Running On Empty (524)

We start the show this week with the latest bunch of embarrassing stories about corruption and complicity with the oil industry by the Trudeau government. To be clear, there's nothing here worse than what we had under the Harper government other than what's been going on is in deep contrast to the image and messaging that the government is trying to sell Canadians about our oil industry and role in the global fight against climate change. Stefan also provides a review of the role of CFC's and HFC's (coolant used in air conditioners and refrigeration) in climate change. We also mention our animation about a carbon budget! That link is below too.

• Global Hydrofluorocarbon Deal Expected Later This Week
• The biggest climate change story in the world this week is quietly playing out in Rwanda
• B.C.’s Pipeline Incident Map Has Been Quietly Offline for Over a Month
• Robyn Allan Q&A: Trudeau Government ‘Dangerously Misled’ on Kinder Morgan Pipeline
• Quebec group prepared to take pipeline regulator to court for hiding documents
• Trilogy oil emulsion spill in Alberta reaches size of four football fields
• Halting Construction of Site C Could Save $112-million Annually, Says Energy Expert
• First Nation urges Trudeau to rush tanker ban after diesel spill in Great Bear Rainforest

Our interview this week is with the award winning director Mike Downie - on the program this week to talk about his new CBC The Nature of Things documentary 'Running On Empty' which covers the ongoing fallout from the 5 year drought that devastating California. From food, lawns and climate change Mike leads us on a journey of the relationship between civilization and one of the things we just can't do without regardless of our technology which is live without water. Watch it live on TV Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 8 PM on CBC-TV.

• Learn More about 'Running On Empty'

In the final section local Toronto climate activists Atiya Jaffar and Amanda Harvey-Sanchez join us for some updates on Canadian climate activism including the breaking story that 5 activists (not either of these two) shut down apparently all pipelines leading from Canada to the US in a surprise direct action. We also discuss youth activism and it's effect on Canadian politics as well as the upcoming 'Climate101' in Ottawa on Oct 24th (link below).

• Breaking: Activists Reportedly Shut Down Five Pipelines Carrying Tar Sands Oil into U.S.
• Climate 101 Action In Ottawa Oct 24th

Bonus Show!

This week we talk quickly about why the mainstream media is dead as a reliable source of information, why you can now add Huffington post to the list, and more about the role of youth in future Canadian elections in the wake of increasing pressure to reform our voting system.

• City of Vancouver votes to ban natural gas by 2050
• As solar installations multiply, U.S. utility companies fight back
• Florida’s solar amendment designed to mislead voters

Some other interesting reads we didn't get to!

• Obituary: Great Barrier Reef (25 Million BC-2016)
• What if nature, like corporations, had the rights of a person?
• How Google is using big data to protect the environment

This Weeks Music:

Germaphobes 'Heavenly Hash' & Tragically Hip 'Courage (For Hugh Maclennan)'

What do you think?

Let us know what you think of what we discussed in the show! Click here to find us on social media, leave us a phone message to play on air or send us an email!