New research is showing that Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s largest, is in steep decline, with half of the reef vanishing in the past 27 years. And the culprit? You guessed it. It seems our unending addiction to burning carbon is playing a big role. There
Continue readingAuthor: Mark Brooks
earthgauge: Costa Rica poised to ban hunting as sport
An environmentalist wearing a frog mask is seen near members of Congress (rear) who are voting on an anti-hunting law inside the Legislative Assembly building in San Jose, Costa Rica. The country’s name in English means “Rich Coast” and it looks as though law makers in Costa Rica want
Continue readingearthgauge: Earthgauge Radio October 4 2012: James Kunstler, Fast for Climate Justice and the new “Passive House” in Wakefield
Download: earthgauge-podcast-oct4-2012.mp3 On Earthgauge Radio this week, we ‘re talking about techno-optimism, fasting for climate justice and energy efficient buildings. I have 3 interviews for you on today’s show: Novelist and critic James Howard Kunstler talks about his latest book ‘Too Much Magic’ in which he argues that our faith
Continue readingearthgauge: This week on Earthgauge Radio: James Kunstler, Climate Justice and the new “Passive House” in Wakefield
On Earthgauge Radio tomorrow (Thursday October 4 at 7:00 AM on CKCU FM), I am thrilled to be presenting part 1 of an Earthgauge exclusive interview with James Kunstler, acclaimed and influential author of The Long Emergency and, his latest, Too Much Magic: Wishful Thinking, Technology, and the Fate of
Continue readingearthgauge: De Souza: Pipeline development was ‘top of mind’ in Stephen Harper’s budget bill
Mike De Souza continues his great work for Canadian Press digging up info on the Harper government’s deliberate and planned assaults on legislation and regulations designed to protect the environment and the health of Canadians. Who’s in favour of more water pollution? Weaker endangered species laws sound good? Turns out
Continue readingearthgauge: Climate Change Deaths Could Total 100 Million By 2030 If World Fails To Act
More than 100 million people will die and global economic growth will be cut by 3.2 per cent of gross domestic product by 2030 if the world fails to tackle climate change, a report commissioned by 20 governments said on Wednesday. As global average temperatures rise due to greenhouse gas
Continue readingearthgauge: Earthgauge Radio September 27, 2012: Disappearing Arctic sea ice and Ottawa’s Environment Committee Chair Maria McRae
Download: earthgauge-podcast-sept27-2012.mp3 On this week’s edition of Earthgauge Radio, we’re talking about the astonishing summer melt of Arctic sea ice and we check in with the Chair of the City of Ottawa Environment Committee. I have 3 interviews on today’s show: Peter Wadhams, professor of Ocean Physics and Head of
Continue readingearthgauge: Tomorrow on Earthgauge Radio: The astonishing disappearance of Arctic sea ice and Ottawa’s Environment Committee Chair Maria McRae
On Earthgauge Radio this week, we’re talking about the extraordinary amount of Arctic sea ice that has melted this summer and the implications of the rapid changes taking place. Last week marked the end of the summer ice melt and satellite monitoring shows that it has dramatically diminished since 1979,
Continue readingearthgauge: Total Energy warns against oil drilling in Arctic
The Financial Post is reporting that the chief executive of Total SA, Christophe de Margerie, has said energy companies should not drill for crude in Arctic waters, marking the first time an oil major has publicly spoken out against offshore oil exploration in the region. According to a 2008 study
Continue readingearthgauge: The Story of Stuff
Check out this video from thestoryofstuff.org. Worth a look. Here’s the synopsis… From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look
Continue readingearthgauge: Arctic expert predicts final collapse of sea ice within four years
Peter Wadhams of Cambridge University has predicted the final collapse of Arctic sea ice in summer months within four years. I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Wadhams, who is one of the world’s leading sea ice experts, at the International Polar Year Summit in Montreal back in April.
Continue readingearthgauge: Earthgauge Radio September 20, 2012: National Organic Week, Fast for Climate Justice, and the impacts of Ottawa’s summer drought
Download: earthgauge-podcast-sept20-2012.mp3 Lots happening these days on the environmental front in Ottawa and beyond so on Earthgauge Radio this week, I have 3 interviews for you: Stephanie Lane of Canadian Organic Growers (Ottawa chapter) tells us about Canada’s National Organic Week (Sept 22-29) David Koch gives us his report on
Continue readingearthgauge: Earthgauge Radio September 20, 2012: National Organic Week and the local impacts of Ottawa’s summer drought
On Earthgauge Radio this week, we catch up with Stephanie Lane of Canadian Organic Growers (Ottawa chapter) to talk about Canada’s National Organic Week <http://www.organicweek.ca/>, which is happening from Sept 22-29. David Koch will also be in studio to tell us about how the summer water shortage impacted farmers in
Continue readingearthgauge: Climate Change: Coral Reefs Expected To Suffer Greatly, Study Finds
Did you know that coral reefs are home to fully 25% of the world’s marine life? Me neither. This latest report on the state of the world’s coral reefs would have been bad enough in its own right. Seems, once again, that climate change is a major culprit. Here’s an
Continue readingearthgauge: Globe Records Fourth Warmest August Ever as Arctic Ice Melts Rapidly
And so it continues… From Andrew Freedman at Climate Central: “August was the fourth warmest such month on record worldwide, marking the 330th straight month with a global temperature above the 20th century average, according to a report released Monday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In other
Continue readingearthgauge: Earthgauge Radio September 13, 2012: From the frontlines of the Northern Gateway pipeline struggle
Download: earthgauge-podcast-sept13-2012-northerngateway.mp3 I’m excited to be back at CKCU to kick off the second season of Earthgauge Radio! On this the September 13 edition of the program, we hear a couple of interviews live from the frontlines of the Northern Gateway pipeline struggle in B.C. On the show today: Art Sterritt –
Continue readingearthgauge: Why can’t weather reporters say the words “climate change” when they talk about extreme weather?
Check out this video satire of network television, its lack of coverage of climate change, and a weather person who says enough is enough. Featuring Kai Nagata, former writer-in-residence of The Tyee.
Continue readingearthgauge: Earthgauge Radio kicks off season 2 tomorrow morning on CKCU!
Tune in to CKCU FM 93.1 tomorrow morning from 7:00-8:00 AM for the launch of the second season of Earthgauge Radio! On tomorrow’s show, I’ll be bringing you two interviews from the frontlines of what is shaping up to be one of the defining environmental struggles in recent Canadian history:
Continue readingearthgauge: Climate Change News: Arctic summer sea ice decline seems irreversible
“Scientists say this year’s record declines in Arctic sea ice extent and volume are powerful evidence that the giant cap of ice at the top of the planet is on a trajectory to largely disappear in summer within a decade or two, with profound global consequences. “This extreme melting offers
Continue readingearthgauge: Pro-development B.C. community says no to Northern Gateway
In Public Opinion Research conducted by the District of Fort St. James 198 respondents indicated a significant majority (86%) opposed the Northern Gateway pipeline proposal. The following letter was put on the Joint Review Panel registry last Friday, and spells out the enormous difficulty industry and the Harper government face
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