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Global Warming an Olympic Worry, says Rogge

AFP | February 8, 2010 VANCOUVER – Global warming is starting to worry the International Olympic Committee, with concern mounting over how it might affect future Games. IOC president Jacques Rogge said it was an issue discussed in meetings on Monday ahead of the Winter Olympics here, with the issue of Cypress Mountain , just outside of Vancouver , highlighting the problem. The mountain is the site for the freestyle and snowboard events but has been plagued by a drastic lack of snow caused by the warm temperatures which have seen Vancouver enjoying unseasonal highs of around 10C (50F). Lorry loads of snow have been carted in to the venue and media banned from visiting in an effort to g

Have Farm Chemicals Ruined Another Life?

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                                          by Larry Powell Oh look! What the world needs now! Yet another "crop protection" product! A PinP photo. I met him recently at a family event.   Since he prefers not to be identified, I'll call him "James," which is not his real name. James moved slowly with the use of a cane; a distinguished looking senior with graying hair. At dinner, he shared bits and pieces of his personal story with me.  It was both amazing and tragic. He had worked for a number of years in the farm chemical industry in western Canada. Industry "experts" convinced him at the time that the chemicals he was working with were so safe, "I would have drunk them if they had asked me to!"  Turns out, he didn't have to.  James is convinced that, merely inhaling their fumes over the years was enough to change his life forever. And not for the better.   Later, at my request, James sends me a

Commercial Fishing Endangers Dolphin Populations, New Study Finds

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ScienceDaily (Feb. 5, 2010) — Extensive commercial fishing…. Captive dolphins in a "swim with dolphins" fun park in Mexico. l.p. photo

Tritium Hot Zone Expands

By SUSAN SMALLHEER - Rutland Herald - Vermont VERNON — The Department of Health said late Monday there appears to be "a very large...

A Green Budget for Canada?

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thegreenpages - Canada Posted: 07 Feb 2010 07:01 AM PST Ottawa - In light of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's invitation for input on the upcoming federal budget, the Green Budget Coalition (GBC) is today highlighting its three priority budget recommendations, whose adoption could stimulate over 8,000 new jobs in renewable energy, ensure clean sources of drinking water for millions of Canadians, and help Canada meet its commitment under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity to establish national and regional systems of protected areas. "These are prime opportunities for Canada to shine on the world stage during the International Year of Biodiversity and in the lead-up to the G8 and G20 Summits," said Barry Turner, Chair of the Green Budget Coalition and Director of Government Relations, Ducks Unlimited Canada . The Green Budget Coalition comprises 21 of Canada's leading environmental and conservation organizations

Stress, Depression Take Toll on Farmers

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Winnipeg Free Press - By: Laura Rance - Manitoba Co-Operator 6/02/2010 Workshops to focus on growing problem... Canola swaths in October . l.p. photo

Los Angeles May Get Mandatory Rainwater Harvesting Law

Does this mean LA is becoming water wise? feb 5 2010 - treehugger

Coca-Cola Puts on Green Guise for the Winter Olympics

February 5, 2010 by Stephanie Rogers - ecosalon The 2010 Winter Olympic Games are going...

Ottawa Squanders Energy Economy

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Winnipeg Free Press - By: Frances Russell - 3/02/2010 Courtesy of Beautiful Destruction. More and better carbon capture...

Manitoba's Conservation Minister Responds to my Story on Swan Valley Air Emissions

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While composing my story, "Standing the Precautionary Principle on its Head; the Manitoba Government celebrated '09 by allowing industrial pollutants to be released in the Swan Valley," Gov't. of MB photo I invited three Manitoba cabinet ministers to give their input. Just over a month later, I got a response from one of them, Bill Blaikie. Please read my email and his, below. Larry ========== From: Larry Powell [mailto:earthkeeperfarm@yahoo.ca]
Sent: Thursday, December 31, 2009 12:22 PM
To: Conservation, Minister; Agriculture, Minister; Finance, Minister
 Subject: News Story On LP's Pollution Controls Dear Honourable Ministers,

 I'd like to congratulate you all on your recent appointments to new portfolios!

I am a journalist based near Roblin who writes regularly on issues touching on your areas of ministerial responsibility. (I write for my blog - see link below - occasionally for weekly newspapers in my region and magazines such as Briarpatch and Sasquatc

Biotech Wheat Could Slam U.S. Wheat Prices -Report

Wed Jan 27, 2010 - By Carey Gillam CHICAGO, Jan 27 (Reuters) U.S. wheat prices could fall by 40 percent...