Andrew Weaver on Tar and Climate

Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Could Hurt Canadian Economy

(Source - Wikipedia) A report put forth by economist and former Insurance Corporation of BC CEO, Robyn Allan, in early 2012, states that this proposed pipeline could actually hurt non-oil based sectors of the Canadian economy. Allan stated in the report that the project's success depends on continual yearly oil price increases, by about $3/barrel. She also stated that an increase in oil prices will lead to "a decrease in family purchasing power, higher prices for industries who use oil as an input into their production process, higher rates of unemployment in non-oil industry related sectors, a decline in real GDP, a decline in government revenues, an increase in inflation, an increase in interest rates and further appreciation of the Canadian dollar." 

Coal the True Climate Change Bad Guy, Analysis Shows

Globe & Mail Feb 19-'12

One of the world’s top climate scientists has calculated that emissions from Alberta’s oil sands are unlikely to make a big difference to global warming and that the real threat to the planet comes from burning coal. Details here.
PLT: Quite a shocker for those of use who, like myself, have been fighting the tar sands, tooth and nail. While this hardly turns the tar sands into "clean, alternative energy," I believe we should all begin paying more attention now to finding better ways of producing energy we now produce from coal (and fracking) here in Canada!

Manitoba's Green Party Leader Takes Newspaper to Task for Misleading Editorial

From the Blog of James Beddome, Leader, Green Party of Manitoba.

GOOD NEWS! The Manitoba Government is finally going to follow the lead of the other 6 provinces in Canada which have put in place bans on the aesthetic or non-essential use of pesticides. This is a first step that Greens have been calling for, for years.     Full story here

All Sizzle, No Steak - (an HONEST View of the State of our National Parks)

Dec '11 Alternatives - Jeff Gailus

LAST JUNE, I returned to Banff National Park after a long absence. Details here.

PLT: Jeff's article, which actually appeared in "Alternatives" late last year, has proven timely, if not prescient, in pointing out the chasm between the hype of Parks Canada and the reality when it come to the condition of our national parks. Now, Harper & his minions have pushed through a scandalous scheme for an icefields "lookout," involving the blasting out of the side of the mountain, once again illustrating the misplaced priority of this government to attract even more tourists rather than protect natural ecosystems. 
(Those damn mountains. They do get in the way of the scenery, don't they? This photo I took of the Columbia Icefield this past summer - above - where the lookout will be built - shows just how lousy the view is without something concrete and steel to stand on! Sarcasm intended.)

Town Council in Terrace, BC Does the Right Thing - Opposes Pipeline!

Terrace Daily Online Feb '12

Terrace citizens have reacted strongly to Terrace City Councils decision to oppose the Northern Gateway Pipeline project. Details here.

Supporters of the Canadian Wheat Board Launch Another Court Fight

Canadian Press - 02/15/2012

WINNIPEG - Supporters of the Canadian Wheat Board have launched yet another court challenge. The Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board filed Tuesday a class-action lawsuit in Federal Court asking the court to restore the board and give farmers $17 billion in damages. Details here.

Monsanto Set to Appeal French Poisoning Verdict

Feb 15, 2012 Manitoba Co-Operator

U.S. agribusiness giant Monsanto said Tuesday it will appeal a French court ruling that found it responsible for the poisoning of a farmer who inhaled a weed killer, in the first such case to reach court in France. Details here.
Please also read: "Canada Fiddles While Concerns Fester Over 'Roundup'"

Sobering Future of Wildfire Dangers in U.S. West, Researchers Predict

ScienceDaily (Feb. 14, 2012) — The American West has seen a recent increase in large wildfires due to droughts, the build-up of combustible fuel, or biomass, in forests, a spread of fire-prone species and increased tree mortality 
from insects and heat. Details here.Mark Thiessen - Nat'l Geographic

High winds and hot temperatures fanned a 1996 
wildfire in the foothills around Boise, 
Idaho, into an inferno that burned for seven days.

Ottawa Dithers Over Health Concerns About "Roundup"

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- by Larry Powell

Despite copious evidence that the globally-popular weed-killer may be harmful to crops, wildlife, livestock and humans, the Government of Canada seems in no hurry to act. Last June, Health Canada (the federal Department which regulates pesticides) told me, it was aware of such evidence, but, that, "It did not raise immediate risk concerns that would have triggered regulatory action." 

A "crop-duster" sprays a field in western MB.  A PinP photo.

Then, in November, the Federal Court ordered the Minister of Health, Leona Aglukkaq, to reconsider a decision she had made in August, 2009. That's when she refused a citizen's request for a "special" review of the product. The Minister settled instead for a longer-range, routine re-evaluation. That didn't begin until some two years later and won't be finished for about another two. 

The court ruling came down almost three months ago. 

The Minister is still "reconsidering" whether to call that  special review.

Ask most conventional farmers about Roundup, they'll tell you. It's a chemical they spray regularly on their canola, soybeans, corn or, in some cases, sugar beets, to get rid of weeds. Sometimes, they also apply it in the fall to cereal crops like wheat and barley as a "desiccant," )to dry them out, in preparation for harvest).

Is 'Prescription for Disaster' Our 'Most Optimistic' Climate Future?

February 11, 2012 by Common Dreams

New data indicates warming of 2C now planet's "most optimistic" scenario Details here.