6 NEWS — OVER THE EDGE NEWSPAPER. SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 Pluto Left Out in the Cold A new classification system has demoted the body to ‘dwarf planet’ status, but some say the debate over Pluto’s place in the heavens is far from over DEREK LARSON THE GATEWAY (UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA) EDMONTON (CUP) ~-- Pluto, though struck from the league of plan- ets on Aug, 24 by the International Astronomical Union, may still hold its place in the heavens for many -- at least for now. The group voted to reclassify Pluto as a ‘dwarf planet” a week after the [AU executive committee proposed a new definition of what constitutes a planet. The new definition would have resulted in the addition of three new planets, bringing the total to 12. The new definition, the first “official” definition of a planet since the early days . of astronomy in ancient Greece, has the clout of being agreed upon internation- ally by experts in the field. “The new definition of a planet was met with con- siderable outcry from the public, and left many re- ‘searchers scratching their heads.” “(The vote] is a healthy process,’ says Dr. Fred Clark, a lecturer in the Univer- sity of Alberta's department of earth and atmospheric sciences who has taught the geology of the solar system. “It forces a crystallizing of the debate at some point; otherwise we can dither endlessly.’ However, according to Dr. Chris Herd, professor of earth and atmos- pheric sciences at the U of A, the debate surrounding the decision to demote Pluto may not be over yet. “At this point, it just becomes a matter of politics in the [[AU],’ Herd said. Meanwhile, Tony Whyte, author of The Planet Pluto, suggested that other motives might have triggered the push to oust Pluto. “Tt mucks up the beautiful computer simulations to have a bunch of smaller objects suddenly appear,’ Whyte said. “Maybe it was a plot by some planet- ary astronomers to demote [Pluto], and then they can ignore [it].’ ‘The new definition of a planet was met with considerable outcry from the pub- cuP lic, and left many researchers scratching their heads. Many have questioned the most telling point of the definition, that a planet must“ have cleared its orbit” and are now checking to make sure the def- inition holds up for the remaining eight planets. “Some of the astronomers [in the TAU] ... can’t tell a planet from a Mars Bar, Whyte said. That there is a distinct difference be- tween Pluto and the other four outer planets is undisputed -- the argument lies primarily with the definition exclud- ing Pluto as a true planet. “Td say there is a good case for making Pluto an honorary planet,’ Whyte said. Herd disagreed, though, and sees Pluto as part of the Kuiper Belt, a wide stretch of objects made up of rocks and ice that sits at the edge of the solar sys- tem. “[Pluto is] a king of the Kuiper Bele, as opposed to an actual planet,” he said. Herd went on to explain that the clas- sification of Pluto as a non-planet would actually aid in the process of teaching about the formation of the solar system. “If we realize that Pluto and these other objects [can be grouped] together with the Kuiper Belt objects, then we can start to understand why they're there,’ Herd explained. Definitions The IAU members gathered at the 2006 General Assembly agreed that a “planet” is defined as a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it as- sumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit. A “dwarf planet” is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it as- sumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, (c) has not cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit, and (d) is not a satellite. All other objects, except satellites or- biting the sun, shall be referred to col- lectively as “small solar-system bodies.” Source: International Astronomical Union, www.iau2006.org Olympic Development Threatens Ecosystem, Critics Say Opponents cite lack of legislation to protect endangered species AMANDA STUTT THE UBYSSEY (UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA) VANCOUVER (CUP) — What was a short time ago a rare but thriving ecosystem is currently a construction site being developed as part of the plari to improve the Sea To Sky highway in anticipation of the heavy traffic that the 2010 Olympics will bring. For some parties involved, the loss of the Eagleridge Bluffs is not an isolated incident, but a microcosm for a.larger environmental legislative issue that needs public attention. According to University of British Columbia ecologist Dr. Diane Srivas- tava, Eagleridge Bluffs contains “one of the most unique and threatened areas along the entire [highway] .. . because of the combination of plant species . . . as well as other individual species.’ Some species are threatened with extinction and are listed in the province's, “Blue List.’ However, the ecosystem of the Eagle- ridge Bluffs is on the “Red List” — the highest classification of endangerment. Srivastava explained that at the mo- ment, B.C. has no legislation to protect species that are on the red or blue lists. “We know they're threatened,” she said, “but there is nothing we can do.’ While federal legislation exists under the Species at Risk Act, the government has not matched this legislation at a provincial level to protect endangered species, Srivastava explained that public cit- izens generally are unaware of this. “I think Canadians in general are under the illusion that we have some great en- vironmental legislation,” she said. “Unfortunately we don't,’ she con- tinued. “While we have a lot of endan- gered species . . . we have some of the worst environmental legislation.” According to Srivastava, the destruc- tion of the Bluffs will resule in habitat fragmentation and over time the entire area will be lost. Mona Benge, a resident of West Van- couver and communications volunteer for the Coalition to Save the Eagleridge Bluffs, said there were plans to imple- ment a tunnel rather than an overland highway, which would have posed less of a threat to the sensitive ecosystem of the Bluffs and was supported by West Van- couver residents, Federal and provincial environment agencies also supported the tunnel option, she added. “B.C. Transport Minister (Kevin Fal- con] chose the overland route ... based on safety and financial considerations,’ . she said. “But by the time you get all the appropriated land costs . . . you are go- ing to have a road that is more expensive than the tunnel.’ “They had other options,’ said Benge, who was surprised that the overland route was chosen over the tunnel. “What we've discovered is that there is planned a large real estate development called Eagleview ...and putting the road through this way allows British Pacific Properties to develop that a lot earlier than they would have otherwise.’ Mike Long, director of communica- tions in the Ministry of Transportation indicated no problems thus far on the construction of the highway and assures they are abiding by environmental regu- lations and guidelines of their manage- ment plans. “There is constant monitoring before work begins like the management plans have to be approved and signed off by various agencies [such as the] Canad- ian Wildlife Service so all that work has gone to the project before they can begin construction,’ said Long. “They can't work outside of these guidelines. These are the rules that are required and they have to follow in terms of proceeding with the construc- tion and if they don't follow those rules they get shot down.’ According to Damian Kettlewell, Green candidate in Vancouver-Point Grey, legislation on species at risk is‘ser- iously lacking” and favoured towards the developer. “Ingraining habitat protection and enshrining it in a provincial legislation is going to make the difference,’ said Kettlewell. “The government simply hasn't acted — they don't have the legis- lative teeth to really do anything. “Currently, commercial development does not have to be stopped . . . when there is evidence of endangered species,” said Kettlewell. “It’s groups like the Eag- leridge Bluffs Coalition that are applying pressure for change.” For Srivastava, the issue is a moral one. “We might lose this battle,“ she said, “but there is a bigger war to be fought . .. the bigger war is getting strong prov- incial legislation that would protect threatened species.’ Girl Guides Hope To Boost Numbers With Racy Ads Images contrast with wholesome cookie-vending persona ABBAS SOM! THE UNDERGROUND (UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, SCARBOROUGH) SCARBOROUGH (CUP) — In a bid to boost recruitment figures, the Girl Guides of Canada (GGC) have kicked off a new ad campaign that has come under public scrutiny in recent weeks. The new campaign, which made its debut mid-summer, featutes a series of risqué images that critics say come in stark contrast to the wholesome cookie- vending Girl Guide persona. One ad, which didn’t end up running, depicts “Candi,” a fictitious songstress posing provocatively for the camera, with a list of overtly sexual album tracks, such as “Taste Me” and “Naughty Girl” printed on a side tab. At the bottom of the ad, a strategically placed cartoon girl looks on, and points at the tagline that reads,“ Why girls need guides.’ Another ad looks like a magazine cover called “Modern Girl” with titles of articles, such‘as “Make His Interests Your Interests — it’s okay to pretend!” splashed across the front. “The idea behind this campaign is just to turn the mirror back on society and say: If this is what your daughter is be- ing exposed to on a daily basis, wouldnt it make sense to put her into Girl Guides?” said Angus Tucker, creative director of John St. Advertising, who designed the ads. Not all former Guides are fond of the new ad campaign. Ashley Chin, a second-year Queen's University student, said the new Girl Guides ad campaign uses an inappropri- ate and misleading recruitment strategy. “Another ad looks like a magazine cover called ‘Modern Girl’ with titles of articles, such as ‘Make His Interest Your Interests - it’s okay to pretend!’ splashed across the front.” “(Is Girl Guides] a means of preventa- tive action? Or is it really an organiza-_ tion that offers an opportunity for girls to foster teamwork, leadership skills, and to learn and grow?” said Chin, “The GGC program has always been about leadership development, self es- teem, taking risks, making friends and having fun in a safe environment,’ said Shauna Klein, marketing and develop- ment manager of Girl Guides Canada. She said the campaign has been suc- cessful in bringing the Guides back into the public eye, and that the general pub- lic has responded positively to the adver- tising campaign. Klein said the goal of the ad campaign is to make parents realize that impres- sionable young girls are now, more than ever, in need of strong mentors to dir- ect them through the barrage of nega- tive messages transmitted through the Another reason for this new market- ing tactic is a steady 20-year decline in ~GGC membership, due to competition from other organizations, clubs or com- munity centres that offer recreational programs or activities. Klein said the placement of the vari- ous ads — all at discounted rates — cost Girl Guides of Canada $500,000, The creative portion of the campaign was do- nated by John St. Advertising, as part of their pro bono work with not-for-profit organizations. Klein said she expects an increase in membership during the fall Guide regis- tration because of the eye-catching ad- vertising campaign.