Thursday, September 2, 2010 - 12:43
Busy week writing letters to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. It's a futile thing really, but it's our job to shout for justice. I have always imagined myself as Henry Fonda staring down the 11 other jurors and, in only 90 minutes, turning an 11-to-1 guilty vote to 12-to-0 not guilty.
Maybe that's why I mount my trusty steed and, with a shout to Sancho to fix my grammar, knock out another submission, statement, press release or letter.
If you speak the truth eventually you will be heard. Everyone needs a philosophy. This is mine.
I think my next project will be a funding application to the Alberta government. Apparently, while the premier has been spending thousands on tar sands propaganda the culture minister has been funding the documentary Dirty Oil.
I...
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 - 11:52
Look out - the oil companies are going to be demanding another reward for bad behaviour.
The burst pipeline that leaked a million gallons of Alberta crude into the Kalamazoo River remains closed after US authorities turned down a restart. Turns out they couldn't verify it was safe.
Now Endbridge, fearing its line through Superior, Wisconsin might not be up to snuff, has reduced the pressure in the pipe. This cuts back the amount of crude flowing to Sarnia refineries even more.
So look out. Here comes a supply/demand argument for a bump in the price at the pumps.
Why is it only the oil industry can get away with this?
Thursday, August 12, 2010 - 13:18
Why do industry executives always turn to public relations firms when they are called out for unsustainable business practices? Do they really believe people are stupid? Isn't it like a clueless American tourist speaking louder and slower?
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers is the latest group to go this way. Apparently they have a new PR firm and new advice: "Put a human face on the tar sands."
So we'll soon see lots of Youtube spots, probably of people biking with the Rockies in the background. They'll be telling stories about Syncrude employees making charitable donations.
It's all in an effort to distract the public from the real issue, which is this: the Alberta government is prepared to do anything to feed our oil addiction even...
Thursday, August 5, 2010 - 10:28
It's understandable the Alberta government would want to fight back when it perceives its good name is being tarnished. The question is, how best to do it?
Looking at the numbers from the government's own survey, it's pretty clear Albertans aren't really convinced it is doing a good job regulating the "oil sands."
Perhaps because the government has yet to see to see an oil development it didn't like, or because it is often quicker than Big Oil to jump to the industry's defence, the public gets the impression the government is biased.
Bragging about climate change regulations that allow greenhouse gas emissions to rise doesn't help either.
Then there are all those toxic pollutants leaking from the tailings ponds into the Athabaska River...
Thursday, July 29, 2010 - 10:28
photo by Bruce Power
Bruce Power has posted a response to our letter writing campaign (http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5654/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3737) questioning the transport of 16 old steam generators from the Bruce plant on Lake Huron to Sweden. These generators would be transported by road from Kincardine to Owen Sound and then shipped through Lake Huron, Lake Erie, the Welland Canal, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Back in 2005 there was an environmental assessment of the rebuilding of the plant closed since the mid-90s. At that time, Bruce Power said the 100 tonne steam generators would be stored at a radioactive material waste storage facility onsite. Now they are to be moved to Sweden. This is a major deviation from the original plan and we have...
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 - 13:31
I saw an article from Mining Weekly quoting Michael Ignatieff. He said the tar sands have to clean up and be more sustainable. I don't want to suggest anything personal about the man, but isn't that an oxymoron?
How can producing the substance that fuels climate change be sustainable? I thought he was an educated and intelligent man, not just another jingo-spouting politician talking meaninglessly. I seem to be wrong about so many things.
The pollution produced by the tar sands mines and upgraders is horrible and should be cleaned, but doing it while continuing to add new mines makes about as much sense as washing down a vehicle just before it causes a six car pile up.
The climate scientists have done the calculating. The atmosphere can't absorb the growing...
Thursday, July 15, 2010 - 14:34
Maybe Alberta should rethink
So Premier Stelmach's blood pressure is up over the "Rethink Alberta" ad campaign. My question is, What did he expect? My personal involvement with the government of Alberta goes back to the National Process on Climate Change in 1998-99.
The goal was to come up with a plan to reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions by bringing together experts and government representatives from the provinces and territories. Alberta was the co-chair.
Five hundred people worked for two years developing ideas for a national plan. Alberta was a leading participant until crunch time, when talk was supposed to turn into action. The federal government presented a draft plan – a plan that gave special consideration to Alberta's oil...
Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 15:37
So now you need to put up $50,000 before you can take the City of Ottawa to court.
The citizens' group that formed to save the Blanding's turtle and the South March Highlands could be forced to pay the money up front before their application for a judicial review and injunction can be heard. Pretty shocking considering the City has a policy of not seeking costs from citizens' groups.
What's Mayor O'Brien trying to hide that he would stoop to such strong arm tactics to prevent legal scrutiny of the Terry Fox Drive extension?
Plenty. The South March Highlands are one of the most unique and valuable ecological areas of the city. For O'Brien, the goal is to move ahead before too many people find out. It's all being sacrificed on the altar of the...
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 - 11:03
I just learned the Canada Pension Plan has invested $250 million in a tar sands plant so I have written David Denison, President and CEO of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, to share my thoughts. You should too.
Dear Sir,
I read with dismay that my contribution to the Canada Pension Plan will be used to fuel catastrophic climate change. I presume this is a strategy to reduce future benefit payments by shortening the life span of Canadians. The stress alone from droughts, floods and extreme storms will have a devastating effect.
I can understand the potential benefits for my surviving children and grandchildren, but I would rather everyone live to a ripe old age.
I also wonder how you could be so oblivious to the urgency of the climate crisis that you do not realize...
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - 22:28
This week I saw many things that I never expected to see with my own eyes, things I thought only happened in other parts of the world. I saw anarchists smash windows and jump on the roof of a burning police car and graffiti "Bomb the Banks", acts that detract attention from the thousands of peaceful protesters with legitimate concerns about climate change financing, labour rights, women's rights, poverty and other issues. But I also saw (with my own eyes and in numerous videos) police viciously beat and arrest peaceful demonstrators, journalists and innocent bystanders.
The list of abuses is so long I hardly know where to start. A deaf man was arrested and could not understand what was happening for the many hours he was detained because the only interpreter offered to...