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Archive for January, 2014
Keystone builder’s 2013 U.S. lobbying topped $1 million
Posted by Bloomberg: Jim Snyder on January 22nd, 2014
Bloomberg: TransCanada Corp. (TRP), the Calgary-based company behind the Keystone XL pipeline, spent $1.05 million to lobby Congress and the administration last year, about 24 percent more than it spent in 2012, records filed with the U.S. Senate show. The $5.4 billion proposed link between Canada’s oil sands and refineries along the Gulf Coast is under review at the U.S. State Department because it crosses an international border. The project has inflamed environmental groups including the Sierra Club that...
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Comments Off on Keystone builder’s 2013 U.S. lobbying topped $1 millionUnited Kingdom: Police accused of brutality as fracking protester is left ‘battered and bruised’
Posted by Guardian: Helen Pidd on January 21st, 2014
Guardian: A protester at an anti-fracking demonstration in Greater Manchester claims he was left "battered and bruised" after being assaulted by police officers.
Sean O'Donnell, who is known as Kris, shot a video of himself being apparently shoved to the ground by police at the Barton Moss protest camp in Irlam, Salford.
The 44-year-old, an IT consultant from Newcastle who has been living at the camp on and off since before Christmas, was taken to hospital after being arrested on Monday on suspicion...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on United Kingdom: Police accused of brutality as fracking protester is left ‘battered and bruised’Haiti’s wealth untapped mining resources must benefit the poor
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 21st, 2014
Guardian: In 2012 I wrote about the mining situation in Haiti and the vast potential for this sector. Mining companies could provide an increase in tax revenues and bring employment to the country – both of which are much needed.
But more than a year later, it is not clear that the benefits mining companies could bring to Haiti would outweigh the costs they inflict – for instance, throwing poor people off their land, polluting our soil, air and water, and generating further inequalities of wealth and power....
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Haiti’s wealth untapped mining resources must benefit the poorGreen extremists taking ‘nonsensical position’ on fracking says Lord Deben
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 21st, 2014
Guardian: The battle against global warming is being put at risk by far-left extremists in the green movement who are resisting a moderate consensus on issues such as fracking, the government's independent adviser on climate change has warned.
Lord Deben, who is chairman of the Committee on Climate Change, said those who condemn fracking as extremely damaging are taking a "nonsensical position" and called on environmentalists who take a more "sensible" view to disassociate themselves from these groups....
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Green extremists taking ‘nonsensical position’ on fracking says Lord DebenNeil Young says Alberta floods proof of climate change
Posted by Toronto Sun: Katie Schneider on January 20th, 2014
Toronto Sun: The city's flooded Saddledome this summer is proof climate change is real and Mother Nature should not be messed with, said Neil Young, repeating his tune about oilsands destroying First Nations.
During a stop in Calgary on Sunday with his Honor the Treaties concert series, the Toronto-born singer-songwriter faced the media to reinstate his stance of honouring First Nations treaties when it comes to oilsands development.
The concert series is raising money for the Athabasca Chipewyan First...
Huge Rim Fire Gives Opportunity to Restore Forest Differently
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 20th, 2014
National Geographic: After fiery devastation comes rebirth, but in the case of last summer's massive Rim Fire in California, just how that regrowth is best accomplished remains a hot topic.
Started by a hunter's illegal fire that got out of control, the Rim Fire burned about 400 square miles (1,000 square kilometers) of forest in the Sierra Nevadas, from August 17 to October 24, 2013. Exacerbated by a heatwave and drought, the fire caused an estimated $54 million in damage and destroyed 11 homes, three commercial...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Huge Rim Fire Gives Opportunity to Restore Forest DifferentlyMEP pledges to help Britons resist fracking
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 20th, 2014
Guardian: Radical Green MEP Jose Bove has pledged to help British communities resist fracking by French oil company Total.
Last week, Total announced it was taking a 40% share in shale gas exploration and drilling in the East Midlands.
"We clearly need a moratorium at the European level against fracking. If needed, I will come to be in front of the police in Britain. I fought against Total, I know them. They tried to frack in France but we defeated them. I am happy to resume the battle here," said the...
Peru’s farmers fight climate change using modern and Inca techniques
Posted by Guardian: Laurence Caramel on January 20th, 2014
Guardian: When he is not watching his flock Silverio Chiquenayra-Quispe takes care of the Pumatalya weather station, located between the brightly coloured local council building, the chapel and the bovine artificial insemination centre. At 3,800 metres above sea level, on the high plateaus of the Andes, the little town is four hours by road from the provincial capital of Cusco in Peru.
Three times a day, at 7am, 1pm and 5pm, Chiquenayra-Quispe records the temperature, wind speed and rainfall. He takes readings...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Peru’s farmers fight climate change using modern and Inca techniquesClimate Proofing of Farms Seen Too Slow as Industry Faces Havoc
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 20th, 2014
Bloomberg: Climate change will play havoc with farming, and policy makers and researchers aren’t fully aware of the significance on food supply, according to the World Bank.
Earth will warm by 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) “in your lifetime,” Rachel Kyte, the World Bank’s vice-president for climate change, said at a meeting of agriculture ministers in Berlin over the weekend. That will make farming untenable in some areas, she said.
Extreme weather from China’s coldest winter in at least...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Climate Proofing of Farms Seen Too Slow as Industry Faces HavocEuropean Greens consider challenge to UK tax breaks shale gas drilling
Posted by Guardian: Fiona Harvey, on January 20th, 2014
Guardian: European Greens are considering a challenge to the UK's tax breaks and incentives for shale gas under state aid rules, as the government holds out against a new renewable energy target for the EU.
Ministers have offered tax breaks to shale gas companies, and incentives to local communities to encourage them to accept drilling in their area. The government believes its plans comply with EU rules restricting state aid to companies.
On Wednesday, the European commission is expected to announce...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on European Greens consider challenge to UK tax breaks shale gas drilling