Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Reporting CO2 Levels on the Radio Might be "Inflammatory:" CBC

Below is the CBC's response to my request (please read - "'PLT' Publisher Asks for Help in Raising Awareness of  Global Warming") to report atmospheric C02 levels during their weathercasts.
=======
Greetings Mr. Powell,
  Through consulting with our meteorologist, we have determined that it would be inappropriate for us to consider a regular reporting of CO2 levels as a part of our regular weather reports, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is simple time economics in a weather-cast.  Moreover, while the concerns may be great about the rising levels of CO2, an inclusion of this number in regular reports might be perceived and received as inflammatory, compared say to the UV levels or wind chills about which a listener can actually take some immediate personal action.
  This subject is, however, something we are going to follow up on in terms of a story for one of our local radio programs.  We thank you for your interest and invite you to keep listening. 
Cheery bye,
John Sadoway
CBC Radio Winnipeg

"PLT" Publisher Asks for Help in Raising Awareness of Global Warming

 Below is a message I sent today to Marilyn Maki, (lower r.) a weather specialist and radio host at CBC in Winnipeg. Keep watching this space for her reply! l.p.
=====
Marilyn Maki,
Host, Radio Noon,
CBC Manitoba.
Dear Marilyn,

As a weather specialist, you will be aware that the science of climate change is now well-proven.

Human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, mainly carbon dioxide (CO2), are still on the increase. And so are the earth's mean temperatures and the incidences of severe weather events.

Considering the gravity of this situation, I would ask you to consider the following:

Would you, at least periodically, report current CO2 levels in the atmosphere, as part of your weather casts?  

As you will also be aware, those levels have, for some time now, been well above 350ppm. That's the level considerd by the world's leading climatologist, James Hansen, to be safe for human habitation.

I would submit such a service would be at least as important as, say wind-chill factors or UV levels.

Hope you agree.

I'd appreciate an answer at your earliest opportunity, so I can post it on my blog.

Sincerely,
Larry Powell
Roblin, MB
www.pathslesstravelled.com

Is Canada About to Descend Into An America-Style Abyss by Cheapening Our Broadcast Regulations?

Below is my submission to the Canadian Radio, Television & Telecommunications Commission. That powerful body seems poised to grant the wishes of a parliamentary committee by loosening the rules governing truth and accuracy in broadcasting.
(Anyone detect the heavy hand of Stephen Harper in all of this? Naaaaa!) l.p.
 ==== 
  1.    Dear CRTC - I am a journalist specializing in stories about the environment, especially global warming. Your proposed changes concern me deeply because, among other things:
    2.    I fear they will provide yet another channel for climate skeptics/opportunists and fraudsters to peddle their lies and deception over a phenomenon which is real, which is happening now and which is posing a clear and present threat to this planet, not only for us but future generations, as well.
    3.    I also fear these changes would shamefully cheapen the noble profession of Canadian journalism with its long-accepted high standard of checks and balances on the truth and accuracy of reporting in the public interest.
    4.    These changes seem to prepare the way for American-style broadcasting, where kooks and cranks have free reign to inflict their poisonous lies and misinformation on the public.
    5.    I implore you - do your part in preserving Canada's proud tradition of fairness and honesty in broadcasting - PLEASE DO NOT PROCEED WITH THESE CHANGES.
    6.    Sincerely,
    7.    Larry Powell - Box 5 Grp 11 RR 1 ROBLIN - Manitoba- CA - R0L1P0

***End of document***

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

48 Hours to Save Canadian Journalism?

COMMENT: Patti wrote:
"This is just one in a long list of abuses and audacities that this PM and his government have perpetrated. How long are we going to stand for it? No credible opposition to challenge the abuses and no populace knowledgeable enough to vote this criminal and his party out." 



Dear friends across Canada,






Public protections against false and misleading news coverage could be destroyed by the CRTC -- paving the way for "Fox News North" to spread false information to the Canadian public that supports their political agenda. We have just two days to raise a national outcry and urge the CRTC to protect Canadian journalism!

Chevron Gets Dinged - Heavily!

Rainforest Action Network

Chevron is guilty. 
Tell CEO John Watson: 
Clean up Ecuador NOW!
Chevron is guilty
Dear friend,

Yesterday marked a historic day for corporate accountability.
A judge in Ecuador found Chevron guilty of massive oil contamination in the Amazon rainforest and ordered the company to pay over $8 billion to clean it up.

The verdict is the culmination of an 18-year struggle by the Indigenous and rural Ecuadoreans — the real heroes of this epic fight — who first sued Chevron to force the company to clean up its oily mess back in 1993. The battle is won, but the war for corporate accountability is far from over.

Chevron has vowed to appeal the decision
, and it’s all too clear that the company intends to never pay for its oil pollution in the Amazon. Tell Chevron CEO John Watson that enough is enough – Chevron needs to clean up Ecuador NOW.

For 18 years the Ecuadorean plaintiffs have withstood the 

impacts of Chevron’s pollution in the Amazon, as well as an unprecedented PR and legal campaign aimed at discrediting 
them and minimizing the extent of the damage that’s been 
done to their health and livelihoods. The evidence of the company’s guilt is overwhelming. It’s time for Chevron 
to take responsibility for 
its mess.

John Watson needs to do the right thing and pledge 

to clean up the Ecuadorean Amazon by complying 
with the judgment in Ecuador. Some 1,400 people have 
already died as a result of Chevron refusing to take 
responsibility, and 30,000 more are at risk. The people 
living with Chevron’s pollution can’t wait while the company 
launches another PR campaign and attempts even more 
dirty tricks and shady legal maneuvers to try and evade 
its responsibility.

Stand up for the people of Ecuador, for human rights, 

and for corporate accountability:  
Tell Chevron CEO John Watson to stop stalling 
and clean up Ecuador NOW.
Change Chevron team
For a cleaner future,
Ginger, Maria, Linda, and Mike
Change Chevron


Rainforest Action Network
221 Pine Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104 USA
Phone: (415) 398-4404   Fax: (415) 398-2732

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Monday, February 14, 2011

Oil Pipeline From Canada Stirring Anger in U.S. Great Plains

By David Goldstein | McClatchy Newspapers - Feb 14 - 2011
WASHINGTON — Crude oil from western Canada began flowing through a controversial pipeline in Kansas last week. Read more here.

PolluterHarmony - the #1 Matchmaking Site for Polluters - "Now in Canada"