Top Environmental Stories of 2014

Check out our Top 10 list of stories that have captured our hearts and minds, in 2014. These are great to keep in mind and follow as we move forward into the election period in 2015, as well as post-election.

2014 was quite the year for environmental news. Here is a collection of articles that reflect what kind of year it’s been for the Canadian environment.

10. At the end of 2014, Bloomberg shared an article about the changing investment scene as climate change policies change claiming fossil fuels may become stranded asset.

9. The Supreme Court of Canada William decision recognizes the Tsilhqot’in nation’s, and unceded territory across the country, right to use, manage and benefit from their land.

8. Over 400,000 people, including many Canadians, marched the streets of NYC in the September People’s Climate March just two days before the UN Climate Summit was convened.

7. On August 5th, Canada suffered its worst tailings spill in history. Mining Watch speculates the causes of the Mount Polley spill, the company’s actions, and the environmental, social, and economic consequences.

6. David Suzuki’s Blue Dot Tour set out across the country with the goal being “nothing less than mobilizing the Canadian public to come together to have the right to fresh air, clean water, and healthy food recognized in Canada’s Constitution.”

5. It is reported that Canada’s economy has the potential for great diversity: “With just two per cent of the global market (matching our share of population), we could have a $50 billion clean-tech industry by 2020 — double the size of today’s aerospace industry.”

4. The Water Sustainability Act was passed in BC’s legislature this year that “is the critical first step to ensuring better, and regionally appropriate, protection for environmental flows, water planning, groundwater licensing, and incentives for improving efficiency and promoting conservation.”

3. Nova Scotia experienced an environmental win in mid November this year as legislation passed to ban high-volume hydraulic fracturing, with an exemption for testing and research purposes.

2. “Burnaby Mountain has become the focal point for anti-pipeline protests” with activists protesting Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline since early this year. Recent legal fumbles resulted in a BC judge throwing out civil contempt charges brought on by the company due to faulty GPS coordinates. Burnaby, BC has been placed under a media microscope. What will 2015 bring?

1. A great visual breakdown by Corporate Knights showing the environmental performance of Canada’s provinces in 2014. Ten key performance indicators were applied across six categories – air and climate, water, nature, transportation, waste, energy and buildings. Check out which Canadian province came out on top.