A Force of Good moves on...

Every now and then, you have the genuine pleasure of meeting someone. You may know what I mean - one of those chance encounters where after you walk away, you say to yourself, "Now there goes a good man."

Tom Torokvei was one of those men. Torokvei is the man who runs IPEX, a building infrastructure company. He is described by those who know him as "a force of good." He was one of those amazingly smart, down-to-earth guys who always seemed to know what was going on without a hint of an ego.

I worked with him on a few occassions when IPEX or the vinyl pipe sector were being attacked by activist groups. He had a genuine and fervent belief in the truth, and in it's ultimate ability to prevail. He was willing to take on anyone, but more importantly, had an inate ability to inspire those in the trenches to get behind him and carry on. He was a tremendous motivator, a leader in every sense of the word, and a true mentor.

I've had some pretty wild experiences in my life, and I can honestly say that the ones I've had that have involved Tom have left me a better person. When the Town of Walkerton needed new watermains in the midst of the Walkerton water crisis, it was Tom and IPEX who quietly stepped up to the plate and donated over 4km of watermains to the tiny besieged town. They did so without hesitation - over $100 000 worth of pipe - because he believed it was the right thing to do. It was moments like this that ensured he was surrounded by friends wherever he went.

Through his leadership, IPEX has become a world leader in the building infrastructure community. Chances are good the water you drink was delivered through an IPEX vinyl pipe. IPEX does hundreds of millions of dollars in business a year - yet it was Tom who recognized me in an underground parking lot and managed to pass on a few words of encouragement and advice regarding the latest corporate issue I was involved in - regardless of whether or not it involved IPEX.

For all his ability to shape the world we live in, he still had a sense of humour and vitality. He would leave personalized messages on his voicemail. In fact, people would often call him not to speak with him, but to listen to his voicemail.

Tom truly is a great person. Which is why I was so saddened to hear that he died last Thursday, quite suddenly at the young age of 61.

Tom Torokvei was a friend of the truth, a wonderful leader in business, but more importantly, a great leader for humanity. He will be truly missed.

Will the doors to Asia swing open for GM Rice?

It's a question which has become increasingly relevant lately. "What will China eat?"

In China, rice is more than just a filler for the occasional restaurant meal - it's the most important dietary crop grown. China's 2004 rice crop is expected to rise to about 180 million tons from 161 million last year, the lowest since 1994. The country's supply deficit is around 10 million tons.

As a result, there's increasing pressure for China to open the door to GM rice. It's a move that will be sure to drive the anti-GM activists insane, but a move that many groups see as increasingly likely.

The thing to remember when it comes to Chinese acceptance of GM rice isn't necessarily the opening of the Chinese market with it's 1 billion citizens. It's the precedent that would be set for other Asian countries where rice is number one. Pakistan and India come to mind - that's another billion citizens.

Will the doors to China swing open? It's an interesting question. Some feel China may reject "western science." Others feel that science is neither western nor eastern, and that China doesn't have a choice. Time will tell.

Activists Protest Road Kill Candy

I really don't know what to make of this.

Kraft makes gummy candies. You've seen them - gummy bears, gummy snakes, little gummy whales, that sort of thing.

But now, they've apparenly drawn the wrath of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals because they've started making fruity-flavored "Trolli Road Kill Gummi Candy."

That's right - candy in the shape of road kill. And activists think it sends a message that its ok to hurt animals.

So far, Kraft is only making road kill flattened snakes, chickens and squirrels. I imagine the uproar would be significantly higher once we start seeing "Road Kill Kitty" or "Pavement Puppy."

No ban planned for 2,4-D in Canada

2,4-D has to be one of the most heavily scrutinized chemicals in worldly history. Activists tend to dislike it because it's by far and away the most common pesticide used today. 2,4-D is used by lawn care companies to control weeds. The dichotomy between 'toxic chemical use' and 'for having a pretty lawn' doesn't sit well with some folks.

The Activists will have to continue to fight at the municipal level. Canada's regulatory body, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, says it's not going to ban 2,4-D because if used as directed, it's not dangerous.

The fight is far from over. Over 60 municipalities in Canada have already banned pesticides used for 'cosmetic' purposes.

More proof Kyoto is dead in North America.

The Canadian Government continues to provide lip service and not much else when it comes to their 'commitment' to the Kyoto protocol. Canada is the only government which is a signatory to Kyoto in North America.

On the day the Kyoto accord on climate change came into effect, Environment Minister Stephane Dion said there will be national standards for industrial greenhouse gas emitters. But he is prepared to consider differing ways of enforcing them in the case of provinces like Alberta, which is home to some of the country's biggest polluters.

The Canadians announced they will host the International Conference on Climate Change yesterday. To no one's surprise, they'll host it in one of the most European-like locales available - Montreal. It's much easier to announce a large, tourism inducing conference than to announce that "yeah, we're going to punish you for being industrious."

It's a classic case of expressing outward committment while doing absolutely nothing to actually implement. To their credit, the Liberals are probably fully aware that talking about Kyoto is great. Actually doing something about Kyoto is political suicide. Which is why, rather than go after their own industrial polluters, they've chosen to buy their pollution credits from Russia.

Eventually, the charade is just going to end. Hopefully sooner, rather than later.

On your Mark, Get Set... Stall!

It's official - the most loved and hated environmental pact in decades comes into effect today. The five letters people either love or hate - Kyoto. What will the Kyoto protocol mean for consumers?

In North America, not much. The USA backed out long ago. Canada just announced plans to purchase emissions credits from Russia, rather than implement reforms.

There were activist protests in Italy over the lack of US involvement. Apparently, someone should inform the activists that Italy has announced they will break the unanimity of the EU coalition and back out of the prototocol when renewals are due in a few years.

So to review - the US is out. Canada isn't doing anything to reduce emissions save for some lip service public service announcements. Italy is making plans to leave. Russia is reluctantly signed up but has talked about getting out. China, India and other major developing nations were never in. Is Kyoto dying?

I think so. But that's OK - apparently, we can reduce greenhouse gases by changing the way we make tennis balls.

New Organs Could Come from Pig Embryos

In a way, I suppose it only makes sense. If we're already using pig arteries in heart valve transplant operations, and openly discussing the use of stem cells to create donor organs, the next logical step is to look at developing New Organs from Pig Embryos.

There are big hurdles, not the least of which is massive rejection by the human body of animal tissue.

Researchers are working to genetically engineer pigs that do not carry the protein responsible for the immune response.

Needless to say, this raises a whole host of ethical questions. The fields of science, medicine and biotechnology are rapidly bending the curve with which rational human response can be developed. It's a whole new world out there.

Canada backs terminator seeds - Monsanto blamed

Despite the urging of the Government of Canada, 'Terminator' seeds will still be banned by UN treaty, after a proposal to introduce them was rejected at the UN Biological Diversity Convention in Bangkok today.

The seeds are controversial (what else is new?) since the plants they create will not be able to re-grow. This flies in the face of traditional agricultural practices.

Monsanto, which does not own a patent on the seeds, is still being blamed for their creation. The UK Guardian newspaper reported they were a Monsanto creation - and had to print a retraction in today's edition. Media reports coming out of Bangkok are still spreading Monsanto blame - an NGO group has gone on record as saying "Canada's proposal could easily have been mistaken for one written by (agribusiness giant) Monsanto."

The Seed Science Centre out of the University of Iowa see's it differently - "This technology is also very important for the protection of intellectual property," says Manjit Misra, director of the Centre. "In preventing the re-use of seeds, seed companies can get a better return on their research and development costs.

"Without intellectual property protection, private companies won't make those investments. This is something developing countries don't appreciate."

The battle for this one won't be going away anytime soon... developing.

Kyoto - RIP.

The February newsletter is up. This month's subject - why the Kyoto protocol is in it's death spasms.

Interesting story under the "link of the month" section, too.

Monsanto's "Heinous Criminal Activities"

I just got a rather funny email:

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Your Artcile "Seeds Of Stupidity", seemingly tries to paint a fantasy 'rosy' picture of Monsanto as being an unfortunate victim of 'criticism'. Assuming you actually did research concerning the behavior of Monsanto, (did you?) your article could be interpreted as a cover up for the very well known and very well reported heinous dealings of Monsanto.
A quick search on google, Monsanto criminal, will quickly reveal numerous nefarious instances concerning Monsanto matters. Below are just three articles concerning their behavior.
Their business behavior is so malevolent, so murderous, so criminal, that an article such as yours, that struggles to disguise this company and thereby conceal their malevolency should be answered in the strongest of terms. (emphasis mine)

Sincerely,
(name and address withheld to protect the sadly misinformed.)

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I don't even know where to start with this one. Obviously some people have a set image in their mind that they're not willing to shake. This seems to be the case.

Monsanto is not a perfect company. Heck, some would argue they're not even a good company. But - even if you go so far as to say they're a corrupt, impolite company that smells bad and is overweight, that's a far way from "malevolent, murderous, and criminal."

For the record, Monsanto is not a client, although a trade association they are a member of is. So while I won't confess to inside knowledge, I will confess to a healthy dose of "haven't seen Monsanto commit murder"ism.

The world is full of allegations and mistrust. Checkmate Public Affairs was created to help companies build trust and credibility in order to counteract this. Obviously, if companies are vile and evil, that's impossible to do. But wow - talk about an uphill climb for some folks...

Activists Fighting Each Other over Wind Power

Cool article in today's Globe and Mail over how activists continue to fight amongst themselves over whether a) wind power solves an energy shortage in an environmentally efficient way, or b) wind turbines are ugly and mar the pristine 'beauty' of the environment.

Indeed, the anti-turbine environmentalists do have one thing in common: A significant proportion of them seem to own property within eyesight of a proposed wind farm.

Americans in the Dark Regarding GM Foods

OK, OK, I've been slacking off in the blogosphere, I know, I know. I've been travelling a lot (in Chicago to attend a US FDA seminar, and Halifax to speak at the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia AGM) and in the process, got sick. Just coming back to the living now.

Anyway - stumbled across this piece thanks to one of the many listserv's I belong to. Apparently in a nationwide survey, Americans say they are interested in the technology and have opinions about GM foods, but most lack the tools and background needed for an informed assessment.

"People seem to have a great number of misconceptions about the technology," said the study's lead author, Rutgers psychologist, Dr. William Hallman. "As a result, they seem to be willing to believe just about anything they hear about GM foods."

"This willingness to believe the worst when it comes to GM food is indicative of a public that is poorly informed about the technology and therefore unable to separate fact from fiction."

Fascinating stuff, really. Worth a quick read.

Now for something completely different

Normally, this blog is dedicated to "Defending Good Science." I like to highlight unique scientific discoveries and explore the public acceptance of new technologies.

But this caught my eye. While we debate the merits of technologies in the 21st century, Mink, Louisiana, got telephone service yesterday.

Mink resident Alma Louise Bolton explained to CNN that until now, you, "had to make sure someone was within hollerin' range. Or you just went over and knocked on their door."

Her first phone call? From a telemarketer.