Canadian Technology Could Help Save Civilization!

PEOPLE IN ACTION  Reah Janise Kauffman and Julianne Simpson www.earth-policy.org/action_center/C27	Earth Policy Release August 13, 2013
We love hearing about how our publications inspire others to take action and share their stories  on our website. From the classroom to the political arena, people are spreading the word about  Plan B and EPI’s work to create a roadmap to sustainability.  In 2007, Dr. Bonnie Winslow-Garvin, a school psychologist and  long-time fan of Lester’s work, gave her husband Michael Garvin a  copy of Plan B 2.0. Garvin was so inspired by Lester’s call to action  that he left his national security consulting work to focus on moving  the world to a carbon-free energy economy. In 2009 they founded  RENAIS, a renewable energy technology and financing consultancy  specializing in wind power, in their home state of Iowa. Garvin also wanted to act internationally. He decided to begin with  the Caribbean, a region heavily dependent upon fossil fuel imports,  where highly-polluting diesel generators dominate the electricity  sector. With contacts in Curacao’s utilities and government,  including former Prime Minister Gerrit Schotte, Garvin is encouraging  retrofits of the country’s diesel-fueled vehicles and power stations to  boost efficiency and cut pollution, using “hydrogen hybrid” technology  from Canadian firm dynaCERT. Garvin, focusing his longer-term  efforts on alternative energy production combined with battery  storage, envisions Curacao becoming the first zero-carbon energy  economy. More broadly, he plans to play a consulting role as the 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM) implements its recently-agreed Regional Energy Policy, which emphasizes conservation,  efficiency, and renewables as key for long-term energy security.

ForestEthics Advocacy Stands up For The Environment - But it Needs Your Help & Money!

	Dear Larry, Democracy and the environment are the cornerstones of a prosperous future. But our federal government doesn’t see it that way. How many of us have watched, astonished and sick at heart, as Prime Minister Harper’s cabinet gutted our environmental laws, muzzled our scientists, and violated our free speech rights? Moments ago, ForestEthics Advocacy (FEA), represented by my friend Clay Ruby, launched a lawsuit in the Federal Court of Canada against the Harper Government. Clay believes the Harper government overstepped its authority when it established rules that dictate who can speak at National Energy Board (NEB) hearings AND what exactly they can say. Your partnership and support in getting us this far has been incredible. It takes courage to stand up to a powerful adversary.  Now we must all step up again.  The start-up fees for this lawsuit will cost $150,000. ForestEthics Advocacy is currently raising funds to cover these expenses and two generous donors have offered to help by throwing out a $25,000 challenge match. Will you support Clay and ForestEthics Advocacy in this incredible act?

MIDWAY - a Film by Chris Jordan

This video is about an island in the ocean about 2000 km from any other coast line.Nobody lives there, only birds... and yet...you will not believe your eyes! This film should be seen by the entire world, please don't throw anything into the sea. Unbelievable, just look at the consequences! Please watch here.

Cormorants & barbed wire in Manitoba, CA. 
PLT photo 

"Neonics" May Not be the Only Pesticides Killing Bees

MotherJones

A pair of widely-used fungicides are showing up prominently in bee pollen—and appear to be making bees significantly more likely to succumb to a fungal pathogen. Details here.

Province of Manitoba, Canada to Become First North American Jurisdiction to Ban Petcoke and Coal for Heating

Manitoba to engage public to find ways of reducing emissions. Please read CBC story here.

Please also read full Government of Manitoba press release.

Highly Hazardous Pesticides Should be Phased out in Developing Countries

UN Food & Agriculture Organization

Tragedy of poisoned school children in India provides another reminder. Details here.

Signs Of Change

by Christine

I’ve been blogging about climate change since my conversion from being a climate change avoider to a climate activist/fossil fuel abolitionist in the fall of 2009. As a climate change avoider, I….full story here.

PLT: I had the honour of meeting Christine Penner Polle at an "Occupy" event in Winnipeg in 2011. She is not only a sincere individual, dedicated to doing something tangible about the impending (& present) tragedy of a climate in crisis, (among other things, as a long-time member of the "Citizens Climate Lobby), she shows reasoned and remarkable restraint when writing about this highly-charged issue while too many others partake in emotional rants which generate more heat than light. Well-done Christine! Long live your excellent blog, "350 or Bust!"  

Larry