CHRIS GUSEN (read by Nelly Lalany): This week, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) became the latest in a series of groups to publically declare its support for a proposed pesticide ban in the province of British Columbia. The tentative legislation would phase out cosmetic or ‘non-essential’ pesticides – substances proven to be carcinogenic. The ban is popular and already has the support of B.C. Premier Christy Clark and Opposition Leader Adrian Dix. The Association is asking B.C. residents to contact the Premier to encourage the passage of the ban before the end of the summer. Similar bans are already in effect in Ontario, Quebec, and other provinces. As a result, those regions have experienced significantly decreased pesticide levels in their rivers and lakes. The pesticide bans have had the added benefit of boosting green jobs by creating a niche for organic and non-toxic lawn care businesses. [ index ]

NELLY LALANY (read by Lia Mazzolini): For the first time in three years, a poll shows that Canadians did not rank the environment in their top five issues of concern. Instead the more important issues were health care, gas prices, and adequate pensions.

The poll also showed that only 23 percent of Canadians were willing to modify their lifestyles for the good of the environment, and three years ago this number was 30 percent higher.

The report found that 52 percent of Canadians were interested in buying products with less packaging, and another 52 percent would opt for those that are recyclable and 49 percent for reusable, Additionally 19 percent said they were least likely to be swayed by companies that bought carbon-offset credits.

Recycling had strong support with 71 per cent saying it benefits the environment and 69 per cent saying they almost always recycle.

The poll involved 1,500 Canadians and included online discussion groups held between May 25 and 27, as well as a survey conducted between June 29 and July 10. [ index ]

CHRIS GUSEN (read by Nelly Lalany): Federal Minister of Environment, Peter Kent, has rejected calls for a moratorium on oil exploration in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. He says he has determined that exploratory drilling in the Old Harry area of the Gulf is unlikely to cause significant environmental problems. The exploratory drilling will be carried out by the energy company Corridor Resources as early as next year. Peter Kent has asked for an updated strategic environmental assessment of the region, but critics are calling this a rubber stamp, arguing that Kent should suspend all exploratory activities until the full assessment is complete. The proposed oil well sparked coastal communities and advocacy groups to submit an unprecedented flood of concerns earlier this year, many asking for an independent panel to conduct its own environmental review. The St. Lawrence Coalition, a group made up of 60 organizations and thousands of individuals, has been vocally advocating for a moratorium. They point out that Quebec has instituted a ban on drilling that cannot be lifted until it has completed its own strategic environmental assessment. Newfoundland and Labrador, they argue, should have an identical system in place. [ index ]

NELLY LALANY (read by Lia Mazzolini): A crop killing pest has been detected in a farm in the Ottawa area. The Canadian Food Inspection agency found garlic grown at a two-acre farm contained potato rot nematode.

The pest typically causes severe damage to crops that are grown under the ground such as beets, carrots, potatoes, garlic, and sugar.

The CFIA says that the likelihood of its abolishment is futile as it is impossible to eliminate once recognized.

The federal agency, for the time being, has quarantined the area where the contaminated garlic was found.

Fortunately, the pest does not pose any risk to human health, but makes trade of vegetables and others crops more difficult for farmers as farms in other countries fear contamination.

This isn’t the first time the pest has been discovered in Canada as Prince Edward Island was also affected, but according to the agency this was successfully controlled.

At this time, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the province of Ontario are working together to find out exactly how the pest found its way into Ottawa. [ index ]

CHRIS GUSEN (read by Nelly Lalany): In a press conference last Friday, Quebec Environment Minister Pierre Arcand unveiled the parts of Quebec’s vast northern region that will be protected against future development. As part of Quebec’s upcoming Northern Plan, which will open the region for energy production and resource extraction, half of Northern Quebec will be designated as off-limits. This means there will be no hydro dams, mining, wind farms, roads, or logging in the protected areas. Northern Quebec is an important environmental treasure, since it contains the world’s largest fresh water supply and the largest intact forest ecosystem on the planet. This huge woodland represents one quarter of Canada’s boreal forest and is the largest carbon storehouse on earth. Critics of the plan, including Greenpeace, have pointed out that the government has given itself until 2035 to fully protect the area. They would like to see the most vulnerable areas protected immediately, with development going forward only after the sensitive ecosystems are completely secured. [ index ]

VANNESSA PURDY (read by Naomi Jehlicka): In order to reduce light pollution and carbon emissions, the UK Highways Agency is turning off motorway lighting and in some cases, removing it. The agency will shut off lighting on the Bedfordshire sections of the M1 motorway permanently. This move will significantly lessen the electricity usage off the power grid.

In a statement made Wednesday, the agency assured motorists that studies have shown shutting off the power will not reduce safety. Areas already lit will stay that way throughout the night, despite lights on neighboring highways being gone, the agency reassured.

This move is expected to reduce carbon emissions on the M1 stretch by approximately 810 tonnes, according to the Highway Agency’s director, Derek Turner. He also notes that communities will benefit from reduced light pollution at night.

Currently, 14 sites on nine of the UK’s motorways boast no artificial lighting. This all fits in with the Highways Agency’s “managed motorways” plan. According to Turner, there has yet to be any indication that removing lighting from strategic places and turning lights off at specified times has impacted safety. [ index ]

VANNESSA PURDY (read by Naomi Jehlicka): Until recently, it seemed that the blue iguana, a 25 pound, five-foot long, beast of a creature, was destined for extinction, as it’s numbers dropped from general abundance, to about two dozen remaining in 2002.

However, the power of local and international NGOs intervened, and now, nine years later, the population of blue iguanas has increased almost twenty times, to about 500 roaming the wilds of the Salina Reserve in the Carribean.

Blue iguanas are released into the 625 acre Reserve at the age of two. Their population is monitored, and expected to love to about 60 years. A new protected area, the Colliers Wilderness Reserve, is also home to some newly released iguanas. Conservationists are currently hoping to reach 1,000 blue iguanas. [ index ]

VANNESSA PURDY (read by Naomi Jehlicka): Recently, one of Shell’s North Sea platforms erupted in one of the worst spills seen in decades/ Apparently, it has been “greatly reduced” according to both the government and shell, last Monday.

Conservationists have warned that this leak has potential to harm local bird life at a particularily important time in their development. However, Shell is working to minimize damage to both the sea and their reputation. Shell has been criticized for not being open enough on the progress of the spill. This is exemplified by the fact that the spill was first discovered on Wednesday, but they did not announce it publicly until Friday.

Shell puts the volume of the oil spilled at about 1,300 barrels, with about 5 barrels per day continuing to leak.

The government has stated that they view the risk to bird life as slim, since oil is unlikely to hit the shore. Shell is supposedly working to halt further leakage, and there is hope that the spill will be naturally dispersed. [ index ]