Species at Risk Act being weakened
The Species at Risk Act (SARA) is already a very weak act; no need to make it weaker. SARA only applies to federal lands, NOT provincial lands. Provincial land account for the vast majority of the Canadian land mass; federal lands are limited to waterways, national parks, and not much else. This will limit the... Continue Reading →
Public Doesn’t Understand Global Warming
When the public doesn't understand a critical issue, politicians can easily mislead us. according to the average Joe, global warming is happening because we've created a hole in the ozone layer, allowing the sun's rays to enter the atmosphere and heat up the earth -- or something like that. The cause of the problem is... Continue Reading →
CO2: Man versus the Volcanoes
Many global warming global sceptics like to point out that humans can’t be responsible for global climate change because natural events like volcanoes produce MUCH more CO2. Present-day carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from subaerial and submarine volcanoes are uncertain at the present time. Gerlach (1991) estimated a total global release of 3-4 x 10E12 mol/yr... Continue Reading →
Emily of the State: Bell Sympatico, has opened the door to increased customer surveillance
Bell Sympatico, Canada's largest Internet service provider, had opened the door to increased customer surveillance through changes to its user agreement. While Bell denied that the amendments were linked to the so-called "lawful access" initiative that may require ISPs to install new surveillance technologies, the furor associated with the story highlights Canadians mounting concern with... Continue Reading →
Bush’s Vulcan neck pinch
I think this explains the chancellor of Germany reaction to Bush's back rub, Vulcan neck pinch. (found via Boing Boing)
The downside to biofuels?
Biofuels (like all other energy 'solutions') aren't without costs. Abrupt climate change may soon force governments to choose between feeding people and fuelling SUVs, a respected investment firm says in a new study. Toronto-based Sprott Asset Management says global warming is occurring faster than expected and rising demand for so-called green fuel will cut into... Continue Reading →
Emissions cuts possible without damaging economy
Maybe it's to late top archive this by the Kyoto deadline of 2012, but what about after kyoto? Canada could reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent by 2050 using existing technology and without hurting the economy, said a study from an arms-length federal agency. -CBC If this can be done with current... Continue Reading →
Canada agrees to next step in Kyoto; is it enough?
The targets under Kyoto are attainable, but remember that Kyoto was just the first step, and the next phase should have lower emissions targets. A leaked government memo to negotiators in Bonn suggested Canada would oppose extension of the treaty in favour of a voluntary approach. -940 News We need real absolute targets, not half... Continue Reading →
Carbon dioxide: they call it pollution; we call it life
I think the global warming skeptics/deniers may be getting desperate A little girl blows away dandelion fluff as an announcer says, "Carbon dioxide: they call it pollution; we call it life," in an advertisement targeting global warming "alarmists" -ENN Carbon Dioxide is alive? Now I am really confused...
Does Canada really care about the environment?
The PM Stephen Harper has the answer: Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he wants Canada to help develop new targets under Kyoto. -The CBC These new targets wouldn’t be higher than the old targets would they? Is this the way to make Kyoto successful? I think the original targets would be easier to achieve if... Continue Reading →
‘Ask a Ninja’ explains net neutrality
For those of you that still don't quite understand the whole net neutrality issue, this is perhaps the best explination of why it is so important.
Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Far above Target
This is NOT a reason to give up... This is a reason to try harder. From ENN "Canada's emissions of greenhouse gases are now 35 percent above the level it promised to reach under the Kyoto climate change accord and the country would have to ground every train, plane and car to meet its target,... Continue Reading →
Home at last
I finally made it home, and the jet lag is almost gone. The flight back was quite comfortable... at least compared to travel in SE Asia; the seats were comfortable, there was lots of leg room, there were no chickens, it was great. What was not great was the 12 hours we had to spend... Continue Reading →
Swimming with the fish
On one of our last days in Bangkok we went to Ocean World, an brand new aquarium in the brand new Siam Paragon Sopping mall. There were so many incredible under water animals, it was just like snorkeling. for those of you that were disappointed that we were unable to take any underwater pictures from... Continue Reading →
Stephen Harper ‘eats babies’
From CTV "Bemused Toronto commuters were repeatedly informed that "Stephen Harper eats babies"... The scrolling electronic signs that usually carry transit updates and advertisements on Toronto's westbound Lakeshore GO Transit trains carried the messages Thursday, Friday and Monday" I knew it! The signs were all there; I guess that's why Harper wanted such a tight... Continue Reading →
The last beach
Our travels are coming to an end. We spent the last few days on the beach in southern Cambodia, near Sihanoukville. The weather was warm (maybe a little too warm), the sea was warm and inviting, and I had a good book to read; what could be better? It was a great relaxing way to... Continue Reading →
I am going to be a millionaire!
That's right folks there is no denying it: I am going to be a millionaire. I feel all giddy inside just saying it. And how do I know that I will be ridiculously rich? Because I had my fortune told, and with news like that who wouldn't believe their fortune.
Anchored at Angkor
The ruins of Angkor are incredible. From Angkor Wat (the worlds largest religious building)... to countless faces of the Bayon... and the countless smaller (but no less impressive) temples, each temple has enough detailed stone carvings to leave you speechless. Some temples are fighting a loosing battle against the invading jungle... while some are simply... Continue Reading →
Lao Airlines – Safe for us
We made it to Siem Reap in Cambodia! I was a little concerned about the flying with an airline that does not make its safety records publicly available (I wonder what they are hiding), and which several NGOs and foreign governments advise their staff not to use, but everything about Lao Airlines was well above... Continue Reading →
How to spot shady travel agencies
Shady Travel agencies are everywhere in South East Asia, and experienced travelers can spot them a mile away, but for those of you that are still a little green here are a few points that will help you spot these dubious establishments. First some background on our specific situation. We are in Pakse in Southen... Continue Reading →
The 4000 islands of Si Phan Don
Si Phan Don is in the extreme south of Laos along the Cambodian boarder, where the Mekong suddenly and for no good reason fans out and forms an intricate set of 4000 islands (I counted them all and there really is 4000!). Life here continues at a traditional pace: very very slowly. There is not... Continue Reading →
How NOT to travel in Laos
To get to Pakse (where we are now, in Southern Laos) we had the most hellish travel day of the entire trip... well maybe Death Hwy was worse... but this was longer. The day started out at 4:30 am when we were awakened by a large storm. Lightning was so frequent that the sky was... Continue Reading →
Na Hin River and Kong Lor Cave
The Na Hin river is like many other small streams in South East Asia, except for the fact that it flows through a 7.5Km cave under a mountain. It is possible to take a motorized canoe through the cave. Those that have been following my travels on this site may remember my almost unhealthy fascination... Continue Reading →
Attack of the killer Mosquitoes!
Watch out these things pack a wallop! I guess this is one way to instill a fear of mosquitoes, and lower malaria rates.
Plain of Jars… really really big jars
A few days ago we visited the mysterious plain of jars near Phonsavan in Northern Laos. The area is full of huge stone jars made by an unknown ancient Asian civilization. Local legend says that the jars were made by giants to store large amounts of lao lao rice whiskey, which I think is very... Continue Reading →
Myanmar, Thailand Sign Hydropower Plant Agreement for Salween; Ethnic Minorities to be Flooded Out
From ENN "Myanmar has signed an agreement with a Thai company to build a hydropower plant on Southeast Asia's longest free-flowing river, the Salween, state-run media reported Tuesday... Opponents of Myanmar's ruling junta say the dam construction will likely involve forced labor. When the dams are built and surrounding land flooded, it could also lead... Continue Reading →
Snake, Gecko and Scorpion Whiskey… Drink up!
After Pak Ou waterfall we stopped at a village along the Mekong that is famous for making various kinds of Lao Lao (rice whiskey). You can have your pick of snake, gecko or scorpion. Snake whiskey goes down smooth; like a slithering serpent down your throat, gecko whiskey has legs; much like a good glass... Continue Reading →
Tiger… AHHHHHH!
We saw a tiger today. She was beautiful, and she pounced at us. Luckily for us there was a fence between us and the tiger. This tiger was 'rescued' from poachers (they killed her mother), and now must spend its entire life in a cage with tourists like us gawking and taking pictures. Not much... Continue Reading →
Luang Prabang
The ride from Vientiane was quite the adventure. The winding Hwy 13 has seen its fair share of violent attacks in the last few years, although I Imagine that more deaths have occurred by buses with faulty breaks driving of the road, tumbling down the steep mountains. This almost happened to us a few times,... Continue Reading →
The lasting legacy of imperialism
Imperialism can have lasting impacts on countries that were subject to foreign rule for many years; but none are as profound as…... baguettes. Fresh baked baguettes Of all the things the French did in Laos the by far the tastiest was the introduction of fresh baked baguettes. Fresh baked baguettes are almost a staple food... Continue Reading →
In Laos they say Lao
Laos was a mistake. The French screwed up and added an 's' to the end of Lao. The people of Lao never said anything, and the mistake was spread and now the whole western world calls this place Laos, instead of Lao. We are now in Vientiane, the Lao capital. It does not feel like... Continue Reading →