It’s the end of the world and we know it: Many scientists see apocalypse, soon

SALON

Stephen Hawking is one of many scientists who see the possible near-term demise of our species. STORY HERE.

20 Million People Could ‘Starve to Death’ in Next Six Months

IPS News

Urgent action is needed to save the lives of people facing famine in North Eastern Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, the UN leading food and agriculture agency’s chief on April 28 warned. “If nothing is done, some 20 million people could starve to death in the next six months.” Story here.



Africa is no stranger to famine. 
70 children who died of malnutrition 
are buried in this mass grave in the 
east - 2011 . Photo by Oxfam.

The grisly truth about B.C.'s grizzly trophy hunt

by David Suzuki

Grizzly bears venturing from dens in search of food this spring will face landscapes dominated by mines, roads, pipelines, clearcuts and ever-expanding towns and cities. As in years past, they'll also face the possibility of painful death at the hands of trophy hunters. Story here.

US Forest Service photo.

Methane regs won't kick in in Canada until 2020 despite new report

iPOLITICS

Ottawa won’t revisit delaying cuts to a troublesome greenhouse gas despite a report published today that claimed its emissions could be much worse than previously thought. Story here.

Cyclist tells people NOT to ride the Trans Canada Trail

treehugger

With much of the trail following the shoulders of busy highways, Edmund Aunger says the trail is dangerous and should not be promoted as a tourist attraction. Story here.

A cyclist take a break on a much safer section of the Trans Canada Trail in Manitoba. PinP photo.

Pipeline leaks more than 70 thousand litres of crude oil onto Oklahoma farmland

Nation of Change

Plains All American Pipeline has been behind at least 25 pipeline incidents in the state of Oklahoma since 2004, with more than half of them due to corrosion. Story here.

Hog Watch Manitoba Revived Following Proposed Expansion of Hog Industry

Portage La Prairie – Hog Watch Manitoba, a group formed in 1999 to monitor the hog industry in the province, is being reconvened due to public concerns. A steering committee has met in Portage La Prairie to make plans for the group’s current work. Many people have expressed alarm at plans by the Pallister government to lift the moratorium on new hog barns, imposed by the previous NDP government in 2006. They fear the Premier’s move to “reduce red tape” will lead to more pollution, threatening our waterways and even human health.

• Will government do away with rules preventing the spreading of manure on fields in the winter? Winter spreading has been shown to result in more waste escaping into surface water. In 2007, the Clean Environment Commission found that hog wastes spread on fields as a nutrient, “constitute the most serious environmental sustainability issues facing the industry.”
•  Hog Watch wants the government to explain what has changed since 2007 that would justify a relaxation of regulations now.
•  Hog Watch will ask for meetings with cabinet ministers most directly involved with the proposed changes and seek assurances that rules protecting the public and the environment will be preserved.

Hog Watch Manitoba was originally formed through a coalition of environmental groups, farmers, friends of animals, social justice advocates, trade unionists and scientists concerned about the industrialization of livestock raising in Manitoba.

-30-

For further information contact:

  Vicki Burns - 204-489-3852 email  vickiburns@mts.net  ,

  Fred Tait – 204-252-2153  or

 Janine Gibson - 204-434-6018