WHEN TRADE IS A SACRED COW . . . OUTCOMES OF THE CLIMATE SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS 2015 . . . EASTGEN SHOWCASE TRAINS YOUTH FOR CAREERS WITH LIVESTOCK  . . . BUMBLEBEE POPULATION STRUGGLING DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE . . . STAY A WEEKEND (OR MORE), HONE A SKILL (OR THREE) . . . OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

WHEN TRADE IS A SACRED COW…
Source: NFU Trade did not begin when the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement was signed in 1989, and neither will it stop if the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) is not signed. Trade agreements’ investor protection clauses that enable corporations to force governments to compensate them when social or environmental policy impedes profits are contrary to democratic values. Today, Canada’s supply management system is under attack. Some trading partners, such as New Zealand and U.S.A. want to sell their dairy products to Canadians, and lobbyists from other sectors within Canada would like to sacrifice the supply managed sectors as a way to obtain benefits for their own sectors. (read more)

OUTCOMES OF THE CLIMATE SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS 2015
Source: International Institute for Sustainable development
From July 7 to 9, the Government of Ontario convened more than 300 leaders from government, businesses, and civil society at the Climate Summit of the Americas. The idea for the event was borne out of a discussion at the United Nations Climate Summit in New York last September, among the leaders of Ontario, Quebec, and California. They recognized the crucial role that subnational, or “infranational” jurisdictions play in responding to climate change. The summit set out to foster and strengthen partnerships among jurisdictions for global climate action and build motivation and support for carbon pricing. (read more)

EASTGEN SHOWCASE TRAINS YOUTH FOR CAREERS WITH LIVESTOCK
Source: N.S. Dept of Agriculture
Seventy young Nova Scotians will learn about livestock management and showmanship techniques at the 26th annual EastGen Showcase, July 10 - 12. The event will be held at the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Grounds in Bible Hill. Youth from ages 13 to 21 will learn through interactive sessions, educational presentations and a cattle show. Those selected to attend will be expected to bring the information back to their 4-H club. Participants at the event learn about the health of a show calf, and the latest techniques in show preparation for beef and dairy cattle, livestock judging, showmanship, clipping, display design, and herd management. (read more)

BUMBLEBEE POPULATION STRUGGLING DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Source: CBC.ca
Bumblebee populations are dying at an alarming rate and nobody knows why. Fingers have been pointed at pesticides called neonicotinoids, as well as bee habitat loss from human development. But an extensive new study suggests climate change is also killing off the bees. The study shows that rising temperatures are pushing the pollinators out of the south, but they can’t seem to move north to cooler areas. “We think part of the problem is they’ve evolved in cold weather. They’re adapted to cold weather, and there are things about their ecological climates that are not keeping up with climate change.” (read more)

STAY A WEEKEND (OR MORE), HONE A SKILL (OR THREE)
Source: Harrison Lewis Centre
Join us at the Harrison Lewis Centre on Nova Scotia’s beautiful South Shore for a nature writing retreat with Soren Bondrup-Neilsen, July 25-26. A weekend of honing your writing skills, friendship, thoughtful sharing of ideas and insights, good food, and learning to open your eyes and your mind to the natural world around us. August 7-9 we are delighted to offer a watercolor weekend with Roger Savage. Participants will join Savage at the Harrison Lewis Centre Friday evening for a full weekend of learning, sharing, and on-site watercolor painting. Hands-on women only chainsaw skills and safety August 15 -16 with instructor Patrick Allan teaching bucking, felling, safe use, and maintenance. Participants come away with knowledge and practice to safely and competently use a saw. Coming up in September: night sky at Sandy Bay; developing a Christmas tree plot from a wild fir stand.
HLC@eastlink.ca