Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Attawapiskat
Attawapiskat Human Rights and Housing Problems
The problems within Attawapiskat are not very complicated, but the responsibility to solve these problems are. The very obvious problem is in housing and quality of life of natives; more than 100 people have been living in wood-frame tents, repurposed garages and sheds, and two large trailers that were donated by the De Beers mining. Another issue is the lack of a school for the children of this settlement. Unfortunately this community is also troubled with alcoholism, a problem that was introduced by the DeBeers mining company after 2005.
The entire community is falling apart now and everyone is desperate to find someone to hold responsible so that they can be saved. Though not legally bound to help the native reserve the federal government claimed to have already sent $90 million dollars to Attawapiskat and blames local band council for misusing the money and taking much f it for themselves. The Council has responded claiming that they never received the money that they were promised.
The provincial government is technically responsible for education within its province but is not willing to pay for Attawapiskat's new school because the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is responsible for education of First Nations. However the department does not feel they have enough power or money to get anything done without the help of the government.
At the same time DeBeers has made promises that they have not kept. An Impact Benefit Agreement was signed in 2005 by bothAttawapiskat community members and De Beers Canada outlining financial compensation, training and job opportunities for aboriginals and additional building materials, if available, would be given to the community. Blockades were set up Feb 6 when community felt De Beers was not living up to the agreements set out in an impact benefit agreement (IBA) signed by the mining company and the community : zero tolerance for racism and discrimination, pay equity, a new school, and housing in the community.
The community's pleas for new school and for support have been ignored by all parties involved. Is Canada doing the First Nation's wrong by not paying millions more? We have done great injustices to our natives like many other nations have to their own, but is it a corporation this time and are they responsible?
The problems within Attawapiskat are not very complicated, but the responsibility to solve these problems are. The very obvious problem is in housing and quality of life of natives; more than 100 people have been living in wood-frame tents, repurposed garages and sheds, and two large trailers that were donated by the De Beers mining. Another issue is the lack of a school for the children of this settlement. Unfortunately this community is also troubled with alcoholism, a problem that was introduced by the DeBeers mining company after 2005.
The entire community is falling apart now and everyone is desperate to find someone to hold responsible so that they can be saved. Though not legally bound to help the native reserve the federal government claimed to have already sent $90 million dollars to Attawapiskat and blames local band council for misusing the money and taking much f it for themselves. The Council has responded claiming that they never received the money that they were promised.
The provincial government is technically responsible for education within its province but is not willing to pay for Attawapiskat's new school because the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is responsible for education of First Nations. However the department does not feel they have enough power or money to get anything done without the help of the government.
At the same time DeBeers has made promises that they have not kept. An Impact Benefit Agreement was signed in 2005 by both
The community's pleas for new school and for support have been ignored by all parties involved. Is Canada doing the First Nation's wrong by not paying millions more? We have done great injustices to our natives like many other nations have to their own, but is it a corporation this time and are they responsible?
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Globalization of Trade, Capital, and Now Talent
Immigration undergoes a sea of change
As countries continue to suffer economic problems and people face lack of jobs, the topic of immigration is under review. But unlike in the past, immigration is no longer a problem and countries as a whole are being viewed in a whole different way.
The lines of what is a country is being blurred. It is becoming a more virtual idea rather than a physical community. Because of this it makes sense that the idea of immigration would change as well. Talented people are adopting a nomadic life style, not calling one country thier home. Or if they have a home it is one of many and they do thier business in an entirly differet one.
Doing business in other countries is what sparks interest. It is just another step of globablization. Talent is being spread and shared across the world. Immigration is now a way to circulate information and ideas around the globe.
India in particular is on board and ready to surf this new wave of change. They are using it effectively and the rest of the world too is starting to get look at the options and opprotunites that will come with this face of globalization.
Immigration may no longer be something countries fear during economic hard times, but rather something they will welcome even more.
As countries continue to suffer economic problems and people face lack of jobs, the topic of immigration is under review. But unlike in the past, immigration is no longer a problem and countries as a whole are being viewed in a whole different way.
The lines of what is a country is being blurred. It is becoming a more virtual idea rather than a physical community. Because of this it makes sense that the idea of immigration would change as well. Talented people are adopting a nomadic life style, not calling one country thier home. Or if they have a home it is one of many and they do thier business in an entirly differet one.
Doing business in other countries is what sparks interest. It is just another step of globablization. Talent is being spread and shared across the world. Immigration is now a way to circulate information and ideas around the globe.
India in particular is on board and ready to surf this new wave of change. They are using it effectively and the rest of the world too is starting to get look at the options and opprotunites that will come with this face of globalization.
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Climate Change
How much did humans contribute to this Years extreme weather events?
Economically 2011 has been the worst year for natural weather disasters. Though scientists say it is too soon to blame increasing greenhouse gas emissions, they do strongly believe where is a correlation between the two figures.
Floods, droughts, record highs, record lows; 2011 has dished out planet earth some of its worst.
In total there have been 5 major floods this year. In China more than 48 million people were directly affected by one flood. Indirectly the Thai flood is affecting the world. Also more than 11 million people have been affected by the Somalia drought. So it is obvious that weather abnormalities are no longer simply intensive but extensive, effecting many people.
While scientists are not willing to make concrete conclusions some nations have chosen to be proactive and invest in clean air projects and further research. Canada is promising $500 million to clean air projects, research, and initiatives across the nation.
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| Flooding in Utah |
Floods, droughts, record highs, record lows; 2011 has dished out planet earth some of its worst.
In total there have been 5 major floods this year. In China more than 48 million people were directly affected by one flood. Indirectly the Thai flood is affecting the world. Also more than 11 million people have been affected by the Somalia drought. So it is obvious that weather abnormalities are no longer simply intensive but extensive, effecting many people.
While scientists are not willing to make concrete conclusions some nations have chosen to be proactive and invest in clean air projects and further research. Canada is promising $500 million to clean air projects, research, and initiatives across the nation.
Future of Kyoto Protocol
Rumours have just come out that our government is planning on abandoning our obligations to the Kyoto Protocol. Though they are denying it at present they do believe it has failed.
The main reason the government is arguing it has fail is that the USA and China are not a part of the agreement. Therefore they believe anything Canada does will be pointless as our air will continually be polluted by these two giants.
Liberal opponents are quick to point out to our Conservative government that they have legal and moral obligations to abide by the protocol. That clean air is a promise we made to future generations.
There are no hard facts that our Government wishes to abandon the protocol. I agree with our conservatives that Kyoto has failed and will fail unless everyone is in it together. At the same time I agree with our liberals that above all else we have an obligation. We are responsible for what actions we take, and not what the world does.
When it comes to Kyoto we are failing it and this needs to change, and dropping the agreement is not the answer. So I sincerely hope we stick it out and try and turn this around. Otherwise we really are internationally humiliating our self, but worst of all we are stealing from our children.
Monday, 14 November 2011
'Peak Oil' Crisis
Oil Running Out?
In 1956 Marion King Hubberts, a geoscientist with Shell in Huston predicted the end of oil. He said that oil production would peak out in 1969 and decline, ultimately increasing prices of oil and ceasing to meet global demands. Effectively the world saw this exact thing happen.
It is still happening today with more oil being used than produced and more wells being dried up than new ones being found. Since 2000 only one barrel of oil is found for every 4 barrels we use. What we are seeing is what Dr. Colin J. Campbell, a petroleum geologist who did work with Hubberts, says is the permanent end of cheap oil.
According to BP Statistical Review of World Energy, 18 major oil-producing countries have passed their peak production. At the same time the world is consuming more and more. The problem is obvious.
See A Crude Awakening- The Oil Crash for more information on the Peak Oil Crisis.
In 1956 Marion King Hubberts, a geoscientist with Shell in Huston predicted the end of oil. He said that oil production would peak out in 1969 and decline, ultimately increasing prices of oil and ceasing to meet global demands. Effectively the world saw this exact thing happen.
It is still happening today with more oil being used than produced and more wells being dried up than new ones being found. Since 2000 only one barrel of oil is found for every 4 barrels we use. What we are seeing is what Dr. Colin J. Campbell, a petroleum geologist who did work with Hubberts, says is the permanent end of cheap oil.
To complicate matters further OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) countries and oil companies are not being honest about how much they are actually producing. Reserves that are claimed to hold 49million barrels have been found to have only 8 million. Saudi Arabia, the #1 oil producing nation in the world, is claiming to have 257.5 barrels of oil still. Yet there is only "130 billion barrels of proven reserves".
The oil picture just gets bleaker too. China and India are buying into the game. China is aiming to consume 200 million barrels a year by 2015. At present they are the second largest consumer with 17 million tonnes per year. Potentially China will only add 12.5 million barrels per year to the world market.
According to BP Statistical Review of World Energy, 18 major oil-producing countries have passed their peak production. At the same time the world is consuming more and more. The problem is obvious.
See A Crude Awakening- The Oil Crash for more information on the Peak Oil Crisis.
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