Deborah McGregor is an internationally celebrated scholar and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice. She joins UCalgary from York University, where she was cross-appointed to the Osgoode Hall Law School and the Faculty of Environment and Urban Change. As the CERC in Indigenous Ways of Climate and Water Sustainability for Planetary Health and Well-being, McGregor will generate understanding of, and build support for, Indigenous leadership in Earth-based reconciliation and justice, focusing on climate change as the overriding symptom of the planetary health crisis.
UCalgary awarded 2 prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chairs
Deborah McGregor is an internationally celebrated scholar and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice. She joins UCalgary from York University, where she was cross-appointed to the Osgoode Hall Law School and the Faculty of Environment and Urban Change. As the CERC in Indigenous Ways of Climate and Water Sustainability for Planetary Health and Well-being, McGregor will generate understanding of, and build support for, Indigenous leadership in Earth-based reconciliation and justice, focusing on climate change as the overriding symptom of the planetary health crisis.
University of Lethbridge researchers receive funding for potato-focused projects
Researchers at the University of Lethbridge (U of L) have received funding for new work focused on potatoes. Through the Agriculture Funding Consortium, the U of L researchers are getting nearly $250,000 to improve sustainable potato production. They will do this by looking at ways to reduce disease in the field and in storage, and to increase production while minimizing the use of resources.
New UBC water treatment zaps ‘forever chemicals’ for good
Engineers at the University of British Columbia have developed a new water treatment that removes “forever chemicals” from drinking water safely, efficiently – and for good. “Think Brita filter, but a thousand times better,” says UBC chemical and biological engineering professor Dr. Madjid Mohseni, who developed the technology. Forever chemicals, formally known as PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of substances that make certain products non-stick or stain-resistant. There are more than 4,700 PFAS in use, mostly in raingear, non-stick cookware, stain repellents and firefighting foam. Research links these chemicals to a wide range of health problems including hormonal disruption, cardiovascular disease, developmental delays and cancer.
Extreme drought, weather forcing cattle producers to thin herds at near-record numbers: industry experts
An uptick in drought and other extreme weather events has beef producers in the U.S. and Canada thinning their herds in near-record numbers, which could lead to supply problems in the beef industry over the longer term, industry experts say. Producers will increasingly struggle with profitability amid the unpredictable seasons as climate change makes drought, flooding and wildfires more common, they say.
Over $4 million in SSHRC grants enables UWinnipeg researchers
Dr. Melanie O’Gorman (Economics) – How Important are Water and Sanitation? Investigating the Associations between Water/Sanitation and Well-being in First Nations in Manitoba Other UWinnipeg researchers included as co-applicants on SSHRC Insight Grants include: Dr. Luc Clair (Economics), How Important are Water and Sanitation? Investigating the Associations between Water/Sanitation and Well-being in First Nations in Manitoba
Cdn. ag making clean water
Scientists in Saskatchewan are using ag waste to make clean water. Khaled Benis, a Vanier Scholar and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Saskatchewan’s college of engineering, and his colleagues, have identified how to transform wheat and canola straw into a filter capable of absorbing arsenic from water. Canada produces about 47 million tonnes of ag residue per year. “We make the (crop residue) similar to activated carbon or ion exchange resin that can be used as alternatives to expensive materials. Crop residue is available everywhere and is a sustainable material.” Benis told Farms.com. “We collect the residues and perform physical or chemical treatments to activate the potential to absorb the arsenic.”
Thirsty? How floating islands could turn retention ponds into potable water
Longstanding climate change research project continues in Old Crow, Yukon
Vuntut Gwitchin traditional territory is one of the fastest warming areas in the world. That's why the Vuntut Gwitchin Government is teaming up with researchers from across Canada to address community concerns about climate change and its impacts on the land around Old Crow, Yukon. "The consequences of that are going to be long ranging and diverse and they're going to touch on every aspect of the environment," said Jeremy Brammer, fish and wildlife manager for the Vuntut Gwitchin Government.
Water crisis in First Nations communities runs deeper than long-term drinking water advisories
In October, more than 250 members of the Neskantaga First Nation were evacuated to Thunder Bay after an oily sheen was found on their reservoir. The discovery left the community, located in northern Ontario, without access to running water. The evacuation drew attention to the federal government’s 2015 commitment to end all on reserve long-term drinking water advisories (in place for more than one year) by March 31, 2021. Neskantaga has been living under a boil-water advisory for 26 years.