Posts

Review of pork industry wouldn't be hogwash

Editorial Winnipeg Free Press In case you hadn’t noticed, the province has gone hog wild for changes to the pork industry. Story here.

Popular Farm Pesticide Found in (US) Drinking Water

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Eco Watch Machinery sits ready to plant another field of "neonic" seeds in Manitoba. PinP photo. After evidence of pesticides killing off pollinators surfaced in 2016, scientists went on a quest to see if pesticides were seeping into anything else. Now, in an unprecedented study, the U.S. Geological Survey and University of Iowa reported findings of neonicotinoids —a class of pesticide used to kill off insects—in treated drinking water, marking the first time these chemicals have ever been identified. Story here. ==== In Canada, the propensity of "neonics" to get into ground and surface water has been known for some time. Please read "New Studies Show Farm Chemicals Are Affecting More Than Bees. Bird Populations are Declining, Too. Is modern agriculture's hold on nature becoming a death grip?"  

Last-ditch attempt to save world's most endangered porpoise gets go-ahead

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nature Two vaquitas (Phocoena sinus) - a critically endangered porpoise species endemic to the northern part of the Gulf of California. It is considered the smallest and most endangered cetacean in the world.  Photo credit -  NOAA. Funds approved for plan to round up last 30 vaquitas into protective 'sea pens.'  Story here.

Climate change impacting ‘most’ species on Earth, even down to their genomes

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theguardian Three recent studies point to just how broad, bizarre, and potentially devastating climate change is to life on Earth. And we’ve only seen one degree Celsius of warming so far.  Story here. Some moose populations in Canada are doing well while others  are threatened by habitat loss & degradation.  PinP  photo.

Why are fire seasons longer? People.

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High Country News New research finds illegal campfires, cigarette butts and other accidental ignitions have nearly tripled the (US) wildfire season. Story here. Coconino National Forest, Arizona.  Jonathan Horn photo.

Lyme disease is set to explode and we still don’t have a vaccine

New Scientist A new prediction says 2017 and 2018 will see major Lyme  disease  outbreaks in new areas.  This could lead to lifelong  consequences ,  so where's the vaccine?   Story here.