Thursday, November 9, 2023

Giant Sequoias Are in Big Trouble. How Best to Save Them?

YaleEnvironment360

by Jim Robbins

Daniel G Rego photo.

California’s ancient sequoias — some of which have stood more than 1,000 years — are facing an existential threat from increasingly intense wildfires linked to climate change. But federal efforts to thin forests to reduce fire risks are drawing pushback from conservation groups. Story here.


Sunday, October 29, 2023

GOOD NEWS! Some mangrove forests are rapidly expanding

 Royal Society Journals

A mangrove forrest, close up. Photo by Jeff Kelleway

     The expansions are occurring on low-lying islands of the Great Barrier Reef, creating new habitats and protecting coastlines from storms and sea level rise. They're also capturing carbon and helping tiny islands grow. Mangroves of the Howick Islands in the northern Great Barrier Reef have been mapped for the first time since 1974. The new maps show that the mangrove forests have extended at rates of up to five metres a year, adding over 10,000 tonnes of new biomass. Watch video, below.

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Diesel vehicles in oil sands operations contribute to regional pollution

EurekAlert


Wildfires, cigarette smoking and vehicles all emit a potentially harmful compound called isocyanic acid. The substance has been linked to several health conditions, including heart disease and cataracts. Scientists investigating sources of the compound have now identified off-road diesel vehicles in oil sands production in Alberta, Canada, as a major contributor to regional levels of the pollutant. Their report appears in ACS' journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Story here.

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Opposition persists to proposed sand mining project in southeastern Manitoba

MOTHER CORP NEWS

Silica sand. Photo by  ರವಿಮುಂ

Springfield councillor says survey results will be shared with council, provincial election candidates. Widespread opposition persists in southeastern Manitoba to an Alberta-based company's proposed plan to mine for pure silica sand in the rural municipality of Springfield, two local councillors say. Story here.

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Critical Concerns about Manitoba’s Minerals Strategy

                                MiningWatch CANADA


Last week, the Government of Manitoba released the Critical Minerals Strategy: Driving Sustainable Growth. For years, Manitoba’s environmental community has been raising the alarm about the short and long-term implications of mining on the environment and the health of mining-adjacent communities.

There is a need for a more thoughtful and detailed strategy that meaningfully addresses the environmental concerns and interests of the public and Indigenous communities. DETAILS HERE.

Monday, August 28, 2023

Canada burns - Canada’s relentless battle with record heat and devastating wildfires

Jamie Sandison - Canada's National Observer

My analysis of data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reveals a staggering revelation — more than 150 monthly temperature records have been broken across Canada this year. Details here.


Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Danielle Smith Rips Off the Mask

The Tyee

Alberta Premier,
Danielle Smith.
Her combative, gaslighting persona was put away for the election campaign. It was back this week. Details here.


Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Climate change more than doubled the likelihood of extreme fire weather conditions in Eastern Canada

World Weather Attribution

During May and June 2023 Canada witnessed exceptionally extreme fire-weather conditions, leading to extensive wildfires that burned over 13 million hectares. Story here.

Extreme heat in Canada, US, Europe and China in July 2023 made much more likely by climate change

WORLD WEATHER ATTRIBUTION

Following a record hot June, large areas of the US, Canada, Mexico, Southern Europe and China experienced extreme heat in July 2023, breaking many local high temperature records. Details here.


Please also read; 

Climate crisis made spate of Canada wildfires twice as likely, scientists find



Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Being a child in this climate is daunting. Are we doing enough to help?

National Observer

“There is no rain in our community. We walk for more than eight hours every day to get water,” Drought forced Dawele*, 14, from Ethiopia, to drop out of school.she explains. “Because of this, I couldn’t attend class and was forced to drop out. I love mathematics and want to be a teacher, but now I don’t know what my future will be.” Dawele is just one of 15 million people in the Horn of Africa who can no longer go to school because of severe drought.  STORY HERE.

PLEASE READ LARRY'S BOOK - THE MERCHANTS OF MENACE.

  Read Larry's book   here.