Archive for 2007 January

The Doomsday Clock just moved up 2 minutes closer to midnight, and for the first time, part of the reason was global warming, in addition to the threat of nuclear holocaust.  So let’s pause and think about that as we hear Prime Minister Harper plan on investing in “clean energy technology” to address climate change, with funding for such delights as squeeky clean nuclear power.

Ted Gruetzner, the public relations man for the PEC, wrote me a lovely note just as he was announcing the solar research park that’s been so bandied about in the last few days.  He told me that I had been instrumental in making this happen as he had met the solar researcher, Nazir Kherani, at a seminar I organized in May of 2006.

I like Nazir.  His research is critically important and I’m delighted that he has a place to do it.  I’m not so delighted if this somehow greenwashes the PEC, which remains an expensive and environmentally reckless approach to a problem we shouldn’t have.  Our emissions should be going down.  Our demand should be going down.     Read more »

Today’s kids are fixing the mess their elders and leaders have left them.  Let’s help them keep a liveable world for themselves and for their children.  Sign the CYCC petition on climate change.

More indication of imminent US action on climate change.  Let’s cross our fingers and hope it’s substantive.

There is a sickening kind of irony that while nobody worried too much over the fate of millions of Chinese and Bangladeshis, the cute and fuzzy polar bear may be what finally brings the United States to action on global warming.

Watch Elizabeth May talk about strategic voting and the environment issue with Peter Mansbridge.  She’s wonderful as always.

One of the folks at Post Carbon Toronto sent around this clip about North American oil and gas supplies.  It is an interview with David Hughes, a geologist with Natural Resources Canada.     Read more »

Stop Climate Change has organized a special meeting with guest speakers on climate change.  They will talk about how to organize locally and globally to achieve meaningful action.

Climate Change: Canada Fails the Grade
Friday, 2007 January 26, 7 pm
Bahen Centre Building, room 1160
40 St George St (just north of College)

Here’s another truly frightening article, which Charlie sent me a few days ago, and which has been keeping me up at night.

It says that in 2006 we may have reached a number of the tipping points that climate scientists were worried might arrive as soon as 2050 if we weren’t careful.  Russia’s peat bogs are releasing so much methane that they are now responsible for more global warming than US emissions, and more will be released the warmer it gets.  England’s soil has gone from being a carbon sink to a carbon emitter which completely eliminates any gains England has made through cutting emissions of fossil fuels.  And the North Sea ice appears to be in permanent decline.

This report came at a time that we also heard of ice shelves breaking up in the Arctic.  I’m afraid the measures now necessary to combat serious global destabilization and mass extinctions may be far more serious than we had contemplated.

Do you think you’d make a great candidate for the Green Party in Toronto-Danforth?  Then we need you.  If you know someone else who is interested, please urge them to consider running.

Potential candidates need to file nomination papers by 2007 January 22 and these must include a written nomination from at least 2 members.  For details please contact me at adriana@danforthgreens.ca

It’s time to choose a candidate for the next election.  By the looks of it, we may be just in time.  Please put this date on your calendars, we need your input on who your candidate will be.

Candidate nomination meeting
Tuesday, 2007 February 6, 6:30 pm
Pape/Danforth Library
701 Pape Ave
east side, just south of Danforth
416-393-7727

If you’d like to consider being our candidate please read the details and contact me at adriana@danforthgreens.ca

On Sunday, 2007 January 21, we’ll gather at Withrow Park at 1 pm to celebrate winter snow and ice while it’s still with us. Please bring your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbour children and any other small humans you can find. Sledding will be on if there is snow, skating will be available in any case.

At 2:30 pm, we’ll move on to the Riverdale Perk, where all children will get a free cup of hot chocolate.

Sunday, 2007 January 21, 1 pm
Withrow Park Skating Rink
725 Logan Ave, 416-392-0749

Sunday, 2007 January 21, 2:30 pm
Riverdale Perk
633 Logan Ave, 416-462-3538

It’s only the 3rd of January.  Also it’s only the 9th day of Christmas, so I get to wish everyone a Merry Christmas too.  Hope everyone made it happily and safely through the holidays.  And I hope the new year is not quite so green as it has been.