Build-A-Bear responds to global warming scare, removes videos from site

Maxine Clark, founder of Build-A-Bear said, “Our intention with the Polar Bear story was to inspire children, through the voices of our animal characters, to make a difference in their own individual ways. We did not intend to politicize the topic of global climate change or offend anyone in any way.”

While lacking an apology, the statement said that the videos would no longer be available on the site.

Crazy Optimistic Apocalyptica Joins "Science"Blogs : Thus Spake Zuska

I guess that's why I love that crazy chick. She has looked right square in the face of the coming apocalypse, and said "f*ck you. I'm planting veggies, milking goats, hanging laundry, and nurturing my kids." I might still lean towards the viewpoint of a friend of mine, who wonders whether getting through the coming crisis is even something to be desired, and suggests saving that 5 gallon drum of gasoline to do yourself in when the time comes - don't be pressured to use it for a vacation, or one last run to the grocery store for supplies! But I'm glad that outlandish optimists like Sharon exist.

Jailed Copenhagen protesters face Christmas behind bars | Environment | guardian.co.uk

"The four activists – Juantxo, Joris, Nora, and Christian – were willing to risk jail time to do something about climate change and look forward to presenting their arguments in court. But keeping them apart from their families and loved ones over Christmas and New Year is both inhumane and out of all proportion to what they did."

Don't blame the system for winter travel chaos. Stay put | Simon Jenkins | Comment is free | The Guardian

Since hypermobility both dilutes a sense of place and (mostly) increases carbon emissions, governments should be charged with curbing or at least not promoting it. This means planning the town and country so as to minimise the need for ever longer journeys. It means rationing travel capacity by congestion or by price. Since governments are scared of price, most choose to ration by congestion

Copenhagen climate deal: Spectacular failure - or a few important steps? | Environment | The Guardian

We ask leading climate change experts for their assessment of the Copenhagen deal
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Bryony Worthington, climate campaigner with sandbag.org, who helped draft the UK climate change bill

Copenhagen was a spectacular failure on many levels.
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Kumi Naidoo, executive director, Greenpeace International

The outcome of the summit was not fair, ambitious or legally binding.

The amazing Kumi Naidoo: Just five months ago, the Guardian told us he was a "social justice campaigner"; now they suggest that he's a "leading climate change expert"!

The South African social justice campaigner and adviser to a global inquiry on the future of civil society, Kumi Naidoo, tells Annie Kelly why UK development agencies need to put aside self interest to tackle the world's problems