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.
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!
Peak oil and climate change represent profound and unprecedented global challenges whose economic, environmental, and political impacts are intertwined and often divisive. On one hand, many climate activists argue that peak oil is a ‘distraction’ for local decision makers or, in some cases, an industry agenda aimed at removing barriers to oil extraction. On the converse side, many peak oil activists argue that energy-driven economic crises, and not climate targets, will be the real driving force behind the global energy transition. This presentation and panel discussion will seek to bridge these gaps by bringing together local advocates for action on peak oil and climate change to find common ground, define differences, and set priorities for action on the ground.
Bryn Davidson is a specialist in sustainable urban development whose current work in architecture and planning was preceded by several years as a mechanical engineer and environmental activist in Alaska. After graduating with a masters of Architecture in 2004 he started the design and planning practice Rao/D Cityworks , and co-founded the non-profit Dynamic Cities Project - a think tank working to help cities adapt to peak oil and climate change. Bryn’s presentations on peak oil planning have been well received globally, and have been translated into multiple languages. Locally, his current projects include a farm-integrated residential development in Ontario, a high performance home in Alaska, and sustainability consulting for local green-minded businesses.
The provincial government recently elicited feedback from the citizens of British Columbia as part of a budgetary consultation process, specifically regarding taxes and climate change. My feedback was published in their report on at the bottom of page 27. The government is listening!
Governments generally view introducing a carbon tax as political suicide. I ask any politicians reading this, what do you value more, your own narrow self-interest or a sustainable, abundant and healthy future for generations to come? The choice is clear in my mind. I don’t know of an alternative fiscal instrument with the ability to touch every person, organization and industry in a way that will motivate change on the scale that is necessary to mitigate climate change. The majority of society will not go out of their way or adjust their lifestyle unless there is a financial stick on their behind or a carrot in front of them. It’s the where the majority of society is at in our collective evolution so let us accept that and get on with legislating a carbon tax.
A carbon tax could be designed to be relatively revenue neutral. It could be designed to reduce our collective income tax while making it increasingly expensive for those who continue to engage in carbon intensive activities. Cap and trade is our government’s other option which is a little easier sell in the political arena, thanks in part to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s pushing it up the West Coast. A Cap and Trade System is also a must have but is more geared to the big player’s like coal plants and the tar sands. It won’t be visible to the masses and it won’t put power in the people’s hands to make choices that are good for the environment and good for their bottom line.
Please take the time to learn the pros and cons of these powerful legislative tools and urge your local governments to take implement them before their term ends.
You’re invited to a free screening of Oscar-winning movie, An Inconvenient Truth.
Join Gregor Robertson, MLA for Vancouver - Fairview and special guests before the movie to talk about steps we can take to make a difference in our lives and our communities.
Special guests include:
Tom Osdoba, Sustainability Group, City of Vancouver
Morag Carter, Climate Change Program, David Suzuki Foundation
William Rees, PhD., UBC School of Community and Regional Planning, originator of the “ecological footprint” analysis
Location
When: Thursday, March 1st. Program starts at 6:45pm. Movie screening at 9:00pm. Where: Park Theatre, 3440 Cambie Street
Event is free. No registration is required.
Support your local Cambie merchants. Have dinner on Cambie Street before the show.
I went to the first night of the Climate Change Film Festival last night. There were two excellent documentaries followed by a talk with Dr. Mark Jaccard, a Canadian economist specializing in sustainable energy systems. Overall it was great but these events always seem to attrack a few nutsbars eager to share their unconventional views on an open mic. Future hint to organizers: There must be a firm announcement up front indicating that racist comments are not welcome, self publicity or emotional rants will not be tollerated and all questions will be prescreened. This is a bit draconian but will save everyone’s time.
The first documentary, Out of Balance was a look at Exxon Mobil’s efforts to fund organizations discrediting and confusing the public about the reality of climate change. They have been effective, using their billions of dollars in profit to create a decade long viel of lies to keep the masses doubtful and unconcerned.
The second film, The Day the Water Died had the camera pointed at Exxon once again. Exxon did essentially nothing to clean up the spill which covered thousands of kilometers of coastline, destroying all marine life and wiping out local economies dependant on the ocean. To add insult to the devastation, they have refused to pay the $5 billion dollar charge awarded by the courts by keeping the case tangled in appeals court for the last 18 years.
Exxon’s logo is more familiarly known under the guise of its subsidiary Esso in Canada. Exxon is one of the most vile and unconscious organizations on the planet and I would encourage everyone to never buy their fuels again. Let them go the way of the Eastern Islanders.
Random Inspiration
Accept the consequences of your identity while serving the reality of your destiny.
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.
