The ugliness and the danger.

Wastewater tailings ponds near Fort MacMurray, Alberta, Canada.

 

Lytton, BC under evacuation threat again, as hundreds of wildfires burn across Canada

Canada's National Observer

This week marks the four-year anniversary of a deadly wildfire that destroyed the British Columbia village of Lytton and the community is again under threat, with a fire burning out of control north of the community, setting off evacuation orders and alerts. Story here.

On Carney's agenda, climate is nowhere and everywhere

Canada's National Observer

Throughout Mark Carney’s whirlwind first months on the job, two words have remained conspicuously absent from the prime minister’s messaging: “climate change.” Story here.

Wildfires could be harming our oceans and disrupting their carbon storage

University of British Columbia.

Wildfires pollute waterways and could affect their ability to sequester carbon, new University of British Columbia research shows. Story here.

Wildfire smoke over Calgary.

CLIMATE MISINFORMATION TURNING CRISIS INTO CATASTROPHE. REPORT.

 THE GUARDIAN

Coordinated campaigns that misrepresent the scientific consensus on climate change are undermining public trust and discouraging political engagement, finds a report from the International Panel on the Information Environment. STORY HERE.

To fight wildfires and heat waves, Manitoba needs a climate plan

CCPA 

FACING a record-breaking heat wave in early May, Manitoba has had a devastating start to its unofficial fifth season — fire season — as wildfires continue to ravage communities and smoke blankets much of the province. Climate change is no longer a distant problem for future generations — it is here now. Story here.

Newfoundland and Labrador's big offshore gas bet clashes with climate reality

Canada's National Observer

Offshore natural gas is Newfoundland and Labrador’s latest pitch for development that it claims will be “part of the solution to the global path toward-net zero emissions” despite ample evidence that fossil fuels like oil and gas must be phased out to reach climate targets. Story here.

A LETTER ABOUT THE CBC AND CLIMATE CHANGE

 I'd like to congratulate David Cochrane (CBC TV's "Power & Politics") for pointing out the negative consequences that building more pipelines will have on our ability to fight climate change. I may have missed something, but he is the very first journalist I've noticed who has directly reminded politicians (held them to account during a scrum or news conference setting) of that "inconvenient" connection. Of course, then AB's Premier went on to try to counter his point with misleading responses of her own. "Oil sands (not a direct quote) produce fewer emissions per barrel." Apparently that's true. But given that skyrocketing production is, and has been for some time, ECLIPSING those reductions, IT MATTERS NOT in the overall scheme of things, does it? The end result is MORE EMISSIONS. Smith also pointed out that the majority of fires were STARTED by people! This, too ignores the inconvenient fact that the reason they rapidly flare up into Hellfires, is because manmade climate change has spawned severe drought and "kindling-like" conditions in the forests. Put another way, if c.c. were removed from the equation (i.e. it never happened), the harm caused by arsonists, mindless smokers, quadders and campers) would surely be infinitesimal, compared to now. I still long for the day when misleading statement like Smith's would ALSO be challenged and corrected by the media....maybe one day.

THE DISCONNECT IS PALPABLE

 Until authorities recognize the science - that human behaviour here on Earth is behind these worsening conditions, we are only aggravating problems for present and future generations - our kids & grandkids. WAKE UP, SHEEPLE!                 A proud but disappointed Manitoban.

Smoke from out-of-control wildfires forces hundreds from their homes in a Manitoba First Nation.

CBC News

The Chief of the Pimicikimak Cree Nation, 500 k north of Winnipieg, David Monias, says some were left stranded for hours thanks to a beurocratic evacuation system. Story here. 

Earth is heading for a second year above 1.5°C climate goal.

New

Scientist

After record temperatures in 2024, climate scientists had expected this year to be cooler, but instead the planet seems to be heading for a second year above the 1.5°C climate goal. Details here.

A University of Manitoba study warns Arctic could be ‘beyond recognition’ by 2100

University of Manitoba 

A groundbreaking study warns that the Arctic is undergoing rapid and dramatic changes due to accelerating global temperatures, with potentially irreversible consequences by the end of the century. Story here.

WMO report documents spiralling weather and climate impacts

Prevention Web (UN)

The clear signs of human-induced climate change reached new heights in 2024, with some of the consequences being irreversible over hundreds if not thousands of years, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which also underlined the massive economic and social upheavals from extreme weather. Story here.

Keystone XL pipeline and the Liberal divide

CANADA'S NATIONAL OBSERVER

As U.S. President Donald Trump continues to destabilize the Canadian economy with tariff threats, divisions in the Liberal Party are emerging at the highest levels over the role of fossil fuel pipelines in the dispute. STORY HERE.

CANADA LOSES A CLIMATE HERO - A CLIMATE MORON IS SWORN IN IN THE U.S. WHERE'S GOD?

Tony Clarke dies. Trump inaugurated. Where is God?

Pulpis and Politics

What's different, and worse, about the smoke from the L.A. fires

CBC News

Lungs, heart, brain and more at risk, doctors say. Story here.

CLIMATE MORONS

By Larry Powell

 In a sane world, the American people would be holding Trump's feet to the (wild) fire for doing absolutely nothing, or, should I say, ALL THE WRONG THINGS regarding our rapidly-worsening climate calamity. As flames consume the LA area - he's nominated AN ADAMENT CLIMATE DENIER - the CEO of a fracking co. - as Energy Secretary! The best this master finger-pointer (Trump) can do is, as usual, blame others who actually grasp the science, like the Governor there or anyone else but himself. By boosting fracking & other disastrous energy projects, he's CULPABLE & has been since he first slithered into public life, for the weather disasters that have uprooted, killed, or ruined the lives of many Americans, his own "base" included. His ignorant hands are dirty and will remain so until either he or I die. Trump and the millions who voted for him are either just plain illiterate or wilfully (and maliciously) stupid in this regard. Meanwhile, any Canadian voices who might oppose him on this front are, sadly, missing in action. To commentators on the CBC, even among our emerging political leaders - it's all about the tariffs - nothing else. How do they expect our economy to endure on a landscape that's charred and lifeless? Oh, I know! Let's choose ANOTHER climate moron as our next national leader here in your country & mine!

That'll fix it!

Canadian banks’ and investors’ unrestricted support for LNG is fuelling a future climate bomb

GREENPEACE CANADA

TORONTO – Canadian banks are pouring billions of dollars into the global expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals that could potentially unleash more than 10 gigatonnes of climate-wrecking greenhouse gas emissions, according to new research (1). The expansion of LNG depends on the support of banks and investors, with nine Canadian banks responsible for US$16.7 billion in support for expansion between 2021 and 2023 (2). Reclaim Finance and Greenpeace Canada warn that the emissions from these projects, which can be more damaging than coal, will breach net zero goals. They are urging banks to stop providing financial support to the developers of all new LNG projects, and to primarily stop financing export terminals. Story here.

RELATED: How Ethical are Ethical Funds?

Countdown to an ice-free Arctic: New research warns of accelerated timelines

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER

 

Credit: Céline Heuzé/University of Gothenburg

Arctic sea ice is melting at an unprecedented rate. 

The first summer on record that melts practically all of the Arctic’s sea ice, an ominous milestone for 

the planet, could occur as early as 2027. Story here.

Canadian activist Tzeporah Berman named among TIME's top climate leaders

CANADA’S NATIONAL OBSERVER

One of Canada’s most prominent environmental crusaders is being named among TIME’s Top 100 most influential climate leaders worldwide. Story here.