Environmental Committee

AUPE’s Constitution sets out the duties of the Environmental Committee as follows:

The Environmental Committee shall:

1. develop a program to respond to environmental issues affecting AUPE members and the Public;
2. promote the education of the members and Public as it relates to matters of environmental issues affecting Albertans;
3. lobby all levels of Government with respect to ensuring the government respects and responds to AUPE’s environmental concerns;
4. co-ordinate with all other coalition groups such as other public service unions and environmental groups;
5. draft presentations to be made by the President or the President’s designate regarding matters of the Committee; and
6. regularly report to the Provincial Executive.

Nominations for the Eco-Star Award are currently closed.

24 – 1 Policy on Recognition of Environmental Activism Award (the Eco-Star Award) (Amended by the Provincial Executive June 03 & 04, 2016)

AUPE’s Environmental Activism Award (Eco-Star Award) provides an opportunity for members to be honored, recognized and supported for the work and contributions they make to environmental activism, education, projects or initiatives.

This award is created to profile the importance of environmental initiatives in our province and communities.

In selecting potential recipients for this award, AUPE will consider some of the following;

1. Members who introduce or champion environmental initiatives in their worksites.
2. Members who introduce or champion environmental initiatives in their communities.
3. Members who introduce or champion environmental initiatives at various levels of government or non-governmental agencies.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
− Any member in good standing.

WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO BE NOMINATED?
− Any of the current members of AUPE’s Environmental Committee.
− Any member of AUPE’s current Executive Committee.

WHO CAN NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR THE AWARD?
− Any Component of AUPE (any Chapter, Local or Area Council).
− Any member in Good Standing.

WHAT WILL BE CONSIDERED, AND BY WHAT PRIORITY?
− Environmental educational initiatives.
− Issues/campaigns with a high level of environmental recognition/exposure.
− Actions of members (of an environmental nature) that directly affect other members and our worksites.
− Environmental campaigns that have the greatest impact for our members (to educate, activate, or the greatest reduction in carbon footprint, or greatest increase in reduce/reuse/recycle).

WHAT SORT OF AWARD?
− Invitation to an awards ceremony as determined by the Environmental Committee (possibly at AUPE’s Annual Convention).
− Certificate of Recognition.
− A reward or recognition gift as proposed by the Environmental Committee.

The AUPE Eco-Star Award nomination deadline will be set by the Environmental Committee – with a deadline on or before August 15 of each year. Final selection of a nominee shall be determined by the Environmental Committee

Past EcoStar Award Winners

• 2016 – Merle Terlesky (Local 095) worked collaboratively with coworkers and managers to introduce cardboard recycling at his worksite, the Richmond Road Diagnostic and Treatment Centre.
• 2015 – Devon Smiegielski (Local 012) was awarded for her initiatives to help people “green” their lifestyles at home and at work, including a vermicomposter project through her office ecology program.
• 2014 – Andrea Waywenko (Local 002) was recognized for her service on the boards of various environmental organizations and other work to protect the integrity of the prairie ecosystems.

We asked. You answered: AUPE’s Environmental Committee releases survey results as Canadian youth hit the streets in Climate Strikes.

The Committee is publishing some of the results in solidarity with students and youth across Alberta and Canada today, who will be walking out of school, interrupting their daily lives, to bring attention to Climate Change and tell their leaders they want action on the issue. Read more below to learn about the strikes.

Attached at the bottom of the page is AUPE’s infographic report where the committee highlights some of the standout information it gathered from the responses to the AUPE-led survey.

“Worker power means a lot of things,” said AUPE Vice-President and Chair of the Environmental Committee Rod Feland.

“For our members, it includes giving workers the freedom and resources they need to both earn a living, and protect the land on which we live and serve our neighbours – those two things don’t have to be mutually exclusive.”

In the survey, members were asked what environmental issues are top of mind and what the union can do to support members who want to mobilize around the causes they care about.

More than one respondent talked about the connection between pollution and big corporations. Some members discussed natural disasters, alluding to climate change and talking about the disproportionate affect of environmental problems on lower income working people, while others condemned industrial agriculture.

“The committee’s report unearths a lot of shared concerns among our membership, and valuable ideas for environmental justice,” Feland adds.

“As Albertans and unions members, we live and work on this land. It connects us to our neighbors, and it’s clear that we stand in solidarity with each other to try and protect it.”

To read the report, click the attachment below.

Student Climate Strikes
The Climate Strike movement, also known as Fridays For Future, is a grassroots effort that started in Sweden, when Greta Thunberg, a sixteen-year old, called for the strikes and led the first school walkouts.

Since November 2018, over a million young people around the world have organized to continue these rallies on Fridays. To view the full strike schedule visit climatestrikecanada.org/english and to find a rally nearest you today click here.

• Click here to download a printable version of the infographic survey results

FAQ – Climate Leadership Plan Taxes and Benefits

AUPE’s Environmental Committee has collected some information on the provincial Carbon Levy for members who may be interested in learning more. One of the duties of the Environmental Committee is to promote the education of members and the public as it relates to matters of environment issues affecting Albertans.

• Click here to download the FAQ on Climate Leadership Plan, Taxes and Benefits

Recycling

• Waste Reduction Week
• Canadian Plastics Industry Association
• Environment Canada -Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
• Call 2 Recycle
• Electronic Products Stewardship Canada
• Recycle My Cell
• Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre
• Textile Waste Diversion
• Provincial Tire Recycling Program
• Appliance Recycling
• Start a Recycling Program
• Start an Office Recycling Program
• Recycling Containers
• Large scale waste solution
• Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association
• Love to Recycle
• Urban Impact
• The Green Start
• West Can Recyclers
• Container Recycling
• AMA Paper Shredding Events

Water

• Alberta Water Council
• River flows app page
• Blue Green Algae Advisories
• Watershed Councils of Alberta
• Oct. 2 presentation (Edmonton): Unsettled Waters – Examining the Implications of Federal and Provincial Changes to Water Policy

Air

• BC Air Quality Blue Sky
• Alberta Air Quality Health Index

Other

• Alberta Climate Leadership Plan
• Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resources
• Environment Canada
• Alberta Emergency Alerts App
• Sierra Club Canada
• Greenpeace Canada
• Travel Alberta
• Alberta Parks
• Earth Day Canada
• Pembina Institute
• Lee Valley
• Alberta Invasive Species Council
• Green Energy Futures
• 16 Things You Can Do Without
• Clean Technology in Canada’s Natural Resources Sector

Regional Initiatives

• Green Calgary