EcoWest News, March 19, 2024
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
CPAWS MB has 5 recommendations for the province’s 2024-25 budget. They are: sufficient resources for a 30x30 conservation task force, budget and staffing increases for the Parks and Protected Spaces branch as well as other relevant government departments, an investment in the capacities of Indigenous Nations to ensure their rights and aspirations are met, and sufficient resources for public consultations. [CPAWS MB]
What impact will mineral claims staked in MB’s Grass River Provincial Park have on the habitat of threatened boreal woodland caribou? [The Narwhal]
SaskEnergy has launched a Homes Beyond Code rebate program to help customers build new homes at higher energy efficiency levels than required by current standards. [CBC]
Alberta’s utilities regulator says wind and solar pose little threat to agriculture or the environment, and there is no need for a moratorium. [The Energy Mix]
Liquid natural gas projects in BC are set to have huge impacts on northern ecosystems and communities. [The Narwhal]
Environmental assessments tend to underestimate the amount of flaring that will occur at LNG facilities. How much air pollution will new BC export facilities create for neighbouring communities? [The Tyee]
Around the World
Unlike most urban infrastructure, trees offer more value as they age. “To get the most out of them, cities need to invest more in their upkeep.” [The Walrus]
The global iron and steel industry consumes more energy and produces more carbon emissions than any other industry. But we’re dependent on steel to build a low-carbon power grid. What are the low-tech solutions? [LowTech]
The hard reality of soft toilet paper is its environmental impact on old-growth forest, energy, water, and chemicals. [Mongabay]
“Swapping engines for batteries isn’t changing how much cities pave themselves to accommodate cars, and or how cars kill people” plus EVs are often heavier than internal combustion vehicles, which means more fine-particle pollution from tires. [Planetizen]
Residential electricity usage is all about heating and cooling (ACs & fans, space heating, water heating) except for households with EVs. [Sustainability by numbers]
“If we’re to conserve, restore and connect wildlife populations and habitats, coexistence must be part of the equation, whether we’re talking predator or prey species.” [Conservation Northwest]
Phasing out fossil fuels wouldn’t just benefit the planet. “It would also reduce the heavy toll hormone-scrambling petrochemicals are taking on health.” [Inside Climate News]
Making a Difference
Wetland restoration and rewilding: “There’s a huge opportunity for us to go back and do a lot of repairs and improve how we interact with water and with watersheds,” not to mention job opportunities. [The Tyee]
The California Energy Commission has approved a plan to consider non-energy benefits such as health impacts and job creation in future decisions about the state’s energy mix. [Inside Climate News]
Landscape architects can play a significant role in enhancing and restoring biodiversity by designing for biodiversity, transforming grey to green, and building stronger community coalitions on biodiversity. [The Dirt]
Climate change photography plays an important role in visually documenting physical changes and their impact on individuals and communities as well as inspiring activism. [Earth]
DIY
“You don’t need to have a massive backyard or hectares of space to grow food for wildlife.” [Land Lines]
Living Lakes Canada is inviting volunteers to monitor their local lakes this summer. You’ll receive online training and a monitoring kit and participate in a monthly speaker series. Data will be uploaded to an interactive map. Apply by April 26. [Living Lakes]
Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/52109091465
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 Mastodon, or subscribe by email.