Urban

[Editor: We are aware of how we are using coal, oil, water, arable land, minerals and so on but how many of us have considered sand as a critical and diminishing resource?  You can watch this interesting film at the Knowledge Network site until April 1, 2017.]

https://www.knowledge.ca/program/sand-wars

[Wepage editors note: More evidence that the Trudeau Liberal government is 'more of the same'] 

The Massey Tunnel replacement project will not be subject to a federal environmental review, according to a letter sent to Metro Vancouver’s board of directors.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Christy Clark and most of Canada’s premiers recently signed the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. “Framework” is a good title for this agreement — it is barely a start on what is needed. But it contains a policy shift that could dramatically reduce climate pollution from transportation.

The rental building under construction at the corner of East Hastings and Skeena Street looks similar to countless others being built around the city. But one detail, noted in small print on the promotional sign, calls attention to the difference: it aims to be designated a “Passive House,” a highly energy efficient building. It’s one of only a handful of buildings or houses in Vancouver that either have the designation or are targeting it. Once certified, the Heights — as it’s been dubbed by the developer — will be the largest building in Canada that’s met the Passive House standard.

The High Court judgement on air pollution is an opportunity to rethink our whole transport system.

published in the Guardian 9th November 2016

No adverse reports from pipeline companies but town of Cushing suffers 'quite a bit of damage'

A sharp earthquake centred near one of the world's key oil hubs Sunday night triggered fears that the magnitude 5.0 temblor might have damaged key infrastructure in addition to causing what police described as "quite a bit of damage" in the Oklahoma prairie town of Cushing.

Public transit lies at the intersection of several critical social struggles today. Affordable (or free) public transit is an important mechanism for redistribution, and particularly targets low income women and people of colour. A central component of public policies to address climate change must be mass expenditures on public transit to reduce reliance on private cars and fossil fuels. Mass transit also enables an increase in the density and livability of cities.