'Aflockalypse': Why We Should Be Concerned

Tara Lohan - Alternet

 

The massive death toll of dead birds and sea life should draw attention to the countless other species on the brink of extinction.




White-headed woodpecker
Courtesy, BC Gov't.

Save the Bees - Sign the Petition!

Dear friends,

Bees are dying off worldwide and our entire food chain is in peril. Scientists blame toxic pesticides and four European governments have already banned them. If we get the US and the EU to join the ban, other governments across the world could follow, and save bees from extinction. Sign the petition and forward this urgent appeal:

Silently, billions of bees are dying off and our entire food chain is in danger. Bees don't just make honey, they are a giant, humble workforce, pollinating 90% of the plants we grow.

Multiple scientific studies fault one group of toxic pesticides for their rapid demise, and bee populations have soared in four European countries that have banned these products. But powerful chemical companies are lobbying hard to keep selling this poison. Our best chance to save bees now is to push the US and EU to ban this deadly product -- their action is critical and will have a ripple effect on the rest of the world.

We have no time to lose -- the debate is raging about what to do. This is not just about saving bumble bees, this is about survival. Let’s build a giant global buzz calling for the EU and US to outlaw these killer chemicals and save our bees and our food. Sign the emergency petition now and send it onto to everyone and we’ll deliver it to key decision makers:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/?vl

The US House of Representatives v. the Environmental Protection Agency, Round One

— By Kate Sheppard MotherJones - Jan. 6, 2011

That didn't take long. On the first…

A New Direction in Agriculture: Up

By Emily Voigt - OnEarth - January 3, 2011

The Vertical Farm: Feeding the World in the 21st Century

Designed by Dickson Despommier and architect Eric Ellingsen, 

the Pyramid Farm would separate sewage into water and carbon, 

used to power lighting and machinery. 

Peter Kent - Hope Or Disappointment?

-by Larry Powell-

So Canada has a new Minister of the Environment!

Peter Kent used to be a credible journalist with CBC Television News many years ago.

But Kent's appointement comes at a time when Canada's reputation on fighting the scourges of climate change remains in the toilet.

He takes over from Jim Prentice, who abandon his post late last year to take a cushy job with a major bank which helps enable the Alberta tar sands, the worlds dirtiest energy project. Such, I guess, are the ethical standards to which Stephen Harper holds his appointees!

Harper and his minions have been preaching for some time, Canada will follow the US lead and taylor our environmental policies after them.

Interesting.

Since President Obama is actually doing something concrete about climate change, I guess that means we will be too, then, Mr. Kent?

Obama has given the go-ahead to the Environmental Protection Agency to use powers it has held for some time under the Clean Air Act. Buttressed by a ruling from the US Supreme Court, the EPA will start to enforce greenhouse gas emission limits for coal-fiired power plants in the next couple of years.

It's kind of "put up or shut up time" for Canada, one might say.

So which will it be, Peter? A future made up of genuine efforts by you and our government to steer away from a calamatous future full of weather catastrophes and economic collapse due to global warming; Or one of continued subservience to the powerful and rich, non-sustainable energy lobby?

Opposition parties say Kent will do little more for the environment than recite the cautious script prepared for him by the Prime Minister's Office.

And the oil industry is confident that it will continue to be smooth sailing down the road for it.

So, which will it be, Peter? 

Will it be more of the same under your watch? Or will you do something honourable and right for our nation and our planet by bringing in strict regulation of the industry - an element that has been shamfully lacking for far too long.
l.p.

Hottest Year In History Ends With Freak Climate Disasters

Alternet - Dec 31 2010
As greenhouse pollution continues to build...