Wood smoke is not good for your lungs or the planet. It produces particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers, which is small enough to inhale, travel through our bloodstream, and cause a range of health problems. According to Dr Gary Fuller, the average wood burning stove emits six times as much particulate matter as a modern diesel lorry. This can be a problem in a cities like London, Vancouver or Victoria, but what about rural Vancouver Island communities like Courtenay, Campbell River and Cortes Island?
Continue reading Wood Stove Smoke Pollution In Courtenay, Campbell River, Quadra and Cortes IslandsTag Archives: Wood smoke
Air quality in the City of Courtenay is improving thanks to local initiatives, report says
By Madeline Dunnett, The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Air quality in Courtenay is improving while pollution caused by wood stove smoke has been steadily decreasing over the past five years, according to a recent report presented to the City of Courtenay council.
Continue reading Air quality in the City of Courtenay is improving thanks to local initiatives, report saysHot topic: Residents concerned about impact of wood stove smoke on health, environment
Editor’s note: While this story comes from the Comox Valley, the subject matter is of definite interest to Cortes and the other Discovery Islands. For most of our recorded history, wood fires have been the #1 heating choice on Cortes Island. A significant number of residents have switched to electric, heat pumps, or solar panels in the past few years. According to the Strathcona Regional District Engagement Summary Report, “In Electoral Areas A, B (Cortes), and C (primarily Quadra and the Outer Islands), about 50% used wood heat and 40% used electric with the remaining 10% using an alternative.“
By Madeline Dunnett, The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Community members in the Comox Valley are calling for more education, awareness and tightened regulations related to wood-burning stove use in the region.
Continue reading Hot topic: Residents concerned about impact of wood stove smoke on health, environmentBurning trees is not a clean energy option: climate advocates
Editor’s note: According to the Strathcona Regional District Engagement Summary Report, “In Electoral Areas A, B (Cortes), and C (primarily Quadra and the Outer Islands), about 50% used wood heat and 40% used electric with the remaining 10% using an alternative.”
By Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
With the annual United Nations climate conference just around the corner, environmental groups are calling for an end to subsidies that support burning forest biomass to generate electricity.
In an open letter to Natural Resources and Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, the groups say financial support for the industry is at odds with the federal government’s pledge to phase out subsidies that harm biodiversity. The 24 signatories urge the government to “reverse course and choose true climate solutions” instead of “simply shifting from burning fossil fuels to burning forests for fuel.”
Continue reading Burning trees is not a clean energy option: climate advocatesWildfire Smoke Is Making Us Sick
By Michelle Gamage, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
It’s early June and there are 80 wildfires burning in the province, according to the BC Wildfire Service dashboard.
There are evacuation orders in place for areas of the Peace River Regional District, and localities close to significant fires are blanketed in smoke.
Fires are also bringing hazy skies to Vancouver and other areas of the province farther away from active fires. Across the continent, smoke is coating Toronto and New York right now.
While smoky days and even weeks might be a regular feature of future Canadian summers, they’re not something we should be complacent with, according to health experts.
Continue reading Wildfire Smoke Is Making Us Sick