EcoWest News, January 24, 2023

Welcome to EcoWest News, a weekly round-up of news and resources that you can put to use in addressing environmental issues and protecting the wild in your community.

Across the West

Can the Port of Churchill take on an expanded role shipping oil? What are the physical constraints and environmental risks? [The Narwhal]

The Province of Manitoba has designated Moswa Meadows and Fish Lake Fen as Provincially Significant Peatlands—the first of their kind in the province. [Ducks Unlimited]

Federal funding will address algal blooms on Lake Winnipeg caused by farming and municipal wastewater. “The health of the lake and the river is a reflection of our health as a society” says Jerry Daniels, Grand Chief of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization. [The Narwhal]

Regina airport is capturing carbon dioxide from building heating systems like boilers, furnaces, and water heaters and converting it into potassium carbonate, which is then used for making soap. [Leader-Post]

A roosting site at the Sutherland Dog Park along the river in Saskatoon is home to over 760 magpies. [Saskatoon StarPhoenix]

Feral pigs can ruin natural habitats, eat crops, harass livestock, and contaminate water sources. Ontario is the only province to have developed a scientific population management strategy. [The Narwhal]

A supply crisis is looming in BC’s forest industry. [Policy Note]

Crossing Paths

We may love nature, but what if our mere presence in the wild, as hikers for example, is “creating a landscape of fear” and forcing animals to abandon territory or switch to nocturnal activities? [Futurity]

Wild animals cross paths more frequently in landscapes altered by people. What are the ramifications in terms of predation, stress, and disease transmission? [Anthropocene]

A new study emphasizes the importance of wildlife migration corridors, linkages between otherwise isolated national parks, and less housing developments near national parks. [Missoula Current]

DIY

An analysis of ancient skeletons illustrates a diverse response to rapid shifts in climate. People in flexible, cooperative societies with diverse food sources fared better than hierarchical, agricultural societies. [Grist]

Industries as well as homeowners are saving money and energy through using heat pumps. [Yale Environment 360]

Relatively small policy interventions on electric cars, plant-based alternatives to meat, and green fertilizers could trigger a cascade of decarbonization across the global economy. [The Guardian]

Urban Life

A focus on gas stove emissions overshadows the fact that much greater reductions in air pollution can be achieved by updating building codes. [Route Fifty]

Los Angeles County captured 33 billion gallons of stormwater from the recent rains that drenched California to assist in reducing dependence on imported water. [Planetizen]

Lambeth Council, London is reclaiming curbside space for the public – 25% will be used for improving access and active transit, shared transit and EV charging, street trees and rain gardens, and social spaces. [Earthbound Report]

Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/52641572328/

EcoFriendly West informs and encourages initiatives that support Western Canada’s natural environment through its online publication and the Nature Companion website/app. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe by email.