This week,

  • We go live with our new toll-free talkback number, 1-888-4-MY-CIUT, or (888) 469-2488. Call in with your opinions or feedback about the show, and we’ll try to play your comments on the coming week’s program.
  • New theological contributor Simon Watson interviews Dennis Patrick O’Hara, Director of the Elliott Allen Institute for Theology and Ecology at the University of St. Michael’s College, about bringing together voices in science and theology to heal the earth.
  • Elise Haughton speaks about what are kids learning about the environment in Ontario during Climate Change and the Coming Energy Crisis, held by Peace Magazine.

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The news in brief:

  • Documents obtained by Radio-Canada indicate that, just days after the federal Conservative government won the previous election, representatives met with US delegates to negotiate a five-fold increase in Alberta oilsands production, with “streamlined” environmental procedures;
  • Imperial Oil Ltd. was fined $100,000, plus a victim fine surcharge, after being convicted of discharging a significant quantity of sand-like material that settled on a residential area;
  • Ontario Liberals are seeking public input on a regulation that would ban the burning of used oil in space heaters;
  • The Ontario government also issued approvals permitting Lafarge to collect, store and burn various wastes, including used tires, which are slated for waste diversion;
  • The CBC reports that Dion called for the Green Party to be included in the televised leaders’ debate (click here for a petition);
  • The Conservative government announced $230 million in new funding for the development of clean energy technologies;
  • Deadly winter storms have hit Europe and the US, hurting crops and bringing entire national transportation networks to a standstill;
  • Saudi Arabia plans to step up oil production by 40% to meet growing demand;
  • A meeting of Southeast Asian and Pacific nations yielded a vague plan to curb pollution and promote biofuels;
  • British scientists have drafted a plan to save the planet’s strangest animals.

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