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.