PLANET IN PERIL

by Larry Powell I believe we rural Manitobans need to do a deep “re-think” of how we traditionally vote if we want to do anything meaningful about our looming climate catastrophe. In my own riding of  Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa, for  example, we're about to elect Dan Mazier (l.), to a four-year term as our Conservative Member of Parliament. While he wouldn't accept the label of " climate-denier"  (he does use solar panels to help power his farm and has been endorsed by an environmental group), he’s still echoing on social media, his own party’s shrill opposition to the carbon tax. (In my books, this makes him a candidate for that label.)  Despite the fact the tax applies to fossil fuels only, is refundable and exempts many farm fuels like the ones Mazier burns on his own farm, he a mazingly concludes, it will “increase the cost of almost everything!”  In my mind, one cannot be a true supporter of climate action while opposing a price on carbon.  

EcoWatch A PinP photo. Spills highlight the dangers that come with unconventional fossil-fuel extraction techniques that go after hard-to-reach pockets of oil and gas using practices like horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing (otherwise known as fracking). Details here.

Canada's National Observer  The world's foremost climate scientists have found oceans are getting intensely warmer, sea levels are rising and the Earth's waters are losing oxygen and becoming more acidic.  S tory here. A Pacific ocean perch (top) and blackspotted rockfish (bottom). Photo by NOAA. RELATED: New research finds that “marine reserves” – tracts of ocean where fishing is banned – are protecting fish, the coral reefs where they live and vast undersea "gardens," a lot more than once thought.  - by Larry Powell Do Marine Reserves Provide a Buffer Against the Ravages of Climate Change? Yes, say experts!  - by Larry Powell

NATIONAL OBSERVER This story is part of "Covering Climate Now," a global collaboration of more than 220 news outlets to strengthen coverage of the climate story: --> The Government of Alberta has created the new “Energy War Room” (with an annual budget of $30 million) to combat environmental NGOs, specifically those who have been campaigning against the oil sector.  This may come as a surprise to taxpayers wondering why a billion-dollar industry needs such government-subsidized assistance in the first place. Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage provided an answer of sorts, offering the following as the higher purpose of the Energy War Room: More here. An aerial photo believed to depict a dump site near the Muskeg River mine, Alberta tar sands. A "Beautiful Destruction" photo.