How Rising CO2 Levels May Contribute to Die-Off of Bees

environment360

PinP photo.

As they investigate the factors behind the decline of bee populations, scientists are now eyeing a new culprit — soaring levels of carbon dioxide, which alter plant physiology and significantly reduce protein in important sources of pollen. Story here.

American Beekeepers Suffer Another Unsustainable Loss of Honey Bee Colonies.

Nation of Change 

Canadian beekeeper Tim Wendell. PinP photo

The Bee Informed Partnership, in collaboration with the Apiary Inspectors of America and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, report losing 44 percent of their total number of colonies managed over the last year—close to the highest annual loss in the past six years. Story here.

NOTE: Latest available figures show Canada in much better shape. According to the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists, colony loss here, nationwide over the winter of 2014-15  was just 16.4%.

5 Images Explain Why the Alberta Forest Fires Are So Hard to Stop

WORLD

RESOURCES
INSTITUTE

Fires are a natural part of many boreal forest ecosystems, but….Story here.

Extreme Forest Fires: a Face of Climate Change.

Greenpeace Canada

The damage is almost unimaginable. Story here.

Why are Fish Suddenly Dying by the Millions?

Nation of Change

A massive fish die-off in Brazil. Ana Perugini Hortolândia, Brasil

Over the past several months there has been an alarming number of dead fish and other sea creatures washing up all over the planet. In many places more than 30 tons of fish have washed up dead. Story here.

Global Warming Cited as Wildfires Increase in Fragile Boreal Forest

New York Times

Scientists say the near-destruction of Fort McMurray
last week by a wildfire is the latest indication that
the vital boreal forest is at risk from climate change. Story here.

Fort McMurray and the Fires of Climate Change

The New Yorker

Though it’s tough to pin any particular disaster on climate change, in the case of Fort McMurray the link is pretty compelling. Story here.

'Volatile' Forest Fires Along Manitoba-Ontario Border Force More Evacuations

CBC News

2,800-hectare fire still spreading; 50,000 hectare fire north in Nopiming Provincial Park rages on. Story here.

Pipelines Not The Pathway to Paris Solutions

Times Colonist

PinP photo

Canada’s symbolic signing of the Paris climate agreements Friday was a hopeful and necessary step. Yet symbolism and rhetoric need to be followed by urgent action here at home if we are serious about avoiding a catastrophic four to six degrees Celsius of warming. Story here.

Climate Hawk Mourns for Fort Mac…and Many Others

The

ENERGY MIX

In a remarkable analysis distributed by email Thursday, Dale Marshall, National Program Manager at Environmental Defence, connects the tragedy unfolding in Fort McMurray with climate disasters and dislocations around the world. Story here.

Did Climate Change Contribute to The Fort McMurray Fire?

MACLEAN’S

Smoke  from the Fort McMurray fires has now spread over the eastern Canadian prairies and much of the US. NOAA map.

Experts say forest fires are more frequent, and more intense, due to climate change. Story here.