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.
Energy, Indigenous Nations

Heiltsuk First Nation doing ‘heart work’ to tackle climate crisis

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It’s hard work, but it’s heart work. 

That’s the maxim of the climate action team helping bring the Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk) First Nation’s vision of clean energy sovereignty to life. 

The small, remote coastal nation in Bella Bella on British Columbia’s wild central coast is in the last stage of shaping a three- to five-year clean energy plan to shift its dependence on diesel and increase the community’s climate resiliency by focusing on sustainable solutions using the sun, wind, earth and water. 

Continue reading Heiltsuk First Nation doing ‘heart work’ to tackle climate crisis →
Environment

Vancouver Island watersheds set to rise with new surge of storms

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As a trio of new storms approaches, BC Hydro is warning Vancouver Island residents to prepare for outages and avoid river systems with hydroelectric facilities because water is being released from dams to make room for the heavy rainfall. 

Continue reading Vancouver Island watersheds set to rise with new surge of storms →
Animals, Indigenous Nations

Conservation group targets hunting tenures to save coastal carnivores

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Douglas Neasloss, chief councillor for the Kitasoo/Xai’xais Nation, thinks buying up hunting tenures to end trophy hunting in the Great Bear Rainforest is a great idea.

“I just think it’s beneficial for so many reasons,” said Neasloss, also the stewardship director for the community based in the tiny coastal village of Klemtu on Swindle Island in the heart of the world-renowned conservation area. 

The shooting of animals for sport is wasteful, disrespectful and contrary to First Nations values, Neasloss said, noting trophy hunters often remove the hide and head but leave everything else behind.

Continue reading Conservation group targets hunting tenures to save coastal carnivores →
Cost of Climate Change

The ‘elephant’ of fossil fuels is not even in the room at UN climate summit

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The mere mention of fossil fuel phaseouts in the UN climate summit’s texts is not enough to save humanity or the planet, and the oil and gas lobby is weakening commitments in Glasgow even further, international environmental groups say.

Continue reading The ‘elephant’ of fossil fuels is not even in the room at UN climate summit →
Cost of Climate Change

Oceans will determine if we sink or swim when it comes to achieving our climate goals

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The world’s oceans suck up a huge chunk of human-caused emissions, but their role in mitigation strategies and targets is largely absent from critical negotiations underway at the UN climate conference in Glasgow, Canadian scientist Anya Waite says. 

Continue reading Oceans will determine if we sink or swim when it comes to achieving our climate goals →