Shades of Green: The Truth Behind Greenwashing | Episode 35
Big Blue Marble Podcast
As global awareness of issues like deforestation, ocean pollution and extreme weather events grows, consumers are looking for more ways to reduce their environmental impact. While businesses are quick to capitalize on the trend, it doesn't necessarily mean their products actually fit the bill. "Canadians want to find and support genuine eco products, but there are companies that are tricking and lying to us. It is shocking and we need to do a lot more," says Wren Montgomery, Associate Professor of Sustainability, The Ivey Business School at Western University. From misleading claims to...
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1.5 Degree Alert: What's Next In Our Warming World | Episode 34
Big Blue Marble Podcast
The world has officially surpassed a feared warming target across an entire year for the first time on record. The threshold of a 1.5 degree Celsius warming is a crucial long-term measure because additional tipping points become more likely beyond this point. "Often climate change will feel like its accelerating because the climate is moving past the range of our experience... so much of what we have been doing so far is incremental and what we need to do is transformational," says Simon Donner, Professor and Climate Scientist at the University of British Columbia. 2023 was scarred with...
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Price Under Pressure: The Climate Change Connection to Property Values | Episode 33
Big Blue Marble Podcast
In today's housing market there is a new dimension to consider beyond price, commute time and schools in the neighbourhood - climate risks. As a homeowner, preparing for future costs amidst increasing storms and extreme weather events is crucial. "Canada exceeded $3 billion in insured damages last year, and uninsured values totaled $9-12 billion," says Kathryn Bakos, Managing Director, Finance and Resilience at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo. On this episode of the Big Blue Marble Podcast we reveal what extreme weather event is...
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Gutting The Greenbelt With Bill 23 | Episode 32
Big Blue Marble Podcast
The world's largest greenbelt now has a target squarely on its fertile soil. The Government of Ontario has tabled Bill 23, which will weaken crucial environmental protection and remove public consultation before development. The new law effectively strips taxpayer's rights as community members will no longer be allowed to participate in development decisions that affect their neighborhoods, local farms and natural areas. "It is very clear there is no valid public interest justification for expanding beyond the land we have already allocated for growth with our existing boundaries. This...
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5 Things You Need To Know About COP 27 | Episode 31
Big Blue Marble Podcast
The biggest and most important annual climate-related conference on the planet will begin this month in Egypt. "COP 27", unites the world in a collective effort to negotiate global goals for tackling the biggest challenge of our time: climate change. "Droughts, floods, storms and wildfires are devastating lives and livelihoods across the globe [and] getting worse by the day. We need climate action on all fronts and we need it now.” says UN secretary general, António Guterres. In this episode of the Big Blue Marble, we break down the 5 key things you...
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Mirror Mirror : Global Bird Rescue | Episode 30
Big Blue Marble Podcast
Bird migrations are one of nature's great wonders - using ancient routes, migratory birds track thousands of kilometres. Sadly, not all are successful as these tiny winged creatures face unprecedented urban dangers. At peak migration, it is estimated that 4 billion birds must navigate through glass-covered cities and other built-up environments across North America. Glass collisions take a staggering toll on birds, threatening common and rare species alike. Join me as we welcome Michael Mesure, Co-Founder of Flap Canada, as the organization launches its annual Global Bird Rescue...
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The BounceBack Of The Butterfly | Episode 29
Big Blue Marble Podcast
Guided by an internal compass, Monarch butterflies can determine the position of the sun and the time of day. With this data, the graceful beauties are guided in an annual migration unlike any other. The Monarch's migration sees some of them travel over 4,000 kilometers, from Southern parts of Canada to Mexico. Researchers have studied these insects for decades and have noted alarming changes in both the Eastern and Western populations, with an estimated 80% decline in just 20 years. Offering some sign of hope - there are optimistic results from a recent butterfly migration count conducted by...
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Earth's Black Box | Episode 28
Big Blue Marble Podcast
Alone and quiet in an undisclosed location in Tasmania, sits Earth’s Black Box. This massive fortified structure is loaded with sophisticated technology that will operate uninterrupted for decades, perhaps centuries. "There is so much data that is going to being recorded, we have set up a list of 500 different measurements that are widely considered to be the most important metrics on the health of our planet relating to human’s involvement to climate change" says Henry Curchod, of The Glue Society, an independent creative collective and a...
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Dryers: The Laundry Link To Microfiber Pollution | Episode 27
Big Blue Marble Podcast
A new, eye opening study is sharing a dirty little secret about the necessary chore of laundry, revealing a never-ending cycle of microfiber pollution. "Dryers are one of the main sources of microfiber pollution in the atmosphere," says Professor Kenneth Leung, lead author of a . Leung describes the findings as “essential” for managing microfiber emissions, which are known to harm human health and the environment. Listen in to this first episode of a new season of The Big Blue Marble Podcast. Together we will explore fibrous pollution coming from your dryer and how you can help prevent...
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Killer Heat Waves: An Untethered Climate Emergency | Episode 26
Big Blue Marble Podcast
Historic, epic, unprecedented, these are just some of the words that were used to describe a heat wave that smothered parts of Western Canada and the US Northwest at the end of June. Trapped within a swath of accompanying heat warnings was the small town of Lytton, north east of British Columbia. The town shot to world infamy when it became one of the hottest places on earth and recorded a high of 49.6 degrees. "It’s a time issue." says Simon Donner, a Climate Scientist and Professor at the University of British Columbia. "We wait too long to take action to reduce emissions and we also wait...
info_outlineWith over 70 years of experience, Ontario’s conservation authorities are global leaders in watershed management. As a community-based natural resource management agency, their expertise is essential. Ninety-five per cent of Ontario's population lives in a watershed and should hastily proposed amendments by the Ontario government pass, independent science-based decisions in the interest of communities will be significantly limited - wetlands, valleys, and water could all be at risk . In essence, the legislation would weaken environmental protections and put more power into the hands of private developers, while negating the fundamental role of conservation authorities.
2020 has been a chaotic year with unprecedented events linked to climate change. Now, more than ever it's our responsibility to protect and stand up for nature. On this episode of the Big Blue Marble, we explain what conservation authorities do, how communities benefit and where you can share your voice in favour of conservation.
Today you can help support nature in your own community.
Share Your Voice [Easy Fill - One Step Link]
Please send a message to the Ontario Government and tell them to strike schedule 6 of Bill 229
Minister Philips, Minister of Finance: [email protected]
Minister Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing: [email protected]
Minister Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry: [email protected]
Minister Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks: [email protected]
Premier Ford: [email protected]
[Sample Email]
I strongly oppose the proposed changes to the Conservation Authorities Act set out in Schedule 6 of Bill 229 that curtail the role of Conservation Authorities in watershed planning and management. I am also deeply concerned that these proposed changes were brought forward in a budget bill, thereby over-riding my right to comment under the Environmental Bill of Rights. I request that you remove Schedule 6 in its entirety from Bill 229.
Ontario’s Conservation Authorities are a unique and widely respected innovation. They provide a much-valued bridge across municipal boundaries to understand and address environmental concerns, such as flooding. Because they operate at the watershed level, they are ideally positioned to encourage science-based collaborative strategies and decision-making. Their vital role in land use planning and permitting must be retained to ensure that development does not put communities at risk from flooding and other climate change impacts through loss of wetlands, woodlands and farmland.
The changes proposed in Schedule 6 will reduce or constrain the mandate of Conservation Authorities, and are therefore contradictory to the interests of the people of Ontario who are facing enormous risks and costs as a result of climate change and ongoing biodiversity loss. The roles and responsibilities of Conservation Authorities are critical in protecting the lands, waters and wildlife which benefit businesses and communities across Ontario, and upon which our health and well-being ultimately depend.
I urge you to remove Schedule 6 in its entirety from Bill 229.