Monday, June 25, 2018

BP Canada spews thousands of litres of toxic mud during offshore drilling incident near Halifax


NATIONAL
OBSERVER
BP Canada has spewed out 136,000 litres of a toxic mud into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Halifax during deepwater offshore exploratory oil drilling, a federal regulator says. More here.

Saturday, June 23, 2018

The Natural Gas Industry Has a Leak Problem


The New York Times
Fracking in the Bakken formation of North Dakota. Photo by Joshua Doubek
The American oil and gas industry is leaking more methane than the government thinks — much more, a new study says. Since methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, that is bad news for climate change. More here.

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Canadian scientists discover Neonics are being ingested by free-ranging animals


Science News.
A pair of wild turkeys in Manitoba. A PinP photo.

Researchers at the University of Guelph, Ontario have found residues of the insecticides in the livers of wild turkeys, providing evidence that this common agrochemical is being ingested by free-ranging animals. More here.

Canadian study finds a pesticide-free way to combat mosquitos and West Nile


UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
Researchers at the University of Waterloo may have discovered a new, pesticide-free way to limit mosquito populations in some area and reduce the spread of the West Nile virus. Story here.

A more detailed version of this study can be found here.

Toxic legacy of Giant Mine found in snowshoe hares


TheNarwhal
Researchers find arsenic levels in animals living near mine 20 to 50 times greater than those living away from it. More here.

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

African Swine Fever could be in Germany in 4 years



PIG PROGRESS

A research team has concluded that the viral disease - often considered the most deadly of all hog infections - spreads west at a speed of around 200 km per year. More here.

The ear of an infected hog. ASF causes a condition called petechia - red or purple splotches due to bleeding into the skin. Photo credit - USDA



Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Diversion tactics: how big pharma is muddying the waters on animal antibiotics



The Guardian
Antibiotic use on farms is a major cause of human drug resistance. Yet slick social media campaigns – funded by the multi-billion-dollar industry – are confusing and complicating the issue. Story here.

A Canstock Photo image.

Hog Watch Manitoba Exposes the Heavy Hand of Government. (An audio podcast interview)

 Alon Olamel Onebird, host of the program "Rogue Primate" on CKUW - University of Winnipeg Radio - interviews Ruth Pryzner of Hog Watch Manitoba, about the tactics being used by our provincial government in order to secure the financial success of big hog corporations.

Monday, June 18, 2018

Greenpeace Film (on ocean pollution) to be shown at special Winnipeg Screening

Larry,
Never has our blue planet been more under threat. 
And never before have we had a better sense of what's at stake. Come watch the latest film that will captivate and motivate you to join a global movement working to save our oceans.
Greenpeace Canada is sponsoring a special Winnipeg screening of BLUE — the critically-acclaimed and award-winning documentary film which takes you deep into our planet’s threatened oceans and seas. 
This one-night-only screening is an on-demand event. It only takes place if 50 tickets are sold. Reserve your spot now — and portion of ticket sales will go towards supporting Greenpeace's vital work to protect our oceans and the planet. 
WHAT: Special screening of BLUE — an award-winning documentary film
WHEN: Monday 25th June, 7pm
WHERE: Cineplex Odeon McGillivray Cinemas (2190 McGillivray Blvd, Winnipeg, MB, R3Y 1S6)

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Environmentalists accuse B.C. government of fudging the numbers to log some of the world's biggest trees


NATIONAL OBSERVER
Environmentalists have accused the B.C. government of lying about the amount of majestic, centuries-old trees left standing in the province. Story here.

An 800 year-old Douglas-fir near Port Alberni, 
BC Photo by Gillian (EverySpoon)

Friday, June 15, 2018

This is Giant Mine



TheNarwhal 
Giant Mine - 2008. Photo by WinterCity296 WinterforceMedia
This gold mine was once so dangerous that it killed a toddler who ate snow two kilometres away. Canada’s second-largest environmental liability is inside Yellowknife city limits — and intrinsically tied to the city’s history and future. The federal government has now inherited the billion-dollar cleanup effort that could span a century. More here.