Monthly Archives: December 2014

Fukushima “fallout”: issues in reporting scientific research in the popular media

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Blair

I had other articles planned but a news report just popped up on my twitter feed that just begs to be discussed in the context of issues in reporting scientific research in the popular media. The article appeared in our … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics | 2 Comments

On renewables and the need for compromise Part IV: biofuels – just bad or really bad?

Posted on December 28, 2014 by Blair

So I have threatened you all with a post on biofuels for a while and I suppose it is time to actually give it to you. A quick look at the post title gives you a hint of my personal … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewable Energy | 18 Comments

On renewables and the need for compromise, Part III: Geothermal redux

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Blair

So after preparing my first post on geothermal energy and the need for compromise, I was challenged by the Executive Director of DeSmogCanada who asked “Who has actually opposed geothermal? I haven’t heard any backlash“. My response was muted as my … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewable Energy | 7 Comments

On renewables and compromises Part II Rare earths in renewable technologies

Posted on December 25, 2014 by Blair

In my first post on renewables I wrote about geothermal energy and the compromises we need to make in order to make geothermal energy a reality in BC. As everyone knows, geothermal isn’t the only type of renewable energy available … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewable Energy | 10 Comments

Modern Environmental Fairy Tales: "Moving Back to the Land" and the 100 Mile Diet

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Blair

When I socialize with my environmental friends one of the most common themes is their dream to move “off the grid” and live off the land. This idea of moving to a neo-Walden and experiencing a Thoreau-like existence seems to … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmentalism and Ecomodernism | 7 Comments

Modern Environmentalism: Trying to replicate the Clayoquot

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Blair

In early 1990, I was hired as a research assistant by a pair of Chemistry Professors at the University of Victoria (UVic). One of the professors was also the Chair of the brand new University of Victoria School of Environmental … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmentalism and Ecomodernism | 2 Comments

On renewables and the need for compromise, Part I: Geothermal

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Blair

So as I’ve mentioned previously, I see a next step in the eventual move to decarbonization being the development and implementation of renewables as alternatives. Anyone with an interest in the topic of renewables in BC should spend several hours … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Renewable Energy | 5 Comments

About that climate "consensus" we keep reading about

Posted on December 14, 2014 by Blair

As described in my last post, I am a “lukewarmer”. That means I acknowledge the scientific principles underlying the theory of AGW. I have little difficulty with the general findings of the IPCC and that anthropogenic sources are responsible for … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change | 2 Comments

My Lukewarmer post, or how to lose friends on both sides in the AGW debate:

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Blair

 So in my first couple posts I have talked about pipelines and fossil fuels, but people seem unwilling to accept my views on pipelines until I answer the big question: where do I sit on the topic of anthropogenic global … Continue reading →

Posted in Lukewarmers | 6 Comments

On being labelled “pro-oil” and ”pro-pipeline”

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Blair

The morning I found myself in the very interesting position of being the foil in a thoughtful and well-written piece in the Tyee. The piece recounts a Twitter discussion between myself and the author regarding the Burnaby Mountain protest. While … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Energy East, Pipelines, Trans Mountain | 3 Comments