PLANET IN PERIL

nature Two vaquitas (Phocoena sinus) - a critically endangered porpoise species endemic to the northern part of the Gulf of California. It is considered the smallest and most endangered cetacean in the world.  Photo credit -  NOAA. Funds approved for plan to round up last 30 vaquitas into protective 'sea pens.'  Story here.

theguardian Three recent studies point to just how broad, bizarre, and potentially devastating climate change is to life on Earth. And we’ve only seen one degree Celsius of warming so far.  Story here. Some moose populations in Canada are doing well while others  are threatened by habitat loss & degradation.  PinP  photo.

High Country News New research finds illegal campfires, cigarette butts and other accidental ignitions have nearly tripled the (US) wildfire season. Story here. Coconino National Forest, Arizona.  Jonathan Horn photo.

New Scientist A new prediction says 2017 and 2018 will see major Lyme  disease  outbreaks in new areas.  This could lead to lifelong  consequences ,  so where's the vaccine?   Story here.

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.

Sierra Club of BC “The scope and scale of the ancient rainforest destruction in this incredible watershed (north Vancouver Island) is unimaginable.” Story here. Bugaboo Crk. Another, earlier example of clearcutting in BC.

Sierra Club BC Wood Buffalo National Park. Photo credit: UNESCO -    Vincent Ko Hon Chiu  Canada has failed to protect its largest World Heritage Site. Based upon a process initiated by Sierra Club BC, UNESCO visited the Peace River Valley in the fall of 2016 to investigate how the Site C dam endangers Wood Buffalo National Park. UNESCO  strongly criticizes Canada for exposing the park to danger.  Story here.

Nation of Change "We cannot stand by and allow oil and gas companies to ruin our climate and pollute our land, water and sacred cultural sites." Story here.

Winnipeg Free Press On Wednesday, Carl Brown Jr. of South Carolina was found guilty of killing an animal that is protected under The Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act. Story here. Photo by Brocken Inaglory.

CBC news Province says neighbourhood is safe, but residents and environmental researcher disagree. Story here.

Sierra Club Canada Foundation. Larry I'm devastated to report that the licence for oil and gas drilling has been approved in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and there’s not one thing whales can do to stop it. We're not giving up and neither are they. At this very moment – mile by mile, heading north – they’re coming back. Over the next few weeks, blue whales will be making their way back to Canadian waters. It’s a brave and often perilous journey.  But they do it because their ancient DNA tells them to come north, as they have for millennia. While some of these whales have been south this winter,  you and I have been working to keep their northern waters safe.