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The &$#@?!
May. 18th, 2010 09:06 amBP chief says oil leak impact 'very modest'
You'll have to come up with your own reactions to this. Mine involves a lot of expletives.
You'll have to come up with your own reactions to this. Mine involves a lot of expletives.
Food for thought
Apr. 11th, 2008 11:23 pmTwo interesting links I came across today.
- Logging boreal forest could detonate massive 'carbon bomb,' says report
Excerpt: Canada's boreal forest is a ticking "carbon bomb" and its continued logging could trigger a massive release of greenhouse gases, says a new report.
Because, you know, Canada just isn't doing enough to help global warming. And no, I don't mean help fight global warming. - Pearls Before Breakfast
Excerpt: Can one of the nation's great musicians cut through the fog of a D.C. rush hour? Let's find out.
This article was not exactly a bucket of cheer either, but there was one part that made me smile: There was no ethnic or demographic pattern to distinguish the people who stayed to watch Bell, or the ones who gave money, from that vast majority who hurried on past, unheeding. Whites, blacks and Asians, young and old, men and women, were represented in all three groups. But the behavior of one demographic remained absolutely consistent. Every single time a child walked past, he or she tried to stop and watch. And every single time, a parent scooted the kid away.
See, this is why I love kids. And also why I want to be a good mom. I want to be the parent who stopped to listen to Joshua Bell with my kid.
Lights Off 2008
Mar. 22nd, 2008 04:32 pmMayor challenges Ottawans to turn lights off, shed light on need for action on climate change
Mayor Larry O'Brien challenges all Ottawa residents and businesses to add their voices with millions around the globe in support for action against climate change by turning off their lights for one hour on March 29 in the world-wide event, called Earth Hour.
Earth Hour is sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Ottawa is joining other cities around the world - like Chicago, Toronto, Copenhagen, and Sydney, Australia - in turning off lights from 8 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 29.
“The one-hour event is a simple action to let the world know that the City of Ottawa is serious about taking action against climate change,” says Mayor Larry O'Brien. “We should not underestimate our power to make a difference. Now, we can turn off the lights, but add power to the cause...one switch at a time.”
"Climate change is the most urgent environmental issue facing our planet today. In order to achieve the greenhouse gas reductions necessary, it will take a global effort from all levels - individuals, businesses and governments," said Mike Russill, President and CEO, WWF-Canada. "WWF is delighted that Ottawa will be joining this global celebration and commitment to fight climate change."
The City of Ottawa already shuts off the administrative building lights in the nighttime hours, seven days a week, but will lead the charge by further turning off all non-essential lighting in as many municipal buildings as possible.
By taking an active role in this event, the City is building upon its previous efforts to reduce climate change, including its success in meeting its own corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target.
“This is our chance to make a statement to the world,” says Mayor O'Brien. “An hour of darkness symbolizes a brighter life for future residents of Ottawa, and future citizens of the world.”
For more information on Earth Hour visit wwf.ca. To learn more about the City’s environmental programs, visit ottawa.ca.
***
On a personal note, I'm actually laughing my ass off at the idea of our darling Mayor Larry "Bullethead" O'Brien talking so earnestly about global warming. It's almost as cute as when Bush or Harper go granola-green. Watch us turn off our lights! We Care! Go! Us! We're Hugging the Planet!
This would all be a lot easier to swallow if O'Brien also did things like, oh, I dunno, support public transportation. With, you know, money. Instead of feel-good statements and a transit fare hike. But hey, maybe I'm being cynical.
Anyway. It's a good idea, IMHO, no matter the medium passing it along. We'll be turning our lights, computer, appliances, etc off on Friday, and imagine holding hands around a campfire with our fellow Ottawans, with O'Brien leading us all in a rousing rendition of Kumbaya :)
Mayor Larry O'Brien challenges all Ottawa residents and businesses to add their voices with millions around the globe in support for action against climate change by turning off their lights for one hour on March 29 in the world-wide event, called Earth Hour.
Earth Hour is sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Ottawa is joining other cities around the world - like Chicago, Toronto, Copenhagen, and Sydney, Australia - in turning off lights from 8 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 29.
“The one-hour event is a simple action to let the world know that the City of Ottawa is serious about taking action against climate change,” says Mayor Larry O'Brien. “We should not underestimate our power to make a difference. Now, we can turn off the lights, but add power to the cause...one switch at a time.”
"Climate change is the most urgent environmental issue facing our planet today. In order to achieve the greenhouse gas reductions necessary, it will take a global effort from all levels - individuals, businesses and governments," said Mike Russill, President and CEO, WWF-Canada. "WWF is delighted that Ottawa will be joining this global celebration and commitment to fight climate change."
The City of Ottawa already shuts off the administrative building lights in the nighttime hours, seven days a week, but will lead the charge by further turning off all non-essential lighting in as many municipal buildings as possible.
By taking an active role in this event, the City is building upon its previous efforts to reduce climate change, including its success in meeting its own corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target.
“This is our chance to make a statement to the world,” says Mayor O'Brien. “An hour of darkness symbolizes a brighter life for future residents of Ottawa, and future citizens of the world.”
For more information on Earth Hour visit wwf.ca. To learn more about the City’s environmental programs, visit ottawa.ca.
On a personal note, I'm actually laughing my ass off at the idea of our darling Mayor Larry "Bullethead" O'Brien talking so earnestly about global warming. It's almost as cute as when Bush or Harper go granola-green. Watch us turn off our lights! We Care! Go! Us! We're Hugging the Planet!
This would all be a lot easier to swallow if O'Brien also did things like, oh, I dunno, support public transportation. With, you know, money. Instead of feel-good statements and a transit fare hike. But hey, maybe I'm being cynical.
Anyway. It's a good idea, IMHO, no matter the medium passing it along. We'll be turning our lights, computer, appliances, etc off on Friday, and imagine holding hands around a campfire with our fellow Ottawans, with O'Brien leading us all in a rousing rendition of Kumbaya :)
"Cynical" doesn't quite cover it
Dec. 17th, 2007 02:11 pmGosh, I am ever so glad I've never bought in to those totally hysterical doomsday screechings of OMG if we don't do something about global warming the North Pole might be almost melted in summertime within 50 years and OMGWTFF what will we DO THEN?!! There could be hotter and longer and dryer droughts! And increased forest fires!! And stronger hurricanes and storms!!! Within our kids' lifetimes!!!
Arctic Ice Cap could be gone in summer by 2012, says NASA
Of course, this is NASA saying all of this, so really, what do they know. Buncha hippie faux-scientists and mouthpieces of the granola establishment.
There's this post I've written and rewritten in my head so many times in the last few months/years with every other news report. But I can't write it, it makes me too ill. Basically it's a explanation of why I'm no longer so proud to be Canadian. I'm pretty miserably ashamed of my country and my countrymen and women and my leaders. I can't think of us as the good guys any more.
I think history will judge us with the same baffled disbelief that we currently judge the people who came to the Americas and slaughtered millions in order to enrich their home lands; the people of Easter Island, who blindly destroyed their own ecosystem and their culture in the quest for bigger and grander statues; the slave traders who brought humans to be brutally used and discarded for their cheap labour. The disbelief of How the hell could you be so blind, how could you not see the harm you were doing, how could the pursuit of things make you so blind to the destruction and suffering you were causing to others - or even to yourself and your children?
How could you not see that? And when you did see, how could you not care?
Yeah I'll have to stop there. It's too fucking depressing.
Arctic Ice Cap could be gone in summer by 2012, says NASA
Of course, this is NASA saying all of this, so really, what do they know. Buncha hippie faux-scientists and mouthpieces of the granola establishment.
There's this post I've written and rewritten in my head so many times in the last few months/years with every other news report. But I can't write it, it makes me too ill. Basically it's a explanation of why I'm no longer so proud to be Canadian. I'm pretty miserably ashamed of my country and my countrymen and women and my leaders. I can't think of us as the good guys any more.
I think history will judge us with the same baffled disbelief that we currently judge the people who came to the Americas and slaughtered millions in order to enrich their home lands; the people of Easter Island, who blindly destroyed their own ecosystem and their culture in the quest for bigger and grander statues; the slave traders who brought humans to be brutally used and discarded for their cheap labour. The disbelief of How the hell could you be so blind, how could you not see the harm you were doing, how could the pursuit of things make you so blind to the destruction and suffering you were causing to others - or even to yourself and your children?
How could you not see that? And when you did see, how could you not care?
Yeah I'll have to stop there. It's too fucking depressing.
So, we're doomed, is what he's saying.
Apr. 2nd, 2007 02:00 pm( Prime Minister Harper says Canada will be as green as Canadians want it to be )
And also:
( Canada government: climate bill is Liberal hot air )
Direct link to article #1
Direct link to article #1
This whole issue pisses me off. I hate agreeing with the Conservatives over anything, and I think they're showing they don't really want to make any real changes/sacrifices over the environment, but gah, the self-righteous Liberal posturing over this? Is nauseating. They had more than ten years to do something, anything, to get us to live up to our Kyoto obligations. That the Conservatives don't put the environment at the top of their commitments is just part of what they are, and you have to respect them for that. Besides, we knew that when we elected them. The Liberals? Have no excuse. IMHO.
Ah well.
And also:
( Canada government: climate bill is Liberal hot air )
Direct link to article #1
Direct link to article #1
This whole issue pisses me off. I hate agreeing with the Conservatives over anything, and I think they're showing they don't really want to make any real changes/sacrifices over the environment, but gah, the self-righteous Liberal posturing over this? Is nauseating. They had more than ten years to do something, anything, to get us to live up to our Kyoto obligations. That the Conservatives don't put the environment at the top of their commitments is just part of what they are, and you have to respect them for that. Besides, we knew that when we elected them. The Liberals? Have no excuse. IMHO.
Ah well.
Hm. Interesting.
Jan. 26th, 2007 05:39 pmCdns more concerned about global warming than last year, poll suggests
Excerpt: "Global warming and the environment dramatically outstripped war and poverty as the issues Canadians are most concerned about, suggests a new poll conducted this month... Two-thirds of respondents, or 68 per cent, said they were more concerned now than a year ago, while 77 per cent said they were more worried about environmental issues than they were in 2004."
Incidentally, the Rideau Canal finally opened this morning!!! YAAAY!! I was starting to wonder if they were just going to declare the winter a dead loss and give up. It's only open from Pretoria Bridge to Landsdowne, which is only 2km instead of 7.8 (1.24 miles v. 4.8), but whatever, I'll take it.
It's funny though, yesterday Marie and Chris and I were talking about it, wondering what was going to happen, and we were wondering if maybe it wouldn't be better to just leave it closed. Yeah, it would gut the winter tourism economy - like that's not happening right now - but at least people (read: our mayor and everyone who voted for him) wouldn't be able to tell themselves "What's the big deal - it opened, right? Global warming my ass!", kinda like all the twits who were smirking re. the 2006 hurricane season, after all the dire predictions that followed 2005.
Incidentally, we had a laugh over that over Christmas; one of them actually wrote in to the Calgary Herald about "all this enviro-crap", citing the mildness of 2006 as proof positive that Nothing Is Wrong.
Yeah, OK, buddy. Keep gazing at that navel of yours. I mean hey, the Philippines lost over 3,000 people in its worst typhoon season ever - actually, a lot of Asia was just pummelled this year - but we're OK, so no harm done, right?
Some days the only way to deal with the human race's stupidity is to laugh, or you end up crying.
Anyway. Whatever the reason, and whatever folks will make of it, I'm selfishly glad the Canal's open. We're going skating tomorrow. Haven't gone in two years, since last year the Canal was open on and off and slushy a lot of the time, and Chris was studying for his exam, so we wrote off that season and were looking forward to this one.
Conclusion: yay! :)
Excerpt: "Global warming and the environment dramatically outstripped war and poverty as the issues Canadians are most concerned about, suggests a new poll conducted this month... Two-thirds of respondents, or 68 per cent, said they were more concerned now than a year ago, while 77 per cent said they were more worried about environmental issues than they were in 2004."
Incidentally, the Rideau Canal finally opened this morning!!! YAAAY!! I was starting to wonder if they were just going to declare the winter a dead loss and give up. It's only open from Pretoria Bridge to Landsdowne, which is only 2km instead of 7.8 (1.24 miles v. 4.8), but whatever, I'll take it.
It's funny though, yesterday Marie and Chris and I were talking about it, wondering what was going to happen, and we were wondering if maybe it wouldn't be better to just leave it closed. Yeah, it would gut the winter tourism economy - like that's not happening right now - but at least people (read: our mayor and everyone who voted for him) wouldn't be able to tell themselves "What's the big deal - it opened, right? Global warming my ass!", kinda like all the twits who were smirking re. the 2006 hurricane season, after all the dire predictions that followed 2005.
Incidentally, we had a laugh over that over Christmas; one of them actually wrote in to the Calgary Herald about "all this enviro-crap", citing the mildness of 2006 as proof positive that Nothing Is Wrong.
Yeah, OK, buddy. Keep gazing at that navel of yours. I mean hey, the Philippines lost over 3,000 people in its worst typhoon season ever - actually, a lot of Asia was just pummelled this year - but we're OK, so no harm done, right?
Some days the only way to deal with the human race's stupidity is to laugh, or you end up crying.
Anyway. Whatever the reason, and whatever folks will make of it, I'm selfishly glad the Canal's open. We're going skating tomorrow. Haven't gone in two years, since last year the Canal was open on and off and slushy a lot of the time, and Chris was studying for his exam, so we wrote off that season and were looking forward to this one.
Conclusion: yay! :)
