The Conscious EarthThe Conscious EarthEarth-centred news for the health of air, water, habitat and the fight against global warming Articles
Canada Savaged Over Oil Sands
2009-12-01 18:14:00 I typically do not re-post articles, but yesterday's piece is the Guardian is noteworthy. Titled "Canada 's image in tatters" the article details at length Canada's roll as a corrupt petro-state, and the litany of damage our nation has caused to climate change negotiations.The following is an excerpt that clearly paints Canada's true colours when it comes to the environment.So here I am, watching the astonishing spectacle of a beautiful, cultured nation turning itself into a corrupt petro-state. Canada is slipping down the development ladder, retreating from a complex, diverse economy towards dependence on a single primary resource, which happens to be the dirtiest commodity known to man. The price of this transition is the brutalisation of the country, and a government campaign against multilateralism as savage as any waged by George Bush.Until now I believed that the nation that has done most to sabotage a new climate change agreement was the United States. I was wrong. The rea...
Book Review: Confessions of a Radical Industrial
2009-11-08 23:52:00 Many books offer environmental understanding and perspective, but few of them offer a genuine path for tangible change. This is exactly what Confessions of a Radical Industrial ist, the new book by Ray Anderson, attempts to do.In 1973, Ray Anderson founded Interface, a company he built into the world's largest manufacturer of modular carpets. But in 1994, he charted a new course for his industrial, petroleum based company after reading Paul Hawken's The Ecology of Commerce. In the abrupt, soul shattering understanding that followed, Ray Anderson launched a new transformative direction for Interface - to become not only sustainable, but restorative.That year, he delivered a new vision to his management team that would ultimately make Interface a world leader in sustainability and environmental responsibility:"So here's the vision (I) share with you today: I want Interface to be the first name in industrial ecology, and here's my challenge to you. I want to know how long it's goin... More About: Book Review , Review , Book
Nobel Scientists Agree - Stop Soot Now!
2009-11-04 20:39:00 Last week, Ecojustice launched stopsoot.ca - a video campaign that calls on the Canadian government to stop the number two cause of global warming, black carbon emissions otherwise known as soot.That call to action is also being echoed by the man who one a Nobel prize for sounding the alarm about the ozone layer - Dr Mario Molina. Dr. Molina and other leaders at the National Academy of Sciences have stated that reducing soot (black carbon) could slow global warming by as much as two decades and help give the world time to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and stabilize our warming climate.Researchers consider black carbon (soot) an ideal target for achieving quick mitigation because it only remains in the atmosphere a few days to a few weeks and can be reduced by expanding the use of diesel particulate filters forvehicles and clean-burning or solar cookstoves to replace those burningdung and wood. With indoor air pollution killing 1.6 million people a year, global action to cut soot e... More About: Stop , Scientists
Beds ARE Burning, Act Now
2009-10-01 21:10:00 I always thought Midnight Oil's hit single had "climate change theme song" written all over it. Here it is.....Courtesy dkomm and TckTckTck. More About: Burning
US Seismic Ship Heading to Canadian Waters
2009-08-24 16:44:00 There was a major development over the weekend in the case of a US research vessel, RV Marcus Langseth, seeking to conduct seismic testing in Canada's first marine protected area.Environmentalists are fuming after learning the federal government has given permission to a U.S. research ship to begin controversial seismic testing in Canadian waters, despite an ongoing court challenge."The issue at stake here is the fact that by issuing this clearance permit for the vessel, they are valuing American interests above that of the Canadian environment and Canadian species at risk," said spokesman Kori Brus. "They've given no reason; they've simply done it."A foreign affairs spokesman on Sunday would not confirm the ship has been given clearance to begin its test program. He refused to comment, saying the issue was before the courts.While the Canadian government is refusing to comment on a decision that threatens blue whales and the integrity of the nation's first marine protected area...
Health Care Lies Go International - Have Your Say
2009-08-20 19:40:00 Compassionate human being and informed citizens the world over are looking on at the current health care 'debate' in the US (and I use the term debate in the loosest way possible) with something akin to slack jawed disbelief.The American health care system - if you could call whatever is going on down there a system at all - ranks as the world's most expensive while delivering close to the worst service in the developed world and insurance/pharmaceutical industry interests are working overtime to scare Americans into the ill-founded belief that health care coverage is somehow bad for them.Canada has been a prominent target in that fearmongering, but now Canadians have a chance to voice their views. Avaaz.org has launched a petition aimed at US legislators that debunks the lies being told about the Canadian system, and urges them to make their decisions based on facts.Visit Avaaz to add you name. They're fast approaching their goal of 50,000 signatures, and every voice counts. More About: Health , International , Health Care , Care
Lawsuit Against US Seismic Blasting in Canadian Waters
2009-08-13 23:55:00 Ecojustice is suing the federal government to stop an American research vessel from conducting seismic blasting in a Canadian waters. The area in question? The Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents, Canada's first officially designated marine protected area and a known habitat of endangered blue whales and fin whales.“A marine protected area is a marine protected area because its supposed to be off limits to harmful activity. And its just completely inappropriate that intrusive or harmful research would happen there,” said Ecojustice lawyer, Lara Tessaro. According to Ecojustice, the seismic blasts at 180 decibels every 2 or 3 minutes would cause intense acoustic disturbance for the marine animals in the area, most specifically the blue whales in the area.Ecojustice is scheduled for to be in court on the issue tomorrow. See the media release for more. More About: Lawsuit
The Most Intelligent Emissions Target, Period
2009-08-10 20:36:00 Courtesy of the @tcktcktck, this is the most socially responsible, fair and intelligent answer to international emissions targets there is. India's Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Jairam Rames, has laid out India's expectations for at the latest round of climate discussion in Bonn, Germany. Specifically, he:.....reiterated India’s position on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities – a principle that the entire global community has enshrined in UNFCCC concluded in 1992 at the historic Rio Summit. He said that India was for fixing per capita emission limits of countries. He said that India’s per capita emission level was low at 1.2 tonne of carbon dioxide as compared to 20.6 tonne in US, 20 tonne in Canada, 9.8 tonne in UK and Germany, 9.9 tonne in Japan. He said that under circumstances (sic) India was not committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and have already assured that its per capita emission would... More About: Emissions , Intelligent , Target
An Alpine Gold Rush
2009-08-09 05:58:00 I recently caught up with nearly a year's worth of photo downloads, and one set in particular is worth sharing here. For years it's been an informal tradition of mine to hike into the low peaks of BC's Manning Provincial Park during the fall season to witness a unique and humbling scene - the turning shades of the alpine larch.Like cedar, spruce or pine, larches are coniferous. But unlike their evergreen cousins, each autumn the needles of Larix lyallii turn from green, to bright gold and red, and fall to the ground in advance of the winter snows. It's a stunning sight, and Manning represents the western most extent of the species' range, which is most abundant in the Rockies of Idaho, Montana, Alberta and BC.The hike is a 16km round trip that will take you from Lightning Lake on the valley floor up to 1800m where the larch's range begins. The adventurous of spirit can email me for information about the trailhead and best times to make the trip. More About: Gold , Rush
Feds Announce New Standards for Sewage
2009-08-07 20:22:00 cross posted at EcojusticeFollowing years of pressure from Ecojustice and other environmental groups, federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice has announced that new sewage regulations for our municipalities are on their way:Canadian municipalities will have to bring their leaky sewage treatment plants up to snuff under new regulations to be unveiled by the Harper government later this year. The new rules will set performance benchmarks, timelines and monitoring and reporting requirements for the country's 4,000 wastewater facilities, Environment Minister Jim Prentice said Thursday in Saint John, N.B. The feds are also planning to make funding available through the federal infrastructure fund. Taken together, these changes are long overdue, much welcomed, and fall directly in line with Ecojustice’s recommendations – most notably from our National Sewage Report Card, Great Lakes Sewage Report Card, and just last month in Flushing Out the Truth.The draft regulations will be made... More About: Standards
Magic Number Spurs Debate
2009-07-29 16:41:00 Anyone who appreciated my earlier post on Global Warming's Magic Number may be interested in debate it spurred over at reddit. Lots of energy going on there. More About: Debate , Spurs
Victory for Ottawa Gardeners
2009-07-27 19:26:00 cross posted at EcojusticeIn a victory for homeowners and natural gardeners alike, Ottawa residents Henry and Vera Jones are celebrating the city's decision to rescind the violation notice they issued over the couple's natural, pesticide free garden.Ecojustice lawyer Will Amos represented the couple in their fight against City Hall, but thanks to this decision by Ottawa officials, all parties can now work together and avoid a legal battle."There's a recognition that the times have changed and that natural gardening is already and will continue to become even more a socially acceptable use of people's gardens," said Amos.The decision has widespread relevance for Ontario’s municipalities since the provincial ban on cosmetic pesticide use went into effect in April. That law offers greater protection to people’s health by banning the cosmetic use of 2,4-D and other pesticides that have been associated with neurological and reproductive disorders, as well as cancer.Looking ahead,... More About: Victory
Respect for Canada's Boreal
2009-07-24 18:35:00 This past weekend I took in Respect , an exceptional portrait of Canada's Boreal Forest:RESPECT takes an innovative and thought-provoking look at Canada's Boreal Forest. Nine Canadian photographers braved weather and time constraints to collectively create a vibrant picture of Canada's North. The sweeping vistas captured digitally convey the fragility as well as the brutality of the Boreal Forest.Despite being one of the largest intact forests in the world, the Canadian Boreal remains largely invisible to the world's eye. Respect brings the beauty of this remote treasure to the public in an open, accessible, and free of charge outdoor exhibit in the heart of Toronto's Waterfront.The exhibition will run through October 12th. Stop by if you can, and see a selection of images below.
A Beautiful Effect of Climate Change?
2009-07-17 18:38:00 Nobody's certain yet, but some scientists are speculating that increases in atmospheric CO2 is causing a hauntingly beautiful phenomenon called "night shining" clouds.Mysterious, glowing clouds previously seen almost exclusively in Earth’s polar regions have appeared in the skies over the United States and Europe over the past several days.Photographers and other sky watchers in Omaha, Paris, Seattle, and other locations have run outside to capture images of what scientists call noctilucent (”night shining”) clouds. Formed by ice literally at the boundary where the earth’s atmosphere meets space 50 miles up, they shine because they are so high that they remain lit by the sun even after our star is below the horizon.Like anything else, our atmosphere expands when heated up. One current theory is that climate change is causing noctilucent clouds to become more frequent because the upper regions of the atmosphere are being pushed further into cold regions of space - leading t... More About: Climate Change , Climate , Change , Beautiful , Effect
The Sage Grouse Victory Dance
2009-07-17 16:35:00 Cross-posted at EcojusticeEarlier this week, I shared what is likely the biggest win yet for endangered species in Canada, or as The Canadian Press said,An endangered bird with a spectacular mating dance could be the key to protecting at-risk species all across Canada. Here's a video clip of the sage-grouse's famed mating ritual, which this week became a victory dance. Enjoy.... More About: Victory , Dance
Thirsty Koalas
2009-07-15 23:55:00 I have no way of verifying the truth value of this, but some things are too endearing to question.According to a multi forwarded email that landed in my inbox, thirst stricken koala bears were so tapped out by soaring temperatures this year (120F, 49C) that they were approaching people for water.Believe what you will....but either way, enjoy the pics.
Global Warming's Magic Number
2009-07-15 22:23:00 From The Guardian: Race against time:But two years ago, almost to the week, scientists noticed that the Arctic was losing ice at an almost unbelievable pace, outstripping the climate models by decades. Clearly we’d passed a threshold, and global warming had gone from future threat to present crisis. It wasn’t just Arctic ice; at about the same time methane levels in the atmosphere began to spike, apparently as a result of thawing permafrost. Surveys of high altitude glaciers showed they were uniformly melting, and much faster than expected. Oceanographers reported – incredulously – that we’d managed to make the oceans 30% more acidic.Those observations changed everything – and they produced what is almost certainly the most important number in the world. A Nasa team headed by James Hansen reported that the maximum amount of carbon the atmosphere can safely hold is 350ppm, at least if we want a planet “similar to the one on which civilization developed and to which life... More About: Magic , Global
A Flamboyant Win for Endangered Sage Grouse
2009-07-15 16:16:00 cross posted at EcojusticeFor the second time in the past month we can celebrate a major victory for endangered species, as the courts have come down hard on the federal government for their failure to protect the greater sage-grouse.In a landmark court battle that will have implications for all of Canada's 585 imperiled species, the federal government will be forced to identify critical habitat for the endangered greater sage-grouse. It's a stunning win for the flamboyant prairie bird, which will disappear from Alberta in as little as 6 years unless it receives the protection it needs.Our own executive director summed it up best,“This decision confirms our view that the Ministry of the Environment is routinely breaking the law with species on the brink of extinction,” said Ecojustice executive director Devon Page who brought the case forward. “We won’t go away - if they continue to ignore the law, we will continue to hammer them in the courts."Despite amply available rese...
Fighting for Pesticide Free Gardens
2009-07-13 23:17:00 cross posted at EcojusticeThe issue of pesticide free gardening is quickly escalating into a potential legal battle, as Henry and Vera Jones of Constance Bay have contacted us after the city threatened to mow down their natural garden and bill them for the pleasure.A Constance Bay man who ran afoul of a city bylaw over the long, meadow-like grass in his front yard said he may begin legal proceedings against the city as early as Thursday.Hank Jones said he is taking advice from the environmental-law organization Ecojustice, and is seriously considering filing for a court injunction to prevent the city from mowing the long grass and wildflowers that make up the budding wildlife garden in his front yard.He said bylaws that encourage mowed, golf-course-style lawns and discourage natural, meadow-like properties contribute to environmental problemsTo be clear, this is not about defending unkept lawns that pull down property values. Henry and Vera Jones are building an environmentally frie... More About: Free , Gardens , Fighting
Flushing out the Truth on Sewage
2009-06-29 17:54:00 Cross posted at Ecojustice.Today Ecojustice released Flushing Out the Truth , a report highlighting the tens of billions of litres of untreated sewage that are knowingly allowed to flow into the Great Lakes each year because of the province's inadequate sewage system. Much of the untreated waste made its way into water bodies through sewage bypasses -- diversions which carry excess sewage to lakes or rivers when treatment plants are over capacity or have technical problems. Added to that are combined sewage overflows, which occur in older systems where stormwater and sewage from sinks, toilets and drains gush along the same pipe. Bad weather can cause the pipes to overflow into a lake or river. It’s the wastewater equivalent of fixing gridlock by letting cars drive on sidewalks.Rather than allowing sewage to overflow and be diverted before proper treatment, Ecojustice has been calling on government’s to ensure systems can handle the capacity they need to – by mitigating ...
Feds Spell "Exempt" for Canada's Environment
2009-06-26 20:30:00 I planned a fuller update post regarding my recent absence and future plans, but the news of the day requires that I fast forward the plan a bit. I've been in transition for the past months, but I'm now in Toronto where I'll be in the Communications Director role at Ecojustice - Canada's leading environmental law non-profit - for the upcoming months.Today was a major national media hit, as the federal government's disregard for the environment is finally getting the attention it deserves.Earlier this year the Federal Government announced that 2,000 projects – including major works like bridges, highways and sewer systems – would be made exempt from environmental assessment. That number has now ballooned to 14,000, as the feds continue to be blind to the idea that the long-term health of our economy is linked to the health of our environment. The story received print coverage in the Globe and Mail and across the Canwest network.Read my complete story at the Ecojustice Blog.... More About: Environment
Is Al Gore Greedy?...
2009-05-06 23:09:00 ...pishawww!(I'd really like to see that question posed to these guys instead.) More About: Al Gore , Gore
Deniers' Lies Hung Out to Dry
2009-04-30 02:04:00 Today from No Impact Man, is a damning indictment against the "Global Climate Coalition" - a group of businesses tied to the use of fossil fuels. Documents filed during a recent lawsuit show that the coalition knowingly lied about global warming through "an aggressive lobbying and public relations campaign against the idea that emissions of heat-trapping gases could lead to global warming."The document shows that their own scientists informed them that the science behind global warming was irrefutable as early as 1995.“The scientific basis for the Greenhouse Effect and the potential impact of human emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO2 on climate is well established and cannot be denied,” the experts wrote in an internal report compiled for the coalition in 1995.The post references an April 23rd New York Times article by Andrew Revkin.The Global Climate Coalition disbanded in 2002, but some of its like the National Association of Manufacturers and the American Petroleum Ins...
Our Choice Follows 'Truth': Al Gore's Newest Book
2009-03-24 21:11:00 With the debate over global warming slowly shifting towards action, Al Gore's follow up to An Inconvenient Truth promises to open the way for on the ground change and real solutions. Our Choice , his latest book, is set for release on November 3rd, 2009.Today Vice President Gore announced that his next book, Our Choice, will be published by Rodale in the US and by other publishers internationally on November 3, 2009. Picking up where An Inconvenient Truth left off, Our Choice utilizes Mr. Gore’s forty years of experience as a student, policymaker, author, filmmaker, entrepreneur and activist to comprehensively describe the real solutions to global warming. A co-recipient of the Nobel Peace prize in 2007 for his environmental work, Mr. Gore continues to make sense of the pressing issues we face and Our Choice will unquestionably inspire and rally those ready to fight for solutions that were deemed impossible only a short time ago.Said the Vice President, "It is time for a comprehen... More About: Book
Obama Visit to Change Harper's Tune?
2009-02-23 03:50:00 US President Obama met with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper late last week in Ottawa. Following their brief meeting the two North American leaders outlined three main priorities for their bilateral relationship ? working together to restore economic growth, a commitment to stabilize Afghanistan, and yes, a new initiative on environmental protection.Indeed, in the lead up to yesterday's face-to-face Harper's statements about the environment were almost urgent. The Globe and Mail reported that,"Mr. Harper said Mr. Obama's presidency is ushering in a new era of North American co-operation against climate change after George W. Bush's inaction held back Canada's ability to tackle greenhouse-gas emissions."Perhaps like yourself, the statement above did not quite line up with my memories of Harper's foot dragging and general denial of climate change. But I am open minded, and to that end I took a quick survey of past Conscious Earth posts related to Harper and the environment... More About: Change , Visit , Tune
Obama Gets Tough on Republicans
2009-02-07 01:49:00 With a vote on Obama 's stimulus package schedule for tonight, the President spoke with the same conviction and passion that had driven his campaign in calling for a stop to obstructionism and the status quo.Obama pointed to the early success in passing equal pay legislation and child health care legislation while coming down hard on Republicans who advocate "the same tired arguments and worn ideas that helped to create this crisis."See the highlights here:More coverage is availabe in the full clip of the President's address from yesterday. Well worth the watch:Embedded video from CNN Video More About: Tough
Greenpeace's F-U to Heathrow Expansion
2009-01-30 22:04:00 In one of the best PR stunts I have seen in some time, Greenpeace joined with actress Emma Thompson, comedian Alistair McGowan and conservative political hopeful Zac Goldsmith to buy a plot of land directly in the middle of the proposed site for Heathrow airport's third runway expansion.And while the current Labour government won a narrow and divisive vote on the issue, Greenpeace's hijinks did not end there. They invited as many supporters as legally allowable to co-own the property with them in the hope that any action taken by the UK government to obtain the land would require them to legally serve each owner in person - whether they live in London proper or the west coast of Bora Bora.I have offered my opinions on air travel previously, but here is a reiteration. Environmental responsibility is a global value requiring each person to not only act responsibly towards all other human beings, but also to extend that awareness beyond people to the broader world that we all rely on... More About: Expansion
Mercer Lays Out Harper
2008-12-03 18:48:00 I'm not one for a straight repost, but Rick Mercer 's summary of Harper 's antics is outstanding and provides a nice light side to my opinion from earlier this week:Okay we just might as well admit it and get it over with. Stephen Harper is a genius.Here we are faced with a global economic crisis. Nations all over the world are struggling to figure out how to protect their citizens -- who are terrified. We've seen unheard of cooperation between political rivals all over the industrialized world.But not in Canada. Not with Stephen Harper. Not on his watch. No my friends, he has one goal and one goal only and it has nothing to do with governing: how can he use this crisis to destroy the opposition?And wouldn't you know, he almost did it.Stephen Harper decided Canada doesn't need a stimulus package; all we needed to do was cancel the subsidy that political parties get.Which would have saved the government about $26-million. That's about the same amount Harper spends on bodyguards ... More About: Lays
Hypocrite Harper Spinning His Last Tune
2008-12-03 08:53:00 With no political recourse left to him, Stephen Harper is spinning in every direction possible in an effort to halt his own demise.Harper, ...told the House of Commons during Tuesday's fiery question period that Dion was about to make the "worst mistake the Liberal party has ever made in its history" by agreeing to support from the sovereigntist Bloc Qubcois.Conveniently ignored in this statement is that Harper himself sought the support of the Bloc in a 2004 coalition against Paul Martin's minority Liberal Government.But the Liberals and NDP said those arguments were undercut by Mr. Harper's 2004 letter to then-governor-general Adrienne Clarkson, which requested that she turn to him if Paul Martin's newly elected government were defeated in the Commons."We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as co... More About: Spinning , Tune , Hypocrite
Power Grab Likely to Finish Harper
More articles from this author:2008-12-02 06:07:00 Stephen Harper is facing the end of his short lived term as Canadian Prime Minister thanks to his naked attack on the Canadian democratic system.Opposition leaders Stephane Dion (Liberals), Jack Layton (NDP) and Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Quebecois) signed an unprecedented agreement today to form a new coalition government and oust Harper's Conservative's from power in the wake of their move to strip political parties of federal subsidies.The proposed coalition emphasizes Harper's failure to address the current economic crisis as the prime reason for their actions, but the real catalyst in forming the coalition was Harper's move to consolodate his overhwelming financial edge over his rivals by stripping them of a key source of funds.The federal political subsidies are a balancing measure put in place to ensure that the narrow interests of any one party cannot unduly sway the direction of the country. If Harper could successfully remove this balancing measure, it would likely be the de... More About: Power , Grab , Finish 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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