Environment

Nectaring mosquito pollinating an oxeye daisy. (Contributed)

Okanagan Nature Nut: What good are mosquitos?

Vernon-based outdoor enthusiast reveals the secret lives of these tiny pollinators

 

Save Old Growth announced its impending return to action with a series of vandalism across Vancouver July 28. On Aug. 2, the group ran its first traffic blockade in a month near Stanley Park. (Save Old Growth website/screenshot)

Save Old Growth resumes B.C. traffic disruptions with Vancouver blockade

Environmental group back in action after 1 month pause

 

FILE - Climate activists Elizabeth Wathuti of Kenia, Vanessa Nakate of Uganda and Helena Gualinga of Ecuador attend the climate protest alongside the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, May 26, 2022. A group of top climate scientists say the world needs to think about the ultimate climate catastrophe, human extinction, and how possible it is. They are calling on the world’s main climate science body to look at the ultimate climate catastrophes, no matter how remotely unlikely they are. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File)

Chances of climate catastrophe are ignored, scientists say

“I do not believe civilization as we know it will make it out of this century”: B.C. scientist

 

An Oak Bay Police Department (OBPD) car parked outside the office on Monterey Avenue. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tyre Extinguishers: Environmental activists deflate tires on 34 SUVs in Greater Victoria

The group, called Tyre Extinguishers, wants to eliminate SUVs in cities

An Oak Bay Police Department (OBPD) car parked outside the office on Monterey Avenue. (Black Press Media file photo)
As plastic continues to pollute the ocean, Oceana Canada is calling on the government action (credit Oceana Canada/Elemental).

Plastic predicament: Federal group urges action on packaging legislation in Canada

Oceana Canada is calling on the government to reduce the amount of harmful single-use plastics

As plastic continues to pollute the ocean, Oceana Canada is calling on the government action (credit Oceana Canada/Elemental).
FILE - Wildfires burning hundreds of miles away create smoky conditions Monday, June 13, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska’s remarkable wildfire season includes over 530 blazes that have burned an area more than three times the size of Rhode Island, with nearly all the impacts, including dangerous breathing conditions from smoke, attributed to fires started by lightning. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Alaska experiencing wildfires it’s never seen before

530 wildfires already recorded this year, worst of season yet to come

FILE - Wildfires burning hundreds of miles away create smoky conditions Monday, June 13, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska’s remarkable wildfire season includes over 530 blazes that have burned an area more than three times the size of Rhode Island, with nearly all the impacts, including dangerous breathing conditions from smoke, attributed to fires started by lightning. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
A polar bear is seen walking along the road in Churchill, Man. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. Climate change and human impacts on the land are behind a growing number of encounters between people and polar bears around the Arctic, new research concludes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Landfills and climate change increasing polar bear-human conflicts in Arctic: report

Climate change diminishing food supply for bears, while making the Arctic more hospitable for humans

A polar bear is seen walking along the road in Churchill, Man. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. Climate change and human impacts on the land are behind a growing number of encounters between people and polar bears around the Arctic, new research concludes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The Okanagan Similkameen Stewarship will host a Bioblitz at North Vernon Park on July 26. (OSS photo)

Bioblitz studies North Vernon Park species

Residents urged to take part

The Okanagan Similkameen Stewarship will host a Bioblitz at North Vernon Park on July 26. (OSS photo)
Burnaby vet technician Jocelyn Marsh shows off part of her pill bottle return program. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)

B.C. veterinarian has plan to eliminate millions of pieces of plastic from Canadian clinics

Very simple changes can have a large impact if adopted broadly, Jocelyn Marsh says

Burnaby vet technician Jocelyn Marsh shows off part of her pill bottle return program. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)
Cover up to avoid a burn this weekend (File Photo)

Don’t get burned: Sunny skies across the Okanagan this weekend

The UV index will be ‘very high’ this July 17 and 17

Cover up to avoid a burn this weekend (File Photo)
File Photo

Thunderstorm watch issued for Okanagan

The region could also see heavy winds and large hail on Sunday

  • Jul 3, 2022
File Photo
A colder, wetter spring may not necessarily mean an influx of mosquitoes in Nanaimo and elsewhere in B.C., says an entomologist at the University of B.C. (Stock photo)

B.C. mosquito boom may not hatch despite buzz about colder spring: expert

Entomologist discusses weather’s effects on the irritating insect

A colder, wetter spring may not necessarily mean an influx of mosquitoes in Nanaimo and elsewhere in B.C., says an entomologist at the University of B.C. (Stock photo)
A large willow tree fell dangerously close to a Vernon home Thursday morning. (Betty Ackerman photo)

Tree falls dangerously close to Vernon home

Second time in a year senior couple have had a close call

A large willow tree fell dangerously close to a Vernon home Thursday morning. (Betty Ackerman photo)
The Canadian Coast Guard ship called John P. Tully has been used to bring scientists to the Explorer Seamount — Canada’s largest underwater mountain. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

West Coast expedition off B.C. explores never-before-seen deep-sea habitat

‘We are going to habitats that nobody’s mapped before, that nobody’s seen before’

The Canadian Coast Guard ship called John P. Tully has been used to bring scientists to the Explorer Seamount — Canada’s largest underwater mountain. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
The move to ban single-use plastics will prevent 33 billion units of forks, bags, six-pack rings and other plastics from landfills. (Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Single-use plastic ban a ‘monumental’ step in protecting Canada’s oceans: advocate

Canada is planning phased-in ban on the manufacture, import, sale and export of plastics

The move to ban single-use plastics will prevent 33 billion units of forks, bags, six-pack rings and other plastics from landfills. (Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)
A northern red-legged frog pictured in 2020. (Photo/Robin Doty Blymyer)

Nature Trust of B.C. protecting nearly 150 acres of rare Gulf Island climate zone

143.5-acres purchase aims to protect endangered species in new conservation zone on Saturna Island

A northern red-legged frog pictured in 2020. (Photo/Robin Doty Blymyer)
Two Save Old Growth protesters blocking Highway 1 at the Columbia River Bridge in Revelstoke. The group’s co-founder Zain Haq says he’s gone into hiding out of fear of deportation. (Josh Piercey/Revelstoke Review)

Save Old Growth organizer fears his climate activism has made him a target for deportation

Zain Haq, who is in Canada on a study permit, says he’s gone into hiding

  • Jun 20, 2022
Two Save Old Growth protesters blocking Highway 1 at the Columbia River Bridge in Revelstoke. The group’s co-founder Zain Haq says he’s gone into hiding out of fear of deportation. (Josh Piercey/Revelstoke Review)
Todd Maliteare, Bruce Cameron and Dr. David Suzuki. (Submitted/file photos)

PODCAST: David Suzuki gets charged up over electric vehicles

TODAY IN B.C.: Columnist Bruce Cameron and builder Todd Maliteare also talk EVs

Todd Maliteare, Bruce Cameron and Dr. David Suzuki. (Submitted/file photos)
Save Old Growth announced the return of their highway blockades as of June 13 during the 2022 Thrifty Foods Victoria Day Parade. A new group, Clear The Road, which is frsutrated with the regular blockades is now pursuing a class-action lawsuit against Save Old Growth. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. commuters consider lawsuit over logging protest highway blockades by Save Old Growth

Drivers have missed appointments and work shifts, lost out on money, says Clear The Road group

Save Old Growth announced the return of their highway blockades as of June 13 during the 2022 Thrifty Foods Victoria Day Parade. A new group, Clear The Road, which is frsutrated with the regular blockades is now pursuing a class-action lawsuit against Save Old Growth. (Black Press Media file photo)
Honey bees flit in and out of their colony atop an apartment building in Vancouver’s West End. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)

VIDEO: Vancouver rooftops home to a new breed of honey bee: one made to survive

Ensure Hive Future breeding queen bees to be resistant to deadly mites

Honey bees flit in and out of their colony atop an apartment building in Vancouver’s West End. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)