INFORMATION BULLETIN
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2013ENV0058-000936
June 4, 2013
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Ministry of Environment
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B.C. celebrates Canadian Environment
Week
VICTORIA
– This week the environment is taking centre stage as British Columbia
continues to preserve and protect the environment and celebrate Canadian
Environment Week June 2 to 8, as well as Clean Air Day and World Environment
Day on June 5.
Environmental
protection and stewardship is the foundation on which to build a growing
economy, and the B.C. government has invested in a number of programs to ensure
B.C. continues to be a leader in environmental sustainability.
- B.C.
is on track to meet its interim 2012 greenhouse gas emissions targets and
is recognized internationally as a climate action leader with programs
such as the revenue-neutral carbon tax, carbon-neutral provincial
government operations and the green economy plan.
- BC
Parks is one of the largest parks and protected area systems in North
America. B.C. is home to 1,030 provincial parks, recreation areas,
conservancies, ecological reserves and protected areas covering nearly 14
million hectares or approximately 14.4 per cent of the provincial land
base.
- The
Province is sustaining its strong record in the conservation of its species
at risk. B.C. introduced a draft five-year plan for protecting vulnerable
species in March 2013. Other efforts include the protection of 90 per cent
of identified high-elevation winter caribou habitat in the South Peace,
and additions to the Lac du Bois and Denman Island Protected Areas.
- The
B.C. Environmental Assessment Office examines major projects for
potentially adverse environmental, economic, social, heritage and health
effects. The growth in B.C.’s resource-based industries means that the
office has seen an increase in the number of proposed projects and the
office’s resources have been enhanced to address the increase while
continuing to adhere to the Province’s world-leading environmental
standards.
- In
July 2012, B.C.’s nationally renowned product stewardship and recycling
program was awarded an A- rating, the highest rating in the country, by
EPR Canada. B.C.’s programs are more numerous than any other jurisdiction
in North America, and the Province continues to be an innovative leader in
Extended Producer Responsibility.
- The
Wood Stove Exchange Program, established in 2008, funds the replacement of
older model wood stoves with new cleaner burning models to improve
personal health and air quality. Approximately 5,400 older models have
been replaced, which equates to an emission reduction of 335 tonnes of
fine particulate matter annually.
- B.C.’s
Clean Energy Vehicle Program continues to offer British Columbians a
variety of clean and green choices for their transportation needs. The
Community Charging Infrastructure Fund will see 450 Level 2 electric
vehicle charging stations installed.
Moving
forward, the Province will:
- Consult
on the Water Sustainability Act in 2013 with the intention of passing this
legislation in 2014.
- Work
with communities, First Nations and industry to examine the feasibility of
developing a provincially designated protected area in the Klappan.
Canadian
Environment Week is an annual event that takes place the first week of June and
gives all Canadians an opportunity to celebrate the progress made on protecting
the natural environment and encouraging sustainable practices year-round. Clean
Air Day is a Canadian celebration of environmentally friendly activities that
promote clean air and good health across our nation. World Environment Day, a
United Nations initiative, is a global day of action to raise awareness of
environmental issues.
More
Information:
- Learn
more about World Environment Day at: http://www.unep.org/wed/
- In
honour of Clean Air Day, the City of Quesnel and BC Transit are offering
free transit rides on June 5. For schedules and information visit: www.bctransit.com/regions/que
- To
celebrate the North Cowichan Climate Action Energy Plan and the
communityforclimate Fair, transit rides will be free on June 8 in the
Cowichan Valley Regional District. Learn more at: www.bctransit.com/regions/cow
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Media
Contact:
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Media
Relations
Ministry
of Environment
250
953-3834
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Connect
with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect
