COP21 Deal Signed, Ending Fossil Fuel Era: Experts

NATIONAL

OBSERVER

History was made today in Paris as the leaders of 195 nations agreed to an ambitious, science-based pact to move the world away from the fossil fuels that are to blame for the rapid increase in global temperatures. More here.

Scientists Warn: The Paris Climate Agreement Needs Massive Improvement

The Nation

The current text doesn’t even mention “fossil fuels” and lacks strong language on human rights. More here.

Rachel Notley Assassination Chatter 'Needs to Stop,' Wildrose Leader Says

CBC News

'I have a zero tolerance policy for such comments,' Brian Jean says after death threats appear online. More here.

Acid Trip: Great Lakes Could Face Similar Acidification Risk as the Seas

TheDailyClimate

Acidification is not just for oceans—the Great Lakes could acidify, too, as our carbon emissions increase. Here's why you should take note. More here.

Wildrose Leader Brian Jean is opposing same changes protecting farm workers he once agreed with

PRESSPROGRESS

It sounds like Brian Jean is flip flopping once again.

The leader of Alberta's Wildrose Party has been making hay over Bill 6 lately, new legislation that seeks to correct Alberta's potentially unconstitutional labour laws by extending Workers' Compensation Board coverage to paid farm workers and bringing workplace safety up to par with other Canadian provinces.

"What goes around comes around," Jean recently told one rally opposing these changes.

Funny thing about that, mind you – Jean didn't seem to think the proposed WCB changes he's currently opposing were such a bad idea eight months ago. MORE HERE.

Vultures are Revolting. Here’s Why We need to Save Them

NATIONAL

GEOGRAPHIC

The scavengers do the dirty work of cleaning up after death. With their numbers plummeting, we’re learning how much we need to keep them alive. More here.

Have Investment Treaties Put a Scare Into Government Regulators, Who Are Supposed to Protect Our Health and Environment?

bilaterals.org

Many such treaties give foreign investors a free hand to sue sovereign governments for pretty much any amount they choose, if those regulations interfere with a company’s business plan. Read about Ontario’s experience here. 

RELATED: "Free Trade: Path to Prosperity - or Back Road to Corporatism?"

When Planting Trees Hurts the Environment

THE

NATION

In Paris this week, policy-makers are considering an ambitious new plan to cover 50 million acres of South American land with trees. That might not be a good idea. More here.

Floods (Story & Video)

Hi Larry,

As you read this email, vast swathes of the UK are underwater. Buckling from the strain of torrential rains, rivers have overflowed and flood defences have been breached. Hundreds of families have been forced to evacuate their homes [1].



David Cameron has pledged to help people suffering in the wake of the destruction. That’s a start. But in the aftermath of such ferocious storms, we need to make sure he joins the dots to climate change.

Canada Shocks COP21 With Big New Climate Commitment

NATIONAL OBSERVER

Canada has surprised a world of nations and negotiators in closed-door climate talks in Paris by endorsing a bolder, more ambitious target for cutting greenhouse gases than the UN climate change summit is officially aiming for. More here.

'Huge Error': Former US Military Chief Admits Iraq Invasion Spawned ISIS

CommonDreams

The U.S. is poised to repeat all the same mistakes in Syria that it made in Iraq after 9/11, says former head of Defense Intelligence Agency. Story here.