Seeking “social license” for Alberta’s fossil fuel industry was said by the NDP government of former premier Rachel Notley to be a way to win approval for more pipeline capacity to Canada’s ocean ports. This was true enough as far as it went, and the idea getting such approval required
Continue readingTag: global warming
Views from the Beltline: The Climate Case for Impeachment
Will they or won’t they? Impeach the Donald, I mean. As the U.S. Congress moves glacially along the impeachment path, I propose impeaching him not on the grounds of his political and legal sins but on the grounds of his unfitness to lead a major nation at a time of
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Living with the apocalypse
Is it time to recognize that we are politically incapable of dealing with global warming? Is the gap between what is politically acceptable and what is scientifically necessary too great? American novelist and essayist Jonathan Franzen thinks so. In an intriguing article in the New Yorker, entitled “What If We
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Scapegoating the oil industry
I always admired that great philosopher Pogo. I still remember the picture of he and a friend looking out over their polluted swamp as he uttered those immortal words, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” No scapegoating. It was their swamp and they had messed it up.
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Trust in science falls—due to global warming?
Greta Thunberg made a statement to the U.S. Congress the other day that, like most of what she says, was simple, profound and obvious at the same time. Simple (only four words), profound (it holds the key to dealing with humanity’s greatest challenge) and obvious (ask advice from those who
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Ed Whittingham seeks energy/environment middle ground
Alberta lives with two conflicting facts: first, humanity is faced with its greatest crisis ever—global warming—caused primarily by the burning of fossil fuels; and second, humanity will have to rely on fossil fuels for the indefinite future and production of fossil fuels just happens to be Alberta’s major industry. The
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: The surreallity of life in Alberta
Living in Alberta, I sometimes get the feeling I live in a place shifted a few degrees off centre from reality. For example, in the real world we are faced with the overarching threat of global warming, a crisis we have brought down upon ourselves. But, despite near unanimous agreement
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Alberta isn’t immune to global warming
Living in Alberta one often gets the impression that when it comes to energy and the environment, promoting the oil industry is top priority while dealing with global warming is an afterthought. The premier has said he accepts that anthropogenic climate change is real, but he never shows much interest
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: What’s wrong with our Conservatives?
If this country were any example, one might conclude that Conservatives cannot, or will not, grasp the severity of the global warming threat. In Alberta, for example, the UCP has trashed what was a decent climate change program and set a course for all out expansion of the tar sands.
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Globe and Mail Letter
The Letters section in today’s Globe and Mail is filled with readers’ thoughts on climate change. One such reader is me. Please see the fifth letter from the top for my response to the “What about China?” excuse for Canadian climate inaction.
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Globe and Mail Letter
The Letters section in today’s Globe and Mail is filled with readers’ thoughts on climate change. One such reader is me. Please see the fifth letter from the top for my response to the “What about China?” excuse for Canadian climate inaction.
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Let’s hope Andrew Scheer is right
The highly controversial (at least in Alberta and Saskatchewan) Bill C-69, which overhauls the federal environmental assessment process for major construction projects, has finally passed the Senate. The Conservatives are not amused. According to Andrew Scheer. “With the passage of Bill C-69, Justin Trudeau finally has his law that will
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: I’ll Trade You a Jason for a Greta
I am a democrat and therefor I must accept the election of Jason Kenney and his United Conservative Party as government of my province. The UCP won convincingly, after all, with 53 per cent of the popular vote. But it ain’t easy. This is one of those times when accepting
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Global warming—the essential argument
The other day I had a conversation (argument) about global warming with my neighbour across the hall. He is adamant that we are not causing it. The science doesn’t impress him. That climatologists are unanimous on the issue is, in his view, nothing but reason to be suspicious. This denial
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Left by the pope with a choice between glory to God and death to the carbon tax, what will Jason do?
Turns out you really can’t serve God and Mammon! Who knew? Tout le monde Conservative Alberta was reeling over the weekend at Friday’s news from Rome that Pope Francis, leader of 1.3 billion Catholics, has declared global warming to be a real thing and putting a price on carbon to
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Tribalism and the global challenge
This, the 21st century, is a unique time in human history. It is unique in many ways, of course, but most importantly it is the first time in the history of our species that the greatest challenges facing us are not local, not national, but global. The most urgent of
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Open letter from an Albertan to his government
14 June 2019 The Honourable Sonya Savage, Minister of Energy Government of Alberta 324 Legislature Building 10800 – 97 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB Dear Minister: Recently I read in the news that you are establishing a “war room” to defend the oil and gas industry from criticism. I urge you
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: If You’re Pouring Gasoline On the Fire, Don’t Pretend You’re Fighting the Flames.
It’s funny, with the October elections nearing, how concerned the Conservatives and Liberals are becoming about climate change or, at least, the flooding that has ravaged eastern Canada and the maritimes. Oh they’re all eco-warriors now. So precious. It might be inspirational if they weren’t such petro-pimps, eager to flood
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Monbiot’s "Hail Mary" Pass – Let’s Re-Wild
Guardian enviro-scribe, George Monbiot, argues we must recruit nature to help thwart climate change. He notes what we all by now grasp – that 1.5 C “do not exceed” cap, that’s gone already. We are in very dangerous territory now. Here’s what he thinks might help. To prevent a full-spectrum
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Alaska – Another Climate Record
Alaska has just logged another record – its earliest 70 degree day. Parts of the state have had their earliest 70-degree readings on record. Klawock, a town in southeastern Alaska, reached 70 F on March 19 — the earliest any spot in the state has hit that high. More records
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