Blog

Video | Oct 7, 2019

Talking about cutting-edge developments, our president-CEO Jane McDonald wants all to understand the ways we should be innovating to protect water sources.

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.

News | Apr 30, 2019

We are very pleased to announce that our senior research scientist, Dr. Michael Paterson, was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross (Civil Division) for his contribution to saving the world’s freshwater laboratory in 2014.

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.

Research highlights | Apr 3, 2019

Here at the world’s freshwater laboratory, we regularly monitor our lakes. But what do we monitor? And how do these parameters help us to better understand the health of a lake? Paul Fafard explains each of the major characteristics we regularly measure and explore what they can teach us about the current state of our fresh water.

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.