The Leap: How to Survive and Thrive in the Sustainable Economy by Chris Turner. (Random House Canada, 2011) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Leap: How to Survive and Thrive in the Sustainable Economy

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

Chris Turner joins me now. He’s written a new book, The Leap: How to Survive and Thrive in the Sustainable Economy. We live in important times, critical times. We have mounting and multiple crises. There’s a financial crisis, energy crisis, food crisis, and climate crisis. So far, it seems we’ve looked at each in isolation. In this book, Mr. Turner suggests a new way of looking at things. We’ll get him to tell us about this book, where he takes us through the forthcoming industrial revolution, what’s involved with that for communities, government and businesses. We’ll talk about where around the world, there’s hope, where there are examples of sustainability success. Chris Turner is one of the country’s leading writers on sustainability and the cleantech industry. He was last on for his previous book, The Geography of Hope, which was a bestseller and a finalist for a number of awards. He’s won other awards for his writing, and has appeared in sundry publications. The book is published by Random House. The website for more is at www.thegeographyofhope.com. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Chris Turner; Good morning, Mr. Turner.

The Next Eco-Warriors edited by Emily Hunter. (Conari Press, 2011) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Next Eco-Warriors

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

We hear all the time about how dire everything is with regards to the environment. It still is, and more can be done, but it’s not all hopeless. A new book, The Next Eco-Warriors features 22 young men and women who are doing their part. The editor of the book, one of the 22 featured in the book joins me now. Emily Hunter is the environmental correspondent for MTV News Canada, and climate producer for The Real News Network in Washington. She is the daughter of Greenpeace co-founders Robert and Bobbi Hunter, and she’s worked on numerous campaigns from saving the whales in the Antarctic to protecting indigenous species in the Galapagos Islands. In the book the 22 people write about their own experiences, their passions, the roots of their activism, as well perhaps one can get inspired to do their own thing to help save this planet. This Friday, the 22nd, other than being Good Friday, is Earth Day. This book is a great way to think about the planet and our place in it, do that while thinking about Jesus. The Next Eco-Warriors is published by Conari Press. The website is at www.nextecowarriors.com. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program in Toronto this morning, Emily Hunter; Good morning, Ms. Hunter.

The Vertical Farm: Feeding the World in the 21st Century by Dr. Dickson Despommier. (Thomas Dunne Book, 2010) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Vertical Farm

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. In Vancouver, this is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Dr. Dickson Despommier joins me now. He is the author of a new book, a fascinating one, The Vertical Farm: Feeding the World in the 21st Century. It’s a provocative, yet thoughtful book showing us how we could have our own local food source, especially if we live in an urban centre. With food in short supply, the same with water and energy, Dr. Despommier thinks we should build up. Now, scientists, architects and people around the globe are getting hip to the idea that these specially designed buildings can grow not only food, thanks to hydroponics and aeroponics, but they can be sources of employment and because of their locations, they would also reduce dependence on fossil fuels in terms of getting the food to people. Dr. Dickson Despommier spent thirty eight years as a professor of microbiology and public health in environmental health sciences at Columbia University. He has won numerous awards, and he’s been featured in countless national and international media outlets, both print and broadcast. It’s a Thomas Dunne Book, which is an imprint of St. Martin’s Press. The website for more is www.verticalfarm.com. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Dickson Despommier; Good morning, Dr. Despommier.

Future Babble: Why Expert Predictions Fail—And Why We Believe Them Anyway by Dan Gardner. (McClelland & Stewart, 2010) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Future Babble

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. In Vancouver, this is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Dan Gardner joins me again. He is the author of a new book, Future Babble: Why Expert Predictions Fail—And Why We Believe Them Anyway. I’m reading the book now, and it’s awfully thought-provoking and often surreal. We seem to want experts, in nearly every field to predict what’s going to happen in the future, whether it’s this weekend’s weather forecast, the economy in a year, the state of the world for our children. And with research on psychology, political science, and behavioural economics, more often than not the average expert as seen on television, as heard on the radio, as read in the newspaper or on the internet, is no more accurate than a flipped coin. Mr. Gardner was last on for his book Risk, which was a bestseller. Like that book, this one is a challenging, fascinating read. Dan Gardner is a senior writer and columnist at the Ottawa Citizen, as well he’s a popular public speaker, who holds degrees in law and history. The website for more is www.dangardner.ca. Future Babble is published by McClelland & Stewart. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Dan Gardner; Good morning, Mr. Gardner.

Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada’s Oil Sands by Ezra Levant. (McClelland & Stewart, 2010) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Ethical Oil

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

In Vancouver, I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Ezra Levant is a lightening rod in this country. He’s regarded as the ‘number one defender of freedom of speech,’ as well as one critic of his newest book, ‘a master of logical fallacy and half truth.’ The new book is called Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada’s Oil Sands. It’s a provocative book on a subject that needs necessary debate. He looks at our hypocrisy when it comes to our oil consumption, where we purchase it, and who benefits from it—despotic regimes, human rights violators, not to mention countries where environmental conditions after oil extraction are less than desirable. Mr. Levant suggests that since we can’t shake off our addiction to oil, why not use our oil sands? Even though Greenpeace and their ilk think otherwise. Ezra Levant is a lawyer, journalist and political activist. He was last on for his book Shakedown: How Our Government is Undermining Democracy in the Name of Human Rights, which was a bestseller. This book, Ethical Oil is published by McClelland & Stewart. His website is www.ezralevant.com. His is an inimitable voice in the discourse of this country. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Ezra Levant; Good morning, Mr. Levant.

Crawling from the Wreckage by Gwynne Dyer. (Random House, 2010) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Crawling from the Wreckage

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

In Vancouver, I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Gwynne Dyer joins me again. He has just published a new book, a collection of columns from the last five years: Crawling from the Wreckage. His previous column collection covering the years 2001-2005 was called With Every Mistake. So perhaps he’s feeling some hope as to the state of the world. With this book, it’s a great way to look back at the last five years, politically and geopolitically with one of the English-language’s preeminent commentators. Gwynne Dyer is a columnist, whose column is syndicated in over 175 publications around the world. You can read him in Vancouver in the Georgia Straight. He is a broadcaster, filmmaker and lecturer. His website is at www.gwynnedyer.com. This past June, he was named an Officer to the Order of Canada. Crawling from the Wreckage is published by Random House. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, in Toronto this day, Gwynne Dyer; Good morning, Dr. Dyer.

Ecoholic Home: The Greenest, Cleanest and Most Energy-Efficient Information Under One (Canadian) Roof by Adria Vasil. (Vintage Canada, 2009) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Ecoholic Home

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Adria Vasil joins me now. She authored the acclaimed and bestselling of Ecoholic, and she returns now with Ecoholic Home: The Greenest, Cleanest and Most Energy-Efficient Information Under One Roof. It offers timely, helpful, necessary tips we can use in our homes, whether we live in a house or an apartment. They’re timely because in light of this economic crisis we can live more conscious of the environment. Conversely, were we live greener, we’ll notice some savings in the long term. Adria Vasil has long been a green advocate appearing in a number of publications, prominently in NOW Magazine, as well as on all the major television outlets. She joins me from here in Vancouver. Her website is www.ecoholic.ca. Ecoholic Home is published is by Vintage Canada. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Adria Vasil; Good morning, Ms. Vasil.

Not a Conspiracy Theory: How Business Propaganda Hijacks Democracy by Donald Gutstein. (Key Porter, 2009) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Not a Conspiracy Theory

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Over the last thirty years, so contends my guest now, there’s been a prolonged propaganda campaign mounted by business to influence the public by taking over the media agenda, thus influencing our thoughts on the important issues of the day. Whether it’s medicare and wondering if it’s tenable; climate change, whether humans are really causing it; or the idea of Canada integrating itself further with the United States economically and more—these ideas have been seen much media coverage and promotion. Donald Gutstein has written a fascinating, page-turning, thought-provoking book: Not a Conspiracy Theory: How Business Propaganda Hijacks Democracy. It gives evidence, examples of think tanks we’ve come to know like the Fraser Institute, the C.D. Howe Institute, and more, and their connections to big business. As well, we read how organisations are able to harness the media to propagate their message. Donald Gutstein taught in the school of communication at Simon Fraser University, and is the author of three acclaimed and also controversial books: e.com: How the Internet Undermines Democracy, the New Landlords, and Vancouver Ltd. He’s studied media for over thirty years, co-directing Project Censored and NewsWatch Canada. He’s appeared in various publications such as Maclean’s, Vancouver, The Tyee, the Georgia Straight, and Straight Goods. Not a Conspiracy Theory is published by Key Porter Books. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Donald Gutstein; Good morning, Professor Gutstein.

Climate Cover-Up: The Crusade to Deny Global Warming by Andrew Scott. (Greystone, 2009) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Climate Cover-Up

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

In a new book, James Hoggan with investigative journalist Richard Littlemore, reveal how the so-called debate over climate change is in fact, manufactured and bogus. They contend that the energy industry has influenced public opinion and hoodwinked the media. James Hoggan is a long time pubic relations expert, and is the president of James Hoggan and Associates, a firm here in Vancouver. He is chair of the David Suzuki Foundation, and is a trustee of the Dalai Lama Centre for Peace and Education. He created the noted website DeSmogBlog, which identifies unethical PR tactics by people attempting to confuse the public on climate change. In the book, Climate Cover-Up: The Crusade to Deny Global Warming, Mr. Hoggan and Mr. Littlemore reveal secret memos from industry and more. James Hoggan joins me now. The book is published by Greystone, and on its cover is a line from Leonardo DiCaprio, who calls this book, ‘an imperative read for a successful future.’ Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, James Hoggan; Good morning, Mr. Hoggan.

Who Owns the Arctic? Understanding Sovereignty Disputes in the North by Michael Byers. (Douglas & McIntyre, 2009) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Who Owns the Arctic?

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

The Arctic is a hot topic nowadays, but there are knowledge gaps and some misinformation out there. A good primer on Arctic sovereignty and more is Who Owns The Arctic?: Understanding Sovereignty Disputes in the North. Its author, Michael Byers joins me now. The book asks and illuminates many important questions, like who controls the Northwest Passage? Who controls the oil and gas beneath? And how does climate change factor in all of this?

Michael Byers was on last, a couple of years ago for his very fine book, Intent for a Nation. He is the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia. He was the NDP’s candidate in Vancouver Centre in last year’s federal election campaign. And he’s a widely respected expert on the north and more. This book is published by Douglas and McIntyre. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Michael Byers; Good morning, Professor Byers.