Commentary | Aug 14, 2019
Bioremediation is the process of treating and detoxifying environmental contaminants in soil, water, or other environments by taking advantage of natural biological processes. We explain what it means, why it matters, and where IISD-ELA is taking it from here.
Commentary | Aug 9, 2019
While its value to humans is widely understood, what you may not know is that calcium is a critical element in freshwater systems for many levels of the food web to stay healthy, and, as we have just discovered, its reduced levels may have negative impacts on the health of those lakes.
Commentary | Jun 25, 2019
Zooplankton are critical parts of freshwater ecosystems, but often get forgotten. Mike Paterson explains what zooplankton are, and why they matter.
Commentary | Apr 30, 2019
What is carbon? What is its role in freshwater systems? And how is climate change having an impact? Cyndy Desjardins helpfully breaks it all down for you…
Commentary | Apr 11, 2019
President Trump is trying to change the US EPA’s rules on mercury emissions. We explain what he is trying to do, why it matters, and what it could mean for Americans and possibly Canadians.
Commentary | Apr 2, 2019
Canada’s Commissioner for the Environment and Sustainable Development Julie Gelfand just released her spring report. We respond to her findings on the government’s action to combat aquatic invasive species and protecting fish from mining effluent.
Commentary | Mar 11, 2019
“As the impact of climate change only continues to intensify, algal blooms will prove to be more of an environmental hazard in North America. Canada should proactively safeguard its abundant freshwater supplies by taking algal blooms seriously and treating them as a national issue.” Matt McCandless makes the case in The Hill Times.
Commentary | Jan 28, 2019
Now that cannabis legalization is sweeping North America, it is time for us to explore the impact of marijuana on our abundant supplies of fresh water. Vince Palace, our head research scientist, takes us through the existing science and explains what IISD-ELA is gearing up to discover this summer.
Commentary | Jan 10, 2019
In Canada, Western and Indigenous approaches to science are often considered incompatible. We explore how they can and should be working in tandem to further our understanding and protection of fresh water and the environment.
Commentary | Dec 4, 2018
“North America’s governments, scientists and industry need to work together to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the effects of marijuana on fresh water, and update wastewater treatment facilities and regulations to protect our lakes and rivers.” Vince Palace makes the argument in The Guardian.
