PLANET IN PERIL

By Julio Godoy - Interpress Service PARIS, Jan 24, 2011 (IPS) - Despite repeated warnings by environmental and climate experts that reduction of fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is fundamental to forestalling global warming, disaster appears imminent.                                                                                   (AFP/File/Natalia Kolesnikova) According to the latest statistics, unprecedented climate change has Earth hurtling down a path of catastrophic proportions. 

Gov't of Manitoba News Release - Jan 24, 2011 Manitoba Water Stewardship's first spring flood outlook indicates the 2011 spring flood potential is high for much of Manitoba including the Red, Souris, Pembina, Assiniboine, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and Fisher rivers and the Interlake.  High river flows, above-normal snow-water content in the snowpack, and an expected cooler and wetter spring have increased the probabilities of significant flooding. With average weather along the Red River, a flood the size of 2009 is anticipated while unfavourable weather could result in a flood of 1997 levels.  With average weather along other rivers and streams in Manitoba, flooding is still anticipated and, with unfavourable weather, significant flooding could occur.

Michael T. Klare 
- Tomgram Jan 24-2011 Rising Commodity Prices and Extreme Weather Events Threaten Global Stability Photo credit AFP

"The National "- a Critique - by Larry Powell  (Please also watch video at end.) Overall, I believe the coverage of global warming by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is great, on such programs as “The Nature of Things” and “Doc Zone.” On the other hand, “The National,” the network’s nightly TV newscast, continues to disappoint. And here’s why. Last month, it carried a story on the horrific, record-breaking storms, which ravaged many parts of Canada in 2010. Was this climate change, it asked? For the answer, it went to Dave Phillips, official spokesperson for Environment Canada's Meteorological Service, famous for his “weather trivia” calendars. Phillips said it would be "bad science" to suggest a link between these storms and global climate change! Bad science? Phillips did not say; there may be a link but it's not possible to conclude, scientifically, at least not yet. Nor did he say; the storms were at least consistent with the now abund

DESMOGBLOG.COM  6 January 11 Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent is off... EDITOR'S NOTE: When I recently wrote "Peter Kent - hope or disappointment?" on his being named to his new cabinet post, I was skeptical - but tried to at least leave him the benefit of the doubt. Well, congrats, Peter! You have now let down totally, not just me but everyone other Canadian who had hopes for a cleaner country! Shame! l.p.

By Les Blumenthal | McClatchy Newspapers WASHINGTON — The summer of 2010 was...