Polar Bears Could be Saved?

Polar bear could be saved if emissions are cut, says new studyIce caps not likely to face rapid, irreversible melting as previously thought, researcher claims – meaning polar bears could survive

from guardain.co.uk

Shanta Barley guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 15 December 2010 17.46 GMT Article history
A polar bear and her cubs in Alaska. Photograph: AP

The polar bear can be saved from extinction – but only if action is taken quickly to make deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, a new study shows.


The study, published today in journal Nature, conflicts with previous research, which suggested that Arctic temperatures are already on track to exceed the threshold required to trigger rapid, irreversible ice loss.


Researchers from Polar Bears International said sea ice in the Arctic, which polar bears use as a platform on which to hunt seals and breed, is unlikely to undergo a rapid and irreversible decline when temperatures rise beyond a certain threshold.


"It's widely believed that nothing can be done to save the polar bear," said author Steven Amstrup of Polar Bears International in Winnipeg, Canada. "But that's not true."


According to Andrew Derocher, a polar bear expert based at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada who was not involved in the study, Amstrup's study is the first to assess whether a campaign to slash emissions will benefit polar bears. "Mitigation [of carbon emissions] was not considered by any of the analyses to date," he said.


Amstrup's team used global climate models and five scenarios of the level of greenhouse gas emissions to estimate sea ice loss in the Arctic over the next century. The paper suggests that there will be a linear relationship between temperature and sea ice: as temperatures rise, the amount of sea ice will decline smoothly.


If emissions continue to rise at today's rate, two-thirds of polar bears will disappear by 2050, the models suggest. Populations in Hudson Bay, Baffin Bay, the Southern Beaufort Sea and Barents Sea will be hit the hardest. In addition, the amount of optimal polar bear habitat in the Arctic will fall by 50%, according to Amstrup.


But stringent emissions cuts of 70% by 2100 would limit habitat loss to just 20% – saving the polar bear, says the study.


"Reduced emissions would yield greater abundance and wider distribution of polar bears than the 'business as usual' emission scenario," said Derocher of the paper.



Derocher is sceptical that policymakers will act to curb emissions in time. "There are few indications that such policies will be implemented in a timely manner. Globally, 25% of mammalian species are threatened with extinction and, in this context, the plight of polar bears is sadly typical," he said.


Loss of habitat isn't the only threat to Arctic species such as the polar bear, according to a separate paper published in Nature this week.


As sea ice melts, species that have been separated for thousands of years are expected to start to interbreed, generating novel hybrid species and driving existing rare species extinct.


"When human activities abruptly alter environments, it can increase the frequency of hybridisation, which can have negative effects, including pushing some species toward extinction," said lead author Brendan Kelly, who is based at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Juneau, Alaska.


Kelly conducted a survey of published literature on hybridisation. He counted 34 hybridisation events between distinct populations, species and genera in marine mammals living in or near the Arctic.


The review was not focused on a specific period but is biased toward the most recent decades when research in the Arctic increased, and focused on the Arctic Ocean, where ice forms a diminishing barrier between marine mammals.


Of the 22 species that had hybridised, 14 were listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern in more than one country.


For example, a white bear with brown patches of fur was shot by Inuit hunters in 2006. DNA tests revealed that it was a half- polar bear, half-grizzly hybrid – also known as a "grolar" bear. In the late 1980s, a hybrid narwhal-beluga was seen off the west coast of Greenland, and last year, a hybrid bowhead-right whale was photographed in the Bering Sea.

Digby Municipal Council Minutes

Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole Minutes

November 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia

1Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order with Warden Gregory in thechair at 6:15 pm.AttendanceCouncillors present: Linda Gregory, Warden Jimmy MacAlpine, Deputy Warden Randall Amero, Councillor Maritza Adams, Councillor David Tudor, CouncillorStaff present: Linda Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer Gordon Wilson, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Cora Lee Bremner, Executive SecretaryAgendaMOVED and seconded that the agenda be approved asdistributed.MOTION CARRIEDHearings & PresentationsSave Our Bay – Dr. Guy MelvilleMOVED and seconded that Dr. Guy Melville come beforethe committee to make a presentation on Save Our Bay.MOTION CARRIED Mr. Sheldon Dixon began the presentation by giving an update regarding the desire of Cooks Agriculture to put twonew fish farms in on the Islands. They would like to put intwo more sites which would cover 208 acres. This is a concern to the local lobster fisherman as this is where theycurrently fish. The local fishermen are also concerned withthe pollution that the fish farms are producing.  Dr. Melville demonstrated what the bottom of the oceanlooks like next to the fish farm in Westport. He isconcerned with the diseases that will spread to the sea lifethat is being harvested in this area.  There was a question and answer period following thepresentation. It was brought up that the technology was out
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia2there to have the fish farms on land. The tracking of lobsters is coming which will enable the seller to trackwhere the lobsters are coming from that are not fit toconsume.  Warden Gregory thanked them for their presentation andnoted that this topic will be discussed at the next meeting. MinutesOctober 12, 2010It was noted that under New Business #3, it should read Loop ofthe Old 217, not Culloden Road.MOVED and seconded that the minutes of October 12, 2010be approved as amended.MOTION CARRIED

Business Arising/OldBusiness#1 County of Annapolis – Requestfor FundingMOVED and seconded that the Municipality of Digbyprovide funding for the YMCA in the amount of $100,000over the next four years which would be $25,000 per year.  It was noted that this would begin in the 2011/2012 budget. It would be budgeted for in either the grants toorganizations or economic development accounts. It was mentioned that the Kings Transit board feels that thedecline in numbers for the Weymouth to Cornwallis routecould be due to the closure of Lifeplex. It appears that thedecline dates back to that time period. It was discussed whether the project will move forwardwith the funding from the Municipality of Digby. Thepresentation indicated that they would do a communitydrive for the rest of the funding. It was mentioned that recreation is a vital part of anycommunity. There was a concern that they would come back to get morefunding at a later date. It was noted that it was made clearat the presentation that this was a capital request only.MOTION CARRIED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 3
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia3#2 Dr. Bob Mahar –Request for Funding It was agreed by Council to send a letter to Dr. Mahar stating that Council is not interested in pursuing this project.#3 Digby Ground Search & Rescue –Request for Funding There was a discussion regarding the funding request fromthe Digby Ground Search and Rescue. Council alsodiscussed the Ground Search and Rescue located on theIslands, who do work with Digby on occasion. This group has recently moved into a cube van. Digby Ground Search and Rescue are looking to purchase a new vehicle. MOVED and seconded that the request for funding from Digby Ground Search and Rescue be tabled until the nextCouncil meeting so that Council can obtain moreinformation.MOTION CARRIED

#4 TLC AnimalShelter – Request for Funding There was a discussion regarding the possibility of putting aprogram into place where the Municipality would charge afee for a dog license, which would be forwarded to the TLCAnimal Shelter. It was noted that some municipalities havethis program in place. There would have to be changesimplemented to the bylaw first in order to accommodate afee for dog tags. There were concerns raised with the amount of moneybeing sought by the TLC Animal Shelter. Another concernraised was the practice they have in place of getting petsinto homes.MOVED and seconded that Council provide funding to TLC Animal Shelter in the amount of $8,000 to carry themover the winter.  There was a discussion regarding where the funds wouldcome from as the grants to organizations budget has been fully utilized.  It was agreed by the mover and seconder to amend themotion as follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia4MOVED and seconded that Council provide funding to TLC Animal Shelter in the amount of $8,000 that wouldcome from future revenue received from Dog Licenses afterthe Dog Control Bylaw has been amended. MOTION CARRIED1-OPPOSEDOther BusinessArising NILDeputy WardenMacAlpine No Business ArisingCouncillor Gregory No Business ArisingCouncillor Amero No Business ArisingCouncillor Adams No Business ArisingNew Business#1 Province of NovaScotia – HerringWorkers ProgramAgreementMOVED and seconded that the Herring Workers ProgramAgreement that way brought forward to Council be signed.There was a short discussion on how the decisions get made inregards to this agreement. The Province of Nova Scotia willmake those decisions. There are only two people in this areathat don’t have enough stamps.MOTION CARRIED#2 Councillor Tudor –Alders – Little River to Whale Cove & LongIsland Councillor Tudor brought forward several letters of concernregarding the alders from Little River to Whale Cove and on Long Island. It has been four years since the alders havebeen cut. Councillor Tudor has brought this concern to theDepartment of Transportation, and Mr. Foote indicated thatno work will be done unless he receives a number ofcomplaints from the citizens in these areas.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 5
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia5MOVED and seconded that a letter be sent along with theletters of concern received to the Department ofTransportation expressing Councillor Tudors concernsregarding alders from Little River to Whale Cove and onLong Island.MOTION CARRIED# 3 Weymouth WaterfrontDevelopmentCommittee – Requestfor Donation of Old Weymouth LibraryBuildingMOVED and seconded that the Municipality of Digbydonate the old library building to the WeymouthWaterfront Development Committee. MOTION CARRIEDThe Weymouth Waterfront Development Committee has alsoasked for a tax exemption for the property. This can take placeafter they take ownership of the property. The Tax ExemptionBylaw will have to be amended to grant this request.Chief AdministrativeReport The CAO report dated November 8, 2010 was included in the COTW Package. Annapolis County has been successful in getting $50,000 funding and they are currently in the process of getting aconsultant for a transportation study.  The By-law and Policy meeting scheduled for November15, 2010 will be held upstairs at the Arena.Request for Decisions/Direction NILDepartment ReportsTaxation The Taxation report for October 2010 was included in themeeting package.  Warden Gregory noted that she was pleased that Mrs. Bremner and Mrs. Turner were able to attend the AMTC Fall Conference.Building Inspection Report/Fire Inspection Report The Building Inspection report for October 2010 wasincluded in the meeting package.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 6
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia6Airport/Dispatch The Airport/Dispatch report for October 2010 was includedin the meeting package. There is a new format for theAirport/Dispatch reports which is easier to read.Dog Control Activityand Financial Report The Dog Control Activity and Financial report for October2010 was included in the meeting package. Coordinator ProgramDevelopment The Coordinator Program Development report for October8 to November 8, 2010 was included in the meetingpackage.Other BusinessN/AUpdates fromPrevious meetingsN/ASpecial ProjectsUpdatesN/AStrategic PrioritiesUpdate The strategic priority update for October 31, 2010 wasincluded in the meeting package.Notice of MotionN/AComments from theGallery Mr. Dixon advised Council that Dr. Melville has asubmission to Government that they would like Council tosign their names to.In CameraMOVED and seconded that the committee go in camera to discuss a contractual issue.MOTION CARRIEDRegular session resumed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 7
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia7AdjournmentMOVED and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 7:43PM. MOTION CARRIED____________________________________________________________WARDENCLERK

Municipal Council Agenda

Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaMeeting DateDecember 13, 2010

Meeting LocationAcaciaville Baptist Church HallCall to OrderWarden Pause to Seek GuidanceWardenApproval of the Agenda Additions/DeletionsPresentations Rodney O’Neil and Jeff Nickerson, CookeAquacultureApproval of Minutes November 8, 2010Old Business /Business Arising from Minutes# 1.0Street Light request – 38 Old Route # 217 Loop# 2.0Crosswalks on Hwy 303-Letter to Ministerfrom Harold Theriault# 3.0# 4.0Deputy Warden MacAlpineCouncillor AmeroCouncillor AdamsCouncillor TudorWarden Gregory
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2
Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaNew Business#12011 FCM Planning Committee FCM Farewell to NS Breakfast#2Digby Area TourismAssociation Proposal to Dept of Tourism-Municipal Contribution to project $ 10,000 (As included in 2010-2011 operatingbudget)#3Digby Municipal and Town-Tidal PowerMaintenanceOpportunity Proposal to hire person to work on Tidal Power Maintenance Initiative#4Bear River Board ofTrade Request for donation or use of property#5 ADEDA Request for support-$ 3,300#6 Weymouth Board of Trade Request to cost share new camera to tapeMunicipal Council Meetings#7 Brook Smith & Sarah Whitenect Youth Grants Policy RequestCorrespondence ReceivedInformation Only# 1 EmergencyManagement Office Notice of annual grant from 911 CostRecovery Fund# 2Minister Bill Estabrooks, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Response to petition from Cullodenresidents regarding condition of CullodenRoad# 3Clean Nova Scotia Retire Your Ride-Vehicle RecyclingProgram
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 3
Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgenda#4Gilberts Cove & DistrictHistorical SocietyDecember 2010 NewsletterChief AdministrativeReport December 13, 2010Request for Decisions/Direction Tender Award-Weymouth/Smiths Coveexpansion of Waste Water Collection Bear River Waste Water Treatment Plant–Expansion OptionsMeeting Dates/RemindersDate & TimeMeetingLocationDecember 13th@ 6:00 pmCOTWAcaciaville Baptist ChurchDecember 27thNo meetingJanuary 3rdNo MeetingJanuary 10th@ 6:00 pmCOTWCouncil ChambersJanuary 17th@ 5:00 pmMeeting with TIR Municipal BoardroomJanuary 17th@ 6:00 pmBy-law & PolicyMunicipal BoardroomJanuary 24th@ 6:00 pmCouncilCouncil ChambersDepartment Reports for November 2010 Administration Taxation Building Department Building Permit Municipal Fire Inspector Airport/Dispatch Dispatch Call Report Airport Statistical  Dog Control Activity Dog Control Financial Coordinator Program DevelopmentUpdates from Previousmeetings
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaSpecial Projects UpdatesStrategic PrioritiesUpdateNotice of MotionIn-CameraAdjournment

Power Rate Hikes

Delusion one: wind turbines were going to lower our power rates

Delusion two: wind turbines on Digby Neck are going to supply power to Digby Neckers and that power will never be "down"

Delusion three: wind power is an effective method of reducing greenhouse gases and climate change

Delusion four: that the turbines would be hidden from view

Delusion five: that Digby Neck, on the migratory bird flyway, will not sustain damage and loss to its precious wildlife

Delusion six: that tourists from other countries who have learned that wind turbines do not reduce the use of fossil fuels will find our turbines attractive, when they have come here to see a pristine area free from these things

NS: UARB gives NSPI increase
By Peter Clarke, Transcontinental Media

Source: The Daily Business Buzz - December 8, 2010

[HALIFAX, NS] - The Utility and Review Board has given Nova Scotia Power its rate increase.

For the immediate future, commercial customers will be charged over six per cent more on average on their rates in 2011 and industrial customers will see their rates rise by nearly seven per cent on average. However, after the 2011 hikes, additional increases will be spread out over three years.

The 2011 increase will cover 5o per cent of the total increases with 2012 and 2013 seeing 30 per cent and 20 per cent respectively. This would mean that there would be two smaller increases in the coming years to make up the difference, but those figures are yet to be determined according to David Rodenhiser, spokesperson for Nova Scotia Power.

“We’re pleased that the board accepted all fuel costs as submitted,” he said.

Fuel costs are recalculated each year under the fuel adjustment mechanism (FAM) and there are various other operational costs that are subject to change over the next three years that could alter upcoming rate hikes.

2011 rate increase percentages by class:
Total Commercial: 6.19
Small General: 4.55
General Demand: 6.52
Large General: 5.15
Total Industrial: 6.97
Small Industrial: 5.60
Medium Industrial: 6.02
Large Industrial: 7.27

Total Residential: 5.66

Health Care Promises

NS: Premier promises better healthcare soon
By Staff, Transcontinental Media

Source: The Daily Business Buzz, Dec. 7/10

[HALIFAX, NS] – Premier Darrell Dexter and Minister of Health Maureen MacDonald have unveiled the government’s latest plan for improving this province’s medical system.

The strategy, dubbed the Better Care Sooner Plan, was announced today and promises to improve the quality of emergency care, reduce overcrowding and wait times for patients in emergency rooms, and provide better health care for families.

To accomplish all this, the government is leaning heavily on the report submitted by Dr. John Ross on the state of Nova Scotia’s emergency care delivery and what needs to be done to fix it. Taking its cue from Ross’ recommendations, the new strategy focuses on several over-arching themes:
• Improve access to primary care, especially in smaller communities. The goal here is to lessen the burden on emergency rooms and provide better care.
• Make emergency care more patient-centred and streamlined, thus shortening wait times and improving the quality of care across the province.
• Provide care that’s better tailored to those whose needs are more complex (i.e. seniors and people with mental illness).
• Increase public awareness of 911 and healthlink nurse line 811.

“This plan keeps emergency rooms open and gives communities access to emergency care day and night,” Dexter claims. “Communities that once had closed doors will soon have services matched to their needs. It will ensure people in this province get the level of care they need and deserve.”

Keeping ERs open was a key plank in the NDP’s election platform. To finally deliver on the promise, Dexter is announcing the formation of new collaborative emergency centres, which will match the level of services with the needs of residents in the community. Patients will have access to a team of health-care professionals including nurses, doctors and paramedics to provide the level of care that’s required. That will enable patients to get same or next day appointments.

“We want patients to be able to see their doctor more quickly and get better care from health care teams, so they can avoid going to an emergency room,” MacDonald says. “For those who do require emergency care, we want their journey through the emergency department to be as short, safe and comfortable as possible. That’s what Better Care Sooner is all about.”

Cape Breton District Health Authority CEO John Malcom welcomes the province’s effort to unclog crowded emergency rooms.

“In order to improve emergency care in Nova Scotia, we need to enhance things outside of the hospital – primary care, access to 911, access to 811 – so there’s a variety of options to respond to patients needs,” Malcom says.

Other planned actions under the new strategy include:
• Every regional hospital must develop a plan to shorten time frames for moving patients from ambulance into hospital and from triage to a hospital bed or departure.
• Health professionals will be supported in working to the full extent of their training, abilities and experience.
• Patients will get more information and be made more comfortable as they wait.
• More nurse practitioners are being hired to work in nursing homes and paramedics will provide more care for seniors in nursing homes and at home so they will not have to got to emergency.
• A public education campaign will be launched so people will have a greater understanding of 811 nurse line and 911 paramedics.
• Paramedics will get additional training and equipment to enhance their life-saving skills. This includes training to deliver a clot-busting drug for heart attack patients.
• Dedicating a plane and a new two-stretcher ambulance to save valuable driving time for paramedics and transport patients comfortably and cost-effectively.
• Health-care funding will be changed to reward better health results for patients.

The Sunset Falls on Digby Neck

Poppy Balser Fine Art
Poppy Balser - Work Detail: Digby Windfarm Sunset
<< Previous All Next >>

Digby Windfarm Sunset
Watercolor on Paper
7" x 10"
$285.00 USDAvailable

Click to zoom in
Contact the artist about this artwork

I was asked to paint the Digby Neck Windfarm, a new development of renewable energy. This was one of my preliminary studies. It shows only 7 of 20 absolutely HUGE turbines that have been erected facing the Bay of Fundy. There was no way to portray all of them in one painting.

Via NSP

Digby Neck Wind Farm Open House Event
by Robin 5. December 2010 05:27

Earlier today, several NS Power employees including myself, CEO Rob
Bennett and Project Manager Sean Brennan welcomed local residents to an open house event at the Digby Neck Wind Farm.

The Wind Farm consists of 20, 1.5 megawatt General Electric turbines that can power 10,000 homes at full capacity. A 17 km transmission line was constructed to connect the Wind Farm to the electric grid along with a 7 km on-site collector system that collects energy from the turbines and transmits it to a substation.

The Wind Farm has been of interest to local communities since it was proposed several years ago and has attracted greater attention as construction progressed, especially since turbines began rising over the last few months. With the Wind Farm’s formal commissioning coming soon, 16 of 20 turbines already producing electricity and colder weather on the horizon, it was about time to invite residents in for a tour.

Over 100 people joined us today to learn about various aspects of the Wind Farm such as how the turbines were erected and how much energy they produce. Bus tours stopped at various locations to chat and review information about the Wind Farm and provide the opportunity to engage with attendees and hear their questions, comments and concerns. It was great to have so many people spend part of their day with us at the event. I was also pleased to see representatives from Scotian WindFields – the company originally involved with the project – also come out for the event. I suppose it didn’t hurt to see the weather hold out for us as well.

To commemorate the construction of the Wind Farm, local artist Poppy Balser provided us with a wonderful watercolour painting of three of the turbines, titled Winds of Change: Leaving a Legacy of Cleaner Energy. Open house attendees were each given a post card with an image of the painting as a thank you for lending us part of their Saturday afternoon at the event. The Wind Farm watercolour is only one example of Poppy’s talent, so be sure to check out her web site at www.poppybalser.com to see other paintings in her portfolio.

We’ve uploaded some photos from today’s event to our Flickr page, so feel free to browse through the album to the right. You can also check out photos from the Nuttby Mountain open house event a few weeks ago, along with artist Janice Guinan’s rendition of that Wind Farm, titled Dawn of a New Day.

As a final note in this post, I’d like to congratulate Sean and the entire project team for working safely on an important project that will truly benefit all Nova Scotians for years to come.

Thanks for reading.

- Robin