The Ecology Action Centre has been giving out awards at its Annual General Meeting since the late 1970s. The Sunshine Award was established to recognize the efforts of an individual or group to protect Nova Scotia’s environment. This year’s winners are the Pictou Landing First Nation and the Nova Scotia Government.
“We wanted to recognize what we see as a positive attitude and commitment by all parties to resolve what is arguably the worst toxic site in Nova Scotia,” says Jocelyne Rankin, EAC’s Water Coordinator. “The commendation only holds if the Government and Northern Pulp follow through on their promise to provide a treatment facility and remediate Boat Harbour.”
The EAC Board created the Tarred Duck Award, the evil twin of the Sunshine Award, to draw attention to environmental violations or promotion of economic development without consideration of the environment and sustainability. This year’s winner, by a hair, is the Federal Government for its instructions to all government scientists including meteorologists not to discuss climate change with the media or public.
“It is bad public policy not to allow government scientists, who are the experts, to speak on this hugely important topic,” says Catherine Abreu, EAC’s Energy Coordinator.
Coming a very close second was Aquabounty Canada Inc. for its plans to commercialize transgenic salmon containing the genetic material of two other species—potentially the first genetically modified food animal in the world.
The EAC created the Tooker Gomberg award in 2004 to honour the work of an environmental activist who used novel and innovative approaches to raise awareness about environmental issues. To learn more about Tooker go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooker_Gomberg The winner this year is the coalition NOFRAC for raising public awareness about fracking and bringing much needed information and perspective to the public review.
“NOFRAC is ensuring that the backbone of the provincial review of fracking is science, and is helping to keep the public informed about opportunities to participate in the review,” says Jennifer West, Geoscience Coordinator at EAC.
The EAC has over 250 active volunteers. The Centre created the Bubby Mooers award to recognize the efforts of a particular volunteer. Bubby Mooers from Brooklyn, N.S. was a carpenter and he was also well-known for his exceptional folk art which he often donated to EAC. This year’s winner was Jess Metter who was EAC’s archivist and board secretary as well as an individual who staff and board members relied on and greatly respected. Jess died of cancer on May 18, 2014.
“Jess Metter brought so much to the organization both in terms of the work she did and in the values she held,” affirmed Maggy Burns, Managing Director. “I will miss her greatly.”
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