Sunday, June 16, 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 to usher in new privacy legislation

Feds to usher in new privacy legislation
The bill, to be tabled in the House of Commons on Tuesday, would be a step toward realizing commitments set out in the mandate letter of Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains.

Feds to usher in new privacy legislation

Biden toughens talk on Buy American measures

Biden toughens talk on Buy American measures
It took Canada nearly a year to negotiate waivers to similar rules in 2010 when Barack Obama's administration was preparing to spend more than $800 billion to bounce back from the Great Recession.

Biden toughens talk on Buy American measures

Canada reaches 300,000 total COVID cases

Canada reaches 300,000 total COVID cases
Canada had roughly 50,000 active cases as of Monday afternoon. It took about four months for Canada to leap from 100,000 to 200,000, suggesting that even as some cases are being resolved, the spread is quickening.

Canada reaches 300,000 total COVID cases

Meng lawyer suggests testimony is a 'fabrication'

Meng lawyer suggests testimony is a 'fabrication'
McRae testified that he contacted the border agency's national security unit to ask for guidance on questioning Meng but he didn't write down what he was told.

Meng lawyer suggests testimony is a 'fabrication'

Burnaby Hospital ER closed due to air pollution.

Burnaby Hospital ER closed due to air pollution.
The Burnaby Hospital Emergency Room has been closed for the moment not due to any fire damage but because of air pollution.

Burnaby Hospital ER closed due to air pollution.

No remorse or apology, Alek Minassian's dad says

No remorse or apology, Alek Minassian's dad says
Vahe Minassian told court he has visited Alek in jail regularly since his arrest on April 23, 2018, when he drove a rental van down a busy Toronto sidewalk.

No remorse or apology, Alek Minassian's dad says