Environment

Starting Thursday (June 1, 2023), British Columbians can claim up to $1,400 toward their purchases of E-bikes depending on their incomes without having to scrap their cars. (Black Press Media file photo)

New B.C. e-bike rebate program hits the road but not without some bumps

Environment minister acknowledged technical glitches during the launch

 

Styrofoam blocks and buoys washed up on the beach. Ashley Tapp photo

Fed’s response to banning foam from oceans ‘unreasonable, unacceptable and, quite frankly, lazy’

MP Rachel Blaney wrote letter to environment minister asking to follow Washington state’s example

 

This was the aftermath of a 2021 explosion at CFB Comox after crews had hit a gasline. According to the 2022 annual report from the Technical Safety BC, it was one of two serious gas-related explosions caused by unattentive crews. (Photo courtsey of Technical Safety BC)

Climate change is threatening technical safety, says B.C.’s regulator

Phil Gothe, lead executive officer at Technical Safety BC, says regulator investigated 81 incidents

 

The B.C. government will invest an additional $25 million into its Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative Fund. The announcement was made May 30 at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park near Parksville. Left to right: Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo Adam Walker, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, George Heyman, Minister of Environment, MLA Aman Singh, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment, Paul Kariya, Senior Policy Advisor at Coast First Nations-Great Bear Initiative and Joshua Charleson, Relationships Director for the Coastal Restoration Society. (Submitted photo)

B.C. government pledges additional $25 million for coastal cleanup

Fund aims to restore marine environment by removing derelict vessels, cleaning up marine debris

The B.C. government will invest an additional $25 million into its Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative Fund. The announcement was made May 30 at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park near Parksville. Left to right: Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo Adam Walker, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, George Heyman, Minister of Environment, MLA Aman Singh, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment, Paul Kariya, Senior Policy Advisor at Coast First Nations-Great Bear Initiative and Joshua Charleson, Relationships Director for the Coastal Restoration Society. (Submitted photo)
A cruise ship nears the glaciers near Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in southwestern Alaska. Research published in 2021 linked a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in 1958 to glacial melting. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. National Park Service)

Climate change is impacting earthquake risks, federal report finds

Disaster risk assessment notes buildings constructed on permafrost at a ‘high risk’ of sinking

A cruise ship nears the glaciers near Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in southwestern Alaska. Research published in 2021 linked a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in 1958 to glacial melting. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. National Park Service)
Contamination in the river is the suspected cause of over 2,000 fish dying in a Campbell River stream this week. Photo courtesy Greenways Land Trust

Over 2,000 fish die due to suspected contamination in Campbell River stream

Exact cause under investigation

Contamination in the river is the suspected cause of over 2,000 fish dying in a Campbell River stream this week. Photo courtesy Greenways Land Trust
Organizer Manvi Bhalla (fifth from left) and a delegation of youths deliver 90 cover letters applying for a yet-to-be-created “Youth Climate Corps” to constituency manager Bernadette Kudzin (left) outside Delta MP Carla Qualtrough’s constituency office in Ladner on Monday, May 8, 2023. (Submitted photo)

B.C. youth send feds 90 cover letters for ‘good, green jobs’ to fight climate crisis

Applications for non-existent ‘Youth Climate Corps’ delivered to employment minister’s office May 8

Organizer Manvi Bhalla (fifth from left) and a delegation of youths deliver 90 cover letters applying for a yet-to-be-created “Youth Climate Corps” to constituency manager Bernadette Kudzin (left) outside Delta MP Carla Qualtrough’s constituency office in Ladner on Monday, May 8, 2023. (Submitted photo)
The ruins of houses and businesses are seen in Lytton, B.C., on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, almost a year after the town was destroyed by fire during the heat dome weather event. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Lytton is Canada’s hotspot: Environment Canada

Lytton broke an 11-year record for highest temperature

The ruins of houses and businesses are seen in Lytton, B.C., on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, almost a year after the town was destroyed by fire during the heat dome weather event. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The terminus for the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline is seen at the LNG Canada export terminal under construction in Kitimat, B.C., on Wednesday, September 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Portion of Coastal GasLink construction paused over erosion, sediment control issues

Spring melt conditions affect pipeline progress near the Little Anzac River north of Prince George

The terminus for the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline is seen at the LNG Canada export terminal under construction in Kitimat, B.C., on Wednesday, September 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Amanda Goodman Lee of Swan Valley Honey in Creston (Maddy Prier photo)

Beekeeping brings Creston couple back to their roots

Amanda Goodman Lee, Jeff Lee turn collective dream into thriving multifaceted business

Amanda Goodman Lee of Swan Valley Honey in Creston (Maddy Prier photo)
The BC Coroners Service confirmed that 619 people died during the 2021 heat dome between June 25 and July 1. Provincial emergency official do not anticipate a heat dome scenario with temperatures expected to surge this week, but are able to respond if necessary. (Black Press Media file photo)

Province prepared as temperatures poised to surge in B.C., says emergency minister

Emergency Minister Ma does not anticipate ‘heat-dome scenario’ but province ready to issue alerts

The BC Coroners Service confirmed that 619 people died during the 2021 heat dome between June 25 and July 1. Provincial emergency official do not anticipate a heat dome scenario with temperatures expected to surge this week, but are able to respond if necessary. (Black Press Media file photo)
A marine conservation area around the Gulf Islands is not currently on the horizon, according to Parks Canada. (Black Press Media file photo)

Gulf Island marine conservation area not on Parks Canada’s radar

First pitched in 2011, proposal could create area off limits to shipping

A marine conservation area around the Gulf Islands is not currently on the horizon, according to Parks Canada. (Black Press Media file photo)
A response between The Ha-ma-yas Guardians, the Canadian Coast Guard and Western Canada Marine Response Corporation raised a sunken diesel tanker off Hardwicke Island last week. Photo courtesy DFO Marine Mammal Response Unit

Coastal First Nations Guardians key to fuel truck spill response

Local knowledge of area proved vital to success of salvage

A response between The Ha-ma-yas Guardians, the Canadian Coast Guard and Western Canada Marine Response Corporation raised a sunken diesel tanker off Hardwicke Island last week. Photo courtesy DFO Marine Mammal Response Unit
River levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly in yellow areas, but no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible. River levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull in brown areas. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur. (Screencap)

Low-lying parts of B.C.’s Interior asked to prepare for potential spring flooding

Areas with a higher risk of flooding include Chilcotins and areas around Prince George among others

River levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly in yellow areas, but no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible. River levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull in brown areas. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur. (Screencap)
Crews with the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation conduct a simulated oil spill outside Esquimalt Harbour April 26. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Simulated oil spill off southern Vancouver Island tests marine response

Crews from the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation deployed as part of biannual exercise

Crews with the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation conduct a simulated oil spill outside Esquimalt Harbour April 26. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
The Scott Island Marine National Wildlife Area was the first protected marine area established under the Canada Wildlife Act. (Government of Canada screen capture)

Oil and gas ‘sleeper permits’ surrendered for sensitive B.C. coastal areas

Environment groups halt court challenge after Chevron surrenders historical rights in hot spots

The Scott Island Marine National Wildlife Area was the first protected marine area established under the Canada Wildlife Act. (Government of Canada screen capture)
Access to public charging stations has increased, but concerns about their availability remain.(Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. drivers love their EVs, but many worry about long road trips: BCAA survey

Survey notes 67% still own gas vehicles for longer journeys

Access to public charging stations has increased, but concerns about their availability remain.(Black Press Media file photo)
A Repair Cafe event will soon be taking place at the Sidney/North Saanich branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library. (Courtesy Susan McDonald)

Repair Cafe coming to Sidney/North Saanich library

The event will help keep items out of the landfill

  • Apr 24, 2023
A Repair Cafe event will soon be taking place at the Sidney/North Saanich branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library. (Courtesy Susan McDonald)
Access to public charging stations has increased, but concerns about their availability remain.(Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. drivers love their EVs, but many worry about long road trips: BCAA survey

Survey notes 67% still own gas vehicles for longer journeys

Access to public charging stations has increased, but concerns about their availability remain.(Black Press Media file photo)
April 22 is Earth Day. Across Canada and around the world, special events will be held as a global support of environmental protection. (Pixabay.com)

QUIZ: How much do you know about the Earth?

April 22 is Earth Day, a day set aside to support environmental protection

April 22 is Earth Day. Across Canada and around the world, special events will be held as a global support of environmental protection. (Pixabay.com)