environment

Thursday July 27, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 27, 2017

No guarantee Hamilton’s waterfront trail will open this summer

Uncertainty over the extent of flood damage to Hamilton’s waterfront trail means there is no guarantee the popular path will reopen this summer.

February 27, 2009

The mystery timeline has upset users of one of the city’s most popular trails and forced the relocation of cycling and running scheduled as far ahead as September.

Record spring water levels flooded large swaths of the trail in April, prompting the city to fence off the paved path between Princess Point and Bayfront Park.

Water levels have since receded — spurring pointed questions from residents as well as trespassing — but not enough for the city to assess damage to the trail caused by flooding and pounding waves.

“We know people are impatient, we are getting all those questions. We hope to have the answers soon,” said parks manager Kara Bunn, who is waiting on a final assessment and recommendations from consultant Shoreplan Engineering. “But we know for sure some sections are unsafe.”

The Spectator paddled alongside and, at one point, over top the trail Tuesday to eyeball the damage.

The only remaining drowned section of paved trail includes several metres curving around Cootes Paradise and across from Princess Point.

But asphalt is clearly crumbling into Hamilton Harbour at several locations between the mouth of the Desjardins Canal and the temporary gate near Bayfront Park. In a few spots, the water has clearly undermined the path, despite temporary canvas barriers and sandbags visible along the shoreline. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

 

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Friday June 2, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 2, 2017

Trump announces U.S. will withdraw from Paris climate accord

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will withdraw from the Paris agreement on climate change.

April 11, 2017

At a news conference in the White House Rose Garden on Thursday afternoon, Trump said the accord is “very unfair to the United States.”

“In order to fulfil my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord.”

Trump said his country would either renegotiate its re-entry into the Paris agreement under different terms, or participate in the creation of a whole new climate deal.

March 8, 2017

White House officials had signalled withdrawal was likely to reporters, but Trump has been known to change his mind at the last minute on major decisions, as happened recently with the NAFTA trade deal.

Abandoning the accord was one of Trump’s principal campaign pledges, but America’s allies have expressed alarm about the likely consequences.

April 20, 2017

The Paris agreement was struck in 2015 and months later, the U.S. and China jointly said they would sign off on the deal. The agreement went into effect for the U.S. in November 2016.

Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, has criticized Trump’s resistance to the deal, saying the U.S. president doesn’t understand the fine print of the agreement and that the process of formally withdrawing could take two to three years. (Source: CBC News)

 

Wednesday March 8, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday March 8, 2017

Trump administration proposes 97 per cent cut to Great Lakes restoration initiative

Alarm bells are ringing over potentially drastic cuts to the protection of the Great Lakes.

August 25, 2016

U-S President Donald Trump’s administration is proposing to slash the budget to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative by 97 percent.

Scientists say these cuts would be devastating to the efforts by Canada and the U-S to restore the precious resource.

The Great Lakes represent 20 percent of the world’s surface fresh water, and provides drinking water for 45 million people.

The Executive Director of the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research can’t believe the news.

“When I first heard it, I thought it was a joke,” says Daniel Heath.

Internal US budget documents obtained by CTV News suggest the Trump government plans to cut nearly two dozen EPA programs. Funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative would drop from $300-million a year to $10-million.

June 23, 2016

The funding for the Initiative helps fight invasive species, curbs nutrient fueled algae blooms, cleans up toxic messes and restores the sensitive fish and wildlife habitat.

Derek Coronado of the Citizens Environment Alliance suggests this is a “public health issue” and a “human security issue.”

“It’s not good for fisheries in Lake Erie, and tourism. Who wants to go to a beach with toxic material,” adds Coronado.

Heath adds the cuts would undermine all of the protection efforts currently underway.

“It may save some money, but it would put back Great Lakes conservation by decades,” adds Heath.

Scientists are urging residents on both sides of the border to speak to their elected officials about the potential cuts.(CTV News) 

 

Thursday December 1, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday December 1, 2016 Liberals face flood of outrage in B.C. after approval of Trans Mountain pipeline The federal cabinetÕs decision to approve Kinder Morgan CanadaÕs Trans Mountain pipeline expansion has prompted a flood of outrage and promises of protests, court challenges and civil disobedience in British Columbia. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said he was Òprofoundly disappointed,Ó calling the decision a Òbig step backwardsÓ for CanadaÕs environment and economy. ÒI Ñ along with the tens of thousands of residents, local First Nations, and other Metro Vancouver cities who told the federal government a resounding ÔnoÕ to this project Ñ will keep speaking out against this pipeline expansion that doesnÕt make sense for our economic or environmental future.Ó The $6.8-billion project would triple the capacity of the Trans Mountain pipeline, from 300,000 to 890,000 barrels a day, and would add 980 kilometres of new pipe along the route from near Edmonton to Burnaby, B.C. It would also increase the number of tankers leaving Vancouver-area waters seven-fold, from five to 34 per month, prompting fierce opposition from local mayors and First Nations who say any risk of a diluted-bitumen spill is unacceptable. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the project would be approved with 157 conditionsÊat a news conference Tuesday. He said he expects the decision to be Òbitterly disputedÓ by a number of people across the country, but said the project is in CanadaÕs best interests. (Source: Toronto Star)Êhttps://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/11/30/liberals-face-flood-of-outrage-in-bc-after-approval-of-trans-mountain-pipeline.html Kinder Morgan, Trans Mountain, pipeline, Justin Trudeau, energy, oil, BC, natives, first nations, environment, Elizabeth May, David Suzuki

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday December 1, 2016

Liberals face flood of outrage in B.C. after approval of Trans Mountain pipeline

The federal cabinet’s decision to approve Kinder Morgan Canada’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion has prompted a flood of outrage and promises of protests, court challenges and civil disobedience in British Columbia.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday October 13, 2016 Federal Liberals signal desire for Ômeaningful investmentÕ in Bombardier The federal government investing in aerospace giant Bombardier is not a matter of if but how, Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains said Tuesday. ÒWe want to be a partner,Ó Bains said after announcing up to $54 million in funds for a Bombardier-led aerospace-research consortium. ÒWe want to find a solution and we want to continue to make meaningful investments. We want to be a partner, we are at the table, we want to find a solution. ItÕs not a matter of if but how we want to make the investment.Ó His comments are the clearest the Liberals have been to date regarding whether theyÕll accept the Montreal-based companyÕs request for $1 billion in federal funding. In early September, Bombardier (TSX:BBD.B) received the second of two instalments of US$500 million from the Quebec government. Quebec now owns 49.5 per cent of a new limited partnership of the CSeries aircraft program, including larger versions of the plane beyond the CS100 and CS300 should they be developed. Bains wouldnÕt give details as to exactly how much Ottawa will invest or where the money will be targeted. He did reiterate the conditions his government will place on any future funding. Ottawa wants Bombardier to keep its head office and the jobs connected to its research and development activities in the country, he said. (Source: Financial Post) http://business.financialpost.com/news/transportation/federal-liberals-signal-desire-to-invest-in-bombardier-but-dont-indicate-dollar-amount Canada, Ottawa, Parliament, Bombardier, aerospace, subsidy, corporate, welfare, Quebec, pipeline, Justin Trudeau, Navdeep Bains, philippe couillard

October 13, 2016

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said he was “profoundly disappointed,” calling the decision a “big step backwards” for Canada’s environment and economy.

“I — along with the tens of thousands of residents, local First Nations, and other Metro Vancouver cities who told the federal government a resounding ‘no’ to this project — will keep speaking out against this pipeline expansion that doesn’t make sense for our economic or environmental future.”

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist - Saturday September 26, 2015 During a testy phone call, Justin Trudeau dismissed David SuzukiÕs views on the Liberal climate change policy as Òsanctimonious crap,Ó according to Suzuki. Suzuki revealed the contents of the conversation during an interview on SiriusXMÕs Everything is Political with Evan Solomon. Suzuki says he fired back, calling Trudeau a Òtwerp.Ó The renowned scientist, broadcaster and activist says Trudeau called him personally June 28, 2015 to talk about the Liberal platform on climate change that was to be revealed the next day. ÒI didnÕt call Justin, he called me,Ó Suzuki said. ÒHe wanted an endorsement and he wanted to tell me exactly what his program was.Ó For the record: Justin TrudeauÕs speech on the environment: June 29, 2015 The program includes support for the Keystone XL pipeline, a rejection of the Northern Gateway pipeline and a commitment to work with the provinces to establish a cap-and-trade system. ÒI said, ÔJustin, stop it, youÕre just being political, you just want to make headway in Alberta,ÕÓ Suzuki says he told Trudeau. ÒYouÕre for the development of the tar sands, youÕre for the Keystone pipeline, but youÕre against the Northern Gateway, youÕre all over the damn map!Ó MacleanÕs explains: Where the leaders stand on the environment Suzuki went on to advise Trudeau that taking the target of a 2 degree rise in temperature seriously means 80 per cent of the oil sands has to stay in the ground. Suzuki believes stopping oil sands development will mean Òno debate about pipelines or expanding railways or shipping stuff offshoreÑnone of that comes into it.Ó Suzuki says this is when the exchange turned nasty. ÒHe said, ÔI donÕt have to listen to this sanctimonious crap. I proceeded to call him a twerp.Ó (Source: MacLean's) http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/why-david-suzuki-called-justin-trudeau-a-twerp/ Canada, Justin Trudeau, environment, climate change, Liberal, Mother Nature, Davi

September 26, 2015

The $6.8-billion project would triple the capacity of the Trans Mountain pipeline, from 300,000 to 890,000 barrels a day, and would add 980 kilometres of new pipe along the route from near Edmonton to Burnaby, B.C.

It would also increase the number of tankers leaving Vancouver-area waters seven-fold, from five to 34 per month, prompting fierce opposition from local mayors and First Nations who say any risk of a diluted-bitumen spill is unacceptable.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the project would be approved with 157 conditions at a news conference Tuesday. He said he expects the decision to be “bitterly disputed” by a number of people across the country, but said the project is in Canada’s best interests. (Source: Toronto Star)

 

Wednesday November 23, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday November 23, 2016 Continental contrast with Coal Canada plans to phase out most coal-powered electricity plants by 2030, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna announced Monday. By speeding up the timeline for closing coal-fired plants, which spew more pollution than most other fossil fuels, the country expects to reduce its carbon emissions by 5 megatons, or the equivalent taking of 1.3 million cars off the road. Coal makes up nearly three-quarters of the Canadian electrical industryÕs greenhouse gas emissions, and over 8 percent of the countryÕs total carbon footprint. Roughly 80 percent of CanadaÕs electricity currently comes from zero-emission sources, McKenna said. Under the new regulations, that number should increase to 90 percent over the next 14 years. Other countries, including Austria, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, have also accelerated their plans to wean themselves off coal, according to The Wall Street Journal. But the move comes as the U.S., CanadaÕs largest trading partner, seems set to scale back environmental regulations and bolster the coal industry once President-elect Donald Trump office next year. Trump campaigned hard in coal country, promising to put miners back to work by slashing pollution restrictions and scrapping President Barack ObamaÕs Clean Power Plan, which would have forced the utility sector to use more renewable energy. Most of the coal industryÕs biggest players have gone bankrupt over the last two years, in large part because of ill-conceived betsÊon the future of Chinese economic growth. Even coal barons who backed Trump admit the coal industry isnÕt coming back. (Source: Newsweek) http://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-canada-coal-524098 Canada, USA, coal, pollution, climate change, air quality, environment, energy, wall, health, Donald Trump

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday November 23, 2016

Continental contrast with Coal

Canada plans to phase out most coal-powered electricity plants by 2030, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna announced Monday.

By speeding up the timeline for closing coal-fired plants, which spew more pollution than most other fossil fuels, the country expects to reduce its carbon emissions by 5 megatons, or the equivalent taking of 1.3 million cars off the road. Coal makes up nearly three-quarters of the Canadian electrical industry’s greenhouse gas emissions, and over 8 percent of the country’s total carbon footprint.

Roughly 80 percent of Canada’s electricity currently comes from zero-emission sources, McKenna said. Under the new regulations, that number should increase to 90 percent over the next 14 years. Other countries, including Austria, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, have also accelerated their plans to wean themselves off coal, according to The Wall Street Journal.

But the move comes as the U.S., Canada’s largest trading partner, seems set to scale back environmental regulations and bolster the coal industry once President-elect Donald Trump office next year.

Trump campaigned hard in coal country, promising to put miners back to work by slashing pollution restrictions and scrapping President Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan, which would have forced the utility sector to use more renewable energy. Most of the coal industry’s biggest players have gone bankrupt over the last two years, in large part because of ill-conceived bets on the future of Chinese economic growth. Even coal barons who backed Trump admit the coal industry isn’t coming back. (Source: Newsweek)