PLANET IN PERIL

World Resources Institute Lake Erie We are running up against the limits of our freshwater resources. We are mismanaging our water resources too, through waste and pollution.  Story here.

Science Daily As the ice melts, the organic carbon found in permafrost is being released once again after ages of confinement in the soil. It is making its way into Arctic and subarctic lakes and ponds, and modifying their composition. More here. Arctic Lake. A US Fish & Wildlife photo.

EcoWatch Oil from the stricken oil tanker Sanchi, which exploded and sank in the East China Sea, may have now reached the shores of Japan, according to the country's Coast Guard. More here.

The Winnipeg SUN A group that fears relaxed hog rules will heighten water pollution has united to fight against the proposed changes. Story here.

Nation of Change Lake Winnipeg, the world's 10th-largest freshwater lake. In serious trouble due to pollution. Greenpeace photo. Along with fresh water, political will and public pressure are critical resources in ensuring a sustainable future for all.  Story here.

UM TODAY                      News The scientists observed a reduction in the fish’s growth and condition, which can impact their reproductive success. Story here.

QC Country "Residents were shovelling away dead crayfish" according to Denise Melnyk. Story here.

The Western Producer Several cattle producers along the Wood River in south-central Saskatchewan have to move about 1,000 head to different pastures after water quality in the river declined unexpectedly. Story here.

H2O: Ideas & Action for Canada's Water A blog about the Lake Winnipeg Watershed  The hot summer weather  in Manitoba has brought along another reminder that all is not well in our great Lake Winnipeg, the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world. Story here.

Hog Watch Manitoba (Winnipeg May 17) - A citizens group which monitors the hog industry in Manitoba, has cautioned the provincial government,  if it goes ahead with its apparent plans to expand production,  not to repeat the mistakes of the past. In a recent meeting with three cabinet ministers, Hog Watch Manitoba    (HWM) reminded them how “technical review committees,” which used to “oversee” the construction of both hog barns and lagoons designed to hold the waste, overlooked errors in the planning. These errors were so serious, they eroded both the public’s trust of the industry and in government policies relating to it. HWM is deeply concerned about the Consultation paper recently released about proposed changes to the Livestock Manure and Mortalities Management Regulation. Fred Tait, member of the HWM Steering Committee, says “We fear that if implemented, it will simply enhance the mistakes of the previous administration.” HWM urges the government to implement the

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?"  

The Hill Times The recent release of the Canadian budget is a real opportunity for our current government to send a message to the rest of the world - that, despite the current political climate, we take our environment seriously.  Story here. Lake Superior, Minnesota. EPA photo.

+SumOfUs Larry, Huge news -- the government in  Ontario, Canada just issued a moratorium to block Nestlé  from sucking up water from a small community experiencing drought conditions!  Thanks  to tireless work from grassroots groups and with support from over 168,000 SumOfUs members  who spoke out, submitted public comments and donated to blanket the airwaves with radio ads,  corporate giant Nestlé has been stopped in its tracks.  But the fight to stop Nestlé from bullying local communities isn’t over. The state of  Michigan is weeks away from deciding on a plan to charge Nestlé just $200  for a permit to double the amount of groundwater it can take to bottle and sell at a  massive profit.  Residents in Evart, Michigan need your help to stand up to Nestlé once again. Tell the State of Michigan to say no to this massive corporate giveaway. Stop Nestlé now. Our original email from last month: Nestlé's at it again. This time, it  wants to suck up  10

CommonDreams Advocates hope new investigation will spur action from community leaders, as aid and attention have been slim. Story here.

CommonDreams What's more, the biggest food company in the world gets to pump that water at no cost. Story here.

CBC News  'It's beautiful but severely impacted in terms of water loss.’ Story here. Gros Beak Lk. Wood Buffalo Park. Ansgar Walk photo.

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

Earth. We Are One. The Story of Stuff Project, a campaign group, has just announced the pursuit of legal action towards Nestlé.  The lawsuit is over the extraction of groundwater in California as Nestlé has been doing, illegally, for its arrowhead brand.  This is considered to be a key contributor to the drought crisis within the state. More here.

Commmon Dreams 'Without shareholders expecting profits, public systems are less likely to cut corners on service,' says Food & Water Watch. Details here.