Bisphenol-A: only a start?

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an infamous chemical celebrity these days. Our Canadian government was the first in the whole world to list this compound as toxic. I’m glad to see that sometimes, we are leaders… BPA is known as an endocrine disruptor, hence potentially causing damage, for instance, to our reproductive system, development and brain. BPA is present in high density plastic bottle (polycarbonate, the popular Nalgene(TM) bottle, baby bottles and the lining of metal cans) For those who had the chance to study harmful chemicals would know that a chemical itself is not sufficient to cause damage. For chronic exposure, both the nature of the compound and the sufficient concentration of the chemical are necessary. For adults, exposure to BPA is usually too small to be a concern and our liver can degrade the BPA. However, infant are particularly at risk, since their liver is too young to degrade this chemical and BPA concentration get higher in heated plastic baby bottles. Radio-Canada made a great report (check for “bouteille dangereuse”) last weekend on the matter, for those who can listen French, like every good Canadian J. They pointed out that BPA is only one of hundreds of endocrine disruptor that we use in our society and ends up in our water stream. The fishes and frogs are much more affected by those chemicals: where males are known to be changing sex, their reproductive abilities highly limited and high death rates… I think it is time for a big clean up in our food/chemical industries…

Friday Night Madness

It was hot Friday night on Campus. Full day protest, bonfire and 19 protesters arrested. If you frequent UBC, you will have notice the Trek Park and the Knoll Aid campaign. Student for a democratic Society (SDS) actively campaign against the current development plan of the University Boulevard. They don’t want to see more business on campus, don’t want to see an underground bus loop and are against the UBC governance structure in general… SDS is supported by the Student Environmental Center and the Center for Social Justice. After the arrests, these groups immediately send a press release condemning police brutality and unjust arrest during a peaceful protest.

Well, when people set up a big bonfire at the middle of a campus, block the work of firefighters, insults them and then policemen, can you really call it a peaceful protest??

I would argue that protest is a sign of healthy democracy. Civil disobedience can be very courageous and many of us will never dare to do. But come on, pick the right cause! Saving a grassy knoll!, No to an underground bus loop! Is it all left wing student movements can come up with in 2008? Is our society is going that well? What about our slow and insufficient response to global warming, ending extreme poverty, access to clean water, respecting indigenous rights, etc. There are plenty of causes to fight for.

Ten thousands of people live in the university land, 7000+ students live on campus, and many more are coming. Environmentalist, social activists love the terms sustainability both often don’t accept that the economy is also part of the concept. To avoid having a car dependent campus, you need food outlet, shops, all the basic needs must be fulfilled.

And if you think that underground transit facilities and unsafe and ugly, watch this video!