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The article offers the author's views on the environmental issues posed by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper government's Bill C-38. He discusses the support of Canada's Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver to the bill and criticizes the country's weak environmental policies like the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) that failed to deliver sustainability. He discusses the disastrous effects of the bill such as the setting of environmental assessment to provincial government. INSET: Is it tar sands or oil sands?.

The article discusses a variety of environmental programs and measures taken up in the European Union (EU) and states what other developed countries can learn from the EU experience. It is reported that countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark have often fought for stronger environmental standards. EU's relatively strong performance on environmental issues is because of its focus on areas where it could exercise international leadership commensurate with its economic power. Other nations, particularly Canada, is placed at the bottom of developed states on nearly every environmental issue. Hence, nations like Canada need to devote more resources to environmental measurement and monitoring.

The article offers information on Cuba's energy conservation effort launched in 2006 called Revolución Energética (RE). The World Wildlife Fund's (WWF's) Living Planet Report 2006 declared that Cuba is the only country that is approaching sustainable development. It is reported that prior to RE, Cuba's energy situation was bleak. After the launch of RE, Cuba now consumes 34 percent less kerosene, 37 percent less liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and 80 percent less gasoline. It has also introduced a new residential electrical tariff to encourage conservation. It has implemented steps such as distributed generation, efficiency, education, energy solidarity and the gradual solarization of the country to reach the present stage.

The article focuses on the government's rejection of the proposed construction of the Whites Point Quarry and Marine Terminal in Nova Scotia. A proposal was made to construct a 120-hectare basalt rock quarry and shipping terminal at Digby Neck, Nova Scotia. A joint federal-provincial review panel stated that the project is likely to have negative environmental effects. The panel's Environment Impact Statement Guidelines presented information on various terrestrial and marine ecology issues that needed to be addressed by the project's promoter, Bilcon of Nova Scotia Corp. The panel was not satisfied with Bilcon's environmental assessment of the project.

The article presents information about the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act (EGSPA), which was passed in April 2007 in Nova Scotia and deals with the sustainable management of the environment and the economy.

The article focuses on the disapproval of proposals for the development of Northgate Minerals Corp.'s Kemess North Project in British Columbia (BC), and a basalt quarry and marine terminal in Nova Scotia. On March 7, 2008, BC's environment minister, Barry Penner, stated that the negative social and environmental effects of Northgate's proposed mine expansion outweighed its benefits. The Kemess North panel found that the project did not meet the sustainability requirements. The Whites Point panel found that the economic gains from the quarry project would be for the proponent, which was a U.S. firm.

The article focuses on Linda Duncan, New Democratic Party (NDP) Member of Parliament in Canada. Duncan, who is the founder of the Alberta Environmental Law Centre, is widely known for implementing strategies which focus on protecting the environment as well as ensuring that environmental laws are being carried out in the country. She stresses that her victory in the 2008 election was brought by the relationship she built with communities and addressing their environmental concerns. It states that Duncan is working for the approval of the Climate Change Accountability Act proposed by the Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development.

The article focuses on the significance of statistics in green politics as indicators of sustainable development. Sustainability measurements are considered to be relevant in assisting government authorities and helping citizens hold governments accountable. Democratic and green benefits is predicted to be limited if sustainability indicators are not well chosen. Statistics enjoys quantitative objectivity as well as the appearance of being beyond politics. However, uncritical faith in statistics decline for some time in public policy deliberations. It suggests that the problem lies to the fact that the world is complex.

The article presents information on the pioneer efforts of the community sustainability in Canada. It reflects that the emergence of such movements were based on the long term vision of having a community after hundred years. The idea of ecovillages emerged out of the intentional communities and cohousing movements, which originated in Denmark in 1960s. The people of North America got attracted to this very idea during the late 1970s. Such pioneer efforts of community sustainability have further given the groundwork for mainstream developments to a wider scope by offering sustainable habitat and lifestyle choices to a greater number of people. There are hindrances also for running an ecovillage project. Inflexible building codes, lengthy approval processes, the difficulty of finding appropriate building sites and suitable financing are common barriers, which are often impossible to overcome. In most cases the consensus building process starts years before any foundations are laid. The article reflects that the ready-made version of ecovillage development projects may be more appealing to people who share a commitment to sustainability, but unable to invest months or years in the planning process.

The article presents the tips for encouraging green building. It comments that while encouraging smart municipal zoning bylaws cities can promote green building. Municipal zoning bylaws restrict mixed-use and infill development, both of which are essential to create more sustainable urban areas. While empower municipalities the provinces restrictions on the power of municipalities can be curbed. For this the provinces should amend legislation, allowing local governments to encourage green developments. Another important aspect is to implement programs for building inspectors to address green innovations. More than this the liability issues also has to be addressed. In the development business time is money but getting permission for unfamiliar technologies take more time. There fore improved laws and regulations should need in the development business. An integration of separate permitting processes are very much required so they complement integrated design and will speed up further developments.