oil docs, cars, bikes, biofuels, bears, pharma, hemp, GMOs

Fri Feb 15 16:12:19 EST 2008

“This hour in history needs a dedicated circle of transformed
nonconformists. Our planet teeters on the brink of annihilation; dangerous
passions of pride, hatred, and selfishness are enthroned in our lives; and
men do reverence before false gods of nationalism and materialism. The
saving of our world from pending doom will come, not through the
complacent adjustment of the conforming majority, but through the creative
maladjustment of a nonconforming minority.”

—Martin Luther King, Jr.

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OIL: THE WORLD OVER A BARREL
(Sunday February 17 at 8pm ET on CBC Newsworld)

Since the Middle East has become a political tinderbox, the West has
had to look inside its own borders to meet its growing demand for oil.
But areas that are politically safe seem to be environmentally
sensitive. The last few pristine landscapes in North America may soon be
opened up to oil investors and environmentalists are horrified.
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/oil/wilderness.html

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RECIPES FOR DISASTER (90 minutes)
(Sunday February 17 at 10pm ET/PT on CBC Newsworld)

What happens when a determined young family gives up all oil-based
products for a year? Filmmaker John Webster and his family decided to
own up to their transgressions and kick their addiction to oil. They
committed to a one-year "oil detox". It's quite simple really: the
family will go on with their suburban lives, but without using any
fossil fuels, driving cars or flying in airplanes. They won't buy
anything packaged in plastic like food, makeup, shampoo, toothpaste or
kids' toys. This last item proves a particular challenge to Webster's
two young sons.
Discuss this film online.
http://www.cbc.ca/passionateeyesunday/feature_170208.html

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Clean Cars for Canada Register your position with Transport Canada on a
new federal fuel efficiency standard for cars at
<http://www.cleancarscanada.ca/>www.cleancarscanada.ca.  Right now the
government is seriously leaning toward the weaker option so take a minute
to send your thoughts, then circulate this link to your friends, family
and networks.  Deadline:  March 15.

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London, England to become cycling paradise? Mayor Ken Livingstone
announced plans to create 12 bicycle 'superhighways' throughout London and
into the suburbs, to the tune of £400m. It will be the largest investment
in cycling in London's history, and a part of an initiative to stimulate
400% growth in cycling by 2025.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2254928,00.html>www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2254928,00.html

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Sometimes carfree advocates have surprising allies when they try to
remove cars from their neighborhood. A German company from the
building sector made this clip:
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H04JpUvPWUI>www.youtube.com/watch?v=H04JpUvPWUI

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George Monbiot, The Guardian, Tuesday February 12, 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/feb/12/biofuels.energy

Monbiot at his scathing best on the moral bankruptcy of BIOFUEL usage

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For Sierra Club and Conservation Voters views of the 2008 Alberta Election
Campaign 2008:
<http://www.sierraclub.ca/prairie/election08.htm>http://www.sierraclub.ca/prairie/election08.htm

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Polar Bears Make Manitoba’s Endangered List

Manitoba’s Endangered Species Act now lists polar bears as threatened by
climate change.  From 1999 to 2004, the polar bear population in the
Western Hudson Bay area dropped to 935, a 22% decrease.  Manitoba joins
Ontario and Newfoundland, putting more pressure on the federal government
to list the bear in its own review this spring.  The U.S. is also on the
verge of a decision.

News Coverage:
<http://winnipegsun.com/News/Manitoba/2008/02/08/pf-4834317.html>http://winnipegsun.com/News/Manitoba/2008/02/08/pf-4834317.html

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Denialis (Mediaclone) - Sleep Aid - From the makers of Ignorzitall®.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOYS_BmKi3Q

Great satire!

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Check out this newly released Hemp education video:

Hemp: The Environmentally Sustainable Alternative - Part 1

It's just 10 minutes, co-produced by an owner of Cool Hemp, the best
non-dairy frozen desert around - yummmm.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxd64t6H3_4>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxd64t6H3_4

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Corporate Knights Magazine ranked Canada's cities based on sustainability.
See their reports here:
http://www.corporateknights.ca/reports/cities/page.asp?name=cities_2008

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Learn all about the Security and Prosperity Partnership here:
http://stopspp.org/

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Power to the Pedal - bike accessory competition - First place $5000

This competition calls for a biking accessory or add-on for existing bikes
that would improve the bicycling experience and encourage more people to
make biking their primary means of transport – more convenient, more
enjoyable, safer and more integrated into daily lifestyles – whether it's
for commuting, working, shopping, transporting, leisure or all of the
above.
http://www.design21sdn.com/competitions/11

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 February 11, 2008
GMO Food Fight: Canada vs. Europe

In our name, the Harper government is telling people in Europe that they
do not have the right to refuse genetically modified (GM) foods. Canada
has threatened the EU with WTO trade sanctions, if it does not cave in by
February 11, 2008 and approve GM products, even though EU citizens do not
want this (see article below).

Meanwhile, 33 Irish and British politicians “ including the former UK
Environment Minister Michael Meacher MP...have denounced the activities of
a Canadian Government agent, who has attempted to sabotage Ireland’s
policy to keep the island of Ireland free of genetically modified crops”.

“This covert interference by the Government of Canada is an affront to
Irish and UK sovereignty and to the Precautionary Principle which is a
cornerstone of EU policy on GM food and farming,” says Kathy Sinnott,
Member of the European Parliament. “I am calling on the European
Parliament to investigate this scandal, as we have done regarding the
CIA’s violation of European airspace for illegal torture flights. We need
a full investigation into the extent of covert influence by foreign
governments and corporations on the GM policies and decisions of the
Commission, EU member states, and their regulatory bodies.” See
"<http://www.rightoncanada.ca/atf/cf/{84471E05-2737-459A-9BE4-89CC6F1CA108}/GM
FOOD, CANADA DIRTY TRICKS EXPOSED.PDF>CANADA DIRTY TRICKS EXPOSED IN WTO
DISPUTE ON GMOs".

And if you haven't already done so,
<http://www.rightoncanada.ca/c.juIZLdMOJrE/b.2517563/k.8F11/Take_Action/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=juIZLdMOJrE&b=2517563&aid=8735>please
send a letter to Prime Minister Harper, asking that he support a ban on
Terminator technology, which causes seeds to become sterile after one
harvest.

In solidarity and with appreciation to you,

Kathleen, Peggy, Pauline and Becky for RightOnCanada.ca
http://www.rightoncanada.ca

Read more here: http://thetyee.ca/Views/2008/01/28/FoodFight/

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