‘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.
Critics of Ontario’s Bill 23 say need for housing shouldn’t trump land protection
Ontario's new law, known as Bill 23, makes it easier to break ground on the Greenbelt and its purpose is to offset the ongoing housing crisis and rise in immigration rates.
Ontario lake among finalists as scientists prepare to mark onset of the Anthropocene Epoch
Tiny Crawford Lake, near Milton, ON, could soon be known as the place where the Anthropocene Epoch began. The Anthropocene is the geological period in which humanity's impact on the planet is being measured. [Photo © Capital Current]
A dangerous shell game: Ontario’s Bill 23 adds to threats faced by Ottawa’s at-risk turtles, experts say
Local reptile experts advocate greater awareness of Ottawa's at-risk turtles after the passing of Bill 23.
Environmentalists warn Ontario’s Bill 23 threatens Ottawa’s wetlands and green spaces
The Ontario government's newly passed Bill 23 is sparking unrest among Ottawa's environmentalists as the legislation, intended to speed up housing projects, poses risks to the city's green spaces.
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.
In Focus: A ground-breaking Eastern Ontario brewery has solar beer on tap
Welcome to Arbru, where beer is made using the power of the sun.
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.
IN FOCUS: Carleton’s first butterfly show since the pandemic features dozens of species
The Butterfly Show welcomed the public into Carleton's butterfly house, or lepidopterarium, to showcase this year's selection of butterfly species.
Ecology Ottawa’s new leader aims to have immediate impact on city’s new council
Alice Irene Whittaker, Ecology Ottawa's new executive director, is coming in at a crucial time for the organization.
Carleton University’s annual butterfly show set to soar — in-person this year
The 23rd Annual Carleton Biology Butterfly show will be held in the school's greenhouse. The show will feature 41 species of butterflies.
It’s all about the clicks: Carleton scientist shows how sperm whale dialects mirror human culture
Researchers at Carleton University and beyond are identifying sperm whale dialects and social cultures to boost conservation efforts.
Box of Life wins $1,000 grant to place two worm compost benches in Little Italy
The Bench of Life project is expected to bring compost benches to Little Italy with worm farms to decompose scraps. It received a $1,000 grant in July.
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.
Community heroes to be honoured by the planting of 500 trees at Beechwood Cemetery
The non-profit Trees for Life is partnering with Beechwood Cemetery to plant 500 trees in honour of community heroes including members of the military and health-care workers.
After virtual events, Vanier Sugar Festival looks ahead to in-person celebration — and rebuilt shack — next year
As April brought warmer (and muddier) days to Ottawa, it also brought an age-old Canadian tradition that one urban sugar shack has been continuing in the capital for 37 years now: the production of maple syrup.
Proposed federal bill would limit wild animal captivity wins applause from advocates despite exemptions
The Jane Goodall Act is back in the Senate after being sidelined during the federal elections in 2021.
Hydropower producers failing to protect Ottawa River’s endangered eel, say environmentalists
The population of the American eel is declining sharply in the Ottawa River. Environmentalists say that the main reason at the many dams and power turbines on the river. They say more needs to be done to allow the eels to migrate safely.
Ottawa Riverkeeper, museum scientists probe life-cycle link between lake sturgeon, endangered mussel
Scientists are probing the depths of the Ottawa River to solve a mystery about the crucial relationship between an endangered species of mussel and a giant, ancient fish. The river is home to the Hickorynut mussel, which was officially designated an endangered species in Canada in August 2019. In hopes of raising awareness of the threatened species and to better...
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...
Push is on to ‘rewild’ Ottawa and promote native plants, greenspace protection
Ecology Ottawa is pushing the City of Ottawa to consider a program of 'rewilding' the urban environment.
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.
Picking off the pests: Ottawa braces for return of the spongy moth caterpillar
The spongy moth caterpillar outbreak may continue into 2022. Some Ontarians are starting to protect their trees.
Those who drive for a living suffering from pain at the pump while others search for an electric solution
With soaring gas prices some Ottawa residents are struggling to make ends meet, while others are considering getting a new vehicle.
Going electric: Council to vote on replacing gas-powered leaf blowers, trimmers
City Council will vote April 13 on a move to end the use of gas-powered lawn maintenance equipment with electric ones.
Ottawa Riverkeeper and allies prepare for battle ahead of key May hearing on proposed Chalk River nuclear waste site
Environmental groups including the Ottawa Riverkeeper are concerned about plans to build a low-level radiation storage facility at Chalk River near the Ottawa River.
Birders in Canada, U.S. collect valuable data, enjoy ‘soulful experience’ during annual Backyard Bird Count
The 25th Backyard Bird Count allowed hundreds of keen watchers to keep track of overwintering birds in Canada and the U.S.
Climate change may melt the dreams of ski resort operators in Ontario and Quebec, study shows
Ski resorts in Ontario, Quebec and the U.S. northeast are facing a bleak future in the long-term, with studies suggesting that many will no longer be viable by 2080.
White Tim Hortons lids may be more recyclable but focus should be on reuse, say environmentalists
Have you noticed the lid on your Tim Hortons coffee cup is a different colour? Capital Current explores what this means for recycling and the environment.
Experts cautiously optimistic about Canada’s upcoming greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan
The 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan will be an important step for Canada in achieving its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Chatham-Kent residents battle to save historic, tree-lined boulevard facing sewer upgrade
Residents in the community of Chatham-Kent in southwestern Ontario are banding together to protect a row of century-old maple trees from being cut down for a sewer upgrade.
Protecting the peat: Conservationists have bought a bit of the threatened Alfred Bog
Conservationists have announced the purchase of a small chunk of the environmentally sensitive and important Alfred Bog east of Ottawa. Capital Current explains the implications. The purchase will help protect the largest remaining chunk of privately owned peatland in southern Ontario’s largest bog – but it’s still a tiny fraction of a rapidly shrinking ecosystem
Riverkeeper expands campaign to curb use of road salt in Ottawa
The Ottawa Riverkeeper urges residents to be mindful of excessive road salt use, partners with Smart About Salt. Photo of excessive salt use in downtown Ottawa [Photo © Lauren Kerans]
As icy conditions return, City of Ottawa needs to avoid using too much road salt, environmental advocates say
Environmentalists say the use of road salt needs to be reduced to protect vital infrastructure and waterways from the impact of too much sodium chloride.
New City of Ottawa loan program intended to help residents make energy efficiency upgrades
The City of Ottawa has launched the Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program (BHOLP) to have 98 per cent of existing homes undergo a deep retrofit by 2040.
Carleton students push university to divest funds from fossil fuels investments
Carleton students want the university to follow the lead of other institutions and pull its endowment funds from fossil fuel investments.
Paving paradise? Ontario’s Bradford Bypass a dead end, critics say, while premier says it will ease traffic
The controversial Bradford Bypass has environmentalists up in arms over damage to wetlands and the Ford government touting an end to traffic congestion. Capital Current examines the arguments.
Ghostly exhibit at Canadian Museum of Nature explores shadow of extinction hanging over vulnerable species
Shadowland is an exhibition of 15 artworks depicting the bones left by mammals. The series of drawings contain echoes of the slow extinction of species.
Our passion for plastic in the holidays is fuelling waste and warming the planet, experts say
The holiday season may bring joy under the tree but the plastic waste it creates is helping drive our climate crisis.
Artists, activists sing for the trees threatened by Ottawa Hospital’s planned Civic campus
A rally was held on Nov. 21 to protest the deforestation of Experimental Farm land for the Ottawa Hospital's new Civic campus.
Canada will never export bulk water to the U.S. — and journalists should stop writing about it
Every couple of years, Canadian media revisits the perennial issue of exporting water to the U.S. Capital Current's Jonathan Got would like journalists to stop.
Rising gas prices, uncertain future for fossil fuels driving Canada’s trucking industry to electric alternatives
As fuel prices rise, Canada's trucking industry is moving to electric vehicles to save costs.
Ottawa Riverkeeper in talks with NCC for new home in historic boathouse
Upgrades to the NCC River Pavilion are nearly complete and talks with possible tenants, including the Ottawa Riverkeeper, are underway.
Faced with a site that’s filling up fast, Ottawa explores ways to extend life of Trail Road landfill
Ottawa's main waste facility is filling up faster than expected and city council is now wrestling with ways to slow down the flow of trash.
Project in Old Ottawa South piloting a way to retrofit and improve comfort in older homes
A pilot project in Old Ottawa South is aiming to provide the information homeowners need to properly retrofit their century-old homes.
Canada’s pledge to cut methane emissions at COP26 offers hope despite the country’s history of missed targets
Canada pledges to reduce methane emissions to combat climate change after it is cited as a "top concern" for Canadians.
NCC’s colourful ‘Fall Rhapsody’ leaf spectacle restores sense of normalcy in COVID times
The NCC’s Fall Rhapsody initiative brings back shuttles and peripheral events after last year’s altered program due to the pandemic.