Green Scales

Green Jobs Rally: a quick note

This is not my usual in-depth story coverage, but I did want to make sure readers were following today's green jobs rally in Michigan's capitol.

Eartha Jane Metzler over at Michigan Messenger had a small write up today about today's Green Jobs Now rally.
Read Metzler's article here.

Clean Energy Now's website also previewed the event here.

Blogger Tom Rico is at the rally, and has posted a few early reports through twitter at
http://twitter.com/ricothomasrico

If you're there post a comment--let me know how it's going!

Later, I'd be curious to hear what you think the impact of the rally was. Are these organizers succeeding in changing opinions, or are they preaching to the choir?

Canadian Environmental Justice Debates

Accusations of environmental racism are probably never taken lightly. But that's just what one Canadian company is facing in Ontario this week.

Read the article from the National Post here:
'Environmental racism' in Ontario: First Nations

As usual, this raises questions about who gets to decide which materials are environmentally sound and/or safe. Is it Canada's environmental division? The First Nations' environmental representatives? Have the forums and commenting opportunities in the policymaking process sufficiently represented the values of the people living in the area?

You might wonder why this article appears on a Michigan environmental justice blog. Well, check out Manitoulin Island:

It does seem water pollutants there might, possibly, eventually make their way across the grey sociopolitical boundary and into Michigan. How much cyanide do you want in your water?

View Manitoulin Island in a larger map