In the face of another diplomatic disappointment in Cancun's climate change talks, we have just left the hottest year on record. While experts again try to ring alarm bells, our media still gives voice to the pseudo-intellectual pursuit of climate skepticism. Perhaps while Rome burned, some bravely questioned the finer qualities of fire. Perhaps on Easter Island, as the last trees fell, some elders courageously debated the necessity of wood. These days, Margaret Wente and Rex Murphy sing in tune with the likes of Glenn Beck, sincerely believing their skepticism to be a form of intellectual virtue. It is not.
Fossil fuels and the increasing carbon peril
"Man has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall. He will end by destroying the earth." - Albert Schweitzer
Increasing C02 production worldwide reveals that the prime aim of government should be Earth health rather than economic growth. Extinction of our species hovers threateningly just beyond the edge of human recklessness.
Unfortunately, the penchant for increasingly complex forms of development is displayed by our government's focus: on continued tar sands development, on continent-spanning pipelines to disperse its excessively crude product, and on military expenditures that fly in the face of the need for peace on Earth. The planet cannot afford worldwide hostility stimulated by armament production interests.
Canada at COP 15 climate talks - Day Eight
I didn't want to be accused of starting a thread that is allready going elsewhere, so I am writing this here instead.This is about the events unfolding at the COP 15 climate summit in Copenhagen.
Tuesday Dec 14 2009 - Day Eight:
Canada has just announced, at the COP 15 summit in Copenhagen, that the TAR SANDS emissions will increase by 37% and that our other major industrial sources of CO2 will increase by smaller amounts.
No reductions at all before 2020, just increases, that is Canada's climate team's position.
Yesterday, Industry Minister Jim Prentice announced that "Canada would not be ready to sign ANY AGREEMENT for at least one more year".
