 Jasper Hiking Environment Issues
Personally, my attitudes, education, hobbies and professional role have come full-circle on this topic. I believe it is very important for people to have access to nature at its' finest, which I also believe Jasper National Park may very well be a great example of today. Hiking, biking or actively viewing places on earth like Jasper Park represent great "life science centre"-like education that often supplies new-found respect for the importance of Earth's preservation.
Back in 1994, I had the opportunity to listen to some of the world's most respected scientists on the topic of ozone depletion and carbon emissions. At that time, they were studying just north of Candle Lake, SK., to which our college group migrated. The presentation really struck me, and after hearing what they had to say, I expected to hear news all over the World from then on. Well, it took much more than a decade before enough public became educated enough on these issues to push a "new school" of thought towards Earth. Sure, many people have been educating themselves for a very long time, and deserve a lot of credit. We all know how tough it can be for the "few" when the "majority" opinion does not coincide. We also know how hesitant people are to say how they really feel when it conflicts with their livelihood. It is unfortunate to this day that "prosperity" is given more weight than "longevity" and how so many people do not express their true opinions until their level of prosperity provides comfort in doing so.
For the last few years, however, the most powerful media on this planet has enabled people to become far more educated at an astounding rate. Whether it be Politics, International Relations, or the care for our home(Earth); you will find that information is there to educate those interested in learning. People are just now realizing that actions, both negative and positive, can produce ripples through this great information media at such a fast rate that accountability is quickly becoming an almost instant realization.
While this site deals with Hiking in Jasper, a beautiful place, there are ripples that one has to address in order to abide by one's personal conscience as well. Let us know how you feel so we can do the best job of representing public opinion at times when it is necessary. It is clear that the "old school of thought" is now on the opposite side of the spectrum that it was just a few short years ago, but people have to keep accelerating their opinions Online so "our leaders" know what they should be doing, as well as where they need to be more active. Your leaders certainly want to do "the right thing", but they need to know from you, what that might be.
Background Pre 2008: What does it mean when some of the world's greatest minds tell us that possibly 180 billion tons of carbon-carbon has been transferred to the atmosphere as the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide?
These same great minds can also explain to you that this results directly from human species that have destroyed Earth's vegetation already, and that this took place just over the last couple of hundred years! A hundred years is an extremely short time, but by the direction we are moving, it appears that most of us feel it is an eternity.
Can you imagine coming to visit a National Park knowing you have no chance of seeing Grizzly Bears, Black Bears, Elk, Wolves, Moose, clean water, etc? Unfortunately, that "empty" feeling usually only hits us when its' too late, so we have to do our best to imagine our very near future before loss overcomes.
In observing the last few years' weather systems, it is easy to see from a practical perspective that the scientists I listened to back then were right. The ever-so slight changes in weather patterns were expected to cause some extremes that we have not seen before. At that time, they suggested we may see mother nature acting funny, and more-so over time. At that time, science also seemed to support the fact that we were finally on the right track, however, we still will experience a taste of what happens when we mess with Earth's biodiversity even the slightest, let alone the magnitutde of destruction humans have carried out.
With those past words, today's interesting global weather systems(to say the least), and a new-found appreciation for our Wild and wonderful mother Earth; I decided to facilitate more on this topic (spring 2006), and press much of my personal and professional network to push for more attention. If you are reading this, that means you as well, and all I ask is that we take a bit of personal time to gather the most recent information we can find to help educate ourselves.
Let's see what we can do!
Dec. 2006 - For a little heads up, scientists have recently reported warmer Ocean waters late this past fall which is a predictable cycle that should mean 2007 will be a very warm year, globally speaking.
Warmer oceans means warmer air, which also usually means the amplification of tough weather systems for coastal areas, so seasonal storms that do occur may need man power or financial help. If you want to do something for others, you may want to plan to help now and be prepared. Hopefully, there will be no need.
Jan. 2007 - Quickly, we have seen a lot of effort and a lot of positive response since this past summer, which is fantastic. The digging we have done only seemed to reveal how much we have yet to learn, so keep it up!
Environmental issues have also quickly become "popular politics," which means the public has to be far less forgiving of those who say everything and do nothing.
Let politicians know that the public is full of intelligence that demands respect. The economic fears that force our reliance on century-old technology should be easily debunked with the information we have available to us today. New technologies means new jobs!
Background - Understanding ozone depletion and Carbon Emissions.
Unlike any other previous scientific issue, there is a mechanism for doing this in the case of ozone depletion. Put in place by the 1987 United Nations agreement known as the "Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer," this is a process whereby the Nations of the world have called upon the international scientific community to periodically assess the "state-of-the-science" on ozone depletion. Every three to four years, under the auspices of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the world's leading experts produce a written document presenting the consensus view of the scientific "big picture." The latest assessment was conducted in 2002 (previous reports were in 1985, 1989, 1991, 1994, and 1998). The 2006 assessment is currently in preparation and is expected to be published in early 2007.
For a more global perspective, visit  .
What we have previously believed is that our effect on Global warming was somewhat consistent and predictable, however, we do have to consider that we have no variables to offer comparisons. The latest environment news indicates that global warming on Earth may be picking up speed, which makes perfect sense when you consider the loss of the very things that bring about stability.
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 Bear Encounters in Jasper
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