PLANET IN PERIL

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

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

                                         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.

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.

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.    

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 crème brulee. Please also read: "Manitoba Proclaims Organic Week," here. After the feast,  I took the opportunity to "corner" the Min

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