As Canada’s premiers reckoned with housing, health care and their contentious relationship with Ottawa during meetings last week in Halifax, many of them remained consumed by climate change-related natural disasters that have only escalated since they returned home. “It’s not lost on us that emergency preparedness for natural disasters is more important than ever,” Nova … Read more
The most common risks are having flammable mulch, plants, firewood, lawn furniture, decks, and fences. These items have been a primary reason homes burned in many wildfires, including the 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed much of Paradise, California, and the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Fire protection guidelines take into consideration the … Read more
ISLAMABAD — Developing resilient energy systems to power health facilities in Pakistan could avert over 175,000 deaths in the country by 2030, a new new study by the United Nations children’s agency said Friday. It would also contribute $296 million to the country’s fragile economy over the next 20 years by reducing maternal, adult and … Read more
A wall of flames met David Matear when he finally stepped outside of the downtown Fort McMurray hospital, after the final patient was hurried out of the building and into a waiting bus. “You couldn’t see the trees. You just saw fire,” said Matear, the senior operating director for the health system in northern Alberta … Read more
As we enter another wildfire season, Environment and Climate Change Canada is advising people to pay attention to air pollution levels and check the Air Quality Health Index – especially on smoky days. HOW CAN I CHECK THE AIR QUALITY READING IN MY AREA? The Air Quality Health Index is at: https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/index_e.html You can take … Read more
HONOLULU — A University of Hawaii study examining the health effects of last year’s deadly wildfires on Maui found that up to 74% participants may have difficulty breathing and otherwise have poor respiratory health, and almost half showed signs of compromised lung function. The data, gathered from 679 people in January and February, comes from … Read more
Wildfires raging across Western Canada are sending smoke south of the border and prompting health warnings in several northern U.S. states for a second straight year. Air quality advisories were issued Sunday for parts of Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin due to haze emitting from fires burning in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and … Read more
MADISON, Wis. — Smoke from Canadian wildfires has prompted health warnings across the upper Midwest for the second straight year. Fires raging in British Columbia and Alberta sent the haze over parts of Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin on Sunday, lingering into Monday morning. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued its first air quality … Read more
Canada’s dispute with Meta is a “test moment” for the country to stand against the social media giant that’s making billions off people, but taking no responsibility for the well-being of communities it profits from, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday. Trudeau made his comments in West Kelowna, one of several B.C. communities involved in … Read more
GENEVA — The U.N. labor organization warned Monday that over 70% of the world’s workforce is likely to be exposed to excessive heat during their careers, citing increased concern about exposure to sunlight. It also warned of air pollution, pesticides and other hazards that could lead to health problems including cancer. In a new report, … Read more
