Posts

All Sizzle, No Steak - (an HONEST View of the State of our National Parks)

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Dec '11 Alternatives - Jeff Gailus LAST JUNE , I returned to Banff National Park after a long absence. Details here. PLT: Jeff's article, which actually appeared in "Alternatives" late last year, has proven timely, if not prescient, in pointing out the chasm between the hype of Parks Canada and the reality when it come to the condition of our national parks. Now, Harper & his minions have pushed through a scandalous scheme for an icefields "lookout," involving the blasting out of the side of the mountain, once again illustrating the misplaced priority of this government to attract even more tourists rather than protect natural ecosystems.  (Those damn mountains. They do get in the way of the scenery, don't they? This photo I took of the Columbia Icefield this past summer - above - where the lookout will be built - shows just how lousy the view is without something concrete and steel to stand on! Sarcasm intended.)

Town Council in Terrace, BC Does the Right Thing - Opposes Pipeline!

Terrace Daily Online Feb '12 Terrace citizens have reacted strongly to Terrace City Councils decision to oppose the Northern Gateway Pipeline project. Details here.

Supporters of the Canadian Wheat Board Launch Another Court Fight

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Canadian Press - 02/15/2012 WINNIPEG - Supporters of the Canadian Wheat Board have launched yet another court challenge. The Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board filed Tuesday a class-action lawsuit in Federal Court asking the court to restore the board and give farmers $17 billion in damages. Details here.

Monsanto Set to Appeal French Poisoning Verdict

Feb 15, 2012 Manitoba Co-Operator U.S. agribusiness giant Monsanto said Tuesday it will appeal a French court ruling that found it responsible for the poisoning of a farmer who inhaled a weed killer, in the first such case to reach court in France. Details here. Please also read: "Canada Fiddles While Concerns Fester Over 'Roundup' "

Sobering Future of Wildfire Dangers in U.S. West, Researchers Predict

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ScienceDaily (Feb. 14, 2012) — The American West has seen a recent increase in large wildfires due to droughts, the build-up of combustible fuel, or biomass, in forests, a spread of fire-prone species and increased tree mortality  from insects and heat. Details here. Mark Thiessen - Nat'l Geographic High winds and hot temperatures fanned a 1996  wildfire in the foothills around Boise,  Idaho, into an inferno that burned for seven days.

Ottawa Dithers Over Health Concerns About "Roundup"

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" - by Larry Powell Despite copious evidence that the globally-popular weed-killer may be harmful to crops, wildlife, livestock and humans, the Government of Canada seems in no hurry to act. Last June, Health Canada (the federal Department which regulates pesticides) told me, it was aware of such evidence, but, that, "It did not raise immediate risk concerns that would have triggered regulatory action."   A "crop-duster" sprays a field in western MB.  A  PinP  photo. Then, in November, the Federal Court ordered the Minister of Health, Leona Aglukkaq, to reconsider a decision she had made in August, 2009. That's when she refused a citizen's request for a "special" review of the product. The Minister settled instead for a longer-range, routine re-evaluation. That didn't begin until some two years later and won't be finished for about another two.  The court ruling came down almost three months ago.  The Minister is still &q

Is 'Prescription for Disaster' Our 'Most Optimistic' Climate Future?

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February 11, 2012 by Common Dreams New data indicates warming of 2C now planet's "most optimistic" scenario Details here.

More Deceit From Big Oil (Video)

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The Cancer in Occupy

By Chris Hedges  Truthdig Feb 6 - '12 The Black Bloc anarchists, who have been active on the streets in Oakland and other cities, are the cancer of the Occupy movement. Details here.

The True Cost of Mad Cow Disease in the West Midlands (England)

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Justine Halifax, Birmingham Mail - Feb 6 2012 Birmingham could be facing a disease timebomb following the outbreak of the human form of mad cow disease or vCJD, health experts say. Details here. PLT photo

Climate Cartoon of the Week

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Stolen emails spark a new round of anti-science allegations.