Will climate refugees in Canada finally spur action on climate change?

 Photo Credit: Eric Wüstenhagen Ryan Meili and Mahli Brindamour A young child arrives at the hospital emergency room in respiratory distress, his asthma worsened by smoke exposure. An elder has uncontrolled blood pressure because there wasn't time to get her medications when the evacuation orders came through. Scabies and other illnesses related

PowerCost Monitor: A Win for Your Pocket and the Planet

 Do you leave the light on when you’re not in the room? Do you forget to turn the TV off or leave your laptop charger plugged in? We all do it now and again, but the fact is, it’s hurting the environment and it’s costing you money. “Climate change is

An Exclusive with U.S. Ambassador Bruce A. Heyman

 The United States Ambassador to Canada, Bruce A. Heyman, arrived in Ottawa last summer and has been one of the most active U.S. ambassadors in decades. In less than a year, Heyman has hosted seven senior United States cabinet members in Canada, including several visits by Secretary of State John

Five Things Everyone Should Know about the Relationship Between Poverty and Health in Canada

 With a federal election on the horizon, certain high level policy topics are bound to make the headlines beyond the personalities of the political leaders: the economy, energy prices, jobs prospects even climate change. But what seems surprisingly absent from the political hustings so far has been a fulsome discussion

U.S. and China: Capping Economic and Environmental Controversy

 The United States and China, which are liable for more than one-third of global greenhouse gas-emissions, have agreed to get a handle on pollution. But concerns of potential business restrictions, tax increases, job cuts and inefficiency in planning have created political controversy. The arguments focus on longevity, healthcare costs and sustaining

Pipeline Construction – The Federal Stance

 Energy exports, particularly oil and gas, are a key pillar of the Canadian economy, support hundreds of thousands of jobs in Canada and provide great wealth to the nation. With the 2015 Federal election just around the corner, Canadians are focused now more than ever on the three major federal

Creating a Community: Cohousing at Terra Firma

 On Canada Day, Valerie Gapp baked strawberry and rhubarb muffins. Valerie, her husband Thomas and their 14-month-old twins Audrey and Alexis joined their neighbours across the street for a potluck brunch. They celebrated two birthdays: Canada’s and Terra Firma's cohousing community. Terra Firma residents have lived together for 17 years,

Working to Build a New Ottawa: Martin Canning

 There is a change happening in Ottawa, according to city councillor hopeful Martin Canning, and he wants to be a big part of that change. Canning’s campaign began in January with the launch of his website and vision, ‘New Ottawa’. The Somerset ward candidate defines New Ottawa as the most

Wanderlust: Keeping It Green

 Photo Courtesy of Ali Kaukas An important part of Wanderlust’s mission is to practice environmental stewardship. Being a good steward of the earth goes hand-in-hand with the mindful, grounding practice of yoga. That is why Wanderlust festivals are committed to numerous sustainability initiatives, including waste reduction, recycling, composting, the utilization

Settling for a Greener Ottawa: Ecology Ottawa Puts Federal Efforts On Blast

 For the first time in 10 years the City of Ottawa has prepared a new plan to fight climate change.  The Environmental Council passed The 2014 Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan (AQCCM) with only one member dissenting. The 160-page plan will now go on to the Full Committee

The Zimovs: Restoration of the Mammoth-Era Ecosystem, and Reversing Global Warming

  The Arctic is warm and melting. Politicians are debating, environmentalists are demanding more research, and non-governmental organizations are taking small steps. One Russian family of scientists might have a solution, or at least a theory supported by a two-decade-long experiment. In Northeast Russia, on a frigid zone above the Arctic

Arctic sea ice coverage reaches new record low

 According to satellite observations, sea ice coverage in the Arctic reached a new record seasonal low of only 3.41 million square kilometres in September 2012, 18 per cent below the previous record minimum observed in 2007. In late September, the ice coverage began a new seasonal cycle and will extend

Students on Ice: Arctic Expedition A Voyage of Discovery and Transformation

 As the Arctic warms and polar sea ice continues to melt at unprecedented rates, 75 international high school students – including three from Ottawa – and a team of inspiring leaders sailed on the latest Students on Ice Arctic expedition: A Voyage of Discovery and Transformation. Students on Ice is

Celebrate National Sweater Day!

 Winter can be the toughest season for those of us trying to maintain a green lifestyle. Daylight is limited, the vegetation is buried under snow, and it’s uncomfortably cold. While it can be tempting to simply turn up the thermostat and be done with it, today marks the day you

Climate Change and Arctic Sovereignty

 ABOVE: Melting Arctic Sea ice. Many of Canada’s most enduring myths originate in the Arctic. We still tend to think of the Arctic region as a vast unchanging space, as though frozen in time. The region is unrelentingly cold and the landscape consists of snow and ice, with very little

Canadian Innovation and 21st Century Challenges

 Like other countries, Canada faces profound challenges in the decades ahead. An aging population, the need to mitigate and adjust to climate change, the transition to a low greenhouse gas emissions economy and pressures from rising economic superpowers are issues we all confront. Science, technology and innovation will be crucial

The Kyoto Protocol in Canada: Legacy or lunacy?

 By Hank Reardon Prime Minister Jean Chrétien says he will put the Kyoto Protocol on climate change before Parliament for a ratification vote before year-end 2002. The announcement of the Kyoto Protocol ratification vote comes before an implementation plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) has been finalized and before