Planet Watch - Environmental News

In the Planet Watch section we help our readers explore what is happening on earth from many perspectives.

We look at our Climate In Crisis, our diminishing Biodiversity, the state of our Environment, from Fresh Air, Clean Water, Rich Earth to our Forests and Wildlife. We look at what is happening in our Biosphere and how it affects not only the human species, but the complex living systems that we are so dependant on.

David Suzuki reminds us that Science Matters and reflects on the world from a scientific perspective. He also looks at our culture and how it impacts both negatively and positively on our environment. Under The News we put an environmental Perspective on the latest International, National and Community news. The articles below help us to stay informed about what is happening in our world.

Carbon offsets: a tool in the fight against global warming

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Written by Dr David Suzuki Thursday, 06 August 2009 02:24

Carbon offsets: a tool in the fight against global warming - The science is clear: human-caused global warming is a reality. Now it’s time to focus on solutions. We need strong leadership from our governments in setting firm greenhouse gas reduction targets, and we need to look at a range of policies and practices. There’s no legitimate argument about whether the problem exists, but there is still some debate about the best ways to tackle it.

Take carbon offsets. Some people compare them to “indulgences” granted by the church allowing sinners to avoid punishment for some transgressions. Others argue that offsets can be one of many legitimate tools used to tackle climate change, and that high-quality carbon offsets can result in real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon offsets are becoming

Environmental groups and AFL release groundbreaking Green Jobs Report: outlines a strategy to create tens of thousands of green jobs.

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Written by Greenpeace Tuesday, 19 May 2009 14:14

Environmental groups and AFL release groundbreaking Green Jobs Report: outlines a strategy to create tens of thousands of green jobs. — Alberta can create more than 200,000 green jobs and build a strong economic future, according to a groundbreaking report on green jobs released by two prominent environmental groups and the Alberta Federation of Labour.

Global Warming Is “Unequivocal”

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Written by Contributor Tuesday, 19 May 2009 13:55

Global Warming is “Unequivocal” - On November, 17 2007 a very important report called the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) was released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stating that global warming is, “unequivocal.”

It’s no great sacrifice to protect the environment

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Written by Dr David Suzuki

I recently read an article about a woman in Spokane, Washington, who doesn’t like phosphate-free dishwashing detergents. Phosphate-containing detergents are banned in Spokane County because of their negative impact on the environment, so the woman drives 45 minutes to Idaho where phosphate detergents are still sold. The article also notes that the woman has a five-year-old daughter. I’m astounded.

People often argue that protecting the environment will require too many sacrifices. Is this what they mean? That they would risk their children’s futures because they can’t be bothered to rinse their dishes before putting them into the dishwasher?

Phosphates are added to cleaning products because they help cut grease and get rid of food particles on dishes. But they also have enormous negative impacts on rivers, streams, and lakes. By fertilizing the waters, phosphates can cause massive algae blooms that starve the water of oxygen and choke aquatic ecosystems, killing fish, amphibians, insects, and plants. Phosphates have been banned from laundry detergents in most places for a number of years now, but consumers have resisted moves to ban them from dishwashing detergents.

The article notes that the Spokane River is one of the most endangered in the U.S. and that phosphate pollution from the county’s main wastewater treatment plant has been reduced by 14 per cent since the dishwasher-detergent law was passed in July. But apparently this woman doesn’t care if the river is devoid of life when her daughter grows up – as long as her dishes are spot-free!

Lubicon struggle shines light on regulatory failures in Canada's oil and gas industry

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Written by Dr David Suzuki Friday, 31 October 2008 14:07

Consensus is growing that the failure of governments to effectively regulate the banking sector is largely responsible for the huge economic mess we’re now facing. Throughout the past few decades, those who were entrusted to protect the public interest have accepted as gospel the idea that governments should get out of the way and let markets self regulate, with disastrous results.