Greedy Lying Bastards

The soon-to-be-released documentary film “Greedy Lying Bastards” asks the question “What happens when one industry has too much power?”.  The answer, it seems, is that politicians become pawns. Laws are created and prevented. Regulations are bypassed. Information is controlled. Dissent is stifled. Our climate changes. And people die.

Greedy Lying Bastards presents a searing indictment of the influence, deceit and corruption that defines the fossil fuel industry. After the last several weeks in Canada, when both our Prime Minister and our Natural Resources Minister have used alarmingly polarizing language to paint ordinary Canadians and registered environmental charities who oppose the Northern Gateway Pipeline as extremists and radicals, this movie seems very timely.

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GREEDY LYING BASTARDS is a documentary film exposing the shocking lengths the fossil fuel industry travels to ensure maximum profits for executives and shareholders.

In the United States, this industry spends millions of dollars annually to lobby Congress, ensuring the political support necessary to pass supportive or block restrictive laws. Using this control, the industry has managed to dictate energy and climate policies in the U.S., working alongside federal administrations. The same industry has spent millions of dollars to fund think tanks, organizations, and scientists who have waged a global campaign of deceit regarding the science of climate change and its dire impacts. Those who have spoken out against the corruption, environmental and health impacts caused by its irresponsible business practices have been assaulted, jailed, tortured, and murdered.

This unchecked corporate drive for profits has come at the expense of workers, families, indigenous peoples, the environment, and threatens our very survival on the planet. It has and continues to undermine democracy in the United States.

More links:

Greedy Lying Bastards: Blog

Dear Mr. Oliver: I Am Not a Member of a “Radical” Group

Today’s guest blogger is Jason Hildebrand. A so-called “radical” Canadian opposed to the Northern Gateway Pipeline, Jason is employed in the IT field, is married with two young children, and is an active member of his church. Jason has allowed me to share his recent letter to Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver and the Review Panel:

Dear Minister Oliver and the Joint Review Panel,

I am not a member of a “radical group”.  I am an ordinary Canadian citizen who is concerned about long-term sustainability of our environment and of Canadian society.

Long-term sustainability must be concerned with the fact that Canada (and indeed all nations in the world) must begin the transition away from the oil-based economy.  The International Energy Agency acknowledges that peak oil may already have occurred in 2006. Humanity has developed a dependence on fossil-based fuels over the last 400 years, and this abundant, cheap energy has allowed us to flourish far beyond our previous means.  We are now at a crossroads.  In the face of ever-declining cheap energy, how will we continue our standard of living?

While building this pipeline will allow maximum profit in the short term, it will also substantially increase Canada’s dependence on the oil industry for sustaining our overall economy.  Ramping up our dependence on oil at this point is a false goal, as it will only lead to devastating economic hardships which future Canadians will have to face.

At this point in history, more than ever before, we need to be forward-thinking.  We need to send signals that do not create further economic dependency on oil, but instead send signals that spur transition to post peak-oil future.

For this reason, I call on you to stop this reckless pipeline.

Sincerely,
Jason Hildebrand

If you, too, would like to let Mr Oliver know what you think about the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline, and his assertion that Canadians who care about clean water, clean air, and a stable climate for their children and future generations are “radicals” , go to the Lead Now page and send him a message.

Affadavit: PM Harper’s Office Labels Environmental Charity “Enemy of Canada”

Andrew Frank is a Canadian citizen, and the former Senior Communications Manager with ForestEthics Canada. He is also an instructor in the Environmental Protection Technology  program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, in Surrey, British Columbia. Mr Frank released this letter addressed to Canadians yesterday:

A Whistleblower’s Open Letter to the Citizens of Canada

My name is Andrew Frank. I grew up in a small town in the Okanagan valley of British  Columbia. My granddad taught me how to fish. My father was a well‐respected lawyer known for his unwavering integrity, and my mother was a favourite kindergarten teacher. Both have always impressed upon me the importance of telling the truth. Today, I am taking the extraordinary step of risking my career, my reputation and my personal friendships, to act as a whistleblower and expose the undemocratic and potentially illegal pressure the Harper government has apparently applied to silence criticsof the Enbridge Northern Gateway oil tanker/pipeline plan. As I have detailed in a sworn affidavit, no less than three senior managers with TidesCanada and ForestEthics (a charitable project of Tides Canada), have informed me, as the Senior Communications Manager for ForestEthics, that Tides Canada CEO, Ross McMillan,was informed by the Prime Minister’s Office, that ForestEthics is considered an “Enemy of the Government of Canada,” and an “Enemy of the people of Canada.” This language was apparently part of a threat by the Prime Minister’s Office to  challenge the charitable status of Tides Canada if it did not agree to stop funding ForestEthics, specifically its work opposing oilsands expansion and construction of  oil sands/pipeline routes in Canada.This is especially concerning because ForestEthics is a legally registered intervenor in  the National Energy Board’s Joint Review Panel process, currently examining the Enbridge oiltanker/pipeline proposal. By attempting to silence a registered participant in the review, I fear the Harper government may have permanently damaged the integrity of this process.After waiting more than two weeks for Tides Canada to go public with this story, it has become clear to me that the organization is too afraid of reprisals from the government to act. Tides is responsible for the employment of hundreds of Canadians and dozens of crucial environmental projects like the Great Bear Rainforest, and has been understandably paralyzed in challenging the Prime Minister’s Office on this matter. I, on the other hand, am speaking out as a private citizen because I feel that the rights and civil liberties of my fellow Canadian citizens, including freedom of expression and freedom of speech, are at risk.There was a look of fear and disbelief on my fellow staff members’ faces the day they were told our own government had labelled them enemies of the state. Our administration coordinator had tears in her eyes. In the days that followed, our employees couldn’t sleep well. They lost their appetites, and they began to fear for their own personal safety and civil liberties, and those of their families and loved ones. They began looking over their shoulders, out of fear and paranoia, because their own government might be watching them.

The language of anti‐terrorism, when applied to Canadian citizens who legitimately question the wisdom of an unsustainable oil tanker/pipeline plan, is an affront to the rights of all Canadians. It is the language of bullying. It is language that is violent and above the law, and harkens to previous examples of RCMP surveillance of Canadians for political rather than legal purposes, including Tommy Douglas. The casual use of such loaded language at the top of our government is immoral, unethical and probably illegal.A strongly opposed oil tanker/pipeline plan is now the least of this government’s worries. In its heavy‐handed attempt to override public opposition, the government has breached the public’s trust.I now invite Canadians, including the media and members of the House of Commons, to challenge the unacceptable behaviour described in this letter and sworn in my affidavit. Approximately three weeks from now, Mr. Harper will visit China on an official state visit.In China, Amnesty International asserts that a half‐million “enemies of the government” are held in prisons without charge. If the argument in favour of the Enbridge pipeline is that Canada stands to make billions selling oil to an oppressive Chinese government, then my answer is “no thank you.” That’ s not “ethical oil,” especially when profiting from this oil wealth requires repressive tactics against critical citizens ‐ tactics we would normally associate with the Chinese state, not Canada.The events of the last month have ensured that I will never take my rights as a Canadian citizen for granted again. That is both sad and encouraging. Sad that I ever had to question them, and encouraging because I have been reminded of another lesson taught to me by my parents: the best way to stop a bully is to stand up to him. I invite you to join me in expressing your voice on what is perhaps the most pressing moral crisis facing our nation today. Together we can hold this government to account and prevent the dismantling of Canadian civil society and the further erosion of citizens’ rights.

ForestEthics has responded with Our Statement On Recent Threats To Canadian Civil Society, And Andrew Frank’s Open Letter:

Today’s stories in the press are just the next shoe to drop in a targeted campaign by the oil industry and the Harper government to silence Canadians who are concerned about the controversial Enbridge pipeline. The interests of the few, including massive multinational corporations that own large investments in the Tar Sands, are being put above the citizens and First Nations who oppose highly controversial projects like the Tar Sands that threaten the health and well-being of Canada’s future generations.I am Canadian, and along with thousands of other Canadians I have deep concerns about the Enbridge pipeline and super tankers on our coast and am horrified that my government is threatening to disband the hearings in order to quell opposition.

Enbridge’s legacy of pipeline spills – and efforts to distance itself from any responsibility for them – raises serious concerns for all Canadians.

This is a company that repeatedly puts corporate profits over responsibility to local communities, and Canadians won’t stand for it. Yet the Harper government has suggested that the 4,500+ people who are raising concerns should not be heard.

This pipeline is not being built to transport oil. It is proposed to transport diluted bitumen. This is a substance that is so corrosive that it is not a question of if an oil spill will happen, it is a question of when.

When those leaks or a tanker spill happens, Canadian taxpayers will be left with the legacy – and the bill. This pipeline puts Canada’s lush west coast at risk from tanker spills as well as the fragile Great Bear Rainforest, which First Nations have called home for thousands of years.

We share these concerns with Andrew Frank, who is clearly concerned about the government trying to silence Canadians. Andrew worked with us for many years and was a valued part of this organization. He is no longer a member of ForestEthics’ staff because he violated the confidence of the organization, and we are unable to carry out our work without a solid foundation of trust between colleagues.

But the bigger picture remains: It is a dark and chilling day for Canadians when our government tries to silence and intimidate non profit organizations like ForestEthics, and the thousands of citizens and civil groups who, like us, are concerned about the direction this country is taking and are speaking out.

More Links:

PMO Goes After Environmental Charity: Affadavit

ForestEthics: Protect Our Forests, & Our Climate

Andrew Frank.ca

PM Harper’s Press Secretary Resigns

TED Talk Tuesday

I’ve made a few changes around my blog, trying to get it a bit more organized as well as updated.  One of the changes I’ve decided to make is to share one of my favourite things, and make Tuesday into TED Talk Tuesday.  Many of you will be familiar with TED Talks, which are found on YouTube as well as on the TED website, and feature interesting and intellectually stimulating speakers from all walks of life. When I’m working in the kitchen, which I often find tedious, if I have a TED talk running on my computer time flies (I haven’t tried it yet while I’m cleaning out my refrigerator, my least favourite job, but I bet it would make even that job enjoyable).  Here’s more about the TED movement from TED.com:

TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. Along with two annual conferences — the TED Conference in Long Beach and Palm Springs each spring, and the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh UK each summer — TED includes the award-winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Project and TED Conversations, the inspiring TED Fellows and TEDx programs, and the annual TED Prize.

Here is Ric Elias, co-founder and CEO of Red Ventures , a firm that helps large service companies acquire new customers online, talking about an experience that changed his life:

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More links:

TED.com

Why I Am Putting All My Eggs In The Citizens Climate Lobby Basket

Citizens Climate Lobby is a well-organized grassroots organization made up of Canadians and Americans who want a sustainable future for their children, and are willing to work on creating the political will for a sustainable climate. In the process, they are empowered to claim their own political power in a way many citizens don’t these days. I have been a CCL volunteer for over a year, and have learned more about climate change and working for political change than I ever would have imagined. Today’s guest blogger is Cathy Orlando, Project Manager for Citizens Climate Lobby Canada. Cathy recently left her job as the Science Outreach Coordinator at Laurentian University in Sudbury to devote her time and energy to creating the political will for a sustainable climate. The “Cathy Orlando Environmental Stewardship Award“  was created in 2011 by the national science organization Let’s Talk Science to recognize an outstanding and innovative environmental activity by a “Let’s Talk Science” volunteer.

Truth be told I am not passionate about climate change. My true passions are poverty, children and community. I know that climate change is going to severely impact all of those things. Thus I have put all my eggs for the next while into the Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) basket to push for a price on carbon pollution federally and bilaterally with the USA .

I feel that CCL has the capacity to make this happen because they are laser focused, are using a proven business plan and are promoting a properly vetted economic plan.

As Sudbury’s group leader, last year I lead the CCL chapter on less than 10 hours per month and usually closer to 5 hours per month.

The three most important things each CCL Leaders will do are:

1.  Gather a small group of people around them that meets once a month to improve their education on all aspects of climate change and motivate each other. It can be on the Saturday monthly call but alternatively you can listen to the 20 minute education piece anytime anywhere online after it airs.
   The current ones are on their home page.
   And the archived ones are here.
2.  Develop a Gandhian-like relationship with your Member of Parliament around the issue of climate change. Present the truth of the science of climate change and our economic plan (Carbon Fee and Dividend), ask them to consider it, and listen carefully to their responses. The listening part is the most important part of being a lobbyist because we seek to:
   -  find common ground and help eliminate barriers that might stand in the way of a politicians doing the right thing
   -  appeal to the “big thing” that lies within all of us
3.  Get articles, letters to the editor and editorials published in your local media so that people can become more educated about the truth of the economics, social impacts, health impacts, public impacts, global security impacts and science of climate change and thus the politicians will be able to act.

Empowerment is energy-giving
There is something magical that happens when you do this work. At first you might have to overcome inertia and get out of your comfort zone, but you grow as a person. You become empowered. People around you become empowered. It is very energy giving work. People don’t believe when I say I am a shy and sensitive person. I have spoken truth to power and been in the media more times than I can count now. As well, I am making friends for life across this great continent. When all is said and done I will be able to say to my grandchildren some day, “I did my very best at the time of the climate crisis.”

I know when we get a price on carbon pollution, not only will I have peace of mind, but I will have grown tremendously as a human being and have made the most incredible friends for life. My gut feeling about the effectiveness of Citizens Climate Lobby is shared by the Grandfather of Climate Change, Dr. James Hansen.

Dr. James Hansen Quote:

“When you go away from here the most important thing you can do, in my opinion, is to support www.citizensclimatelobby.org because they are pressuring the government to do what is in the public’s interest, not big business.” - Nov. 6, 2011 Washington DC

To find out how you can work to create the political will for a sustainable climate, and realize your own personal and political power at the same time, email Cathy at ccl.sudbury@citizensclimatelobby.org. Ask her about joining the introductory call on the first and third Wednesdays of every month, or go to citizensclimatelobby.org for more info.

Meatless Monday Musings

It’s Meatless Monday, and here in Northwestern Ontario we’ve just come through a January cold snap (which some people complained about, but which was reassuring for a climate activist!). It’s the time of the year that it’s great to curl up in front of our pellet stove with a good book (I’ve just started “The Value of Nothing” by Raj Patel) after a crisp walk or ski. I’m heading outside for just such a walk shortly, with Finn, our Norwegian Elkhound. When I come back, I’ll put a soup on the stove to simmer for supper. I might even bake a loaf of bread, inspired by our Transition Network event this past Saturday where Anne Jisca, a young woman with a talent for making the most delicious bread, lead a group of 15 of us through the stages of making 100% spelt bread and buns.  If you’re interested in what you missed by not being there, you can go to her website, annejisca.com. She’s got video tutorials and her bread recipe posted (see bread making video below).

One of our favourite soups, winter or summer, is black bean soup; the recipe was given to my husband by a colleague when he was a medical resident spending some time in Churchill, Manitoba. Here it is, Churchill Black Bean Soup:

Soak 2 or 3 cups of black beans for a few hours or more.

In a large pot fry 2 or 3 chopped onions in quite a bit of extra-virgin olive oil (1/4 – 1/2 cup) with a lot of garlic, some crushed peppers, oregano and basil. Also add 1 Tablespoon of cumin seeds.

Add your beans plus soaking liquid and water to cover by about 4 cm. Cook until soft.

Puree most of it in a blender, leaving some beans intact. Add more water for desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste, and a few squeezes of lemon juice.

Serve with a dollop of plain yogurt, and a dollop of salsa you have made from tomatoes, cilantro, green onions, fresh jalapenos, some salt and a bit of sugar.

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Here’s Anne Jisca making bread:

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More links:

Transition Network.org

Anne Jisca’s Healthy Pursuits

Meatless Monday

Take Time To Renew Your Spirit

Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, more violent. It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction.

~Albert Einstein

Saturday At The Movies

Just for fun: what news anchors do during commercial breaks.

“Ethical” Oil? House Speaker Boehner Promotes Keystone Pipeline While Investing In It

Last week, House Speaker John Boehner’s office released a video that tried to make the case to build the Keystone Pipeline. Mr. Boehner has taken millions of dollars from oil companies and is personally invested in the Keystone XL Tar Sands pipeline. His video contained more than a few factual errors, so the creative kids over at the Youth Climate Movement decided to make a followup video to make sure folks know the truth:

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Here’s the original one released by Boehner, friend of Big Oil, fyi:

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You’re invited to meet at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington DC on Tuesday, January 24 at 12pm to “Blow the Whistle On Big Oil Corruption” and let Rep. Boehner know what YOU would do in his position. Go to 350.org for more info.

Canada: Under Attack By Foreign Interests & Radicals

Bless you, Rick Mercer, when the goings-on in Ottawa get completely intolerable, you give Canadians something to laugh at.  Here’s Rick’s response to the Canadian Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver’s letter attacking environmentalists (read: anyone opposed to the Northern Gateway Pipeline and/or unrestricted development of the Alberta tar sands) as “radicals”.