Adventure film showcases ice climbing in Rockies as climate-change sentinel
Ottawa audiences got a front-row seat to the thrill of extreme ice climbing at the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour, recently screened at the ByTowne Cinema. Hosted by Trailhead Paddle Shack, the 50th edition of the festival paired athletic feats with climate-focused documentaries, showing how high-altitude adventure offers a window on our warming world. “That mix of spectacle and awareness...
Warming weather delays fall colours in Gatineau Park this year — and beyond, expert says
Fall Rhapsody was delayed by warm weather, says a University of Ottawa scientist, but drew crowds when the leaves began to change in October.
Ottawa’s climate strategy prioritizes infrastructure, communities and vulnerable residents
As the city's plan to make Ottawa more resilient to climate change, one message seems to be emerging: that everyone needs to pull together to achieve success.
‘We let this happen’: Ottawa seniors fight for climate action
Ottawa seniors are turning up the heat on climate action by demanding change for the future.
Crossing the line? Proposed protest bylaws threaten advocacy, climate activists say
Proposed bubble bylaws including in the City of Ottawa threaten the right to free speech, activists say.
Giving a dam for 50 years: Canada’s relationship with its national animal
The beaver has been an official symbol of Canada for 50 years, but we don't treat them with the respect that deserve, experts say.
Advocates call for sustainable climate solutions in wake of federal election
As some vote as still being counted in the federal election, environmental advocates are highlighting a gap between public concern about climate change and the need for action, emphasizing the need for more effective communication and stronger proposals from all federal parties to bridge this divide. A recent Angus Reid Institute poll indicated that nearly 70 per cent of Canadians...
Watershed watchers issue flood alerts along swelling Rideau, Ottawa rivers
Flood season has arrived in the Ottawa Valley and conservation officials are warning local residents to prepare for the springtime swelling of the national capital’s waterways. After record-breaking mild weather — including a high of 16.3 C on March 16, the highest temperature for that date in Ottawa — heavy snowmelt and rain are rushing over frozen ground and gushing...
U.S. withdrawal from Paris Agreement may disrupt Canada’s climate push, but shouldn’t stop it, experts say
As wildfires raged across California in January, U.S. President Donald Trump lit a match on his country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change with one of his first executive orders. The move came as the World Weather Attribution, an international research consortium that tracks the impacts of global warming, says elevated carbon emissions in Earth’s atmosphere have intensified...
Councillors welcome plan to make Ottawa’s vehicle fleet zero-emission
City councillors welcomed Ottawa’s latest Green Fleet Strategy, which staff predict could drop greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from city vehicles 93 per cent by 2040, compared with 2012 levels. The strategy aims to move the City of Ottawa vehicle fleet, including ambulances, fire trucks, cars, and snowplows, to low carbon and zero-emission options by 2040. This is aligned with the...
As Canada’s big banks leave Net-Zero alliance, young people think about alternatives
The move by Canada’s biggest financial institutions to walk away from the UN-backed Net-Zero Banking Alliance has many Gen Z young people pondering a breakup with their bank, though some admit that the convenience is a major stumbling block.
Ottawa EV drivers navigate shift to battery-powered vehicles as charging infrastructure slowly improves
Ottawa is getting greener by shifting to no fuel emission vehicles. EV drivers say the battery range on their electric vehicles can be worrisome.
‘Amazing sight to see’: Amid climate upheaval, Ottawa storm chaser shares passion for observing tornadoes up close
Extreme storms have fascinated Ottawa’s Andrew Macklin his entire life. Whether it’s a brewing thunderstorm or a full-fledged tornado, Macklin always wants to get a front row seat to the action. “My grandparents lived on a big hill overlooking Lake Ontario,” Macklin said. “I would sit in my grandfather’s lap and watch lightning every summer night. That really sparked my...
New wildlife management plan for Ottawa will offer more protection for local beavers
Council to vote n new wildlife management plan for City of Ottawa.
No quick fix: Invasive species, fires and a warming climate hamper trees’ ability to capture carbon
Over the last decade, governments in Canada have announced various efforts to boost and conserve these vital forest populations. However, nvasive species, forest fires, and extreme weather are interfering with trees’ ability to sequester carbon dioxide.
Researchers test strategies to sustain ice on Skateway in warmer Ottawa winters
Researchers from Carleton University are working with the NCC to find ways to keep the Rideau Canal Skateway open in the face of a warming climate.
A big bite: Tick populations expected to surge after Ottawa’s mild winter, balmy spring
Warmer winters are causing populations of ticks to expand in the Ottawa area bringing a risk of infection including Lyme disease.
Conservative rally to ‘axe the tax’ previews federal vote over carbon price
WTF? “Where’s the funds?” That’s what federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre says Canadians need to ask about the April 1 increase in the national price on carbon under the Liberal government’s centrepiece policy to fight climate change. Conservative supporters at a recent “Axe the Tax” rally at the Infinity Convention Centre in in the city’s south end were part of...
Uplifting awards: Ecology Ottawa to celebrate the Earth — and those leading fight to protect it
Ecology Ottawa awards will be announced on April 22, Earth Day.
Environmental groups call for windfall tax on ‘excess’ oil and gas profits
Environmental groups are calling on the federal government to levy a windfall profits tax on the profits gained by oil and gas companies since the Russian war on Ukraine began two years ago.
Ottawa aims to prioritizing building community resilience to face climate change
Building community resilience is one of the top focused areas in the Ottawa 2024 priorities of emergency preparedness as the City of Ottawa is developing a new emergency management strategy and public alerting system to enhance emergency response and adapt to the new realities of climate change. Advancing ways to increase communication and information sharing, and working with community groups...
As Ottawa develops climate risk strategy, report warns of growing flood risks in years to come
The Urban Flood Information Report presented to the City of Ottawa’s Environment and Climate Change Committee March 19 highlights the work the city has done over the years to mitigate flood risks but also warns that flood risks are going to continue to rise in the coming years. Over the past few years, Ottawa has seen record-breaking floods, major storms...
Green icon Bill McKibben urges Baby Boomers to get involved in climate activism in Carleton lecture
Climate activist and environmental icon Bill McKibben urged Baby Boomers to get involved in the fight to stop climate change.
Ottawa’s sporadic winter skating season has some pondering change in business focus
In response to the fluctuating winter conditions in Ottawa, part-time staff adapt to the challenges of working at ice rinks, while businesses, including Capital Skates and Quick Cranks, reconsider their operational approaches.
Reef concerns: Artificial materials a means to mitigate global collapse
With global warming accelerating the destruction of the world’s reefs, artificial reefs may act as a stopgap to help preserve marine life. From their early beginnings to more modern designs, conservation scientists break down the benefits and cons of these structures.
Experts welcome high tech and AI in wildfire response but say coordination, resources on the ground are key
As some regions make strides in implementing AI to predict wildfires, experts emphasize the need for more coordination and resources nation-wide.
Ecology Ottawa urges the city to fund a community-run air quality monitoring program
Ecology Ottawa is asking the city to create a budget for local climate initiatives, such as Breathe Easy which monitored air quality in 46 locations across Ottawa.
Winter wondering: It looks like the cold is coming — but will it be enough to open the Rideau Canal Skateway?
Even though the Rideau Canal Skateway did not open last winter, there is hope for 2024. Environment Canada’s Senior Climatologist David Phillips says Ottawa appears to be on track for a proper winter. That forecast, and others, has the National Capital Commission preparing to open the Canal to skating. The Weather Network confirms Phillips’ optimism. In a recent winter forecast,...
City to try out new sidewalk machines in a collective push to reduce road salt use
The city will pilot new sidewalk machine salt controllers this winter. Others are pushing to reduce salt usage, due to its ecological damage.
Transit troubles: Commuting in Ottawa without a car is still not viable for many
Transportation is Ontario's biggest greenhouse gas emitter.
Organizers celebrate a new planting record on National Tree Day
This year National Tree Day saw a record number of trees planted in locations across the country, including in Ottawa.
An October heat wave underlines need for City of Ottawa to accelerate plans for adapting to climate change, expert says
After a summer of high temperatures and wildfire smoke, Ottawa has continued to feel the effects of climate change as a heat wave breaks temperature records at the beginning of October.
More Ottawans turn to winter cycling — but with an eye to the hazards of climate change
Ottawans are extending their cycling seasons throughout the winter as a solution to concerns with climate change and reliable transit.
City builder: Alice Irene Whittaker leads the charge on environmental issues in Ottawa
Alice Irene Whittaker is a writer, environmental leader and the executive director of Ecology Ottawa, a not-for-profit dedicated to engaging the community on the environment.
Feeling the heat: Are Canadian doctors ready for the rising tide of eco-anxiety?
Amid soaring rates of eco-anxiety driven by climate change, Canadian health-care professionals have been pushing for more support in addressing this new mental-health challenge. A growing number are also calling for a significant rethink of how medical education is delivered, arguing that the new field of “planetary health” should be an integral part of medical training and residencies – a...
After unprecedented closure, concern grows for Rideau Canal Skateway’s future in warmer world
This cancellation of the Rideau Canal Skateway this season is a harbinger of things to come as climate change warms the capital.
With Wellington set to reopen to traffic, Ecology Ottawa touts car-free, cyclist-friendly vision
Several groups are pushing to have the section of Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill remain closed to vehicle traffic.
On thin ice: The Rideau Canal Skateway season melting away
A worrying trend of warmer winter weather could mean the end of one of Ottawa's most beloved yearly traditions — skating on the Rideau Canal.
Activists urge greening of Canada’s music industry — and cheaper transit
Activists are calling on governments, musicians, and event organizers to help contribute to a greener future for the music industry.
Conference seeks to provide a Black lens on coping with climate change
Carleton conference gives a voice to a BIPOC perspective on climate change.
Silver lining: Incoming polar vortex may help Rideau Canal Skateway to finally open
A polar vortex may be headed this way bringing freezing temperatures. But the good news is the cold may help open up the Rideau Canal Skateway.
‘Yellow buses must go green’: Groups demand electric fleets for school transit
The ground is being prepared to take all of Ontario's school bus fleet off diesel fuel and electrify the vehicles.
Study by uOttawa professor helps explain Earth’s slow recovery from ancient mass extinction and offers warning for today
Earth couldn't get back to a normal state of self-regulation because ,of extinction of certain microorganisms potentially explaining why it took so long for life to return to the planet.
Canadian Geographic challenges five families to cut CO2 emissions en route to net zero
Canadian Geographic magazine is working with five families to see how much they can reduce their carbon footprints.
Farmers hit Ottawa streets to protest climate crisis limits on use of fertilizers
Farmers are protesting limits on the use of fertilizers that can cause emissions of nitrogen that can contribute to global warming.
Climate crisis: Federal 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan focuses on oil and gas sector
A consultation process is underway to examine the oil and gas sector's role in greenhouse gas emissions while the federal government gives sector more time to adapt.
Climate change and children’s rights: Canada urged to take bigger steps in the right direction
Children are calling for Canada to include them in climate policy decisions.
The 25th Hour: Rewilding lawns to support pollinators
Reporter Tala Muhtadi invests in the environment and learns how to plant a pollinator-friendly garden on a budget.
Canada’s new emissions reduction plan ‘doesn’t go far enough,’ say environmentalists
As a lawyer for Ecojustice, Julia Croome said she’s been grappling with feelings of optimism and disappointment since the federal government unveiled Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction plan on March 29. The target? To cut emissions by 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and put Canada on track for net-zero emissions by 2050. To meet this target, the government...
Pollen problem: Climate change is partly to blame for rise in seasonal allergies
The spring allergy season is expected to get longer and more intense and climate change is largely to blame, according to experts.