Second in a series on the politics of oil and Canada's climate change goals.

New Environment Minister Peter Kent has a big problem. For five years, the Conservative mantra on climate change has been that Canada must harmonize our targets and programs with the U.S.. That was an easy cop out, as long as the Americans were doing what Harper's government was doing -- nothing. It's now show time for the new Minister and the Harper government, because the Americans are at last doing something.

Third in a series on oil politics and climate change.

There is one overriding question that hangs over the Harper government's adamant refusal to face up to climate change and to regulate a reduction in Canada's greenhouse gases. How is it possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while at the same time generating more of them than ever?

Stephen Harper and Peter Kent are like the overweight twins trying to shed pounds, while eating greasy bitumen burgers for lunch. That is what our ever increasing bitumen exports to the U.S. amounts to in relation to the struggle to take action on climate change.

First of a series on the politics of oil and Canada's climate change goals.

Stephen Harper and Environment Minister Peter Kent think they have come up with a game changer on the environment. When you hear about the many issues surrounding the development of the Alberta bitumen sands, they want you to answer that in spite of all that, Canada's "ethical oil" is the best, considering the alternatives.

While most of us went on break, the University of Victoria (UVic) was attempting a "green holiday break."

Between December 25 and January 3, UVic turned thermostats down to 16 degrees Celsius (except temperature-sensitive areas), turned off exhaust fans, fume hoods, and turned off building lights (where possible). Staff were encouraged to turn off their computers, printers, copiers and other equipment in their offices and work areas.

The university projected that in exercising conservative energy-saving practices, they could reduce their carbon consumption by 41 tonnes during the 10-day period. UVic was not able to provide actual results of the "energy break" as of press time.