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SASKATCHEWAN SIGNS MOU WITH THE STATE OF VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
Saskatchewan and the Australian State of Victoria have become partners in researching and developing low-carbon technologies, renewable energy sources and plans for adapting to climate change with today's signing of an agreement in Copenhagen. Environment Minister Nancy Heppner signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Victoria's Minister for Energy and Resources, Peter Batchelor. "By forging a stronger relationship and sharing information and best practices, both Saskatchewan and State of Victoria will benefit from emerging clean energy technologies that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote innovation and green jobs," Heppner said. "Saskatchewan and the State of Victoria have many similar challenges in reducing emissions," Batchelor said. "We are pleased to partner with Saskatchewan in research and demonstration projects for carbon capture and storage and other clean coal technologies and to develop cost-effective climate change solutions." Priority areas for collaboration include research and development on carbon capture and storage and clean coal technologies, renewable energy systems (wind, solar, storage and biomass), alternative energy technologies such as energy conservation and efficiency, development of a green economy and effective adaptation planning (drought management, water conservation and fire management). The agreement also allows Saskatchewan and the State of Victoria to jointly pursue emerging research and development and commercial opportunities to advance environmental management and sustainable development priorities. Heppner is in Copenhagen to attend the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. -30- For more information, contact: Jennifer Redston Environment Regina Phone: 306-787-5796 Email: jennifer.redston@gov.sk.ca
SASKATCHEWAN SIGNS MOU WITH THE STATE OF VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
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GOVERNMENT RE-INTRODUCES CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION
The Government of Saskatchewan re-introduced its climate change legislation that establishes the framework for how the province will meet its target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent from 2006 levels by 2020 and foster innovation in low-carbon technologies. "Saskatchewan is offering real solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through this legislation," Environment Minister Nancy Heppner said. "We are making strides to reduce our emissions while supporting the development of technologies that can be used around the world to help meet reduction targets." The Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Act contains two key elements: The creation of a Saskatchewan Technology Fund that collects carbon compliance payments from large emitters to invest in low-emitting technologies and processes that reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and A Climate Change Foundation that promotes research and development of low carbon technologies, promotes adaptation and fosters public education and awareness. Changes to the Act, which was introduced to the legislature last May, but do not alter the original bill's fundamental approach, include: Adding the authority to establish performance agreements with large emitters to reduce greenhouse gas emissions outside of regulated activities and with non-regulated emitters in the agriculture, transportation and commercial and residential building sectors; and Providing for an Environmental Code to establish standards, guidelines and best practices for reducing emissions by large emitters and other sectors, which ensures the consistency of this Act with the province's results-based environmental regulatory framework. Heppner will be accompanying the Canadian delegation to Copenhagen Dec. 13-19, in order to ensure Saskatchewan's unique environmental and economic circumstances are considered and also to share the Saskatchewan solution to reducing greenhouse gasses with the world. -30- For more information, contact: Jennifer Redston Environment Regina Phone: 306-787-5796
GOVERNMENT RE-INTRODUCES CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION
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Road Rage: Fuel Vapor Heightens Aggression
Outrageous prices may not be the only thing causing anger at the petrol pumps. A new study, published in the open access journal BMC Physiology, has shown that rats exposed to fumes from leaded and unleaded gasoline become more aggressive. Amal Kinawy, from Cairo University, Egypt, examined the emotionally incendiary properties of gasoline in three groups of male rats, each exposed to either leaded-gas fumes, unleaded-gas fumes or clean air. As well as observing the animals' behavior, she studied any resulting neurological and physiological changes. She said, "Millions of people every day are exposed to gasoline fumes while refuelling their cars. Exposure can also come from exhaust fumes and, particularly in the developing world, deliberate gasoline sniffing as a means of getting high." The research demonstrates that rats exposed to either kind of fuel vapor showed increased aggressive behavior, such as more time spent in belligerent postures and increased numbers of actual attacks, in comparison to the clean air group. Examination of the animals' brains after the experiment revealed significant differences between all three groups. According to Kinawy, "Rats exposed to unleaded gasoline showed indications of increased damage caused by free radicals and altered levels of neurotransmitters in the brain cortex region, in comparison with the control or leaded gasoline groups. Furthermore, inhalation of both fuels induced significant fluctuations in neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus, hippocampus and cerebellum." Kinawy concludes, "Heightened aggression may be yet another risk for the human population chronically exposed to urban air polluted by automobile smoke."
Road Rage: Fuel Vapor Heightens Aggression, Rat Study Finds
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Air Pollution Takes a Toll on Young Lungs
Exposure to air pollution can damage newborns' lungs and assault their immune systems, making babies more vulnerable to disease. Chronic exposure to air pollution, the study found, increases a baby's chance of developing bronchiolitis -- a lung infection that is the most common cause of hospitalizations in the first year of life. The findings suggest that parents and pediatricians need to work together to reduce infants' exposure to traffic and other sources of dirty air, said study author Catherine Karr, an academic pediatrician at the University of Washington, Seattle. That's true no matter where families live, she added.
Air Pollution Takes a Toll on Young Lungs
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