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Ecojustice recaps the week in Canadian environmental news: October 13, 2012
Posted by
Pierre Hamilton
at
Oct 13, 2012 12:55 PM
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Filed under:
public interest, pipeline, Ontario, Enbridge, Oil and gas, Northern Gateway, Quebec, oilsands, Alberta, Manitoba, B.C., precaution
This week's Canadian environmental news recap includes Enbridge on the ropes at the Northern Gateway pipeline hearings, new standards to improve air quality, a video about our water footprint and more.
By Pierre Hamilton, Communications Associate
Photo courtesy of Ian Britton / FreeFoto
The Northern Gateway pipeline hearings resumed in Prince George, B.C., this week and we questioned Enbridge’s ability to build this project without harming the environment. There’s a new plan to reduce smog and air pollution across the country. And a new poll found that a majority of Canadians would support oilsands development if the environmental impacts were limited.
You'll find all that and more in this week’s recap.
Climate & Energy
Enbridge gets slammed
- Staff lawyer Tim Leadem, who is representing a coalition of environmental groups that oppose Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline, got to the heart of the issue at the hearings in Prince George, B.C. “Can you really assure the people of Canada that you’re to be trusted, that your company can be trusted to do this job?” For the rest of the story, head over to The Province.
Do Canadians back oilsands?
- The Globe and Mail reported on a poll showing that a whopping 72 per cent of Canadians support oilsands development as long as the efforts to reduce environmental damage continue. The interesting part is that the survey was done to complement a “research paper outlining how oilsands producers are innovating and introducing new technology to limit environmental damage as well as reduce production costs.” See the rest of the story here.
- Earlier this week, The Globe and Mail published a story with the headline “Study finds little environmental impact from oil sands.” That's hard for us to swallow, given that our work often shows the opposite, but you can see what the story says here.
People & Health
Nationwide air quality standards announced
- Toxic emissions put Canadians’ health at risk and on Thursday federal, provincial and territorial environment ministers announced a plan to reduce smog and air pollution. As the CBC reported, “over the next few years the air quality management system will set acceptable levels for some of the most harmful pollutants.” They also raise an important point: the agreement says that “provinces may enforce these standards, but the federal government can’t make them.” Do you think that's enough to protect your air?
Video: What’s your water footprint?
- WWF Canada is asking an important question in a video and infographic series about reducing the amount of water that Canadians use. The goal: protect the water sources that sustain our families, neighbourhoods and communities. We use water more often than when we turn on the tap. This campaign illustrates the other ways we consume water in order to teach us how to conserve it. Watch the video below or view the interactive infographic here.
Wildlife & Wilderness
Logging in B.C.'s old-growth forests
- British Columbia may permit logging in areas of the B.C. Interior that are environmentally sensitive. The government says it’s considering this because there’s a timber shortage and to deal with the mountain pine beetle, which has damaged large areas of forest, but many groups don’t like what they’re hearing. Jens Wieting, a Sierra Club of B.C. forest campaigner, told the Vancouver Sun that if the government takes this action it will jeopardize its environmental values. Click this link to get up-to-date on the issue.
See you back here next week.
Photo courtesy of Ian Britton / FreeFoto
