british columbia
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Nisga'a Nation spearheads a major LNG project in British Columbia
The Ksi Lisims LNG project, led by the Nisg̱a’a Nation in British Columbia, faces intense scrutiny over its environmental impact and implications for Indigenous rights as it nears a production level comparable to the province's largest LNG operation.
In short:
- The Ksi Lisims LNG project, located in the Nass estuary near the Alaska border, aims to produce up to 12 million tonnes of LNG annually, rivaling the output of the larger LNG Canada.
- The project, led by the Nisg̱a’a Nation, has sparked concerns among other First Nations and environmentalists regarding its potential ecological impacts and implications for Indigenous rights.
- While proponents argue the project could help reduce global reliance on coal by providing cleaner fuel options, significant environmental and social challenges remain.
Key quote:
“I know the environmental assessment office takes that challenge very, very seriously and it is a difficult challenge. Like anything in society, not everybody agrees.”
— B.C. Environment Minister George Heyman
Why this matters:
Nestled in an area known for its rich biodiversity, the Nass estuary is home to numerous species of fish, birds, and other wildlife, making it a critical habitat that environmentalists argue must be preserved. The production of LNG, while cleaner than other fossil fuels like coal and oil, still involves processes that can lead to the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. This is particularly concerning in a time when there is global pressure to reduce emissions and transition toward renewable energy sources.
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Newsletter
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Climate change poses severe health risks in British Columbia
A recent report from Vancouver Coastal Health highlights the urgent and diverse health risks posed by climate change in British Columbia, with specific concerns for vulnerable populations.
In short:
- The report by Vancouver Coastal Health outlines the impact of climate hazards like wildfire smoke, droughts, heat, storms, and flooding on health, emphasizing the need for immediate mitigation and adaptation strategies.
- Dr. Patricia Daly, Chief Medical Health Officer, and other health experts emphasize the disproportionate impact on Indigenous communities and the importance of addressing pre-existing social and health disparities.
- Recommendations include infrastructure changes such as retrofitting buildings with cooling systems and enhancing green spaces, to combat the effects of extreme weather events.
Key quote:
"The existential threat to our population is climate change."
— Dr. Patricia Daly, chief medical health officer, Vancouver Coastal Health.
Why this matters:
This article underscores the link between climate change and public health, highlighting the need for comprehensive and inclusive strategies to mitigate health risks, especially for vulnerable groups. In the broader context, it reflects a growing recognition of climate change as a pressing health emergency that requires urgent action from both public health authorities and policymakers.
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Photo by Drew Farwell on Unsplash
Fish out of water: North American drought bakes salmon
An unprecedented drought across much of British Columbia, Canada, and Washington and Oregon, U.S., during the summer and fall months of June through October could have dire impacts on Pacific salmon populations, biologists warn.
BC Hydro apologizes for $128-million Site C dam data error
Undisclosed employees quietly handed out $558 million in direct-award contracts, including $92 million to SNC Lavalin, new information shows.
Shaan Hurley/Flickr/Commercial use & mods allowedhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
B.C.’s most ‘polluting and risky’ mines revealed
Mining is big business in B.C. and it’s an industry that produces a lot of waste. A new report highlights 11 mines of concern and what’s stopping the province from getting them to clean up their acts.
NPCA Online/Flickr/Commercial use & mods allowedhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
Photos show Coastal GasLink sediment spills into wetlands, rivers
On an Indigenous-led monitoring flight over the Coastal GasLink pipeline, The Narwhal documented worksites overwhelmed by spring melt and numerous environmental infractions including slope failures, flooded worksites and sediment entering wetlands and waterways
Jason Woodhead/Flickr/Commercial use & mods allowedhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
BC Hydro secretly handed out $430 million in Site C contracts
Beleaguered engineering firm SNC-Lavalin was among the big winners of no-bid contracts for the over-budget hydro project on B.C.’s Peace River, according to documents obtained by The Narwhal.
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