Meanwhile Back at the Coal Mine in Saskatchewan | | + Many of our images, logos, and graphics are clickable links that lead to more content + | | EnviroCollective Tours White City | | The Repair Cafe team toured White City Library and Rec Centre as they prepare for their first out of town Repair Cafe event to be held on April 18th | | Global Affairs Canada in Regina | | ECN attended the SCIC session with Global Affairs Canada’s James Parsons as part of the networking event. The team valued the chance to connect during International Development Week and learn from Parsons’ extensive background in international assistance. | | Canada In The Age of Electricity | | |
EnviroCollective Network was represented at the Robertson Lecture hosted by the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. The event featured a keynote address by Dr. Blake Shaffer, who offered an insightful look at Canada’s transition into an electrified future. A local panel followed, with Dr. Brett Dolter and Dr. Margot Hurlbert, bringing Saskatchewan voices into the conversation and grounding the discussion in regional opportunities, challenges, and real‑world energy transitions happening here at home.
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Dr. Blake Shaffer, is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Calgary and Co-Director of Canada’s Energy Modelling Hub
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Dr. Margot Hurlbert, is Canada Research Chair in Climate Change, Energy and Sustainability Policy (JSGS)
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Dr. Brett Dolter, is an Associate Professor of Economics, University of Regina
| | Dale Hamilton the Gardener and the Golfer Show | | The Gardener and the Golfer brought a thoughtful blend of humour and climate insight to the Regina Public Library. Dale Hamilton’s one‑woman performance shifted between Mary, a regenerative gardener, and Bill, a golf‑loving hedge‑fund manager, highlighting how everyday neighbours can embody larger environmental tensions. The audience watched their conflict unfold through land use, values, and responsibility, all delivered with warmth and sharp observation. By the end, the play revealed the possibility of shared ground, showing that climate conversations can be personal, relatable, and rooted in empathy. The RPL crowd responded with enthusiasm, appreciating a performance that made big issues feel human. | | Left Picture: Dale Hamilton with her one women play. Right Picture: Gerry Jones ECN Community Engagement Coordinator, Greg Van Luven, and his son Mason Van Luven panelists from the National Farmers Union, Dale Hamilton and ECN Chair Rob Deglau, | | From Inspiration to Action: How Communities Are Launching Repair Cafes | |
The Repair Cafes 101 webinar brought together more than 40 participants from Saskatchewan and across Canada for a practical, energizing introduction to community repair. Moderator Joanne Fedyk opened the session, followed by host Bobbie Duns, who walked attendees through SWRC’s Repair Café model and the essentials of running local events. Panelists Keegan Storey Swift Current, Les Dickson Prince Albert, and Rob Deglau Regina, shared how they discovered Repair Cafes, launched their initiatives, and now operate successful community repair gatherings. A guided conversation wrapped up the event, sparking new ideas, connections, and enthusiasm for building repair culture in smaller and rural communities. See what is happening around Saskatchewan
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Words and Slogans on the News
Large Language models are AI systems trained on massive text datasets to understand and generate human‑like language. They use deep learning to recognize patterns, context, and meaning, enabling tasks like answering questions, writing text, and translating languages.
Oligarch - is a wealthy individual who holds outsized political or economic power within a small ruling elite, often shaping decisions to their own advantage,
Quantum Computing tackles problems that overwhelm today’s computers by using the unusual rules of quantum physics to explore many possibilities at once. It’s not a faster version of a regular computer, it’s a different kind of machine built for specific, extremely complex tasks.
Quantum Physics explains how tiny particles can exist in multiple states at once and influence each other instantly. Quantum computing uses these behaviors, like superposition and entanglement, to process information in powerful new ways beyond traditional computers.
Water Bankruptcy is when water demand exceeds available supply, leaving governments unable to meet legal or practical water obligations. It can result from drought, overuse, poor management, or climate change pressures.
The Age of Electrification - The International Energy Agency (IEA) 's new Electricity 2026 outlook highlights how quickly the world is entering what it calls the “Age of Electricity.” Global electricity demand is projected to grow more than 3.5% annually through 2030, roughly 2.5× faster than overall energy demand
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The World Economic Forum has specific Centers of expertise, because today’s global problems are too complex for any single government, company, or sector to solve alone. The Centers act as permanent collaboration hubs where public and private sector leaders can work together on shared challenges such as energy transitions, AI governance, supply‑chain resilience, and climate action. They integrate expertise, align standards, and coordinate large‑scale initiatives so solutions can be developed faster and adopted more consistently across countries and industries. This structure helps the Forum turn high‑level dialogue into practical, system‑wide action. The Centre's are:
Technology, Security & Innovation
• Centre for AI Excellence: Responsible AI, data governance, and innovation.
• Centre for Cybersecurity: Global coordination on cyber risks and resilience.
• Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network: Global network advancing responsible use of emerging technologies.
Industry & Supply Chains
• Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains: Resilient, sustainable, and inclusive production systems.
Climate, Nature & Energy
• Centre for Nature and Climate: Climate action, net‑zero pathways, and nature‑positive solutions.
• Centre for Energy and Materials: Secure, equitable global energy transition.
Economic & Societal Systems
• Centre for Financial and Monetary Systems: Stability, sustainable finance, and innovation.
• Centre for the New Economy and Society: Inclusive economies, skills, and future‑ready workforces.
• Centre for Regions, Trade and Geopolitics: Global economic shifts and cooperation.
• Centre for Urban Transformation: Resilient, sustainable, future‑ready cities.
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Munch Catering Opens New Location at The Nest
Munch Catering has officially opened a new location at The Nest in Regina, marking a significant milestone for the social enterprise known for creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with cognitive disabilities. The launch brings Munch’s mission-driven approach directly into a busy campus environment, where food service becomes a platform for dignity, inclusion, and community connection.
Staff and students were welcomed with fresh, locally inspired meals prepared by a team whose work is rooted in empowerment and skill-building. The opening reflects Munch’s long-standing commitment to reducing barriers to employment and fostering workplaces where everyone is valued. Early response from the campus community has been enthusiastic, with many noting the positive social impact embedded in every plate served.
As Munch settles into its new home at The Nest, the organization continues to demonstrate how food can be a catalyst for belonging, one meal, one job, and one community at a time - Photo's Courtesy of local blogger Shane Clark
| | Community Activist Profile | | | | Justin Yuen, known widely as The Fidget Guy, is turning lived experience into community impact. Growing up with Tourette's and ADHD, he never had access to affordable fidgets that could help him focus. When he discovered how costly quality fidgets were, he launched a 3D‑printing venture to change that. His mission deepened after witnessing a child stay happily engaged for hours with one of his creations. Today, Justin donates 50% of his fundraiser sales, giving over $12,000 in 2025 alone. For him, generosity is the point, an expression of faith and a call for entrepreneurs to uplift their communities. | | Regina Climate Action Expo: Meet the Groups Driving Change | | |
On May 16th at the George Bothwell Library, we are bringing together Regina’s climate‑action community for a hands‑on, solutions‑focused Expo alongside an EV showcase that will draw strong public interest. This is a chance to meet residents who are actively looking for practical ways to reduce their footprint, learn new skills, and get involved. We’d love your group to be part of this visible, hopeful, community‑building event.
Why Participate
• Meet hundreds of residents drawn by the EV showcase, bike tune‑ups, and hands‑on activities.
• Recruit new volunteers who are actively looking for meaningful ways to contribute.
• Network with fellow climate‑action groups and strengthen collaboration across the city.
• Share your work in a positive, practical, non‑political setting focused on real solutions.
• Be part of a visible, collective story about what climate action looks like in Regina.
| | Small actions. Big impact. Start here and Sign Up Your Organization at info@envirocollective.ca | | Green Technology Spotlight | | |
Could Regina Host a Computer Repair Café?
A computer‑focused Repair Café is emerging as a concept EnviroCollective is actively researching. With more volunteers skilled in computer repair stepping forward, the team is exploring how to support residents with aging laptops and desktops. Repair Café International’s new Linux upgrade program, built around extending the life of older Windows 10 machines using Linux Mint, offers a promising model. Their starter kit of manuals, scripts, and a custom installer could enable dedicated computer clinics that keep devices running longer and reduce local e‑waste. Your Skills Can Save a Laptop’s Life contact us at ecnrepaircafe@gmail.com
| | Reinventing Cold: How Magnet Power Could Replace Refrigerants Forever | | |
Magnetic cooling is emerging as one of the most promising alternatives to traditional compressor‑and‑gas refrigeration, offering a path toward cleaner, quieter, and more efficient cooling systems. Research teams have recently demonstrated full‑cycle magnetic cooling systems that eliminate refrigerants entirely by using the magnetocaloric effect, a property of certain materials that heat up when magnetized and cool down when the magnetic field is removed. This approach is being developed as an eco‑friendly replacement for vapor‑compression systems, which rely on high‑global‑warming‑potential gases.
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Carvey Ehren Maigue’s AuReus system transforms waste crops into translucent solar panels that harvest ultraviolet light, earning him the James Dyson Award’s first global sustainability prize. Unlike traditional panels that rely on direct sunlight, AuReus captures UV rays even through clouds, generating energy up to half the time, far more than standard systems. This innovation turns agricultural waste into clean power and opens new possibilities for building‑integrated renewable energy. Read More Here
| | Sustaining Culture: An Eco‑Creation for African Heritage Month | | |
February marked African Heritage Month in Saskatchewan, a time dedicated to honoring the histories, traditions, and cultural resilience of African descendants across the province. Beyond celebration, the month underscored the importance of cultural sustainability: preserving the practices, heritage, and identities that shape Black communities for future generations. In this spirit, this article spotlights an eco‑creation by artist Credell Simeon, a striking piece of upcycled artistry that not only embodies creative innovation but also quietly champions the ongoing work of cultural preservation. This small 8" x 10" mixed‑media piece blends vibrant color, texture, and decorative detail into a unified, expressive artwork Read the Full Story Here
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Written by Credell Simeon: Credell Simeon is a Regina-based freelance writer and artist passionate about sustainability and creative expression. She specializes in projects like bottle painting that promote zero-waste living and inspire her community to find beauty in repurposed materials.
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The Clean Energy Show: Big Ideas, Plain Language
The Clean Energy Show is a weekly, fast‑moving podcast that breaks down how clean energy and electrification are transforming the world. Hosts James Whittingham and Brian Stockton mix sharp analysis with humour as they unpack the latest in solar, wind, batteries, electric vehicles, and climate policy. Their conversations make complex technology accessible, highlight why clean energy is outpacing fossil fuels, and explore how shifting markets, politics, and innovations shape everyday life. The Podcast won RCE's 2025 Innovation Award for Outstanding Contributions to Renewable Energy Advancement and Energy Innovation in Saskatchewan. Read the Story Here
| | Many of our images, logos, and graphics are clickable links that lead to more content | | |
Smokestacks vs. Schoolkids:
Round Two
In 2026 SKKB 9, the Court of King’s Bench for Saskatchewan dismissed a climate-related legal challenge brought by youth and community advocates against Saskatchewan’s coal power policy. The applicants argued that extending coal-fired electricity generation was unlawful and harmful to future generations. The court ruled the matter was not appropriate for judicial review and struck the case. The decision is now moving forward on appeal. The Court of Appeal of Saskatchewan has scheduled a hearing for April 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM in CACV4674, where the appellants will seek to overturn the ruling and revive their challenge. Watch the Proceedings Online
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ASHRAE and UNEP Approve Two-Year Work Plan Focused on Life Cycle Refrigerant Management
ASHRAE and the UN Environment Programm have launched a new two‑year plan to improve how refrigerants are managed from production to disposal. Announced at the 2026 ASHRAE Winter Conference, the initiative strengthens global efforts to cut emissions, boost energy efficiency, and protect technicians and communities as the world shifts to new refrigerants. The plan introduces an AI-powered field app, updated training tools, and new guidance to help countries meet Montreal Protocol goals while ensuring safer, more sustainable cooling systems. Read The Full Story Here
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The Farmer Taking On Canada’s Biggest Pension Fund Over Climate Risk
Rav Singh’s story begins with the loss of her farm, but it quickly becomes something larger. After years of battling heat waves, financial pressure, and the emotional toll of farming in a changing climate, she realized her struggle was tied to a much bigger system. Now, alongside three other young Canadians, she’s taking Canada’s largest pension fund manager to court, arguing that its fossil‑fuel investments put both the climate and Canadians’ future pensions at risk. Read the whole story Here
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Canadians Choose Renewables as the Path Forward
Canadians remain deeply committed to climate action, even amid economic and affordability concerns. A new Re.Climate study shows that three‑quarters of Canadians worry about climate change and expect leaders to follow through on their promises. Most believe Canada should become a renewable energy superpower, not a fossil‑fuel one, and want polluters held accountable while a green economy is built. This strong public mandate challenges governments to match ambition with action. Read the Full Story
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Climate-Proofing Infrastructure
Canada’s aging roads, bridges, storm sewers, and water systems are increasingly strained by rising heat and heavier rainfall. A new Canadian Climate Institute report warns that 14% of public infrastructure is already in poor condition, but proactive climate‑proofing could save governments $5 to10 billion every year by preventing escalating damage. The choice is clear: prepare now or face far higher repair costs later.. Read the full story
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Renewables Surge Into a New Era of Power Growth
Global electricity demand is entering a rapid growth era, driven by electrification, data centres, AI, and rising cooling needs. The International Energy Agency’s latest analysis shows power use climbing sharply through 2030, with renewables expanding fastest while nuclear and gas grow more slowly. The world’s grids now face mounting pressure to stay reliable and affordable as demand accelerates. Want this intro tuned for a newsletter or social post? Read the full story
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The Green Economy Is Creating Millions of New Jobs
Climate action is emerging as one of the world’s strongest engines for job creation, according to new analysis from the World Resources Institute. As economies shift under the pressures of AI, geopolitics, and climate impacts, the transition to low‑carbon, resilient systems stands out for its potential to expand, not shrink, the workforce. Unlike many technological or geopolitical disruptions, climate‑aligned investments can generate millions of quality jobs while strengthening long‑term economic stability. Read the Full Story
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Solar Rising, Gas Fading: India Signals a New Energy Order
India’s rapid shift to cheap solar power is reshaping global energy markets just as demand for liquefied natural gas begins to weaken. As LNG exporters face shrinking opportunities, former Bank of England governor and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares for a trade mission aimed at steering investment toward cleaner, more resilient energy systems. The moment captures a global turning point: fossil fuel markets losing momentum while emerging economies leapfrog straight into renewables. Read the Full Story
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EnviroCollective is a non-partisan, judgement free group that is open to everyone.
Email us at info@envirocollective.ca or DM us through our socials Facebook/Instagram @envirocollectiveyqr or Twitter @envirocollect1.
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