Mercury risingBy Martin Bush
Recent studies confirm once again that Arctic region populations have dangerous levels of mercury in their blood. Coal-fired power plants are the main source of this potent neurotoxin. Canada and the US are switching from coal to natural gas, but then are exporting their coal to countries that are much less concerned about mercury emissions from power generation. Airborne mercury travels the globe. It will come back to haunt Canadians who think it's no longer their problem. […]
US climate assessment is grimBy Martin Bush
The National Climate Assessment just released by the US Global Change Research Program sets out in grim detail the projected negative impacts of global warming on the US environment, economy, and regions. The report contains strong warnings for Canada, especially its northern regions. […]
SIDS and the rising seasBy Martin Bush
Small island developing states should be well advanced by now in planning for climate change. A crucial decision is to move disaster response agencies and key ministeries inland and away from the coast. Schools need to be retrofitted as community protection centres powered by photovoltaic solar energy. Communication systems need to be storm-proof. […]
SIDS and the carbon budgetBy Martin Bush
The IPCC report on global warming has a grim warning for small islands--where the hammer of climate change will fall the hardest. At the same time, the Earth's carbon budget is depleting fast as emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise. […]
What’s in the carbon toolbox?By Martin Bush
What's the best way to bring down emissions of greenhouse gases? Economists assert that a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade mechanism is the best way to achieve substantial emission reductions. But there is solid evidence that regulatory measures and legislating standards work faster and achieve deeper cuts. […]
