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Wildfires Prompt Manitoba to Clamp Travel Restrictions on Southeastern Area

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Government of Manitoba News Release. Hot, dry conditions and high winds are driving grass and brush fires in several areas including fires near the communities of St. Malo, Richer, Milner Ridge and Vita. For latest conditions, check here. Firefighters battle a raging brush fire that is threatening  homes in Winnipeg.   WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)                   FIRE UPDATE New Travel Restrictions Introduced The Office of the Fire Commissioner, Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship, and the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization continue to support municipalities and fire departments with fires in southeast Manitoba. Hot, dry conditions and high winds are driving grass and brush fires in several areas including fires near the communities of St. Malo, Richer, Milner Ridge and Vita.  Non-essential personnel are asked to avoid these areas as conditions are changing quickly. Municipal and provincial staff are also working with the municipalities of Grahamdale and St. Lau

2012 US Drought: Pick Your Poison

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By Brian Bienkowski The Daily Climate As harvest season gets underway, farmers find drought-stressed crops are susceptible to toxins and contaminants, further reducing yields. Details here. By Charles Abbott WASHINGTON

Global Fisheries Approaching Collapse

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                                         Planetsave A new report by the Sustainable Fisheries Group (SFG) has confirmed the suspicions held by many researchers that the thousands of fisheries that there isn’t much data on, that’s nearly 80 percent of the world’s fisheries, are in steep decline but could potentially recover to a degree if they are properly managed. Full story here. Photo credit:  Ecology Action Centre.

Pipeline Whistleblower: Cracks in The System

By Andrew Nikiforuk, Today, TheTyee.ca An insider ties poor weld inspections to rising rate of ruptures. Part two of a Tyee investigation. Full story here.

Mystery of the Disappearing Bees: Solved!

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Reuters Beehives, Fort Whyte Centre, Winnipeg MB. Photos by PinP. If it were a novel, people would criticize the plot for being too       far-fetched – thriving colonies disappear overnight without leaving a trace, the bodies of the victims are never found.   Full story here.    

The Organic Movement "Gets the Ear" of the Government of Manitoba

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Minister declares week of Dec. 22-29 "Organic Week" in Manitoba.  Chemical-free veggies, fresh from a MB garden. PLT photo Manitoba's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, Ron Kostyshyn, (l.) enjoyed a 4-course, gourmet organic meal with organic producers and retailers at an intimate Winnipeg restaurant last evening. Fusion Grill is long known for its support of fresh, local and organic food.  Mr. Kostyshyn promised the guests his government would attempt to "raise the profile" of organic agriculture in the province. He then signed a declaration, proclaiming Sept. 22-29th as "Organic Week in Manitoba." (The week just passed was National Organic Week.) I was there, too, representing PLT and enjoying delicious dishes, ranging from roast heirloom squash to pumpkin crĆØme brulee. Please also read: "Manitoba Proclaims Organic Week," here. After the feast,  I took the opportunity to "corner" the Min

Health Canada Reviewing Results of French Research

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Vancouver Sun Health Canada said Thursday it will take action if its review of a new study that found Canadian-grown genetically modified corn is linked to…. Full story here. PLT photo Please also read: France Says No to Genetically Modified Crops, No to Fracking  

Lawsuit Seeks to Force Feds to Protect Endangered Species Along Pipeline Route

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Vancouver Sun VANCOUVER - A coalition of conservation groups is suing the federal environment minister to try and force Ottawa to protect endangered and threatened species along the proposed route of the Northern Gateway pipeline. Full story here. Southern mountain caribou (l.) one of the "at-risk" species. Photo from Nature Conservancy of Canada. Photograph by: Canada-World

The Government of Manitoba is Lobbied to end Cosmetic Pesticides

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Winnipeg Free Press A coalition of health and environmental groups is hoping the Manitoba government will impose strict regulations and ultimately full-out bans regarding the use of cosmetic pesticides.... Details here. Photo credit: Cosmetic Pesticide Ban Manitoba

Tipping Into New Climate Territory as Scientists Put Fears on Ice (Print & Video)

The Sydney Morning Herald AS ARCTIC sea ice hits a record low, focus is turning to climate ''tipping points'' - a threshold that, once crossed, cannot be reversed and will create fundamental changes to other areas. Full story here.

In Quebec It's Official: Mass Movement Leads to Victory for Students

Common Dreams Naomi Klein: 'This is why radical movements are mercilessly mocked. They can win.' Full story here.