Tuesday, December 30, 2025
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

Surrey man found guilty of second degree murder in partner Rama Gauravarapu's death

Surrey man found guilty of second degree murder in partner Rama Gauravarapu's death
A property manager, Rama Gauravarapu was murdered at a hotel in West Kelowna two years ago on July 22, 2018.

Surrey man found guilty of second degree murder in partner Rama Gauravarapu's death

Drug coverage approved in B.C. for those with ALS

Drug coverage approved in B.C. for those with ALS
British Columbia's Health Ministry has negotiated an agreement with a manufacturer to allow for coverage of a drug used to slow the symptoms of ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.

Drug coverage approved in B.C. for those with ALS

3 members of the same Pakistani family drown in Alberta

3 members of the same Pakistani family drown in Alberta
Another drowning has taken place in Alberta and claimed the lives of three adults from the same family.

3 members of the same Pakistani family drown in Alberta

A guide to back-to-school rules across the country

A guide to back-to-school rules across the country
Plans are being made across the country for how to safely send students back to school in the fall as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

A guide to back-to-school rules across the country

Restaurant discriminated against patron: HRTO

Restaurant discriminated against patron: HRTO
A Toronto restaurant discriminated against a woman who uses mobility devices and "publicly humiliated" her by refusing to let her use its bathroom four years ago, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has ruled.

Restaurant discriminated against patron: HRTO

Chinese Canadian Museum of B.C. opens first exhibit

Chinese Canadian Museum of B.C. opens first exhibit
A giant, intricate dragon mask and a hand-painted wok greet visitors to the first-ever exhibition of the Chinese Canadian Museum of British Columbia in Vancouver's Chinatown.

Chinese Canadian Museum of B.C. opens first exhibit