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.
Cost of Climate Change

A billion tidal creatures likely baked to death

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The ecological devastation of B.C.’s recent heat wave is just starting to be understood after record temperatures paired with low tides wreaked havoc along the West Coast.

More than one billion marine intertidal animals may have perished along the shores of the Salish Sea during the record temperatures at the end of June, said University of British Columbia researcher Chris Harley.

Continue reading A billion tidal creatures likely baked to death →
Forests

Fairy Creek Old Growth worth more standing than logged, study says

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A new economic study shows ancient trees in the contentious Fairy Creek region on southern Vancouver Island are worth considerably more standing to nearby communities than if they were cut down.

And it confirms investments and efforts by the former forestry hub of Port Renfrew to rebrand itself as an ecotourism hot spot are right on track, business leaders say.

Continue reading Fairy Creek Old Growth worth more standing than logged, study says →
Health, Weather

BC’s death rate triples during heat wave

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

At minimum, 486 sudden deaths occurred over the past five days in B.C. after dangerously high temperatures gripped coastal and Lower Mainland communities in an unprecedented heat wave this week.

The number is only preliminary, said chief coroner Lisa Lapointe on Wednesday, adding the toll represents a nearly 200 per cent increase over the 165 deaths that would normally occur in the province in the same time period.

Continue reading BC’s death rate triples during heat wave →
Forests

BC’s new old-growth advisory panel

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Environmentalists struggling to save diminishing ancient forests on Canada’s West Coast are hopeful after B.C. announced a new old-growth advisory panel staffed by respected foresters and scientists.

Continue reading BC’s new old-growth advisory panel →
Forests

celebrities leverage star power to save BC’s old-growth forests

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Pressure on B.C. Premier John Horgan is climbing as national and global celebrities begin to throw their weight behind public campaigns to save the province’s ancient forests.

But Forest Minister Katrine Conroy is adamant star power won’t play a role in shaping B.C.’s old-growth policy.

More than a hundred luminaries from across the political and cultural spectrum signed an open letter to Horgan on Friday calling on him to save at-risk big-tree ecosystems, which make up only 2.7 per cent of unprotected forest in the province, said Nicole Rycroft, executive director of Canopy.

Continue reading celebrities leverage star power to save BC’s old-growth forests →