/energy/electricity/index.html.
• The Provincial Government selected Navigant Consulting Limited to research relevant standard industry practices and provide guidance on developing a net metering policy which will provide customers with an option to displace their electricity requirements with their own renewable energy sources.
• Officials with the Department of Natural Resources will now meet with the Public Utilities Board and industry stakeholders including Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association over the coming weeks to discuss the outcomes in the report and next steps.