Posts

A Nuclear Shadow From Hiroshima and Nagasaki to Fukushima

In The Lancet's Series, a new lens is applied to events from Hiroshima and Nagasaki to Fukushima, for a better understanding of the health challenges faced by populations exposed to radiation from man-made disasters. Details here.

Conservative Insider Won Huge Contract to Build Harper’s Arctic Project

NATIONAL OBSERVER A hugely expensive public contract to build an Arctic research station —promoted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper —went to a joint venture that included a company run by a Conservative Party insider with close ties to Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq, the National Observer has confirmed. Story here.

Scientists Say Supposedly Miraculous Ingredients in Weed Killers Don't Actually Work

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Mother Jones A "crop-duster" doing its thing on a canola crop in Manitoba, Canada. PinP photo. In this article, journalist Tom Philpott illustrates once again, the “wild west,” unregulated nature of industrial agriculture. Story here.

European Mining Dispute Illustrates Risks of Corporate-Friendly Trade Deals

Common Dreams A Canadian corporation is seeking damages after being blocked from creating an open-pit mine over environmental concerns. Story here. Related: " Free Trade: Path to Prosperity - or Back Road to Corporatism?"

Celebrate the Life of Clare Powell in Regina on Sept. 13th!

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Those who knew Clare are welcome to attend this event to share their memories.  Thanks!  "Little Brother" Larry. Please also read: Progressives Lose a "Gentle Warrior."Clare Powell Dies in Regina at 81.

It Could Be Months Before We Know Why a Chinese-Owned Pipeline Burst in Alberta

thump The Nexen pipeline that spurted 5 million liters of thick, black bitumen emulsion into the northern Alberta wilderness could have been leaking for two weeks before it was discovered. Story here.

Condemnation After UK Lifts Ban on Bee-Killing Neonics

CommonDreams Temporary reversal on pesticide will allow farmers to access harmful chemicals for 120 days. Story here.

Health Professionals: be Prepared for Heatwaves

THE LANCET Heatwaves, periods of abnormally and uncomfortably hot and usually humid weather, are among the most dangerous natural hazards. Because of climate change, heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent and intense, with 14 of the 15 warmest years on record all occurring in the 21st century. In 2003, the European heatwave resulted in deaths of more than 70 000 people. Story here.

Honeybees Show Evidence of Insecticide

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The New York Times PinP photo More than 70 percent of pollen and honey samples collected from foraging bees in Massachusetts contained neonicotinoids, a type of insecticide that has been linked to colony collapse disorder, researchers are reporting. Story here.

The Great Wildfire Debate Lights Up Editorial Pages in Manitoba.

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by Larry Powell For simplicity, I'm putting the series of events discussed below, in chronological order. First, I wrote the letter, immediately below,   published in the Brandon Sun, Neepawa Press and Roblin Review in recent weeks. ===== Forest fire smoke (from as far away as BC) over southern Manitoba.  PinP  photo. Dear Editor,  It's time to wake up and smell the smoke! As wildfires rage around us on the Canadian prairies, forcing thousands of poor souls from their homes, we click our tongues and complain about sore eyes and reduced visibility on the roads. (Trust me, reduced visibility is the least of our worries.)   We apparently lack the brain power to listen to and actually  hear  what the world's scientific community has been warning us about for over a generation. If we do nothing to curb our insatiable appetite for fossil fuels, we can expect more and worse heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and a host of other extreme weather events whic

Climate Scientist Warns Sea Levels Are Rising Faster Than We Thought

climateprogrerss Limiting climate change to 2°C is not going to protect us from devastating sea level rise, a new report has found. Details here.