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Showing posts from January, 2009

transportation part 3

Car advocates will protest that cars' engines can be made more efficient and that cars themselves provide important convenience for their owners, and jobs for society. First, improvements in fuel efficiency are more than cancelled out by increases in overall fuel consumption. The problem is the increasing number of vehicles and kilometers travelled. Even the much-touted California standard for new cars — around 41 miles per gallon by 2016 — (presently stalled by a lawsuit by car-makers) will merely stabilize, at current levels, the total GHG emissions from all cars on California roads by 2020. In other words, there will be no reduction in overall GHG levels — just an improvement in the carbon intensity of individual cars. A far more aggressive European Union proposal would require car-makers to meet a 94 mpg standard by 2025, achieving CO2 emissions per kilometre of 60 grams. But Transport Canada data shows that the GHG emission rate per passenger on a Canadian mass transit vehicle

transportation part 2

Our nation pays an equally high price in wasted natural resources. Several millions of barrels of oil are refined and pumped into Canada's 17 million cars and light trucks every week — then puffed into our air and atmosphere as toxics. Traffic pollution leads to premature deaths in our major cities: 1,400 victims in Toronto alone each year, according to the city's health authority. Land resources are another casualty. Historians may marvel at how much fertile land we paved over just to store our cars. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from major sources like cars and light trucks make global warming a more urgent crisis than the economic one. Tail pipe emissions are just the start of the problem — building roads, manufacturing cars, and extracting and refining oil resources like the tar sands also create massive amounts of GHGs. There are alternatives. Mass transit spreads the cost of buying and operating vehicles over more users. Unlike private cars, buses and streetcars don'

TRANSPORTATION PART 1

General Motors and Chrysler are facing some angry public criticism after pleading for and receiving billions of dollars in taxpayer aid. There's no need to be too hard on them. After all, auto corporations produce and promote products, and lobby legislators for an easier ride — that's their business. Our political leaders are the ones who (are supposed to) make (intelligent) transportation policy — that's supposed to be our (the public's) business. Can we do better than perpetuating our grossly inefficient and expensive car-centred system for getting around? This is a good time to ask that question. Helping Chrysler and GM produce cars won't produce car buyers. The inefficiency of our transportation system starts at home. Every year, the average motorist forks over more than $10,000 in after tax income (the cost to own and operate a car) just to participate in the system. Next to a house, a car is usually the biggest investment a family will make. Unlike a house

ROADS TO NOWHERE

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. . . .the dinosaurs in the highways department have caved in once more to the shrill loud voices of the automobile lobby in ontario, canada and have announced more new road construction for (CARS) an extension of highway 7 eastward . . ..GOD HELP THE ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY AS THE DINOSAURS TRAMPLE OVER GREEN SPACES TO REACH THEIR DESTINATION (EXTINCTION).....photo "race to extinction" toronto city hall.

BAILOUT BLACKMAIL

About 60,000 jobs could be lost in Italy's car industry unless the government bails out the sector, Fiat's chief executive has said. "Without a government intervention, the risk that 60,000 workers in the auto sector will have to stay at home is real," Sergio Marchionne, Fiat's chief executive, was quoted in the Italian daily La Reppublica as saying on Tuesday. . . . CORPORATE WELFARE IN PROGRESS

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URANIUM:part of nuclear power

. . . . .the world nuclear industry would want you ,john q.public to believe that nuclear power is as clean as fresh fallen snow . . . .not so . . .as this music video from colorado.usa...will demonstrate. . .PEOPLE IN ONTARIO SHOULD PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THIS EXELLENT VIDEO AS THE PRESENT LIBERAL GOVT. .WILL TRY TO SPEND 26 BILLION DOLLARS SOON TO BUILD NEW NUCLEAR REACTORS . . .THIS 26 BILLION WILL SOON BALOON TO DOUBLE THE PRICE IF RECENT HISTORY OF NUCLEAR IS CONSIDERED.

SAVE DUNLAP PARK

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. . . ..IN A STORY TODAY IN THE TORONTO STAR NEWSPAPER(JAN 23-2009) . . .THE LAND DEVELOPER COMPANY METRUS HAS INDICATED THAT IT WAS NOT INTERESTED IN PRESERVING THE HISTORIC DAVID DUNLAP LANDS IN RICHMOND HILL,ONTARIO . . . . REGARDLESS OF THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE OF THE SURROUNDING AREA .INSTEAD THEY PROPOSE TO BULLDOZE THE EXISTING 200 ACRE FOREST AND PARKLAND INTO THE GROUND TO MAKE WAY FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL HOUSING . THESE LANDS SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM THIS FATE AND SAVED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS .PLEASE HELP SAVE DAVID DUNLAP PARK . .FOR MORE INFO . . .GO . .TO http://www.rhnaturalists.ca . .and /or send a protest letter to jim prentice and dalton mcguinty.

BROWN FORESTS

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. . . . . . . THIS IS A PICTURE OF A FOREST OF PINE TREES IN COLORADO . . . .NORMAL COLOR FOR PINE IS OBVIOUSLY GREEN . . .BUT THANKS TO A COMBINATION OF GLOBAL WARMING . .AND INCREASED ACTIVITY OF PINE BEETLES . . MOST OF THE TREES IN THE PICTURE HAS TURNED BROWN. . . .FULL STORY OF THIS EVENT CAN BE HAD BY GOING TO MSNBC.COM(JAN 22-2009)

25 NUKE REACTORS

International Trade Minister Stockwell Day met in New Delhi yesterday with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Trade Minister Kamal Nath, and they agreed to bolster the meagre trade and investment flows between the two countries. Relations with India have been strained since the country used Canadian nuclear technology to detonate an atomic bomb in the early 1970s. But the Harper government - which has wooed India while playing cool to China - won favour in New Delhi this summer by supporting India's bid for international acceptance of its nuclear energy program. Several executives from Canada's nuclear and uranium industries accompanied Mr. Day on this week's visit. The South Asian giant plans to undertake a massive program to build sorely lacking infrastructure, including as many as 25 reactors to meet pressing demands for power. . . . . .WHEN WILL WE EVER LEARN . . . .note: above news item from globe and mail jan 22-2009 . . .THE IDEA OF INDIA BUILDING 25 NUCLEAR R

EARTH HOUR MONTHLY

. . Save the Earth, turn off your power from 8-9 pm in your local time every month on the 29th. Simple as that. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ After the amazing turnout in March, why not do it again? Lets do Earth Hour EVERY MONTH!!! When: 8-9 pm local time no matter where you are on the 29th of each month! Lets make this a monthly event, Save the Earth! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This event is made mainly to raise awareness, I don't expect there to be a huge impact on the electricity consumption, but it will raise huge awareness! We will do this every month on the 29th until something major changes. With your help we can change the Earth! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ('-') Now INVITE all of your friends so you can help make a difference! ('-') +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please join our group also! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24859347752 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Residents and businesses across the city showed their

CYCLING PROJECT

. . . . . .FOR THOSE SEEKING ADVENTURE,ACTIVISM IN A ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MISSION STARTING THIS MAY 2009 CONTACT THE OTESHAPROJECT. . . .(VIDEO OF 2008 CROSS COUNTRY TRIP ABOVE)

ELECTRIC CAR=BAD IDEA

MANY REASONS WHY ELECTRIC CARS ARE A BAD IDEA. . . . .IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT IF 100,000 OR HEAVEN FORBID 1 MILLION ELECTRIC CARS WERE ON THE ROAD ..WHERE WOULD THE ELECTRICITY COME FROM ? EACH ELECTRIC CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE PLUGGED INTO A ELECTRIC OUTLET OVER NIGHT TO BE CHARGED IT WOULD INSTANTLY DRAIN THE SYSTEM OF SCARCE ELECTRICITY ESPECIALLY IN WINTER . . . .THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE DONE BY THE E-CAR TO THE ENVIRONMENT IS ALMOST EQUAL TO THE GASOLINE ENGINES. THEY STLL NEED ROADS MADE OUT OF PAVEMENT OR CONCRETE BOTH OF WHICH EMIT CO2 IN CONSTRUCTION PROCESS..A NEW EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE NUCLEAR REACTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE BUILT JUST TO SUPPLY THE POWER FOR THE CHARGING PROCESS. . . .TOXIC CAR BATTERIES FROM THE CARS WOULD BE DISPOSED OFF IN OVERCROWDED GARBAGE DUMPS . . .DREAMS OF CLEAN AIR AND WATER AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY WOULD SOON VANISH . . . .JUST SAY NO TO ELECTRIC CARS.

MY FRIEND THE SHARK

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MILLIONS OF SHARKS ARE KILLED BY HUMANS BUT ONLY TWO(2) HUMANS ARE KILLED BY SHARKS IN A YEAR.. . . . . . . IT WASN'T TOO LONG AGO THAT THE BISON WAS ALMOST ELIMINATED FROM NORTH AMERICA BY HUMANS . . . .THANKFULLY WHEN ONLY THE LAST FEW HUNDREDS WERE ALIVE PEOPLE CAME TO THEIR SENSES AND NOW THE BISON HAVE SURVIVED EXTINCTION . . . . .PLEASE DON'T LET THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THE SHARKS. . .AVOID SHARK PRODUCTS WHETHER ITS CARTILAGE CAPSULES OR SHARK FIN SOUP. . . .BY USING THESE PRODUCTS YOU . . .ARE CONDEMMING THE SHARKS TO EXTINCTION.

HEATHROW BATTLE

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. . . . .With the decision to approve plans for a third runway at Heathrow, Gordon Brown has managed to unify Britain and made the Tory party look quite modern. Apart from a few large concrete manufacturers, and the business and aviation lobby groups whipped in by government to support the cause, it was hard to find anyone today who thinks that knocking down the village of Sipson to bolt an airport the size of Gatwick on to Heathrow made any sense. The coalition that has emerged against the runway bestrides civil society and represents as many as 8 million people. It wields immense political influence — the power of that influence will be tested in the battle they will now wage against the runway. . .GUARDIAN(UK)NEWS EXCERPT . . . . . . . I WILL JOIN THE OPPOSITION TO THIS MAD MEGA PROJECT . . .WHILE THE UK IS WAY AHEAD OF CANADA IN ECO-FRIENDLY PROGRAMS . .A STUPID MOVE LIKE THIS AIRPORT EXPANSION CANCELS OUT ALL THE GOOD THAT HAS BEEN DONE . . . .SHAME.

NUCLEAR RE-THINK ?

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. . . . . . .Conservatives in Germany are urging a rethink over plans to phase out nuclear power plants, such as this one near Hameln, in the wake of the gas crisis .. . . .DIRTY ....DANGEROUS . . . . AND VERY . . .VERY . . .EXPENSIVE . . . .NUCLEAR . . .REACTORS . . . . .ARE NOT THE ANSWER TO THE CURRENT GAS SHORTAGE IN EUROPE . . .common sense should prevail . . . .extra clothing layers to keep warm inside and outside the homes and conservation and energy efficiency is the optimun way to survive the winter which should soon give way to spring.

NUCLEAR CHESS

Brussels blasts Slovak nuclear move Mr Barroso has also sent a letter to Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic saying Bratislava's decision to turn on a defunct nuclear reactor at the Jaslovske Bohunice power plant is contrary to the country's 2004 accession treaty. President Barroso also asked for more information surrounding the decision, with Brussels holding legal fire for now. The commission has not received an official request from Bulgaria to re-open its Kozloduy nuclear plant, which was also closed as part of its 2006 accession deal. Article 36 of the Bulgarian accession treaty allows it to restart the unit "under exceptional circumstances." A similar clause for Slovakia has already expired. . . . .THE PRESENT GAS CRISIS IN EUROPE . . . . . .HAS GIVEN SOME COUNTRIES . . . . . .AN EXCUSE TO RESTART THEIR NUCLEAR REACTORS . . . .A BACKWARD STEP IN MY OPINION

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FORESTS GONE

. . . . . . .A VISUAL DISPLAY OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE FOREST INDUSTRY

CONSERVATION TORONTO

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Please set aside time to attend for a hour, half or full day. The hearing for The David Dunlap Observatory is before the Conservation Review Board on: When: January 15, 16, and January 19 thru 23rd 2009. 10am - 4pm Where: Town of Richmond Hill Committee Room 2 225 East Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill, (North of Hwy #7, West of the 404 and East of Leslie Street) . . . . . .200 ACRES OF PARKLAND AND THE DAVID DUNLAP OBERVATORY IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS REVIEW BOARD . . .IT SHOULD BE OF INTEREST TO ALL RESIDENTS OF THE GREATER TORONTO AREA

OIL SANDS FACTS

LARGE SCALE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENVIROONMENT IS TAKING PLACE IN ALBERTA TO EXTRACT OIL FROM THE ATHABASKA OIL SANDS.FIRST THE FORESTS MUST BE BULLDOZED INTO THE GROUND AND THEN THE RICH FERTILE TOPSOIL MUST BE REMOVED ....THESE WILL EVENTUALLY BE REPLACED WITH TOXIC "LAKES". . .THEN PRECIOUS WATER FROM NEARBY SOURCES WILL HAVE TO BE COMMANDEERED TO PROVIDE PRESSURIZED STEAM TO SEPERATE THE OIL FROM THE BITUMEN(SANDS) . . .DUCKS/GEESE MIGRATING THROUGH THE AREA WILL DIE INSTANTLY IF THEY LAND IN THE TOXIC LAKES . . .HUGE AMOUNTS OF CO2 WILL BE EMMITED FROM ALL THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT . .HYDRODGEN SULPHIDE GASES WILL FLOW ACROSS NEARBY FARMS......ALL THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO PROCESS...............MEANWHILE BACK IN HYPOCRITICAL ONTARIO AND THE U.S.A... . . . .WE KEEP MAKING THE GAS GUZZLING CARS AND TRUCKS IN FACTORIES THAT ARE HEAVILY SUDSIDISED BY OUR GENEROUS AND GULLIBLE GOVTS AND PEOPLES.....GIVE . . .US ...A BREAK . . ..AND BRING BACK A LITTLE SANITY.

AMERICAN POLITICS

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. . . . . . .USA POLITICS . . . .HARD TO UNDERSTAND . . . . .PHOTO :SARGEANT AT ARMS AT U.S.SENATE REFUSING TO SEAT SENATOR ROLAND BURRIS(DEMOCRAT) ILLINOIS TO HIS RIGHTFUL PLACE IN THE CHAMBER.

A LOT OF WHALES

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Japan has said it will ask countries where the Sea Shepherd crew might dock to refuse entry to the vessel. "We are going to request a port closure against it," Chiharu Tsuruoka, an official with the Japanese foreign ministry, said. "They have obstructed our activities in the past, and their action is extremely dangerous. They are like pirates." Last month, the whaling fleet came under attack when Sea Shepherd activists lobbed 25 bottles of foul smelling rotten butter at the fleet. The group has denied Japanese assertions that the Steve Irwin rammed a Japanese ship. The Japanese whaling fleet plans to harvest up to 935 minke whales and 50 fin whales this year under International Whaling Commission rules that allow the animals to be killed for research purposes. But opponents say the Japanese hunt is just a cover for commercial whaling, which was banned in 1986, and that real research into the whales does not necessitate killing them. . . . . . .. . . .WHEN YOU CONSID

SAY NO TO NEW ROADS

. . . . . .BOTH IN CANADA AND THE USA GOVT'S TRYING TO FIX THE FINANCIAL MELTDOWN . . . . . . . HAVE SUGGESTED MORE NEW ROAD CONSTRUCTION MAY STIMULATE THE ECONOMY . . . . .I BEG TO DIFFER . . . .NEW ROAD CONSTRUCTION IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND DAMAGING TO THE ENVIRONMENT .. ..MOST OF THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS USES SCARCE RESOURCES . . . . . . . . LIKE CRUDE OIL FOR THE HEAVY MACHINERY AND FOR THE PAVEMENT AND/OR CONCRETE . . .AND ..MORE POLLUTION AND DESTRUCTION . . . . . . . .TO THE SURROUNDING COUNTRYSIDE. . . .THE DAMAGE DONE IS TOO NUMEROUS TO INCLUDE IN ONE SMALL BLOG POST . . . . SIMPLY PUT . . . "JUST SAY NO TO NEW ROAD CONSTRUCTION"

WALMART UN-PATRIOTIC

The battle between as the world's largest retailer and those who oppose it constructing a new store on the site of one of the Civil War's largest and most important battles continues. DCist music editor Amanda Mattos reports that a letter signed by some 250 scholars, from Ken Burns to David McCullough, puts Wal-Mart on notice: "The Wilderness is an indelible part of our history, its very ground hallowed by the American blood spilled there, and it cannot be moved." In December, the company prepared to submit an application for a special-use permit to construct a store on a portion of the battlefield, which is part of Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. As Mattos notes, the Battle of the Wilderness was the first battle between Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. It cost 4,000 soldiers their lives and wounded 20,000 others and started the final push towards the end of the war. . . . . .IN SPITE OF THEIR SOMETIMES CHEAP PRICES WALMART DOES A LOT OF

SOUND BARRIER PIC

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. . . . . . . A PHOTO OF A PLANE CRASHING THROUGH A SOUND BARRIER FROM PRAVDA RUSSIAN NEWSPAPER,JAN.4-2009