Two US Firms Wash Hands of Canada's Tar Sands

By Mitch Potter
Toronto Star

Canada’s controversial tar sands industry took its first retail blow Wednesday as two Fortune 500 companies announced plans to eliminate the high-carbon Alberta fuel from its supply chain.

The U.S.-based firms Whole Foods Market Inc. and Bed, Bath and Beyond Inc. both unveiled new fuel policies designed to wean themselves off “higher-than-normal greenhouse gas footprints” inherent in feedstock from the Alberta tar sands.

The decisions are not expected to seriously hamper the southbound flow of Alberta oil, which represents a fifth of all U.S. energy imports.

But they mark a turning point in environmental activism against synthetic crude from Alberta, as climate campaigners work company by company to discourage consumption of Canadian energy.

“This is the first clear demonstration that companies are concerned about the brand damage of Alberta Tar Sands,” said Andrew Franks, a Vancouver-based spokesman for ForestEthics, which agitated for the policy changes at Whole Foods and Bed, Bath and Beyond.

“These are the first companies to send this market signal but they won’t be the last. Our campaign continues and we are in talks with other retailers to follow suit.”

The policy change is more easily said than done, given the complexities of the fuel supply chain. Whole Foods officials told the Toronto Star the company will continue to use fuels derived from Alberta tar sands “in the Rocky Mountain region because as of now there is no alternative source.

“We are switching fuel vendors at as many of our 10 distribution centres as possible. But in some cases there just aren’t vendors who can offer something else,” said Whole Foods spokesperson Libba Letton.

Whole Foods, the organic and natural foods empire, operates 289 retail outlets, including six in Canada. The company said it reserves the right to reverse the policy if Alberta succeeds in its pursuit of experimental carbon capture and storage technology to reduce the greenhouse gas impact of tar sands production.

“We have an entire team dedicated to environmental responsibility and we are always looking for a better option. If there is an actual breakthrough in tar sands technology that makes a difference we will want to know about it,” said Letton.

*Photo: The Syncrude oil sands extraction facility is reflected in a lake reclaimed from an old mine near Fort McMurray, Alta.

Classified Report on the Oceans: Zero Progress

by Jimmy Higgins
Re-posted from Fire in the Mountain

This is a picture of the corpse of an albatross chick, found on the remote Midway atoll in the Pacific. As it died and rotted, the contents of its digestive tract showed why it was fated never to mature.

Three days ago, Betsy Reznicek, office sparkplug at Veterans For Peace, posted another picture from Midway on her Facebook page and I have been unable to get it out of my mind. I backtracked to the website of photographer Chris Jordan. He has shot and posted about 30 of these images, and looking at one or two does not make the next couple dozen easier to take, believe me.

Jordan’s very brief text just deepens the horror. It reads, in part:

The nesting babies are fed bellies-full of plastic by their parents, who soar out over the vast polluted ocean collecting what looks to them like food to bring back to their young. On this diet of human trash, every year tens of thousands of albatross chicks die on Midway from starvation, toxicity, and choking.

This got me thinking back to a post I had intended to write a couple of years ago (one of many that never got off the Road To Hell Paving Company truck). I had been struck by a contradiction highlighted in two media stories that caught a sudden gout of ink (or pixels) at around the same time.

The first brief spate of media attention hailed the success of the Irish Republic in driving plastic bags out of the country, and the anti-plastic attitudes the campaign had instilled or reinforced among the people. The other was about the Pacific Trash Vortex, a concentration in the ocean of suspended particles of human debris, mainly plastic, roughly twice the size of Texas--and growing.

Even so splendid an effort as Eire’s, I was going to say, pales before the damage rapacious capitalism continues to wreak in the name of consumption and convenience--and in the pursuit of profit.

Well, the intervening years haven’t exactly invalidated my point. The German newsmagazine Der Spiegel’s online edition recently excerpted a classified German government report on the state of the oceans:

Still, according to a classified German government strategy paper...if you add up all the good such measures have done, you still end up with zero. In fact, according to the confidential paper, international efforts aimed at protecting the oceans have failed across the board. Our oceans have devolved into vast garbage dumps.

And so far none of the talk, in the US or globally, of Green capitalism, Green jobs, Green recovery has done Thing One to change this.

One more piece of evidence that the crisis we face is three-fold--economic political and environmental--and that revolutionary solutions are needed, most ricky-tick. Just look at those damn birds...

SuperCars! - The shape of things to come?

"Many people seem to think dealing with climate change will bring poverty and limit human development.

The truth may be exactly the opposite. Moving to a world of where we aren't fighting each other over the last few drops of oil, where energy is free, will mean a better life, with greater opportunities even for an expanding population. If we make the right decisions, we could be on the verge of the most prosperous period in human history."

Is this just saying we can keep our indivualistic car culture; no need for a better way to live than all owning cars? Technology alone can only achieve so much. Changes in our social structure, an ecosocialism, are required to really further human development and make technology serve the people - NYC

Bolivia says Copenhagen Agreement temperature rise between 3 ° and 4 ° C

Global People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth

Multicountry State Chancellor of Bolivia, David Choquehuanca, said on Feb. 8 press conference jointly with representatives of the 5 peasant organizations, indigenous and native of Unity Pact, Bolivia is very concerned about gas reduction commitments greenhouse developed countries being delivered as part of the "Copenhagen Agreement. Choquehuanca said: "The commitments to reduce greenhouse gases for the developed countries are communicating will cause the temperature increase is more than 3 degrees Celsius, some experts say it came almost at 4 degrees Celsius. The situation is very serious. A temperature increase greater than 1 degree Celsius mean the disappearance of our glaciers in the Andes and the collapse of several islands and coastal areas. "

For the foreign minister of Bolivia asked the Copenhagen Conference in 2020 was that the reductions in greenhouse gases were 40% or more, on the basis of emissions of greenhouse gases in 1990. Now the figures have to know the countries historically responsible for global warming are on average 12% to 18% by 2020 according to different sources.

"This way of communicating commitments shows clearly that the so-called Copenhagen Agreement is a retreat from the Kyoto Protocol." Choquehuanca said "In the Kyoto Protocol we all had to first define a common goal of reducing greenhouse gases then the developed countries in Annex 1 of the Kyoto Protocol should make reduction commitments that take us to that goal. Now the methodology presented by the Copenhagen agreement is that each developed country note what you gonna do without this relates to the common goal. "

"What is happening with the reduction commitments of greenhouse gases from developed countries reinforces the need for the Global People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth." And the Chancellor concluded: "This conference will an event transparent, inclusive, not marginalize anyone. Will the peoples, social movements, scientists. And we're inviting all governments and organizations of the United Nations system to engage with delegates and experts to discuss with people as we face this crisis that affects everyone. "

Venezuela's socialism is human, democratic and respects the environment

- Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias

Venezuela's socialism stands out in three different aspects: it is deeply humanist, is based on a real democracy, and respects the environment with its modes of production, distribution and consumption.

The statement was said by Venezuela's Minister of Education Hector Navarro, who added the necessity of differentiating the socialist model developed by the Bolivarian Revolution of those that were not able to develop themselves completely.

“More than a matter of economics and markets, our socialism deals with the control of the big means of production, especially those that are essential for the life of human beings and it attends not only production but also distribution and consumption,” he stated.

According to Navarro, Venezuela's domestic model cannot be understood unless it is approached with an integrally human view and, thus, democratic, in which people shapes the course of its destiny.

Similarly, he expressed that the model stands out a a work of harmony with the environment, in which remains a balanced interaction human being-nature that guarantees habitable spaces for future generations.

“In the world we live today is not possible to plan a model disrespectful of the environment. Indiscriminate production should be discarded and there should start the implementation of control mechanisms,” Navarro said.

Moreover, Navarro affirmed that humanity cannot survive with capitalism, so he called to increase the fight against it, since it is self-destructive.

“It is an originally suicidal model and we, as revolutionary people, cannot join that. We have to contribute to the future, to positive issues. Or we defeat it, or we die with it,” he stated.

Project for 21st century democratic ecological socialism

A project of the Australian SEARCH Committee.

Recognising the vital need for a people’s movement for a new democratic ecological socialism and the opportunities opening up to advance it, the SEARCH Foundation resolves to initiate an open process to draft a document called Project for a 21st Century Democratic Ecological Socialism, to be published by the end of 2009.

This document will be aimed at Australian society, but fully address the global problems faced by humanity and all life on planet Earth, because of the current crises in the economy and ecology.

The document is aimed at maximum public education with the aim of inspiring positive projects for education, organisation and mobilisation of the Australian people for democracy, social justice and ecological sustainability. It is not an organisational initiative in itself.
PDF of essay.

Debating Climate Change Deniers

A recent BBC poll shows that there is a significant shift in the U.K. on whether climate change is happening and whether it is human-made. This is a warning sign for all of us.

Any review of blogs, commentaries, YouTube and other social media will confirm that there is a broad and aggressive effort by right-wing climate change deniers to undermine public understanding of the science behind climate change.

So how do we respond to these denial claims? They range from simplistic rants to science-oriented spins. Do we all need to become amateur scientists to confidently respond?

We do need to become well-informed but we also need to know where to find the resources to back up our arguements and make references to.

Here are a few online resources but there are many more. Feel free to add others under comments. Deniers will be expunged. Use this information to copy and paste to friends, doubters and bloggers.

Websites

Skeptical Science: Getting Skeptical About Global Warming Skeptism
David Suzuki Foundation: Reports and Resources
Real Climate: Climate Science from Climate Scientists
American Association for the Advancement of Science
DeSmogBlog: Clearing the PR cloud that clouds climate science

Videos

Greenman's3610 Channel
Potholer54's Channel
Democracy Now video:
PR Executive James Hoggan on “Climate Cover-Up: The Crusade to Deny Global Warming” 


Debating

Climate change deniers: failsafe tips on how to spot them
Answers Come There None - George Monbiot
How to talk to your friends about climate change
Online debating tips
Framing climate debate
Communicating Climate Breakdown

Analysis

The Psychology of Denial: Climate Warming Scam
The Politics of Climate Denial
Think-Tanks Take Oil Money and Use it to Fund Climate Deniers
Climate denialism and reasonable doubt
Climate Science Under Fire

"In the last year, I've seen climate change scepticism breed and multiply in British political debate. The misinformation and ignorance would be worrying in itself, but it's bound to eventually effect policy. It was prevalent in the US when Bush refused to ratify the Kyoto protocols. It was sufficiently prevalent for Saudia Arabia use it as a pretext for not doing anything to reduce emissions during the last Copenhagen round.

I'd urge you all, for our collective health, to push back against this cult where can find it: antidote it with fact, mock it with humour, point out the flaws in its conspiratorial premises, but above all to separate the science from the ideology.

Our lives could depend on it."
- Brit, Daily Kos

Arctic Treasure: Global Assets Melting Away

The PEW

Ice and snow are defining features of the Arctic. At no point in at least 800,000 years has the Arctic been without sea ice. By some projections the region may lose summer sea ice as soon as 2030. In a sense, the value of this ice is incalculable. Arctic ice defines the homelands and cultures of indigenous peoples and ecosystems that harbor species which are uniquely adapted to this environment.

In another sense, however, part of the value of the frozen Arctic can be estimated in terms of the climate services it provides to the world. Snow and ice reflect sunlight, helping to cool the Earth. Without these reflective surfaces, more sunlight is absorbed, leading to more warming. In addition, permafrost traps methane, a potent greenhouse gas. While many studies have examined the mechanisms by which the frozen Arctic and global climate are interrelated, this report, An Initial Estimate of the Cost of Lost Climate Regulation Services Due to Changes in the Arctic Cryosphere, is the first attempt to estimate the dollar cost of global warming brought about by shrinking ice, snow and permafrost.

Read the summary, Arctic Treasure: Global Assets Melting Away (PDF)

View Full Report: Report: Arctic Treasure: Global Assets Melting Away

Canada's arctic climate changing faster than expected

Climate change is transforming the Arctic environment faster than expected and accelerating the disappearance of sea ice, scientists said on Friday in giving their early findings from the biggest-ever study of Canada's changing north.

"(Climate change) is happening much faster than our most pessimistic models expected," said David Barber, a professor at the University of Manitoba and the study's lead investigator, at a news conference in Winnipeg.

Models predicted only a few years ago that the Arctic would be ice-free in summer by the year 2100, but the increasing pace of climate change now suggests it could happen between 2013 and 2030, Barber said.

Scientists link higher Arctic temperatures and melting sea ice to the greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming.

The Arctic is considered a type of early-warning system of climate change for the rest of the world.
- Arctic climate changing faster than expected - Reuters

Study Says Arctic Ice Melt to Cost Global Economy $2.4 Trillion - ABC

A Class Perspective on Ecology and Indian Movements

Diversity with Inequality is Not Social Justice
by James Petras*

There are two opposing approaches to the analysis of ecological destruction and the emergence of Indian movements in Latin America: the liberal and the Marxist. Profesor James Petras answers about this questions.

Introduction
There are two opposing approaches to the analysis of ecological destruction and the emergence of Indian movements in Latin America: the liberal and the Marxist.

The liberal approach emphasizes ‘universal responsibility” for the destruction of the environment – rich and poor, mining companies and miners, factory owners and factory workers, auto manufacturers and drivers, governments and citizens, real estate speculators and slum dwellers. The liberal ecologists claim the negative consequences adversely affect everyone: “We all suffer from the destruction of the environment.”

The liberal approach to the development of Indian movements and politics follows a similar approach, using the non-class categories of ‘community’, ‘culture’ and religion, to discuss Indian social structure as a ‘homogenous’ social phenomenon.

The Marxist approach to ecological destruction and Indian social movements focuses on the inequality of power and control over the means of production and destruction, unequal exposure to contamination in the workplace and neighborhoods, inequality in access to land and use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides and other contaminants and unequal access to state power. Marxists focus on the class structure, class inequalities and the class nature of the environmental disasters which take place.

Marxists view ethnic and contemporary Indian movements, policies, leadership and relationships in relationship to the larger class system through the lens of class analysis. Marxists do not accept the liberal rhetoric and indigenous identity or ‘indigenista’ ideological assumption that Indian society is made up of homogeneous ‘communities’ bound together by harmonious undifferentiated ethnic interests without class divisions and conflicting class interests.

Today, even more than in the past, the deepening penetration of capitalist expansion and market relations, capitalist and socialist ideology and political parties, imperialist funded non-governmental organizations (NGOs) funded by US and European governments and the World Bank, have created class-polarized and divided Indian societies. ‘Communalism’ and communitarian ideology is the ideology of the rising Indian economic and political petit bourgeoisie articulated to subordinate the impoverished Indian peasantry to their struggle to share power with the established ‘European’ or mestizo bourgeoisie.

Case Studies

To demonstrate the validity and relevance of the class analysis approach to ecology and the Indian movements, it is essential to empirically examine concrete contemporary cases of major environmental issues and existing Indian movements. We have chosen several cases of environmental disasters, which have large-scale, long-term negative impacts, which are familiar to world public opinion. These include: Fish depletion in the waters off Eastern Canada, Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, the world wide food crises and global warming.

Fish Depletion
Maritime scientists have published numerous studies documenting the catastrophic decline in fish stocks, the destruction of livelihood of millions of small-scale fishermen and the loss of maritime high protein food for tens of millions of poor people. The causes, according to liberal ecologists are ‘over-fishing’, ‘contamination; and state subsidies – without identifying the class character of those responsible.

Socialist Project: Founding Statement

Ecosocialism and Cuba

Cuba constructs environmentally sustainable socialism

During a recent visit to Cuba, we stopped by an agricultural cooperative on the outskirts of Havana. Its farmers and cooperatives across the country are part of what’s widely acknowledged as the world’s largest organic farming experiment. Hundreds of thousands of farmers at the grassroots proudly proclaim themselves part of Cuba’s “environmental movement.”

In 2008 Cuba was devastated by three full force hurricanes that caused some $10 billion in damage, including 400,000 homes destroyed and widespread crop damage. Cubans link the growing destructive power and frequency of the hurricanes with global climate change. Understandably, environmental awareness and the need for radical measures to curb global warming run high.

Remarkably, in 2006 the World Wildlife Federation rated Cuba as the only country that combined high human development standards as defined by high literacy and health indexes with a low ecological footprint including electricity consumed and carbon dioxide emitted per capita.

This got me interested in the path of sustainable socialist development Cuba has chosen and how environmental consciousness developed. How could an underdeveloped country with limited economic resources have an environmental record better than its wealthy neighbor to the north? The story gives one great hope that planet Earth can be saved.

The effort to reverse environmental destruction and follow a path of sustainable development is all the more remarkable considering Cuba’s history, the US blockade and continuous efforts to overthrow its government.

The Revolution charts a new course