National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The federal government says cruise ships operating in Canadian waters have overwhelmingly met the more stringent wastewater guidelines put in this spring.
However, critics say Transport Canada’s report is very light on details and the industry’s largest source of water pollution remains untreated.
Continue reading Cruise ships self-reported compliance with new wastewater guidelines to Transport Canada
The Strathcona Regional District Board (SRD) expressed its frustrations with the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) consultation process at the Aug 17 SRD Board meeting.
Although they were among the parties invited to a series of meetings about the transition of open net pen fish farms out of the ocean, there have been last minute scheduling changes.
Continue reading Fish Farms: SRD frustrations with DFO consultation processBy Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
After a sluggish first week, activists took to the streets of New York City to push delegates negotiating a United Nations high seas treaty to act with urgency.
The “high seas” — waters that aren’t managed by a nation — account for roughly two-thirds of the world’s oceans. The vast majority are unprotected. A UN high seas treaty would be the first legally binding conservation framework for these waters, and would enable protection from overfishing, industry, resource extraction — like deep sea mining — and other activities. The treaty is key if the world is to protect 30 per cent of oceans by 2030, something more than 100 countries, including Canada, have called for.
Continue reading Activists call on UN delegates to move fast on high seas treatyBy Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Environmentalists are calling on Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to halt pipeline construction in Hope, B.C., after dead salmon were found at Trans Mountain’s worksite on the Coquihalla River last weekend.
Continue reading Dead salmon found at Trans Mountain construction site spark outcry from environmental groupNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The advance of the climate crisis, marked by its extremes — droughts or deluges, fires or floods — makes abundantly clear the human habit of trying to contain and control water isn’t working.
For her new book, Water Always Wins, National Geographic Explorer Erica Gies criss-crossed the globe, witnessing some of the unanticipated results of modern society’s preference for engineered solutions.
Continue reading Reflections on the extraordinary power of slow water
