Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

How COVID-19 could alter the course of climate change

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, June 10, 2020

Once the novel coronavirus has been tamed or eradicated and the world returns to “normal,” what will that look like? Will COVID-19 fundamentally and permanently alter our lives? In an occasional series, this newspaper examines the potential lasting effects of the pandemic on how we live, work and play.

The emissions that cause climate change have fallen off globally during pandemic lockdowns, and experts are asking whether our response to COVID-19 will bring long-term changes that help the climate.

(...)“We’re seeing that COVID is leading to these huge temporary emissions reductions, especially in countries or cities with large industries” such as China, says Robb Barnes, executive director of Ecology Ottawa.

He, too, is worried that public transit will be hurt by anxiety: “In our office, people are discussing how they can avoid the trip in general.”

While he’s not happy about Ottawa’s expanding urban boundary, he hopes that communities could grow up outside central Ottawa where people can have homes and jobs close together rather than commuting long distances.

And as we try to re-start the economy, he says “there are all kinds of ideas about a green recovery, ensuring that we’re financing renewable energies and not propping up the old industries” of oil, gas and auto makers.

In fighting climate change, an opportunity to create a vibrant network of neighbourhoods

By Brent Janic, the Globe and Mail, June 8, 2020

Urban planner Andy Yan senses an opportunity for cities to consistently decrease greenhouse-gas emissions, intrigued by the pandemic’s impact on a wide range of employees who no longer have to commute to work.

In his neighbourhood on Vancouver’s east side, as he works from home, he ponders the implications for fighting climate change.

While many downtown condo dwellers already live close to their offices, his community vision is to position work, home and shopping much closer together, with clusters of vibrant neighbourhoods.

“We have hope for flattening the curve against COVID-19, and I have this idea of crushing the commute and also creating a network of neighbourhoods,” said Mr. Yan, director of Simon Fraser University’s city program.

“This isn’t to say that central business districts are done, but with a lot of white-collar workers now desiring the option of working from home, that could change the idea of what could happen in their neighbourhoods.”

The urban planner and demographer thinks flexible zoning for mixed-use buildings is crucial to a sustainable recovery, notably for Vancouver and Toronto. Major Canadian cities heavily favour zoning for commercial development (such as office space) and retail along busy arteries while preventing encroachment into the heart of residential areas.

It’s understandable that provinces and cities focus on transit systems in their strategy to reduce congestion while also combatting climate change, Mr. Yan said.

“But the twist is that public transit is only half the picture,” he said. “The other half of the picture is land-use reform. We’re talking not only about transit-oriented development but also talking about mixed land use in terms of commercial, retail and maybe a bit of light industrial in some neighbourhoods.”

Mr. Yan hopes that cities will be inspired to alter land-use rules and decrease reliance on cars. As part of his vision for a “revitalization of localization,” residents would have a greater number of options to buy groceries and other staples from the corner convenience store or other retailers within easy walking distance or a 15-minute bicycle ride, reducing the frequency of car trips for shopping expeditions.

10 most-feared Ontario animals and insects: How dangerous are they?

By InsideOttawaValley, June 9, 2020

Living in Ontario, we are fortunate not many of the wild animals residing in this province will do us serious harm. It does happen, of course. The occasional black bear attack on campers in the woods. A wolf that turns on what it deems a human menace. 

But while these incidents may be rare, they do occur, especially if we don’t take the proper precautions before heading out into nature. And the threats don’t have to come from large beasts bearing nasty-looking canines. Dangers can come in the form of the tiniest of creatures that strike when and where we least expect them. 

Take a few minutes to peruse our guide to some of the wild animals and insects that can pose the most problems for us. From bite wounds to poisonous venom, these creatures are to be avoided if at all possible. 

https://www.insideottawavalley.com/community-story/9998268-10-most-feared-ontario-animals-and-insects-how-dangerous-are-they-/?s=n1?source=newsletter&utm_content=a03&utm_source=ml_nl&utm_medium=email&utm_email=6cf0e4c8dfed7b7e28f22e123857e24f&utm_campaign=ovha_78378

Top 7 most toxic plants found in Ontario

By InsideOttawaValley, June 8, 2020

After months of isolation, you finally make your way to the local golf course. That first drive, so satisfying at first contact, only to see the ball fade into the woods. You traipse into the thick brush in search of the ball, stepping over and through a myriad of weeds and bushes. They look harmless enough. But they are anything but docile. 

The next day a rash appears on your leg. Soon after, the burn develops into nasty blisters, making you wish you’d remained in quarantine rather than venturing out for a day on the links. 

Welcome to wild parsnip, a nasty weed just waiting for the uninformed or unobservant to strike. If only you’d taken a few minutes to learn about the dangerous plants you might encounter? 

https://www.insideottawavalley.com/community-story/9969983-top-7-most-toxic-plants-found-in-ontario/?s=n1?source=newsletter&utm_content=a03&utm_source=ml_nl&utm_medium=email&utm_email=6cf0e4c8dfed7b7e28f22e123857e24f&utm_campaign=ovhp_78353

Is my hydro bill going to go up with Ontario's new 'recovery rate'?

By Jillian Follert, InsideOttawaValley, June 6, 2020

DURHAM — The province recently announced a COVID-19 “recovery rate” for electricity, putting a flat price of 12.8 cents per kilowatt hour in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week until Oct. 31.

It’s an increase from the 10.1 cents per kilowatt hour that was set from March 24 to May 31.

Durhamregion.com readers were quick to question the move, asking whether it will mean higher bills.

The new fixed price is higher than the previous 10.1 cents per kilowatt hour — however, it is lower than the winter mid-peak price of 14.4 cents per kilowatt hour and high-peak prices that can be as high as 20.8 cents per kilowatt hour.

That means the new rate will likely result in higher bills for people who were vigilant about doing laundry or running the dishwasher during off-peak times only, while those who are used to paying 14 or 20 cents per kilowatt hour for those tasks, will see their bill drop.

The government says the change provides “greater stability and predictability” for customers.

Liberal energy critic Mitzie Hunter argues the loss of an off-peak option will be tough on people who are out of work or on fixed incomes.

https://www.insideottawavalley.com/news-story/10013493-is-my-hydro-bill-going-to-go-up-with-ontario-s-new-recovery-rate-/?s=n1?source=newsletter&utm_content=a02&utm_source=ml_nl&utm_medium=email&utm_email=6cf0e4c8dfed7b7e28f22e123857e24f&utm_campaign=ovhp_78353

Councillor demanding answers on changes to flood plain in south Barrhaven

By Kate Porter, CBC News Ottawa, June 8, 2020

When Ottawa city council approved a major expansion of the urban boundary less than two weeks ago, it vowed not to allow future construction on certain sensitive types of property including prime farmland and flood plains.

Yet at this very moment, a 100-hectare swath of the Jock River flood plain — the equivalent of four LeBreton Flats — is being significantly altered to make way for a future development in south Barrhaven, leading one councillor to question the city's commitment to protecting flood plain lands in coming years.

"I don't know how we can say that," said Coun. Catherine McKenney, "when in fact we are allowing development —significant development — on a flood plain today." 

Although the application to change the contours of the Jock River flood plain was filed and approved months before councillors debated urban expansion, McKenney can't understand how the project went ahead without council knowing about it.

(...)Behind McKenney's concerns is a complex, three-year effort by developer Caivan Communities to change part of the Jock River flood plain, north of the river up to McKenna Casey Drive, from Highway 416 to Greenbank. 

"It has been one of our more challenging files," said Sommer Casgrain-Robertson, the general manager of the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), the regulator of the Rideau River watershed, of which the Jock River is a part.

https://www.insideottawavalley.com/community-story/9969983-top-7-most-toxic-plants-found-in-ontario/?s=n1?source=newsletter&utm_content=a03&utm_source=ml_nl&utm_medium=email&utm_email=6cf0e4c8dfed7b7e28f22e123857e24f&utm_campaign=ovhp_78353

Ottawa's weather to get warmer, wetter and wilder: study

By Kate Porter, CBC News Ottawa, June 8, 2020

Climate change will cause Ottawa's seasons to shift noticeably, with shorter winters, less snow and a heightened risk of extreme weather including tornadoes, new projections show.

The city and the National Capital Commission commissioned CBCL Limited to predict how the weather in the region will change, so they can start planning now to mitigate the effects.

According to the firm, there will be more heat waves and flooding, putting pressure on everything from emergency services to the foundations of buildings. The changing climate will also shorten the cross-country skiing season in Gatineau Park and the skating season on the Rideau Canal, according to the report.

Average temperatures in Ottawa are expected to rise by 1.8 C by the 2030s, by 3.2 C by the 2050s, and by 5.3 C by the 2080s, according to the 419-page report.

At the same time, the capital region could become wetter, with more intense precipitation in winter and the "shoulder seasons," although less of it is likely to fall in the form of snow. 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ncc-ottawa-local-climate-projections-released-1.5602982?ref=mobilerss&cmp=newsletter_CBC%20Ottawa_727_35057

Science of Spring: It's a bad season for hatching baby loons

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, June 5, 2020

Loons are back on their nests at this time of spring, but a leading loon scientist says we’re unlikely to see a lot of chicks this year.

The problem: Black flies, though not the kind that attack humans.

There is one type of black fly that targets loons, and only loons. It’s active in May, when the adult fly needs a meal of blood in order to reproduce. And clouds of the tiny flies (smaller than the kind that go for humans) swarm around each loon, just as they are sitting on eggs.

In years when fly numbers are low, the loons put up with it. But in years with many flies, loons can be driven off their nests and the eggs don’t hatch.

Canada's managed forests have turned into super-emitters, and 2018 set a record

By Barry Saxifrage, National Observer, June 5, 2020

Death and decay are winning in Canada's vast managed forest lands. And this victory is unleashing a rising flood of climate pollution. Put simply, our forests are dying and being cut down faster than they can grow back.

In 2018, the flood of CO2 pouring out of them reached record levels, at nearly a quarter billion tonnes of CO2 in a single year. That's more than Canada's once biggest climate pollution source — the oil and gas sector — emitted that year.

Sadly, this isn't a short-term aberration. The long-term trends are relentlessly grim. They show that our forests switched from much-needed CO2 sinks into dangerous CO2 emitters more than a decade ago. And what started as a trickle has grown into a flood of CO2 pouring into our atmosphere.

(...)If there is more growth than decay, the forests are net CO2 absorbers ("carbon sinks"). If decay wins out, the forests emit CO2 ("carbon sources").

The latest buzz: Urban bee hives arriving in Kitchissippi

By Charlie Senack, Kitchissippi Times, June 1, 2020

There will be something of a buzz in Kitchissippi ward this summer as urban beehives make their way onto the roofs of three mixed-use properties in the neighbourhood. 

Property Management group Colonnade BridgePort is working with Montreal-based urban beekeeping firm Alvéole — also known as the Urban Beekeeping Company — who will install and manage the hives. 

The three hives will be installed at Westboro Connection at 315-319 McRae Ave, 1960 Scott Street, and Hintonburg Connection at 175 Carruthers Ave. 

https://kitchissippi.com/2020/06/01/the-latest-buzz-urban-bee-hives-arriving-in-kitchissippi/

It’s time to call out denialism — on racism and on climate change

By Greg Oldford, National Observer, June 4, 2020

Can you believe it’s 2020 and Rex Murphy still has a platform to spout denialism on climate change — and on racism?

On May 15 in the National Post, Murphy responded to the federal government’s increased carbon tax by characterizing CO2 as the “Santa Claus of gases” and accusing the government of having an “obsession” with “so-called” carbon emissions.

(...)Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But newspapers — especially mass media outlets — must stick to facts and be held accountable when they do not.

I doubt a single person reading this questions the reality and seriousness of climate change. Even the oil companies — like the ones Murphy has accepted speaking fees from — have long known that fossil fuels are causing CO2 levels to rise and it is a serious concern.

Sticking to the facts, 97 per cent of actively publishing climate scientists agree that humans are causing global warming. If the planet warms by the projected 3.2 C by 2100, it would leave large parts of the planet uninhabitable, jeopardizing the prospect of organized human life on Earth.

And let’s not overlook the fact that the effects of climate change will be borne disproportionately. Those who are poorest are most vulnerable. Within that group, women and children are expected to be hardest hit. Fishing communities, especially those in the tropics, stand to especially suffer for a multitude of reasons.

Ottawa e-scooter sharing pilot and plan approved at committee level

By Mike Vlasveld, 1310 News, June 3, 2020

Ottawa e-scooter sharing pilot and plan approved at committee level

Companies working with the city through a contract, would be expected to follow Ottawa Public Health guidelines for scooter sanitization and provide in-app education about hand washing and physical distancing. 
 

Ottawa could soon see electric scooters on its roads, bike lanes, pathways and footbridges.