As Parliament Rises for the Summer…

Elizabeth May, Leader, Green Party of Canada

The appalling 420 page so-called omnibus budget implementation bill, C-38, will likely clear the Senate before you read this. Full story here
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"…the contempt that the Tories have shown for the democratic process is unacceptable, and inexplicable. Such a hardball tactic might have been justifiable when the Conservatives held only a minority, but now, it seems simply like a bad habit the Conservatives are in need of shaking." - National Post, June 18, 2012  http://www.nationalpost.com/related/topics/Tory+habit/6798084/story.html

Will the Government of Manitoba Protect the Little Saskatchewan River?

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternative...by Ruth Pryzner

The beautiful Little Saskatchewan River (LSR), recognized as a unique habitat for endangered, at-risk and common species, winds its way through Keesekoowenin First Nation and the towns of Minnedosa....Details here.

Minnedosa's ethanol plant with the LSR in foreground. (PLT photo.) 

Searing Sun and Drought Shrivel Corn in US Midwest

New York Times
HARTFORD CITY, Ind. — Across a wide stretch of the Midwest, sweltering temperatures and a lack of rain are threatening what had been expected to be the nation’s largest corn crop in generations. Details here.

Greenland Ice Sheet Melt Nearing Critical ‘Tipping Point’

By Andrew Freedman - Climate Central

The Greenland ice sheet is poised for another record melt this year, and is approaching a "tipping point" into a new and more dangerous melt regime in which the summer melt area covers the entire land mass, according to new findings from polar researchers.
Full story here.

Heat... Fire... Disaster: What Climate Change Looks Like

June 29, 2012 by Common Dreams 

Western US fires are being driven by extreme temperatures, which are consistent with IPCC projections. Details here.

 Devoured: A firefighter works the scene of a home being consumed by flames in Colorado, captured by Darrell Spangler

 

After Rio, we Know. Governments Have Given up on the Planet

George Monbiot - the Guardian

It is, perhaps, the greatest failure of collective leadership since the first world war. Full story here.

PLT photo

 Please also read: "Governments and the Climate Challenge. Leadership Failure on a Psychotic Scale"