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August 8, 2012
News Release: Federal Government Misleading Canadians…
…which isn’t news in itself, but the latest latest report from Environment Canada, as released by Peter Kent, the ”Environment Minister”, suggests that…
“This is the result of our government’s realistic, sector-by-sector approach to reducing emissions, while continuing to create jobs and encourage economic growth,” Kent told reporters Wednesday.
Of course, those of us who have watched the Conservatives since they gained the majority know that practically nothing they say is true, as this news release from the David Suzuki Foundation confirms:
Federal climate report misleads Canadians
Government is taking credit for provincial action
For Immediate Release August 8, 2012
VANCOUVER – The federal government is misleading Canadians with its latest report on greenhouse gas emissions trends. Despite the claims made by Environment Minister Peter Kent, the government has done very little to achieve its weak targets.
“The federal government is attempting to take credit for climate change action taken by the provinces, while gutting and cutting programs and institutions that had been helping with climate policy,” says Ian Bruce, David Suzuki Foundation climate change and clean energy specialist.
As noted in the David Suzuki Foundation report “All Over the Map 2012: A Comparison of Provincial Climate Change Plans”, much of Canada’s emissions reductions can be attributed to provincial initiatives such as Ontario’s phase out of coal-fired power, Nova Scotia’s regulations to cap and reduce coal emissions, B.C.’s carbon tax incentive for clean energy, and Quebec’s public transit improvements.
Meanwhile, the government has cut institutions such as the national Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, and been criticized by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada for the lack of a clear plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In October 2011, the Environment Commissioner reported that the federal government’s strategy is “disjointed, confused and non transparent” and that the government’s policies are now projected to be 90 per cent weaker than they were in 2007.
The figures released today by the federal government are also based on revised baselines and accounting rules for greenhouse gas pollution.
“Rather than trying to put a positive spin on its lack of accountability on the environment, the federal government should join forces with leading provincial governments to help Canada become a world leader in solving global warming,” Bruce says. “With this summer shaping up to be the hottest on record, Canadians need and deserve real action on global warming, which would provide numerous economic and health benefits. The government must start representing the interests of all Canadians and not just the oil industry.”
Related articles
- Peter Kent’s department discouraged media coverage of global warming summit, says memo (o.canada.com)
- Panel sends Harper “reality check” on global warming (blogs.canada.com)
- Mercury contaminating bird eggs in oilsands region: Environment Canada (canada.com)
- Peter Kent says budget bill to eliminate thousands of environmental assessments (vancouversun.com)
- ‘Elevated risk’ of caribou disappearing from oilsands region, memo tells Peter Kent (canada.com)
- Obscure and unloved: Federal government spurns a chance to help boost three endangered species (vancouversun.com)
July 10, 2012
What Darwin Didn’t Know – The Video
From the BBC, via Carl Zimmer, via Why Evolution is True.
Related articles
- BBC documentary: “What Darwin Didn’t Know” (whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com)
June 7, 2012
Inspired by Darwin
Set up by the Charles Darwin Trust (which was created by Darwin’s descendants), Darwin Inspired is an educational resource for teachers and children. From the website:
Charles Darwin’s home – Down House, Kent. 23 Aug, 2006
The Charles Darwin Trust uses the intellectual and cultural heritage of Darwin, through his approach to science and his work at Down House and in the immediate countryside, to inspire a deeper understanding of the natural world.
We aim to:
- promote a real understanding of the natural world to ensure that biodiversity and life on earth survive
- improve and extend science literacy and the understanding of science
- use Darwin Inspired teaching and learning to promote excellence in science education
- enhance the understanding of Darwin’s historical and contemporary significance.
We achieve this through research and development of Darwin Inspired education materials, and through developing programmes for teachers and schools. These programmes are delivered through collaboration with major organisations and at Down House.We aspire to improve public access on the web to the whole Darwin heritage. We are playing a leading role, with English Heritage and the Natural History Museum, in developing proposals for collaboration between all the main holders of Darwin material.
There are resources for teachers (for students 7 year olds and up) as well as student resources. And don’t forget to subscribe the their blog.
Related articles
- Go On a Virtual Journey with Charles Darwin (freetech4teachers.com)
May 2, 2012
Carnival of Evolution #47 now up at Evolving Thoughts
Carnival of Evolution 47: All the Evolution News that’s Fit to Blog
Now at Evolving Thoughts:
Welcome to the 47th edition of the Carnival of Evolution. We have had our science reporters out in force hunting down the best of the blogosphere on evolution and related subjects, and here they are for your delectation and delight and other d-words.
Go there now, and see what the big white ape has in store…
