Saturday, December 26, 2009
A Canadian Sort of Sign
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it and may the last week of the decade be a fine one for you - filled with meaning, love, intellectual stimulation and not too many hangovers.
Australia has so many insects, snakes, sea life and plants that can injure or kill you. - look up the Giant Stinging Tree or Brown Snake (this video is very Steve Irwin-like) or Blue-ringed Octopus...)
And we here in Canada have our bears to be afraid of. As in Australia, the actual numbers of injuries and death from nature encounters are tiny compared to just about any other risk, especially driving on the wrong side of the road. Ask me.
Australia has so many insects, snakes, sea life and plants that can injure or kill you. - look up the Giant Stinging Tree or Brown Snake (this video is very Steve Irwin-like) or Blue-ringed Octopus...)
And we here in Canada have our bears to be afraid of. As in Australia, the actual numbers of injuries and death from nature encounters are tiny compared to just about any other risk, especially driving on the wrong side of the road. Ask me.
Enjoy this warning sign (click to enlarge & read all the way through)
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Climate Change, Canada...and Embarassment
Yikes! Just back on Canadian soil after a month in Australia (photos to follow and there was a second visit to Lindsay too)...
I was disappointed with how much credibility the Australian media gives to climate change doubters, sceptics and dinosaurs. Of course, if you scratch the surface, experts are usually directly connected to the oil/coal industry in some way. If you doubt me on that, have a look at this book sometime. In any case, their Liberal opposition is now led by Tony Abbott, an avowed sceptic, surrounded by a gaggle of like-minded brontosauruses.
Anyhow, I hope the Aussies stick with their PM Kevin Rudd, who gets it.
Meanwhile, our own Stevie Harper and team are well on the way to ruining Canada's reputation. We're winning Fossil Awards like they're going out of style - in fact 500 environmental NGOs have awarded Canada 'Fossil of the Year'. Tar Sands and petro-corps over grandchildren and food. Smart.
Our approach to Copenhagen could be summarized as "no deal is the best deal" or "make the poor pay" or "we miss George W. and the good old days".
I've been signing petitions (such as this one) but am inclined to think the best petition is the next election, when we need to send the Conservatives for a time -out. Maybe they can put on their gum boots and go to the tar sands and sequester some carbon...
I was disappointed with how much credibility the Australian media gives to climate change doubters, sceptics and dinosaurs. Of course, if you scratch the surface, experts are usually directly connected to the oil/coal industry in some way. If you doubt me on that, have a look at this book sometime. In any case, their Liberal opposition is now led by Tony Abbott, an avowed sceptic, surrounded by a gaggle of like-minded brontosauruses.
Anyhow, I hope the Aussies stick with their PM Kevin Rudd, who gets it.
Meanwhile, our own Stevie Harper and team are well on the way to ruining Canada's reputation. We're winning Fossil Awards like they're going out of style - in fact 500 environmental NGOs have awarded Canada 'Fossil of the Year'. Tar Sands and petro-corps over grandchildren and food. Smart.
Our approach to Copenhagen could be summarized as "no deal is the best deal" or "make the poor pay" or "we miss George W. and the good old days".
I've been signing petitions (such as this one) but am inclined to think the best petition is the next election, when we need to send the Conservatives for a time -out. Maybe they can put on their gum boots and go to the tar sands and sequester some carbon...
