Archives de l’auteur : Mike Buckthought

Peace and Eco Briefs, March–April 2011

Publié le par
Peace and Environment News — Insider, March–April 2011
by Mike Buckthought

Cycling Lanes for Centretown

On February 23, Ottawa City Council approved a pilot project to construct separated bike lanes in Centretown. The cycling lanes will run along Laurier Avenue from Elgin to Bronson. Some residents and business owners had voiced their concerns about reduced access to parking. However, many people had expressed their support. (24 Hours, February 24, 2011)

Solar Panels for City Buildings

On January 26, Ottawa City Council approved the Large Rooftop Solar Energy Program, a plan to install solar panels on the roofs of up to twenty municipal buildings. Energy Ottawa will lease space on the rooftops of buildings. The city will collect up to $5 million from lease agreements over twenty years. Electricity generated by the solar panels will be fed into the power grid, supplying enough power for 300 homes. Earlier in January, the city unveiled solar panels on the rooftops of City Hall and the Transit Services building at 875 Belfast Road. (City of Ottawa, January 11 and 26, 2011)

Canadian Cities Go Solar

Halifax, Kingston and Vancouver are investing in solar energy. On January 18, Kingston City Council awarded a contract to install solar panels on ten municipal buildings. Meanwhile in Nova Scotia, Halifax Regional Council voted to move forward with the Community Solar Project. This program will help 1000 homeowners finance the installation of solar panels to heat hot water. They will repay the costs through charges added to their tax bills. Vancouver has announced a similar retrofit program, allowing homeowners to pay for solar panels and energy-efficient appliances through their property taxes. (Halifax Regional Municipality, February 8, 2011; Vancouver Sun, December 8, 2010; Kingston Whig Standard, January 12, 2011; City of Kingston, January 18, 2011)

Shipping Nuclear Waste to Sweden

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has given Bruce Power permission to ship radioactive waste through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence, past Canada’s most populous cities. Bruce Power plans to ship 16 radioactive steam generators to Sweden, where they will be recycled into consumer products. A total of 116 municipalities are opposed to the plan. During public consultations, people expressed concerns about the potential for an accident affecting the drinking water of millions of people. (Le Soleil, February 8, 2011; Ottawa Citizen, February 15, 2011; Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, February 4, 2011)

Canada Exports Repression

Canadian politicians and diplomats often highlight the importance of human rights. At the same time, Canadian corporations are exporting weapons, tear gas and armoured vehicles to repressive, undemocratic regimes. The Coalition to Oppose the Arms Trade (COAT) has tracked military exports to 16 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Governments of these countries are often responsible for human rights abuses, making use of “security” products to entrench their rule. The federal government allowed $1.8 billion of military exports to these countries between 1990 and 2006. COAT has compiled a list of resources detailing how military exports are used as tools of oppression. (Coalition to Oppose the Arms Trade (COAT), February 17, 2011 http://coat.ncf.ca/mideast/mideast.htm)

People Power Saves UK Forests

Britain’s coalition government has backed down from plans to sell off 258,000 hectares of forests. Over half a million people signed petitions expressing their opposition. The British government was looking for ways to raise funds, and a forest sell-off was one such scheme. However, there was a public outcry. According to an opinion poll, 84% of people support protecting the forests as publicly owned lands. Britain’s environment secretary Caroline Spelman apologized for presenting the plan. “I am sorry, we got this one wrong, but we have listened to people’s concerns,” she said, acknowledging the widespread public opposition. (The Guardian, February 17, 2011)

Mike Buckthought writes about environmental and human rights issues.

Published in the Peace and Environment News — Insider, Volume 26, Number 2, March–April 2011, page 7.

And They Call It Democracy?

Publié le par
Peace and Environment News, January–February 2011
by Mike Buckthought

On November 16, Conservative Senators defeated Bill C-311 (the Climate Change Accountability Act) with a vote of 43 to 32.

The climate bill was passed in the House of Commons by a majority of elected Members of Parliament. When it reached the Senate, Conservative Senators called for a surprise vote at a time when many Liberal Senators were away. According to media reports, the Harper government ordered Conservative Senators to vote against the bill at the first possible opportunity.

Bill C-311 was a Private Member’s bill introduced by NDP MP Bruce Hyer (Thunder Bay-Superior North) on February 10, 2009. On April 1, 2009, the bill passed second reading with 141 votes in favour and 128 against.

The Climate Change Accountability Act incorporated recommendations of the Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It would have ensured that Canada commits to reducing emissions by at least 25% below 1990 levels by 2020, with reductions of 80% by the year 2050. These reductions are needed to avoid the most dangerous impacts of climate change.

Support for the climate bill was strong, with tens of thousands of Canadians signing letters and petitions addressed to Members of Parliament and Senators. An open letter supporting the bill was endorsed by over 40 organizations across the country, including Sierra Club Canada, Ecology Action Centre, Council of Canadians, David Suzuki Foundation, Équiterre and NUPGE.

What message did the government convey to the people of the world when it obstructed passage of climate legislation? Canadian negotiators headed to the international climate talks in Cancun without a credible plan to tackle global warming.

While in Mexico, Canada’s team targeted the emissions of other countries. They insisted that countries such as China and India should commit to binding targets for reductions. Meanwhile, the defeat of Bill C-311 ensured that Canada would not commit to deep reductions in emissions. Canada’s per capita emissions are much higher than the emissions recorded in other countries.

The Harper government engineered the defeat of Bill C-311, ignoring the fact that a majority of Members of Parliament passed the bill in the House of Commons. It was a curious move, considering that Harper campaigned on the idea of a reformed, elected Senate. Instead, we now have a Senate stacked with Harper loyalists. The Prime Minister has appointed 38 new Senators in all, shifting the balance in favour of the Conservatives.

With the defeat of the climate bill and a new Conservative majority in the Senate, we are left wondering: will the Senate now block any legislation introduced by opposition parties, implementing the dictates of the new king?

Viewed from overseas, Canada is jettisoning its principles in pursuit of the all-mighty petro-dollar. In an article published in the Guardian, George Monbiot expresses his dismay. He is witnessing, he says, “the astonishing spectacle of a beautiful, cultured nation turning itself into a corrupt petro-state.”

The defeat of Bill C-311 represents a serious setback for efforts to tackle climate change. There are economic consequences, too. Without strong commitments to reduce emissions, it becomes more difficult to justify investments in renewable energy. We need climate legislation with binding targets for emissions reductions, and a national strategy to invest in renewable energy and create thousands of green jobs in Canada.

Mike Buckthought worked as national climate change campaigner for Sierra Club Canada, 2008–2009. The opinions expressed here are his own.

Published in the Peace and Environment News, Volume 26, Number 1, January–February 2011, page 6.

Peace and Eco Briefs, January–February 2011

Publié le par
Peace and Environment News — Insider, January–February 2011
by Mike Buckthought

Loss of Species Threatens Human Health

A new study reveals a link between the loss of species and disease. The loss of biodiversity in ecosystems results in increases in the numbers of disease-causing organisms. “We knew of specific cases in which declines in biodiversity increase the incidence of disease. But we’ve learned that the pattern is much more general: biodiversity loss tends to increase pathogen transmission across a wide range of infectious disease systems,” said Felicia Keesing, an ecologist and lead author of the study. The animals, plants and bacteria that disappear are the ones that buffer against disease transmission. Remaining species are often the ones that transmit diseases such as West Nile, Lyme disease and hantavirus. In the case of Lyme disease, mice can thrive when forests are fragmented, increasing the numbers of ticks that carry the disease. Loss of biodiversity has a detrimental impact on human health. (Bard College, December 1, 2010 http://www.bard.edu/news/releases/pr/fstory.php?id=2034)

Denmark Fossil Fuel-Free by 2050

Canadian corporations pour billions of dollars into the fossil economy, mining the Alberta tar sands and clearing forests to construct pipelines to send oil and gas south of the border. Denmark has chosen a different path, with substantial investments in green energy and a national plan to make the transition to a carbon-free economy. According to the Danish climate commission, the country can go fossil fuel-free by 2050. With the rising cost of oil and gas, it will be much cheaper to use wind and biomass energy to meet the country’s power requirements. The commission recommends investing 0.5 per cent of Denmark’s gross domestic product (GDP) in renewable sources of power to make the transition. (The Guardian, September 29, 2010)

Canada Bombs on Leadership

The Canadian government has made deep reductions in its funding of programs to clear landmines. Canada slashed spending by 57 per cent, the biggest decrease of all donor countries. This contrasts with Canada’s past support for the 1997 Ottawa Convention to ban landmines. According to the Landmine Monitor 2010 report, the Ottawa Convention has prevented many injuries and deaths. In 2009, 3,956 new casualties from landmines and explosive remnants of war were recorded, a 28 per cent reduction from the previous year. Eighty-six countries have destroyed their stockpiles of antipersonnel mines. (Landmine Monitor 2010, November 24, 2010 http://www.the-monitor.org/lm/2010; Mines Action Canada, November 24–29, 2010 www.minesactioncanada.org)

Naked Scanners Pose Cancer Risk

The “war on terror” will have an unintended consequence: it will lead to increased rates of cancer in North America. Scientists are warning of the health impacts from the use of full-body “naked” security scanners at airports. “They say the risk is minimal, but statistically someone is going to get skin cancer from these X-rays,” said Dr. Michael Love, who runs an X-ray lab at John Hopkins University. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has purchased hundreds of airport scanners which create revealing images of passengers. Canada is following the American lead. The “naked” scanners have been criticized for health risks and privacy issues. (Agence France Presse, November 12, 2010)

Chemical in Receipts Linked to Cancer

Receipts from cash registers contain high levels of the carcinogen bisphenol A, according to a new study. U.S. non-profit organizations Safer Chemicals, Safer Families and the Washington Toxics Coalition tested receipts from stores and coffee shops. Half of the receipts contained high levels of bisphenol A, a chemical known to increase risks of cancer and obesity, and to affect the development of babies and children. Touching a receipt for ten seconds transferred up to 2.5 micrograms of bisphenol A to a person’s fingers, according to the report. Bisphenol A is used in plastic bottles, cans and other consumer products. The European Union is following Canada’s lead, taking action to end the use of the chemical in baby bottles. (Agence France Presse, December 8, 2010)

Mike Buckthought writes about environmental and human rights issues.

Published in the Peace and Environment News Insider, Volume 26, Number 1, January–February 2011, page 7.

Calling for an End to Uranium Mining

Publié le par
Peace and Environment News — Insider, November–December 2010
by Mike Buckthought

Mining corporations have been caught up in a new gold rush, seeking to mine uranium near many communities. People across Canada have expressed concerns about the health and environmental impacts of uranium exploration and mining. Radioactive toxins can pollute rivers and lakes, contaminating water supplies for generations to come. Radon gas is released, exposing people to a known carcinogen.

In Eastern Ontario, there has been strong public opposition to the plans of mining corporation Frontenac Ventures, which has explored for uranium near Sharbot Lake, southwest of Ottawa.

In 2007 and 2008, protests by First Nations and local residents gained national media attention. Many people joined blockades at the exploration site. Ottawa, Kingston, Peterborough and 20 other Ontario municipalities passed resolutions calling for a moratorium on uranium mining and exploration. Local resident Donna Dillman started a 68-day hunger strike to call for an end to uranium exploration in Eastern Ontario.

Frontenac Ventures drilled 15 holes in 2008, but the exploration has stopped, likely due to the strong opposition from First Nations and local organizations such as the Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU).

“Fifteen holes were drilled during the time that we were told that no activity was happening,” says Mireille LaPointe, Co-Chief of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation. She says people were trying to come to an agreement with the government at the time. The company went ahead, despite assurances that no exploration was taking place.

The company has halted its activities, a positive development that shows that public opposition does have an impact. However, there are still some environmental concerns, related to the removal of vegetation and soil.

“With mining companies they drill holes and then they take off. They don’t cap them properly,” LaPointe says. “Nothing is replanted, the damage isn’t repaired. And they have no right to do that, but they are given the right to do that.”

LaPointe talks about the need to think about how future generations can be affected by uranium exploration and mining. There is a lack of balance, she says, with too much emphasis placed on supporting the profit-making enterprises of corporations.

“Once the water is polluted, where are we going to live? This is where we live, this is our home. We need to start thinking in those terms,” she says. “Things are out of balance… our quality of life is going to start being eroded.”

LaPointe expresses her optimism about recent efforts to oppose uranium mining, and says politicians need to pay more attention to what the citizens are saying. “I think that the issue is not one of involvement, so much as one of politicians not paying attention to what the people are saying. They’re paying more attention to what the corporations are saying,” says LaPointe.

She talks about the need for people to become engaged, and to educate themselves.

“People can become more informed citizens of their own country, and people can also become more informed about the health of indigenous communities, and why these communities — if they are unhealthy — why are they unhealthy.”

“People need to become more active citizens, and by becoming more active citizens, this country becomes a healthier place,” she says.

Meanwhile in Québec, many citizens have become active. They are voicing their strong opposition to uranium exploration and mining, and the refurbishment of the Gentilly-2 nuclear plant. The northern Québec city of Sept-Îles has been a focal point for public opposition. Hundreds of people have joined demonstrations to call for a halt to uranium exploration and mining near the city.

Across the province, a total of 200 municipalities representing over 590,000 citizens have passed a resolution calling for the Québec government to abandon its support for nuclear energy. The resolution proposes shifting to sustainable sources of power, such as wind and solar energy.

Gaëtan Ruest is mayor of Amqui, Québec, and spokesperson for the campaign « Le sort du nucléaire Québécois, un choix de société ».

Ruest says there is a need for increased public involvement to counter the nuclear industry. “A strong civic engagement is essential if we wish to convince the government to reconsider its decision to follow the nuclear adventure and to enact a law that would exclude the establishment of a permanent nuclear waste site on the territory of Québec,” he says.

“The opposition to the exploration and extraction of uranium, demonstrated in an unequivocal manner by municipalities in many regions of Québec, should lead to solidarity and vigilance among us.”

Here in Ontario, you can help support calls for a province-wide moratorium on uranium exploration and mining. Please write to: Premier Dalton McGuinty, 1795 Kilborn Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 6N1, dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org.

For further information, visit:

• The Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU), www.ccamu.ca.

• Uranium Citizens’ Inquiry, www.uraniumcitizensinquiry.com.

• MiningWatch, www.miningwatch.ca.

• Sortons le Québec du Nucléaire, www.sortonsquebecnucleaire.org.

Mike Buckthought writes about environmental and human rights issues.

Peace and Environment News — Insider, Volume 25, Number 6, November–December 2010, page 1.

Peace and Eco Briefs, July–August 2010

Publié le par
Peace and Environment News — Insider, July–August 2010
by Mike Buckthought

End of the Line for the Marlin Mine

Canadian gold mining company Goldcorp has been criticized for the health impacts of its Marlin mine in Guatemala. The Vancouver-based corporation has a new critic: the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), a human rights body of the Organization of American States (OAS).

The IACHR is calling on the government of Guatemala to suspend operations at the mine, and protect the health of indigenous communities in the region. A recent study by Physicians for Human Rights and University of Michigan scientists has found that people living near the mine have high levels of mercury, copper, arsenic, zinc and lead in their urine and blood. Goldcorp CEO Charles Jeannes dismissed the criticism at the company’s annual meeting, insisting it was “physically impossible” for the mine to contaminate surrounding communities. (MiningWatch Canada, May 24, 2010 www.miningwatch.ca)

Climate Bill Moves to Senate

On May 5, opposition parties joined together to pass the Climate Change Accountability Act (Bill C-311). The climate bill passed third reading in the House of Commons with a vote of 149 in favour to 136 against. Thanks to the united support of the New Democrats, Bloc Québécois and the Liberals, the bill continued on to the Senate. The private member’s bill was introduced by NDP MP Bruce Hyer (Thunder Bay-Superior North). If the bill is passed by the Senate and becomes law, it will ensure that Canada commits to science-based targets for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. The climate bill includes a target of 80 per cent reductions from 1990 levels by the year 2050, following the advice of the world’s climate scientists. (Parliament of Canada, May 5, 2010 http://www.parl.gc.ca/)

Some Stern Advice on Climate

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon criticized Canada’s climate policies when he visited Ottawa on May 12. “I urge Canada to comply with the targets set out by the Kyoto Protocol,” said Ban. “You can strengthen your mitigation targets for the future. And you can join other industrialized countries in contributing new funding, in keeping with your long-standing tradition of global solidarity.”

Canada signed the Kyoto Protocol, but the current government is not upholding the country’s commitments. Meanwhile, British economist Nicholas Stern provided his own stern words of advice. The Harper government insists that climate change should not be a high priority for the Group of 20. In remarks published by the Globe and Mail, Stern says it is important to discuss financial aid to help developing countries adapt to climate change. “You can’t really discuss the finance on the scale that we are talking about unless the G20 is involved, and involved this year.” (Montreal Gazette, May 12, 2010; Globe and Mail, May 13, 2010)

Pedestrian Zones

A Montréal borough is closing off one of its streets to cars. It is the first of many streets to be closed to car traffic. In place of cars, a one-block stretch of St. Dominique Street will be the home of a farmers’ market featuring local and organic produce every Thursday. Plateau Mayor Luc Ferrandez says the borough will transform 10–15 streets into pedestrian zones in 2010, reversing decades of auto-centric urban planning. Meanwhile in Ottawa, visitors to the ByWard Market have been pleased to find that part of William Street has become a pedestrian zone. A section of the street between Clarence and York is closed off to traffic — only two decades after members of Auto Free Ottawa proposed that the Market should be a pedestrian zone. Toronto is also creating some new pedestrian zones, with the transformation of three streets at the University of Toronto and Ryerson campuses starting in September. (Montreal Gazette, May 4, 2010; Toronto Star, May 18, 2010)

Mike Buckthought writes about environmental and social justice issues.

Published in the Peace and Environment News — Insider, Volume 25, Number 4, July–August 2010, page 3.

Peace and Eco Briefs, March–April 2010

Publié le par
Peace and Environment News, March–April 2010
by Mike Buckthought

Ban Asbestos

An open letter signed by 100 scientists from 28 countries calls on Québec Premier Jean Charest to ban the use and export of asbestos. Canada’s exports of asbestos are responsible for escalating rates of mesothelioma. The rare form of lung cancer is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos fibres. In Mexico, as many as 500 people die each year because of mesothelioma, according to the Mexican Institute of Social Security. The true toll from exposure to asbestos is believed to be much higher. Around 1,500 Mexicans die each year because of asbestos, according to occupational health expert Guadalupe Aguilar. Canada’s aggressive marketing of asbestos has devastating health impacts. About 95 per cent of asbestos mined in Québec is exported to developing countries, including India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Pakistan, Mexico, Thailand and Colombia. Meanwhile, the Canadian and Québec governments undermine international efforts to ban asbestos. (Globe and Mail, January 29–February 16, 2010)

Following Washington’s Plan

On January 30, Environment Minister Jim Prentice announced Canada’s new target for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. The government sent a notice to the United Nations, declaring that Canada will reduce its emissions by 17 per cent below 2005 levels by 2020. The latest target will actually increase emissions by 2.5 per cent from 1990 levels. Canada’s new goal is intended to match the target of 17 per cent specified in American legislation that has not been passed yet. Prentice indicated that he would like to align the federal government’s policies with the approach of the Obama administration. In order to ensure that Canada follows decisions made in Washington, the Canadian government declared its target the day after the American target was announced. (Globe and Mail, February 3, 2010)

Canada in 46th Place

While organizers of the Vancouver Olympics urged Canadian athletes to “own the podium,” Canada’s environmental practices have not earned any medals. Yale University’s 2010 Environmental Performance Index places Canada in 46th place, down considerably from 12th place in 2008. The index ranks 163 countries in all, considering a wide range of performance indicators. Canada’s environmental performance was ranked behind scores for Algeria, Mexico, Ireland and Romania. In first place: Iceland, Switzerland, Costa Rica and Sweden. Canada received low scores for its emissions of air pollutants, including greenhouse gases, ground-level ozone, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxides. (Le Soleil, January 27, 2010; Yale University Environmental Performance Index, http://www.epi.yale.edu/Countries/Canada)

Banning Cluster Bombs

On February 16, Burkina Faso and Moldova ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions. This brings the total number of ratifications up to 30. With 30 ratifying states, the Convention becomes binding international law effective August 1, 2010. The Convention will put an end to the devastating impacts of cluster bombs, with a comprehensive ban on the use, production and transfer of the munitions. Signatory countries include states that led the Oslo Process to create the convention, as well as many states that have used or stockpiled cluster munitions. A total of 104 countries have signed the Convention since December 2008. Countries are already taking action. Spain destroyed its stockpiles last year, and other countries are following. (Cluster Munition Coalition, February 16, 2010, http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/news/?id=2040)

India Halts GM Eggplants

Indian environment minister Jairam Ramesh announced a six-month moratorium on the introduction of a genetically modified variety of eggplant. He said more research was needed before cultivation could be started. The moratorium was announced after strong pressure from the public and state governments. People expressed concerns about the potential health hazards from the genetically modified Bt Brinjal variety of eggplant, developed by a company that is partly owned by Monsanto. There are also concerns that cultivation of the genetically modified plant would harm the over 2,000 traditional varieties of eggplant currently grown in India. (Associated Press/The Guardian, February 9, 2010)

Mike Buckthought writes about environmental and social justice issues.

Published in the Peace and Environment News, Volume 25, Number 2, March–April 2010, page 8.

Caesura for the New Caesar

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(in the manner of Res Gestae, by Augustus)

by Mike Buckthought

These noble deeds of deified Stephanus are recorded
on two bronze pillars set up in Rome.

Thus may it be recorded how I, Stephanus Arpinus Ottavian,
came to be imperator of the empire.

At age nineteen and by my own decision, I came to study
economics. I proceeded on the path to duty and deity
in the service of all Albertans.

I waged many battles against internal and eternal foes.
I was acclaimed imperator, the dictatorship granted to
me, I held the consulship in perpetuity.

I elected the members of the Senate. The Senate duly
decreed that rituals were to be undertaken by consuls,
and political games were celebrated.

I presented spectacles of athletes summoned from every land.
This was a time of epic skiing in Whistler, of heated debates
before melted mountains.

Following no truce, enemies were vanquished on the
frontiers of empire, ragged Parthians and Germanic tribes,
barbarian invaders all.

By decree of the Senate, my name graced the national
anthem, my portrait was hung in every portal. The senators
decreed that I should hold tribunician power as long as I live.

May the streets be silenced, the voices in the Forum
reduced to a whisper in worship
before my name.

The Senate consecrated the altar of Fortuna Alberta
before the Exxon Gate, for Albertan oil
is worth all.

I marked my sixth and seventh consulships
by extinquishing all civil discord, and controlled
all affairs by universal consent.

After the passage of time, I surpassed the passage of all
legislation, I excelled all
in all authority.

As I write this, I am in my seventy-sixth year,
I, Stephanus Arpinus Ottavian.

Published in Rogue Stimulus: The Stephen Harper Holiday Anthology for a Prorogued Parliament (Mansfield Press, 2010).

Peace and Eco Briefs, January–February 2010

Publié le par
Peace and Environment News — Insider, January–February 2010
by Mike Buckthought

Portland’s 40-Year Climate Action Plan

The city of Portland, Oregon is taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent below 1990 levels by the year 2050. On October 28, Portland’s City Council passed a 40-year Climate Action Plan, a joint effort by the city and Multnomah County. Portland Mayor Sam Adams says the plan will create green jobs and encourage the introduction of new services and products that can be marketed globally. The plan includes a list of 93 actions to take over the next three years. By 2030, all homes and buildings will have “zero net greenhouse gas emissions.” Energy efficiency will be used to reduce the energy use in existing buildings by 25 per cent. The plan will also ensure that 90 per cent of city residents can meet all of their non-work needs through walking or bicycling. (Portland Herald Tribune, October 28, 2009; City of Portland and Multnomah County Climate Action Plan, October 2009)

Doctors’ Diagnosis: Uranium Bad for Health

Twenty-four doctors from Sept-Îles, Québec have pledged to resign and leave the city if exploration for uranium continues near a lake that provides drinking water for their community. In an open letter addressed to Québec’s Minister of Health and Social Services, the doctors express concerns about the health impacts of a uranium mine proposed by Terra Ventures. They are asking for a moratorium on uranium mining across the province. A thousand citizens of Sept-Îles joined a protest to support calls for a moratorium. Nova Scotia and British Columbia have banned uranium mines, but the Québec government has so far refused to follow these examples. The Sept-Îles Hospital supports the doctors’ actions, while warning that the loss of so many doctors would be “catastrophic” for the community. (La Presse, December 4, 2009; Radio-Canada, December 7–14, 2009)

Spanish Wind Power

During a recent windy day, Spain’s wind turbines set another record, supplying 53 per cent of the country’s electricity needs. On November 8, Spain’s wind turbines were generating 11.5 gigawatts of power, equivalent to almost twice the combined output of Ontario’s Pickering and Darlington nuclear stations. In 2009, Spain generated about one quarter of its energy needs from renewable sources of power such as wind turbines and solar panels. The country’s wind power capacity is growing rapidly, thanks to government support. According to the Spanish Wind Energy Association, by 2020 Spain will generate 40 gigawatts from wind turbines — about six times the capacity of Ontario’s Pickering and Darlington nuclear plants. Spain’s wind turbines currently generate 80 per cent more electricity than the country’s nuclear plants. (The Guardian, November 9, 2009; Ontario Power Generation www.opg.com)

Sea Level Rise of Nine Metres

According to a new study published in Nature, global sea levels could rise by as much as 9 metres over the next few hundred years, even if global mean temperature increases are halted at two degrees above pre-industrial levels. A sea level rise of nine metres would result in the loss of most of the Netherlands, and many coastal cities such as New Orleans. Island states such as the Maldives would be completely submerged, and much of Bangladesh and Florida would also be lost. The prediction of a nine-metre rise is higher than previous estimates. The study takes into account the impacts of the melting of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica. According to Princeton University researcher Robert Kopp, “the IPCC’s last numbers were underestimates because they didn’t include all the factors that can accelerate ice sheet melting.” (The Guardian, December 16, 2009)

European Union Goes Green

The European Union is introducing new regulations to ensure that nearly all buildings constructed after 2020 will generate most of their energy from renewable sources, or incorporate energy efficiency to reduce power needs. Existing buildings will incorporate green retrofits whenever possible, when they are renovated. The regulations will help the EU reach its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent below 1990 levels. Another regulation will ensure that home appliances are clearly labelled with efficiency ratings, to encourage people to use energy-efficient washing machines, televisions and refrigerators. Advertisements for home appliances will have to include the energy-efficiency rating, ranging from “A” for the greenest appliances, to “G” for the least efficient. (Greenwire, November 18, 2009)

Mike Buckthought writes about environmental and social justice issues.

Published in the Peace and Environment News Insider, Volume 25, Number 1, January–February 2010, page 6.

Pedal for the Planet Reaches Parliament

Publié le par
Peace and Environment News, November–December 2009
by Mike Buckthought

Pédalez pour la planète, Ottawa, le 15 septembre 2009. Photo : Faris Ahmed.

Pédalez pour la planète, Ottawa, le 15 septembre 2009. Photo : Faris Ahmed.

On September 15, Pedal for the Planet riders hit Parliament Hill after riding across Atlantic Canada, Québec, Ontario, the Prairies and British Columbia.

The riders relayed a message from Canadians across the country: we need to stop Canada’s backpeddling on climate change. Canada must do its fair share.

At the rally on the Hill, we were joined by NDP Leader Jack Layton, Linda Duncan (NDP, MP Edmonton-Strathcona), Bruce Hyer (NDP, MP Thunder Bay-Superior North), Bernard Bigras (Bloc Québécois, MP Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie) and Francis Scarpaleggia (Liberals, MP Lac-Saint-Louis).

We heard some inspiring words from the riders — Malkolm Boothroyd, who cycled all the way from Whitehorse, and Martina Nowak, who cycled from Victoria. Nathalie Houle and Eugénie Capel spoke on behalf of the many cyclists who crossed Québec.

After the rally, cyclists joined a virtual world tour around Ottawa, a low-carbon journey to search for Canada’s missing climate action plan. We were welcomed by Wim Geerts, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Canada. He talked about how the Netherlands encourages cycling as a sustainable form of transportation.

We rode to Bangladesh and Tuvalu, countries hit by rises in sea level, and Costa Rica, which plans to go carbon neutral by 2021. We visited the European Union, which is taking action to switch to renewable energy.

We finished our ride outside the Embassy of Denmark. Deputy Head of Mission Jakob Henningsen talked about how cycling is encouraged in Denmark. In Copenhagen, almost half of trips to work or school are by bicycle.

What is Canada doing? We hope these examples will inspire Members of Parliament to create a climate plan for Canada. They can start by supporting the swift passage of Bill C-311, the Copenhagen Climate Bill.

The next night, Pedal for the Planet riders and Members of Parliament returned to the Hill for a special screening of “The Age of Stupid.” The film presents a clear warning: future generations are threatened by increasing temperatures, extreme weather events and rising sea levels. The September 16th screening was presented by Sierra Club Canada and Linda Duncan, MP for Edmonton-Strathcona.

We would like to congratulate all the riders and volunteers across Canada who joined Pedal for the Planet. People cycled thousands of kilometres, braving bears, blackflies and torrential rains on windswept roads.

A small group of dedicated volunteers and staff members spent countless hours in meetings, while most people were away on summer vacation. Without all our hard work, Pedal for the Planet would not have been possible. We would like to thank everyone for joining us.

Mike Buckthought is the national coordinator of Pedal for the Planet, a cross-country climate relay to support urgent federal action on climate change. Pedal for the Planet was organized by staff and volunteers from Sierra Club Canada, Oxfam Canada, Climate Action Network and other organizations across the country. For more information about Pedal for the Planet, visit www.kyotoplus.ca/pedal.

Peace and Environment News, Volume 24, Number 6, November–December 2009, page 3.

Pedalling for the Planet in Kingston

Publié le par
Peace and Environment News, November–December 2009
by Mike Buckthought

Le parc éolien de l’île Wolfe. Photo : Mike Buckthought.

Le parc éolien de l’île Wolfe. Photo : Mike Buckthought.

Pedal for the Planet riders rolled into Kingston on September 10th. The team in Kingston included cyclists who pedalled all the way from Whitehorse and Victoria, as well as people from London, Toronto and Ottawa.

Our first stop was Queen’s University. We focused on the tar sands with a teach-in by Clayton Thomas-Muller from the Indigenous Environmental Network. He talked about the devastating impacts tar sands extraction is having on First Nations communities. With contamination of the Athabasca River, he said, high rates of cancer are hitting Fort Chipewyan and other communities.

He stressed that exploiting the tar sands leads to violations of fundamental human rights. Producing dirty tar sands oil contaminates water supplies and dumps millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

After the tar sands talk, we headed over to the waterfront to catch a ferry to Wolfe Island. We cycled along the coast, the sky illuminated by the stars and the planet Jupiter. The moon was rising, casting a warm glow on the water of the St. Lawrence River.

The following day, we pedalled down some country roads to have a look at the wind turbines on the island. There are 86 wind turbines, in one of Ontario’s largest wind farms.

The blades whirl slowly, high above farmers’ fields. They generate power for people on the mainland, and generate millions of dollars in economic benefits for farmers and the township. Now the islanders are debating what to do with the extra income.

With finite supplies of oil and uranium, we are faced with a clear choice. We can continue sinking billions of dollars into the fossil economy, or move to green sources of energy such as wind and solar power.

After visiting Wolfe Island, I felt more optimistic about our future. The people of Wolfe Island have shown us that it is possible to transform our economy, making the transition to renewable energy.

Mike Buckthought is the national coordinator of Pedal for the Planet, a cross-country climate relay. This update first appeared in Sierra Club’s Climate Crisis blog, September 14, 2009. For more updates from Pedal for the Planet, visit www.kyotoplus.ca/pedal.

Peace and Environment News, Volume 24, Number 6, November–December 2009, page 2.