By SPF, on November 18th, 2010
 Wind turbines in Sandesneben, Germany.
Overview of Renewable Energy
By: Henry Hawkins, Regular SpF Contributor
Renewable energies have been a major focus of countries around the world in recent years, and the industry is currently going through rapid expansion, with solar, wind, geothermal, and other technologies seeing rapid technological advancements and implementations. Here on SpF we like to inform as well as investigate, so we’re putting together this in-depth series on renewable energy. This first feature gives an introduction of the current state of energy consumption, looks at the role of renewable energy in the future, and focuses on some success stories from around the world.
Primer: Energy & Power, Generation & Transmission
By: Henry Hawkins, Regular SpF Contributor
Talking about renewable energy and power can get a bit confusing sometimes with all the awkward terminology involved. A recent study showed that 76% of Ontarians can’t identify the main source of electricity in the province. So, to counter some of this confusion and lack of awareness, we looked at some of the confusing terms used when discussing energy and power. Then we heard about the technical side of how renewable electricity is generated and transmitted, from wind turbines and solar panels, all the way to the end user.
Tom Heintzman, President of Bullfrog Power
By: Henry Hawkins, Regular SpF Contributor
Bullfrog Power is the only electricity provider in Canada to offer consumers the choice of electricity from 100% renewable projects. The company has grown since it started five years ago, and now operates in six provinces across Canada, providing more than eight thousand homes and twelve hundred business with electricity. Due to the nature of the electricity grid, with energy from all sources mixing together, bullfrog consumers do not only consume electricity from renewable projects. Instead, using bullfrog power is more like voting for renewable projects with your electricity bill, and contributing to the investment in new facilities. We heard from Tom Heintzman, the president of Bullfrog Power, about where bullfrog’s electricity comes from, the role consumers play in the future of the industry, and future plans for the company.
The Environmental News
By: Andrew Lindstrom & Katy Lopez
In this week’s Environmental News, decades of data show that the troposphere is warming, a new report highlights key reasons for the BP oil spill, the Arabic world is running out of water, antimatter is being created and captured in the CERN in Switzerland, and one fifth of plant and animal species are facing extinction.
By SPF, on November 11th, 2010
This morning we heard all about GIS Department in Madgic, the upcoming GIS Day at Carleton on November 17th, and talked to Greg Macdougall from Organizing for Justice, a conference being held this weekend to promote social, environmental, and economic justice. You can visit the Carleton GIS Day website, or the worldwide website for more information.
Madgical Moments, Episode 3: GIS Department
By : Joel Rivard, GIS Specialist in Madgic
This morning Joel gave an introduction to the wide array of geospatial resources available in the Madgic GIS department. They have over 2 terrabytes of data available for students, with very high resolution of the Ottawa-Gatineau region, Ontario, and all of Canada, and some coverage of the rest of the world. Topographic and thematic data, satellite and 3 dimensional images are all available, covering many years and the Ottawa-Gatineau region. You can visit the GIS department online here.
GIS Day: CUGA & The Madgic Department
By: Henry Hawkins, Regular SpF Contributor
Joel Rivard from the Madgic Department in the Library talked about what the history of the GIS Day event at Carleton, and what the Madgic Department will be contributing to this year’s event. These include a student mapping contest, a display for visitors to pin their place of birth on a large paper map, and some door prizes that will be available for those who come by and check out the event.
Josh Chisholm from the CUGA gave us a brief introduction to what they are planning for this years event, with the geocaching event (sort of a treasure hunt with a GPS unit), a map folding demonstration by Steve Prashker, and the many organizations that will have booths set up on the day. It will be a great chance to stop by and find out about how GIS is used, and meet some people from NRCan, Statistics Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada, and more.
Organizing For Justice: Greg Macdougall
By: Henry Hawkins, Regular SpF Contributor
This morning we had Greg Macdougall from Organizing for Justice, who talked about the conference this weekend. It will feature a keynote address on Friday evening, and a full day of workshops and lectures on Saturday. Greg talked about the concept behind the conference, effects of the G20 summit in Toronto this summer, and how to move from discussions and toward active participation. You can see the full list of events at their website, or through Facebook and Twitter.
The Environmental News
By: Veronica Tang, Regular SpF Contributor
In this week’s news, we heard about Jim Prentice resigning as Canadian Environment Minister, the truth behind a decomposing McDonald’s burger, geoengineering has been banned after a conference in Japan, the BP oil spill has been found to have done more damage than previously thouht, and electric car chargers go cordless.
By SPF, on November 4th, 2010
The CKCU Funding Drive
This morning on the show we had our second funding drive show, and raised another $140 to bring out total to $305 dollars for the our funding drive contribution. If you wanted to donate, it’s not too late! Call the station at 613 520 3920, or toll free at 1 877 520 3920, or you can pledge online through the secure form at www.ckcufm.com.
Clinton Cowan: Ward 18 Candidate Follow Up
By: Matt Street, Alumni SpF Contributor
Clinton Cowan recently ran for a city council position in Altavista, and we had him on the show a few weeks ago to talk about his reasons for running, and what he would change if elected. He did not win the candidacy, but we had him on the show this morning for a follow up interview, as he talked about how the election process went, and what he learned from the experience.
The Environmental News
By: Henry Hawkins, Regular SpF Contributor
In the news this week, the largest solar photovoltaic plant in the world opened up in Sarnia, Ontario, Panasonic announces a 30 million dollar investment in Tesla Motors, stone tools found in South Africa suggesting advanced techniques of tool making 50,000 years before previously thought, Proposition 23 is voted down in California, and 3G service comes to the Himalayas in Nepal.
By SPF, on October 28th, 2010
The CKCU Funding Drive: Visit their website at www.ckcufm.com and support community radio!
The CKCU Funding Drive
It’s that time again; the annual CKCU Funding Drive! During the 3 week period, the station raises money toward their operating budget for the year, and every show kicks in to help them reach their $110,000 target. Your donations totaled $165 for our first show, so thank you very much for all of your donations! If you would like to donate, please give the station a call at 613-520-3920 (toll-free at 1-877-520-3920), or pledge online at their secure website.
Fracesca Schembri: The First Annual Eco-Summit
By: Carol Hunsberger, Regular SpF Contributor
This morning on the show Carol spoke with Francesca Schembri, the organizer of the first annual Eco-Summit at Elmwood High School in Ottawa. The event will see students from across the city gathering together, to inspire and motivate teenagers to plan and carry out environmental initiatives at their schools this year.
The Environmental News
By: Andrew Lindstrom, Regular SpF Contributor
In this week’s Environmental News, we heard about methane being absorbed in the Gulf of Mexico, tourism threatening manta rays in the Maldives, Argentina’s efforts to protect glaciers, Nova Scotia’s wind power plans, and the discovery of the oldest known galaxy.
By SPF, on October 21st, 2010
 Canadian Peacekeepers at the Israel/Egypt border in 1962. Hear about the ‘Keeping The Peace’ map in this week’s Madgical Moment.
Madgical Moments, Episode 2: Peacekeeping Around The World
By: Joanne Cameron, Government Documents Specialist
This morning on the show we had the second episode of the Madgical Moments, brought to you by the Madgic Department in the MacOdrum Library here at Carleton. This episode looks at a map called ‘Keeping The Peace’, from the Understanding Global Issues current events series that is available through the Madgic Department. The map gives an overview of the history and locations of peacekeeping around the world since the end of World War II. It highlights a number of locations including Haiti, Pakistan, Kosovo, and East Timor.
You can see the Madgic Library website here, and access their blog here.
Declaring Toxins
By: Digory McGinn, Guest SpF Contributor
What does it mean when a substance is suddenly declared a toxic chemical? Special guest host Digory McGinn prepared a short report on the subject in light of the recent status of bisphenol-A being labelled a toxic substance.
The Ottawa Forest and Greenspace Advisory Committee
By: Robyn Penney, Regular SpF Contributor
The OFGAC works to protect trees and greenspaces within the capital region, and report to city council on important issues, and Robyn gave a short profile of their organization this morning.
By SPF, on October 14th, 2010
 Aerial view of the toxic ‘sludge’ spilled in Hungary, from a toxic waste reservoir. Hear more about it in this week’s Environmental News.
The Carleton Geography Undergrad Thesis: Introduction
By: Henry Hawkins & Robyn Penney, Regular SpF Contributors
This morning on the show we heard about the fourth year Geography Honours Undergrad Thesis. Robyn and Henry recently began working on their theses, planning and researching their topics, dealing with ethics committees, and finding a supervisor. This will be the first in a series, as we will be checking back throughout the year to hear their progress as they go. Henry will be doing his thesis on renewable energy, government policy and public perceptions, and Robyn’s topic is biosphere reserves in Montreal.
The Write Club
By: Matt Street, Occasional SpF Contributor
This time last year, Matt Street did a feature looking into the loneliness of the long distance writer. He did an interview with a group from Toronto who turned the solitary process of writing into a group effort when they formed the Write Club. This group challenges themselves to write fiction for the club, get it published and share it with as many people possible.
The Environmental News
By: Veronica Tang & Kathy Lopez, Regular SpF Contributors
In this week’s environmental news, China overtakes the US as the largest consumer of energy, Hungary struggles to retain the toxic sludge spewing from two reservoirs, Britain focuses on developing energy from sewage, Ontario formally scraps the eco-fee, and the US lifts its ban on offshore drilling following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, 45 days ahead of schedule.
By SPF, on October 7th, 2010
 The multiple routes of the northwest passage, whose potential opening plays a major role in discussions of Arctic Sovereignty.
Andrea Charron: Arctic Sovereignty
By: Henry Hawkins, Regular SpF Contributor
Dr. Charron is a research fellow with the Carleton Centre for Security and Defense Studies, and has written a number of papers on Arctic Sovereignty, and is a presenter at an upcoming forum hosted by the Canadian Associations of Defense and Security Industries. Focusing on the controversy of the Northern Passage, continental shelf exploration, and the use of force in the area, she talked to Henry this past week about Canada’s role and how the Inuit people can play an active role in the possible opening of the North.
Buying Local Foods Discussion
By: Robyn Penney, Veronica Tang, Chris Mineau, & Special Guest Host DJ Diggs
We also had a spontaneous discussion about local foods, spurred by an upcoming donation of $10,000 dollars to local farmers by the Royal Bank. The conversation went off on a few tangents along the way, about ethical business, motivations for donations, and briefly on where to buy local organic foods on campus.
The Environmental News
By: Veronica Tang
In this week’s news toxic sludge is released in Hungary causing at least 4 deaths, acidifying waters, and possibly contaminating the Danube, Europe’s second largest river.
By SPF, on September 30th, 2010
 David Suzuki, answering questions during his Legacy Lecture given as part of the 2010 Writer’s Festival.
The David Suzuki Legacy Lecture: Writer’s Festival 2010
By: Robyn Penney & Henry Hawkins, Regular SpF Contributors
David Suzuki was in Ottawa this past week as part of the annual Writer’s Festival, and gave his Legacy Lecture speech. The talk was based on his life’s work, and was developed as a response to the question, ‘If you had one last lecture to give, what would you say?’. Covering everything from the beginnings of life on Earth to the future of sustainable development, and touching on biology, genetics, conservation, education, and the economy, Suzuki’s Legacy lecture is an excellent summary of his work over the last 40 years. It has recently been the subject of a film that will see limited release tomorrow, as well as an accompanying book.
Robyn and Henry attended the lecture, and had a live roundtable discussion of the lecture, discussing some of the issues he brought up during his talk.
The Interactive Learning Project: Micheal Nemr
By: Robyn Penney, Regular SpF Contributor
Everyone has played some sort of video game in their life but have you ever thought of watching a live lecture in a 3-D auditorium, then hanging out with your friends on top of Dunton tower? Maybe it’s a different kind of fun than beating out your opponent in a racing game but it could be the future of “going to school” here at Carleton. Robyn interviewed Micheal Nemr on an interactive learning project for Carleton University courses, a video game-like experience where students can wander round a representation of campus and talk with professors.
The Environmental News
By: Robyn Penney, Regular SpF Contributor
In this week’s news, the Canadian government spends 2.5 million dollars on bottled water and water coolers, new improvements in solar cell research from Stanford University, and the Council for Canadians bash Harper’s agreement to join the international conference of water corporations.
By SPF, on September 23rd, 2010
 An olde world map from 1570, made by Abraham Ortelius and referred to as the ‘first world atlas’
The Madgic Department – Overview
By: Susan Jackson, Head of MADGIC
This morning we launched a new recurring feature on the show from The MADGIC Department here at Carleton University in the MacOdrum Library. They are the Maps, Data, and Government Information Centre, and they provide their services to help students find and use data most effectively, with a wealth of information to draw from in the form of maps, census data, government information, and much more. This morning we heard an overview of what they are all about, and what services they can offer students.
They also maintain the Madgical Web Blog, featuring a wealth of information about interesting maps on current topics, covering everything from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill ‘blow by blow’, to a real-time interactive map of worldwide shipping traffic.
Madgical Moments, Episode 1: Earthquakes
By: Beth Ray, Map Specialist in the MADGIC Department
We also heard the first in our new feature from the Madgic Department. This episode looked at a map called ‘The City of Ottawa Seismic Classification Map’ that shows geological faultlines in the Ottawa region, as a way of visualizing potential locations for future earthquakes. To see this map in person, drop by the Madgic Department in the 2nd floor extension of the MacOdrum Library to see the new Spaces, Places and Faces display.
The Environmental News
By: Henry Hawkins, Regular SpF Contributor
In the Environmental News: bp announces that they have finally sealed the Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico, plans are underway in California to build the world’s largest solar power plant, at a capacity of 1000MW, the results are in for the yearly Arctic summer melt and are not as dire as predicted, an archaeological discovery in the Arabian Peninsula suggests the exodus of humans from Africa may have occurred up to 50,000 years earlier than previously thought, and Toyota announces a number of new electric and hybrid cars.
By SPF, on September 16th, 2010
 The LEED Certification Logo of the Canada Green Building Council, and one of the first Platinum Certified buildings in the US.
Have you ever wondered what it takes for a building to be ‘green’, or what that term means beyond some vague definitions or confusing claims? The LEED Certification is perhaps the most widely sought certification a building can get, and with 5 levels of certification, there are a number of things involved in the process. Some buildings are built to the standards, others are retrofitted to be more green, and some even manage to go completely ‘off the grid’. Robyn Penney has a keen interest in the topic, and has been doing some interest on the subject. This morning she shared the results of her research with us.
It’s a new year at university, and that means that we are currently recruiting new volunteers for the show. This morning we talked a bit about our own experiences on the show, why it’s been so beneficial for us, and how new people can get involved.
Have you seen all the new trees growing across from Carleton’s campus along Bronson Ave. by Sunnyside? Recently, city workers have been damaging a number of these trees in their maintenance work, ruining the efforts of the local community members who have been working hard to get the city to support their construction of this mini green space. We heard from Declan Hill about what they’ve been trying to do for the area.
Mel-Rose also brought us the week’s Environmental News, and talked about Syncrude being charged with a number of counts of pollution for Oil Sands runoffs into the Athabasca River, a new LIDAR project, and the discovery of a number of Viking artefacts in Norway that have been recently uncovered by melting glaciers.
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