Earth's animals face grim future Corals, big mammals and many tropical species could all go extinct in the not too distant future, predict scientists who are attempting to forecast the fate of today's animals by studying what happened to those in the distant past. 9/2/2010 3:53:26 PM
What Prentice is ignoring: Oilsands mining linked to Athabasca River toxins High levels of toxic pollutants in Alberta's Athabasca River system are linked to oilsands mining, researchers have found. The findings counter the reports by a joint industry-government panel that the pollutant levels are due to natural sources rather than human development. 9/1/2010 1:05:19 PM
B.C. native leader says 'no' to hearings on pipeline A B.C. First Nations leader took a defiant stand against a plan to build an oil pipeline across B.C. as he appeared Tuesday before a federal panel holding hearings on the massive project. Enbridge's proposes to build a $5.5 billion pipeline from Alberta's oil sands to a tanker port on the northern B.C. coast at Kitimat. 9/1/2010 12:23:50 PM
Similkameen Water planning workshop a hopeful first step The Similkameen Valley Planning Society put together a Workshop at the Riverside Centre in Princeton on Wednesday, August 25. Attending were members of the Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands, politicians from Keremeos, Princeton and regional areas in the Similkameen, as well as the Osoyoos mayor. 9/1/2010 7:04:03 AM
B.C. sockeye estimate upped to 34 million The estimate for the sockeye salmon return to B.C.'s Fraser River has been increased again, with the run expected to reach 34 million fish. The latest estimate, made Tuesday, comes from the Pacific Salmon Commission, the federal body responsible for the fish count. 8/31/2010 6:54:37 PM
Good news, winter haters: After record snowfall in the mid-Atlantic and unusually cold weather down South, the Farmers' Almanac is predicting a "kinder and gentler" winter.: Kinder, gentler winter ahead Good news, winter haters: After record snowfall in the mid-Atlantic and unusually cold weather down South, the Farmers' Almanac is predicting a "kinder and gentler" winter. After eyeing the skies, tidal action and sunspots, the folks at the 194-year-old publication say it'll be cold but nothing like last winter. 8/30/2010 7:56:58 AM
Oilsands: Elevated levels of toxins found in Athabasca River A study set to be published on Monday has found elevated levels of mercury, lead and eleven other toxic elements in the oil sands’ main fresh water source, the Athabasca River, refuting long-standing government and industry claims that water quality there hasn’t been affected by oil sands development. 8/30/2010 7:16:31 AM
Whiterock, B.C.: Boil water advisory extended into next week White Rock residents are being advised that a boil water advisory, previously set to end on Sunday, will likely extend into next week. Scott Lundy of EPCOR says crews are no longer expected to finish sanitizing the larger Merkland reservoir by Sunday night. 8/29/2010 9:32:52 AM
Hey PM Harper: Have you noticed that Canada's 'majestic' ice shelves disintegrating Canada is home to plenty of ice, but the ancient, undulating ice shelves on the north coast of Ellesmere Island are something special. For starters, the shelves are "beautiful landscapes," says earth scientist John England. A century ago, they covered almost 10,000 square kilometres, today the shelves are a tenth that size. 8/28/2010 9:19:25 AM
Oil companies could drill in Harper's new beluga sanctuary The federal government has quietly left the door open to offshore oil drilling in a conservation area for beluga whales in Canada's Arctic waters that was unveiled with much fanfare by Prime Minister Stephen Harper this week. (Ed: The PM's whole Arctic 'Sovereignty' pitch is all about oil and gas rights.) 8/28/2010 6:46:07 AM
Shade trees scarce in city’s new waterfront plan In an effort to make the walk along Okanagan Lake beach even more scenic with the new Waterfront Park plan, the City of Penticton is first going to have to indulge in a little destruction. Part of what makes the walkway along Okanagan Lake beach such a beautiful area to enjoy is the mature trees. 8/28/2010 6:35:09 AM
Nobel Prize winner speaking in Penticton A foremost climate scientist from the University of Victoria is the first of two presenters this fall for the Penticton Steps Out Speaker Series. Andrew Weaver will be at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre Wednesday, Sept. 15 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. 8/27/2010 7:19:26 AM
Weatherman says hot part of summer is over for now This weekend could herald the end of summer - at least as far as the weather goes in the South Okanagan - Similkameen. Short and long range computer models are predicting a pocket of cold air aloft over Western Canada that will bring below normal temperatures to the region over the next two weeks. 8/26/2010 8:14:52 AM
Okanagan Falls: Volunteers make clean sweep Life has been renewed to the area they call “the spit” in Okanagan Falls, as men, women and children gathered on Friday to clean up the peninsula between Christie Beach and Kenyon Park. “Yesterday we didn’t have a beach here and today we do,” Bill Schwarz said. 8/26/2010 6:46:09 AM
Attention being paid to Water conservation in the Okanagan Domenic Rampone can appreciate just how important water is to the Okanagan. The South Kelowna orchardist has 13 acres of fruit and vegetables and is one of the leaders in water conservation in the industry. "I don’t think everybody recognizes how valuable water is," he said. 8/25/2010 7:16:26 AM
Fish farming projects in B.C. get funding boost Salmon-farming technology research in B.C. got a boost from the federal government this week. Tests of an injectable vaccine against sea lice and a demonstration of salmon farming in closed pens were two of the six aquaculture projects approved. (Ed: Put the fish farms in the Great Lakes and see how the easterners like it.) 8/25/2010 6:36:25 AM
BP was warned of gas danger, contractor says A contractor to BP testified Tuesday that he warned BP that it risked gas leaks in the Macondo well if it cut back on stabilizers for the pipe going down the hole. The warning, he told the Coast Guard-led inquiry, was sent via e-mails to BP engineers, including one who refused to testify on Tuesday. 8/24/2010 9:00:34 PM
Fraser sockeye posts biggest return in nearly 100 years B.C. is reaping the biggest Fraser River sockeye return in nearly a century, as estimates Tuesday say the return will be slightly more than 25 million fish, the largest return since 1913. Barry Rosenberger, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, said the estimate could even go up. 8/24/2010 5:47:15 PM
Ministry of Environment orders farm to protect drinking water The Ministry of Environment has ordered a north Okanagan farm to change the way it runs its operation. Panoramic farms in Coldstream has been ordered to prevent runoff flow and stop applying manure to its fields, until a qualified professional can approve a new drainage control plan. 8/24/2010 1:37:33 PM
Auditor General’s report affects Vaseux Lake Ministry of Environment staff are not doing enough to protect B.C.’s parks and protected areas, according to B.C.'s auditor general. Vaseux Lake Provincial Park is directly affected by the importance of conserving ecological integrity in British Columbia’s parks and protected areas. 8/24/2010 12:56:48 PM
Vernon Michael Ignatieff on Wildfires-Warming The federal Liberal leader raised the spectre of global warming Monday. Speaking in Vernon, Michael Ignatieff suggested BC's wildfires are one sign of that problem. ``We've got to stop thinking this is some abstract problem that's down the road and might be a problem for our grandchildren,'' said Ignatieff. 8/24/2010 7:03:52 AM
Environment ministry failing to preserve B.C. parks, auditor-general finds The Ministry of Environment is failing to meet its mandate to preserve the ecological integrity of parks and protected areas, according to a damning report. “They’ve been cutting the B.C. parks budget for many years. It’s at rock bottom, And the government is saying it is going to continue on.” 8/23/2010 4:29:56 PM
Grouse Mountain turbine finally cleared to produce power BC Hydro and Grouse Mountain have reached an agreement that will allow the Eye of the Wind turbine to start producing power within a few weeks. The turbine's blades have been spinning for several months, but a disagreement over safety concerns from BC Hydro has kept it off-line. 8/23/2010 8:34:16 AM
Tories are gutting Environment Canada, less info on Climate Change Sustained cuts to Environment Canada weather-service programs have compromised the government’s ability to assess climate change. The stinging assessment suggests Canada’s climate network infrastructure is getting progressively worse and no longer meets international guidelines. 8/23/2010 6:59:13 AM
South Okanagan: Ottawa, first nations spar over sockeye In a stunning turnaround, sockeye salmon have returned to Osoyoos Lake in the B.C. Interior at levels not seen in more than 60 years. But instead of setting off celebrations, their arrival has ignited a battle for control of the fishery between local first nations and the federal government. 8/23/2010 6:39:03 AM
Endangered spaces: Can our wildest places survive tourism? Eco-tourism. Is this now-fashionable concept basically a contradiction in terms. "Adventure travel" is, of course, a concept as old as the hills, even if some of our greatest adventurers, such as Captain Scott, took great pains to proclaim their serious scientific purposes. 8/22/2010 9:10:48 PM
Passions rev up in debate over loud motorcycles Passions are boiling across Canada over the issue of loud motorcycles. In one case, a Saskatoon city councillor who suggested a possible crackdown on noisy bikes has been threatened. Bob Pringle isn't alone in his quest to quiet down the roaring exhaust pipes favoured by some riders. 8/22/2010 10:55:35 AM
Peachland: Get to know the kokanee This is a great time of the year to get to know the kokanee. Regional parks officials are providing several opportunities for you and your family to make the kokanee connection. “Our fall fish programs begin Saturday, Aug. 28 at Hardy Falls Regional Park just off Highway 97 at the south end of Peachland." 8/22/2010 9:49:08 AM
Cool weather to calm, not kill, B.C. wildfire woes (Video) A weather system moving across British Columbia is expected to cool, but not kill, the nearly 280 wildfires burning across the tinder dry province. The B.C. Forestry Service estimates 750 square kilometres of forest have been burned in the past day-and-a-half alone. 8/21/2010 10:29:42 AM
Smoke from B.C. fires travels as far as Ontario As forest fires continue to rage in British Columbia, the ensuing smoke has taken a cross-Canada tour and devastated air quality in its wake. The heavy smoke showed up on satellite imaging and at weather stations across the Prairies and even into Ontario on Friday. 8/21/2010 6:24:30 AM
Cruise ships turn B.C. into 'toilet bowl of North America,' critics say Waters off British Columbia are the "toilet bowl of North America" as dozens of cruise ships heading to and from Alaska dump sewage in Canadian waters, environmentalists say. American regulations have been tightened in the last decade. But the vessels have another option: 8/20/2010 4:04:51 PM
B.C. Interior: Intense Cariboo wildfires 'snowing' ash Ash from wildfires in B.C.'s Cariboo region is falling like snow in Williams Lake, where the Environment Ministry has rated the air quality the poorest in the province. In Kamloops, stores began closing their doors and residents were asked to stay inside. 8/20/2010 11:41:14 AM
Sockeye Success: Groups divided over spawning salmon numbers Area Natives have been protesting the opening of a Sockeye fishery in Osoyoos Lake. Les Jantz, with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, said that based on the estimated 250,000 Okanagan sockeye coming over the Wells Dam, there are plenty of fish to allow a recreation fishery on Osoyoos Lake. 8/20/2010 7:36:35 AM
Warming-related drought leads to decline in plant growth, reversing earlier trend Plant growth that had been spurred by global warming has reversed, despite temperatures that continue to rise. Researchers say the change could affect food security and development of biofuels. The amount of carbon taken up by growing plants increased as temperatures rose and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increased. 8/19/2010 4:36:53 PM
Warming Seas Threaten Coral Off Indonesia A striking rise in sea temperatures in waters off Indonesia may be responsible for one of the most rapid and destructive coral bleaching events on record, a marine conservation group reported this week. Large swaths of coral reef in the Adaman Sea off the north coast of Sumatra are now up to 80 percent bleached 8/19/2010 1:25:02 PM
22-mile-long oily plume found near BP well site A giant plume of oily water — at least 22 miles long, more than a mile wide and 650 feet tall — was found near the blown-out BP well and some 3,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. The study adds to the controversy over how much oil is still in the Gulf ecosystem from the spill. 8/19/2010 12:36:09 PM
Oliver: Agricultural Land Commission turns down all 3 applications Three applications came before Rural Area C’s Agricultural Planning Commission Tuesday, August 17 with nothing approved. Susan Nason who owns the former Frank Venables home south of Road 9, at 32234 Highway 97 applied for a variance to allow the construction of a two bay garage. 8/19/2010 11:56:33 AM
Rethink Alberta' group brings anti-oilsands billboards, ads to UK The group that created the controversial "Rethink Alberta" tourism boycott campaign in the United States is taking its anti-oilsands message to England. "The objective is to put this issue on the radar screen with the public," said Brant Olson of the San Francisco-based Rainforest Action Network. 8/19/2010 7:48:13 AM
Climate change brings wasps to Baffin Island Researchers collecting bugs in the Canadian Arctic this summer have confirmed wasps are breeding on Baffin Island, which they say is further evidence of climate change. They spent the summer collecting bugs, with plans to compare the results with a similar study conducted 50 years ago. 8/19/2010 7:40:39 AM
Western editorial: DFO casts aside alliance’s efforts We all know the feeling. You’ve just built the perfect sandcastle and along comes a bully to kick it over. That’s the situation the Okanagan Nation Alliance found itself in last week, when the Department of Fisheries and Oceans suddenly declared a recreational fishery on spawning salmon in Osoyoos Lake. 8/19/2010 6:49:23 AM
Fires pollute Valley‘s air quality A northwesterly flow has blown smoke from forest fires in the Central Interior into the Okanagan this week. "The air is dirty, stagnant and more likely to get into the moderate-risk category," said Doug Lindquist, a meteorologist with Environment Canada in Kelowna. "It‘s been worse this year already because there‘s more smoke." 8/19/2010 6:27:08 AM
B.C. ministry outs non-compliant firms For the first time, the B.C. government is outing companies and individuals who flout environment, health or safety laws in the province. Domtar and Seaspan of North Vancouver, **the North Okanagan Regional District and Gracia Financial Corporation of Delta were all issued compliance or enforcement orders. 8/18/2010 6:43:39 PM
Trees can't live forever without sex, study shows Certain trees are able to clone themselves, which raises the tantalising possibility that they could effectively "live forever." Dr Dilara Ally and her team at the University of British Columbia found that the fertility of clones declines with age. 8/18/2010 1:10:37 PM
Harper's stacked Senate gives thumbs up to offshore drilling A Senate committee says there’s no need to prevent companies from drilling for oil in Canadian coastal waters. With oil spewing into the Gulf of Mexico and Chevron drilling deep off the Atlantic coast, the Senate committee on energy launched a study in May. (Ed: No surprise with our PM being a MP for oil country.) 8/18/2010 12:24:41 PM
Don't ban offshore drilling: Conservative dominated Senate A report by a federal Senate committee looking into offshore oil drilling in Canada says the facts do not justify the banning of current offshore drilling in Canada. "We are satisfied that the oversights are such that there is not any imminent danger," said Senator David Angus, chair of the committee. 8/18/2010 11:15:47 AM
Okanagan Beach: City plans more sidewalk, less beach The concept plan and go-ahead to implement phase one of Okanagan Lake Waterfront Park has been approved by Penticton council. The staff report on the project said the existing walkway in the area is inadequate, under-sized to accommodate the large number of people using the space. 8/18/2010 6:56:58 AM
Okanagan Falls beaches to be cleaned-up The Christie Memorial and Kenyon Park beaches on the South shore of Skaha Lake will not longer be eyesores thanks to a grant to clean them up. Regional District Director for Okanagan Falls, Bill Schwarz, says the property belongs to the Provincial government--and has fallen into disrepair. 8/17/2010 6:25:43 PM
Natives protest outside Minister of Environment About 70 people held a peaceful protest in front of the Penticton office of the Ministry of Environment on Monday morning. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip noted this was the second demonstration it has held to publicly address the unilateral decision to announce a recreation sports fishery overnight. 8/17/2010 6:35:21 AM
Poisonous smog returns to Moscow The poisonous smog that contributed to a higher death rate in Moscow last week returned to Russia's capital Sunday, officials said. The concentration of carbon monoxide in Moscow air early Sunday was more than five times what is considered normal. This summer is the hottest since records began in Russia 130 years ago. 8/15/2010 1:43:04 PM
World experiences second hottest July on record, hottest first 7 months of year The Earth continues to feel the heat. Last month was the second warmest July on record, and so far 2010 remains on track to be the hottest year. Worldwide, the average temperature in July was 16.5 Celsius. Only July 1998 was hotter since recordkeeping began more than a century ago. 8/15/2010 1:16:15 PM
100 activists take ‘healing walk’ against Alberta oilsands The 50-kilometre stretch of highway between Fort McMurray and Fort MacKay in northern Alberta is lined with gaping chasms, lifeless tailings ponds, smokestacks, and piles of sulphur. “Forty years ago, our people hunted, trapped, fished, and picked berries here,” said George Poitras. 8/15/2010 7:43:18 AM
Delta Perimeter road environmental costs climb The province will spend an extra $57 million to offset the damage done to the environment and farmland by the $1.2-billion South Fraser Perimeter Road. The controversial road along the south bank of the Fraser has been under fire because it means bulldozing homes, carving through sensitive ecosystems and paving over farmland. 8/14/2010 7:56:00 AM
Paris becoming a city of bicycles Three years after launching a widely copied bike rental scheme, Paris is stepping up efforts to turn itself into a bicycle-friendly capital on a par with cycling havens like Amsterdam and Berlin. "Five years ago people were scandalized when bike lanes were introduced, as if they were nuclear power plants." 8/14/2010 7:34:51 AM
Oilsands regulator accused of letting rules slide The Pembina Institute says Imperial Oil is being allowed to break rules about tailings for its new Kearl oilsands plant. Imperial said it wouldn't be able to meet new ERCB targets for turning toxic liquid tailings into more manageable solid wastes for the first six years of operation. 8/13/2010 5:12:35 PM
Inaction dooms global climate Our daily weather reports, cheerfully presented with flashy graphics and state-of-the-art animation, appear to relay more and more information. And yet, no matter how glitzy the presentation, a key fact is invariably omitted. Imagine if, after flashing the words “extreme weather” to grab our attention, the reports flashed “global warming.” 8/13/2010 10:47:58 AM
Learn the buzz on Okanagan bees Next time a bee is buzzing around your head you may want to think twice about giving it a swat. Not for the fact that you may aggravate it to the point where it sticks you with its stinger, but for the fact that they are essential for a healthy functioning ecosystem. 8/13/2010 6:58:55 AM
Legendary frontier woman Cougar Annie's 5-acre B.C. garden up for sale During her long life on B.C.’s West Coast, Ada Annie Arthur — known as Cougar Annie — carried a reputation as ingenious frontier woman whose prowess in the garden was rivalled only by the deftness with which she slung a rifle. While the exact number isn’t known, it’s believed that Arthur shot hundreds of cougars and bears for bounty. 8/12/2010 5:20:01 PM
B.C. desperate for rainfall After a cool, wet spring, the Okanagan got hot and dry in July. Rainfall measured at most B.C. weather stations last month was between one-third and two-thirds of normal, but in some areas was much lower. Particularly dry areas included the Okanagan. 8/12/2010 7:50:22 AM
Droughts endanger stocks of B.C. fish The drought gripping northern B.C. is drying up streams and putting fish stocks at risk, according to the province's environment minister. Many streams are at or near record-low water levels, said Barry Penner. The Peace, Liard and Skeena and Nass regions are classified as Drought Level 3. 8/11/2010 7:25:05 PM
Forest Fires: New online service tracks smoke severity With more than 400 wildfires burning provincewide, people can now know how the resulting smoke is affecting the air quality in their region. The BlueSky Western Canada Smoke Forecasting System was unveiled in Kamloops on Tuesday by Minister of Healthy Living and Sport Ida Chong. 8/11/2010 10:23:49 AM
Canada's Oil watchdogs are Harper's industry-friendly appointments Most appointed to the agencies that oversee offshore-petroleum drilling in Canada are former industry insiders or government officials with no stated experience in environmental issues. But critics say the industry-friendly tilt of these agencies could be problematic under changes made by the Conservatives. 8/10/2010 4:59:52 PM
Parts of B.C. facing drought conditions The B.C. government says drought conditions in the northern half of the province could put fish stocks at risk and lead to water shortages. Levels of the Liard and Skeena rivers are at 20-year lows, while the Bulkley River is at a 10-year low. Parts of northern B.C. got one quarter to one half the normal amount of rain in the last two months. 8/10/2010 3:59:18 PM
Tourists swayed by anti-oilsands video: poll (Video) Potential tourists to Alberta have had second thoughts about travelling to the province after watching a controversial anti-oilsands ad produced by a U.S. coalition. The Rethink Alberta video, posted on YouTube, intercuts scenic images with shots of toxic tailing ponds, oil-covered ducks and native people worried about their health. 8/9/2010 9:31:47 PM
Ship Collision: Indian coast guard tries to contain oil slick Indian coast guard vessels and helicopters worked Monday to contain an oil spill from a stricken container ship that collided with another vessel in the Arabian Sea, a spokesman for India's defense ministry said. Helicopters sprayed chemicals on the oil spill to prevent it from spreading. 8/9/2010 9:25:14 AM
Fire burns at Encana well after weekend blow out An Encana well in B.C.'s northeastern corner is still burning after a blow out during a drilling operation. A company spokeswoman says crews are trying to cap the well. A small amount of sweet (poison) gas was released but there are no residents near the well. 8/9/2010 9:06:45 AM
Great Lakes: Stopping the Asian carp invasion Hulking invasive fish with voracious appetites are striking at the threshold of the Great Lakes as U.S. and Canadian officials scramble to keep them out. This past June, a bighead carp nearly a metre long was caught beyond an electric barrier system meant to bar the fish from Lake Michigan. 8/8/2010 6:24:48 AM
Spike Lee slams US report on disappearence of Gulf oil spill Filmmaker Spike Lee is calling a "lie" a U.S. government report that 75 per cent of the spilled Gulf Coast oil is gone. Speaking to a meeting of the Television Critics Association on Saturday, Lee said journalists should expose what he called the real story. 8/8/2010 6:15:12 AM
Australia: Evolution of kangaroos bound up with changes in our climate NOT all kangaroos hop, and past climate changes explain why, according to the first detailed analysis of modern and extinct skeletons. "Kangaroos are our quintessential animal group and it's interesting that their evolution over the last 25 million years or so is closely matched to the changing climate and environment," said paleontologist Gavin Prideaux. 8/7/2010 7:54:14 AM
Okanagan River: Cooperation improves fishing For years, the fish had been stopped at McIntyre Dam north of Oliver, B.C., and just south of Vaseux Lake. Now they can jump a new “overshot gate” in the dam and reach additional habitat between McIntyre and Skaha dams. A 12-year study is nearing completion on opening even more habitat. 8/7/2010 5:15:20 AM
Premiers keen to tackle climate change — but disagree how Canada's 13 provincial and territorial premiers collectively said Friday more must be done to combat climate change across the country, but their road maps for getting there continue to take drastically different routes. 8/6/2010 5:28:53 PM
Wildfire smoke advisory continued A wildfire smoke advisory has been extended into its third straight day for the Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon, Osoyoos and surrounding areas. Although much of the smoke has dissipated today, Air Quality meteorologist Graham Veale made the announcement as a precautionary measure today. 8/6/2010 7:09:55 AM
Old-growth grove could be under the axe It appears imminent that another round of protests will likely come out of the provincial government's July 30th announcement of the protection of 39,000 hectares of old-growth forest on Vancouver Island. 8/6/2010 6:06:13 AM
‘Static Kill’ Appears to Be Working in Well, BP Says BP said Wednesday that it had brought pressure under control in its stricken well in the Gulf of Mexico after pumping heavy drilling mud into it, calling the development a “significant milestone” in its efforts to permanently seal the well. 8/4/2010 11:27:08 AM
Fraser Sockeye Salmon fishery deemed sustainable, but critics disagree The Fraser River Sockeye Salmon fishery was certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council Friday, but conservation groups called the certification misleading to consumers. The fishery comprises genetic groupings or populations of fish that spawn in specific streams and lakes within the Fraser watershed. 8/4/2010 6:29:19 AM
Enbridge offers to buy Michigan homes near pipeline spill For a small number of homeowners in western Michigan, where property values have sunk amid the U.S. real estate bust, Pat Daniel has just made an offer they can’t refuse. The CEO of Calgary’s Enbridge Inc. said Tuesday the company will buy homes from people who are worried the oil spill will reduce their property values. 8/4/2010 6:17:05 AM
BP says 'static kill' working, mud holds well shut In a significant step toward stopping the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history, BP said Wednesday mud that was forced down its blown-out well was holding back the flow of crude in the Gulf of Mexico and it was in a "static condition." Workers stopped pumping mud and were monitoring the well. 8/4/2010 5:45:34 AM
Sky-high Greenpeace publicity stunt on Calgary Tower leads to eight arrests Dozens of police and firefighters were on the scene at the Calgary Tower Tuesday morning, where Greenpeace activists in climbing gear unfurled a huge banner protesting what they say is a "cozy" relationship between big oil and the federal and provincial governments. 8/3/2010 6:32:53 PM
Stop-Work order: Excavation continues at Peachland gravel pit Lawyers for the District of Peachland hope to be in B.C. Supreme Court next week seeking an injunction against the operator of a controversial gravel pit. Peachland Self Storage Ltd., which has been granted an operation permit from the B.C. Ministry of Mines, continued work despite a district-issued stop work order. 8/3/2010 4:40:22 PM
Dead zone in Gulf of Mexico one of largest ever Scientists say this year that the "dead zone" area that forms every summer in the Gulf of Mexico is one of the largest ever measured. The large area of low oxygen that chokes marine life comes in addition to the massive BP oil spill. 8/3/2010 6:51:47 AM
Kelowna: Fire suppression creates environmental emergency Officials continue to monitor water quality in Mill Creek and Okanagan Lake in Kelowna following chemical contamination as a result of an industrial fire Saturday. Hot Sands Beach in Kelowna City Park and the beaches around the mouth of Mill Creek on Okanagan Lake will remain closed. 8/3/2010 6:01:34 AM
Apps contest sees B.C. developers take on climate change with open data Ryan Nadel believes that being aware of climate change isn’t enough to spur most people to take action. So he has created a Web and iPhone application called GreenMoney. Nadel hopes the app will help British Columbians see the relationship between their everyday spending and global warming. 8/2/2010 6:12:00 PM
Gwynne Dyer: We are passing the point of no return on climate change A Cancun meeting next December is where the optimists hoped to untangle the mess left by last December’s abortive climate summit in Copenhagen and create a new treaty to replace the Kyoto accord, which expires in 2012. It was always a slim hope, but the U.S. Senate has decisively crushed it. Big Coal and Big Oil win again. 8/2/2010 6:07:12 PM
Canadian’s spin on windmill design touted as green-energy breakthrough Giant blades lay strewn around the field as if a helicopter had crashed. Leaving in a rush on a summer day four years ago, Glen Lux mistakenly forgot to unplug the brake and a strong gust brought his big wind machine to life, the six blades spinning in an out-of-control blur. 8/1/2010 11:39:30 AM
The dangers of Moscow's heatwave Temperatures in Russia this summer have been the highest since records began more than 100 years ago. Since the beginning of July, temperatures in Moscow have regularly been reaching 35 degrees Celsius. That is plus 35, not minus 35 - a temperature not unknown during the Moscow winter. 8/1/2010 11:29:49 AM
Carl Hiaasen’s quest for poetic justice Carl Hiaasen grins gleefully at the idea of Skink, the avenging eco warrior who appears in several of the Miami author’s comic crime novels, getting his hands on recently resigned BP CEO Tony Hayward. Skink, the fictional former Florida governor, has a nasty habit of abducting environmentally irresponsible corporate executives and the like. 8/1/2010 10:56:26 AM
Investigators blast BP for liberal dispersant use As BP inched closer to permanently sealing the blown-out oil well in the Gulf of Mexico, congressional investigators railed against the company and Coast Guard for part of the cleanup effort, saying too much toxic chemical dispersant was used. 8/1/2010 10:15:28 AM
West Kelowna: Time to weigh anchor Houseboats moored in Gellatly Bay could be towed out of the lake today as West Kelowna follows through on a pledge to clear the area of the unwanted watercraft. A 30-day period for houseboat owners to voluntarily remove the vessels at their own expense ended at midnight Thursday. 7/31/2010 6:55:54 AM
Washington: Reversing Bush, EPA Toughens Smog Rules The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday proposed replacing a Bush-era limit that ran counter to scientific recommendations. The tighter standards will cost tens of billions of dollars to implement, but will ultimately save billions in avoided emergency room visits, premature deaths, and missed work and school days, the EPA said. 7/30/2010 4:54:05 PM
Extreme forest fire hazard closes Kelowna park Hot and dry weather have elevated the fire hazard around the Okanagan, causing the City of Kelowna to close down a popular park to vehicle traffic. The main gate to Knox Mountain Park will be shut down at 9 pm Friday, July 30 as a precaution. The park will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists. 7/30/2010 1:29:59 PM
Scientists: Dispersants making spill more toxic Amid growing concern about the use of dispersants in the Gulf of Mexico, a group of scientists working for law firms suing BP says their testing indicates that the dispersants being used to break up the oil are making this spill even more toxic to marine life. 7/30/2010 1:28:17 PM
Sandra Bullock wants out of Gulf video, fears it was influenced by oil industry A spokeswoman for Sandra Bullock says the actress wants her parts of a video promoting Gulf Coast restoration removed until she learns whether oil companies influenced it. The America's Wetland Foundation lists BP and other oil companies as sponsors on its website. 7/30/2010 9:07:36 AM
City aims to stem tide of water demand A few hundred years ago or so, Scottish philosopher Adam Smith observed that although water as a necessity of life is generally more valuable in day-to-day living than diamonds, it is the diamonds that command the most currency. In 2010 not much has changed. 7/30/2010 7:23:38 AM
Michigan Oil Spill: Enbridge was warned about pipeline A Canadian company whose pipeline leaked hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil into a major Michigan river was warned by government regulators in January that its monitoring of corrosion in the pipeline was insufficient. 7/29/2010 4:02:47 PM
Oilsands constant source of low-level pollution: scientist An independent scientist says an extensive search of hard-to-get government records suggest Alberta's oilsands are a constant source of low-level pollution. And Kevin Timoney says the vast database he has compiled on the industry's environmental performance suggests the province isn't doing enough. 7/29/2010 3:58:05 PM
Suddenly, Vancouver smells like Delta A smell resembling manure enveloped downtown Vancouver on Thursday morning, but nobody was quite sure where it was coming from. "We're out there trying to figure out the source," said Ray Robb, who enforces regulations for Metro Vancouver. At least four complaints had come in to Metro Vancouver's offices, mostly from the west side of Vancouver. 7/29/2010 12:56:20 PM
Milfoil outbreak summer surprise in Osoyoos Lake A milfoil outbreak in Osoyoos Lake has garnered special attention for crews working on removal of the pesky plant. Genevieve Dunbar, office and grants administrator and milfoil control liaison said Wednesday it‘s difficult to determine what caused the milfoil to appear in the lake. 7/29/2010 10:32:47 AM
Global warming 'undeniable,' report says Scientists from around the world are providing even more evidence of global warming. "A comprehensive review of key climate indicators confirms the world is warming and the past decade was the warmest on record," the annual State of the Climate report declares. (Ed: Expect another barrage from the Oil Company PR machines.) 7/29/2010 5:47:06 AM
Greenpeace mock oil spill targets Enbridge Greenpeace protesters staged a mock oil spill Wednesday morning at the downtown Vancouver offices of Enbridge after the Alberta pipeline company admitted responsibility for the oil leak now going on in Michigan. 7/29/2010 5:08:02 AM
Federal Government funds local program for clearing forest fire fuels The Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen received funding from the federal government Tuesday to continue clearing downed and dead trees in an effort to reduce wildfire risk in communities. Okanagan MP Stockwell Day says the funding will help expand the 104 hectare project. 7/28/2010 5:20:36 PM
Canadian researchers hope to green the web and make Canada the world's web server Canadian researchers hope to stem the global IT industry's rampant output of greenhouse gas emissions by perfecting a way to host the Internet's content purely on green power. And if their experiment succeeds, Canada could essentially become the world's largest Internet server — powered with almost no carbon footprint. 7/28/2010 4:18:35 PM
Key base of ocean food web dropping dramatically Despite their tiny size, plant plankton found in the world's oceans are crucial to much of life on Earth. They are the foundation of the bountiful marine food web, produce half the world's oxygen and suck up harmful carbon dioxide. They also are declining sharply. 7/28/2010 3:21:27 PM
Michigan declares pipeline spill a disaster area Governor Jennifer Granholm declared a state of disaster on Tuesday for an area along the Kalamazoo River in south-central Michigan where an oil pipeline leaked 19,500 barrels of oil. The spill came in a 30-inch, 190,000 barrels per day line transporting crude oil from Griffith, Indiana, to Sarnia, Ontario. 7/28/2010 6:44:18 AM
BP's Dudley: Spill a "Wake-Up Call" for Oil Industry The American who will take over as head of British oil giant BP says he's not underestimating the nature and complexity of what the company must do to restore its reputation and financial strength. Robert Dudley told reporters the spill has been a "wake-up call, not only for BP, but the oil and gas industry overall." 7/27/2010 9:59:19 AM
BP: Hayward to quit as CEO — with a payoff of $1.6 million BP's embattled Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward will be replaced by American Robert Dudley on Oct. 1, the company said Tuesday, as it reported a record quarterly loss and set aside $32.2 billion to cover the costs of the devastating Gulf of Mexico oil spill. 7/27/2010 5:52:13 AM
Protect B.C.'s Flathead River Valley, UNESCO urges UNESCO is recommending protection for a pristine swath of wilderness in southeastern B.C. A new report by the world heritage committee of the UN suggests a portion of the Flathead River Valley become part of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park in Alberta and Montana. 7/27/2010 5:49:54 AM
Penticton: City prepares to fine water abusers While Mother Nature cranks up the heat, the City of Penticton is preparing to start fining water abusers. Temperatures are expected to reach a sizzling 36 C in the South Okanagan today after a high of 33 C on Monday at the Penticton Airport weather station. 7/27/2010 5:26:16 AM
You wouldn't read about it: climate scientists right Chances are, you have not heard much about Climategate lately, but last November it dominated the media. Three weeks before the Copenhagen summit, thousands of emails from the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia were published on a Russian website. 7/26/2010 7:45:57 PM
Boat made from plastic bottle completes Pacific voyage (Video) A boat made from thousands of plastic bottles has sailed into Sydney Harbour, completing a four-month voyage that began in San Francisco. The boat, called the Plastiki, was built using 12,500 plastic bottles. 7/26/2010 6:07:18 PM
National chiefs say no to B.C. mine A remote lake in the B.C. ranch country has become the focus of a national dispute over government authority to regulate industry on Crown land. Aboriginal leaders from across Canada have backed National Chief Shawn Atleo's call for the federal cabinet to reject the Prosperity gold and copper mine proposal. 7/26/2010 9:15:03 AM
Revised Faulder water deal set A domestic water line connecting the District of Summerland to the nearby rural community of Faulder could be in place by this November. A revised memorandum of understanding, which includes a $320,000 “buy-in” fee, is scheduled to come before Summerland council this evening. 7/26/2010 6:38:21 AM
Bonnie fizzles, cleanup fleet heads back to well The fleet of cleanup vessels tending the blown-out BP well in the Gulf of Mexico was ordered back to the spill site Saturday morning after a tropical storm system fizzled. The weather system was barely mustering maximum winds of 35 mph and was not expected to generate a fierce storm surge. 7/24/2010 7:12:44 PM
Sewer power lights up Penticton plant
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Penticton‘s sewage treatment plant will soon be generating its own electricity too. The $24-million expansion project, which sees the plant‘s capacity increase by 50 per cent to 27 million litres a day, will also include a $570,000 methane-powered micro turbine. 7/24/2010 5:16:17 AM
Canada's 'Oily' Environment Minister says critics are overreacting to Arctic survey Denying that the federal government has any plans to exploit offshore oil in a proposed Arctic marine park, Environment Minister Jim Prentice said Friday that critics are overreacting to a planned geological survey of the seabed in Lancaster Sound. 7/23/2010 5:12:57 PM
Oil Rig Alarm Was Not Fully Turned On, Worker Says The emergency alarm on the Deepwater Horizon was not fully activated on the day the oil rig caught fire and exploded, triggering the massive spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a rig worker on Friday told a government panel investigating the accident. 7/23/2010 1:21:31 PM
First Nations see positive results in sockeye stock After years of work, the Okanagan Nation Alliance is seeing positive results from their efforts to rehabilitate the sockeye salmon run in the Okanagan River and bring back a viable fishery for members of the nation. The Okanagan Nation sockeye fishery is active between July and Sept. 15. 7/23/2010 11:27:05 AM
Feds' imminent oil exploration making waves in North Opponents of offshore oil exploration in Lancaster Sound — a proposed national marine park north of Baffin Island — said Thursday they have lost a battle with Natural Resources Canada to prevent a seismic survey in waters that Environment Minister Jim Prentice hailed earlier this month as "one of the richest marine-mammal areas in the world." 7/23/2010 6:22:27 AM
Giant hogweed invades Richmond Giant hogweed — a dangerous and invasive plant — has been found in Richmond, B.C. Lesley Douglas, the city's manager of environmental sustainability, said the plant has been found on Sea Island. Douglas warned that members of the public not to attempt to remove the plant themselves. 7/22/2010 6:03:23 AM
BP admits altering oil spill response centre image Oil firm BP has admitted posting an altered image of its Gulf of Mexico oil spill response centre on its website. BP spokesman Scott Dean said the photographer who took the photo was displaying his skills with Photoshop software and there was no ill intent. (Ed: Baloney!). 7/21/2010 5:25:41 PM
Canada moves to blunt criticism of oilsands at clean-energy conference The Harper government is using an international clean-energy conference to correct what it describes as misleading attacks against Canada's oilsands industry, Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis said Tuesday. 7/21/2010 6:56:56 AM
Please remain calm: The Earth will heal itself Stanford University physicist Robert Laughlin says governments – and people generally – should proceed with more humility in dealing with climate change. The Earth, he says, is very old and has suffered grievously. Yet, the Earth is still here. 7/20/2010 5:19:59 PM
Ontario backpedals on unpopular eco-fees The Ontario government says it will scrap its controversial eco-fees for 90 days to develop a new system "that works for consumers," but will kick in $5-million during that time to make up for the money no longer being charged to consumers at the cash register. 7/20/2010 3:10:56 PM
Canada missing 'green' boat, finds survey of scientists, bureaucrats More than three out of four leading Canadian bureaucrats, scientists and industry leaders believe the Harper government is missing the boat on "greening" the economy and adopting the wrong policies to address climate change, according to a new international study. 7/19/2010 6:30:14 PM
BP allowed to keep cap closed for 24 hours The U.S. government Monday allowed BP to keep the cap shut tight on its busted Gulf of Mexico oil well for another day after the company promised to watch closely for any signs of new leaks breaking through the sea floor. The decision settled for the moment a rift between BP and the government. 7/19/2010 6:53:17 AM
Comparative photos of Mount Everest 'confirm ice loss' "The photographs reveal a startling truth: the ice of the Himalaya is disappearing." "The melt waters of these high altitude glaciers supply crucial seasonal flows to the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Salween, Irrawaddy, Mekong, Yangtze and Yellow rivers, which hundreds of millions of people downstream depend on for their livelihoods." 7/18/2010 5:20:31 PM
U.S. Senate stalls on climate change The U.S. Senate spent this week searching for ways to water down the modest greenhouse gas emissions targets in the House-passed energy bill, which opponents claim will injure the economy. (Ed: It's become apparent during the BP Fiasco, the oil/coal companies have many, many U.S. politicians in their pockets.) 7/18/2010 4:42:50 PM
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