Air and Climate

Canada’s Federal Government campaigning against climate policies: report

Ottawa – Recent documents reveal that officials of the Government of Canada are systematically trying to kill clean energy and climate change policies in other countries in order to promote the interests of oil companies. The findings are contained in a new report, The Tar Sands’ Long Shadow, released by Climate Action Network Canada, a network of over 75 of Canada’s leading non-governmental organizations. Continue reading Canada’s Federal Government campaigning against climate policies: report

Uncategorized

We have much to learn from our elders – Science Matters

As I approach my 75th birthday, I find myself often thinking about mortality. I’m in the last part of my life, and that’s reality. This is the time when we must fulfill our most important duty: to reflect on a lifetime and then sift through the detritus of experience, observation, and thought in order to winnow out lessons to pass on to coming generations.
Continue reading We have much to learn from our elders – Science Matters

British Columbia, Nature and Wildlife Conservation

First Nations council takes stand against BC’s proposed Jumbo-Glacier resort

Vancouver – The Wilderness Committee was heartened that members of the Ktunaxa Nation Council (pronounced ‘k-too-nah-ha’) journeyed nearly 1000 km Monday to deliver a declaration to the BC government affirming their opposition to the proposed Jumbo-Glacier mega-resort in southeastern BC, 55 km west of Invermere. Continue reading First Nations council takes stand against BC’s proposed Jumbo-Glacier resort

Alberta, Energy, Natural Resources Management

Northern Alberta residents learn to sample air quality near tar sands

Edmonton – Growing criticism of the Stelmach government’s and the oil industry’s air quality monitoring in communities near tar-sands operations has spurred residents from the Peace and Athabasca regions to take matters into their own hands, attending independent training workshops to arm themselves with answers to the ongoing health issues plaguing their communities. Continue reading Northern Alberta residents learn to sample air quality near tar sands

Community Stewardship and Living

Ecoholic Home

Ecoholic Home
Adria Vasil
Adria Vasil will have you laughing all the way to the bank with this delightful book stuffed full of tips on green products and green living. As part of Vasil’s wildly successful Ecoholic series, the book offers a wide-ranging­ resource for green-minded homeowners – from the best green cleaning products to those that are no better than a “spit on a rag,” and from banks that provide green mortgages to bedding materials that may be bathed in harmful chemicals. With a specific focus on Canadian products and services, Ecoholic Home provides everything you’ll need to achieve a greener home and lifestyle. Continue reading Ecoholic Home

Energy

Ecotechnic Future

Ecotechnic Future
John Michael Greer

John Michael Greer’s Ecotechnic Future provides a sobering account of human society­ in the Industrial Age, and speculates on whether our culture can survive the coming peak-oil crunch. While predictions of a world lacking cheap and abundant energy may seem bleak, survivalists will appreciate the book’s outlook. But Greer perhaps relies too much on North American perspectives without focusing enough on some enlightened European nations that are actively working to decrease their oil dependence. Ecotechnic Future is a recommended­ read for survivalists­, politicians­ as well as any parents or teachers­ of our future generations. Continue reading Ecotechnic Future

Community Stewardship and Living

Social Change 2.0

Social Change 2.0
David Gershon
While a few readers may find David Gershon’s approach overly self-promoting – suggested resources all take you to his website’s order page – his experience­ in creating social transformation is authoritative­, and this book is a successful­ marriage of vision and pragmatism. Gershon balances principles and practices­, and highlights his ideas with stories of people­ in action. Social Change 2.0 emphasizes­ you, the reader, as the primary agent of change in the world. Each chapter ends with a useful set of questions that form a “practitioner’s guide” to further thinking. Continue reading Social Change 2.0

The Bridge at the End of the World
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The Bridge at the End of the World

The Bridge at the End of the World
James Gustave Speth.
At the end of his career as a litigator, academic and veritable environmental prophet, Gus Speth has reached a disturbing conclusion: “All we have to do to ruin the planet is to keep doing exactly what we’re doing today.” The environmental movement, he argues, is swimming upstream – limited by our cloistered approach to change and a failure to address the systemic failures of a myopic economic system. Passing the torch to the next generation, he offers a thoughtful analysis of these systemic challenges and outlines the necessary steps for transformative change. The Bridge at the Edge of the World is essential reading for those preparing to make the crossing. Continue reading The Bridge at the End of the World