Huge Toxic Algal Bloom Shuts Down West Coast Fisheries

CLIMATEPROGRESS

Commercial and recreational fisheries up and down the West Coast have been forced to close as a result of a massive toxic algal bloom, which scientists are describing as one of the largest in history. Story here.

Pope Francis Slams GMOs and Pesticides for Environmental and Social Damage

Sustainable Pulse

Pope Francis slams both GMOs and pesticides in a draft of his major environmental document that was leaked Monday. He has also called for the financing of independent and interdisciplinary research to study GMOs. Story here.

ALSO, READ THE ENCYCLICAL LETTER, 

LAUDATO SI’ 

OF THE HOLY FATHER, FRANCIS

ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME .

HERE.

The Pope, the Economy and the Case for Climate Action

World Resources Institute

This week Pope Francis issues his long awaited Encyclical on Climate Change. The Pope’s message should galvanize support for climate action for the Catholic community and well beyond. It will speak not only to the 5,000 Catholic Bishops, nor only to the 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide, but to all people of goodwill who are open to the moral context of climate change. Story here.

North Korea Says It Faces Worst Drought in a Century

(BBC News)

North Korea says it is facing its worst drought in a century, sparking fears of worsening food shortages. Story here.

The World is Off Course to Prevent Two Degrees C of Warming, says Energy Agency

The Washington Post

In a major report to be released Monday, the Paris-based International Energy Agency — which provides independent energy analysis and has 29 member countries, including the United States — will state that current national commitments to cut greenhouse gases are still insufficient to keep the world below two degrees Celsius of warming above preindustrial levels. Story here.

Explosive Intervention by Pope Francis Set to Transform Climate Change Debate

the guardian

The Koch Bros. fertilizer plant in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. PinP photo.

The most anticipated papal letter for decades will be published in five languages on Thursday. It will call for an end to the ‘tyrannical’ exploitation of nature by mankind. Could it lead to a step-change in the battle against global warming? Story here.

Butterflies: Out of the Blue

the guardian

One of the many species of swallowtail butterflies in North America. PinP photo.

Large blue butterflies were driven to extinction in Britain just 30 years ago, but now they're making a comeback, thanks to some loving care from conservationists. Story here.

China Syndrome

George Monbiot

We should stop recycling the old “Yellow Peril” myth. The people most hostile to action on climate change are American and British (& Canadian? PinP), not Chinese. Read more.

Canada’s New Trade Deals Good for Canadian Corporations, Bad for African Democracy

By Yves Engler - bilaterals.org

Sometimes what is good for business can be bad for people. Most Canadians understand this and cherish their right to protest "bad deals" and to elect new governments willing to reverse so-called "business-friendly" policies. This is called democracy. Story here.

Alberta’s Oil Sands Take a Hit as Scientists, Academics Call for Halt to Development

THE GLOBE AND MAIL

Rainbow Lava - Canadian tar sands. 

Tailings contain a host of toxins including bitumen, naphthenic acids, cyanide, phenols and metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and zinc. Photo Credit - Beautiful Destruction.

Alberta’s oil sands producers have suffered another hit to their reputation, as a group of prominent scientists and academics called for a moratorium on further development due to environmental concerns. Story here.

Africa on Threshold of Triple Energy Win for People, Power and Planet

INTER PRESS SERVICE

Renewable energy is at the forefront of the changes sweeping Africa, and a “triple win” is within the region’s grasp to increase agricultural productivity, improve resilience to climate change, and contribute to long-term reductions in dangerous carbon emissions. Story here.