Climate Change is the Symptom, Not the Cause

By: Rod Kueneman - 06/11/2011 - Winnipeg Free Press
 The soil is warming and the arrival of this year's growing season once again provides…Details here.  

A crowded beach in China. Courtesy; Secondose

PLT - While I might have worded the headline differently that the Free Press did, I believe this is an excellent article. If Prof. Kueneman is not suggesting that climate change is unimportant - and I don't believe he is, his references to world population and consumption are compelling. l.p. 

Water Woes Pose Dire Prospects for Prairie Crops

Canadian Wheat Board 06/14/11

Winnipeg - Unrelenting rain across large areas of Western Canada will severely impact grain production….Details here.

Soggy field. l.p. photo

Why Supermarket Tomatoes Suck

By Barry Estabrook - 6/13/11 ONEARTH  
a survival guide for the planet
Excerpted from the new book "Tomatoland: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit" Details here.

Organic cherry tomatoes. l.p. photo

Innu, Nalcor Disagree on Impact of Labrador Hydro Dams

CBC News - Mar 21, 2011
Innu say caribou will be harmed. Details here.

Photo courtesy of 
"Our Labrador"

Canadian Inspectors Can’t Stop Dangerous Food Imports

Bob Kingston, Ottawa Citizen 06/14/11
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency might be trying hard to protect Canadian consumers from unsafe imported food. But, the simple fact is….Details here.

On Environment Week, Government of Canada Missing in Action - Green Party of Canada

8 June 2011 - GPC
OTTAWA - Today is World Oceans Day, Canadian National Clean Air Day, and both World Environment Week and Canadian Environment Week. Today the Green Party of Canada is noting the sad irony that the first federal budget to be tabled during Environment Week is also the weakest environmental budget in recent history. Details here.

A Link Between Climate Change and Joplin Tornadoes? Never.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhCY-3XnqS0

Stephen Tomson   Published on Sunday, June 12, 2011 by Plomomedia (via Grist.org)

Bill McKibben published a must-read op-ed in The Washington Post last month about the connection between climate change and recent extreme weather events. Now Stephen Thomson has combined McKibben's words with striking footage of the events he writes about. The result is a chilling must-see video:

Manitoba Studies Strategy to Help Flooded Farmland, Address Climate Change

Chinta Puxley, The Canadian Press - 06/12/2011
WINNIPEG - After four soggy years of flooded pastures and ruined crops, the Manitoba government is looking at how to help frustrated farmers cope with climate change in the province's Interlake region. Details here.
====
PLT: It tears my heart out to learn about the damage and human suffering being inflicted on my fellow Manitobans by the bad weather and flooding. So, as one who supports the science of climate change, I'm encouraged that the topic is slowly creeping into the public discourse. But, our policy-makers will simply have to screw up the courage to put it in context, (which the above story sure as Hell does not do)! At some point they are going to have to say, out loud, that climate change IS CAUSED BY HUMANS. What we need, therefore, are meaningful changes in our personal lifestyles and those of business, industry and government; changes which will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If this is not done, it is all pointless.

I am NOT saying we should harden our hearts and stop supporting affected producers and homeowners from the public purse. I am saying leadership is needed at all levels if we are to turn this insidious phenomenon around in the long-term.  Sadly, world leadership from the Harper government just isn't in the cards - just more "fossil-of-the-day" awards for Stephen to proudly display in his den!

I know first-hand, from writing in this space alone, that you simply can't say such things without being prepared to face hostile, irrational, angry and ignorant opposition from deniers, cranks and vested interests. These folks are not interested in evidence - only in impressing the world with their cynicism and close-mindedness. To them, this is supposed to trump the best brains on the planet who actually spend their working lives studying the problem - not "jawing" about it in the coffee shops.  l.p.

Politics Making Ag Sector Scapegoat for Lake's Woes

Wpg Free Press - Laura Rance - 06/11/201
Laura says Manitoba is latching on to fauly science in the formation of public policy regarding Lake Winnipeg pollution. Details here.
======
Lk. Wpg. www.gov.mb.ca  

PLT: I admire Laura's articles greatly. However, it remains unclear to me that the amount of "blame" the government seems to be aiming at the hog industry quite matches the corrective action it will require the industry to take. After all, the winter spreading thing, as Laura concedes, is already covered and the changes there seem cosmetic, at best. Since new operations are already prohibited in the east, no change there, either. So I don't quite understand what corrective actions the industry will be required to take that would justify the amount of public "stink" it has been raising over this issue. 

Another thing, past flood events have been known to "overtop" hog lagoons and wash the waste into waterways. We've heard not a peep about that this time. Is that because it has not happened? Or is it because of a timid news media (not you, Laura) that doesn't seem to ask such questions any more. 

From what I've read, synthetic fertilizers in all likelihood play a big role here, as well. If that is the case, let the chips fall where they may. Our food producers need to be appreciated and treated fairly. But if they are using methods which are harmful, they need to be called to account like anyone else. 

And surely it's high time to end this myth that any time farmers come under scrutiny, it's all a plot by the NDP & those "city environmentalists!" I haven't been voting NDP & I live in the country! l.p.

Port in Winnipeg Could be Model for Port at Churchill

Diane Gray - 06/9/2011 - Winnipeg Free Press - View From the West

The Golden Boy faces north from his lofty perch-- serving as a bold reminder of the unrealized economic potential.... Details here.  

Courtesy of Manitoba, eh?

PLT - I wonder just how much is enough for the human species? Winnipeg & Manitoba are already beautiful places with lots of natural beauty, physical infrastructure and cultural resources. Just how much further must we go to "realize our potential" by making it ever-easier to move people and widgets from here to the far corners of the continent. As far as I'm concerned, "Centre Port" is an exercise it excess which will only enrich the pockets of the few, worsen traffic gridlock and climate change while doing little to advance the human condition. "We can build it - therefore we must need it," might as well be the rallying cry. Globalization has already been shown to be a failure on so many levels. Lets stop bowing down to it as if it were our religion! The biggest tragedy with all of this is, why the provincial government, which pretends to be devoted to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, is even allowing this misguided fossil-fuel generator to go ahead at all! It is also puzzling why the Chamber of Commerce is looking to the Port of Churchill with such envy. After all, the Chamber's "party of choice," the Conservatives, are in the process of killing the Canadian Wheat Board. Some say that move alone is enough to place the very future of that port in jeopardy. Perhaps it's time to remove those "development stars" from our eyes. Let's turn our minds instead to what is good for Mother Earth and creatures who live upon it, rather than ripping it all up with backhoes and jackhammers. l.p.

AAFC Dials Back Estimated Crop Area Due to Flooding

June 9, 2011 - Manitoba Co-Operator
Canada's agriculture department has lowered its estimates of crop harvested areas, as flooding and excessive rain look to leave much land fallow this year. Details here.