Vancouver Sun Letter
For what is likely to be my last letter to the editor of 2016, see today’s Vancouver Sun (fourth letter from the top). The gist of my argument is that…
environment
Economy Continues to Grow Despite Decrease in Emissions
Economists used to measure progress using emission rates correlated to GDP, now that comparison is ridiculous. A few years ago we looked at how carbon output is shrinking while economies…
Wednesday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your mid-week reading. – Eshe Nelson interviews Richard Baldwin about the future of globalization and the possibility that the worst disruptions to workers are just beginning: What…
Standing Rock Sioux Achieve a Victory
This is proof that direct protest action works. The US Army Corps of Engineers has decided to not grant permission to allow the Dakota Access pipeline to be built as…
Here’s One You Might Not Have Heard Of – the "Technosphere"
Think of it as everything man has built on Earth that’s still standing. That includes the pyramids and everything older provided it’s still around. Now I’m going to throw out…
Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – Stephen Hawking discusses the urgent need to address inequality and environmental destruction as people are both more fearful for their futures, and more…
before the flood: good information but ultimately a weak message
Tonight we watched “Before the Flood“, Leonardo DiCaprio’s film about climate change, which I had heard such good things about. It’s well done, and is chock full of appropriately terrifying…
Energy producers have an obligation to improve environmental reporting
Photo from Wikimedia Commons The social and environmental concerns over pipeline economics and oil transportation projects are growing across the continent. After losing the public relations battle with military tactics,…
47 Developing Countries Leapfrogging to Renewables
At the tail end of the Marrakech UN conference on the climate 47 countries formed the Climate Vulnerable Forum to share the one goal: getting to 100% renewable energy as…
Maude Barlow: Government Neglect, Corporate Abuse, and Canada’s Water Crisis
Photo from Millstonenews.com Winnipeg, Nov. 24, 2016 – Council of Canadians Chair Maude Barlow discusses her latest book, Boiling Point: Government Neglect, Corporate Abuse, and Canada’s Water Crisis with Paul…
It’s Time for the Economy to Shrink
money With the frequent boom and bust cycles the economy goes through it is rare for people to argue that perhaps the downward portion of cycles should continue. Shrinking the…
Sunday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Sunday reading. – Janice Fine discusses how the decline of organized labour as a political force has opened the door for the likes of Donald…
Monbiot’s Impossible Crises
George Monbiot lists 13 crises, but warns you should only read the list if you’re feeling very strong. It’s an appropriate warning. He’s barely even talking about climate change here,…
Monbiot’s Impossible Crises
George Monbiot lists 13 crises, but warns you should only read the list if you’re feeling very strong. It’s an appropriate warning. He’s barely even talking about climate change here,…
Canada to Phase Out Coal Power Plants
The Canadian government has decided to end the use of coal for electricity by the year 2030. To make up the lost production the provinces which still use coal will…
Canada after Trump: Harold Innis and What to Do When Empires Go Crazy
The Americans shocked the rest of the world by electing Donald Trump last Tuesday. Pierre Trudeau suggested that Canada’s proximity to the US was like “sleeping with an elephant”, and…
Celebrating Resiliency
The Rockefeller Foundation has produced a new documentary celebrating areas humans live in that are designed to be resilient to climate change. By building our cities and countries around the…
Canada’s $3.3bn fossil fuel subsidies undermine climate action: Report
Canada’s $3.3 billion in federal and provincial subsidies to fossil fuel companies undermine climate action, says a new study by four prominent Canadian environmental groups. The post Canada’s $3.3bn fossil…
Sunday Morning Links
This and that for your Sunday reading. – Andrew Nikiforuk highlights how Donald Trump’s election is just one more predictable consequence of the end of shared growth – even as…
Action vs. Action Plans #GivePollutionAChance
The Liberals would like to tell you that they’ve spent a year making Real Change (TM) in Canada, since being elected in October, 2015. Undeniably, Canada has some notable differences…