Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Arctic heavy fuel ban weak: environmentalists

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Nov, 2020 07:52 PM
  • Arctic heavy fuel ban weak: environmentalists

Environmental groups say a new international ban on using a highly polluting fuel in Arctic waters is full of gaps.

They say Canada should refuse to take advantage of loopholes the International Maritime Organization has agreed to make part of the ban on heavy fuel oils.

The loopholes allow countries with Arctic coastlines continue to use the fuel until 2029.

Heavy fuel oil is a major source of so-called black carbon — soot particles that land on and darken sea ice, hastening its melt.

Andrew Dumbrille of the World Wildlife Fund says eliminating heavy fuel oil could cut black carbon almost in half.

Most Arctic countries, Indigenous groups and environmentalists supported a stronger ban.

Dumbrille says the loopholes were granted after heavy pressure from Russia, where most Arctic shipping occurs.

Transport Canada was not immediately available to say how it would implement the new regulations.

MORE National ARTICLES

Vancouver records increase in crime

Vancouver records increase in crime
Vancouver police say violent crime increased by more than five per cent and was largely driven by a rise in serious assaults.

Vancouver records increase in crime

Smoky conditions expected to improve in B.C.

Smoky conditions expected to improve in B.C.
Anyone with chronic underlying health conditions or respiratory infections, including COVID-19, is advised to limit or postpone physical activity outdoors until conditions improve.

Smoky conditions expected to improve in B.C.

Suspicious activity on CRA accounts after attack

Suspicious activity on CRA accounts after attack
The treasury says the previously-announced attacks targeted CRA accounts and GCKey, an online portal through which Canadians access employment insurance and immigration services.

Suspicious activity on CRA accounts after attack

Court upholds N.L. COVID-19 travel ban

Court upholds N.L. COVID-19 travel ban
Lawyers for Taylor and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, which was granted intervener status in the case, argued that province had overstepped its authority and violated Taylor's charter rights.

Court upholds N.L. COVID-19 travel ban

Quebec police reporting uptick in online threats

Quebec police reporting uptick in online threats
Earlier this week, interim Parti Quebecois Leader Pascal Berube called out online threats posted against him and his partner as politicians of all stripes denounced the comments.

Quebec police reporting uptick in online threats

Cargo theft a growing concern in Canada

Cargo theft a growing concern in Canada
In 2014, when the bureau started compiling cargo theft statistics, $270,000 in stolen cargo was recovered. In 2019, that figure was $14 million.

Cargo theft a growing concern in Canada