Browsing: Environmental News
Blue Mind Life Ambassadors Wanted For 2017
Our 4th Annual 100 Days of Blue campaign, is underway and we need your help! Become an Ambassador of Blue and reach out to the gate-keepers and leading voices within sectors that actively engage with Blue Mind:
World Oceans Day salutes our most important provider
“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch, we are going back from whence we came.” John F. Kennedy
World Oceans Day salutes our most important provider
“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether…
US Withdrawal from Paris Agreement Triggers Renewed Call to Action
United States President Donald Trump has announced his intent to withdraw the US from the historic Paris Agreement, the world’s first global plan to address climate change. This announcement is a call to action to national and local governments, businesses and people worldwide to step up their commitments to address climate change.
US Withdrawal from Paris Agreement Triggers Renewed Call to Action
United States President Donald Trump has announced his intent to withdraw the US from the historic…
World Environment Day reminds us to reconnect with nature
The notion that we must conquer or dominate nature has governed human behaviour for a relatively short period of our 150,000-year history on this 4.5-billion-year-old planet. It’s an understandable impulse. Our intelligence and foresight allowed us to develop complex societies, and gave us a sense of control over our existence in the face of powerful, often threatening natural forces.
World Environment Day reminds us to reconnect with nature
The notion that we must conquer or dominate nature has governed human behaviour for a…
That’s a wrap! Coal hearing comes to a close
This week, on behalf of community groups and local residents, Ecojustice lawyers were in court to make the case for why the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s approval of the Fraser Surrey Docks coal export facility should be struck down.
That’s a wrap! Coal hearing comes to a close
This week, on behalf of community groups and local residents, Ecojustice lawyers were in court…
Oil and plastic are choking the planet
People who deny that humans are wreaking havoc on the planet’s life-support systems astound me. When confronted with the obvious damage we’re doing to the biosphere — from climate change to water and air pollution to swirling plastic patches in the oceans — some dismiss the reality or employ logical fallacies to discredit the messengers.
Oil and plastic are choking the planet
People who deny that humans are wreaking havoc on the planet’s life-support systems astound me.…
Why are unsexy coral habitats so important?
Corals are typically found within an optimal range of environmental conditions, e.g. shallow, clear and…
Waste Not, Want Not?
Some thoughts on rubbish in the marine environment and how we can help stem the…
Plastics’ unchecked growth threatens wildlife
Next time you see someone throw plastic into the ocean, inform the offender that 8.8 million metric tons of plastic waste are dumped into oceans every year. China is responsible for 2.4 million metric tons. It is time to end such destructive behaviour.
Plastics’ unchecked growth threatens wildlife
No Blue, No Green! Next time you see someone throw plastic into the ocean, inform…
Increased awareness is key to resolving the climate crisis
Most people understand that human-caused climate change is a real and serious threat. True, some still reject the mountains of evidence amassed by scientists from around the world over many decades, and accepted by every legitimate scientific academy and institution. But as the physical evidence builds daily — from increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events like droughts and floods to disappearing polar ice to rising sea levels — it takes an incredible amount of denial to claim we have no reason to worry.
Increased awareness is key to resolving the climate crisis
Most people understand that human-caused climate change is a real and serious threat. True, some…
Plastic-eating Caterpillar Could Solve Global Plastic Pollution.
A Spanish biologist and amateur beekeeper, Federica Bertocchini, has discovered a plastic-eating caterpillar that could be the solution to global plastic pollution. The caterpillar’s ability to consume plastic was accidentally discovered during routine bee hive maintenance and it’s has since been studied by Bertocchini and her peers at the University of Cambridge. Their findings have been published in Current Biology in April 2017.
Plastic-eating Caterpillar Could Solve Global Plastic Pollution.
Amateur beekeeper accidentally discovers plastic-eating caterpillar that could solve global plastic pollution. A Spanish biologist…
Tell the Canadian government to prevent unnecessary harm and waste to sea life
Up to 10.3 million tonnes of sea life is unintentionally caught each year around the world, captured in nets, lines and other gear. Some of this is kept and sold, or released safely; but far too much is put back in the ocean, either dead or dying. In Canada, this includes endangered and threatened species like whales, turtles, sharks and fish.
Tell the Canadian government to prevent unnecessary harm and waste to sea life
Up to 10.3 million tonnes of sea life is unintentionally caught each year around the…
Long work hours don’t work for people or the planet
In 1926, U.S. automaker Henry Ford reduced his employees’ workweek from six eight-hour days to five, with no pay cuts. It’s something workers and labour unions had been calling for, and it followed previous reductions in work schedules that had been as high as 84 to 100 hours over seven days a week.
Long work hours don’t work for people or the planet
In 1926, U.S. automaker Henry Ford reduced his employees’ workweek from six eight-hour days to…
Stunning Documentary Captures Highs and Lows of Whale Stranding
It has been almost three months since February’s mass stranding of pilot whales in Farewell Spit. With time to gather some perspective, we’re reflecting on the sheer magnitude of the event. It was the largest stranding in 99 years and had the largest human response ever. Between 220-250 whales died, but with volunteers help, over 450 whales survived!
Stunning Documentary Captures Highs and Lows of Whale Stranding
It has been almost three months since February’s mass stranding of pilot whales in Farewell…
Time to #RaysAwareness in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay of Rays
Following the well-publicised killing of a huge resident smooth ray on 2 April at Rye Pier Melbourne, that sparked a petition of over 26,000 signatures to ban the killing of rays in Port Phillip Bay, another attack occurred at the same pier on Wednesday evening, 3 May. Four fiddler rays (more commonly known as ‘banjo sharks’) were caught by an unidentified individual on the pier before being dealt a severe cranial split.
Climate Change and Coral Reefs
Now that the weather has stabilised, we are enjoying wonderful dives again at Sail Rock, Anghton Marine Park and Koh Tao, yet I remember the unusual weather we had last January, which let many tourists down. Their frustration was understandable. They came to Thailand expecting sunshine, without considering an unwanted consequence of their own lifestyle: climate change.
Greenpeace protests Coca-Cola’s role in ocean plastic pollution
Greenpeace dumped a 2.5 tonne ocean plastic sculpture outside Coca-Cola’s headquarters in London during April 2017. The sculpture, made from sand and waste Coca-Cola bottles, was created in protest of the company’s role in ocean plastic pollution.
Greenpeace protests Coca-Cola’s role in ocean plastic pollution
Greenpeace protests Coca-Cola’s role in ocean plastic pollution with giant sculpture outside their London headquarters.…
New Zealand Government Asked to Urge US to Stay in Paris Agreement
WWF-New Zealand has written to the Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett and senior officials in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Ministry for the Environment, urging them to use diplomacy to encourage the United States of America to remain in the Paris Agreement, the global treaty on climate change.
New Zealand Government Asked to Urge US to Stay in Paris Agreement
WWF-New Zealand has written to the Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett and senior officials in…
Māui Dolphin Challenge Launches
Today, WWF-New Zealand officially launched the Māui Dolphin Challenge, a fundraising campaign to save one of New Zealand’s most endangered and beloved animals. The campaign challenges New Zealanders to fundraise by pledging to do something involving the number 63. Whether it’s walking 63 kilometres or picking up 63 kilograms of rubbish, people across the country are already signing up to take part in creative fundraising challenges.
Māui Dolphin Challenge Launches
What would you do to save the last 63 Māui dolphins? Today, WWF-New Zealand officially…
Is the Canadian Government Missing an Opportunity to Stop Seafood Fraud?
Whether through following Oceana Canada or recent news stories, chances are you’ve heard about the problem of seafood fraud – the dishonest practice of swapping one type of fish for another species or mislabeling seafood products. Even more likely is that at one point or another, you’ve been the victim of a seafood scam.
Is the Canadian Government Missing an Opportunity to Stop Seafood Fraud?
Whether through following Oceana Canada or recent news stories, chances are you’ve heard about the…
Research sheds light on dark corner of B.C.’s oil and gas industry
We’ve long known extracting oil and gas comes with negative consequences, and rapid expansion of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, increases the problems and adds new ones — excessive water use and contamination, earthquakes, destruction of habitat and agricultural lands and methane emissions among them.
Research sheds light on dark corner of B.C.’s oil and gas industry
We’ve long known extracting oil and gas comes with negative consequences, and rapid expansion of…
Register for Coral Restoration Foundation’s 3rd Annual Coralpalooza
In celebration of World Oceans Day, Coral Restoration Foundation is hosting its 3rd Annual Coralpalooza.…
NZ’s first conservation/fishing partnership celebrates successes
Today, Moana New Zealand and WWF-New Zealand announced the first set of achievements resulting from…
China’s Largest Airline Bans Shark Fin On All Flights
China’s largest airline, China Southern, has banned the carriage of shark fin on all its…
Virgin Start Up Backed Company Creates Artificial Reef at Vobster Quay
A Virgin StartUp-backed company, ARC Marine, is creating an artificial reef at premier UK diving site Vobster Quay in 2017. They aim to protect the globally endangered white-clawed crayfish, which is threatened with extinction in the next twenty to thirty years.
Virgin Start Up Backed Company Creates Artificial Reef at Vobster Quay
A Virgin StartUp-backed company, ARC Marine, is creating an artificial reef at premier UK diving…
The grisly truth about B.C.’s grizzly trophy hunt
Grizzly bears venturing from dens in search of food this spring will face landscapes dominated by mines, roads, pipelines, clearcuts and ever-expanding towns and cities. As in years past, they’ll also face the possibility of painful death at the hands of trophy hunters.
The grisly truth about B.C.’s grizzly trophy hunt
Grizzly bears venturing from dens in search of food this spring will face landscapes dominated by mines, roads, pipelines, clearcuts and…
Researchers Discover Why Humpback Whales Jump
Researchers working in Queensland, Australia have discovered humpback whales breach to communicate with other pods of whales over 4 km (2.5 miles) apart. Wanting to know why these whales breach when migrating, researchers observed 94 different groups of whales during their migration to Antarctica. Their findings were published in Marine Mammal Science in November 2016.