This just in: The Narwhal’s independent reporting snagged FIVE medals at top national journalism awards!
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Now let’s get to what people in Canada love most: talking about the weather.
Across Canada, hot temperatures have arrived, with many regions bracing for early heat waves in what’s expected to be one of the hottest summers ever recorded. Are we ready?
In Vancouver, this sweltering editor reports: no, not really. On Sunday, temperatures are expected to hit 28 degrees — that’s hot here! — but my local outdoor pool is still closed, still tied to an antiquated summer schedule that assumes hot weather arrives after mid-June. Water restrictions mean wading pools will stay dry this summer, and several beaches are already recording higher-than-expected E. coli levels.
Five years ago, B.C. experienced a heat dome, as record-breaking temperatures caused the deaths of 691 people — the deadliest weather event in Canadian history. It was a wake-up call to Canadian communities about the dangers of extreme heat in a future shaped by climate change. But the grim state of aquatic facilities in Vancouver suggests we’re not adapting fast enough.
Some people are lucky to have air-conditioned homes or private pool access, but many of us don’t — and finding places to cool down seems like it’s getting harder, not easier. It’s a pressure that puts all of us, but especially our most vulnerable neighbours, at risk.
Meanwhile in northern Ontario, Leah Borts-Kuperman reports the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has stopped testing the water at public beaches — leaving swimmers to take their best guess as to whether they risk exposure to pathogens or toxic algal blooms.
The health unit has put up signs warning swimmers to assess risks from heavy rainfall, murky water and “lots of birds in the water.” (How many seagulls feels like a lot to you?)
Leah spoke to swimmers who were surprised by the change, and a bit worried about rolling the dice on the safety of each swim.
“I am a risk-taker, but that doesn’t mean that I want to risk getting sick or catching something,” one North Bay resident told Leah by the shore of Lake Nipissing.
Sharing a swimming hole with a flock of seagulls is risky — and so is leaving people across Canada without ways to beat the heat this summer.
Take care and keep your cool,
Michelle Cyca
Bureau chief, conservation and fellowships
You hear that? It’s the faint roar of Narwhals celebrating a fresh crop of awards from the top national journalism organizations.
Yesterday evening, the Canadian Journalism Foundation honoured The Narwhal with its prestigious award for climate solutions reporting. Last year, reporter Chloe Williams and photographer Gavin John spent five days in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, to document an effort to save disappearing sea ice and a way of life that depends on it. Their story is a work of art — and clearly the judges were impressed.
So were the judges at the Digital Publishing Awards: they honoured Chloe and Gavin’s effort with the gold medal for climate change reporting at a ceremony last week. The Narwhal also snagged the gold for general excellence in digital publishing, recognizing our team-wide effort to produce the highest quality journalism about the natural world across the country.
Meanwhile at the National Magazine Awards, Prairies reporter Drew Anderson won the silver medal in the investigative reporting category for his effort to reveal the people behind the delinquent oil and gas companies costing Albertans millions of dollars.
The intensive work of nurturing an urban forest decimated by disease By Julia-Simone Rutgers
As Dutch elm disease marched west across Canada, Winnipeg’s trees were decimated. The city is now planting 6,000 trees each year — but young trees face many challenges.
Despite soaring gold prices, the Yukon can’t cash in By Trina Moyles READ MORE
B.C. nears decision on natural gas royalties amid industry pushback By Shannon Waters READ MORE
‘An outcry of joy’: Manitoba First Nation buys back a piece of home By Julia-Simone Rutgers READ MORE
On the trail of this year’s epic Nunavut Quest dogsled race By Dustin Patar READ MORE
Silly pup … socks are for Narwhals! Join the pod today to snag a pair while you still can — and support award-winning journalism you won’t find anywhere else!
