OK,
after attending the Environment Canada review of the proposed Terrane Metals Mt. Milligan mine northwest of Prince George last night, I have to come out of retirement re: writing letters to the Prince George Citizen editor . . . .!
More on this later.
I will be at the 350 rally here in Prince George tomorrow (www.350.org) - so exciting to see such an international campaign coming together. . . I hope to get some signatures on a petition to ask Prince George Mayor Rogers to step down from the Northern Gateway Alliance www.northerngatewayalliance.ca in support of Enbridge. . . prejudicial to be supporting them at this early stage.
Then I will be heading out to Kakwa Ecovillage for a Harvest Celebration . . .
will post more soon.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Community Climate Rally this weekend
Please come out and join with others who care about climate change and the Canadian government's inaction leading up to Copenhagen -- part of an international campaign of action movement this coming Saturday - RALLY TO BE HELD HERE IN DOWNTOWN PRINCE GEORGE!
10 am - March starts at 6th & Victoria Street (by Cimo's)11 am - Rally at PG Civic Centre
www.350.org Please, spread the word, thanks Mary
10 am - March starts at 6th & Victoria Street (by Cimo's)11 am - Rally at PG Civic Centre
www.350.org Please, spread the word, thanks Mary
Thursday, October 15, 2009
finding the peaceful energy & inspiration to cope with the challenges of being human these days
Sometimes the challenges confronting the human world these days can be absolutely overwhelming to say the least, that is, unless you are simply choosing not to pay attention to what is going on (which maybe is the best way to be sometimes. . . I am still not really sure. . . )
Earlier today, I felt overwhelmed. Earlier this week I listened to an interview with Australian author and scientist Tim Flannery who was discussing his view that we have about 15 years at the most to turn the current human way of being/ operating on the world in order to possibly avoid catastrophic climate change. He stated that beyond that timeframe, what will happen with the climate & Earth's weather patterns will become absolutely unpredictable & out of our control if we do not act to significantly reduce carbon emissions before then. Meanwhile, I am driving around in my vehicle for work feeling like something of an environmental sabateur & hypocrite which puts quite a toll on my conscience -- is this the right way to be spending my time these days? Then, I get an email from biologist Alexandra Morton on the west coast (her blog listed as one of my favourites under my profile) that only 71 fish (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) were counted in the Nechako River System this year when the forecast was for 374,000. . . many creeks, zero were counted. I checked the Prince George Citizen blogsite and read the article about local conservation officers seizing seven illegally-harvested moose over the weekend, hunted by people without hunting licenses. . . what else? Oh yeah, Enbridge is wining and dining the Chamber of Commerce in Vanderhoof, selling them on this oil pipeline thing . . . throwing money around at northerners to buy us & our communities over. . . and the strange kind of surreal & disturbing disconnect with what this oil pipeline really is & what it means for the future direction of Canada & this area. . . I listened to the radio news, the same old status quo stuff day in and day out, dictating to us what is important and omittting into silence that which is not considered important. . .
but then there were the bright spots in the day too. . . having my health, spending time with family, enjoying basic rights and freedoms, receiving a link to a very inspiring movie trailer about northern BC swimmer Ali Howard who swam the full length of the Skeena River to try to protect it from harsh industrial developments that would threaten it http://doublehaulproductions.com/awakening.php. I went for a walk in the forest and sat quietly beside a marsh. When I arrived, my mood was frenetic and upset by too much bad news and too many fears - when I left, I was much calmer. On the walk out all of a sudden, the forest around me became vibrantly alive. A sudden wind rustled audibly through the forest, birds near and far sang, and a squirrel came down to a low branch nearby and chattered at me holding tightly to its pine cone it was taking to its shelter somewhere to store away for the winter. It may sound flaky but I felt the energy of the place - it is a powerful energy that we cannot fully understand amidst the general ratrace of human life these days.
It is an energy that we need to connect with, become part of - the energy that tells us we cannot understand the reason for everything that happens. There is a bigger picture at play beyond one's comprehension. . . we have to believe in that bigger picture & the enduring power of goodness and hope, even in the darkest hours. It is an energy found in these silent reflective moments spent in a forest or other calming space.
And on a personal level, we can only do our best. When all is said and done at the end of the day, that is a legacy we will leave.
Earlier today, I felt overwhelmed. Earlier this week I listened to an interview with Australian author and scientist Tim Flannery who was discussing his view that we have about 15 years at the most to turn the current human way of being/ operating on the world in order to possibly avoid catastrophic climate change. He stated that beyond that timeframe, what will happen with the climate & Earth's weather patterns will become absolutely unpredictable & out of our control if we do not act to significantly reduce carbon emissions before then. Meanwhile, I am driving around in my vehicle for work feeling like something of an environmental sabateur & hypocrite which puts quite a toll on my conscience -- is this the right way to be spending my time these days? Then, I get an email from biologist Alexandra Morton on the west coast (her blog listed as one of my favourites under my profile) that only 71 fish (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) were counted in the Nechako River System this year when the forecast was for 374,000. . . many creeks, zero were counted. I checked the Prince George Citizen blogsite and read the article about local conservation officers seizing seven illegally-harvested moose over the weekend, hunted by people without hunting licenses. . . what else? Oh yeah, Enbridge is wining and dining the Chamber of Commerce in Vanderhoof, selling them on this oil pipeline thing . . . throwing money around at northerners to buy us & our communities over. . . and the strange kind of surreal & disturbing disconnect with what this oil pipeline really is & what it means for the future direction of Canada & this area. . . I listened to the radio news, the same old status quo stuff day in and day out, dictating to us what is important and omittting into silence that which is not considered important. . .
but then there were the bright spots in the day too. . . having my health, spending time with family, enjoying basic rights and freedoms, receiving a link to a very inspiring movie trailer about northern BC swimmer Ali Howard who swam the full length of the Skeena River to try to protect it from harsh industrial developments that would threaten it http://doublehaulproductions.com/awakening.php. I went for a walk in the forest and sat quietly beside a marsh. When I arrived, my mood was frenetic and upset by too much bad news and too many fears - when I left, I was much calmer. On the walk out all of a sudden, the forest around me became vibrantly alive. A sudden wind rustled audibly through the forest, birds near and far sang, and a squirrel came down to a low branch nearby and chattered at me holding tightly to its pine cone it was taking to its shelter somewhere to store away for the winter. It may sound flaky but I felt the energy of the place - it is a powerful energy that we cannot fully understand amidst the general ratrace of human life these days.
It is an energy that we need to connect with, become part of - the energy that tells us we cannot understand the reason for everything that happens. There is a bigger picture at play beyond one's comprehension. . . we have to believe in that bigger picture & the enduring power of goodness and hope, even in the darkest hours. It is an energy found in these silent reflective moments spent in a forest or other calming space.
And on a personal level, we can only do our best. When all is said and done at the end of the day, that is a legacy we will leave.
Friday, October 9, 2009
wondering about PetroChina in Canada. . .
Am very concerned about Petro China's bid to take over $1.9 billion interest in the Alberta tar sands and I am going to outline some of the reasons below.
First, here is the email I wrote to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the response I today received back from his office - this email outlines my major concern.
Subject : PetroChina & oil sands
Email from Mary Mac to Prime Minister Stephen Harper: I have heard of PetroChina's intentions to purchase major interests in the Alberta oil sands. I also understand the federal government is in a position to review this pending deal. I am writing to urge you to look SERIOUSLY at this proposed purchase. As I understand it, PetroChina has a less-than-positive role (to say the least) in such nations as the Sudan.They have been implicated in serious human rights violations. I am concerned about the future legacy for Canada if such companies are allowed to come in and take such major interests over Canadian resources. Please, consider this issue very carefully & do what you can to safeguard Canada for future generations. Sincerely, Mary Mac in Prince George, British Columbia
Response Email received today from Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office: Dear Ms. Mac: On behalf of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, I would like to thank you for your e-mail regarding foreign investment in the oil sands. You may be assured that your comments have been given careful consideration. As they will also be of interest to the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, I have taken the liberty of forwarding copies of your message to them. I am certain that the Ministers will give your views every consideration. Thank you for taking the time to share your views with the Prime Minister on this important issue. P. MonteithExecutive Correspondence Officerfor the Prime Minister's OfficeAgent de correspondancede la haute directionpour le Cabinet du Premier ministre from
On this same issue of PetroChina's plans to hugely move into the tar sands, below is an article I took from http://www.tarsandswatch.org/ which outlines the issues of concern with the major PetroChina bid over the tar sands (aka oil sands). I am bold-fonting the issues that are directly relevant to Prince George & area and plans to punch Enbridge oil pipeline through here . . .
China's oil sands pushPosted: October 2, 2009 Section: Global Warming
Derek Brower, October 2009, Petroleum Economist--PetroChina has staked China's claim to Canada's oil sands, providing local developers with an export alternative to the US market, writes Derek Brower.
"THREAT to the new energy economy," reads the strapline on literature from the Dirty Oil Network, a coalition of environmental groups opposed to Canada's oil sands and the US' use of them.
China does not agree. At the end of August, one of its state-controlled companies, PetroChina, bought a 60% stake in two new oil-sands projects, paying Athabasca Oil Sands (AOSC) C$1.9bn ($1.7bn) for control of the MacKay River and Dover developments.
The two AOSC properties could eventually produce around 0.5m barrels a day (b/d), based on 5bn barrels of reserves. AOSC has not set a schedule for development of the oil. Previously, the company was planning to export its bitumen to refineries in the US Midwest, where demand for Canadian heavy crude is expected to reach 2m b/d by 2015. The company says it would consider other export routes, too.
Provided the Canadian and Alberta governments approve the deal, the destination of the crude will be PetroChina's decision. Crucially, the Chinese company has backed a new pipeline to the west coast of Canada, which would open up a route for exports to its home market. Enbridge, the company that hopes to develop that 0.525m b/d line, could start building it next year. PetroChina has an agreement with Enbridge to take up to 50% of the capacity.
The AOSC deal makes sense for China, whose oil-sands presence had been notable for its restraint, especially in the recent boom years while other companies were rushing to invest. PetroChina's stake in AOSC will dwarf the positions held in the oil sands by two other Chinese state-controlled firms. CNOOC has a minority holding in a smaller project and Sinopec bought 10% of Total's Northern Lights development earlier this year.
Li Ka-Shing, a Chinese businessman, also owns a majority stake in Husky Energy, another oil-sands player. But Husky, which also has a downstream presence in Canada, is still considered a local firm.
It could also herald another round of acquisitions from China's state-owned energy companies. Last month, China National Petroleum Corporation, PetroChina's parent company, received a five-year discounted loan from the China Development Bank to help it buy more upstream assets overseas.
That might include another offer for YPF, the Argentine unit of Spain's Repsol, or part of it. CNPC failed to buy control of the company after offering almost $15bn for it earlier in the summer. It could also lead to further acquisitions in Alberta.
Strategic rewards
Strategically, the PetroChina deal looks rewarding for China and Canada. The US has long enjoyed a monopoly on Canadian oil exports and its control over the oil sands has annoyed many developers. Opening up a new export route to Asia – assuming this results from the PetroChina deal – would be welcome to some in the sector. Tom Katinas, chief executive of Syncrude, one of the largest oil-sands developers, told a conference last month that he would "love" to see infrastructure to the west coast brought on stream, "to be able to export some of the Alberta oil".
Others in Alberta are less sure. An editorial in the Calgary Herald, a staunch supporter of the oil sands, called on the federal government to block the deal. Citing China's human-rights record, its totalitarian regime and its aggressive pursuit of assets elsewhere, the newspaper suggested that if Canada accepted the deal, it would be hard-pressed to justify blocking any bigger purchases later.
Yet, so far, the indications are that the federal government will not interfere. Prime minister Stephen Harper said the government would "apply the law that's in place". That includes a review of any foreign acquisition of Canadian assets worth more than C$312m. He added, however, that his government had been "very clear that in the middle of a global recession we will not be introducing further barriers to foreign investment".
The Alberta government, a long-standing adherent to the principles of laissez-faire economics, is also inclined to accept PetroChina's acquisition. Its premier, Ed Stelmach, claimed it "shows that we are going to be game-changers in oil resources around the world". If PetroChina's bid triggers more Chinese interest, this would also inject momentum into the oil sands. Since the collapse in crude prices last year, about $100bn worth of projects have been shelved or scrapped.
The US, meanwhile, has watched the deal's progress with a degree of alarm, to judge by some comments from Congress. Yet for Canada, PetroChina's interests could not have come at a better time. New proposals in Congress aimed at curbing greenhouse-gas emissions have worried Canadian oil producers. Last month, Harper met President Barack Obama and reiterated his opposition to some of the new legislation, saying a plan to erect tariffs against countries that did not reduce emissions would "become a front for protectionism quicker than you can say 'hello'".
Meanwhile, environmental groups such as the Dirty Oil Network (which lists Greenpeace, the Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth and various other pressure groups as members) are hoping to reverse a decision by the State Department to allow construction of a new pipeline to supply bitumen from the oil sands to the Midwest. Enbridge's C$1.2bn Clipper project would export 450,000 b/d to Wisconsin and be on stream by 2010. In August, the secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, approved the project despite the vociferous campaign against it.
Alberta's executives resent the sway they believe such campaigners now hold in the US, and consider that the Obama administration is much less enthusiastic about the oil sands than was the Bush White House. Samuel Bodman, the Republican energy secretary under George Bush, was a frequent visitor to the oil sands, emphasising their strategic importance to the US. Since then, several US states have begun legislating against Canada's "dirty oil", despite a recent study showing that fuel produced from the oil sands is scarcely more carbon-intensive than fuel from other crudes.
In Alberta, the Enbridge decision was welcomed as a signal that the US has not forgotten its long-standing ally. But China's entry into the oil sands will remind the US that Canada has options. Even if PetroChina's investment remains financial – and none of AOSC's bitumen ever ends up in Asia – China will now control some of the Canadian crude refined in the Midwest's refineries.
That could be galling for the US, which resisted CNOOC's bid to buy Unocal in 2005 because it would be against the country's strategic interests. A controversial provision in the North American Free Trade Agreement guarantees the US a proportion of Canadian oil exports. But if PetroChina's arrival heralds sustained Chinese interest in the oil sands, the US might remember the value of Alberta's "dirty oil".
*******
Last month, PetroChina's parent China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) was awarded $260 million of engineering and construction contracts for an area known as Block 6, China’s largest oil and gas producer said on its website today.The contracts in Sudan include the expansion of a power plant and construction of two crude oil tanks with a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters each, CNPC said.Sudan had 5 billion barrels of proven oil reserves as of January, the fifth-biggest in Africa, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The majority of the reserves are located in the Muglad and Melut basins in the south. China is the country’s largest investor.China’s oil consumption doubled in the last decade to 8 million barrels a day in 2008, according to BP Plc’s Statistical Review. It imported about 3.6 million barrels of oil a day last year, meeting about 45 percent of its needs.Source: Report by Bloomberg News, Friday, October 9, 2009. Copy:PetroChina Parent Wins Engineering Contracts in Sudan (Update2)
China National Petroleum Corp. said it beat 13 bidders from countries including India to win seven engineering contracts in Sudan, holder of Africa’s fifth-largest crude oil reserves.A unit of China National Petroleum was awarded $260 million of engineering and construction contracts for an area known as Block 6 in September, China’s largest oil and gas producer said on its Web site today.China National Petroleum, the parent of Hong Kong-listed PetroChina Co., said last month it had received a $30 billion loan to fund overseas expansion as the world’s third-largest economy stepped up its hunt for energy resources overseas. China National Petroleum led the development of the first oilfield in Sudan where President Umar al-Bashir is accused by the International Criminal Court of committing war crimes in Darfur.“Given the good bilateral ties between China and Africa, Chinese companies have the advantage with infrastructure engineering contracts,” Wang Jing, chief oil analyst with Orient Securities Ltd., said by telephone in Shanghai.The contracts in Sudan include the expansion of a power plant and construction of two crude oil tanks with a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters each, China National Petroleum said.Sudan had 5 billion barrels of proven oil reserves as of January, the fifth-biggest in Africa, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The majority of the reserves are located in the Muglad and Melut basins in the south. China is the country’s largest investor in Darfur, In western region of Darfur, clashes between pro-government forces and rebels, along with tribal fighting, banditry and disease, have killed about 300,000 people, according to United Nations estimates. The rebels took up arms against the government in 2003 accusing it of neglecting the area. The government puts the death toll at about 10,000.China’s oil consumption doubled in the last decade to 8 million barrels a day in 2008, according to BP Plc’s Statistical Review. It imported about 3.6 million barrels of oil a day last year, meeting about 45 percent of its needs.To contact the reporter on this story: Ying Wang in Beijing at ywang30@bloomberg.net
And from http://stanford.wellsphere.com
Petrochina Blasted for Indirectly Supporting Human Rights Violations
Posted Jan 11 2009 3:38pm
Over 80 civil society organizations from 25 countries, along with government officials and activist actress Mia Farrow, have filed a complaint with the United Nations charging PetroChina, the publicly traded arm of China National Petroleum Company (CNPC), with indirectly supporting the Sudan regime that is responsible for the human rights crisis in Darfur. The complainants, who are coordinated by Investors Against Genocide (IAG) in collaboration with the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO), are issuing a double-barreled challenge. They're calling out PetroChina for not using its power and influence to persuade the Khartoum government to abandon its oft-demonstrated indifference to human rights, and they're also tasking the United Nations with enforcing the language in its Global Compact, which PetroChina has signed. With over 500 signatories, the Global Compact is the world's largest and best-known voluntary corporate social responsibility initiative. Its first principle states that businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights, while its second principle requires that businesses ensure they are not complicit in human rights abuses. The complaint charges PetroChina with violating both these principles. If a Global Compact signatory behaves in ways that are inconsistent with its commitment, the UN has an affirmative duty to de-list the organization. This is what the IAG coalition is asking the organization to do. Says IAG Chairperson Eric Cohen, If a company seeks legitimacy by joining the Global Compact, it should be required to have a genuine commitment. If the Compact's principles aren't enforced, the UN risks making the Global Compact an international joke. These are two mighty big meals that the IAG consortium is trying to digest. For all practical purposes, PetroChina is an arm of the Chinese government, and we all know how receptive that regime has been to chastisement by the international community. As for the UN, since its earliest days it's been characterized by the gaping chasm between its aspirations and its actions. To date this pattern has applied to the Global Compact as well: the UN has never de-listed an organization for substantive (as distinguished from procedural) reasons. In one fell swoop, the IAG group is asking the Chinese government, as fronted by PetroChina, to change its evil ways, and the UN to grow some teeth. IAG's Eric Cohen is cautiously optimistic about the chances for success. We're not asking PetroChina to threaten to withdraw from Sudan if the oil companies' demands aren't met, he says. We're only asking them to step up to their responsibility to be an ethically good business partner. As for the likelihood of getting the UN to enforce its integrity measures, I believe we can get the people in charge of the Global Compact to help the program actually be the agent for change it aspires to be, Cohen says. The world is on the move. Maybe it's ready for the changes we want to see.
First, here is the email I wrote to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the response I today received back from his office - this email outlines my major concern.
Subject : PetroChina & oil sands
Email from Mary Mac to Prime Minister Stephen Harper: I have heard of PetroChina's intentions to purchase major interests in the Alberta oil sands. I also understand the federal government is in a position to review this pending deal. I am writing to urge you to look SERIOUSLY at this proposed purchase. As I understand it, PetroChina has a less-than-positive role (to say the least) in such nations as the Sudan.They have been implicated in serious human rights violations. I am concerned about the future legacy for Canada if such companies are allowed to come in and take such major interests over Canadian resources. Please, consider this issue very carefully & do what you can to safeguard Canada for future generations. Sincerely, Mary Mac in Prince George, British Columbia
Response Email received today from Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office: Dear Ms. Mac: On behalf of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, I would like to thank you for your e-mail regarding foreign investment in the oil sands. You may be assured that your comments have been given careful consideration. As they will also be of interest to the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, I have taken the liberty of forwarding copies of your message to them. I am certain that the Ministers will give your views every consideration. Thank you for taking the time to share your views with the Prime Minister on this important issue. P. MonteithExecutive Correspondence Officerfor the Prime Minister's OfficeAgent de correspondancede la haute directionpour le Cabinet du Premier ministre from
On this same issue of PetroChina's plans to hugely move into the tar sands, below is an article I took from http://www.tarsandswatch.org/ which outlines the issues of concern with the major PetroChina bid over the tar sands (aka oil sands). I am bold-fonting the issues that are directly relevant to Prince George & area and plans to punch Enbridge oil pipeline through here . . .
China's oil sands pushPosted: October 2, 2009 Section: Global Warming
Derek Brower, October 2009, Petroleum Economist--PetroChina has staked China's claim to Canada's oil sands, providing local developers with an export alternative to the US market, writes Derek Brower.
"THREAT to the new energy economy," reads the strapline on literature from the Dirty Oil Network, a coalition of environmental groups opposed to Canada's oil sands and the US' use of them.
China does not agree. At the end of August, one of its state-controlled companies, PetroChina, bought a 60% stake in two new oil-sands projects, paying Athabasca Oil Sands (AOSC) C$1.9bn ($1.7bn) for control of the MacKay River and Dover developments.
The two AOSC properties could eventually produce around 0.5m barrels a day (b/d), based on 5bn barrels of reserves. AOSC has not set a schedule for development of the oil. Previously, the company was planning to export its bitumen to refineries in the US Midwest, where demand for Canadian heavy crude is expected to reach 2m b/d by 2015. The company says it would consider other export routes, too.
Provided the Canadian and Alberta governments approve the deal, the destination of the crude will be PetroChina's decision. Crucially, the Chinese company has backed a new pipeline to the west coast of Canada, which would open up a route for exports to its home market. Enbridge, the company that hopes to develop that 0.525m b/d line, could start building it next year. PetroChina has an agreement with Enbridge to take up to 50% of the capacity.
The AOSC deal makes sense for China, whose oil-sands presence had been notable for its restraint, especially in the recent boom years while other companies were rushing to invest. PetroChina's stake in AOSC will dwarf the positions held in the oil sands by two other Chinese state-controlled firms. CNOOC has a minority holding in a smaller project and Sinopec bought 10% of Total's Northern Lights development earlier this year.
Li Ka-Shing, a Chinese businessman, also owns a majority stake in Husky Energy, another oil-sands player. But Husky, which also has a downstream presence in Canada, is still considered a local firm.
It could also herald another round of acquisitions from China's state-owned energy companies. Last month, China National Petroleum Corporation, PetroChina's parent company, received a five-year discounted loan from the China Development Bank to help it buy more upstream assets overseas.
That might include another offer for YPF, the Argentine unit of Spain's Repsol, or part of it. CNPC failed to buy control of the company after offering almost $15bn for it earlier in the summer. It could also lead to further acquisitions in Alberta.
Strategic rewards
Strategically, the PetroChina deal looks rewarding for China and Canada. The US has long enjoyed a monopoly on Canadian oil exports and its control over the oil sands has annoyed many developers. Opening up a new export route to Asia – assuming this results from the PetroChina deal – would be welcome to some in the sector. Tom Katinas, chief executive of Syncrude, one of the largest oil-sands developers, told a conference last month that he would "love" to see infrastructure to the west coast brought on stream, "to be able to export some of the Alberta oil".
Others in Alberta are less sure. An editorial in the Calgary Herald, a staunch supporter of the oil sands, called on the federal government to block the deal. Citing China's human-rights record, its totalitarian regime and its aggressive pursuit of assets elsewhere, the newspaper suggested that if Canada accepted the deal, it would be hard-pressed to justify blocking any bigger purchases later.
Yet, so far, the indications are that the federal government will not interfere. Prime minister Stephen Harper said the government would "apply the law that's in place". That includes a review of any foreign acquisition of Canadian assets worth more than C$312m. He added, however, that his government had been "very clear that in the middle of a global recession we will not be introducing further barriers to foreign investment".
The Alberta government, a long-standing adherent to the principles of laissez-faire economics, is also inclined to accept PetroChina's acquisition. Its premier, Ed Stelmach, claimed it "shows that we are going to be game-changers in oil resources around the world". If PetroChina's bid triggers more Chinese interest, this would also inject momentum into the oil sands. Since the collapse in crude prices last year, about $100bn worth of projects have been shelved or scrapped.
The US, meanwhile, has watched the deal's progress with a degree of alarm, to judge by some comments from Congress. Yet for Canada, PetroChina's interests could not have come at a better time. New proposals in Congress aimed at curbing greenhouse-gas emissions have worried Canadian oil producers. Last month, Harper met President Barack Obama and reiterated his opposition to some of the new legislation, saying a plan to erect tariffs against countries that did not reduce emissions would "become a front for protectionism quicker than you can say 'hello'".
Meanwhile, environmental groups such as the Dirty Oil Network (which lists Greenpeace, the Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth and various other pressure groups as members) are hoping to reverse a decision by the State Department to allow construction of a new pipeline to supply bitumen from the oil sands to the Midwest. Enbridge's C$1.2bn Clipper project would export 450,000 b/d to Wisconsin and be on stream by 2010. In August, the secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, approved the project despite the vociferous campaign against it.
Alberta's executives resent the sway they believe such campaigners now hold in the US, and consider that the Obama administration is much less enthusiastic about the oil sands than was the Bush White House. Samuel Bodman, the Republican energy secretary under George Bush, was a frequent visitor to the oil sands, emphasising their strategic importance to the US. Since then, several US states have begun legislating against Canada's "dirty oil", despite a recent study showing that fuel produced from the oil sands is scarcely more carbon-intensive than fuel from other crudes.
In Alberta, the Enbridge decision was welcomed as a signal that the US has not forgotten its long-standing ally. But China's entry into the oil sands will remind the US that Canada has options. Even if PetroChina's investment remains financial – and none of AOSC's bitumen ever ends up in Asia – China will now control some of the Canadian crude refined in the Midwest's refineries.
That could be galling for the US, which resisted CNOOC's bid to buy Unocal in 2005 because it would be against the country's strategic interests. A controversial provision in the North American Free Trade Agreement guarantees the US a proportion of Canadian oil exports. But if PetroChina's arrival heralds sustained Chinese interest in the oil sands, the US might remember the value of Alberta's "dirty oil".
*******
On the international scene - particularly Africa - Petro China has a deplorable human rights record to date. . .
From http://sudanwatch.blogspot.com
Last month, PetroChina's parent China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) was awarded $260 million of engineering and construction contracts for an area known as Block 6, China’s largest oil and gas producer said on its website today.The contracts in Sudan include the expansion of a power plant and construction of two crude oil tanks with a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters each, CNPC said.Sudan had 5 billion barrels of proven oil reserves as of January, the fifth-biggest in Africa, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The majority of the reserves are located in the Muglad and Melut basins in the south. China is the country’s largest investor.China’s oil consumption doubled in the last decade to 8 million barrels a day in 2008, according to BP Plc’s Statistical Review. It imported about 3.6 million barrels of oil a day last year, meeting about 45 percent of its needs.Source: Report by Bloomberg News, Friday, October 9, 2009. Copy:PetroChina Parent Wins Engineering Contracts in Sudan (Update2)
China National Petroleum Corp. said it beat 13 bidders from countries including India to win seven engineering contracts in Sudan, holder of Africa’s fifth-largest crude oil reserves.A unit of China National Petroleum was awarded $260 million of engineering and construction contracts for an area known as Block 6 in September, China’s largest oil and gas producer said on its Web site today.China National Petroleum, the parent of Hong Kong-listed PetroChina Co., said last month it had received a $30 billion loan to fund overseas expansion as the world’s third-largest economy stepped up its hunt for energy resources overseas. China National Petroleum led the development of the first oilfield in Sudan where President Umar al-Bashir is accused by the International Criminal Court of committing war crimes in Darfur.“Given the good bilateral ties between China and Africa, Chinese companies have the advantage with infrastructure engineering contracts,” Wang Jing, chief oil analyst with Orient Securities Ltd., said by telephone in Shanghai.The contracts in Sudan include the expansion of a power plant and construction of two crude oil tanks with a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters each, China National Petroleum said.Sudan had 5 billion barrels of proven oil reserves as of January, the fifth-biggest in Africa, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The majority of the reserves are located in the Muglad and Melut basins in the south. China is the country’s largest investor in Darfur, In western region of Darfur, clashes between pro-government forces and rebels, along with tribal fighting, banditry and disease, have killed about 300,000 people, according to United Nations estimates. The rebels took up arms against the government in 2003 accusing it of neglecting the area. The government puts the death toll at about 10,000.China’s oil consumption doubled in the last decade to 8 million barrels a day in 2008, according to BP Plc’s Statistical Review. It imported about 3.6 million barrels of oil a day last year, meeting about 45 percent of its needs.To contact the reporter on this story: Ying Wang in Beijing at ywang30@bloomberg.net
And from http://stanford.wellsphere.com
Petrochina Blasted for Indirectly Supporting Human Rights Violations
Posted Jan 11 2009 3:38pm
Over 80 civil society organizations from 25 countries, along with government officials and activist actress Mia Farrow, have filed a complaint with the United Nations charging PetroChina, the publicly traded arm of China National Petroleum Company (CNPC), with indirectly supporting the Sudan regime that is responsible for the human rights crisis in Darfur. The complainants, who are coordinated by Investors Against Genocide (IAG) in collaboration with the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO), are issuing a double-barreled challenge. They're calling out PetroChina for not using its power and influence to persuade the Khartoum government to abandon its oft-demonstrated indifference to human rights, and they're also tasking the United Nations with enforcing the language in its Global Compact, which PetroChina has signed. With over 500 signatories, the Global Compact is the world's largest and best-known voluntary corporate social responsibility initiative. Its first principle states that businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights, while its second principle requires that businesses ensure they are not complicit in human rights abuses. The complaint charges PetroChina with violating both these principles. If a Global Compact signatory behaves in ways that are inconsistent with its commitment, the UN has an affirmative duty to de-list the organization. This is what the IAG coalition is asking the organization to do. Says IAG Chairperson Eric Cohen, If a company seeks legitimacy by joining the Global Compact, it should be required to have a genuine commitment. If the Compact's principles aren't enforced, the UN risks making the Global Compact an international joke. These are two mighty big meals that the IAG consortium is trying to digest. For all practical purposes, PetroChina is an arm of the Chinese government, and we all know how receptive that regime has been to chastisement by the international community. As for the UN, since its earliest days it's been characterized by the gaping chasm between its aspirations and its actions. To date this pattern has applied to the Global Compact as well: the UN has never de-listed an organization for substantive (as distinguished from procedural) reasons. In one fell swoop, the IAG group is asking the Chinese government, as fronted by PetroChina, to change its evil ways, and the UN to grow some teeth. IAG's Eric Cohen is cautiously optimistic about the chances for success. We're not asking PetroChina to threaten to withdraw from Sudan if the oil companies' demands aren't met, he says. We're only asking them to step up to their responsibility to be an ethically good business partner. As for the likelihood of getting the UN to enforce its integrity measures, I believe we can get the people in charge of the Global Compact to help the program actually be the agent for change it aspires to be, Cohen says. The world is on the move. Maybe it's ready for the changes we want to see.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
the legacy of big business mining, oil and gas
I have been thinking about the role of major oil, gas and mining companies not only in Canada but also in other countries around the world. Certainly here in northern BC, we see increasing focus on these areas of industrial endeavour particularly with the downturn in the forest industry.
I have concerns about this direction, especially the scale at which these developments are proceeding. What I believe is that there is far too much deference provided to these major industries. I believe there is not adequate accountability in the laws & regulations that could govern the development of these sectors.
Last year after I did a hike up on the gorgeous Cameron Ridge Trail hike between Likely & Wells (Cariboo Mountains), I witnessed large ATV track gouges in the landscape well up into the fragile alpine & right through creekbeds. I felt sad to think these tracks will likely be there for 100s of years, certainly long after this current generation is gone. There was a sign at the trailhead informing us this was an active mining road we were hiking up, and we did see surveyors on quads while up there (not sure if the alpine tracks were from the mining exploration but it certainly was a question I had). After seeing the appalling state of the environment in this most gorgeous surrounding, I made some enquiries about who exactly regulates mining at this early stage of exploration. I initially attended at the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines who sent me to the Integrated Land Management Bureau ilmbwww.gov.bc.ca, a government office vested with creating land use plans throughout BC in consultation with various stakeholders & in consideration of the local environmental issues at stake.
Ironically, what I learned is that when it comes to large mining companies' endeavours (and I suspect the same occurs with oil & gas), overarching land use plans are virtually ignored. The person at the land bureau looked perplexed about why the Ministry had sent me to her office for answers. It appeared to me that there is a significant disconnect between the integrated land management bureau & the BC Ministry of Energy & Mines. . . . not a lot of communication was happening.
Currently in the news, we are hearing a lot about the EnCana situation up in the Peace River area - whereas the EnCana bomber initially hit the news (and is being described as a type of "terrorist" by law enforcement officers who are allegedly acting very intrusively - and quite possibly illegally in certain situations when the Charter of Rights & Freedoms is considered) in undertaking their investigations, what has more recently come out is the extent of environmental damage perpetrated on the previously agricultural landscape by mega oil company EnCana. Regular flaring & black smoke emissions appear to be a significant issue for locals in the area of Tom's Lake & other small farming communities. The locals, although they are scared to speak out to much for fear of being framed as "terrorists" are nevertheless starting to discuss the rampant disregard for their health, safety & concerns they have endured by the oil and gas sector.
The current BC Minister of Energy, Mines & Petroleum Resources Blair Leckstrom (who also hails from the Peace River area) has announced voluntary measures on flaring. According to a recent article that ran in the Daily Herald Tribune, Grande Prairie, Alberta, he is quoted as saying, the voluntary measures are meant to ''improve industry and resident relations.''
Here is an excerpt from the Daily Herald Tribune article:
Leckstrom, who hails from Dawson Creek, was adamant that the changes were not made in response to what RCMP have labelled domestic terrorism near the hamlet of Tomslake, near the Alberta boundary.
''We've been working on this long before whoever is responsible for those bombings began their crazy actions, so this is not a reaction to any of that," he said.
"There was no intent to try and address whatever this crazy person is trying to accomplish. This has been in the works for some time.''
What I am wondering Mr. Leckstrom is this: why are these provisions VOLUNTARY on the part of industry? That is not my understanding of what government regulation is supposed to be. . . I mean voluntary means nothing. What is the point of wasting paper (and public money) on enacting these kind of supposed "regulation"?! Why the deference to these big businesses to police themselves?
On the international level, the themes relating to mining, oil and gas are similar although much more severe in consequence to the locals. I heard an interview today (Dispatches on CBC radio) with New York Times journalist Peter Maass who has just written a book, Crude World: The Violent Twilight of Oil. He has travelled to some of the most devastated corners of the world where major oil companies make shady & private deals with local corrupt governments at the ultimate expense of the locals who suffer grave environmental ruin, horrific poverty, severe health problems, violence and harsh human rights violations. Several African nations are extremely sad cases in point.
These oil companies & the dark trails of pollution & damage they leave behind are contributing to a wrecked world. That is my opinion. The author Peter Maass spoke of how we are all complicit in this trend when we use oil without thinking about where it comes from and the usually dire environmental and social consequences of its extraction for our world.
Also, worthy of mention is that international human rights organization Amnesty International has really been looking at the issue of corporate responsibility & human rights violations over the past several years. They are currently gathering Canadians' signatures on a petition to take forward to the Canadian government to enact Bill C-300 which would serve to hold Canadian mining, oil & gas companies accountable for their actions overseas. Here is the information:
Take action to prevent corporate human rights violations
Amnesty International is concerned about human rights violations committed directly or indirectly by some Canadian mining, oil and gas companies in developing countries.
To ensure that all Canadian companies respect human rights in developing countries, we need mandatory human rights standards and stronger regulations to hold transnational companies accountable.
This fall, the Canadian Government is considering adopting a bill on corporate accountability (Bill C-300).
Amnesty International supports Bill C-300. But to ensure that the bill passes into law, we need everyone who cares about human rights to express their support.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
Please send a message to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development and express your support for Bill C-300 -
http://amnesty.ca/urgentappeal/2009/CorpAcct/index.php.
I was really happy to see how many Canadians have already signed onto this petition & the comments posted there at that link. . . wondering when the politicians are going to catch on that Canadians really do care about these issues.
On another more cheery note,
Happy Thanksgiving Day.
We do have much to be thankful for, and we don't want to lose those beautiful things that make our world so wonderful.
I have concerns about this direction, especially the scale at which these developments are proceeding. What I believe is that there is far too much deference provided to these major industries. I believe there is not adequate accountability in the laws & regulations that could govern the development of these sectors.
Last year after I did a hike up on the gorgeous Cameron Ridge Trail hike between Likely & Wells (Cariboo Mountains), I witnessed large ATV track gouges in the landscape well up into the fragile alpine & right through creekbeds. I felt sad to think these tracks will likely be there for 100s of years, certainly long after this current generation is gone. There was a sign at the trailhead informing us this was an active mining road we were hiking up, and we did see surveyors on quads while up there (not sure if the alpine tracks were from the mining exploration but it certainly was a question I had). After seeing the appalling state of the environment in this most gorgeous surrounding, I made some enquiries about who exactly regulates mining at this early stage of exploration. I initially attended at the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines who sent me to the Integrated Land Management Bureau ilmbwww.gov.bc.ca, a government office vested with creating land use plans throughout BC in consultation with various stakeholders & in consideration of the local environmental issues at stake.
Ironically, what I learned is that when it comes to large mining companies' endeavours (and I suspect the same occurs with oil & gas), overarching land use plans are virtually ignored. The person at the land bureau looked perplexed about why the Ministry had sent me to her office for answers. It appeared to me that there is a significant disconnect between the integrated land management bureau & the BC Ministry of Energy & Mines. . . . not a lot of communication was happening.
Currently in the news, we are hearing a lot about the EnCana situation up in the Peace River area - whereas the EnCana bomber initially hit the news (and is being described as a type of "terrorist" by law enforcement officers who are allegedly acting very intrusively - and quite possibly illegally in certain situations when the Charter of Rights & Freedoms is considered) in undertaking their investigations, what has more recently come out is the extent of environmental damage perpetrated on the previously agricultural landscape by mega oil company EnCana. Regular flaring & black smoke emissions appear to be a significant issue for locals in the area of Tom's Lake & other small farming communities. The locals, although they are scared to speak out to much for fear of being framed as "terrorists" are nevertheless starting to discuss the rampant disregard for their health, safety & concerns they have endured by the oil and gas sector.
The current BC Minister of Energy, Mines & Petroleum Resources Blair Leckstrom (who also hails from the Peace River area) has announced voluntary measures on flaring. According to a recent article that ran in the Daily Herald Tribune, Grande Prairie, Alberta, he is quoted as saying, the voluntary measures are meant to ''improve industry and resident relations.''
Here is an excerpt from the Daily Herald Tribune article:
Leckstrom, who hails from Dawson Creek, was adamant that the changes were not made in response to what RCMP have labelled domestic terrorism near the hamlet of Tomslake, near the Alberta boundary.
''We've been working on this long before whoever is responsible for those bombings began their crazy actions, so this is not a reaction to any of that," he said.
"There was no intent to try and address whatever this crazy person is trying to accomplish. This has been in the works for some time.''
What I am wondering Mr. Leckstrom is this: why are these provisions VOLUNTARY on the part of industry? That is not my understanding of what government regulation is supposed to be. . . I mean voluntary means nothing. What is the point of wasting paper (and public money) on enacting these kind of supposed "regulation"?! Why the deference to these big businesses to police themselves?
On the international level, the themes relating to mining, oil and gas are similar although much more severe in consequence to the locals. I heard an interview today (Dispatches on CBC radio) with New York Times journalist Peter Maass who has just written a book, Crude World: The Violent Twilight of Oil. He has travelled to some of the most devastated corners of the world where major oil companies make shady & private deals with local corrupt governments at the ultimate expense of the locals who suffer grave environmental ruin, horrific poverty, severe health problems, violence and harsh human rights violations. Several African nations are extremely sad cases in point.
These oil companies & the dark trails of pollution & damage they leave behind are contributing to a wrecked world. That is my opinion. The author Peter Maass spoke of how we are all complicit in this trend when we use oil without thinking about where it comes from and the usually dire environmental and social consequences of its extraction for our world.
Also, worthy of mention is that international human rights organization Amnesty International has really been looking at the issue of corporate responsibility & human rights violations over the past several years. They are currently gathering Canadians' signatures on a petition to take forward to the Canadian government to enact Bill C-300 which would serve to hold Canadian mining, oil & gas companies accountable for their actions overseas. Here is the information:
Take action to prevent corporate human rights violations
Amnesty International is concerned about human rights violations committed directly or indirectly by some Canadian mining, oil and gas companies in developing countries.
To ensure that all Canadian companies respect human rights in developing countries, we need mandatory human rights standards and stronger regulations to hold transnational companies accountable.
This fall, the Canadian Government is considering adopting a bill on corporate accountability (Bill C-300).
Amnesty International supports Bill C-300. But to ensure that the bill passes into law, we need everyone who cares about human rights to express their support.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
Please send a message to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development and express your support for Bill C-300 -
http://amnesty.ca/urgentappeal/2009/CorpAcct/index.php.
I was really happy to see how many Canadians have already signed onto this petition & the comments posted there at that link. . . wondering when the politicians are going to catch on that Canadians really do care about these issues.
On another more cheery note,
Happy Thanksgiving Day.
We do have much to be thankful for, and we don't want to lose those beautiful things that make our world so wonderful.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Dead Letters Rising
Today I headed up to to Artspace, the space about Books and Co in downtown Prince George (in my opinion the cultural hub of the city rests within these walls. . . ) I was there to check out the visual art display of artists Graham Pearce & Magda Partyka entitled Dead Letters. First off let me say, the name of this show intrigued me very much when I first heard the show was to happen.
And let me tell you, I was not disappoimted. Clearly the work of 2 very creative people who are daring to look at the limits of our societal constraints, problems and buring-our-heads-in-the-sand kinds of attitudes.
In the semi-dark of Artspace, the powerful paintings, masks, sculpture and other works dominate the space. Collectively, they evoke image and form of subject matter not easily digested. It is not exactly a feel-good display, but most certainly, thought-provoking and eery. There is a desperate and bothered message here, calling out to the beholders to pay attention immediately, and it is a message not easily ignored. A number of animal figures were strung up on a mobile-type apparatus. The raven in particular stands out in my mind. Also, I carried away with me the haunting image of the oil-slicked mask on the wall.
I knew there was some important social commentary here so because I missed the opening & artists' talk (held last Friday evening) I asked Graham Pearce for further explanation of what Dead Letters has to say; what exactly is going on within those walls of Artspace? Here, in his own words, if what he told me about the display in responding to a couple of questions:
1. What prompted putting this display together?
In March 2009, Magna Partyka inquired about hosting an art show with me, and I thought it was a cool idea to bring together artistic impressions of our mutual discomfort with current political/ social/environmental affairs. We started work on the art for the show soon after. Although Magda included art from prior to our decision to host an art show, everything in my half of the exhibition is from the last 8 months
(wow Graham you must have been working like a madman - comment from Mary Mac).
We set up the show together with certain shared ideas: the opening would be vegetarian and as egalitarian as would be possible in respect to its invites.
2. Can you tell me more about the significance of the title of the display?
The title is taken loosely from Herman Melville's short story, "Bartelbythe Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street." Bartelby, the story's protagonist,worked in a dead letters' office -- this is a metaphor to explain why Bartelby drops out of capitalist society and eventually humanity. Dead Letters seemed to capture the sentiment of outsider art. Rather than give our audience an easy experience, we wanted a conceptually charged and passionate art that challenges systems and institutions that water-down or dismiss most art that risks. We knew that most people would either not understand our intentions nor care enough to work to think about them. Consequently, Dead Letters fit. On another level, Jacob Marley's warnings to Ebaneezor Scrooge are as popular now as ever -- but people seem to conveniently ignore that the message works through the layers of capitalism to how people destroy the environment for short term gains. Jake Marley Jr. seems to be sending dead letters.
The concept of the zombie animals is connected to the overall theme of Dead Letters: messages that are not received/ understood by the audience listed on the address. The masks on the wall represent the ghosts from A Christmas Carol reinvented to address some of the major troubles of our times. For example, Jake Marley Jr. is drenched in oil ("Let them eat gas"), and the Ghost of Corporate Future is caught-up in the physical blow-back of climatechange. The zombie animals are hunting down the human (a version of Bartelby the scrivener), who is awakened to the dystopia albeit in a nightmare.
OK man, on the theme of Dead Letters. . . umm, you had 250 people at your opening and people (like me) are still checking out your work. . . maybe they were dead man, but may now reincarnated or risen from the dead?
Oh and by the way. . . I just have to say . . . I love the combination of the creepy with the Christmas Carol - here we are in October heading to Hallowe'en and thereafter the Christmas season. . . how timely is that for such a display! (and we won't mention the most capitalist driven time of the year these days. . . ) Very intriguing stuff and it is good to see the arts are alive and well (with a little help from dead & ill) at looking seriously at the harsh negatives that come with unfettered capitalism and the associated environmental destruction. Inspiring indeed in a heart-stopping freaky sort of way.
The show continues at Artspace for another week and sculptures (plus a few more) will be in the College of New Caledonia Library for a month.
And let me tell you, I was not disappoimted. Clearly the work of 2 very creative people who are daring to look at the limits of our societal constraints, problems and buring-our-heads-in-the-sand kinds of attitudes.
In the semi-dark of Artspace, the powerful paintings, masks, sculpture and other works dominate the space. Collectively, they evoke image and form of subject matter not easily digested. It is not exactly a feel-good display, but most certainly, thought-provoking and eery. There is a desperate and bothered message here, calling out to the beholders to pay attention immediately, and it is a message not easily ignored. A number of animal figures were strung up on a mobile-type apparatus. The raven in particular stands out in my mind. Also, I carried away with me the haunting image of the oil-slicked mask on the wall.
I knew there was some important social commentary here so because I missed the opening & artists' talk (held last Friday evening) I asked Graham Pearce for further explanation of what Dead Letters has to say; what exactly is going on within those walls of Artspace? Here, in his own words, if what he told me about the display in responding to a couple of questions:
1. What prompted putting this display together?
In March 2009, Magna Partyka inquired about hosting an art show with me, and I thought it was a cool idea to bring together artistic impressions of our mutual discomfort with current political/ social/environmental affairs. We started work on the art for the show soon after. Although Magda included art from prior to our decision to host an art show, everything in my half of the exhibition is from the last 8 months
(wow Graham you must have been working like a madman - comment from Mary Mac).
We set up the show together with certain shared ideas: the opening would be vegetarian and as egalitarian as would be possible in respect to its invites.
2. Can you tell me more about the significance of the title of the display?
The title is taken loosely from Herman Melville's short story, "Bartelbythe Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street." Bartelby, the story's protagonist,worked in a dead letters' office -- this is a metaphor to explain why Bartelby drops out of capitalist society and eventually humanity. Dead Letters seemed to capture the sentiment of outsider art. Rather than give our audience an easy experience, we wanted a conceptually charged and passionate art that challenges systems and institutions that water-down or dismiss most art that risks. We knew that most people would either not understand our intentions nor care enough to work to think about them. Consequently, Dead Letters fit. On another level, Jacob Marley's warnings to Ebaneezor Scrooge are as popular now as ever -- but people seem to conveniently ignore that the message works through the layers of capitalism to how people destroy the environment for short term gains. Jake Marley Jr. seems to be sending dead letters.
The concept of the zombie animals is connected to the overall theme of Dead Letters: messages that are not received/ understood by the audience listed on the address. The masks on the wall represent the ghosts from A Christmas Carol reinvented to address some of the major troubles of our times. For example, Jake Marley Jr. is drenched in oil ("Let them eat gas"), and the Ghost of Corporate Future is caught-up in the physical blow-back of climatechange. The zombie animals are hunting down the human (a version of Bartelby the scrivener), who is awakened to the dystopia albeit in a nightmare.
OK man, on the theme of Dead Letters. . . umm, you had 250 people at your opening and people (like me) are still checking out your work. . . maybe they were dead man, but may now reincarnated or risen from the dead?
Oh and by the way. . . I just have to say . . . I love the combination of the creepy with the Christmas Carol - here we are in October heading to Hallowe'en and thereafter the Christmas season. . . how timely is that for such a display! (and we won't mention the most capitalist driven time of the year these days. . . ) Very intriguing stuff and it is good to see the arts are alive and well (with a little help from dead & ill) at looking seriously at the harsh negatives that come with unfettered capitalism and the associated environmental destruction. Inspiring indeed in a heart-stopping freaky sort of way.
The show continues at Artspace for another week and sculptures (plus a few more) will be in the College of New Caledonia Library for a month.
Monday, October 5, 2009
some thought about Evo Morales, Bolivian president
I heard Prince George CBC reporter Betsy Trumpener's coverage this morning on Daybreak North of the Latino CBC radio announcer who recently spent a couple of days in Prince George, reporting from here. She interviewed this man who came from an Aymaran background and felt connected to the First Nations people in this area, because he said, he too is an indigenous person, from the Andes of South America. I too have observed these strong parallels between the cultures of First Nations peoples in this part of the world and the ancient cultures of the mountain people of the Andes Mountains.
Today, I am thinking back to my time spent in Bolivia. I am thinking about how there my reverance for Pacha Mama, the great Earth Mother, was founded. I first observed widespread respect for the Earth Mother in the Bolivians regular habit of sprinkling some of their drink onto the ground or floor in her honour. There is much to be said about Pacha Mama and what we can learn from cultures steeped in ancient traditions based on respect for this feminine divine presence. In thinking about Bolivia, I am thinking about Evo Morales, the current indigenous president of the country.
I just came across the following submission (excerpt) recently made by President Evo Morales to the UN General Assembly:
"I want to take this opportunity to propose a few themes that are very important to the inhabitants of Mother Earth. For the indigenous movement, not only harmony with human kind, but harmony with Mother Earth is sacred.
Mother Earth gives life, water, natural resources, oxygen and everything that supports the well being of our people. If we talk, work and fight for the well being of our people we first have to guarantee the well being of Mother Earth; otherwise it will be impossible to guarantee the well being of our citizens. Mother Earth, Planet Earth, will exist without human life, but human life cannot exist without Mother Earth.
After hearing many speeches, I’ve concluded that in this new twenty- first century, defending Mother Earth will be more important than defending human rights. If we do not defend the rights of Mother Earth, there is no use in defending human rights. I am willing to debate this concept, but now or later it will be proven that the rights of Mother Earth supersede the rights of human beings. We must protect what gives us life. Coincidently, as we are in the climate change debate, we want to propose, dear presidents, delegates from distinct countries, to the brothers of the world that are listening, a very simple proposal which can be summarized in 3 points.
First: Developed countries must honor and pay the climate debt they owe to mankind and planet earth.
Second: We currently do not have a structured manner in which we can quantify the damages committed by nations. My dear presidents, it is of utmost importance to create a Court for Climatic Justice, in which countries will be tried and punished assuming they do not follow international laws and continue to destroy the earth.
Third: A proposal derived mainly from Indigenous farmers: nations must declare and expand the rights of Mother Earth’s natural regeneration. Nations must also declare rights on behalf of the right to life, a clean life and the right to harmony and equilibrium for all and everything.
Hopefully these proposals will be taken into account and debated in Copenhagen, Denmark. We hope the discussions in Copenhagen will provide us with short and long term solutions over the enormous problems that our distinguished countries endure.
There is much of interest to me in the words of Evo Morales. He is consistent with his reverance for Pacha Mama, Mother Earth. I am so intrigued with what is happening in Latin America these days - how some of these countries are really coming into their own, creating a new way of being with the world and with each other. I am intrigued with Evo Morales' arguments for rights on behalf of the right to harmony & equilibrium for all living things. I agree - whereas rights are important, the time has come to broaden them into the environmental / natural world protection realm at the universal level.
Bolivia will soon be heading to another presidential election (December 6) - Evo Morales came into power in 2005. I was in the country for the previous election, and he narrowly lost that time but was rapidly gaining power in the country as evidenced by the number of marches through La Paz and the Che Guevara flags hung in many windows -- the country then had the feel of a country on the verge of a revolution. And, looking back, I see that it was.
Since coming into power, Morales has introduced a new constitution for the country. It includes a bill of rights with significant provisions dedicated to Bolivia’s 36 indigenous nations. It also put the economy in the hands of the state, limited landholdings and redistributed revenues from gas fields in the eastern lowlands to the country’s poorer areas.
On a related note, Oliver Stone has just released a new movie about the current Latin American leaders. It is called South of the Border. Probably worth a watch.
Today, I am thinking back to my time spent in Bolivia. I am thinking about how there my reverance for Pacha Mama, the great Earth Mother, was founded. I first observed widespread respect for the Earth Mother in the Bolivians regular habit of sprinkling some of their drink onto the ground or floor in her honour. There is much to be said about Pacha Mama and what we can learn from cultures steeped in ancient traditions based on respect for this feminine divine presence. In thinking about Bolivia, I am thinking about Evo Morales, the current indigenous president of the country.
I just came across the following submission (excerpt) recently made by President Evo Morales to the UN General Assembly:
"I want to take this opportunity to propose a few themes that are very important to the inhabitants of Mother Earth. For the indigenous movement, not only harmony with human kind, but harmony with Mother Earth is sacred.
Mother Earth gives life, water, natural resources, oxygen and everything that supports the well being of our people. If we talk, work and fight for the well being of our people we first have to guarantee the well being of Mother Earth; otherwise it will be impossible to guarantee the well being of our citizens. Mother Earth, Planet Earth, will exist without human life, but human life cannot exist without Mother Earth.
After hearing many speeches, I’ve concluded that in this new twenty- first century, defending Mother Earth will be more important than defending human rights. If we do not defend the rights of Mother Earth, there is no use in defending human rights. I am willing to debate this concept, but now or later it will be proven that the rights of Mother Earth supersede the rights of human beings. We must protect what gives us life. Coincidently, as we are in the climate change debate, we want to propose, dear presidents, delegates from distinct countries, to the brothers of the world that are listening, a very simple proposal which can be summarized in 3 points.
First: Developed countries must honor and pay the climate debt they owe to mankind and planet earth.
Second: We currently do not have a structured manner in which we can quantify the damages committed by nations. My dear presidents, it is of utmost importance to create a Court for Climatic Justice, in which countries will be tried and punished assuming they do not follow international laws and continue to destroy the earth.
Third: A proposal derived mainly from Indigenous farmers: nations must declare and expand the rights of Mother Earth’s natural regeneration. Nations must also declare rights on behalf of the right to life, a clean life and the right to harmony and equilibrium for all and everything.
Hopefully these proposals will be taken into account and debated in Copenhagen, Denmark. We hope the discussions in Copenhagen will provide us with short and long term solutions over the enormous problems that our distinguished countries endure.
There is much of interest to me in the words of Evo Morales. He is consistent with his reverance for Pacha Mama, Mother Earth. I am so intrigued with what is happening in Latin America these days - how some of these countries are really coming into their own, creating a new way of being with the world and with each other. I am intrigued with Evo Morales' arguments for rights on behalf of the right to harmony & equilibrium for all living things. I agree - whereas rights are important, the time has come to broaden them into the environmental / natural world protection realm at the universal level.
Bolivia will soon be heading to another presidential election (December 6) - Evo Morales came into power in 2005. I was in the country for the previous election, and he narrowly lost that time but was rapidly gaining power in the country as evidenced by the number of marches through La Paz and the Che Guevara flags hung in many windows -- the country then had the feel of a country on the verge of a revolution. And, looking back, I see that it was.
Since coming into power, Morales has introduced a new constitution for the country. It includes a bill of rights with significant provisions dedicated to Bolivia’s 36 indigenous nations. It also put the economy in the hands of the state, limited landholdings and redistributed revenues from gas fields in the eastern lowlands to the country’s poorer areas.
On a related note, Oliver Stone has just released a new movie about the current Latin American leaders. It is called South of the Border. Probably worth a watch.
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