researchers

UCalgary awarded 2 prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chairs

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.

UCalgary awarded 2 prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chairs

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thirsty? How floating islands could turn retention ponds into potable water

With drought conditions plaguing farmers across Western Canada, a team of researchers at Olds College is looking at some inventive ways to make runoff water around farms and feedlots go the distance. Sarah Offin explores whether native plants may be able to turn the tides on water contamination.

Longstanding climate change research project continues in Old Crow, Yukon

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.