Sunday, July 7, 2013

Manitoba Rolls Out Red Carpet For Noisy "Quad" Machines! - an editorial

PLT: So…I see the Government of Manitoba is going to "improve amenities" in Duck Mountain Provincial Park. That's nice. It's a great place. Apparently those improvements will make the park "more environmentally friendly to lakes and rivers." Sounds good, so far, right? 

But hold on a moment. 

One of those amenities, reads the government press release, will include "trail upgrades" for ATVs (all terrain vehicles)! ATVs?  Aren't those the same noisy, dangerous and polluting machines that too many irresponsible people use to invade quiet wildness, rip up the back country and harass wildlife with? Sounds like the same, to me. I don't even understand why these offensive inventions are allowed in the parks in the first place. That we should actually pamper and roll out the red carpet for them to boot, makes about as much sense as allowing logging there. 

Oh, I forgot. Logging is still allowed in "The Ducks," too, isn't it? 

Ahhh…wilderness. Wasn't it wonderful?


But this isn't just me saying this. A few years ago, a working group made up of people from a wide range of interests; cottagers, tourism and First Nations, found that skyrocketing use of ATVs in the park was "negatively affecting" many trails there through rutting, rendering many impassible!

You tell me how these latest government "amenities" will do anything but increase the kind of abuses documented by that group! ATVers already have thousands of kilometres of trails in other places. Why do they need more in the park? Maybe it's time to bite the bullet and go elsewhere, guys! Leave the park for those of us who want a bit of peace and quiet that's in such short supply in this modern age. Either that or get off your duffs and try hiking, backpacking or cross-country skiing, instead. It just may do wonders for your heart and your soul. You could be pleasantly surprised!

Trees: Our Life-Savers Are Dying

theguardian
For centuries we've treated forests poorly. Yet we're only just learning how crucial trees are to our survival. Details here.
Making way for more farmland in Manitoba, CA. PLT photo. 

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Trout Under Threat as Deadly Pesticide Devastates Top Fishing River

The Express
ONE of Britain’s top trout rivers has been devastated by a deadly pesticide. Details here.

PLT: This is the same crap (chlorpyrfos) which likely poisoned a Manitoba family a few years ago. Please also read:  "Family Believes it was Poisoned by Crop Spray"

What Is Farm Runoff Doing To American Waters? US Scientists Wade In.

KCCU - the salt

A Canadian farm. PLT photo
Farming already "fingered" as leading cause of water pollution south of the border. Officials there try to find out more. Details here.

Working With Nature Can Protect Us From Floods

David Suzuki
The normally tranquil Boggy Creek in west-central Manitoba in full 
"flood mode" a couple of years ago. PLT photo.
News of the devastating floods in Alberta hit Canadians hard. We've all been moved by extraordinary stories of first responders and neighbours stepping in to help and give selflessly at a time of great need. As people begin to pick up their lives, and talk turns to what Calgary and other communities can do to rebuild, safeguarding our irreplaceable, most precious flood-protection assets should be given top priority. Details here.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Unprecedented Extremes Since 2001 - World Meteorological Organization

Huffington Post

The world suffered unprecedented climate extremes in the decade to 2010, from heatwaves in Europe and droughts in Australia to floods in Pakistan, against a backdrop of global warming, a United Nations report said on Wednesday. Full story here.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Tar Sands Coal Export Boom: Petcoke Exports Second Highest Ever in April

DeSmog Blog

With many eyes honed in on the Powder River Basin coal export battle in the Northwest, another coal export boom is unfolding on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Full story here.

It is Time for a Ban on Cosmetic Pesticides

Centre for Policy Alternatives

Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh has announced legislation on cosmetic pesticides that will finally bring Manitoba into step with the majority of other provinces in Canada. Full story here.

Related: Manitoba to Proceed With Ban on Cosmetic Pesticides

40 Tons of GMO Crops TORCHED in America, Media Blackout

the Farmacy

Though the controlled corporate media apparatus is suppressing the story, 40 tons of GMO crops were torched, prompting an FBI investigation. Full story here.

Monday, July 1, 2013

African Population Growth Frightening

Gwynne Dyer - Winnipeg Free Press

The news on the population front sounds bad: Birth rates are not dropping as fast as expected, and we are likely to end up with an even bigger world population by the end of the century. Details here.

PLEASE READ LARRY'S BOOK - THE MERCHANTS OF MENACE.

  Read Larry's book   here.