Close X
Thursday, November 28, 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

Feds propose stricter policies for streaming

Feds propose stricter policies for streaming
The proposed changes to the Broadcasting Act are meant to ensure online streaming platforms experiencing booming revenues face as stringent regulations as traditional broadcasters, which have seen profits decline in recent years.

Feds propose stricter policies for streaming

Canadians await U.S. election in fear: poll

Canadians await U.S. election in fear: poll
That fear is being driven by the assumption that U.S. President Donald Trump won't accept defeat if he is in fact defeated, or may prematurely declare victory on election night before all votes, including mail-in ballots, can be legally counted.

Canadians await U.S. election in fear: poll

Vancouver home sales up 29% in October

Vancouver home sales up 29% in October
Home sales were also up 1.2 per cent from September amid a surge in sales of detached homes.

Vancouver home sales up 29% in October

Surrey man charged with sexual interference

Surrey man charged with sexual interference
This week, 32-year-old Thomas Dawson Peacock, of Surrey, was charged with three counts of sexual interference.

Surrey man charged with sexual interference

Liberals introduce rent-relief bill

Liberals introduce rent-relief bill
The bill would also extend the federal emergency wage subsidy until June 2021. The government's previous rent relief program was widely criticized because it needed buy-in from landlords, many of whom did not participate.

Liberals introduce rent-relief bill

COVID underscores need for HIV self-tests: expert

COVID underscores need for HIV self-tests: expert
A new paper published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal is reiterating calls from the health-care community for Canada to follow dozens of other countries in introducing HIV self-testing kits.

COVID underscores need for HIV self-tests: expert