“The researchers, mainly from Environment Canada, calculated
emissions rates for four major oilsands surface mining operations using
air samples collected in 2013 on 17 airplane flights over the area,” CBC
reports. The study found gaps from 13 to 123% between reported and
actual emissions at the four facilities, a finding that “could have
profound consequences for government climate change strategies”.
Tag Archives: environment
Why 1.6% of Global Emissions Really Matters – Below 2C
Canada is a small country with only 0.5% of the world’s
population. And yet, we’re hitting way above our weight by producing
1.6% of global emissions – a full 3 times more than our population. Some
Canadians argue that we’re too small to have any meaningful impact on
reducing greenhouse gases. But this argument is only valid if you’re
looking for an excuse to do nothing – nothing to save the planet from
climate breakdown and nothing to ensure a clean future for your children
and grandchildren. (Below2C Editor)
population. And yet, we’re hitting way above our weight by producing
1.6% of global emissions – a full 3 times more than our population. Some
Canadians argue that we’re too small to have any meaningful impact on
reducing greenhouse gases. But this argument is only valid if you’re
looking for an excuse to do nothing – nothing to save the planet from
climate breakdown and nothing to ensure a clean future for your children
and grandchildren. (Below2C Editor)
This article by Brendan Frank (first published on EcoFiscal blog) focuses on the moral and economic arguments for doing one’s share regardless of size.
Opinion | Saskatchewan needs to get serious about abandoned oil and gas wells | CBC News
I don’t recall seeing mountains like this in Saskatchewan, but then I haven’t been any farther north than Saskatoon.
A report last year by provincial auditor Judy Ferguson noted
that the number of inactive oil and gas wells in Saskatchewan had
ballooned by 90 per cent between 2005 and 2017. The Ministry of Energy
and Resources (MER) pegged the future cost of abandonment (capping) and
reclamation at $4 billion.
Even though the ministry points to
several programs it says will ensure the energy industry picks up the
tab — annual levies on the industry toward an Oil and Gas Orphan Fund
and the government’s Licensee Liability Rating (LLR) program, which
requires a security deposit from higher-risk licensees — there’s little
reason for confidence.
Flooding, climate change force Quebecers to rethink relationship with water | CBC News
Jason Thistlethwaite, professor of environment and business at the University of Waterloo, said Quebecers can expect flooding to get worse because climate change is making winter temperatures more volatile.
Sudden waves of warm weather followed by quick drops in temperatures increase the risk of ice accumulating on the rivers in the winter, he said.
The ice jams act as a dam, holding back water, and when the ice begins to melt and move, the dam bursts.
That’s exactly what happened in Beauceville this week, when an ice jam broke and water rushed through downtown, flooding at least 230 buildings in the small town south of Quebec City.
First Nations divided on impacts of tanker ban at Northern B.C. Senate hearings | CBC News
Bill C-48—the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act—would prohibit oil tankers carrying more than 12,500 tonnes
of certain types of oil from stopping or unloading at ports on the
North Coast, from the northern tip of Vancouver Island to the Alaskan
border.
of certain types of oil from stopping or unloading at ports on the
North Coast, from the northern tip of Vancouver Island to the Alaskan
border.
The bill, which has already received approval in
principal in the House of Commons, resulted in the scrapping of the
previously approved Northern Gateway Pipeline, fulfilling a Liberal
election promise.
It is now before the Senate.