Welcome to #WaterCanada’s Top 50 #Canadian#WaterProjects. We’re shining a spotlight on some of the biggest and most innovative #water projects in #Canada that aim to improve the delivery of drinking water, the treatment of wastewater, and the management of stormwater.
Meneer merel heeft waterpret!
...nog veel andere vogels gebruiken dit badje dat ik soms 2 keer per dag aanvul, plus iedere nacht de egel die het regelmatig helemaal opdrinkt...
there are D.C. scum calling #StudentSpring "pro-HAMAS protests". the minute anybody in the #Biden admin parrots that shit, all bets are off with #Democrats.
so all liberals on here screaming #VoteBlue no matter who, y'all better get your asses in gear and tell every single person in the White House to drop that shit immediately.
am not some magical Cassandra. i have +30 years experience with the treachery of Democrats against antiwar activists.
@blogdiva It SHOULD be in most public universities but I think a decade or so of violent militarized police may have had the intended toll. The #BLM protests sure were slammed down. As were the #WaterIsLife protests.
Capital Regional District’s Get to Know Your #H2O Tours are a great way to discover how your drinking #water is delivered from the source to your tap. During the tour you’ll discover the natural landscapes, water supply #reservoirs, and the treatment process that provides Greater Victoria with high quality tap water.
Responders have currently found ‘no immediate threat’, but 14 of at least 56 containers carrying #contaminants were destroyed
by Dharna Noor in Baltimore
Sat 30 Mar 2024
"In the meantime, more containers could fall into the water, including ones the NTSB says contain corrosive chemicals and #Lithium-ion batteries – materials that could leak #toxic#HeavyMetals into the water. And as long as the ship remains in the water, the possibility of the ship’s fuel container rupturing remains."
Hmmmm.... "The rain can help dillute sewage." Um, #dilution does not eliminate the problem!
Raw sewage spills into England rivers and seas doubles in 2023
By Esme Stallard and Jonah Fisher, March 27, 2024
"The UK has combined sewage systems which mean rain and sewage share the same pipes, so if there is too much rain sewage treatment works can be overwhelmed. Sewage is spilled into waterways to prevent the system backing up.
"It works out that on average last year there were 1,271 spills a day across England, compared to 825 in 2022.
Contained within the spills is human waste, wet wipes and sanitary products, which can pose a serious risk to the local wildlife, swimmers and others who use UK waterways.
"The rain can help to dilute the sewage but academics warn there is still a risk to the local environment and anyone swimming in these bodies of water."
“This River is Our Relative” — a new #Penobscot documentary, coming soon!
Sunlight Media Collective February 2, 2024
"'This River is Our Relative' is an upcoming Sunlight Media Collective documentary about the #PenobscotNation’s intrinsic connection to and tireless environmental stewardship of the #PenobscotRiver. The story is told through the voices of 24 Penobscots, who share a story of historical, physical, and spiritual connection to place; of cultural identity and survival. Their narratives are interwoven with a traditional #Wabanaki story about how The People and #Glouskap defeated a greedy monster frog, #Aklebemu, who was hoarding all the water. This story parallels both historical and present day #environmental concerns, and is also the Clan origin story for Penobscots. 'You can point to any aspect of our culture from a riverine perspective,' says Penobscot Cultural Dept. Director James E. Francis, Sr.
"'It is our responsibility to care for that River, for all of us,' explains Penobscot #activist and filmmaker #DawnNeptuneAdams. Despite many obstacles including ongoing territorial theft and a rapidly increasing number of pollutants, the Penobscot Nation and its people continue to demonstrate their commitment to protecting the health of their beloved Relative, the Penobscot River. 'I always come back to the water because that’s where I belong. It’s my Relative,' explains Penobscot Elder Kathy Paul, 'and I want to stay and support that Relative.'"
BISMARCK, North Dakota -- "The Morton County Sheriff's Department sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump which accused #StandingRock water protectors of crimes that there was no evidence of -- crimes water protectors were never charged with. The letter urges Trump to stop the protest of the #DakotaAccessPipeline."
As Heal the Bay's Tracy Quinn points out, the Water Board's backtracking on water conservation will make our communities LESS resilient to #ClimateChange and allow water suppliers to continue business-as-usual: "This approach is shocking considering what we know about changing precipitation patterns and California's lip service about preparing for climate change."
"As political pressure mounts in the US to meet #NetZero carbon goals, the #NuclearPower industry makes its case for a nuclear 'renaissance.' This documentary by NECESSITY director Jan Haaken follows activists as they expose the true costs of the new small nuclear reactor designs."
The "Turtle Island" marathon tour of this worldwide unique film festival on all #nuclear topics and #radioactive dangers includes more than 10 cities in 9 states.
#KleeBenally, #Diné artist, activist and filmmaker, died suddenly on December 30, 2023, just days after completing his designs for the 2024 IUFF tour of North America and the Window Rock festival. We are so sad about Klee's death! Our hearts are with him.
🌍 La crisis climática afecta de forma desproporcionada a las mujeres en todo el mundo. Desde la agricultura hasta las catástrofes climáticas, las mujeres se llevan la peor parte de la degradación medioambiental. Es hora de reconocer esta injusticia y amplificar sus voces. (1/8)
💧 El acceso al agua es esencial para todxs, sobre todo para las comunidades impactadas por la crisis climática. Las mujeres y niñas, sobre todo en pobreza, pasan horas buscando agua. La justicia climática exige acceso equitativo al agua y a todos los recursos.
State agency in Maine rejects #Canadian#mining company’s rezoning application
February 14, 2024
BREWER, #Maine (AP) — A state agency on Wednesday rejected a Canadian mining company’s zoning application for a proposed mine on #PickettMountain in northern Penobscot County, near #BaxterStatePark and the #KatahdinWoods & Waters National Monument.
"The Maine Land Use Planning [#LUPC] Commission voted 5-2 against #Wolfden's request to rezone on 374 acres (150 hectares), which would've been the first of several hurdles to building a #MetallicMine in the #Katahdin region.
"The panel had numerous concerns including the economic feasibility of the proposed mine. The panel also considered the impacts on #TribalLands, #wildlife, #water resources, the outdoors economy and other factors.
"'This ruling is a great victory for the precious waters and lands of the Katahdin region and the people that rely upon them for sustenance and well-being,' said Penobscot Tribal Chief #KirkFrancis.
"Wolfden withdrew its first application after the commission’s staff pointed to multiple errors and inconsistencies with its proposal. It was resubmitted in January 2023 with a goal of addressing the concerns."
Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY
Updated Thu, February 29, 2024 at 8:24 AM
#ClimateChange is fueling disasters, increasing concerns
"Experts say the #TexasWildfires highlighted the dangers natural disasters could pose to America's widespread #NuclearWeapons and energy networks. Eleven states are home to nuclear weapons, 28 to #NuclearPowerPlants and spent #NuclearFuel storage.
"In Texas, the fire's flames were spread by strong winds, dry conditions and unseasonably high temperatures, which broke records across the country — just the kind of conditions that experts have long warned are more likely as Earth warms.
"'We need more attention on the nexus of climate and nuclear,' said Kwong.
"Climate change effects have already caused nuclear concerns around the world: 'Places like #NorthKorea and #Pakistan are already facing these threats,' said Kwong.
"North Korea has experienced increases in #typhoons, #droughts and #flooding, according to the Royal United Services Institute, a United Kingdom-based defense think tank.
"In 2022, massive flooding covered more than one-third of the nation of Pakistan, affecting more than 33 million people."
Opinion: Why the birthplace of the Western #Apache religion shouldn’t be destroyed by a #CopperMine
by Luke Goodrich
February 6, 2024·
"A federal court is poised to decide whether a #NativeAmerican#sacred site will be destroyed by a massive #copper#mine. Mining proponents claim that destroying the #SacredSite is necessary for the development of #GreenEnergy. That claim is both factually wrong and morally repugnant. And recent polling shows that the vast majority of Americans agree with what the constitution requires: #Native sacred sites deserve the same protection as all other houses of worship.
"Since before European contact, #WesternApache and other Native tribes have lived and honored their #Creator at #OakFlat, or 'Chi’chil Bildagoteel.' The site is the birthplace of Western Apache religion and the site of ancient religious ceremonies that cannot take place anywhere else. Because of its religious and cultural significance, Oak Flat is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been protected from mining and other destructive practices for decades.
"That changed in 2014, when several members of Congress, supported by #corporate#mining#lobbyists, slipped an amendment into a must-pass defense bill authorizing the transfer of Oak Flat to a foreign-owned mining giant. That company, #ResolutionCopper, announced plans to obliterate the sacred ground by swallowing it in a mining crater nearly two miles wide and 1,100-feet deep, ending Apache religious practices forever. That was no surprise given the company’s sordid history dealing with #IndigenousPeoples. The majority owner of Resolution Copper is #RioTinto (the world’s second largest mining company), which sparked international outrage in 2020 when it destroyed a 46,000-year-old rock shelter with some of the most significant #Aboriginal artifacts in all of #Australia.
"The Apache and their allies, represented by my firm, the #BecketFundForReligiousLiberty, have been fighting in court to ensure that such an atrocity won’t repeat itself at Oak Flat. After initial court rulings against the Apache, a full panel of 11 judges at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reheard their appeal last spring. A decision on whether the government can execute the land transfer is expected any day.
"Resolution Copper and its backers want the public to believe that building the mine is essential for developing #renewable energy. Extracting the copper beneath Oak Flat, they say, will help to build batteries necessary for powering #ElectricVehicles and thus fight #ClimateChange. In other words, we have to destroy Oak Flat in order to save the planet.
"These claims, however, are false — and they are specifically designed to obscure the physical and cultural destruction the project would wreak on the land.
"The mine will destroy the #environment, not save it. It is undisputed that the mine will swallow the ecologically diverse landscape of Oak Flat in a massive crater, decimating the local #ecosystem. It will also leave behind approximately 1.37 billion tons of '#tailings,' or #MiningWaste, which, according to the government’s own environmental assessment, will pollute the #groundwater and scar the landscape permanently. And the mine will consume vast quantities of water at the time it is most needed by drought-stricken towns and #farmers.
"Supporters of the mine are also at odds with the majority of Americans. According to this year’s Religious Freedom Index, an annual survey conducted by Becket, 74% of Americans believe that Native sacred sites on federal land should be protected from mining projects, even when the projects are purportedly pro-jobs and pro-environment.
"That conclusion is both sensible and humane. America can transition to renewable energy without blasting the cradle of Western Apache religion into oblivion. And it should. For too long, our nation has made excuses for taking advantage of #IndigenousPeople and their land. Indeed, our nation drove the Western Apache off Oak Flat and surrounding lands in the 1800s precisely to make way for #MiningInterests. It shouldn’t repeat that #injustice again.
"It is past time to protect Indigenous sacred sites from further destruction. Basic fairness and our constitutional commitment to religious freedom require no less. And, happily, most Americans agree."
Here's everything you need to know about the WA government's backdown on its #Aboriginal Cultural Heritage laws
By Jake Sturmer
Posted Tue 8 Aug 2023
"The WA government's 2021 changes were supposed to prevent what it described as a 'global embarrassment' from ever happening again.
"Instead, the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act has left many farmers confused and traditional owners frustrated.
"After just five weeks in operation, the government has backflipped — trying to stem the political bleeding that is tainting WA's new premier and now muddying the waters of the Voice referendum debate.
So what's changing?
"It's important to remember that any activities that could damage Aboriginal cultural heritage still need approval.
"The old-but-soon-to-be-new 1972 act meant the minister had to tick off on every action no matter how minor — known as a Section 18 approval.
WA premier announces repeal of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage laws
"Just five weeks after being legislated, Roger Cook announces the WA government will be scrapping its #AboriginalCulturalHeritageLaws.
"The 2021 act created a system of tiers and approvals.
"Want to build a fence with no clearing? No approval required.
"New #mine site with deep excavation? You'll need a management plan that has to be ticked off by a local Aboriginal organisation at your expense.
"But the government acknowledged these tiers have caused massive confusion and will therefore be scrapped.
"There were reports the rules would have prevented everything from gardening to installing a swimming pool, building a garage or burying a pet in the backyard.
"In fact, such activities were exempt, as were all properties smaller than 1,100 square metres.
"So it's no surprise the biggest outcry came from farmers.
How will another Juukan Gorge be prevented?
"When landowners requested to damage or destroy heritage sites, they needed one of those #Section18 approvals from the minister.
"If the minister rejected that, developers had a right to appeal but traditional owners did not.
"As part of the government's backflip, it will amend the laws to give a right of appeal to the native title party whose cultural heritage is impacted.
"Developers will also have to bring any new heritage information to the government's attention."
The defense for three activists from #FirstNations argues abuse of process by security forces around the pipeline construction site, as the U.N. and Amnesty International allege excessive force, surveillance and #criminalization of land defenders.
By Keerti Gopal
January 24, 2024
"The trial of three Indigenous land defenders arrested at a pipeline construction site on #unceded#Wetsuweten First Nation land was adjourned until spring on Friday, as the court looks into potential abuses by Canadian police.
"In the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Smithers, B.C., the trial is the latest development in the nearly 12-year fight against the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline in the Canadian province.
"Land defenders #Sleydo’ #MollyWickham, #ShayLynnSampson and #CoreyJocko were found guilty of criminal contempt earlier this month, with Justice Michael Tanmen ruling that they broke a court injunction forbidding them from blocking access to construction for the Coastal GasLink pipeline.
"But immediately following the verdict, Tanmen began a week-long hearing to listen to the three individuals’ abuse of process applications, which allege that their Charter rights were violated during their arrests and detentions. During the hearing, the defense argued to stay the charges based on these applications, citing excessive force, aggressive behavior, offensive language and mocking by police.
"In Canada, the abuse of process doctrine allows courts to stay, or postpone, a proceeding on the grounds that some element of the process was unfair, and might undermine the legal system. In this case, the abuse of process application focused on treatment during and after arrests.
"The trial began on Jan. 8 and consisted mainly of witness testimony and evidence gathered in November 2021, during one of four major police raids at the pipeline between 2019 and 2023. The evidence included videos from social media and other videos taken by officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada’s national police service.
"The videos, and testimony from witnesses, including #RCMP officers, detailed the police using dogs and firearms and wielding chainsaws to cut down the doors of a cabin where Sleydo’ and Sampson were arrested. Jocko was arrested in another small structure close by.
"The activists allege police used excessive force to break down the doors and used offensive language, showing videos in which officers described arrestees as 'orcs' and 'ogres.' The abuse of process hearing will likely restart in June.
"Chief Na’Moks, a Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief and prominent advocate against the pipeline, said that the trial may serve as a template for future legal battles across Canada, where several other pipeline projects are underway.
"'This is going to affect everything else that happens, not only in #BritishColumbia but in #Canada,' Chief Na’Moks said last week. “This is the template that they want to use...and the harassment and constant abuse of #HumanRights has to stop.”