Yes we can!

Blogging has been sporadic for months -- hey, I've got my reasons! -- but I'm going to crank it up again. Feeling inspired tonight after the U.S election (though you wouldn't know it from the way I'm writing). Feeling inspired but a little rusty. In any case:

Obama's acceptance speech and McCain's concession speech were remarkable for different reasons. Obama is always very much aware of the arc of history and he has an uncanny ability to map paths along that arc for both himself and his audience. I envied the crowd in Chicago as tears of joy rolled down their cheeks in concert with his words. MLK had a dream and now (finally!) Obama is living it and inviting the world to go along.

As for McCain, while he is not a particularly eloquent speaker, tonight he was gracious, transcendent and real. In fact, this was McCain's most presidential moment since the campaign began and it should be a harbinger of the attitude the Republicans must adopt if they hope to rebuild.

All in all, a truly remarkable evening.

And now, as a Canadian, I wonder how, and if, Stephen Harper can work with Obama. Tomorrow morning Harper may discover that he has gotten up on the wrong side of the ideological spectrum. We shall see. All I know I that I will soon have to change the PenOpticon banner. After all, Tony Blair is gone and Bush and Cheney are starting to pack up their stuff. Can Harper be far behind?

It is amazing that Americans can shoehorn most of their political views into these two political parties, especially when much of the democratic world requires three, four, five or more parties. As Canada lurches forward with four national parties, it is obvious, that the change we need here is a proportional voting system that will enable these diverse voices to obtain seats in government and work together in a spirit of practical collaboration. Until that day comes, Canada will be cursed with a series of minority governments that will have a hard time getting the job done.

Congratulations President Obama! Now how can Canadians get the change we need?

Where will you be during Earth Hour?

Yeah, I know Earth Hour isn't going to solve the Global Mess we've gotten ourselves into. It's a symbolic gesture, but sometimes symbols are all we have. And when you know you can't fix the world, it's still worth taking on issues that are close to home.

That's why on March 29th, I'll be at the David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill, Ontario. For the past 72 years, the Dunlap Observatory has been a place of discovery and wonder for hundreds of astronomers and many thousands of visitors.

When the lights go out in Toronto, we hope to see the same sky that Dunlap's first astronomers saw in 1935. Unfortunately, this could be the year the David Dunlap Observatory goes dark, forever. The current owner, the University of Toronto is trying to quickly sell this property to developers. The world is about to lose a historic eye, a powerful eye that has been looking out into space for decades, the same eye that was used by Dr. Tom Bolton in 1972, when he proved the existence of a Black Hole in Cygnus X-1.

If Dunlap closes, my town will also lose a large green space — a much needed urban wilderness — that is home to dozens of bird species, deer, fox, coyote. Instead we'll have more concrete, more pavement, more noise, more traffic – and more light pollution. Hundreds of us have been holding rallies, writing letters and attending town meetings to try to convince the University of Toronto to postpone the sale and other levels of government to protect the property.

In the meantime, local residents and groups such as the Richmond Hill Naturalists will continue to fight to save David Dunlap Observatory and the surrounding green space by appearing before the Ontario Conservation Review Board to seek a 100% heritage designation for the property. These same groups are also lobbying York Region to stop plans to widen existing arterial roads such as 16th Avenue to 6 or 7 lanes.

We need to ask ourselves, our businesses, our governments — and our universities: what is the point? What is the POINT of looking up at the stars if we continue to destroy the Earth beneath our feet?

When hundreds gather at David Dunlap Observatory for this Earth Hour, that question will be blazing in the sky, burning in every star that shines down upon us.

Happy Earth Hour, everyone.

Spring Migration 2007

The birds came back. In spite of my many fears (some rational, some not so much) over global warming, run-away development and loss of habitat, da birds came back. Denise and I burned serious amounts of carbon in order to see this miracle once again, but the birds did not disappoint. Over the past few weeks we've been to Point Pelee, Rondeau, Thickson Woods, the Carden Alvar and also managed 3 or 4 treks through the wilder parts of York Region. We found 125+ species in Point Pelee over three days and 50 during a short day at the Cardin Alvar.

Of course, my subjective view about the number and variety of birds returning this spring means nothing. As mentioned, human activity has altered or destroyed many natural habitats -- and global warming isn't helping either. Experts such as York University's Professor Bridget Stutchbury (see Silence of the Songbirds), have observed a significant decline in the numbers of North American songbirds.

With fewer birds and fewer natural wetland and forest habitats, it's no wonder that a birder has to drive a long way just to see 'em. But for those lucky enough to escape the gray and steel of a North American urban landscape, the trek is worth it. Now more than ever, we need observers -- people in the field -- who watch, identify and record the evidence of the natural world. Great observers like Jamuudsen help us to remember the beauty that may be slipping through our fingers. Here are a few highlights from our own observations:

Unturning old stones on Easter Island

I stuck toothpicks in my eyes to stay awake for Stewart and Colbert last night, hoping for some good humour and insight -- some fake insight at least. Not much to be found there these days, though Jason Jones' report on two lunatics (one trying to give guns to teachers and one trying to give students Kevlar textbooks) was funny and smart. Meanwhile, in what passes for reality, we still don't know what caused the Big Stink in the Big Apple yesterday, but the great bloodshot orb of the media has moved on to cover the U.S. air strike against al Qaeda in Somalia and the oil dispute between Russia and Belarus.

So why am I thinking about Easter Island? Today's NY Times fas an interesting piece by Larry Rohter on the issue of whether to restore the giant stone moai on Easter Island. Although about 50 of these large familiar gods have been restored over the years, hundreds more remain scattered around the island. The trouble is that it costs upwards of $500,000 to restore each one and many Easter Islanders feel that enough have been restored to sustain a healthy tourist industry. In fact, it seems that 45,000 visitors a year is already straining the islands resources.

Rohter's article describes the conundrum nicely, but fails to explain why there are hundreds of broken moai scattered around the island in the first place. For this information, we can turn to Jared Diamond's book, Collapse: by deforesting the island in order to build these things while struggling to grow food for up to 30,000 people, the islanders essentially depleted the soil and used up their primary source of fuel. Competing tribes built the moai to appease the gods in order to "improve" food production. As resources grew scarce, it became easier to destroy your neighbor's moai and harder to build new ones. Diamond provides a wealth of evidence on the island's population growth, deforestation and subsequent food production problems.

Fearing for the sustainability of their island (and probably wanting to use the land for other purposes), modern Easter Islanders have no desire to restore all of the old gods so that foreigners can gawk at "old stuff". There is a good deal of irony and powerful metaphor here, ya think? Diamond thinks to so, also, and views Easter Island as a microcosm of humanity's struggle on this planet. The fact that some of us want to waste more resources to raise up hundreds of pieces of rock on a remote island (while others tear down "gods" like the giant statue of Saddam and the Bhuddas in Afghanistan) shows shows how far we haven't come.

The fact is, hundreds of old broken moai will teach us more about Easter Island -- and ourselves -- if we just leave 'em alone.

Airborne Toxic Events in Austin and Manhattan?

CNN is reporting that a "mystery odor" is permeating Manhattan, though they claim it is not dangerous. Let's hope that is the case. Meanwhile a 10-block stretch of Austin was closed this morning when dozens of dead birds were found on city streets. The problem in Austin could have been caused by migratory birds bashing into tall buildings (that are lit up). This is a well-known and tragic problem for migrating birds. On the other hand, these episodes are reminiscent of the "airborne toxic event" that occurs in Don DeLillo's novel, White Noise. Let's hope these events are unrelated and benign. Meanwhile, it's Jan 8th and there is still no snow where I live. Strange planet, this one.

Austin update: "As many as 60 dead pigeons, sparrows and grackles were found overnight along Congress Avenue, a main route through downtown. No human injuries or illnesses were reported." says CNN. Whatever it is, it's not because of migrating bird collisions with skyscrapers.

Manhatten update: The coverage of this event is baffling. Consolidated Ed said there has been no drop in gas pressure, though the odour has reached New Jersey. Mayor Bloomburg has stated: "these things are normal, happen all the time." Not surprisingly, the NY Times coverage is better: "Mysterious odors come and go in the New York City area, sometimes never identified."

Nothing revealed here except my own Monday morning paranoia.

Globe & Mail on The greening of the oil sands

Despite what the folks at the Pembina Institute think, today's Globe has a different view on all of the weird and wonderful things the oil moguls in the west are doing to lessen environmental damage caused by oils sands extraction and production. David Ebner's The Greening of the Oil Sands, reads more like a list of excuses and threats from the oil industry. Essentially we are told not to threaten the Canadian oil industry with environmental regulation and other "rash decisions" or we stand to lose 20% of Canada's gasoline capacity. As Marcel Coutu, CEO of SynCrude told the Globe: “That's a big, big number. I don't think the country wants us to stop being a leading oil producer.” Well, maybe we do. Maybe some of us want to see Canada's gasoline requirements drop by 33% or more.

But not these guys. They want us to keep the exploration subsidies flowing and consider "innovations" such as the use of underground nuclear reactors so that the oil sands can be processed in situ. Or how about EnCana Corp's plan to reduce the amount of fresh water steam required to bubble up the bitumen by mixing solvents such as butane and propane into the steam. Oh, and Shell wants to pipe CO₂ emissions to Edmonton where they will be pumped into older wells to be "permanently" stored.

Doesn't it just all sound so, so "sustainable"?

Jesus Trees: Everyone’s favourite Deity stumps around the planet

He's packed his trunks. He's branching out. He's taking a bough. Can you twig it? Jesus is appearing in trees around the world and bringing comfort to the faithful everywhere. At least, this is what we learn from CNN's recent video expose: Jesus in a tree? Neighbors say Lord, yes. I hope the good Lord will forgive me for wondering why this was not presented as "OffBeat News", a section which currently wants us to know that:

• Robots may soon demand independence
  
• Typo lands tourist 8,000 miles from destination
  
• Snow for sale on eBay
  

On the other hand, Jesus doesn't make the news on CNN as often as Britney or Paris, so I suppose when the Saviour of the World appears in the gnarled bark of a tree in Florida, we really need to know about it. Besides, it seems Jesus really likes trees (as long as you forgive Him for that odd fig tree cursing episode). In recent years, the Lord has been seen in a silver maple in Rochester, New York. He has appeared in a big 'ole tree in Milwaukee and also in an old growth tree in Quincy, Illinois. Since this is a world tour, you can also find Christ in Sussex, England, grimacing from the bark of a Burgess Hill Hawthorn tree. It's difficult to keep up with the Lord's travel schedule, although the "Look! It's Jesus" folks gave it a good try a few years back.

For the record, I have never seen Jesus in a tree and don't expect to, but there is a wonderful place (ironically situated next to Ontario's Pickering Nuclear Generating Station called Home Place. Home Place was created by Pickering artist, Dorsey James and features numerous tree faces and animal carvings from mythology and nature. I took these photos a few years ago when we happened upon them unexpectedly. It was a revelation!

Bird of the Week: Long-Eared Owl

After last night's mean-spirited rant, here's the bird of the week: the Long-Eared Owl. There are supposed to be four of these guys hanging around the Burlington Outdoor Recreation Centre north of Toronto, but we only saw three. B.O.R.C. is located in kind of a wasteland of industrial dumping stations and train yards, mixed in with farms. Lot's of midnight dumping of refrigerators and stoves into nearby gullies also. Between that and the stupid ATVs roaring around, aren't we a charming species? Still, it's amazing to find these beautiful creatures and the occasional Northern Shrike in such a place.

Can Gerald Ford Pardon George Bush?

While I've never been on any of the official guest lists, I've witnessed my share of state funerals through the magic of live television: JFK, MLK, Bobby Kennedy, Trudeau, Reagan, et al. Over the years, the "state funeral" has become a fusion of church and state. In other words, it has become a machine that manufactures images and sound bites for political gain. These solemn occasions give the living political elite a once in a lifetime chance to celebrate the deceased while sharing (basking, wallowing, snuffling, rolling around) in the unending praise and glory they heap upon their predecessors. When the corpses of the mighty are flown across the country, and wheeled about for visitation and viewing, the living can always find the right words to turn a stiff into a lucky talisman.

Whose Lying in State Now?
The death of Gerald Ford is probably a more extreme example, because Cheney, Rumsfeld and Bush senior got their first big political breaks while working for him. And so the praises pour forth:

• President Bush’s father called Mr. Ford “a Norman Rockwell painting come to life”
• Tom Brokaw, the former television anchor, described “Citizen Ford” as a “champion of Main Street values”
  
• Henry A. Kissinger said the man he served as secretary of state “had the virtues of small-town America.”
  

Now, I'm sure Ford was a nice guy. After all, he helped get Canada into the G8 club and put the wheels in motion to grant amnesty to American draft dodgers. I'm not so sure pardoning Nixon was such a good idea, but that's just the kinda guy he was -- unless there really was a deal to let Nixon off the hook in exchange for his sudden departure (and Ford's rapid promotion). But Gerald and Betty Ford were complicated people. They claimed to have welcomed gays into the Republican fold and to support pro-choice and gay marriage. I wonder if George W was thinking about such things when recently uttered these words:

"Gerald Ford distinguished himself as a man of integrity and selfless dedication," Bush said. "He always put the needs of his country before his own, and did what he thought was right, even when those decisions were unpopular. Only years later would Americans come to fully appreciate the foresight and wisdom of this good man."

No doubt Bush was sincere in his praise, but he may also have been grasping at Ford's glory, hoping to rub some of that "foresight and wisdom" onto his own hind end.

That's such a cynical, horrible thought to have so early in the new year (though not as cheerless as Pat Robertson's recent prognostications about an unpleasant "I'm not necessarily saying it's going to be nuclear" 2007). Still, I think I've lost my faith in the sanctity of a good 'ole state funeral. After all, in the U.S., such events tend to occur at the "Washington National Cathedral",a structure whose very name rings with officialdom (as if it is run by the U.S. Dept. of Religious Affairs). While I did just make that up, I did not make up the fact that that this church features a gargoyle carved in the likeness of Darth Vader. What is that about? An apolitical ploy to get children to come to church or a not-so-veiled reference to Ronald Reagan's original Star Wars program? I'm not sure what George Lucas thinks about carving Darth Vader's head on the Washinton National Cathedral, but it ought be a crime to exploit the dead for quick political gain. Even a man as magnanimous as Gerald Ford might not be willing to pardon someone who is guilty of that crime.

On the Northern Afront
It turns out there are currently three remaining Canadian veterans of the first world war still living, all of them over 105 years old. The Canadian government recently approved a plan to hold a state funeral for the last one to survive. But it turns out that none of the three survivors want to be part of a political circus. I salute and commend Lloyd Clemett (106 years of age), John Babcock (106 years of age) and Dwight Wilson (105 years of age) for their wisdom in this matter. I do remember meeting WWI veterans at a Remembrance Day service in public school many years ago. I had no understanding of that war (and not much more to this day), but I was in awe of those old warriors who stood straight and proud on that cold November day.

Considering that Stephen Harper's last "tribute" to Canada's veterans looks more like a propaganda/recruitment video, our remaining WWI veterans are right to stay clear of Harper's media machine. They fought for freedom all those years ago, let them enjoy it.

Harper, Dion, Layton: Jumping on the Environmental Trampoline

It's amazing what a little bad weather and a by-election can accomplish. In November, a major rainstorm in Vancouver contaminated water reservoirs and forced a million residents to deal with a 12-day boil water advisory (never mind the fact that BWA's are a sad fact of life in dozens of native communities across Canada). Then, just a day after the Vancouver BWA was lifted, Green Party leader Elizabeth May posted a stunning second place finish in the London North Centre by-election. While the actual voter turnout in that election was disappointing, May took 25% of the votes, clobbering both the Conservative and NDP candidates. She didn't win, but she decisively proved the Green Party is now a political force to be reckoned with. As May observed "we have just witnessed... the beginning of a major shift in Canadian politics. Canada is going Green." She -- and many others -- expect to see at least one GP member in the House after the next federal election.

This renewed focus on the Greens and green politics has the major party leaders falling all over each other to see who can jump highest on the environmental trampoline. With his greenest good intentions, Stephan Dion can at least say he actually sorta did something when the Liberals signed the Kyoto Accord while he was Chretien's Environment Minister. Unfortunately, as we all know, the Libs never backed up that signature with meaningful action. A few days ago, Jack Layton graciously offered to work together with the other leaders to rewrite Harper's failed Green Plan, although a mere 6 weeks ago, he was all set to force a confidence vote over the issue. Yesterday Harper told the Canadian Press that the environment issue is now his "top priority". "We have to point out why the environment is a priority for the public", he arrogantly condescended. I think we get it Mr. Harper, we're just wondering how your wonky tax cuts and oils sands subsidies are going to help.

Wouldn't it be grand if the major parties did sit down and formulate a comprehensive set of tax changes and regulations that would drastically reduce greenhouse gases and emissions? I expect it would look something like the Green Party's GP² Green Plan. Elizabeth May has stated in the past that the Greens would be happy to support any political party that could enact such a plan. It would be a fine thing, but it is hard to be optimistic because for Harper, Dion and Layton, the environment is merely an issue, a portfolio, a file. It is something that must simply be handled for political survival and electoral gain.

For the Greens, however, the environment is everything. It's fundamental and determines the kind of economy and the level of health that is actually possible.

That's why I'm voting for Green in the next election.

Stormwater Retention Pond Blues

If you happen to live in an urban area, you probably walk, cycle or drive by a stormwater retention pond almost every day. If you are not sure, just look for a medium-sized, murky body of water surrounded by a few acres of grass and geese (and the requisite industrial arrangement of precast stone, shrubs and riverrock). That'd be the one. Your local retention pond may smell like something leaking from the bottom of a supermarket dumpster, but it plays an important role, catching run-off from roads, parking lots and over-fertilized lawns, and filtering it so that less bad stuff finds its way downstream into rivers and lakes. From the civil engineer's perspective, these ponds are utilitarian machines, but to the real estate developer they can be a powerful marketing device. "Live with Nature", the developers tell us, and "Ravine Lots Available". Where I live, such signs usually denote nothing more than the fact that a creek or drainage ditch will be allowed to flow behind a row of houses, connecting one storm retention pond to another.

It seems to me that this kind of "life with nature" contributes to an urban idea of the nature world that is simplified, artificially controlled and patently false. It is also sometimes dangerous. Last weekend, two young boys decided to walk across a stormwater retention pond that had partially iced over. After testing the thickness with small stones, they began to cross over. One fell in and the other drowned trying to save him. Was this tragedy caused by a mistaken faith in their own youthful immortality? Or, have we merely created an over-developed urban landscape that makes it impossible for people to viscerally experience the beauty -- and the danger -- of a truly natural world?

To further confuse the issue is the fact that stormwater retention ponds actually provide poor habitat for fish and birds. But beggars can't be be choosers, so some species try to make a go of it regardless of the water quality. According to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's manual Stormwater Management Practices (OMOE, 1994), "stormwater ponds should be considered treatment facilities and not a replacement for natural wetlands", but this is exactly what they have become. Today we went out for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count and found northern and shrike great blue herons, along with the usual suspects, at local retention ponds. We are supposed to enjoy looking at these ponds, but god help you if you fish or swim or otherwise "use" one of them. After last week's drowning, the president of the development made this clear in an interview with the Toronto Star:

"This is a very vital pond," said Madden, president of Diral Development Corp. Unfortunately, the increasingly complex array of municipal, provincial and federal approvals required for stormwater retention ponds is forcing developers to landscape these areas to look like parks, he said. "It's not a lake. It's not for recreational use. So don't entice people to go there," he said in an interview today. "Don't put walkways around it. Don't landscape it like it's part of the parks system. Landscape them with tall grasses to keep people away."

In other words, buy into the "live with nature" marketing dream, but once you move in, just look at "nature" from a safe distance -- don't come near it. Am I mad to think that this way of living is madness? Am I crazy to question Ontario's "Places to Grow Plan", which anticipates the population of the GTA will double within 25 years? Am I wrong to think that we have essentially reached the carrying capacity of our own environment? We're full up folks, although there appears to be plenty of physical space in which to put people. This is all the more worrisome when you consider the millions of environmental refugees that are expected to flood into developed countries in the coming decades. By trying to become the lifeboat of the world, will we all drown?

Illegal Cigarettes and Other Bad Habits

I'm not a smoker, though my brother and I grew up with parents who smoked. We both remember bouncing around in the back of Buicks and Oldsmobiles -- with the windows rolled up -- while our folks puffed away to their heart's content. The smoke billowed around us like cumulus clouds, but we didn't care. Sometimes we'd ask Dad to blow smoke rings (such things were endlessly fascinating to pre-internet kids). When Mom bought a cigarette maker, I remember watching her crank 'em out by the dozen. I think I may even have helped a few times. This is what I remember anyhow, though my memory is a little clouded by a blue-gray haze.

In any case, I was not pro or anti smoking. Smoking was just a fact of life until that fateful day when Smoking Sam and Smoking Sue showed up at school. These were self-contained, motorized smoking machines that oozed black and brown tars into a test tube to graphically show how smoking poisons the lungs. I'm not sure if they still use these devices to scare the tar out of grade-school kids, but it worked like a charm on me.

Mostly worked, anyhow. I confess I smoked a few cigarettes in high school -- for love I suppose -- but after a week or so, the smokes didn;t agree with me and I'm certain I didn't agree with her. Although I used to put up with co-workers who smoked at work, my tolerance for second-hand smoke has dwindled over the years. Now I dread passing through the gauntlet of smokers that gather outside every entrance to every building where I work. Those of us who do not smoke grimly hold our noses and do our best to stay up wind, well away from the poison. It sounds self-righteous, but really it's just self-preservation.

The government has tried taxing the things out of existence, but to no avail. This is primarily because sin taxes create an artificial price differential between jurisdictions with different tax rates. It's always possible to buy low in one region and sell high in another. Worse, billions of counterfeit cigarettes are now manufactured in China and elsewhere and are smuggled into Europe and North America and sold at rock bottom prices. According to a recent Toronto Star expose, upwards of 25% of all cigarettes sold are illegal and bypass regulation and taxation.

Since the cost of health care for smokers is, on average, 25% greater than for non-smokers, and since smokers are more than willing to purchase illegal smokes, it may be time to use the health care system to discourage the habit and ensure smokers pay their far share of taxes. This could easily be done by charging an extra health premium to anyone who continues to smoke past an arbitrary cut-off date -- say one year after the smoking health surtax becomes law. If the surtax is set high enough, it may even be desirable to remove or reduce current cigarette taxes. Lowering the price would bring the cost of legal smokes in line with the street price of the illegal stuff and (hopefully) make life more difficult for counterfeiters and smugglers. In Canada, we already saw this in the mid 90's when the Federal and Ontario governments cut taxes on cigarettes to "compete" with illegal smokes.

Now, in the US, more and more employers are using financial penalties and rewards to discourage smoking. Some employer-sponsored health plans now require smokers to cough up an additional $20 to $50 a month for the privilege of lighting up. If such a policy were adopted by Canada's provincially-run health care systems, it would change the financial landscape of Canada's health care system. Turning a "sin" tax into a high-risk health tax will give millions of smokers a good reason to quit. At the same time, it will encourage die-hard smokers to choose to purchase legal cigarettes over illegal and counterfeit smokes.

With luck, within a few years, we'll all breath a little easier.

N.B. The use of the Monks "Bad Habits" album cover is used here by chance. A friend happened to play a few tunes from this album and the cover just seemed to fit the headline. I have no idea what the Monks think about smoking, but regardless, this was a pretty good album.