Two Weeks to Go!

I got to spend last week at the US's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in their new building.

The building was incredible, and not just for aesthetics, but because it demonstrated a government's capacity to do something constructive if so inclined.  Does that have much to do with Green Drinks?  Only that NOAA's concerned with the environment, too.

In two weeks, we're at Bitters!  See you then!

Meeting in August; More on Fracking

We're a month out from our next Green Drinks on August 28 at Bitters.  It should be a good one.

To most of us, this is someone's tap water on fire; to others, though, it's progress.

In other news, concern about fracking on the island continues to grow.  In addition to the two petitions, the NL Fracking Awareness Network has formed and is welcoming new members.  Green Drinks is now part of the network, and I look forward to any insight they can offer.  Last month at Blue Drinks, Titia had some interesting insight into the governmental process surrounding fracking.  Hopefully, she'll join us in August and grace us with her wisdom. 

Saving Gros Morne

Last month's Green Drinks was special for two reasons. First, we had our best turnout to date, a group so vast it could only be captured with a panoramic shot.

Second, the prospect of another environmental project emerged, stopping the fracking of Gros Morne National Park. Today Pia Banzhaf has brought to our attention a movement to oppose this travesty. Here are two links to online petitions: one and two. Please sign them and share.

Apropos of that, last night's Daily Show guest was the director of the documentary "Gas Land part II" decrying fracking. Check out the segment and notice the clip with the flammable well water. That's what would happen at Gros Morne to say nothing of its losing its UNESCO status.  In the parlance of "Battlestar Galactica," that's frakked up!

And of course, such a move is completely unnecessary. Newfoundland has a glut of renewable energy that's largely unutilized; it's called "wind."

See you at the next Green Drinks on August 28th.

Looking forward to tomorrow...

We've had such a beautiful spring, I can't think of a better way to cap it off than meeting fellow Green Drinkers on the shore on Long Pond for a pint or two.  Tomorrow night, we're at Bitters.  Blue Drinks is joining us, too.  Can't wait to see you there.

Media to discuss next Wednesday

Next Wednesday we're having May Green Drinks at Bitters.  Recently, I've encountered some compelling media we might want to discuss.  Even if we don't, I highly recommend both.

The radio show/podcast This American Life recently aired an episode devoted to climate change, "Hot In My Backyard."  In general, I'd always recommend This American Life, but this episode is particularly compelling.

Last night MUN's Cineam Politica screened the documentary, "The Pipe," and I'm happy to say I was there.  The film tells the story of an Irish fishing community's resistance to Shell's installation of a gas pipeline through the middle of their community.  Despite the bleak subject matter, I was taken by what a fine film it was, filled with beautiful cinematography and compelling scenes.  And the final outcome isn't a complete downer.  Don't miss an opportunity to see this film.