Errors in a recent ocean warming study illustrate global warming’s complexity. They also show the depths to which climate science deniers will stoop to dismiss or downplay evidence for human-caused climate change. The study by researchers from the U.S., China, France and Germany concluded, “ocean warming is at the high end of previous estimates” and […]
Oceans
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Farewell (once again) to Nova Scotia
Joseph Howe said that “if you take any Nova Scotian away…where he cannot view the Atlantic, smell salt water or see the sail of a ship, the man will pine and die.” Howe connected Nova Scotia by print and rail, secured responsible government and acted as an eloquent spokesperson for the province. He was also […]
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SCIENCE MATTERS: Don’t water down marine protection
Will Canada finally inspire a wave of celebration on World Oceans Day, June 8? Prime minister Justin Trudeau promised to lead G7 nations on global marine protection during Canada’s presidency this year, a welcome change after decades of inaction left just one percent of our oceans formally safeguarded. The government is charging ahead to meet […]
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SCIENCE MATTERS: We’re drowning in seas of plastic
The fossil fuel era must end, or it will spell humanity’s end. The threat isn’t just from pollution and accelerating climate change. Rapid, wasteful exploitation of these valuable resources has also led to a world choked in plastic. Almost all plastics are made from fossil fuels, often by the same companies that produce oil and […]
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Public coffers, private bonanza
It’s torture watching this loop play over and over again: Public money filling the already-deep pockets of the corporate elite, while they hypocritically tout the mantra of the free market economy. Last week the feds announced that Ocean Supercluster, a consortium claiming to be Atlantic Canada based—including big names like Emera, Clearwater, Petroleum Research Newfoundland […]
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SCIENCE MATTERS: Orca survival depends on protecting chinook salmon
Two of British Columbia’s most iconic species, chinook salmon and southern resident killer whales, are in trouble. The whale depends on the salmon for survival. Is it time to manage chinook fisheries with killer whales in mind? In marine ecosystems, cause and effect is a challenge. It’s almost impossible to claim with certainty that depletion […]
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SCIENCE MATTERS: Protecting oceans is paying off
Do you remember Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak? It turns out wizards aren’t the only ones who can vanish from sight with a special coat. Marine researchers have discovered shrimp-like crustaceans called hyperiids that can hide in the open using internal nanotechnology to cloak themselves in invisibility. That’s just one among many fascinating discoveries to celebrate […]
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SCIENCE MATTERS: Marine protected areas are one piece of a complex puzzle
The federal government recently created two marine protected areas in the Pacific region and has committed to increase ocean protection from one percent to 10 by 2020. But will this be enough? Canada has the longest coastline of any nation, but our country doesn’t end at its ocean shores. With a 200-nautical-mile economic zone and […]
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SCIENCE MATTERS: Oceans of reasons to protect what we love
[Image-1] June 8 marks World Oceans Day, but what if we celebrated oceans every day? Covering more than 70 percent of Earth’s surface, oceans, more than anything, define our small blue planet. We should celebrate their complex and vibrant ecosystems, life-sustaining services, calming effects and unimaginable diversity, much of which we have not yet even […]
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SCIENCE MATTERS: Shocking migratory changes bring electric rays to Canada’s Pacific
[Image-1] Gary Krause was mystified by an unusual fish he caught in his trawl net off BC’s Pacific north coast in October. It was a Pacific electric ray, named for a pair of organs behind its head that can knock a human adult down with a powerful shock. Trawl fishery records show 88 of these […]
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Yes, this giant shark was caught off the coast of Nova Scotia
[Image-1] Just because it’s on the Internet doesn’t mean it’s true. Unless we’re talking about Carla Allen’s shark photo, that is. Earlier this week, Halifax’s Peter Lively shared a photo of a massive shark which he claims was caught off the coast of Nova Scotia. It’s since been shared nearly 7,000 times. Some people are […]
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7 things you need to know Monday
1 If you missed it, NSCC photography instructor and bike enthusiast Ingram Barss took over The Coast’s Instagram account this weekend. Saturday didn’t provide the best weather to document the great things happening during Bike Week/Doors Open/100 in 1 Day, but Barss still ended up with some amazing shots (like the one above). If you […]