All posts by Rochelle Baker

Rochelle Baker is a staff reporter with Canada’s National Observer, thanks thanks to a grant from the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada. She previously worked as a newspaper reporter and photographer in BC’s Lower Mainland for over 7 years.
Rivers & Oceans

‘Excruciating’ negotiations produce an unprecedented global treaty to protect the high seas

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

​An unprecedented global treaty to protect nature in the high seas was secured after a last and final push in negotiations that lasted nearly 40 hours over the weekend. 

After close to two decades of discussion, five years of difficult negotiations, and a previous attempt to seal the deal, conference president Rena Lee announced an agreement on the UN High Seas Biodiversity Treaty late Saturday.

Continue reading ‘Excruciating’ negotiations produce an unprecedented global treaty to protect the high seas →
Energy, Rivers & Oceans

Coastal First Nation’s cutting-edge ocean wave energy project just got a million-dollar boost

 Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A cutting-edge clean energy project to use ocean waves to power a coastal First Nation’s return to its traditional territory on Vancouver Island’s wild west coast just got a surge in funding. 

To buoy the next stages of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation’s (MMFN) Yuquot Wave Energy Project, $1 million was granted to one of the initiative’s partners, the University of Victoria’s Pacific Regional Institute for Marine Energy Discovery (PRIMED). 

Continue reading Coastal First Nation’s cutting-edge ocean wave energy project just got a million-dollar boost →
Transportation

West Coast electric ferries lack the power to ditch diesel

 Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

BC Ferries got a half-billion-dollar cash injection on the weekend to keep fares below inflation and help electrify the fleet. 

However, while Premier David Eby and Transportation Minister Rob Fleming offered details on fare objectives over the next four years, they provided little information on the province’s goals for weaning ferries off fossil fuels.  

Continue reading West Coast electric ferries lack the power to ditch diesel →
Politics

B.C. budget a mixed bag on climate

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

B.C.’s budget viewed through a climate lens got mixed reviews from the province’s environmental and conservation sector following its release Tuesday. 

The province got kudos for bolstering funding for parks and trails for active transportation initiatives to get people out of their cars and on bikes and walking paths. But the budget was panned by those hoping to see a wholesale commitment to the protection of old-growth or urgent, large-scale reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. 

Continue reading B.C. budget a mixed bag on climate →
Rivers & Oceans

Clock is running out for Canada to help secure a global treaty to protect the ocean

 Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It’s do-or-die time for Canada and the rest of the international community to finally get a deal done to protect the world’s oceans, say global leaders, environmental groups, and celebrity activists.

International delegates are hunkering down in the back rooms at the United Nations in New York until March 3 in a last-ditch attempt to broker a legally binding deal to protect biodiversity on the high seas. 

Continue reading Clock is running out for Canada to help secure a global treaty to protect the ocean →