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Canada Environment

The Commons Don't Have To Be So Tragic

DeSmog Canada | Posted 05.24.2013 | Canada
DeSmog Canada

In essence, Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons" thesis argues that the pursuit of self-interest in an open-access commons leads to ruin. Thus while people know that depleting a common resource can hinder societal wellbeing, without control and oversight, they will inevitably deplete it. I respectfully disagree.

Franke James and the Art of Activism

Kevin Grandia | Posted 05.22.2013 | Canada Politics
Kevin Grandia

In 2011, Canadian artist Franke James set out on a solo European art exhibit spanning 20 countries. But what happened instead, prompted an Amnesty International campaigner in Croatia to declare it a "sad day for Canadian democracy."

Ontario's Wildlife Needs Continued Protection

David Suzuki | Posted 05.22.2013 | Canada
David Suzuki

The protection of at-risk species, once maintained so well by our government, has taken a backseat to business development. Now when habitat needs to be protected to ensure the survival of a species, government and industry often balk and backpedal. This signals a failure to understand that we depend on nature for our well-being and survival.

What Are You Doing to Stop Climate Deniers?

Nick Fillmore | Posted 05.20.2013 | Canada Impact
Nick Fillmore

The global warming deniers are at it again, and it is high time that the environmental movement launched a campaign to expose them. We may not see effective action concerning climate change until many more business executives are convinced the changes are hurting both business and society.

The Next Big Thing in Green Power: Community Ownership

Ron Seftel | Posted 05.21.2013 | Canada
Ron Seftel

Any socially transformative movement gets to a point where it needs to be fully embraced by the people it impacts. The green power movement within Canada is at just such a point. The past decade has seen an increase in the number of options available to Canadians to support renewable energy -- often associated with a premium cost to the consumer.

If We "Go With Canada," the Environment Is Doomed

Cameron Fenton | Posted 05.15.2013 | Canada Politics
Cameron Fenton

Last week the world hit a new milestone. We crossed 400 parts per million CO2 concentration in the Earth's atmosphere, 50ppm above what is considered a safe level. According to Canada's new advertising campaign website Go With Canada, our government is taking steps on environmental protection, climate action and industry monitoring. Reality paints a different picture.

The LNG Jobs Myth

Sandy Garossino | Posted 05.13.2013 | Canada British Columbia
Sandy Garossino

Natural gas, being sold as a huge job creator is actually an employment deadbeat. While natural gas contributes fully 3.2% of our total GDP, its work force is tiny, just 3,500 souls, or .15% of provincial employment. Electrical equipment manufacturers employ more people in B.C. than oil and gas. Natural gas is shipped east through pipelines, so there are no trucking or ports benefits. And most of the $6 billion in natural gas earnings don't stay in B.C., but take a direct flight across the Rockies to Calgary. Which might explain why some B.C. politicians organize fundraisers there.

Alberta Energy Regulator Gerry Protti is the Oil Patch Lobby's Golden Goose

Kevin Grandia | Posted 05.10.2013 | Canada Alberta
Kevin Grandia

Gerry Protti, Alberta's new overseer of environment and safety in the province's oilpatch, has been central to a network of oil industry front groups and lobbyists for many years and it is raising the eyebrows of more than a few people. Protti was recently named as the new head of the Alberta Energy Regulator, a new provincial agency whose mandate, is "...to provide for the efficient, safe, orderly and environmentally responsible development of energy resources in Alberta."

Biohackers Are Kickstarting Some Unregulated Experiments

L. Jim Thomas | Posted 05.10.2013 | Canada Business
L. Jim Thomas

Three biohackers from California have hijacked the Kickstarter machinery -- they have made Kickstarter the conduit for a nationwide release of untested, unregulated and unmonitored bioengineered organisms.

Why My NDP Vote Is A Green Vote

Tzeporah Berman | Posted 05.09.2013 | Canada British Columbia
Tzeporah Berman

In the past the BC NDP condemned the Liberal carbon tax policy without doing the hard work to address how an NDP government would address these challenges. Under the leadership of Adrian Dix it is now clear that an NDP government would take these issues very seriously and they have taken the time to carefully consider how the carbon tax needs to cover more greenhouse gas emissions to ensure that we not only reduce pollution but also build a stronger and more equitable economy for B.C. I'm impressed.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and the Fourth R

Ian Lifshitz | Posted 05.07.2013 | Canada Impact
Ian Lifshitz

Many of us grew up in a time when we finished with a piece of paper, crumpled it up and tossed it into a waste paper basket. Then recycling bins came along. And with it a message of reduce, reuse and recycle. Flash forward to 2013. It's time to revisit the three Rs and add a fourth -- renewable.

David Suzuki Empowers 8,000 Youth to Wake Up Canada!

Amy MacPherson | Posted 05.06.2013 | Canada Impact
Amy MacPherson

On April 25, 2013, renowned scientist Dr. David Suzuki attended the WFCU Centre to empower the crowd with his Wake Up Canada call. It's a campaign organized by the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition to support a day of action, encouraging kids to advocate for their environmental future through the very media that overlooked them this time around.

Where Is The Love In Social Struggle?

Jarrah Hodge | Posted 05.02.2013 | Canada British Columbia
Jarrah Hodge

When B.C. filmmaker Velcrow Ripper started making Occupy Love in 2009, some of his activist friends weren't sure what to make of his questions. How can the crises we're facing socially, economically and environmentally become - of all things - a love story? But as he continued to film social movements from the Arab Spring to the European Summer, Occupy Wall Street and environmental movements, he started seeing a shift, with more and more people responding: "Of course it's a love story."

Canada Is Ready For a Transformative Energy Experience

David Suzuki | Posted 05.01.2013 | Canada Impact
David Suzuki

Some people think a widespread shift from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources is not practical or even possible. And so we carry on, rushing to squeeze every last drop of oil and gas from the ground using increasingly difficult and destructive methods like fracking, deep-sea drilling and oil sands extraction, with seemingly little concern for what we'll do after we've burned it all.

With Kinder Morgan, Clark Will Destroy Vancouver

Kevin Grandia | Posted 04.29.2013 | Canada British Columbia
Kevin Grandia

According to Tourism Vancouver, in 2011 visitors to our city spent an estimated $92 million, and "cruise passengers increased by 15 per cent over 2010. Between May and October 2011, Port Metro Vancouver welcomed 663,425 passengers on 27 different vessels over 199 cruise ship calls." While Vancouver has many amazing attractions, restaurants and cultural centers, it is the ocean and all the nature around that bring people from all over the world to visit our city. Quite frankly, if it wasn't for the amazing oceanscapes and natural beauty, Vancouver would be nothing more than a small version of... wait for it... Toronto.

Care For Your Garden Without Hurting Mother Nature

Jen Mayville | Posted 04.25.2013 | Canada Living
Jen Mayville

You don't need to use a cocktail of toxic chemicals to keep weeds and bugs out of your garden. There are many ways that you can have a pristine backyard, while protecting the environment and your health at the same time.

Will Harper Stick His Nose In B.C.'s Pipeline Debate?

Kevin Grandia | Posted 04.24.2013 | Canada British Columbia
Kevin Grandia

British Columbians clearly oppose both Kinder Morgan and the Northern gateway, but I wouldn't doubt we will see the pro-pipeline Harper federal government stick their nose into the B.C. election in the coming weeks, as they twist in the wind watching the fate of their beloved tar sands pipelines land right in the waiting hands of Adrian Dix and the NDP.

Five Ways to Travel Green on Earth Day

Brian Simpson | Posted 04.23.2013 | Canada Travel
Brian Simpson

In the spirit of giving back to Mother Earth, Travelocity.ca wanted to share a few easy ways we can all limit our environmental impact, while enjoying the beauty and wonder this great world has to offer. When planning your next vacation, consider the following tips to limit your environmental footprint.

The Four Best Ways to Spring Clean

Dr. Meghan Walker | Posted 04.22.2013 | Canada
Dr. Meghan Walker

As a naturopathic doctor, spring also coincides with a series of visits and questions related to spring cleanses, detoxification and lifestyle transformation. On Earth Day, it seems appropriate to review the most impactful changes we can make as part of our spring cleansing.

An Earth Day Present From.. The Tories?

CP | Heather Scoffield, The Canadian Press | Posted 04.25.2013 | Canada Politics

OTTAWA - The federal Conservatives have decided to mark Earth Day this year, launching a long-promised portal for public access to sensitive environme...

For Earth Day, Six Places We Should All Visit

Carl Duivenvoorden | Posted 04.20.2013 | Canada Impact
Carl Duivenvoorden

In today's world, humans are consuming more than ever, but many consequences of the way we live are far from the average person's eyes and thoughts. So here are six places we'd all do well to visit, for a reality check, some imprinting and some reflection.

Interview With an Environmental Activist: Why You Should Care About Canada's Future

Samuel Getachew | Posted 04.16.2013 | Canada
Samuel Getachew

Nadia Chowdhury has been advocating for a better environment for a very long time. The determined environmental activist explains why the environment is an important agenda for her, reflects on her personal journey so far and advises those who may want to emulate such a fulfilling activist journey.

Lots Of Progress, But Still Losing The War On Climate Change

Ron Dembo | Posted 04.15.2013 | Canada Impact
Ron Dembo

While it is only eight years since I started getting actively engaged in trying to make a difference in our collective footprint, I already feel like a grandfather. I have met inspiring people. I have heard inspiring ideas. I have been inspired. But it is hard not to feel we are losing the war on climate change.

Alberta Cattle Ranchers Put Environment First

Rosie Templeton | Posted 04.08.2013 | Canada Alberta
Rosie Templeton

The Taillieu family of Tomahawk Cattle Ranch believes that cattle ranchers and farmers are environmentalists above all. The Taillieus received the 2013 Alberta Beef Producers' Environmental Stewardship Award for their innovative practices and sustainable management.

The Effects of Canada's Climate Change Ambivalence

Kevin Grandia | Posted 04.03.2013 | Canada
Kevin Grandia

Every UN nation -- 194 countries and the European Union -- is currently part to this agreement. Canada is setting a shocking precedent of climate ambivalence at a time when strong leadership is what is needed the most. All of us live in a world governed by a climate whose energy is becoming more dynamic and expressive by the year.