For an economics paper I’ve researched how the PR industry has influenced the climate change debate by creating denial campaigns to cast doubt on the science and urgency of global warming and how all this activity has been funded by heavily polluting industries. Following the trail of disinformation, I’ve come to learn about Steve Milloy, his website junkscience.com and his Yahoo store: http://store.junkscience.com/index.html.
I find it insincere and hypocritical for Yahoo to be preaching green living and evangelizing carbon neutrality while supporting the work of a vocal climate change denier like Steve Milloy. I realize that Yahoo Stores and Yahoo Green are probably separate departments that may not collaborate on any work but this is not an adequate excuse forever, especially considering the significance and urgency of the crisis that is unfolding. All of our collective energies need to be dedicated to moving forward – creating solutions that solve the problems at hand, not dithering in indecision. These deniers have already been given far too much voice in the public realm. Please thoroughly research Steve Milloy’s background, see who is paying for his work and then decide if it is moral and just plain responsible to continue hosting his site.
In the spirit of transparency - I’ve posted this as an open letter on my blog at http://shibumi.net. If you respond by email, I will include your comments there or feel free to comment directly.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.
Gregor Robertson has decided to run for Mayor of Vancouver in the 08 civic election. This would be the best thing that could happen to Vancouver. I want to see Vancouver become one of the most sustainable, livable and vibrant cities on the planet. I believe we can develop a local economy that values well being and a society that takes care to make sure all its citizens are given full opportunity to create a better future for themselves. We need a government that is committed to transparency and community engagement. Gregor is all of this and much more. Check out his websites: Gregor for Mayor, Gregor - MLA Vancouver Fairview and join his Facebook Group.
For those with the stomach, this graphic video led to the largest meat recall in world history. North America has by far the most abhorrent animal husbandry practices on the planet that contribute to the spread of all kinds of health problems including ecoli, salmonella, campylobacter, not to mention the enormous contribution to climate change from clearing rain forests, methane belched and pooped out and the “modern” factory farm’s dependence on carbon intensive industrial agriculture.
If you are going to continue to eat meat, dairy and eggs, commit to sourcing it from farmers that do not employ “modern” factory methods. Animals raised in environments that allow them to express their natural instincts and fed a diet that they have evolved on will greatly lessen your chances of eating contaminated meat and will support your local farming community. It costs a little more but will alleviate enormous suffering on a vast scale. For anyone who wants a much more thorough and well referenced look at the state of food, I highly recommend John Robbins new book: The Food Revolution or Micheal Pollin’s: The Omnivore’s Dillema.
After months of lobbying, the BC government has got the message and appears to be taking real action in on climate change. Over the past months I added my energy to the momentum initiated by Voters Taking Action on Climate Change and others, encouraging the BC government to include a carbon tax in their next budget.
It looks like they have developed the political will after receiving a flood of letters in support of a carbon tax. The full story is available The Province.
Sharif came and spoke in my social justice class in January. He articulated a vision of a world that works for all with the profound clarity of someone who has weathered many wars and come out wiser and committed to a higher path based on inclusivity and understanding.
Sacred Activism is a phrase coined by Andrew Harvey. I first heard it defined in a recorded audio lecture from Institute of Noetic Sciences in 2006. After a briefly hearing Andrew speak, I realized we share a similar wavelength and vision of the future.
In his lecture he describes the era we are living in as he sees it. He then goes on to encourage all of humanity to commit themselves to picking one or two issues that cause one to feel great heartache knowing they exist in the world. After clarifying what really matters, he encourages everyone to commit their life to become part of the solution.
I am absolutely inspired to evolve systems and economies that are thriving in harmony with the natural environment. In particular, I have chosen to work on the interrelated issues of global warming, peak oil and how these will challenge our current systems of food production and distribution in the near future. Other issues I like to work on are ending factory farming and eliminating disposable goods that clog our landfills. Recently, the Tar Sands project in Alberta has come to my attention as something that must be massively improved if it is going to continue. My limited time at BGI has opened me to start thinking about how I can help in the field of Social Justice with those struggling at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
Currently, Canadians are being presented with one of the most exceptional conservation opportunities in our history. The BC and federal governments have agreed to undertake a Feasibility Study for a potential national park to protect the desert, grasslands, and Ponderosa pine ecosystems of the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys in southern British Columbia. The local residents and the millions of Canadians who’ve visited the area know it is perhaps the most beautiful region of the country. Whether the national park becomes a reality - or a lost opportunity - depends on YOUR input and the input of all Canadians.
An update from the climate change conference in Bali Indonesia:
Right now, a major UN summit in Bali has just a few days left to hammer out an agreement on stopping catastrophic climate change. But instead of helping out, Canada is actually sabotaging the UN talks! On Saturday, experts gave us the global “fossil” award for being the worst country in the world on climate change.
There’s still a few days left to save Canada’s reputation — and the climate — but we need a massive democratic roar to remind our Prime Minister what Canada is all about, and stop him from blocking the world at Bali. Click below to sign the petition and we’ll advertize the number of signatures we get in an ad campaign across Canada this week. Our goal is to get 25,000 people to sign in just 3 days before the ads run. Click below, then forward this email to all your friends and family right away:
Enough is enough. Prime Minister Harper’s short-sighted, undemocratic and big oil-driven policy on climate change is damaging the world and destroying our image as a good country. We’re supposed to be the nice guys, who try to do the right thing in the world.
The vast majority of Canadians are hopping mad on this issue — we can win this. We just need to show Harper how serious we are that he change course. Sign up now and forward this email to everyone you know - we’ve got just 3 days to hit 25,000 signatures!
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
For an economics paper I’ve researched how the PR industry has influenced the climate change debate by creating denial campaigns to cast doubt on the science and urgency of global warming and how all this activity has been funded by heavily polluting industries. Following the trail of disinformation, I’ve come to learn about Steve Milloy, his website junkscience.com and his Yahoo store: http://store.junkscience.com/index.html.
Sacred Activism is a phrase coined by 
