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
The Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment is hosting two online engagement sessions on Wednesday, March 26, at 1:30 and 7:30 pm CST and is inviting the public to assist in reporting sightings of the American Badger, a species-at-risk. [Zoom meeting info: afternoon session, evening session]
Canada is the world’s largest producer of potash, and most of it is found in southern Saskatchewan. “As tariffs drive up the cost of fertilizer, [US] farmers could be forced to cut back on potassium inputs, which could be bad for yield.” [The Narwhal]
Provincial, federal, and Indigenous leaders are working together to create an Indigenous protected and conserved area the size of Nova Scotia in northern Manitoba’s Seal River watershed. The nature of the IPCA will be up to rightsholders and stakeholders as there is no standard framework and is expected to take into account tourism and mining for critical minerals. [The Narwhal, CBC]
77% of Albertans oppose coal mining in the eastern reaches of the Rocky Mountains and are worried about local watersheds being contaminated by selenium. [The Energy Mix]
A University of Calgary podcast and radio series connects climate change and social work and is part of a week-long event on social work education March 17-21. [UCalgary]
Killing wolves is a short-term solution to the decline in the number of caribou, but it’s a “bridge to nowhere” if we don’t address roads and habitat loss. [The Tyee]
BC’s energy regulator is failing to hold oil and gas companies accountable, even when there are obvious violations. [The Narwhal]
Around the World
New protocols could cut emissions associated with surgical anesthesia in half—with no adverse effects on patient outcomes. [Anthropocene]
The number of butterflies in continental United States decreased by 22% between 2000 and 2020. [Science Daily]
Communicating for Climate
“The problem in the climate movement isn’t just the abundance of carbon, it is the lack of joy.” Why not switch to climatemaxxing, finding the biggest ways to tackle climate change at home, at work, and in your community. It’s no longer a sacrifice. Instead, it’s aspirational and an antidote to despair. [Grist]
What have we learned about changing people’s minds on climate? Do we pay people to promote climate-friendly behaviours or embed climate messages in Hollywood movies? An overview of what we've learned about shaping people's opinions on climate. [Anthropocene]
Making a Difference
By watching a livestream and pressing on the fish doorbell, Utrecht residents can notify a lock keeper to open the gates so fish can swim upstream. [EuroNews]
Blatchford, Edmonton, is North America’s largest planned carbon-neutral community. It has a district geothermal heating system, a green building code, light rail transit station, neighbourhood facilities, and bike trails. [LinkedIn]
DIY
Three tips to help you avoid microplastics. [The Guardian]
Nature’s Wonders
A lynx pouncing, a polar bear fast asleep in a circle of wildflowers, and carp love are just a few of the finalists in the Nature Photography competition. [The Guardian]
Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/8612447948
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 BlueSky, X, and Mastodon, or subscribe by email.