Science Canada: 12/20/09

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Dec 11, 2009
Margaret Munro
Canwest News Service
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/Scrounging+vital+cash+slows+search+knowledge/2330400/story.html

Long live social science

Gender imbalance persists and social science continues to dominate, says Stats Can
Dec 16, 2009
Carson Jerema
Macleans
http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2009/12/16/long-live-social-science/

Government of Canada celebrates investments in world-class research and development

Dec 18, 2009
Industry Canada
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2009/18/c4518.html

The new liberal education: sustainability

Dalhousie gets international recognition for new sustainability program
Dec 18, 2009
Erin Millar and Ben Coli
Macleans
http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2009/12/18/the-new-liberal-education-sustainability/

Research reactor will allow U of S to reach potential

Dec 19, 2009
The StarPhoenix
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/opinion/Research+reactor+will+allow+reach+potential/2362109/story.html

Queen's principal to 'do less with less'

In addition to budget cuts, Daniel Woolf believes the school has to focus its academic direction
Dec 13, 2009
Elizabeth Church
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/queens-principal-to-do-less-with-less/article1399045/

Canada's booming asbestos market

The cancer-causing mineral is prized in India, even as it is reviled here. Jennifer Wells investigates the demand for a product we shun – but still mine
Dec 20, 2009
Jennifer Wells
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/india/article/741085--canada-s-booming-asbestos-market?bn=1

Climate accord works for Jim Prentice

Dec 20, 2009
The Canadian Press
http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/741087--climate-accord-works-for-jim-prentice

Turning up the heat on business

Doing nothing to secure the future of the planet actually costs more than ignoring the solutions
Dec 20, 2009
David Olive
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/741042--olive-turning-up-the-heat-on-business

Copenhagen deal leaves work to do

Dec 20, 2009
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/741048--copenhagen-deal-leaves-work-to-do

Climate deal hailed but hard choices left

Key nations led by Barack Obama forge last-minute accord but fail to set deadline to make it legally binding
Dec 19, 2009
Allan Woods
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/740932--climate-deal-hailed-but-hard-choices-left

Barack Obama: Climate 'progress is not enough'

The president, who spent Friday brokering the pact, calls it a small step; critics judge it more harshly
Dec 19, 2009
Allan Woods
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/740936--barack-obama-climate-progress-is-not-enough

Summit a public relations flop for Canada

Dec 19, 2009
Allan Woods
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/740934--summit-a-public-relations-flop-for-canada

New steps at summit

Dec 19, 2009
Diane Francis
Financial Post
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=61135da9-4b03-4c36-8eae-da0abe0db135

The premier who didn't go to Copenhagen

Is facing critics at home preferable to being an international target?
Dec 19, 2009
Graham Thomson
Edmonton Journal
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/energy-resources/premier+didn+Copenhagen/2362469/story.html

Lung association urges action over radioactive gas

Colourless, odourless radon can seep into basements and cause lung cancer
Dec 18, 2009
Hanneke Brooymans
Edmonton Journal
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/health/Lung+association+urges+action+over+radioactive/2355925/story.html

How to cure asthma by sitting in a warmish box

Dec 18, 2009
Steve Thoms
National Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/12/18/steve-thoms-how-to-cure-asthma-by-sitting-in-a-warmish-box.aspx

Ottawa's sale clouds the future of Chalk River

Proposals from expert panel, nuclear facility's employees go unanswered by Ottawa as it rolls out plan to sell reactor division
Dec 18, 2009
ANNA MEHLER PAPERNY
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ottawas-sale-clouds-the-future-of-chalk-river/article1404808/

H1N1 deaths top 10,000: WHO

Dec 18, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/12/18/h1n1-who.html

Conservative MP dismisses human role in climate change

An environmental group releases e-mails in which British Columbia MP Colin Mayes says “a few scientists” believe carbon dioxide is causing global warming
Dec 18, 2009
Jill Mahoney
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/conservative-mp-dismisses-human-role-in-climate-change/article1405228/

At Copenhagen, they avoided the worst but did not achieve the best

A promise to achieve a goal by 2050 is scarcely worth the paper it is written on
Dec 18, 2009
Jeffrey Simpson
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/at-copenhagen-they-avoided-the-worst-but-did-not-achieve-the-best/article1406081/

Through Copenhagen's looking glass

The great conference seems to have whistled by the challenge of the East Anglia e-mails
Dec 18, 2009
Rex Murphy
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/through-copenhagens-looking-glass/article1406080/

Canada's strategy: Promise now, implement later

Delays in climate-change regulations, intended to match U.S. policy, are expected to add to cost and logistical effort
Dec 18, 2009
Shawn McCarthy
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/climate-change/canadas-strategy-promise-now-implement-later/article1406232/

Canada part of Copenhagen climate deal

Dec 18, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/12/18/copenhagen-last-day.html

Draft of Copenhagen deal has broad targets, sparse details

Working version of climate change deal calls for 50 per cent cut in 1990 emissions by 2050, but key details will have to be left to later negotiations
Dec 18, 2009
Eric Reguly and Shawn McCarthy
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/climate-change/draft-of-copenhagen-deal-has-broad-targets-sparse-details/article1404932/

Climate talks in disarray as leaders gather at Copenhagen summit

Still no sign of a deal that Prime Minister Stephen Harper and more than 100 other world leaders are supposed to sign within hours
Dec 18, 2009
Michael Casey and Seth Borenstein
Associated Press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/climate-change/climate-talks-in-disarray-as-leaders-gather-at-copenhagen-summit/article1404901/

Nuclear power must be in mix of Sask. options

Dec 18, 2009
The StarPhoenix
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/opinion/Nuclear+power+must+Sask+options/2354874/story.html

Stelmach fires back at Ontario, Quebec

Ad campaign touts Alberta's green efforts
Dec 18, 2009
Jason Fekete
Calgary Herald
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Stelmach+fires+back+Ontario+Quebec/2355208/story.html

Canada tagged as 'Fossil of the Year'

Dec 18, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2009/12/18/climate-canada-award.html

Radon gas checks at federal buildings 30% done

Dec 17, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/12/17/ott-radon-removal.html

WHO to send H1N1 vaccine to poor countries

Dec 17, 2009
The Associated Press
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/12/17/h1n1-who.html

Teen marijuana use affects brain permanently: study

Dec 17, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/12/17/marijuana-teen-brain-rats.html

Candu reactor division to be sold

Dec 17, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/12/17/candu-reactor.html

Ottawa putting CANDU reactor division up for sale

Natural Resources minister confirms government is inviting investors to submit bids, move won't affect Chalk River facility
Dec 17, 2009
Bill Curry
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-putting-candu-reactor-division-up-for-sale/article1403759/

Government invites investor bids on AECL's CANDU division

Dec 17, 2009
Andrew Mayeda
Canwest News Service
http://www.canada.com/technology/Government+invites+investor+bids+CANDU/2351771/story.html

Copenhagen and the ethics of climate change

The Globe's Michael Valpy takes lays out the underlying moral issues at hand as Copenhagen draws to an end
Dec 17, 2009
Michael Valpy
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/climate-change/copenhagen-and-the-ethics-of-climate-change/article1404694/

Climate change and forests: Touch wood

Everyone agrees on the need to save trees, but the details are still tricky
Dec 17, 2009
The Economist
http://www.economist.com/world/international/displayStory.cfm?story_id=15129518

U.S. initiative, Canadian passivity

Better news is coming out of Copenhagen as world leaders prepare for the climate change summit's last day. No thanks, unfortunately, to Canada
Dec 17, 2009
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/us-initiative-canadian-passivity/article1404727/

Harper lies low in Copenhagen

With Canada staking out unpopular ground, PM opts not to address plenary session during his first day at UN climate-change summit
Dec 17, 2009
Shawn McCarthy
The Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-lies-low-in-copenhagen/article1404101/

Clinton warns of ‘deal breaker' on $100-billion climate pact

U.S. Secretary of State warns U.S. will back down on financing pledge unless China, others commit to transparency in reporting greenhouse gas emissions
Dec 17, 2009
Eric Reguly
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/clinton-warns-of-deal-breaker-on-100-billion-climate-pact/article1403560/

Prentice delivers Canada's unpopular position

Harper leaves it to his Environment Minister to present plenary session with little in the way of specifics or commitments
Dec 17, 2009
Shawn McCarthy and Eric Reguly
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/climate-change/prentice-delivers-canadas-unpopular-position/article1404676/

Climate action: Canada's farms part of solution

Dec 17, 2009
Sylvain Charlebois
Special to The StarPhoenix
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/opinion/Climate+action+Canada+farms+part+solution/2350104/story.html

Trees: the most effective way to reduce emissions

Dec 17, 2009
Michael Scott
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/739863

The debate over wind

Dec 17, 2009
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/739843--the-debate-over-wind

Save the panet. End climate summits

Dec 17, 2009
Jonathon Narvey
National Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/12/17/jonathon-narvey-save-the-panet-end-climate-summits.aspx

The Copenhagen PR scam

Dec 17, 2009
National Post
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=2349715

This is no way to run a planet

The leaders in Copenhagen will reach some agreement. Politically, they have to
Dec 17, 2009
William Watson
Financial Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpcomment/archive/2009/12/17/william-watson-this-is-no-way-to-run-a-planet.aspx

Shale gas forces Stelmach to shift royalties

Dec 17, 2009
Archie McLean
Edmonton Journal
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/world/Shale+forces+Stelmach+shift+royalties/2353717/story.html

Giant wind turbines pose no health risk: study

Critics insist turbines can have 'devastating impacts'
Dec 16, 2009
The Associated Press
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/12/16/chatham-wind-turbine-study-091216.html

Another Earth-like planet found orbiting nearby star

Dec 16, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/12/16/tech-space-planet-red-star.html

Canada's a joke at climate talks

Dec 16, 2009
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/739272--canada-s-a-joke-at-climate-talks

Canada should lead climate fight

Dec 16, 2009
John Whalley
Financial Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpcomment/archive/2009/12/16/canada-should-lead-climate-fight.aspx

Oil sands pushing for regulatory relief

Canadian companies seek exemptions similar to what Washington is giving to U.S. coal
Dec 16, 2009
Shawn McCarthy
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/climate-change/oil-sands-pushing-for-regulatory-relief/article1403249/

Alberta's Wildrose leader is no shrinking violet

Danielle Smith is not entirely convinced there's a climate-change problem. And that will make the many skeptics in her province happy
Dec 16, 2009
Gary Mason
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/albertas-wildrose-leader-is-no-shrinking-violet/article1403149/

H1N1 'not done yet': Canada's top doctor

Dec 15, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/12/15/h1n1-canada.html

Malaria funds appear to be paying off: WHO

'Let's not claim success too soon,' advocacy group head says
Dec 15, 2009
The Associated Press
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/12/15/malaria-who.html

Mental health problems linger after SARS

Dec 15, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/12/15/sars-mental-health.html

On Nutrition: What Canadians need from their food labels

Dec 15, 2009
Jennifer Sygo
National Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theappetizer/archive/2009/12/15/on-nutrition-what-canadians-need-from-their-food-labels.aspx

Wind gets clean bill of health

Turbines do not make people sick, industry-funded study of impacts concludes
Dec 15, 2009
Tyler Hamilton
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/738734--wind-gets-clean-bill-of-health

Wind farms annoying but not harmful: Report

Dec 15, 2009
Mike De Souza
Canwest News Service
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Wind+farms+annoying+harmful+Report/2344246/story.html

The Burden of “Proof”

If you want absolute certainty on the causes of climate change, you're going to be waiting for a very, very long time
Dec 15, 2009
Rob Thacker
The Mark
http://www.themarknews.com/articles/758-the-burden-of-proof

Oh, for an open conversation about climate change

Doesn't Canada's government even want to take part in the debate?
Dec 15, 2009
Peter Robinson and Marlo Raynolds
Special to Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/oh-for-an-open-conversation-about-climate-change/article1401446/

In Copenhagen, oil-sands hypocrisy

Dec 15, 2009
National Post
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=2340657

The worst carbon-reduction scheme ever

Dec 15, 2009
Father Raymond J. de Souza
National Post
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2340660

The easy way to fight global warming. Too easy.

Dec 15, 2009
Kelly McParland
National Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/12/15/the-easy-way-to-fight-global-warming-too-easy.aspx

Canada’s Galileo government

The Copenhagen agreement will increase bureaucracy and Swiss bank accounts without helping the planet
Dec 15, 2009
Peter Foster
Financial Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/12/15/peter-foster-canada-s-galileo-government.aspx

Mass-produced electric car unveiled in Vancouver

Dec 14, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/12/14/bc-nissan-leaf-electric-car.html

Jewish women in Ontario offered free genetic test to prevent cancer

Toronto hospital foundation will pay for screening after study finds female Jews at increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, but many don't qualify for genetic testing
Dec 14, 2009
Lisa Priest
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/jewish-women-in-ontario-offered-free-genetic-test-to-prevent-cancer/article1399826/

Sept-Îles residents protest uranium exploration

Protesters back doctors who threaten to quit region
Dec 14, 2009
The Canadian Press
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/12/14/quebec-uranium-cp.html

Trusting Nature as the Climate Referee

Dec 14, 2009
JOHN TIERNEY
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/science/15tier.html?_r=3&n=Top%2fNews%2fScience%2fColumns%2fFindings

Ottawa funding group that promotes work of climate-change skeptics

Dec 14, 2009
The Canadian Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hOavBcwR8GDRKSF35tMpoirv0XKw

Feds have yet to pass any climate change legislation

Canada needs its own made-in-Canada policy, and it shouldn't follow the U.S., says former Grit environment minister David Anderson
Dec 14, 2009
HARRIS MACLEOD
The Hill Times
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/page/view/climateleg-12-14-2009

Yes Men take credit for fake climate releases

PMO spokesman criticizes 'childish pranks'
Dec 14, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/12/14/hoax-copenhagen-climate.html

Ontario and Quebec fear chill over climate pact

Two biggest provinces don't want to shoulder environmental burden for the sake of oil sands
Dec 14, 2009
Allan Woods
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/738400--ontario-and-quebec-fear-chill-over-climate-pact

Ontario, Quebec Attack Oil Sands

We won't carry extra emission burden, provinces say
Dec 14, 2009
Kelly Cryderman
Canwest News Service
http://www.nationalpost.com/related/links/story.html?id=2337734

Prankster group Yes Men take credit for Canada climate hoax

Dec 14, 2009
Kelly Cryderman
Canwest News Service
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2340101

Canada stung by fake CO2 emissions targets

Dec 14, 2009
AFP
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hSYkualJNtYtIWZxw6QpGfhLhjUA

How Science Blew the 'Climategate' Attack

Global warming is still fact, but a bumbling response helped deniers cloud the public's understanding
Dec 14, 2009
Colleen Kimmett
TheTyee.ca
http://thetyee.ca/News/2009/12/14/Climategate/

The political hurdles of climate change

In the real world beyond Copenhagen, it’s internal bickering over emissions that’s the deal-breaker
Dec 14, 2009
Jeffrey Simpson
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/the-political-hurdles-of-climate-change/article1400140/

Assertive action on climate change isn't yet a bread and butter issue

Voters are the only group whose opinion really matters to the Tories
Dec 14, 2009
Michael Adams and Keith Neuman
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/assertive-action-on-climate-change-isnt-yet-a-bread-and-butter-issue/article1400167/

73% of Canadians want global warming policy delay for economic reasons or doubts over scientific certainty

Dec 14, 2009
Matthew Johnston
Western Standard.ca
http://westernstandard.blogs.com/shotgun/2009/12/73-of-canadians-want-global-warming-policy-delay-for-economic-reasons-or-doubts-over-scientific-cert.html

Canada's worst enemy at Copenhagen is itself

Dec 14, 2009
Don Martin
National Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/12/14/don-martin-canada-s-worst-enemy-at-copenhagen-is-itself.aspx

A cleaner grid

Dec 14, 2009
Derek H. Burney
National Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/12/14/derek-h-burney-a-cleaner-grid.aspx

The Nigerian solution for climate change

Dec 14, 2009
Kelly McParland
National Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/12/14/kelly-mcparland-the-nigerian-solution-for-climate-change.aspx

Listen to Jack Mintz; not David Suzuki

Dec 14, 2009
Stephen Gordon
National Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/12/14/stephen-gordon-listen-to-jack-mintz-not-david-suzuki.aspx

Why I don't care about global warming

Dec 14, 2009
John Moore
National Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/12/14/john-moore-why-i-don-t-care-about-global-warming.aspx

Why I am no longer a skeptic on climate change

Dec 14, 2009
Jonathan Abrams
National Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/12/14/jonathan-abrams-on-climate-change.aspx

Canada needs a level playing field

Dec 12, 2009
Andrew Leach
Edmonton Journal
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/Canada+needs+level+playing+field/2333894/story.html

A dose of skepticism is healthy

I'm perfectly willing to trust the climate experts. But isn't doubt an integral part of serious research?
Dec 11, 2009
Lysiane Gagnon
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/a-dose-of-skepticism-is-healthy/article1397938/

Climate science under attack

Dec 11, 2009
Andrew Weaver
Ottawa Citizen
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/Climate+science+under+attack/2331806/story.html