Warnings ignored

February 22, 2012

I wonder if one day words like these will be written about climate change: In his preface to the 1921 edition of The War in the Air, [H.G.] Wells wrote of World War I (still able to call it, then, the Great War): “The great catastrophe marched upon us in daylight. But everybody thought that [...]

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Canada does not have the right to develop the oil sands

February 3, 2012

The entire debate about oil sands development in Canada seems to centre around the question: “Is this good for us?” It includes aspects like the water and air pollution produced by the oil sands, the economic impact of oil sands development, the significance of the oil sands to federal-provincial relations, and similar such matters. While [...]

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The suffering of coal miners

January 31, 2012

One of the reasons why humanity ought to move beyond coal as a source of energy is because coal mining is such a dangerous and unpleasant undertaking. Large numbers of people die every year from accidents and from lung disease, and many more experience serious but non-fatal health consequences. This photo series from Boston.com does [...]

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Temperature Data: 1880-2011

January 31, 2012

This video from NASA shows temperature data from 1880 to 2011: NASA has determined that 2011 was the 9th hottest year on record, and that 9 out of the 10 hottest years have happened since 2000. This post provides more information.

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Declining American coal use

January 25, 2012

This is encouraging: U.S. CO2 emissions to stay below 2005 levels as coal use shrinks

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Climate and the 2011 State of the Union

January 25, 2012

Yesterday’s State of the Union address was disappointing. Obama went on and on about the potential of shale gas – ignoring the way in which burning it contributes to cumulative emissions and therefore to climate change. He only mentioned ‘climate change’ to say that he doesn’t think Congress will do anything about it. Obama is [...]

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Air transport emissions from the oil sands

January 23, 2012

The volume is probably tiny compared to the amount of pollution produced from the oil being mined, but it is interesting to note that oil sands companies in Alberta are now transporting so many people by air: Call it Air Oil Sands. Industry giant Suncor Energy Inc. alone moves enough people that it would rank [...]

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Extra votes for the young

January 23, 2012

By all indications, the choices we are making about climate change and energy now have the effect of selling out the interests of future generations, in exchange for greater wealth during the next few years. This connects to the central conflict of interest created by climate change: the disjoint between the interests of those who [...]

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Risking it All – Oil on our Coast – by Twyla Roscovich

January 20, 2012

Risking it All – Oil on our Coast from Twyla Roscovich on Vimeo.

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Three key terms for understanding climate politics / economics

January 20, 2012

Externality Rent-seeking behaviour Regulatory capture

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