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...
Toxic trouble: More oversight needed on ubiquitous ‘forever’ chemicals, say researchers
Researchers say that everyone has been exposed to toxins at some point in their life. One of the most commonly found sets of toxins are called PFAS, a set of toxins that can be found in nearly every product and the environment.
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.
Fatal flight path: Safe Wings displays terrible bird carnage from glass collisions
Safe Wings brings out a display of birds killed in collisions with the windows of Ottawa.
Early open-air fire ban shows climate change effect in Ottawa, say observers
A series of brush fires across the region that forced firefighters to douse burning vegetation in recent weeks led the Ottawa Fire Services to impose an open-air fire ban on March 24.
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.
Bittersweet: Retailers struggle to keep prices low as chocolate cost soars ahead of Easter
Retailers struggle to contain cost increases as the price of chocolate keeps rising.
Going electric: E-buses showing promise for OC Transpo with more on the way
E-buses are proving they can handle the load at OC Transpo. Now the city just needs more of them.
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.
Despite improved finning regulations worldwide, shark deaths are still on the rise
Despite the widespread adoption of shark finning regulations, there is still a rise in shark fishing-related deaths internationally, even in Canada.
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.
Zero-waste basketball day gets campus recycling race started at Carleton
This year, Carleton and uOttawa will compete in the national capital to divert waste from the landfill.
Many swear by an ice-cold plunge but the health benefits are murky, experts say
As cold plunging has risen in popularity the benefits are being promoted over the risks, but how good for you is the polar plunge after all?
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.
Two Ontario towns will decide in 2024 whether to accept a massive graveyard for nuclear waste
Canada is looking to find a permanent solution for its millions of nuclear fuel bundles, but Canadians must first be convinced it is safe for them, the environment and future generations.
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,...
The Christmas tree debate: It’s just evergreen
The debate continues: real Christmas trees or artificial ones.
Battery energy storage facility in rural Ottawa gets council blessing
Ottawa city council is backing a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility in Rideau-Jock Ward.
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.
Need for new school and green space collide in a fight over Ottawa’s Plouffe Park
The City of Ottawa plan to replace the Plouffe Park field with a French-language elementary school has been put on hold after much outrage from local residents.
City builder: Rae Landriau uses passion for nature to fuel volunteer work in Ottawa
Activist, volunteer, author and master's student Rae Landriau was awarded the 2023 Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award from Volunteer Ottawa.
Removing Aylmer Hydro Ruins could have major impact on wildlife, local experts warn
Removing the Aylmer Hydro Ruins will harm the local community's heritage and ecosystem, experts say.
Volunteer groups flock together to save two birds of prey
In July of 2023, three local volunteer organizations came together to save a hawk and an owl and released them back into the wild.
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.
Squashing food insecurity: After Halloween, local group says don’t throw out that pumpkin — donate it
With every approaching Halloween, many pumpkins will be bought, carved up for spooky jack-o-lanterns and swiftly discarded afterwards. Instead of throwing out your pumpkin on Nov. 1, environmental advocacy groups like Ottawa South Eco-Action Network recommend finding alternative uses for your gourd.
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.
Canadian Museum of Nature embraces prescription program for mental health
The PaRx program is allowing doctors to prescribe patients passes to the Canadian Museum of Nature for the first time, in order to boost mental health.
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.
Single-use plastics ban gets mixed reception among Ottawa’s small businesses
With the single-use plastics ban coming into effect in two months, Ottawa's business owners have different perspectives on its effectiveness.
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...
Reimagining the wolf: Museum takes clear-eyed look at misunderstood predator
Canada's Nature Museum offers a clear-eyed look at wolves and their place in the ecosystem.
Green groups urge climate-friendly vision beyond ‘status quo’ city budget
Ecology Ottawa says the new city budget does not reflect the urgency of the climate emergency in Ottawa.
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.
Lots secured for greenery as building boom pushes city’s parkland fund above $40M
The City of Ottawa's parkland fund is helping neighbourhoods find new greenspace.
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.
Ecology Ottawa praises plan to buy 350 electric buses, but urges more action
At an emergency meeting last Friday, Ottawa's Transit Commission voted in favour of the electrification of 350 diesel buses by 2026. While this number is lower than initially expected, Ecology Ottawa says the 350 buses will be a significant step toward cutting greenhouse gas emissions from Ottawa public transportation.
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.
For the birds: The joys of counting down to spring with winter FeederWatch in Canada, U.S.
Project FeederWatch is a great way for scientists to directly engage with citizens to make broad observations about birds.
Teen science whiz adds Nature Inspiration Award to long list of achievements
Ottawa area teen Naila Moloo recently won the Nature Inspiration Award from the Canadian Museum of Nature for her innovative leadership on projects such as the creation of flexible solar panels.
Ottawa’s low-income neighbourhoods more likely to suffer from air pollution: report
A recent report reveals Ottawa's low income areas suffer from some of the poorest air quality in the city.