Policy and Management

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This report investigates the impact of micro(nano)plastic pollution on crops and soil health, focusing on the Fraser Valley in British Columbia. It highlights how the increasing reliance on plastics has led to significant soil contamination, particularly in agroecosystems, where micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) can be introduced through various agricultural practices. The study emphasizes that MNPs can be absorbed by crops, potentially affecting their growth and contributing to food safety concerns. A systematic review of five crops—carrot, corn, lettuce, pea, and wheat—revealed multiple uptake pathways for MNPs, including apoplastic and symplastic routes, with notable phytotoxic effects such as oxidative stress and altered metabolic activity. The estimated presence of MNPs in soils ranges from approximately 760,000 to 4,370,000 particles per tonne, highlighting the need for more research on this emerging issue. The report concludes with recommendations for mitigating MNP pollution, including phytoremediation, standardization of research protocols, and the establishment of regulations, to inform decision-making and combat plastic contamination in agroecosystems.

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This study investigates the changes in Leaf Area Index (LAI) at the Highland Valley Copper (HVC) Mine from 2000 to 2021, focusing on the factors affecting vegetation dynamics. The analysis revealed a significant decline in LAI during 2000-2010, followed by a dramatic increase from 2011 to 2021. Notably, the proportion of shrubs rose by 20.25% while coniferous trees decreased by 23.08%. Land cover changes, alongside environmental factors like temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, and solar radiation, influenced LAI trends. The study also indicated that over the past forty years, the average temperature during the growing season significantly increased, while precipitation decreased, complicating revegetation efforts. Remote sensing technology was highlighted as crucial for monitoring LAI and guiding reclamation policies. The study advocates for enhancing biodiversity in revegetation practices and emphasizes collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and local communities for more effective land management.

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Global Climate Change (GCC) has been a critical concern for decades, prompting international agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement to address emission reduction. Carbon pricing, including Carbon Tax (CT) and Cap-and-Trade (CAT) systems, has emerged as effective strategies for balancing economic growth with greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions. The Carbon Tax, exemplified by British Columbia's implementation in 2008, incentivizes reduced fossil fuel use and encourages low-carbon alternatives while providing tax exemptions to ease financial burdens. In contrast, the Cap-and-Trade system, such as Shanghai's launched in 2013, sets emission caps that allow companies to trade allowances, leading to significant GHG reductions while fostering economic growth. Comparative analyses indicate that CAT systems are generally more effective than CT policies in reducing emissions. The study concludes that a hybrid model, combining CAT as the primary strategy and CT as a supplementary measure, can optimize emission reduction efforts, promoting both environmental sustainability and economic stability.

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Urban areas are facing significant environmental and social challenges due to rapid growth and densification, leading to increased pollution and vulnerability to climate change. In response, green infrastructure (GI) has emerged as a sustainable alternative to traditional urban planning, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11, which focuses on creating resilient and sustainable cities. GI includes natural and semi-natural spaces like parks and green roofs, providing diverse ecosystem services. However, challenges hinder the implementation of GI projects, and often the benefits beyond stormwater management are overlooked. This study aims to bridge the gap in understanding the various benefits and barriers of GI by analyzing existing literature and case studies, offering actionable recommendations to promote its adoption and enhance urban resilience, equity, and sustainability.

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Lithium is vital for lithium-ion batteries, which are essential for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. As demand for these technologies grows, sustainable lithium extraction is crucial to protect the environment and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Traditional extraction methods are resource-intensive and environmentally damaging. Innovations like Direct Lithium Extraction use less water and are more eco-friendly. Recycling lithium from used batteries and reprocessing mining waste are also important strategies to reduce environmental impact and maintain a steady supply. Promoting these innovations and recycling efforts aligns with SDGs related to social inclusion, environmental protection, responsible resource management, and economic development.

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Although fuel management strategies are widely used to mitigate the scale and severity of wildfires, systematic evaluations of their eKectiveness and potential drawbacks in the context of climate change remain limited. This paper employed systematic literature review and comparative analysis methods to examine the performance of prescribed burning and mechanical treatment in managing fire risks and adapting to climate change. The study focused on their impacts on fire behavior, implementation challenges under climate constraints, and carbon emissions, while also exploring costs, environmental impacts, and social acceptance. Two representative case study sites - California, USA, and Southeast Australia - were chosen for longitudinal comparisons under varying environmental conditions. The findings suggested that diKerent fuel management strategies each have their strengths and weaknesses. No single strategy is perfect; each involves trade-oKs. Prescribed burning eKectively alters fire behavior and has lower carbon emissions, but its implementation window is severely limited by climate change. Mechanical treatment is not a complete substitute for prescribed burning and is associated with higher carbon emissions; however, it avoids the risks of smoke and fire escape linked to fire and is more resilient to climate change. Overall, combined mechanical and burn treatment may constitute an eKective strategy. In the planning process, balancing the impacts of diKerent strategies to achieve optimal results is crucial for successful management.

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This project investigates the potential for sustainable aquaculture development in Bhutan, a landlocked and low-income country, to meet the rising demand for protein, particularly fish, among its growing population. Despite aquaculture production being currently insignificant in Bhutan, the study suggests that it should expand by 10% annually to address the protein trade deficit. The research highlights the environmental risks associated with global aquaculture, such as water contamination and biodiversity loss, and emphasizes the importance of adopting best management practices. The project explores sustainable development options using circular economy principles, in collaboration with local authorities in Bhutan.

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This study examines the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in Vancouver, where urban areas experience higher temperatures than rural ones due to human activities and dense infrastructure. The research focuses on integrating Nature-based Solutions (NBS), such as tree planting, urban parks, and rain gardens, into urban planning to mitigate UHI effects. The study identified Vancouver's hotspots, particularly neighborhoods like Strathcona and Downtown, which are more vulnerable to heat due to low tree canopy coverage. The findings underscore the importance of green space distribution for environmental and social equity, highlighting the need for targeted NBS to create more resilient urban environments. https://riparianguardians.shorthandstories.com/greening-the-grey/

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The Alberta oil sands, one of the largest crude oil deposits globally, are a key economic driver for Canada but pose significant environmental, social, and cultural challenges, particularly for Indigenous communities like the Fort McKay First Nation in the Athabasca region. This report examines the severe environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, air and water pollution, and the contamination of traditional food sources, which disrupt the community’s way of life. It also highlights the cultural erosion caused by the loss of traditional lands and the uneven economic benefits from oil sands development. The report criticizes the disconnect between government and industry narratives, which often downplay the long-term impacts on Indigenous communities. It recommends stronger regulatory frameworks, meaningful inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in environmental management, and co-management agreements that prioritize sustainable development and protect Indigenous rights, culture, and the environment. https://oilsandpollution.shorthandstories.com/Impacts-on-Indigenous-Groups/

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China, the global leader in aquaculture, faces significant sustainability challenges due to the extensive use of pharmaceuticals and pesticides, particularly in regions like Changshou and Dongting Lakes. This report focuses on the ecological impacts of pharmaceutical residues and pesticide misuse in these areas. The research highlights the detrimental effects of antibiotics and pesticides on aquatic life, ecological balance, and water quality, with issues like antibiotic resistance and heavy metal pollution being of particular concern. To address these challenges, the report recommends stricter regulatory oversight, sustainable aquaculture practices, and increased community awareness, alongside technological advancements to reduce environmental impacts and promote sustainable industry practices.

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Severe weather events and heavy rainfall, exacerbated by climate change, have increasingly led to devastating floods, as seen in China in 2023, where flooding impacted 16 million people and caused significant economic losses. This study explores the use of constructed wetlands (CWs) as a sustainable solution for managing urban floods, particularly in rapidly urbanizing areas like Guangdong, China. CWs leverage natural processes to control excess rainwater, enhance drainage, and improve water quality. The research evaluates the feasibility and effectiveness of CWs in urban settings, providing case studies and cost-benefit analyses. The findings suggest that integrating CWs into urban planning can reduce flood risks, offer ecological benefits, and result in long-term financial savings, promoting more resilient and sustainable urban development in flood-prone regions.

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As urbanization continues to reshape our cities the increase of impervious surfaces poses significant challenges. Traditional stormwater infrastructure typically aims to quickly drain water from city centers. In contrast, green infrastructure is an emerging approach to water management that focuses on protecting, restoring, or mimicking the natural water cycle. This approach allows for more effective management of urban stormwater and rainwater, improves water quality, and also helps address urban heat island effects, reduce flood risks, and tackle other urban challenges, improve urban green spaces and overall city livability. However, some highly developed cities like Vancouver, the impervious surface is dramatically high. One of the biggest challenges is finding space. In a city where every square inch counts, figuring out where to put green roofs, permeable pavements, and rain gardens isn't easy. It requires creative thinking and strategic planning to carve out areas for these green solutions amidst the concrete jungle. This project is aimed to determine how GRI being may effectively implemented in a developed city were much of the streets/lanes are covered by impervious surfaces.

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British Columbia's Atlantic salmon farming industry, crucial to the economy, faces significant challenges due to environmental concerns, particularly the impact of sea lice on wild salmon populations. Sea lice, external parasites that harm juvenile wild salmon, have sparked a long-standing controversy involving conflicting scientific views, ineffective governance, and public distrust. Despite recent efforts by Fisheries & Oceans Canada to transition to more sustainable practices, disagreements have intensified. This report identifies key challenges, including the need for better social license, evidence-based policies, Indigenous leadership, and governance reforms. It emphasizes that lessons from the sea lice controversy can guide improvements in the aquaculture sector and other resource industries globally.,British Columbia's Atlantic salmon farming industry, crucial to the economy, faces significant challenges due to environmental concerns, particularly the impact of sea lice on wild salmon populations. Sea lice, external parasites that harm juvenile wild salmon, have sparked a long-standing controversy involving conflicting scientific views, ineffective governance, and public distrust. Despite recent efforts by Fisheries & Oceans Canada to transition to more sustainable practices, disagreements have intensified. This report identifies key challenges, including the need for better social license, evidence-based policies, Indigenous leadership, and governance reforms. It emphasizes that lessons from the sea lice controversy can guide improvements in the aquaculture sector and other resource industries globally.

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Deserts, often misunderstood as barren and worthless, are home to unique ecosystems and human populations that have thrived for thousands of years. Despite their value, deserts are frequently neglected, with the field of eremology—desert science—being largely unrecognized. This neglect stems from a lack of research, inadequate policies, colonial history, land mismanagement, and the impacts of climate change. The paper synthesizes literature on this neglect, emphasizing the socioeconomic importance of deserts and the need for tailored conservation strategies. It also critiques the term "desertification" and the effectiveness of projects like the "Great Green Wall" in addressing land degradation, suggesting that current approaches may be misguided.

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This review scrutinizes the detrimental effects of chemical pesticides on the environment and human health in agriculture. It advocates for integrated pest management (IPM) as an alternative, sustainable practice. Despite its potential, global adoption of IPM faces challenges. The review analyzes these barriers across regions and explores strategies to enhance IPM implementation. Focusing on China, it evaluates three methods employed to tackle IPM adoption hurdles. Based on insights gathered, the review concludes with practical recommendations tailored to China's context. These recommendations aim to promote IPM adoption not only in China but also globally. By addressing obstacles and proposing specific solutions, the review aims to facilitate widespread adoption of IPM, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices worldwide.

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Tourism, a major global industry, brings economic prosperity but also triggers challenges like environmental harm and cultural disruptions when destinations face excessive visitor numbers, termed "overtourism." The Niagara Region in Ontario, Canada, famous for Niagara Falls, encounters environmental strain due to millions of annual visitors. The region experiences stressors across four areas: permanent environmental change, waste generation, tourist activities, and impacts on local populations, leading to declining ecosystem health. To balance economic benefits with ecosystem preservation, a recommendation suggests Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) develop a sustainable tourism plan. This strategy aims to address future tourism growth, municipal infrastructure, and eco-friendly practices. The plan aims to reconcile the economic significance of tourism with the crucial need to protect local ecosystems, fostering a balance between tourism's benefits and environmental conservation in the region.

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Southern Resident Killer Whales are a culturally important whale community in the Northeast Pacific. After over twenty years listed as endangered, it still struggles to recover. Many external and intrinsic factors inhibit its recovery. Anthropogenic threats such as declining prey abundance, increased disturbance, and contamination have cumulative impacts on the population. The recovery of Southern Resident Killer Whales has been artificially inflated due to artificial barriers. Artificial boundaries inhibit the recovery of Southern Resident Killer Whales through fragmented management and barriers to information sharing. Furthermore, the Salish Sea is plagued by many competing interests that put pressure on the transboundary habitat of the population. The traditional feeding grounds of whales have been disrupted by human activities such as fishing, shipping, and pollution. In addition, the construction of dams and other infrastructure has altered the flow of rivers and streams, affecting the availability of salmon, a primary food source for whales. All these activities are managed through various levels of government on both sides of the border. In order to ensure the recovery of Southern Resident Killer Whales, the artificial boundaries must be recognized and mitigated. An integrated management approach that considers the Salish Sea and related watersheds as a whole ecosystem is necessary.

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The global population is increasing so is the demand for the food supply. The settlement of more than half of the population in urban cities and the modern lifestyle has indirectly contributed to disturbing climate norms. Looking at the situation, urban farms can be a possible solution for improving the landscape of cities. Allocation of productive infrastructure can likely be an effective solution to achieve the long-term goal of sustainability. This paper focused on analyzing the potential of designing urban farms in a network of densely populated cities. The study examined integral benefits and challenges associated with the establishment of urban farms in densely populated cities developed and developing cities. Additionally, it focused on explaining the importance of designing and planning tools by reviewing all the factors of consideration at a spatial scale with a complete description of possible designs. Lastly, based on the synthesis of the dataset collected, research, and case studies, it suggests that the contribution of urban farms has a positive impact on eliminating food hunger in the future.

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Globally, nationally, and provincially, there has been an acknowledgement of the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples to their territories, traditions, and foods, with an interest in paving a pathway toward reconciliation through Canada’s adoption of the globally founded United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and British Columbia’s implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. The provincial-level act led the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food to work with Indigenous members comprising the recently established British Columbia Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture and Food to enhance the equitable participation of Indigenous Peoples in food systems. The ministry and council have identified a priority to strengthen Indigenous food security, food sovereignty, and build food system resilience to advance Indigenous self-determination, further self-sufficiency, improve resilience to climate change, prioritize the revitalization of cultures, and advance lasting and meaningful reconciliation. There is particular interest in understanding the role Indigenous young people play in meeting this priority due to their perceived vitality among Elders and Indigenous leaders in sustaining food systems for future generations and ensuring food system resilience and cultural continuity. iii The objectives of this paper were to (1) investigate the challenges and opportunities in strengthening Indigenous food security, food sovereignty, and food system resilience within Canada, while assessing the relevance to food system participation of Indigenous young people in British Columbia; and to (2) provide recommendations to the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the British Columbia Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture and Food to aid in their mission to promote Indigenous young people’s equitable, active, and meaningful participation within food systems in British Columbia. The objectives were met through a semi-systematic literature review. This paper intends to lay the foundation for future work that directly engages Indigenous young people in research and decision-making related to food systems in British Columbia.

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The accelerated climate change and the associated more intense and frequent extreme weather events have caught worldwide attention, and urban environments are significantly more vulnerable to the problem. Likewise, Metro Vancouver also encounters increased urban heat island effects, disturbed water balance, degraded ecosystem services, and other stressors from climate variabilities. In response to the current situation, the city extensively encourages the operations of green infrastructure initiatives, seeing them as mitigation solutions for future climate change due to the potential advantages. However, the challenges of incorporating them into urban landscapes have not been well explored. Also, there is currently a lack of awareness of the monitoring needs after the construction. Therefore, the project aims to determine the benefits and challenges of using urban trees and constructed wetlands as green infrastructure initiatives in the city. Meanwhile, highlight the monitoring requirements for sustaining the efforts. Based on the systematic literature review, urban trees and constructed wetlands play a key role in sustainable water management and mitigating the leading factors and impacts of climate variabilities. However, they are also susceptible to short-term extreme weather events and longterm climate warming, which may impede their functionalities and lead to adverse environmental impacts. Consequently, a monitoring program that provides clear guidelines for relevant indicator assessments and appropriate frequency is necessary for determining the effectiveness of the green infrastructure performance and providing directions for further management. Beyond that, the collaboration between different groups, including the public, experts, local government, and nongovernmental organizations, can improve the efficiencies but can be challenging. In addition to the monitoring needs, the city should raise concerns about plant susceptibility to climate change and understand the various trade-offs between broadleaf and coniferous trees, developing a more resilient species composition in the city. More research on wetland plants and their responses to heat stress and other climate variabilities is particularly needed.

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Population expansion and life quality improvements rapidly increase the global food demand. However, many arable lands are converted for industrial and residential use. The requirement to maximize food supply on limited arable land promotes the implementation of modern agriculture. Modern agriculture can effectively increase food supply through monoculture, genetic manipulation, intensive tillage, and chemicals usage. However, the effects of modern agriculture on soil, including biodiversity reduction, nutrient deficiency, and soil structure destruction promote land degradation. It decreases the long-term ability of soil to provide food and environmental services. Erosion is the primary reason for land degradation, and intensive tillage is the main practice to cause erosion. Intensive tillage breaks soil aggregates and reduces macroporosity, which decreases the water storage and water drainage ability of soil. The decreased soil organisms and aggregates resulting from frequent tillage decrease biodiversity and slow the soil nutrient cycling. Unlike chemical and biological effects, which have well-documented assessment methods, the interaction of soil and external factors makes physical effects hard to assess. With the case study in the Anding District, this paper comprehensive literature reviews and the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) to assess the physical effects of different tillage methods in the case study based on the loess plateau soil. Through the effect on bulk density, porosity, aggregates, and field capacity of the conventional tillage and three no-till methods, the result shows that no-till with stubble cover produces less soil disturbance and has the highest erosion resistance. To promote the transformation of conventional tillage to no-till with stubble cover, this paper recommends the local government implement farmers' education, provide subsidies, and strengthen the collaboration between enterprises and farmers. These strategies can increase the willingness and ability of local farmers to change tillage methods, which support the erosion control program of the government.

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Climate change has become one of the most critical concerns globally today. Evidence includes the increase of surface temperature, the increase of extreme climate events, changes in freshwater availability, the rise of sea level, the decrease of snow cover and ice across the world. In Canada, climate change effects are projected to continue in the future. Agriculture is one of the most vulnerable sectors to be impacted by climate change. Changes in climate can affect crop yield, livestock health, and economies of countries. On the other hand, agriculture is one of the major contributors to climate change, producing a significant amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are three main GHGs from agricultural crop production and livestock activities, all of which have great warming effects to the atmosphere. Canada has committed to reduce GHG emissions by 40% - 45% below the historical level in 2005 by 2030, and net-zero emission by 2050 (Government of Canada, 2021). Canada’s agriculture is an important part of Canadian economy, which generated 2.1 % of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020 (Government of Canada, 2021). British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario are three provinces with distinguished agricultural features. Agriculture plays significant roles in these provinces’ economies. However, agricultural GHG emissions from these regions are also high. Governments should develop relevant policies and encourage more efficient management practices with a focus on reducing GHGs from the agricultural sector. This white paper focuses on the GHG emissions within the farm gate, excluding the emissions from burning of fossil fuel for on-farm machinery and land use/land use change/forestry, while assessing major sources of GHG emissions from various sectors in Canada by provinces and enterprises, and providing recommendations for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

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With the significant increase in population, the urban sector occupies more and more natural areas for human land use. As the boundary between urban and nature becomes distinct and further away from the city`s center, urban residents tend to be disconnected from nature. By looking through this anthropocentric lens, it can be seen how important the preservation of urban green spaces is to the residents. The Urban Park, one of the most common blue-green facilities, plays a vital role in the urban ecosystem. However, its functions and services are not fully appreciated by the public that is disconnected from nature. This project provided an integrated view of an urban park on its benefits from different perspectives, to inspire people to reconnect with nature by ‘forest bathing’ in urban parks and acknowledge the indispensable role of urban parks.

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Under the growing threat of climate change, the constraints of western scientific frameworks are becoming more apparent in the context of land, water, and resource management. As such, calls for bridging or weaving multiple ways of knowing, such as Indigenous knowledge, have been on the rise. Past interactions between Indigenous knowledge holders and Western scientists and decision-makers have been hampered by concerns regarding philosophical differences, cultural differences, Indigenous rights, and competing objectives. Despite a healthy number of interactions, synthesis of interactions and collaborations between Indigenous knowledge holders and western-counterparts have been scarce.

Through a literature review, a synthesis of these interactions, lessons learned, and a set of recommendations are provided in hopes to contribute to having effective, mutually respectful, and beneficial collaborations in the future. The literature review revealed that Indigenous worldviews and those of western science have differing philosophical roots that translate into how they approach conservation and management. In addressing these difficulties, I present a set of recommendations to empower Indigenous rights, involvement and voices, the Mi’kmaw Two-Eyed Seeing approach as well as three case studies as examples of effective, meaningful, mutually respectful and beneficial collaborations. The text concludes with an invitation for readers to reflect on their position in this conversation and explore the supplemented reading lists at their interest.

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Tidal energy has the potential to substantially advance future sustainable development. Tidal energy is a renewable energy resource that helps meet the continuously increasing global energy demand while producing very little greenhouse gas emissions in comparison to other traditional energy sources (fossil fuels, coal, oil, etc.). In-stream tidal turbines placed under the ocean surface extract energy from the rise and fall of the tides. Tidal energy has attracted considerable attention, particularly in areas where tidal ranges are particularly high. The Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia has the world's highest tidal range, making it an ideal location to develop tidal energy projects. Several tidal energy development projects are authorized for development at the Bay of Fundy.

The report provides a comprehensive review on the potential environmental impacts of tidal energy extraction at the Bay of Fundy while considering further climate change and sea-level rise, and provides a recommendation framework to mitigate these adverse effects. This report also provides a recommendation framework relevant to the Bay of Fundy tidal energy extraction, mainly including energy appliances enhancement, monitoring machinery establishment and regulatory agencies creation. Optimizing the blade shape, avoiding the application of Cu-contains coating and applying seabird-friendly lights to mitigate the negative impacts. Building up rescue stations, establishing fully functional protected areas, and conducting soil remediation to restore the disturbed ecosystem.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL REPORT Increasingly, expectations of social, economic, and environmentally conscious solutions are at the forefront of land management discussions. The reality is that conventional segregated approaches are unable to address all opposing resource user’s concerns adequately. Integrated land management, a landscape approach, seeks to rectify this divergence and attempts to accommodate the value and aspiration of all stakeholders into a biophysical public land-use plan. In the Cariboo Regional District of British Columbia, such an attempt occurred, albeit unsuccessfully, increasing tension and distrust between resource users. The potential benefits of such processes are comprehensible in the literature but would realistically require more equitable and sensitive strategies in practice. Simultaneously, a sound scientific foundation is necessary to advocate for environmentally sound practices. On public lands, there is a practical opportunity to harmonize cultural values with ecological protection and development through public lands grazing, especially on landscapes of marginal quality, as the opportunity costs remain low.

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In recent decades, the continued growth of urban development and climate change have led to multiple issues that affect the sustainability of urban drainage systems. The increase in impervious surface areas and extreme rainfall events in urban areas have altered watershed hydrology and groundwater hydrologic. Typical impacts include higher peak flows and runoff volumes, shorter lag times, and reduced infiltration and baseflow. Urban runoff also increases pollutants and nutrients, thereby degrading water bodies downstream in urban creeks. One of the most commonly used practices to mitigate these impacts is bioretention. Bioretention can capture and treat rainwater to return rainfall to a natural pathway and provide aesthetic and ecological values to treat rainfall as a resource.

Despite its widespread use globally, research on bioretention systems remains active, particularly in the areas of its design and performance. This paper reviews a recent study focusing on bioretention, including the development and design application of bioretention systems, the performance of bioswales and rain gardens in hydrologic impact and water quality.

This paper focuses on the analysis of bioretention practices implementation in the City of Vancouver and uses Portland and Seattle as successful examples. In the City of Vancouver, there are a few comprehensive policies and strategies related to G.I. implementations, but with less public support and people’s awareness. Both Portland and Seattle are at mature G.I. implementation stages that have also met similar challenges and have overcome them with strategic solutions, such as public engagement and providing Incentives and Rebates. Therefore, the City of Vancouver should learn from these two thriving cities.

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Urban trees offer a host of benefits both to the environment and to society by having a directly influential impact on physical, biological, and social conditions. Therefore, their appropriate management is critical towards the wellbeing and resiliency of current and future communities in the face of densification and climate change. A geospatial measurement of canopy cover area was conducted on aerial imagery of single-family detached residential lots between 1992 and 2018 within the City and District of North Vancouver to determine the impact that residential subdivisions have had on canopy cover area over time. Across the 20 individually assessed lots that had been subdivided between 1992 and 2018, an overall average decrease of 76% in canopy cover area was found to have occurred by 2018. These findings have far-reaching implications on the health of the surrounding ecology, as well as on community well-being. They also provide grounds to support the notion that a fundamental shift in attitude towards urban trees and their roles in society is required.

A review of policies and frameworks concerning urban tree management and removal was also conducted to determine whether certain frameworks were more effective than others at protecting and encouraging urban canopy growth. Although this project is set within contexts of the City and District of North Vancouver, the evidence used to provide a recommendations framework that supports the maintenance and development of urban canopy cover was synthesized from a variety of local cities and municipalities experiencing similar challenges.

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Looking ahead, housing will continue to play a significant role in BC’s economic and social development. Pressures on the housing supply resulting from population growth, urbanization, and the need to foster continued economic growth in the province will likely only escalate. In addition, Canadians face a growing number of environmental, public health, and social concerns, including the maintenance of water and air quality, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity. Green infrastructure (GI) offers an approach to development that can produce lower cost and more resilient systems. Furthermore, recognizing the role of green infrastructure in housing has a critical role to play in meeting the challenge of climate change adaptation, as well as other environmental and social issues.

This paper gives a comprehensive overview of green infrastructures as the “next generation” of development, using a “three-pillars of sustainability” approach to evaluate environmental, social, and economic benefits and considerations. Lastly, this paper overviews the planned Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Solutions Lab process to create a framework for GI delivery which will be piloted at the case study: ‘The Shire of Pemberton’, a proposed development in Pemberton, BC.

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Global concerns of the failure of modern natural resource management practices to solve environmental complex issues has led to the emergence of the incorporation of alternative ways of knowing and the co-production of knowledge as a viable solution. In recent years, however, multiple reports have uncovered several constraints in the integration of Traditional Knowledge into the environmental decision-making arena. The report compiles qualitative research methodologies, such as literature review (including current consultation process and polices), observation and informal interviews conducted to develop and to acquire a better understanding of the local natural resource and environmental context and challenges associated to the incorporation of Traditional Knowledge into Environmental Assessment in British Columbia, Canada. In the final section, transdisciplinary approach is presented as tool to address some of the challenges of integration of Traditional Knowledge and Stakeholder Knowledge into resource decision-making.

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Over the years, wildfires have been of higher intensity and of longer duration throughout the world. This is caused by either human activities or natural factors. In British Columbia, climate change is believed to be responsible for this increasing phenomenon. Forest fires can have long term impacts on the environment, including physical, chemical and biological impacts. These environmental impacts pose threats to aquatic species and human health. In response to wildfires that are increasing due to climate change, wildfire prevention strategies, such as reducing the fuel volume, are recommended to apply in forest management practices. In addition, post fire measures aimed to mitigate the effects of wildfires, such as the upgrading of water supply treatment plants, is believed to be important, as it has been shown that wildfires cause the formation of toxic substances to both human and salmonid species.

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The Hopington AB Aquifer is one of the most vulnerable unconfined aquifers in the lower mainland. It is reported that the Hopington AB aquifer water level is decreasing year by year. The predictive model indicates that these declines are due to excessive extraction, climate change and expected population growth will only accelerate the drop in water tables. In order to address the groundwater quantity issue, a groundwater management plan is needed to regulate and protect the unconfined aquifer.

The overall goal of the project is to determine the water balance of the Hopington Aquifer and its possible impact on streamflow in the Salmon River. The aim is to develop a predictive model to determine the effect of land use activities and water use on the Hopington Aquifer, to show if the aquifer is used in a sustainable manner and to evaluate if changes affect the stream water flow in the Salmon River.

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In 2014, the Mount Polley mine tailings storage facility breached, spilling approximately 25 million cubic metres of water and mine tailings into the surrounding environment and nearby water bodies. Following the incident, an independent review panel and the Chief Inspector of Mines conducted investigations to determine the cause(s) of the failure and to make recommendations. The Auditor General of British Columbia also reviewed the incident during an audit of compliance and enforcement activities in the mining industry. This study was undertaken to determine areas of overlap in the recommendations across the three reports in order to identify regulatory gaps. This study conducted a review of key pieces of legislation guiding the mining industry in BC, two regulatory bodies and the three reports. The following four areas of overlap in the recommendations were identified: professional reliance, geotechnical oversight, life-of-mine planning for permitting and investigation, compliance and enforcement review. These findings suggested that additional controls should be implemented in these areas of overlap in order to prevent another tailings storage facility incident from occurring.

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This white paper provides a holistic overview of the microplastics problem, including the various components and sources of microplastics, their distribution and abundance, and the impacts of microplastics on the environment and human life. The goal of this paper is to make the public aware of the hidden hazard of microplastics, and thus take appropriate actions to mitigate the hazard. There are several removal solutions for microplastic contamination, including source control, recycling and advanced removal techniques for wastewater treatment, such as membrane bioreactors. The main solution for mitigation rests with public awareness and government legislation. To date, the research on microplastics has been concentrated on aquatic environment and organisms. The study of the impact of microplastics on human health is still in its infancy, and further long-term research of human effects is needed.

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Cities across the world are dealing with storm water runoff and its management, as urbanization leads to urban densification. The use of urban forestry has become widely accepted as a more resilient means to address storm water management problems in the face of densification and climate change. The project’s development of a theoretical stemflow model works to predict the volume of stemflow on an event basis for several common tree species that are used in the Metro Vancouver area as street trees. The model is based on a linear relationship between stemflow volume (L) and precipitation depth (mm) in relation to tree diameter at breast height (DBH) (cm). The model performed well and was able to reasonably predict stemflow volumes based on inputs of DBH and precipitation. Based on two modeling approaches, it was found that modeling stemflow based on grouping all trees together is more accurate in comparison to modeling stemflow based on grouping the trees by genus.

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Transboundary groundwater issues are of significant importance. The depletion of aquifers is adding pressure to growing water scarcity in many parts of the world; and groundwater quality is being reduced as a consequence of several sources of anthropogenic pollution, which eventually restricts its uses in certain applications.

Future sustainable management of shared resources requires a shift toward holistic cooperation, while strengthening the scientific knowledge available, to effectively inform policy actions. This is particularly important within the Abbotsford – Sumas Aquifer, a Transboundary Aquifer (TBA) system shared by British Columbia and Washington State, USA.

In this paper, a comparative nitrogen budget analysis is conducted on the Abbotsford-Sumas Aquifer and includes all major agricultural nitrogen flows. The study compares nitrogen surplus amounts on both sides of the border. This provides an indicator of excess nitrogen that could be leaked into the environment and eventually contribute to the contamination of the aquifer. Furthermore, conceptualizing nitrogen flows at the regional scale within the extent of the aquifer could promote a more effectual design of intervention measures and conjunctive policy creation for the sustainable management of the transboundary Abbotsford-Sumas Aquifer.

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When the first oil well was drilled in Alberta in 1914, it shaped Alberta’s future in the global economy. As it developed into the world’s third-largest oil reservoir and with booming oil and gas industries, Alberta became the heart of Canadian Energy. It is estimated that there are around 450,000 oil and gas wells that have been drilled throughout the province since 1963. However, developments at well sites have resulted in the high potential of local soil and water contamination from hazardous materials. These contaminants include soil sterilant herbicides, heavy metals, salts, petroleum hydrocarbons, and drilling fluids that are generated from oil and gas development and drilling activities. These contaminants present in soils and groundwater are potential health threats to human and environmental health. Several soil and groundwater remediation technologies were evaluated in this study for their potential to degrade or stabilize contaminants in Alberta's oilsands region. These include physical remediation technologies, such as soil vapour extraction, dual phase extraction, and electro-kinetic technologies; chemical remediation technologies, like in situ chemical oxidation, and soil washing; as well as bioremediation and phytoremediation.

As a result, a holistic approach to drinking water management has been recommended for both community groups. The use of watershed-level management by way of the multi-barrier approach and/or integrated watershed management more effectively protects water at its source and better ensures the quality of the water at the tap. Additionally, these holistic methods generate more collaboration and require that adequate data be gathered, both of which are needed in addressing drinking water concerns. Despite watershed level management of drinking water sources being a viable solution, the communities have little control over local governance, especially within their traditional territory, which hinders the more holistic approaches.

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By way of a reconnaissance, this report presents an evaluation of some of the challenges pertaining to drinking water access and availability in the Lytton First Nation and Esh kn-am.

The Lytton First Nation had recently installed a new water treatment system. The communities represented by Esh-kn-am had challenges with water shortages and some sporadic Boil Water Advisories (BWAs). The current water management does not provide long-term solutions, and as such, potable water will always need to be treated if further actions are not taken.

As a result, a holistic approach to drinking water management has been recommended for both community groups. The use of watershed-level management by way of the multi-barrier approach and/or integrated watershed management more effectively protects water at its source and better ensures the quality of the water at the tap. Additionally, these holistic methods generate more collaboration and require that adequate data be gathered, both of which are needed in addressing drinking water concerns. Despite watershed level management of drinking water sources being a viable solution, the communities have little control over local governance, especially within their traditional territory, which hinders the more holistic approaches.

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There exists a wide range of observable inefficiencies in phosphorus (P) management in current organic agriculture. This paper’s objective is to increase the understanding of P dynamics in order to increase the P efficiency in organic agriculture. As a result of the nutrient imbalances in organically accepted nutrient sources and the high reactiveness of P, the management of P is challenging. One of the major contributors to the P inefficiencies in organic agriculture is the strong focus on meeting plant nitrogen (N) needs. Considering the growing global trend towards organic agriculture, decreasing P inefficiencies is important for both increasing the future sustainability of farms for the efficient use of P sources and decreasing the environmental impacts of organic farms on concerns such as eutrophication.

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The vulnerability of rural communities is a global issue that has been persisting for decades. As development pressures increase and climate change intensifies, these communities are forced to shift their reliance on local resources to imported goods. Due to the low population density of rural areas relative to urban centres, they hold less political power and their needs are often not prioritized by government. As a result, even communities in a resource abundant province such as British Columbia are experiencing food and water security issues. Rural First Nation communities have been particularly vulnerable as they have a history of being marginalized which has impacted their livelihood and decreased their ability to remain resilient to change.

This is a preliminary report intended to explore the main challenges and concerns regarding food security in rural communities in BC from a First Nations perspective. Two communities in BC’s interior were selected and visited. The first was Lytton First Nations and the second organization was Esh-Kn-Am Cultural Resources Management Services, which represents three different First Nations bands. There was greater focus placed on Esh-Kn-Am as they expressed more concern than the Lytton community in regard to their local food security.

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Cooks Ferry Indian Band at Spences Bridge, like many rural communities, is experiencing major challenges in maintaining a viable socio-economic future due to urbanization and population dynamics. Dependence on a limited range of economic bases such as agriculture, mining, forestry, fishing and recreation ties opportunities for employment to the success of these industries. The migration of skilled people and notably younger generations, to urban centers has resulted in a decline of human resources. There has been little attention given to developing a community-based resources inventory to guide communities as they seek to incorporate emergent and innovative opportunities. The utilization of a computer-based land capability classification framework is a first step in providing an ecological base for resources planning and development.

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In Rwanda, it is nearly impossible to collect domestic wastewater with centralized systems, due to the lack of financial investments and the sanitation chains. However, on-site systems such as constructed wetlands may be feasible for wastewater treatment in schools and other similar sized institutions. Constructed wetlands are an alternative technology to conventional wastewater treatment to explore due to their operational simplicity and requirements. This project provides technical information and review of two constructed wetland designs (surface flow and subsurface flow constructed wetlands) and proposes a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland for Indatwa n’Inkesha school. The treated effluent will meet the regulatory targets of Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority for domestic wastewater discharge and could be reused in agriculture. It is expected that the adoption of constructed wetland technologies in Rwanda will depend on the land availability, sanitation chains and safety factors. Further studies are required to understand the viability of this technology, and to provide monitoring data about their long-term performance.

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Within the regional district of Metro Vancouver, organic waste has been banned from disposal in landfills as of 2014 (Metro Vancouver, 2017). Organic waste is source separated by residents and business owners, collected by haulers, processed by composting facilities and utilized by a variety of users in the region. Metro Vancouver relies on the efficient and sustainable operation of this framework as a regional waste management strategy for the organic waste stream of municipal solid waste.

There have been several points identified within the framework where the steps are occurring inefficiently. To address the issues identified within the framework, specific strategies have been developed for the utilization of the following stakeholders: Metro Vancouver’s Solid Waste Services, member municipalities, composting facilities, haulers and Metro Vancouver residents and businesses. By addressing institutional inefficiencies, the stakeholders can improve the regional organic waste to compost system in Metro Vancouver resulting in a more efficient, productive and profitable system for all stakeholders.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) in Ghana is becoming a major concern, in spite of its positive economic impacts, particularly in alleviating rural poverty. ASM contributes to the pollution of land and water resources in Ghana, and thus to the health of the ecosystems and the local people. These environmental challenges and ASM-related social issues have resulted in several government interventions. These “top-down” approaches and policy implementations have proven unsustainable.

The study examined the potential of the introduction of a community-based framework for moving towards a more sustainable ASM in Ghana. Two case studies (Obuasi-Ghana and Mongolia) that involved community-driven intervention with the focus on the integration of technical, institutional and political capacity were examined. The framework developed presents a systematic planning and implementation strategy for project facilitators. ASM interventions should focus on organizing the miners, developing cleaner technology options, and formalizing ASM by strengthening political and institutional support.

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There are many issues associated with the impacts of residential construction on watersheds. Examples include: sediment-laden or chemically contaminated water entering into watercourses, and a trend towards larger building footprints that can reduce the amount of land available for rainwater infiltration. The cumulative effects of widespread construction are not well understood. There is not currently an easy-to-follow guide to help builders and contractors minimize damage to the surrounding watershed while building or renovating single-family homes. There are two overall objectives associated with this project. The first is to create a clear, easy to follow online educational resource that can inform developers of the potential negative impacts of residential construction on watercourses and watersheds. The second objective is to encourage the use of Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) by the construction industry, in order to facilitate small changes to improve urban watershed health. A guiding framework was developed to aid both developers and homeowners to minimize their impact on watersheds by activities.

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British Columbia’s new Water Sustainability Act (WSA) will enable the sustainable management of water and aquatic ecosystems, but requires a multi-disciplinary understanding of the causes of water crises, management complexities, and the new water management changes and opportunities under the WSA. This evaluation provides a comparative assessment of the potential changes to water allocation decision-making and opportunities for water management in BC as a result of the introduction of the WSA, which will replace the Water Act (WA) in 2016. The goal of the WSA is to manage water sustainably under increasing demand, climatic variability and frequency of water scarcity. This evaluation focuses on the changes to the water management regime as a result of moving from the WA to the WSA, and in particular on (i) significant immediate changes to water allocation for societal and environmental purposes, and (ii) opportunities for water planning and protection provisions.

This study investigates some of the relationships presented by the Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus in the City of Richmond, BC. The concept of a Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus allows us to engage population growth, resource development, and climate change in a broader conversation. Recognizing that water, energy and food are inseparable, the focus on this nexus fosters integrated, cross-sectoral planning. This project is presented as a website, bringing some of Richmond’s water-related opportunities and challenges to the public’s attention through a series of short videos and complementary technical studies. In order to plan future directions for this municipality, and others, we must first know where we have come from. This project considers four key topics: Natural History, Soils, Climate Change and Land Use Change.