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
Works of art by Vanessa Hyggen highlighting the diversity, beauty, importance, and plight of northern Saskatchewan muskegs will be on display around Saskatchewan over the next couple of years. [Organization of Saskatchewan Art Councils]
SaskPower worked with wildlife rescue organizations and other professionals to protect and rehome western tiger salamanders and northern leopard frogs at the Great Plains Power Station construction site. [SaskPower]
Nearly half a million Albertans live within 1.5 km of an active oil or gas well, putting them at risk of cardiovascular and respiratory health issues from air pollution. [The Conversation]
Worried about potential lawsuits, the Government of Alberta reopened the Eastern slopes to coal mining. However, “the lawsuits are far from guaranteed to succeed, both in substance and in the amount of money claimed.” [Environmental Law Centre]
Across Canada
No Margin for Error – Aligning Utility Resource Planning with a Net-Zero Future examines how Canadian utilities plan for the future and identifies key gaps that could hinder progress, such as undervaluing energy efficiency and demand response programs. [Efficiency Canada]
More and more people, particularly in Quebec, are speaking out against new oil pipelines: “energy efficiency, renewable energy, and a focus on communities and mutual aid—will do a far better job of protecting Canada from Trump’s schemes”. [The Energy Mix]
NWT residents are concerned about the impact of fire retardants used to slow down forest fires. Studies indicate they negatively affect aquatic life and prevent plant regrowth, which in turn impacts permafrost. [CBC]
Around the World
Basel, Switzerland, has some of the greenest roofs in Europe, over 5 sq m per person, while Hamburg, Germany, is making solar + green roofs compulsory in new buildings and renovations from 2027. [The Guardian]
Housing versus trees is a false choice; swap pavement for trees instead. “If we convert eight parking spaces into trees, build planted curb bulbs and roundabouts with trees, then each intersection can become 17 new trees.” [Planetizen]
Offshore flower farms are heavily sprayed with pesticides and fungicides, affecting the health of workers and their families and neighbouring communities, not to mention florists and potentially consumers. [Scientific American]
Books & Videos
“Eight new or forthcoming graphic novels and comic-strip collections tackle the Earth’s problems — from pollution and fossil fuels to extinction and climate change — as well as some of its marvels.” [The Revelator]
The Climate Kids video series answers kids’ questions about climate change and includes actions kids can take to combat it. [YouTube]
Biodiversity
Winter is a challenging time for mountain goats, and human recreational activity causes stress and can be a huge drain on their energy stores. Here are 3 ways we can reduce the threat to mountain goats. [Wildsight]
The number of peregrine falcons, particularly in coastal areas, is declining rapidly. Scientists suspect avian flu is to blame. [Biographic]
Ants keep Costa Rica’s rainforests running smoothly by churning up the soil, changing the soil’s chemistry, and removing more than half the dead plants, animals, and insects that fall to the forest floor. [Biographic]
Nature’s Wonders
Experts are assembling evidence demonstrating that insects, octopuses, and other invertebrates have feelings. [The Guardian]
Remote cameras in Svalbard, Norway, provide insight into the lives of mother polar bears and their cubs as they emerge from their dens. [The Conversation]
Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/54240352794/
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.