China's Toxic Air Pollution Resembles Nuclear Winter, say Scientists

theguardian

Air pollution now impeding photosynthesis and potentially wreaking havoc on country's food supply, experts warn. Full story here.

Shenyang, China. Photograph: Sheng Li/Reuters

Climate Impacts ‘Are Very Evident, They’re Widespread’ And ‘We Are Not Prepared’

climateprogress

A vicious plow-wind tore through wide areas of central Manitoba and Saskatchewan in the summer of 2012. It knocked out power and caused widespread damage. PLT video.

The next big report from the world’s leading climate scientists is on impacts, it’s due the end of March, and it isn’t pretty. As the AP summarized the draft report on “Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability” from The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, “starvation, poverty, flooding, heat waves, droughts, war and disease [are] likely to worsen as the world warms from man-made climate change.” Full story here.

Canada’s Whale Whisperer: Scientist - Fired by Prime Minister Harper - Will Keep Telling Tales of his Ocean “Colleagues”

Environmental Health News

Scientist Peter Ross has dedicated his life to understanding ocean inhabitants, or as he calls them, his “colleagues.” As one of the world’s leading ecotoxicologists, Ross examined how ocean pollution harms some of the world’s most compelling creatures, including killer whales, .... Full story here.

A dolphin park in Mexico. PLT photo.

The Cancer of Growth

The RAM'S HORN - Brewster Kneen

There is a cancer referred to as The Economy which is growing world-wide – in Canada, the USA, Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey, Mexico. It accompanies a notion – nay, ideological fantasy – that growth is a universal remedy for an ailing – or failing – economy. This is profoundly odd since the primary characteristic of cancer is that it endeavours to consume its host. Details here.

The City of Vancouver, CA - another of the 

world's "growth centres." PLT photo.

Could A Climate Scientist’s Defamation Suit Shut Down America's Leading Conservative Magazine?

CLIMATEPROGRESS

The National Review has held great influence among Republicans and conservative thought leaders for nearly 60 years, but a lawsuit from a climate scientist could threaten its very existence. Details here.

Canadian Environmental Groups Celebrate Victory in Endangered Species Protection Case

Sierra Club BC

Court rules federal government acted ‘unlawfully’ in delaying recovery strategies for at-risk species. Details here.

Whooping crane. 
US Fish & Wildlife Service.

Trading Water for Fuel is Fracking Crazy

EcoWatch - by David Suzuki

It would be difficult to live without oil and gas. But it would be impossible to live without water. Yet, in our mad rush to extract and sell every drop of gas and oil as quickly as possible, we’re trading precious water for fossil fuels. Details here.

A Canadian waterfall. Quantity? For now. 
Quality? Not so much! PLT photo.

U.N. Focuses on Faltering Goals: Water, Sanitation, Energy

INTER PRESS SERVICE

The Jangwani slum in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was flooded during recent heavy rain. Credit: Muhidin Issa Michuzi/IPS

When the U.N.’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) reach their deadline in 2015, there will still be a critical setback: millions of people in the developing world without full access to safe drinking water, proper sanitation and electricity in their homes. Details here.

16,000 Landless Workers Protest for Agrarian Reform in Brasilia

La Via Campesina

(Brazilia) The ministry esplanade was covered in red yesterday afternoon. Around 16 thousand landless workers participating in the 6th Landless Workers’ Movement National Congress made the 9km journey to the Plaza and back. Details here.

‘Swine Flu’ Strain Returns in US; Dramatic Rise in Deaths of Young Adults, Children

The Washington Post

The H1N1 virus responsible for the 2009 global pandemic is back. State health officials from across the country say the resurgence is resulting in a dramatic rise in flu deaths in young and middle-aged adults and in children this season. Full story here.

Autosaurus Rex: A Story of Dinosaurs

Transparency,Please! Time to Come Clean, Rex! - Sierra Club

Should a CBC radio & TV commentator be

 accepting speaking fees for pro-Tar Sands speeches on the side without publicly disclosing the financial conflict of interest to viewers? Should a national newspaper consider--let alone sign--a strategic partnership with the oil industry (a.k.a. Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers) to produce content? Would such a move render the paper a non-news organization? Should it?

Rex Murphy caricature courtesy 

of By the Bay Art Studio

These two stories emerged over the last week and received almost no attention in the media. There has to be a better explanation than Olympic coverage eating up air time.