Hidden Threat: The pollution we never consider

As we begin turning our attention to what economic recovery might look like, we’re at a moment where we can continue to listen to science and prioritize investment decisions that support healthier and more resilient communities. It’s precisely where investment and the environment intersect that Metro Vancouver has an important decision to make about a … Continue reading

Read more »

Your wastewater is polluting the Salish Sea

“MY wastewater?!?”, you might be thinking. It’s true. Anything that runs down the drains of your sinks, showers, washing machines, dishwashers and toilets becomes wastewater. Personal and industrial use of items that contain complex, and sometimes harmful, chemicals means that wastewater contains a myriad of compounds including plastics, heavy metals, nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, … Continue reading

Read more »

Down at the Dock: Derelict Vessels and Green Boating Solutions

Recreational boating is an incredibly attractive pastime – who wouldn’t be attracted to time spent out on the water with family and friends? Unfortunately, those who have never experienced the reality of owning a boat are more susceptible to being lured into taking a boat that’s offered for free or buying one on the cheap, … Continue reading

Read more »

Another environmental disaster – how do we say “enough”?

As I read article after article about the recent tailing ponds breach at the Mount Polley copper and gold mine, I am overwhelmed with the facts and the many more questions that the incident has left us .  What we know is that 10 billion litres of water and 4.5 million cubic metres of metals-laden … Continue reading

Read more »

Orcas in trouble: gov’t plan for inaction

Ever since early 2012 when the federal court made its final ruling mandating that the federal government protect resident orcas critical habitat, we’ve been waiting for the action plan that would clearly lay out how we would act to protect our endangered southern resident orcas and their habitat. With the release last month of the … Continue reading

Read more »

The greenest city… or the biggest coal exporter in North America?

Port Metro Vancouver is currently considering an application from Fraser Surrey Docks to build a coal facility at its terminal in Surrey, designed to handle coal from United States producers who are struggling to find export routes south of the border.  When complete, the coal terminal would be responsible for about 17 million tonnes of … Continue reading

Read more »

Swim Guide App and Website Can Help Vancouverites Find the Best Quality Beaches

Over the summer, we have the pleasure of having Bryan Nordley join us as our Communications Assistant.  Here, he shares with us some of his thoughts on our oceans. The sunshine, the seemingly endless daylight and the heat of summer make the great Strait of Georgia a beckoning beacon of an oceanic playground which most of us … Continue reading

Read more »

Secondary Treatment of Wastewater: is it Good Enough?

Hi everyone, hope you all enjoyed a great semi-rainy weekend! I spent the weekend working alone at two Farmers’ Markets, Saturday in Errington and Sunday in Cedar. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, I was amazed at how many people dropped by, and leaving the kids’ activities in the car meant I was able to focus more … Continue reading

Read more »

Newcomer’s View of Our Ocean Home

Over the summer, we have the pleasure of having Bryan Nordley join us as our Communications Assistant.  Here, he shares with us some of his thoughts on our oceans. *** Photo: Bryan Nordley The ocean is the heart beat of our planet. We depend on it for recreation, for food and for our economy. Human … Continue reading

Read more »

Pipelines and Public Relations

“Information Session”. Now isn’t that a friendly, non threatening term. And indeed that’s exactly what the Kinder Morgan Information sessions on their proposed new pipeline to bring Alberta Tar Sands crude to the coast to load onto tankers were for the most part.  These are almost over, with just one left in this region on … Continue reading

Read more »