A new report finds that the environmental damage caused by the world’s biggest companies would cost $2.2 trillion if they were held financially accountable. The majority of these costs are attributed to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution; social and consumptive impacts were not included. Externalities of this scale could threaten global markets if not addressed. Read the full story in The Guardian.
Month: February 2010
The Cleveland Model : Green worker Co-ops
Cleveland is looking to benefit economically, socially and environmentally from the Evergreen Cooperative Laundry (ECL) and other large-scale co-op groups. Co-ops are committed to providing living wage jobs and low carbon footprints. Scholars have discussed using the Cleveland model to develop a national mass transit and rail system in the U.S. Read the full story in The Nation.
Closing BC schools – a quick fix solution?
Since 2002, 176 schools have been closed in BC, and over 50 more closures are threatened over the next few years. However, demographic models suggest that closures are only a quick-fix solution. School-age populations have dropped significantly in the last several years but are expected to increase rapidly in the coming decades, meaning schools must eventually be re-built. Read the full story in The Tyee.
Oceans’ acidity rate is soaring, claims study
The rate of ocean acidification is up to 10 times faster now than it was 55 million years ago, when dinosaurs inhabited the Earth. The oceans are predicted to become so acidic that they will soon become uninhabitable for many types of organisms, especially deep seafloor varieties that are vital in the marine food chain. The accelerated acidification is attributed to increased carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. Read the full story in The Independent.
West Coast Environmental Law Comments on Metro Vancouver 2040 Shaping Our Future
West Coast Environmental Law expressed concerns regarding the latest draft of Metro Vancouver’s Regional Growth Strategy, entitled “Metro Vancouver 2040: Shaping Our Future”. They are concerned that the weak language in the Plan will prevent the region from reaching its goals, and recommend that the region commits to a meaningful set of commitments that will be more likely to achieve a sustainable direction. Read the full report from West Coast Environmental Law here.
From Copenhagen to Port-au-Prince
Eco-conversion is a socio-political idea that eluded the climate negotiations in Copenhagen, but has potential in Haiti. Eco-conversion requires a global solidarity for a creative future, and the aid provided by the U.S., Spain, and France is one example of this. Eco-conversion can heal Haiti, and extend globally to help the climate change crisisRead the full story in The Tyee.
A New Climate for Conservation – Nature, Carbon and Climate Change in British Columbia – Full Report
This report reviews scientific and technical literature on climate change and biodiversity in B.C., and provides scientific support for ecosystem conservation as part of a climate action plan. It recommends a climate conservation network comprising at least 50% of B.C.’s land base, and notes that laws and land tenure systems must be altered to accommodate new nature and climate strategies. Read the full report here.
New West school district says goodbye to bottled water
The New Westminister Board of Education voted unanimously to cease bottled water use in school facilities and promote public water use through an educational program. CUPE staff and trustee Lori Watts were behind the motion. Read the full story at the CUPE website.