Category Archives: Media Release

Press Release for the Launch of Sustainable Change Alberta

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Sustainable Change Alberta was formed to bring Alberta environmental organizations together to develop an annual list of shared environmental priorities for the province.

The five shared priorities are:

  • Implement and apply UNDRIP to all Government of Alberta law, policy and procedures
  • Implement the Climate Leadership Plan
  • Reach and exceed the 17 per cent milestone for protected areas
  • Improve Tailings Management
  • ​Protect Alberta’s Caribou

The priorities were arrived at through a consensus based process among our network members and do not reflect the total views or positions of individual network members. You can find more detail on these priorities at SustainableChangeAlberta.ca

Alberta is home to some of the most beautiful and important landscapes and wild places on the planet and Albertans expect strong, smart legislation that protects our environment and our communities while creating jobs and generating prosperity over the long term. The government’s action of climate change and creating new protected spaces are unequivocal good news stories for everyday Albertans as we diversify our economy and protect our environment for future Albertans.

“We have been impressed by what has been accomplished in two short years since the election, but we have the opportunity now to solidify these gains with a few extra steps. By moving forward on these five priorities, the Alberta Government has the potential to create long-term, substantial change to the Alberta landscape and our citizens’ quality of life,” says Joe Vipond with the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.

“We’re happy to work together with these eight other leading Alberta based organizations, collaborating on shared priorities. This is an important step in Alberta’s transition to a low carbon, resilient province. We look forward to seeing the Climate Leadership Plan in action,” says Shanthu Mano with Alberta Green Economy Network.

Sustainable Change Alberta is a strategic initiative representing tens of thousands of Albertans from nine of Alberta’s leading environmental non-governmental organizations. Those organizations are:

  • Alberta Green Economy Network
  • Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
  • Canadian Parks and Wilderness Association Northern Alberta Chapter
  • Canadian Parks and Wilderness Association Southern Alberta Chapter
  • Ecojustice
  • Keepers of the Athabasca
  • Pembina Institute
  • Progress Alberta
  • Yukon to Yellowstone Initiative

We have members available for media interviews:

Joe Vipond from Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment at 403-510-9236, jvipondmd@gmail.com

Stephen Legault from the Yukon to Yellowstone Initiative at 403-688-2964, stephen@y2y.net

Simon Dyer from the Pembina Institute at 587-873-3937, simond@pembina.org

Poll shows Albertans want carbon price revenue to support green energy, energy efficiency and sustainable transportation.

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April 13, 2016
Media Release

Poll shows Albertans want carbon price revenue to support green energy, energy efficiency and sustainable transportation.

12 April 2016 (Edmonton) – A new poll asking Albertans how they would like revenue raised by a proposed carbon tax spent indicates that by more than a two-to-one margin, people favour spending  it on green energy projects, transit and energy efficiency improvements.

Almost six in ten, or 58% of Albertans, want the carbon revenue directed toward green projects, while just 28% want the money returned to fossil fuel companies so that they can research technology that would allow them to reduce the amount that they pollute. Fifteen percent were undecided.

“A majority of residents were in favour of directing the money to energy efficiency improvements or related areas, regardless of which political party they support,” said Paul Seccaspina of Oraclepoll Research.  “Alberta NDP supporters (82%), those likely to vote Liberal (80%) and Alberta Party backers (72%) most want revenues directed toward green projects but even PC (52%) and Wildrose voters (51%) wanted the money spent on energy efficiencies, renewable energy and public transit.”

“The people of Alberta want jobs and they know carbon price investments in low-carbon sectors is one of the best ways to get them,” said Kass Forman of the Alberta Green Economy Network (AGEN). “Reinvesting revenue from the carbon price directly in people and communities can be a tremendous vehicle to diversify our economy, usher in the age of community renewables, and put thousands of Albertans to work to do it.”

Residents over 55 years of age were the most likely to agree to giving the revenue to the oil and gas sector (39%), while Albertans between 18-34 years of age were most inclined to say the funds should be directed to renewable energy or related areas.

With the Alberta budget – and how the carbon tax is to be spent – being announced later this week, the timing of the poll is critical.

“It clearly shows that not only are people in this province willing to invest in green jobs, NDP supporters in particular are overwhelmingly in favour of renewable energy, efficiencies and public transit,” said Mike Hudema, Climate and Energy Campaigner with Greenpeace Canada. “A large majority of young adults also see the need to break free of fossil fuels, and that’s incredibly encouraging.”

The Oraclepoll was conducted between April 1st and April 6th 2016. A total of 750 people were interviewed for the survey, which has a margin of error of 3.1%, 19 times out of 20.

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See full poll results here

For more information:

Kass Forman: Alberta Green Economy Network Coordinator: 587-882-7439
Shanthu Mano: Founding Director/CEO, C-Returns: 780-437-0023
Godo Stoyke: President, Carbon Busters: 780-953-5067
Mike Hudema, Climate and Energy campaigner, Greenpeace Canada: 780-504-5601