PLANET IN PERIL

Eco Watch Recent extreme heat events in the Middle East have climate scientists worried about future climate-related catastrophes. Temperatures have climbed above 115 F across the region this summer and Kuwait and Iraq recently recorded most likely the hottest temperatures ever in the Eastern Hemisphere. Story here. RELATED:    "Lake Powell: Going, Going, Gone?"

THE WESTERN PRODUCER Persistent rain is prompting concerns that prairie farmers will add to a glut of low quality milling wheat that is already weighing on world markets. Story here.

EARTHJUSTICE Earthjustice and a broad coalition of partners have been fighting for years to convince the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ban an entire class of poisonous neurotoxic pesticides. Every year, these pesticides, called organophosphates, poison farmworkers and others who come into contact with them in communities near agricultural fields. STORY HERE.

The Washington Post Record-shattering temperatures this summer have scorched countries from Morocco to Saudi Arabia and beyond, as climate experts warn that the severe weather could be a harbinger of worse to come.  Story here.

Manitoba Co-Operator PinP photo Manitoba crops have suffered an array of problems due to unfavourable weather this year, and sunflowers are no exception. Story here.

by George Monbiot     PinP photo                                            Why I took the plunge at last and converted (almost) to veganism.  Story here.

CommonDreams "Lessons from this incident will need to be learnt, and quickly," warns environmentalist, "with further decommissioning of North Sea rigs expected and climate change expected to create more powerful storms and difficult seas." Story here.