Tag: Climate change

Canada’s Environmental Shame

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Oil Slick

Buying Into Oil Pipeline Expansion

Yesterday the Canadian government announced its decision to buy up the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline at a cost of $4.5 Billion dollars (CBC). For months now the expansion has been delayed due to its failure to meet environmental regulations and strong protests from Canadians, especially Indigenous groups. Despite the considerable resistance, the current government’s campaign promises to end fossil fuel subsidies, the lack of Indigenous consent, objections from the BC (provincial) government, and the Paris Accord commitments, the government is planning to go ahead with the purchase.

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Tokyo’s Love Affair with Bicycles

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Tokyo Bicycles

The Next Stage of Urban Cycling

Living in Japan for nearly a year now, I am still perpetually amazed and impressed by the number of people who chose to commute by bike (see The Daily Commute). It’s a clean, convenient, and cost-effective means of getting around, and it has the potential of bringing genuine joy to the rider. I’m certainly a fan. Biking to work, school, and social events had often been my preferred means of travel back in Montreal (despite the long winters), but here in Tokyo, they’ve managed to bring urban cycling to the next level!

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Bill McKibben in Tokyo

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Green filter Tokyo

A Look Through The Green Lens

Famed author and environmental activist Bill McKibben is in Tokyo as part of his Climate Action Tour across a number of Pacific nations. He is here looking to help bring attention to the issues and encourage the acceleration climate action. Mr. McKibben was recently in Tokyo for Earth Day  barely 3 weeks ago, where he spoke to those gathered about the importance of environmental protection and fossil fuel divestment. This time round, he is back for an event hosted by 350.org, the organization he helped found. Mr. McKibben was one of several speakers that had been invited to share their wisdom and insights. I’m thrilled to have had the privilege to attend and learn!

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French President Addresses US Congress

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Macron in US.jpg

 Calling for Unity and Engagement

This past week French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the US Congress, reminding the country’s elected leaders of their nation’s relationship with France and the world. The environmental, political, economic, and security issues facing the world today are complex and require cooperation and engagement.

This comes as a sharp contrast to the rhetoric and actions of the current US President who not only choses to follow a policy of isolationism and division, but is also blatantly turning away from the scientific consensus in the need for urgent climate action.

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Top 5 Climate Change Docs

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Calling for climate action

So Much To See and Learn!

With Earth Day right around the corner, I thought of putting together a little documentary list for those of you looking to build up your knowledge about climate change. Human activity, human industrial activity in particular, is having a very real and devastating impact on our planet. Below, I’ve selected my current “TOP 5” films that relate to climate change (see also Top 5 Water Docs). These docs are well made and can help bring you up to speed with the related issues. Climate change truly is the struggle for our time, and these films do an excellent job of both informing you and representing the efforts.

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