Many of us in Canada take water for granted, despite drinking water problems in First Nations communities—the subject of a recent column. World Water Day (March 22) reminds us that as the human population continues to grow, putting greater demand on all resources, and as climate change exacerbates drought in many places, we can’t be […]
Climate change
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SCIENCE MATTERS: Renewable communities produce energy, jobs and hope
Anishinaabe economist and writer Winona LaDuke identifies two types of economies, grounded in different ways of seeing. Speaking in Vancouver recently, she characterized one as an “extreme extractive economy” fed by exploitation of people and nature. The second is a “regenerative economy” based on an understanding of the land and our relationship to it. We […]
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SCIENCE MATTERS: Climate science deniers’ credibility tested
We base our arguments about environmental issues on sound research and evidence. Sometimes people challenge us—which is often positive, as informed debate leads to greater knowledge. But many challenges come from people with suspect motives. In comments, letters and opinion articles, people spread nonsense from the likes of Ezra Levant, Tim Ball, Tom Harris and […]
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SCIENCE MATTERS: We can’t close our eyes to climate change
Contrary to a common perception, ignoring climate change won’t make it disappear. Global research going back to 1824 in fields ranging through physics, oceanography, biology and geology have confirmed human activity—mainly burning fossil fuels, raising livestock and destroying carbon sinks like forests and wetlands—is increasing greenhouse gas emissions and causing global temperatures to rise rapidly, […]
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Dalhousie looks at fossil fuel divestment
The province’s biggest university will look at divesting its financial portfolio from fossil fuel companies. The Halifax school’s board of governors approved the motion Tuesday to investigate a new ecological option for its investment portfolio. A third-party financial consultant will be hired to figure out a financial strategy free from climate-changing fossil fuels is viable. […]
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SCIENCE MATTERS: On climate, OECD head embraces environmentalism
Angel Gurria sounds like the leader of an environmental or social justice group. In a recent University of Toronto lecture, “Climate Action: Time for Implementation,” he stressed that climate change is a public health issue “disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable as well as those least responsible for anthropogenic warming.” Gurria is secretary-general of the Organisation […]
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SCIENCE MATTERS: Consumer society no longer serves our needs
My parents were born in Vancouver—Dad in 1909, Mom in 1911—and married during the Great Depression. It was a difficult time that shaped their values and outlook, which they drummed into my sisters and me. “Save some for tomorrow,” they often scolded. “Share; don’t be greedy.” “Help others when they need it because one day […]
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SCIENCE MATTERS: We ignore urgent global warnings at our peril
A year ago, we revisited the 1992 “World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity.” Signed by a majority of Nobel laureates in sciences at the time and more than 1,700 leading scientists worldwide, the document warned, “Human beings and the natural world are on a collision course.” It called for a new ethic that encompasses our responsibility […]
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SCIENCE MATTERS: U.S. climate report leaves little room for doubt
It seems odd that a major U.S. government climate report released November 3 didn’t receive more media attention. But then, the main thing newsworthy about the Climate Science Special Report is that it was released at all, apparently without political interference. Although the U.S. government is required by law (enacted by President George H.W. Bush […]
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SCIENCE MATTERS: Government for the people, not fossil fuel corporations
I consider voting a privilege and a responsibility. But I wish politicians would take their responsibility to voters more seriously. We elect them to represent us. Sometimes our interests coincide with corporate priorities. After all, corporations create jobs and economic opportunities and often develop products and services citizens need. Corporations can’t vote, but by putting […]
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First in its divest class
Laval got the headlines, but it turns out Halifax’s smallest university was actually the first in Canada to divest from fossil fuels. The Atlantic School of Theology made the historic decision more than a year ago. The Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and PEI—which controls the school’s investments—quietly passed the resolution at a diocesan council […]
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SCIENCE MATTERS: Oil spills pose unacceptable threats to marine life
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says oil pipelines have no place in B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest. Opponents of the approved Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion to the West Coast and the cancelled Energy East pipeline to the East Coast argue pipelines and tankers don’t belong in any coastal areas. Research led by the Raincoast Conservation Foundation confirms […]
