PLANET IN PERIL

The Washington Post Beekeepers at Fort Whyte Centre,  Winnipeg, MB. PinP photo. Until now, most assessments of pollinator health have been conducted on a regional basis, focusing on certain countries or parts of the world. But this week, a United Nations organization has released the first-ever global assessment of pollinators, highlighting their importance for worldwide food and nutrition, describing the threats they currently face and outlining strategies to protect them. Story here.

The ENERGY MIX The era of expansion of tar sands/oil sands production may be over—at least for now. In light of price and delivery challenges, the Paris-based International Energy Agency forecasts that projects now being developed will be completed, but no new ones begun. Story here.

Environmental Health News Tadpoles exposed to coal mine wastewater in Queensland, Australia, had delayed development, hyperactivity and ended up full of toxic metals in their tails and livers, according to a new study. Story here.

MotherJones Right in time for tourist season, polluted runoff is fouling coasts on both sides of the Sunshine State.    Details here.

Grist The World Trade Organization delivered a blow to India’s ambitious solar power program on Wednesday at the behest of the United States. So much for all that nice chatter about international climate cooperation back in December. Story here.

bilaterals.org Wind farm in Saskatchewan.  PinP  photo. The three-year dispute between the US-based Windstream Energy company and the Canadian government ramped up this week, as representatives from both sides gathered in Toronto to make their case before an investor-state arbitration tribunal under NAFTA.  Story here .

CBC News The federal Liberal government remains determined to set a national price on carbon emissions, despite the vocal opposition of Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall. Story here.

Greenpeace For generations, the Nenets and the Khanty people have bred reindeer, fished, picked berries and gathered. They travel hundreds of kilometers to come together and conduct sacred rituals at Lake Numto.  It's  threatened by an oil company; oil operations would wreck local communities and spell disaster for its  wildlife and ecosystems . Story here.

Greenpeace People power vs. destructive fishing. Please sign petition!

the star.com Consumers have until March 10 to make their views known, as Environment Canada works out a timetable for eliminating the environmental pollutant. Story here.

The New York Times The worsening of tidal flooding in American coastal communities is largely a consequence of greenhouse gases from human activity, and the problem will grow far worse in coming decades, scientists reported Monday. Details here.

Manitoba Co-Operator Unlike other regions, Manitoba may be able to benefit from climate change.  Story here. These were the soggy fields we drove by on Victoria Day last year, on the Trans Canada Highway west of Portage La Prairie (smack-dab in the middle of planting season): torrential rains most likely made worse by climate change. Does this look like the kind of weather that will "benefit" farmers? PinP video.

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Most major Canadian cities have organic waste pick up, including: Vancouver, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Hamilton and Toronto. Calgary will start in 2017. If Winnipeg does not move soon on this issue, we will be one of the few large cities in the country not doing our part. Story here.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) A coral in August 2015 at the start of the worst bleaching event the main Hawaiian Islands  have ever experienced.  (Credit:  XL Catlin Seaview Survey team) Global warming and the current intense El Niño are prolonging the longest global coral die-off on record. Story here.

THE LANCET In their letter, Isaac I Bogoch and colleagues (Jan 23, p 335) 1 anticipated the international spread of Zika virus from Brazil through air traffic. Story here.

Agro Pages Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced that the Government of Canada is investing over $980,000 in research to help drive innovation and profitability in the canola industry. Story here. RELATED:  Field of Nightmares: Ottawa promotes the use of Roundup by Canadian Farmers, Letting Corporate Seduction Trump Scientific Evidence.

UN News Service In the wake of Tropical Cyclone Winston that struck the island nation of Fiji Saturday night, the United Nations Children's Fund ( UNICEF ) said it is on stand-by to provide emergency supplies and additional personnel to support the Government as it works to determine critical needs. Story here.