New research shows grizzlies being legally hunted in conservation areas VANCOUVER - Trophy hunters are turning British Columbia's protected areas into graveyards for grizzlies, despite the province's reputation as one of the last continental safe havens for the bears, according to new research by the David Suzuki Foundation. The Foundation has identified more than 60 provincial parks where grizzly bears - which no longer exist or are at risk of extinction in parts of the world - are being hunted for sport. Many of the hunters are from the United States and Europe, where it is either illegal to hunt bears or populations have disappeared. "Most people think of these parks as big, wildlife conservation areas. They are seen as ... continue reading.

Media Release from the Pembina Institute: Canada can succeed economically while meeting targets to reduce global warming pollution, according to an economic modelling study commissioned by the Pembina Institute and the David Suzuki Foundation. Climate Leadership, Economic Prosperity is the first Canadian study of its kind to show regional impacts on employment and gross domestic product, and the first to comprehensively examine how Canada can meet a greenhouse gas reduction target for 2020 that goes beyond the federal government's target. Leading economic modelling firm M.K. Jaccard and Associates, on behalf of the Pembina Institute and the David Suzuki Foundation, conducted an in-depth study of federal and provincial policies needed for Canada to meet two targets to reduce its greenhouse gas ... continue reading.

Toxic contaminants from an old Kyuquot Sound salmon farm are leaving an endless, negative effect on the seabed of the surrounding area, according to a 2009 report by the B.C. Ministry of Environment. It is estimated that the waters as far as 100 metres out from the Centre Cove salmon farm are polluted. Seabed marine life could take 15 years to recover, dating from the closing of the farm in 2004. Even worse, the toxic effects of the metals emitted from the salmon farm could last even longer. The site of the Centre Cove salmon farm is located in Kyuquot Sound on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island. The farm is situated on the east side of Whiteley Island, at ... continue reading.

Recent Poll by Angus Reid Global Monitor: Most people in Canada, as well as many in the United States and Britain, would rather buy an environmentally-friendly car than their dream car, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 53 per cent of respondents in Canada, 48 per cent in the U.S. and 44 per cent in Britain say that, if money were not an issue, they would be more eager to get a green car than the car they have always dreamed of. Conversely, 31 per cent of Britons, 29 per cent of Canadians and 28 per cent of Americans would select the dream car. In the three countries, a large proportion of the population wants to see their ... continue reading.

This year's Canadian Wheat Board survey reports that "Canadian farmers oppose the introduction of genetically modified wheat".  There is, however, a qualifier: "until market conditions change".  Cautious optimism is required.A Monsanto spokeswoman comments, "the Roundup-Ready wheat survey is irrelevant today because five years have passed and Monsanto is no longer pursuing that or any GMO wheat".However, if you compare this year's CWB survey results to that of five years ago, you'll sense that economic pressure is likely a driving factor with the change in farmers' interest to produce genetically-modified wheat.For 2009:...of 1,300 Western Canadian farmers, only 9 percent said GMO wheat should be grown as soon as it's available, with the majority saying it shouldn't be grown until conditions are ... continue reading.

Vancouver (June 23, 2009) -- Living Oceans Society’s Finding Coral Expedition arrived back in Vancouver on June 22 after a successful two week study of deep sea corals off the coast of British Columbia. The research team of international scientists dove in single person submarines at six different dive sites in Queen Charlotte Sound, Hecate Strait, and Dixon Entrance. At five of the sites the team identified deep sea corals and many other creatures. “Exploring the Pacific Coast of Canada by submarine was a profoundly moving experience,” said Jennifer Lash, Executive Director if Living Oceans Society and the leader of the Finding Coral Expedition. “We explored places no one has ever been before and saw spectacular corals that were ... continue reading.

Living Oceans Society is excited to announce the launch of their Finding Coral Expedition on June 8th. The expedition will use two mini subs to explore deep sea corals in Hecate Strait and the Queen Charlotte Basin. The subs will be piloted by Jennifer Lash, Executive Director of Living Oceans Society, and a blue ribbon science team who will dive to depths of up to 500 meters to gather evidence of corals, associated species, and damage from human impacts. The subs will carry high resolution video cameras in order to share the sights of these never-been-seen-before coral forests. Deep sea corals come in many shapes and sizes. With names such as red tree coral, bamboo coral and bubblegum coral, these ... continue reading.

By Alister Doyle, Environment Correspondent OSLO - September 23, 2008 (Reuters) - Most consumers want companies to do more to protect the environment and reckon that firms should play a leading role in fighting global warming, a worldwide survey showed Tuesday. The poll, of 28,000 Internet users in 51 nations by The Nielsen Company, showed that corporate commitment to green ethics is playing "an increasingly influential role in consumers' purchasing behavior," Nielsen said. The survey showed that 51 percent of respondents considered it "very important" for firms to improve the environment and another 36 "somewhat important." Nielsen said it was the first worldwide poll of company ethics and corporate responsibility. "A 'global conscience' is one of the biggest trends to ... continue reading.

Environmental Trends in British Columbia 2007, the fourth Environmental Trends in British Columbia report, has been completed and is now available to the public on the internet at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/soe/et07.  The report includes 44 indicators and over 25 supplementary measures divided into seven topics: Population and Economic Activity, Air Quality, Fresh Water, Climate Change,Contaminants, Ecosystems, and Species Conservation. As with previous reports, Environmental Trends in British Columbia 2007 consists of summarized information on the web pages and links to what is being done about the issues. The information is backed up by a set of technical papers that provide background information on the issues,describe methods and data sources, and provide supplementary indicators. The technical papers are available on the website (see ... continue reading.

Imagine BC is an initiative of Simon Fraser University's Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, bringing a forward-thinking perspective to examining British Columbia's future. Our objective is to draw together a network of opinion leaders and citizens who bring imagination, openness and dialogue to the complex challenges facing BC. This initiative was created to ignite province-wide, long-view dialogues that involve British Columbians in a conversation about our province and the society we hope to achieve. Imagine BC exists as a rare, independent, realistic platform that invites policy-makers and the public to think critically about the future and its possibilities. Each year, Imagine BC explores the future of BC through the lens of a distinctive theme. An initial expert dialogue inspires ... continue reading.