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Before we get to our big plans for 2024 — it’s going to get nerdy — we wanted to send out a huge thank you to the 1,464 readers who made one-time donations to The Narwhal in December — a record number beyond our wildest expectations! All the notes of support reminded us why we’re here: to tell critical, complicated and hopeful environmental stories, to hold leaders accountable — and to do it all in service of each of you.
As for those stories: we asked our team to share what they’re gearing up for in 2024, thanks to readers like you. Read on for a look at what we’ve got in store for the year ahead.
Take care and celebrate old growth and new growth,
Arik Ligeti
Director of audience
P.S. If you have any story tips for the year ahead, let us know by replying to this email.
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1,000 pages of docs
With Ontario’s Greenbelt scandal (mostly) in the rear view, I’m looking forward to turning my attention to other corners of our fine province — stories about the Ring of Fire, northern Ontario’s disappearing woodland caribou and ecosystem restoration are at the top of my to-do list. I’m also stoked to read through my 1,000-page backlog of freedom of information documents, the best way to start a new year. — Emma McIntosh, Ontario reporter
How do we give youth hope?
It’s clear the kids are, in fact, not alright. Eco-anxiety and grief is on the rise after an apocalyptic summer (and beyond) that razed down the very forests young people have always known to absorb carbon emissions. Polls say few have hope for calmer summers. They’ll have questions, no doubt: Who did this? Why is this happening to us? Will we ever have a seat at the decision-making table, or is this really the world we’re inheriting? It’ll be every climate journalist’s duty to answer those questions — and reach youth in ways that give them some hope. I’m looking forward to figuring out how! — Karan Saxena, audience engagement editor
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Doubling down on Indigenous sovereignty
Canada’s ambitious goal of conserving 25 per cent of lands and waters by 2025 hinges on Indigenous-led conservation efforts, and in recent months we’ve seen some big commitments, including a $300-million fund for B.C. First Nations and an additional $12.8 million in federal funding to the First Nations Guardians program. But even more exciting are the sovereign declarations of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas by First Nations, most recently by Ḵwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Ha̱xwa’mis First Nation. In the year ahead I’m looking forward to telling (and commissioning) more stories from Indigenous leaders about these developments. (And I also really want to publish a bison story, so if you have one you should pitch me!) — Michelle Cyca, editor, Indigenous-led conservation
When housing and the environment collide
2024 is shaping up to be a big year in B.C. — and it’s an election year too. The new government will be dealing with some very thorny issues: the hugely over-budget and geotechnically troubled Site C dam, the province’s new liquefied natural gas export industry that jeopardizes climate targets, a fracking boom to support the LNG industry and the continuing destruction of the province’s old-growth forests despite repeated promises to protect what little remains. I’ll be writing about the globally rare inland temperate rainforest, how to balance the urgent need for new housing with environmental protections and, as always, keeping an eye on the Site C dam saga. — Sarah Cox, B.C. investigative reporter
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Big developments in the Rockies
There is no shortage of issues that need to be investigated on the Prairies, particularly when it comes to the ongoing battles about energy between the provinces and the federal government. I’m looking forward to digging into a heap of freedom of information requests I’ve submitted tied to the energy transition. I’ll also be publishing a big feature based on another mountain of documents about a very contentious development in the Rockies — stay tuned later this month. — Drew Anderson, Alberta/Saskatchewan reporter
Following the lobbying — and the leaks
Oil and gas lobbyists got a lot of what they wanted in 2023, but in 2024 they’ll be looking for more. Some have signalled they intend to expand their production, even as they work to portray themselves as environmentally conscious (despite the United Nations Climate Change Conference’s acknowledgment the world must transition away from fossil fuels). I’ll be digging into the activity of industry lobbyists and how they influence environmental rules, including federal proposals to crack down on the industry’s pesky not-so-little problem of leaking huge quantities of an extremely potent greenhouse gas. — Carl Meyer, climate investigations reporter
Diving deep into mining debates in Manitoba
A new government means new opportunities for climate policy in Manitoba. In 2024, I’ll be covering the province’s largest (and most lucrative) sectors, including diving deep into the tense relationship between mining and conservation. The ongoing Sio Silica debate — about mining the silica sand the company says is crucial for the energy transition — isn’t going anywhere. And with any luck I’ll also be getting my boots on the ground to further explore how the province’s farmers and producers are adapting to new realities on the land. — Julia-Simone Rutgers, Manitoba reporter
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Getting nerdy about energy in Ontario
If 2023 was the year Ontarians exerted their power over land-use policy, I hope 2024 will be the year they take back their power — literally. Premier Doug Ford has opened the doors to renewables again, five years after cancelling them, while also upping natural gas, nuclear, batteries and pumped storage. Will these plans keep our lights on and keep us safe in the climate emergency? This year, we’ll get nerdy about energy, including investigating the influence of a major Canadian company on Ontario municipalities trying to build resilient cities. — Fatima Syed, Ontario reporter
Getting out in the field in northwest B.C.
As northwest B.C. continues to grapple with the impacts of droughts and wildfires on biodiversity, food security and communities, while simultaneously seeing an uptick in the oil and gas sector as the Coastal GasLink pipeline and LNG Canada start operations, I’ll be checking in on how people throughout the region are feeling about all this change and seeking out solutions, big and small. I’m also excited to continue spending time in several First Nations communities and to showcase stewardship of their lands and waters. — Matt Simmons, northwest B.C. reporter
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In memoriam
The Narwhal recently received a generous gift in memory of Viviane Y. Woo (1949-2023) from her loving partner of 35 years, Mike Donaldson. Viviane was a committed environmentalist, avid backpacker, hiker and kayaker and enjoyed observing nature. She was also involved in efforts to save the San Francisco Bay. We are very grateful for the support and are privileged to honour the legacy of Viviane through our independent journalism. If you would like to make a legacy or memorial gift, please reach out to kathryn@thenarwhal.ca.
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This week in The Narwhal
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Power move: two Anishinaabeg farmers are decolonizing Toronto's hydro fields
By Sid Naidu
Under the transmission towers of Malvern and Flemingdon Park, Indigenous agricultural knowledge is being shared with communities that need fresh food.
READ MORE
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The golden age of public transit was electric — and its future will be too
By Julia-Simone Rutgers
READ MORE
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Are you a bleating heart when it comes to another year of in-depth environmental journalism? Tell your friends to sign up for our newsletter so they can follow along!
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