SOIL: the Forgotten Element

United Nations Environment Program  (UNEP)  

We live, all our lives, less than 25 centimetres away from extinction.

For that is the average thickness of the thin dusting of topsoil that 

is all that stands between us and a barren planet, and on which 

we utterly depend. About a quarter of the world's agricultural land, the United Nations reports, has already been degraded, and another 12 million hectares – an area the size of the African country of Benin is lost to farming each year. TUNZA looks at the issues surrounding this forgotten crisis. more ...

PLT: I was astonished (naive?) to just learn that UNEP works with Bayer (the big German-based corporation), to "encourage young people to care for the environment." They neglect to mention that Bayer has been making farm poisons which have been killing honeybees, for years! You don't suppose Bayer has a hidden agenda here, do you? Naaaa!

Global Warming Study Finds no Grounds for Climate Sceptics' Concerns

Ian Sample, science correspondent guardian.co.uk, 20 Oc '11

Cloud formation photo by PLT

Independent investigation of the key issues sceptics claim can skew global warming figures reports that they have no real effect. Details here.

Separating Oil and State

Cameron Fenton Huff Post - National Director, Canadian Youth Climate Coalition - 10/20/11

The Alberta tar sands are not called a giga project for no reason. Details here.

One of many anti-tar sands demos 

in Regina some three yrs. ago. PLT photo.

Next Steps for the Occupy Movement

By Shamus Cooke Global Research, Oc 17, 2011

As the Occupy Movement gains strength nationally and internationally, questions of "what next" are popping up. Details here.


"Occupy Winnipeg" Manitoba legislature
Oct. 15th - '11 PLT photo

Eminent Domain Fight Has a Canadian Twist

LESLIE KAUFMAN and DAN FROSCH New York Times Oc 17'11

A Canadian company has been threatening to confiscate private land from South Dakota to the Gulf of Mexico, and is already suing many who have refused to allow the Keystone XL pipeline on their property, even though the controversial project has yet to receive federal approval. Details here.

Ethical Oil Argument is Ludicrous

Tom Ford-Wpg. Free Press Oc17'11
 What I find galling about Ottawa is that John Baird, the foreign affairs minister, struts around the globe, with his unique gold-embossed calling cards, repeating some dumb arguments about dirty oil. Details here.