There was a major development over the weekend in the case of a US research vessel, RV Marcus Langseth, seeking to conduct seismic testing in Canada's first marine protected area.

Environmentalists are fuming after learning the federal government has given permission to a U.S. research ship to begin controversial seismic testing in Canadian waters, despite an ongoing court challenge.

"The issue at stake here is the fact that by issuing this clearance permit for the vessel, they are valuing American interests above that of the Canadian environment and Canadian species at risk," said spokesman Kori Brus. "They've given no reason; they've simply done it."

A foreign affairs spokesman on Sunday would not confirm the ship has been given clearance to begin its test program. He refused to comment, saying the issue was before the courts.

While the Canadian government is refusing to comment on a decision that threatens blue whales and the integrity of the nation's first marine protected area, environmentalists ARE fuming - and rightfully so. The federal government's own documents demonstrate a full awareness of the impacts this testing will have on endangered whales, and they have allowed this research to go forward regardless of the best science available.

We're in court tomorrow working to have the permit issued to the US vessel stayed. More to come then.

Ecojustice is suing the federal government to stop an American research vessel from conducting seismic blasting in a Canadian waters. The area in question? The Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents, Canada's first officially designated marine protected area and a known habitat of endangered blue whales and fin whales.

“A marine protected area is a marine protected area because its supposed to be off limits to harmful activity. And its just completely inappropriate that intrusive or harmful research would happen there,” said Ecojustice lawyer, Lara Tessaro.

According to Ecojustice, the seismic blasts at 180 decibels every 2 or 3 minutes would cause intense acoustic disturbance for the marine animals in the area, most specifically the blue whales in the area.

Ecojustice is scheduled for to be in court on the issue tomorrow. See the media release for more.

Cross-posted at Ecojustice

Earlier this week, I shared what is likely the biggest win yet for endangered species in Canada, or as The Canadian Press said,

An endangered bird with a spectacular mating dance could be the key to protecting at-risk species all across Canada.

Here's a video clip of the sage-grouse's famed mating ritual, which this week became a victory dance. Enjoy....

cross posted at Ecojustice

The issue of pesticide free gardening is quickly escalating into a potential legal battle, as Henry and Vera Jones of Constance Bay have contacted us after the city threatened to mow down their natural garden and bill them for the pleasure.

A Constance Bay man who ran afoul of a city bylaw over the long, meadow-like grass in his front yard said he may begin legal proceedings against the city as early as Thursday.

Hank Jones said he is taking advice from the environmental-law organization Ecojustice, and is seriously considering filing for a court injunction to prevent the city from mowing the long grass and wildflowers that make up the budding wildlife garden in his front yard.

He said bylaws that encourage mowed, golf-course-style lawns and discourage natural, meadow-like properties contribute to environmental problems

To be clear, this is not about defending unkept lawns that pull down property values. Henry and Vera Jones are building an environmentally friendly, well cared for, natural garden that helps pollinate local flowers and food, and they are doing it without pesticides or harmful chemicals. They’re a model for responsible yard care, but the city is treating them like pariahs.

Check out the story in the Ottawa Citizen, hear Ecojustice lawyer Will Amos (pictured left) discuss the case on the CBC's All In A Day, and stay tuned for more...

I planned a fuller update post regarding my recent absence and future plans, but the news of the day requires that I fast forward the plan a bit. I've been in transition for the past months, but I'm now in Toronto where I'll be in the Communications Director role at Ecojustice - Canada's leading environmental law non-profit - for the upcoming months.

Today was a major national media hit, as the federal government's disregard for the environment is finally getting the attention it deserves.

Earlier this year the Federal Government announced that 2,000 projects – including major works like bridges, highways and sewer systems – would be made exempt from environmental assessment. That number has now ballooned to 14,000, as the feds continue to be blind to the idea that the long-term health of our economy is linked to the health of our environment. The story received print coverage in the Globe and Mail and across the Canwest network.

Read my complete story at the Ecojustice Blog.

Over the coming months, we'll be revamping the entire online presence of Ecojustice, and I'll be posting there regularly in addition to returning to regular duty here at The Conscious Earth. Feel free to follow the work from the source as we take on Canada's polluters in the courts, or join our growing Twitter and Facebook communities. For those who are not familiar with our work, I encourage you to check it out. The results and impact of the organization was a major inspiration for beginning this blog, and over the coming months we'll be offering a range of new online content and ways to get involved.

More to come....

I've been substantially away from the home front news for quite awhile, but this is worth mentioning on both a national and personal note.

On June 18, Canada became the first country ever to be brought to court for failing to comply with its legal commitments to combat global warming, specifically its failure to meet (and perhaps more to the point, their failure to do anything about) their mandatory legal obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.

The lawsuit itself is being argued by a coalition of groups - most notably my former workplace, Ecojustice Canada - and seeks a declaration from the Court that the government has not complied with the law, and an order requiring it to do so. A decision is likely to occur in the coming months.

For readers unfamiliar with Ecojustice (formerly Sierra Legal Defence Fund), I strongly recommend them as a worthy organization to support (I do so myself). For my American readers, think Earthjustice.

So I woke this morning to the usual headlines, Hillary did this, Obama did that in the PA primaries, blah blah blah. But, when I headed over to my favorite tech news sites (Slashdot, Techmeme, news.ycombinator.com, and TechCrunch) I stumbled across a most confounding of tales.Online auction giant eBay is suing Craigslist. As if that didn't raise enough questions on its own, the reasons for