Paper bags just as environmentally damaging as plastic bags, experts say
With Canada getting ready to ban plastic bags by the end of 2021, experts are warning its most popular alternative has environmentally damaging consequences of its own.
The way we roll: E-scooter pilot project ready to wrap – for now
How the e-scooter pilot project has been received so far in Ottawa
Halloween’s pumpkin problem: Anti-waste advocates urge end to doorstep-to-landfill horror show
Although pumpkins are grown as a food source, most will be thrown away this Halloween. Several organizations are working to tackle this pumpkin problem.
Scientists warn of more pandemics as the buffers between humans and animal break down
Discarded masks are just the beginning of the environmental consequences of COVID-19. The intersection of humans and the environment — at a time when the disappearing buffer between people and animals is being blamed for this and expected future pandemics — is challenging sustainability in the context of this global public health emergency.
COVID consequences: Ottawa-area animal sanctuaries short staff, funds
Limited funding for sanctuaries during COVID-19 means a lack of access to volunteers and staff, as well as food, medicine and supply shortages.
Carleton grows wings: Pushed by COVID-19, the 21st butterfly show adapted well to life online
A closer look at Carleton University's 21st annual butterfly show, and how the event transitioned to virtual platforms for the first time.
Gatineau’s ‘Butterfly Girl’ nominated for 2020 Nature Inspiration Award
A young Gatineau girl who is trying to save the endangered monarch butterfly is among the finalists for the Canadian Museum of Nature's Inspiration awards.
Museum of Nature unveils new interactive exhibit emphasizing the importance of ice
The Canadian Museum of Nature’s new exhibit, Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Age emphasizes the importance and need for preservation of ice with its use of new multimedia interactive technology.
In climbing, a push to change derogatory route names is underway
For the voice of each man pretending offensive climbing route names are not a problem, there are plenty of others that buoy the need for a widespread effort to change the names of climbing routes across North America. After a broader reckoning with how we name monuments to problematic historical figures, change is coming to both online and physical guidebooks...
Governments ‘not doing enough’ to control Canada’s worst invasive plant, experts say
Experts say Ottawa is not doing enough to control the spread of Canada's worst invasive species, despite economic incentives
COVID-19 consequences: Reduced air pollution, less waste, fresh insights
More than 20 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported globally to date. There is no overstating of the scope of the pandemic tragedy for humanity. However, it is also important to recognize that it has resulted in some unexpected environmental benefits — especially when it comes to air pollution and waste management. The World Health Organization estimates that there...
Ottawa finally considers bird-friendly building guidelines 15 years after Toronto, Vancouver
Ottawa City Council is set to approve guidelines for protecting birds, almost 15 years after Toronto and Vancouver adopted their own. This move comes one year after a 2019 report by the U.S. North American Bird Conservation Initiative showed a 30 per cent decline in populations across North America. It’s estimated that 1 billion birds die per year as a...
Insect watching during the pandemic: In a standstill world, nature’s transformations offer soulful reassurance
For many Canadians, this summer has been low key and quieter than most. Since travel during the pandemic isn’t really encouraged, many of us are staying closer to home – and that change may present the opportunity to observe things we don’t usually pay attention to.
New air-quality monitoring project aims to help Ottawa residents Breathe Easy
Ecology Ottawa and Sierra Club will follow in the footsteps of the INHALE project in Hamilton and Toronto which aimed to foster air quality awareness.
Farmers across hot, dry Ottawa pray for a weekend of rain to save summer crops
Ottawa is experiencing higher temperatures and lesser rainy days than usual, meaning local farmers are struggling to mantain their crop poduction.
New nuclear waste guidelines could lead to ‘massive dump’ upstream from Ottawa if approved
New regulation documents for Canada’s disposal of nuclear waste have come under fire from activists and the NDP, and could impact the Chalk River nuclear facility if passed.
Canada’s Borer War: Ottawa on front line in fight against ash-killing beetle that has wiped out 50,000 trees
Ottawa's war on the Emerald Ash Borer enters a new phase.
Climate change creating unpredictable future of ‘extremes’ for people living in Ontario floodplains
Climate change is fuelling extreme weather events such as flooding and governments are acting slowly in helping people adapt to this new reality.
Councillor grilled over donut joke, gaping holes in report on ‘Scott’s Excellent Adventure to Tennessee’
City Coun. Scott Moffatt visited waste-processing plant in Tennessee and talked about Krispy Kreme donuts in his minimalist report.
Get ready for more heatwaves, floods and ice storms, report on Ottawa’s changing climate says
Ottawa councillors looked beyond the pandemic this week to another looming crisis. They were combing through a massive, two-volume report presented to the city’s environment committee that revealed some worrisome projections about climate change in the national capital over the next 30 years. The key findings: Ottawa should expect a warmer, wetter and — on average — more disaster-filled future....
Q & A: Clare Stone brings the message of ocean conservation home to Ottawa
Clare Stone discusses being selected for the 2020 Ocean Bridge program and what ocean conservation looks like in Ottawa.
Farmers say they need alternatives if herbicide glyphosate is weeded out
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) labelled glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” More than 50 million kilograms of glyphosate were sold in Canada in 2017.
Greening the Official Plan: activists push city to add environmental values
Activists are determined to push City Council to ensure that green values are part of the Official Plan that will govern development for the next 25 years.
Ottawa drafting 30-year waste plan as Trail Road landfill fills up
The COVID-19 crisis has locked us down and one result of the confinement is that citizens are putting out more garbage than ever before, according to media reports. The crisis has also delayed public consultation on Ottawa’s new Solid Waste Master Plan, a 30-year strategy to be completed by the end of 2021 that would provide a framework for waste...
Troubled waters: Road salt increasing in Ottawa waterways, new study shows
Ottawa waterways are increasingly tainted by road salt, a new study by the Riverkeeper shows.
Escape from Canada: A stranded international student describes the journey home in a time of COVID-19
Diary of an international student from Australia who is forced to leave Canada early on an emergency flight, due to COVID-19.
Ottawa groups fight plan to expand urban boundary
Ottawa city council will vote in May on whether to expand the urban boundary as part of the city's new official plan.
Study underlines that air pollution a leading cause of premature death worldwide
While Ottawa air quality is considered low risk, a new study shows that long term exposure to air pollution is a major health threat worldwide.
Rolling up the rim cups poses dilemma for popular Tim Hortons contest in a time of COVID-19
After 35 years of rolling up a paper rim, Tim Hortons has rolled out a digital model for this year’s contest. In light of COVID-19 concerns, the chain has scrapped Roll Up the Rim paper cups and is declining to fill reusable mugs.
25th Hour: Climate Crusaders
Carleton's 25th Hour examines the many things young people are doing to combat climate change.
Trees get the chop as construction of Stage 2 of LRT proceeds through Carleton campus
Some Ottawa residents are upset about trees are being cut down in preparation for construction of Stage 2 of LRT. Will the LRT do its part in reducing greenhouses gases in Ottawa?
Green advocates welcome focus on sustainability in newest LeBreton Flats plan
The NCC's most recent plan for the now empty 55-acre lot of LeBreton Flats has a focus on the environment and sustainability with a zero-carbon goal.
Wet’suwet’en pipeline protests extend across Canada to Ottawa
More than 200 supporters of the Wet’suwet’en nation marched through downtown Ottawa recently.
Poor weather causing delays for outdoor rinks, operator says
This winter has been a nightmare for outdoor rinks in Ottawa, says one rink operator. Now he's worried the ice won't be ready for the local winter carnival.
25th Hour: The Green Wave
The Green Wave follows three individuals who have drastically restructured the way they live to try to combat climate change. They use their money, influence and votes to positively impact the environment. We investigate how this global green wave of eco-consciousness influenced the way Canadians took to the polls this past fall. This story first appeared on Carleton’s 25th Hour.
Maple syrup industry booming, but producers fear changing climate
Canadian maple syrup farmers saw their most productive harvest ever in 2019, with near 50,000,000 litres collected. Looking forward though the industry is set to change as maple syrup production is heavily reliant on stable winter weather.
To market, to market: Ottawa-area farmers navigate business challenges of winter
Local farmers in Ottawa face a unique set of business challenges during the long and harsh winter.
Ottawa’s unpredictable winters force the Rideau Canal Skateway to acclimate
The Rideau Canal's trend of later openings and shorter seasons is changing how the NCC is operating the Skateway.
Panel discussion explores affordable housing, sustainability, social issues
In a housing panel discussion, the importance of addressing social inequality and the need for more sustainable and affordable housing were explored.
Glebe’s Community Centre’s carbon-reduction project hailed as example to others
The historic Glebe’s community centre is nearing the finish line of a project that the community hopes will reduce the building’s carbon footprint by half.
Ecology Ottawa urges better access to Blair Station
Ecology Ottawa held a public meeting in the community of Pineview to discuss their recommendations for improving access to Blair Station.
Thrifting as gifting: A shift towards more sustainable shopping practices
With the holiday shopping season in full gear, an increasing number of shoppers are turning to thrift and consignment stores instead of traditional stores to find the perfect present.
Ottawa woman claims relief from Lyme with bee venom
Those living with Lyme disease face very little options when it comes to treatment. Bee venom therapy is on the rise and could potentially help treat the degenerative disease.
Environmental activists want city to adopt green Official Plan
How to continue developing the city’s central area is emerging as the importance of the city’s centre in discussions about the Official Plan that will frame Ottawa’s development until 2046.
Ottawa-Gatineau leads Canadian cities in tree cover
Ottawa-Gatineau is one of the most treed urban areas in Canada.
Legal cannabis not so green
With the legalization of cannabis now firmly in Canada's rear-view mirror, some are concerned that excessive packaging could be harmful to the environment.
Town hall critics rail against Ottawa’s troubled transit system
Concerned citizens criticized the City of Ottawa’s transit system at a recent town hall meeting.
‘Democratizing’ zero waste: Can waste-free living be for everyone?
From Vancouver to Ottawa, stores like NU Grocery are dispensing a variety of food and cleaning products free of plastic packaging in an effort to cut waste. But some are saying that a zero-waste lifestyle is a privilege not everyone in Ottawa can afford.
Golf Wars: Kanata’s green-space feud with ClubLink hits the rough
ClubLink's proposal to redevelop the Kanata golf and country club is causing controversy in the community.
Powered down: More charging stations needed in Ottawa for electric vehicles, group told
The Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa gather for their monthly meeting to discuss developments in electric vehicles.