Archive for 2007 February

Can Canada meet its Kyoto Protocol GHG emission targets?

Consider that Kyoto is a tiny step on the way towards much larger steps that will be required to avoid death for millions. So I think the answer is necessarily yes (and so do Canadians for Kyoto). Ask Aron Ralston, the mountain climber, whether it was possible to escape when his arm got trapped under an 800-pound boulder for five days.

Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party, in the Globe and Mail today, says the answer is certainly yes when you include the Kyoto Protocol “loopholes” that allow us to partially buy our way out of our legal obligations. She says that in any case, abandoning this international process will lead to diplomatic disaster followed by environmental catastrophe.

May predicts that Prime Minister Stephen Harper will introduce intensity targets (less emission per unit of production, but ultimately more emissions) and hopes “the voters are as smart as the atmosphere”.

The evening after Mary Ann Grainger’s candidate and campaign school, there will be a memorial for Tooker Gomberg:

On the 3rd anniversary of Tooker Gomberg’s passing, please join us for tales, ritual, music, and special screening of the 2006 video documentary Big Bucks, Big Pharma: Marketing Disease and Pushing Drugs.

Followed by a Critical Mass bike ride along Bloor/Danforth to celebrate TakeTheTooker.ca.

Tooker Gomberg Memorial
Saturday, 2007 March 3, 7:30 pm
341 Bloor St West (at St George) free
For more info call 416-534-9033 x 1

Charles Battershill has had his first newspaper interview after receiving the Green Party’s nomination in Toronto-Danforth.  The article, by Karolyn Coorsh in the Town Crier, discussed the Green Party in two ridings, Beaches-East York and Toronto-Danforth.  Here’s what was said about our riding:

The winds of change are blowing in Beaches-East York and Toronto-Danforth as the federal Green Party searches for a star candidate to replace former party leader Jim Harris and introduce a new candidate to the Danforth riding.

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According to recent polls, Green Party support nationwide has spiked to 10 percent.

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Meanwhile, the Toronto-Danforth Federal Green Party riding Association elected York University professor Charles Battershill as its candidate in early February.     Read more »

At their next meeting, the Coalition for a Green Economy will feature Jim Harris, former leader of the Green Party of Canada, delivering the slideshow presentation that Al Gore developed and used in his now Oscar-winning movie.

Al Gore trains and certifies people to deliver this presentation, and you get the benefit of a personal touch.  For those of you who want to see the material again or can’t make the movie night on March 2, this is a great opportunity.

Live Inconvenient Truth Slideshow
Tuesday, 2007 March 13, 7:30 pm
City Hall (Queen at Bay) free

Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” just won the Oscar for best documentary.  Jack Layton will be screening the film on March 2 at Riverdale Collegiate Institute at 6 pm.  There will be a panel discussion afterwards, so the evening will end at 10 pm.  If you haven’t seen the film, take this opportunity to view it and to tell our MP what needs to be done.

Congratulations Mr. Gore.  May your movie inspire politicians the world over to speedier action.

An Inconvenient Truth + panel discussion
Friday, 2007 March 2, 6 pm
Riverdale Collegiate Institute
1094 Gerrard St E (east of Jones) free