Close X
Sunday, November 24, 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

Veterans groups to get $20M to weather COVID-19

Veterans groups to get $20M to weather COVID-19
The government first set aside $20 million for veterans groups that provide services to former military personnel in the COVID-19 relief bill passed by Parliament last month.

Veterans groups to get $20M to weather COVID-19

Toronto, Ontario record new COVID-19 record

Toronto, Ontario record new COVID-19 record
Toronto reports 520 new cases of COVID-19 today, after recording 482 new cases Monday. British Columbia reported nearly 1,000 cases Monday, after implementing tougher new restrictions in the Vancouver area over the weekend.

Toronto, Ontario record new COVID-19 record

Man accused in van attack raises NCR defence

Man accused in van attack raises NCR defence
Minassian told a detective just hours after the incident that he carried out the attack as retribution against society because he was a lonely virgin who believed women wouldn't have sex with him.

Man accused in van attack raises NCR defence

Medicago reports promising COVID-19 vaccine tests

Medicago reports promising COVID-19 vaccine tests
Medicago says the side effects were generally mild to moderate and short in duration. The Phase 1 clinical trial was a randomized, partially blinded study of 180 healthy people.

Medicago reports promising COVID-19 vaccine tests

Horgan gives first address after election victory

Horgan gives first address after election victory
He says if B.C. residents want to avoid the heavier restrictions of the early days of the pandemic, they have to find safe ways to gather, celebrate and observe life events using technologies instead of meeting in person.

Horgan gives first address after election victory

Metro Vancouver expands protected wetland

Metro Vancouver expands protected wetland
Sav Dhaliwal, the Metro Vancouver board chair, says use of regional parks has exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Metro Vancouver expands protected wetland