Posts
In Defence of Science
Schindler's Pissed - Alternatives Journal - Canada's Environment Magazine. Freshwater science pioneer David Schindler fires back about tar sands development, closing the Experimental Lakes Area, and why researchers should speak out. Full story here. Also in this issue, "Field of Nightmares," exposing the dark side of Roundup.
Ottawa to Unveil Weakened Emissions Rules for Coal-Fired Power
Globe and Mail After a year of tough negotiations with companies and premiers that tested Ottawa’s resolve to fight climate change, Environment Minister Peter Kent is finally ready to present the final version of regulations to curtail greenhouse gas emissions from the coal-fired electricity sector. Full story here.
Field of Nightmares
Ottawa continues to embrace the widespread use of Roundup on Canadian farms by letting corporate seduction trump scientific evidence. by Larry Powell A crop-duster sprays a GMO crop in western MB. A PinP photo. In its quest to dominate the planet's agricultural biotechnology sector, Monsanto's business model has produced significant collateral damage. Generations of farming families in South America, India and other robustly developing regions have been devastated by the US-based multinational’s product line, namely its flagship herbicide Roundup and the patented seeds that go with it. In the 1970s, the company began genetically modifying canola, and they’ve since created their own patented versions of soybeans, corn, cotton and a range of other crops. The havoc wreaked by Monsanto’s remarkable growth in the interim includes widespread claims of pollution, illegal activity and damage to health and livelihoods, as well as a systematic effort to crush detr
Welcome to the Anthropocene - a New Geologic Era (Radio podcast + video)
This podcast has been airing on the CBC Radio program, "The Current." It suggests human activity has now placed us in an entirely new geologic epoc. And not a good one! Listen here. (PLT video & photo) I shot this video of my home (above) just after these winds toppled two mature spruce trees, narrowly missing our house as we slept. The still photo (r.) shows the gap left in the shelterbelt which protects us from the elements. To me, climate change is now personal! Larry Powell.
Food Prices Set to Soar. Reducing Poverty in Manitoba Just Got Harder.
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Early last year stories hit the news about the potential for food prices to rise throughout 2011. PLT photo Commodities prices for wheat, corn, sugar, and others were all on the rise which ultimately resulted in a 4.4% rise in the cost of food to December 2011. Full story here
Are Canada's Pesticide Regulators on the Take? (Opinion)
Canadian Authorities Refuse to Protect Precious Pollinators From Known Toxins. Is Something Crooked Going on Here? by Larry Powell Bumblebees forage on organic chives. A PinP photo For way too many years now, they and their political masters have been stubbornly refusing to protect our precious plant pollinators such as bees from known toxins. Isn’t it high time we found out why? It’s gotten to the point where, to me, the failure of these individuals to lift a finger to save collapsing world populations of these creatures, borders on the criminal. It even smacks of collusion between them and the agro-chemical industry. For years, scientific research teams both far and near, have been documenting dwindling numbers, even extinctions, of several populations of honey bees and bumble bees. Scores of reputable groups, including The Canadian Pollination Institute (CANPOLIN), the Xerces Society and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in the ‘States, are all sound