The True Cost of Mad Cow Disease in the West Midlands (England)

Justine Halifax, Birmingham Mail - Feb 6 2012

Birmingham could be facing a disease timebomb following the outbreak of the human form of mad cow disease or vCJD, health experts say. Details here.

PLT photo

Climate Cartoon of the Week

Stolen emails spark a new round of anti-science allegations.

Corporations Have No Use for Borders

By Chris Hedges - Truthdig Jan 30-'12

What happened to Canada? It used to be the country we would flee to if life in the United States became unpalatable. No nuclear weapons. No huge military-industrial complex. Universal health care. Funding for the arts. A good record on the environment. But that was the old Canada. Details here.

Minister of Natural Resources Prepares to Help his Boss, Stephen, Sell Out Canada!

PLT: Just heard Joe Oliver spouting off on CBC Radio. Boy, does he like to have it both ways! On the one hand, he loves to brag that the TAR Sands are the 3rd largest oil reserve in the world and THE biggest single, industrial project. 
Alberta tar sands. Courtesy of Beautiful Destruction
Well, what about greenhouse gas emissions then? They must be significant, too? Naaah, they're tiny compared to everybody else. 
He and Steve will soon be visiting China, hobnobbing with the "ethical" members of the Communist Party, selling out as many of the Canadian people's resources as they can get away with. These Dudes are out of control!

Fatal Deception - Investigative Report Exposes Canada's Asbestos Policies - CBC Video

Is the federal government relying on junk science to justify its support for re-opening asbestos mines in Quebec? Click here and watch the program, "Fatal Deception."

Cosmetic Pesticides Face Ban in Manitoba

Winnipeg Free Press
 Feb 1'12

Manitoba will soon join most other Canadian provinces and ban cosmetic pesticides -- sprays such as WeedEx and Roundup that keep lawns perfect by killing weeds and bugs. Details here.

PLT photo

CPAWS Update on Developments in Jasper National Park

Parks Canada announced it will delay its decision on Brewster Travel Canada's proposed development of the  Glacier Discovery Walk in Jasper National Park.
Public opinion matters!

Parks Canada is now reviewing over 2,000 letters it has received on this issue. They are also reconsidering its environmental impact. 

CPAWS opposes this proposed development because we fear it would set a dangerous precedent for renewed commercial development in our mountain national parks.  If this goes ahead, what will be next?
As well, the long term impact of it on wildlife, including mountain goats and big horn sheep, can’t be predicted with confidence. There just isn’t enough data.
Please help show that public concern is still growing. Take a minute now to send a letter to Parks Canada on this issue.
It’s easy. When you click here, you’ll  find suggestions for points you may wish to make in your letter, and an easy form that you can send directly to Parks Canada and the Minister of the Environment.

Thank you for helping to protect our precious national parks.
The CPAWS conservation team

Let's Protect the Spirit Bear - Stop the Pipeline! (Video)

2011 - A Year of Weather Extremes, With More to Come

Analysis by Janet Larsen and Sara Rasmussen*

WASHINGTON, Feb 1, 2012 (IPS)  

According to NASA scientists, this was the ninth warmest year in 132 years of recordkeeping. Details here. 

Prairie sunset PLT photo

Monsanto petition tells Obama: ‘Cease FDA ties to Monsanto’

By Elizabeth Flock Washington Post Jan 30 2012

A two-year-old Food and Drug Administration appointment is stirring up online protests once more. Details here.

Peat Mines OK'd Despite Manitoba Ban

By Mychaylo Prystupa, CBC News: Feb 2, 2012

Three peat mining companies were authorized to level thousands of hectares of Manitoba's boreal forest, just days after….Details here.