Environment

The next speaker series from the Citizens Environment Network in Colwood touches on a range of climate action-related topics in the city. (Annacapictures/Pixabay)

Climate action, sustainable building, biodiversity in Colwood topics for speaker series

Citizen’s Environment Network in Colwood hosts online panel discussions March 22 to April 19

The next speaker series from the Citizens Environment Network in Colwood touches on a range of climate action-related topics in the city. (Annacapictures/Pixabay)
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney gives a COVID-19 update in Edmonton, Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. The premier has filed his defence in a defamation lawsuit brought against him over his remarks on the release of an Inquiry into supposed misinformation about the province’s energy industry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

No victims, no foul: Alberta premier files defence in defamation suit

Statement of defence says groups that brought the lawsuit cannot be identified from his remarks

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney gives a COVID-19 update in Edmonton, Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. The premier has filed his defence in a defamation lawsuit brought against him over his remarks on the release of an Inquiry into supposed misinformation about the province’s energy industry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
On-road transportation was the biggest causer of emissions in Sooke. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke GHG emissions dropping, but too slowly

Emissions dropped 2.6 per cent between 2018 and 2020, below the 5.5 per cent target

On-road transportation was the biggest causer of emissions in Sooke. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
March 14 to 20 is Fix-a-Leak Week, the perfect time to check for – and repair – leaks around the home that are wasting water and money!

5 simple steps to save water and money during Fix a Leak Week

Be a Leak Detective March 14 to 20

  • Mar 7, 2022
March 14 to 20 is Fix-a-Leak Week, the perfect time to check for – and repair – leaks around the home that are wasting water and money!
According to FishSounds.net, fish enjoy lively conversations over the coral reefs. (Photo by Kieran Cox)

University of Victoria researcher helps build global inventory of fish grunts, squeals

Research helps better understand how noise impacts marine life

According to FishSounds.net, fish enjoy lively conversations over the coral reefs. (Photo by Kieran Cox)
FILE - In this May 30, 2018, file photo, is the Grand Princess cruise ship in Gastineau Channel in Juneau, Alaska. About two-thirds of the scrubber wastewater that enters Canadian waters comes from cruise ships, a World Wildlife Fund says. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Study blames federal delays for continued marine waste dumping

World Wildlife Fund says billions of litres of wastewater being dumped in Canadian waters

FILE - In this May 30, 2018, file photo, is the Grand Princess cruise ship in Gastineau Channel in Juneau, Alaska. About two-thirds of the scrubber wastewater that enters Canadian waters comes from cruise ships, a World Wildlife Fund says. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
This is a scanning electron microscope photo of some of the sediment from deep in the core from Topknot Lake (ca. 16,500 years ago), showing the remains of several species of diatoms, the identification of which indicates whether the water in the lake was fresh or marine at that time. In Topknot Lake there is no sign of marine diatoms, implying that relative sea level never rose to the height of the lake (13 metres above modern sea level). Photo: T. Holmes, NRCAN

Parts of Northern Vancouver Island missed by last Ice Age — researchers

Lake on west side of Island not covered by ice, prompting questions about early human habitation

This is a scanning electron microscope photo of some of the sediment from deep in the core from Topknot Lake (ca. 16,500 years ago), showing the remains of several species of diatoms, the identification of which indicates whether the water in the lake was fresh or marine at that time. In Topknot Lake there is no sign of marine diatoms, implying that relative sea level never rose to the height of the lake (13 metres above modern sea level). Photo: T. Holmes, NRCAN
Pink blossoms at the corner of Vancouver and View streets could spell the start of spring in Victoria, or spell disaster for the trees with the recent cold snap. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Unseasonable cold snap could trigger ‘spiral of decline’ for Greater Victoria trees

Trees need help to overcome heat dome, drought, record rainfall, arctic cold

Pink blossoms at the corner of Vancouver and View streets could spell the start of spring in Victoria, or spell disaster for the trees with the recent cold snap. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
People who have declared themselves “Land Defenders” sing a song as they guard an area of a logging cut block called “Heli Camp” in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Second judge to consider stay application in Fairy Creek logging protest case

More than 1,100 people have been arrested since Fairy Creek watershed blockade injunction

People who have declared themselves “Land Defenders” sing a song as they guard an area of a logging cut block called “Heli Camp” in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Container ship MV Kingston was escorted from its anchorage off Victoria to Duke Point in Nanaimo following the loss of several containers and an on-board fire last fall. (Photo: Transport Canada)

MV Zim Kingston’s lost cargo containers still a deep concern for Vancouver Island

Coast Guard says it is working with ship owner to investigate and respond to reports of debris

Container ship MV Kingston was escorted from its anchorage off Victoria to Duke Point in Nanaimo following the loss of several containers and an on-board fire last fall. (Photo: Transport Canada)
Carmen Pavlov, coordinator for Peninsula Streams Society’s BEACH program, holds a sample of a forage fish egg, too small to be seen on camera, but readily visible under microscope. (Christine van Reewyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Surf smelt egg found on Oak Bay beach signals spawning ground for forage fish

Citizen scientists with Peninsula Streams work forage fish egg surveys across region

Carmen Pavlov, coordinator for Peninsula Streams Society’s BEACH program, holds a sample of a forage fish egg, too small to be seen on camera, but readily visible under microscope. (Christine van Reewyk/News Staff)
Sidney is looking into prohibiting the discharge of consumer fireworks in or adjacent to the designated established environmentally sensitive areas of Roberts Bay (seen here) and Reay Creek. (Black Press Media file photo)

Motion to ban discharge of consumer fireworks in Sidney goes bust

Staff now investigating more limited ban in or adjacent to environmentally sensitive areas

Sidney is looking into prohibiting the discharge of consumer fireworks in or adjacent to the designated established environmentally sensitive areas of Roberts Bay (seen here) and Reay Creek. (Black Press Media file photo)
Crews and vessels with the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation spent parts of Thursday training near Sidney’s Tulista Park. The exercise focused on flushing oil off contaminated beaches back into the water for easier recovery. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Western Canada Marine Response crews and vessels train in water off Sidney

Beach near Sidney’s Tulista Park serves as training ground for oil spill response crews and vessels

Crews and vessels with the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation spent parts of Thursday training near Sidney’s Tulista Park. The exercise focused on flushing oil off contaminated beaches back into the water for easier recovery. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Anyone who finds a European green crab like this one on Vancouver Island shorelines should report the invasive species to DFO, with photos and the exact location. (Courtesy of Fisheries and Oceans Canada)

Extreme weather could help invasive green crab crawl along Vancouver Island, B.C. coast

European green crab is identifiable by five spines on the side of each eye

Anyone who finds a European green crab like this one on Vancouver Island shorelines should report the invasive species to DFO, with photos and the exact location. (Courtesy of Fisheries and Oceans Canada)
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Sooke council approves climate change plan

Strategy targets a 50 per cent reduction by 2030 for corporate emissions

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Researchers aboard the vessel Noctiluca monitor southern resident killer whale behavior. (Photo courtesy of Northwest Fisheries Science Center/North Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries)

U.S.-based review emphasizes uncertain future for southern resident killer whales

Boat proximity, food source decline, pollution listed as threats to group, now numbering 73

Researchers aboard the vessel Noctiluca monitor southern resident killer whale behavior. (Photo courtesy of Northwest Fisheries Science Center/North Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries)
FILE - Matt Lisignoli walks through an irrigation canal that ran dry in early August after the North Unit Irrigation District exhausted its allocated water on Sept. 1, 2021, near Madras, Ore. The American West’s megadrought deepened so much last year that it is now the driest it has been in at least 1200 years and a worst-case scenario playing out live, a new study finds. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard, File)

Western American megadrought worsens to driest in at least 1,200 years

Study calculated that 42% of this megadrought can be attributed to human-caused climate change

FILE - Matt Lisignoli walks through an irrigation canal that ran dry in early August after the North Unit Irrigation District exhausted its allocated water on Sept. 1, 2021, near Madras, Ore. The American West’s megadrought deepened so much last year that it is now the driest it has been in at least 1200 years and a worst-case scenario playing out live, a new study finds. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard, File)
Fresh cut sawdust is seen from a tree cut near the “heli camp” in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C., Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Crown calls application to stay charges in Fairy Creek old-growth case flawed

Lawyer says group’s petition lacks ‘factual foundation,’ is not the way justice is done

Fresh cut sawdust is seen from a tree cut near the “heli camp” in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C., Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
An entomologist collects two female Lymantria moths. (Washington State Department of Agriculture)

Areas of Vancouver Island being sprayed to control invasive moths

Foray 48B to be used to control Lymantria moths starting mid April, says B.C. forest ministry

An entomologist collects two female Lymantria moths. (Washington State Department of Agriculture)
The clouds move among the old growth forest in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Fairy Creek accused ask court for stay of charges due to ‘systemic police misconduct’

RCMP have made close to 1,200 arrests enforcing injunction granted to logging firm Teal Cedar

The clouds move among the old growth forest in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward