Climate Change Deaths Could Total 100 Million By 2030 If World Fails To Act

LONDON, Sept 26 (Reuters) - More than 100 million people will die and global economic growth will be cut by 3.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030 if the world fails to tackle climate change, a report commissioned by 20 governments said on Wednesday.

As global average temperatures rise due to greenhouse gas emissions, the effects on the planet, such as melting ice caps, extreme weather, drought and rising sea levels, will threaten populations and livelihoods, said the report conducted by humanitarian organisation DARA.

The Massachusetts Senate Race Gets Ugly, Fast

Last week’s debate between Senator Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren showcased each candidates strategy for the final stretch, in what polls show is a very close race: Warren, as John Nichols wrote, smoothly made the case that even if voters like Brown, his re-election could return Republicans to the very crucial control of the Senate.

Brown, meanwhile, telegraphed his strategy pretty clearly in his opening statement. He spent almost all of it hitting Warren over the silly “Cherokee” controversy, and derisively referred to her as “professor” throughout the debate. (At some points during her professional career, Warren claimed on forms or to employers that she has Native American heritage, which is true—though it’s only one-thirty-second of her lineage. But she never used it to get hired under any sort of affirmative action program, and her employers have said it was always irrelevant. So this amounts to a big nothing-burger).

Why I Refuse to Vote for Barack Obama

Tell certain liberals and progressives that you can't bring yourself to vote for a candidate who opposes gay rights, or who doesn't believe in Darwinian evolution, and they'll nod along. Say that you'd never vote for a politician caught using the 'n'-word, even if you agreed with him on more policy issues than his opponent, and the vast majority of left-leaning Americans would understand. But these same people cannot conceive of how anyone can discern Mitt Romney's flaws, which I've chronicled in the course of the campaign, and still not vote for Obama.

More Guns, More Mass Shootings—Coincidence?

In the fierce debate that always follows the latest mass shooting, it's an argument you hear frequently from gun rights promoters: If only more people were armed, there would be a better chance of stopping these terrible events. This has plausibility problems—what are the odds that, say, a moviegoer with a pack of Twizzlers in one pocket and a Glock in the other would be mentally prepared, properly positioned, and skilled enough to take out a body-armored assailant in a smoke- and panic-filled theater? But whether you believe that would happen is ultimately a matter of theory and speculation. Instead, let's look at some facts gathered in a two-month investigation by Mother Jones.

Worst Prime Minister: Harper Most Popular Choice In New Poll Of Leaders Since 1968

More than a quarter of Canadians think Stephen Harper is the worst prime minister since 1968, according to a new poll from Angus Reid.

The findings come hot on the heels of a poll from Abacus Data which found 50 per cent of Canadians disapprove of Harper. The findings also agree with an informal poll on the best prime minister ever conducted by HuffPost Canada earlier this year in which readers ranked Harper dead last.

In the Angus Reid survey, Harper was judged most harshly by Atlantic Canadians, Quebecers and British Columbians.

Original Article
Source: huffington post
Author: The Huffington Post Canada

Ontario Property Tax Hike Will See Homeowners Pay 18 Per Cent More Over 4 Years

PICKERING, Ont. — Ontario homeowners will see the determined value of their houses rise 4.5 per cent in each of the next four years — and may face tax increases as a result — following a report that found property values have risen 18 per cent since the last update in 2008.

The report released Tuesday by Ontario's Municipal Property Assessment Corp. said property owners will see an average assessment increase of 4.5 per cent in each year for the next four years as it phases in the increases.

22 Minutes Mocks Rob Ford's Geography

22 Minutes is joining the widespread mockery of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford for confusing Winnipeg and Windsor on a trip to Chicago last week.

On Tuesday night's episode, cast member Mark Critch shows us how a map of North America looks to Ford. Let's just say poutine, NFL football and Ford Nation are involved in the cartography.

Ford, and his brother Councillor Doug Ford, have been giving satirists plenty of material to work with over the past few weeks.

Toronto's mayor has been under fire for allegedly using city resources to help run a football team he coaches and for reportedly making sure the road in front of his family's business was repaired ahead of schedule.

On Sunday, the Brothers Ford lashed out against the media on their radio show. On Monday, Councillor Ford referred to the media as "pricks."

Perhaps, Marg Delahunty should pay Councillor Ford a visit.

Last year, Mayor Ford called the police after 22 Minutes contributor Mary Walsh showed up at his house for an unscheduled interview dressed as her alter ego, warrior princess Marg Delahunty.

We think she would have a good time with Doug as well.

    This Hour Has 22 Minutes airs on CBC TV Tuesday nights at 8:30 p.m. Catch more clips of the show on Facebook and Twitter.

Original Article
Source: huffington post
Author:

Arctic Sea Ice Coverage 'At Lowest Level For A Million Years', Says Researcher

Sea ice in the Arctic has melted to below four-million square kilometres, the lowest it has been for a million years, according to a noted sea ice geophysicist and climatologist.

Professor John Yackel from the University of Calgary said: "This is the smallest minimum ice extent we've ever had, and not just in the satellite record, but probably in the last million years."

Revamped Canadian Wheat Board faces 1st test

The Canadian Wheat Board is facing its first test in the open market, competing with other grain companies to get farmers' business this fall.

The federal Conservative government stripped the agency of its monopoly on wheat and barley sales in August, meaning Prairie producers can sell their grain to the board or to other companies.

Staff at the Winnipeg-based CWB are now trying to convince farmers to sign up for its early delivery wheat pool by a Friday deadline, as it seeks a high buy-in rate to prove it is still relevant in the open market.

MacKay accused of trying to undercut military ombudsman

Defence Minister Peter MacKay brushed aside concerns the Conservative government is trying to undercut the role of the Canadian Forces ombudsman, saying he, as minister, can be relied on to stand up for the country’s soldiers.

A battle has been brewing between Canadian Forces Ombudsman Pierre Daigle and the senior military leadership, who now say they don’t recognize the military watchdog’s authority over some of the complaints soldiers bring to the ombudsman’s office.

On Monday, MacKay also warned Daigle not to advocate on behalf of the soldiers.