This week I received an e-mail from a group called the Natural Resources Stewardship Project, basically a handful of current and former scientists who claim greenhouse gases are good for us and that we’re fooling ourselves if we think we can control climate change. Get over it, they say — let’s just face the music and adapt. The timing of this e-mail, basically announcing the formation of this group (even though its Web site URL has been registered since 2000), comes suspiciously at a time when Stephen Harper’s federal conservative government is facing intense criticism for lacking a climate change plan and for being soft on greenhouse gas emitters. “NRSP’s first campaign is focused on dispelling the notion that Canada will benefit from carbon dioxide emission control,” claims this so-called scientific group, which fails on its Web site to disclose where it gets its funding while at the same time calling themselves “non-partisan.”

For great insight into this group and its tactics, check out the DeSmogBlog.com, which is written by Vancouver-based PR professional James Hoggan, founder of James Hoggan & Associates and a believer in sustainable business practices. Here are a couple of links specifically addressing the NRSP and some of the people behind it. Also, check here. The beauty of Hoggan’s blog is that, being in the business, he’s able to credibility deconstruct the spin in climate change denial campaigns.

EnerWorks Inc. of London, Ontario, has snagged $3.65 million in equity financing to “rapidly scale production” of its proprietary solar hot-water heating systems, and to advance development of new solar and geothermal heating and cooling applications in collaboration with Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. The company’s solar collector products have already been installed in hundreds of single family homes, housing developments and commercial facilities across North America. This financing round was led by Chrysalix Energy Management and co-investor Investeco Capital. Previous investors Covington Venture Fund Inc. and VentureLink Brighter Futures Fund Inc. also participated in the round.

This funding is a reminder that solar thermal systems play a huge role in the renewables space and are unfortunately overshadowed by interest in more costly solar PV technologies. Fact is, solar thermal for space and water heating is competitive today. It’s interesting to note that EnerWorks’ solar and geothermal technology is being used by Clean Energy Developments for the Marshall Homes “green” subdivision in Oshawa.