Island Insider

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Rochelle Baker will be covering Quadra and Cortes Islands in British Columbia.

558 Articles

Abuse, weapons threats to BC Ferries staff put public meetings on hold

The provincial ferry service is crafting a security plan after a rise in aggression at public events and someone at a recent meeting issuing “a threat to the effect that if BC Ferries didn't make changes, the individual would take a gun to everyone.”

Rochelle Baker

September 28th 2023

BC Greens call out Alberta fossil fuel war room’s attack on B.C. community

Every level of government in every jurisdiction needs to seek solutions to the climate crisis, not sabotage those that do, said BC Greens Leader Sonia Furstenau on Alberta's energy "war room" turning its sights on Nanaimo, B.C., for phasing out gas hookups.

Climate of denial

Rochelle Baker

September 26th 2023

Alberta’s fossil fuels ‘war room’ singles out a local B.C. government for battle

Nanaimo city councillors call the Canadian Energy Centre’s political campaign to reverse their decision to phase out natural gas hookups an "outrageous" attack on the democratic process.

Climate of denial

Rochelle Baker

September 22nd 2023

When climate’s on B.C. communities’ agenda, fossil fuels firms turn up the heat

Many municipal leaders are contesting continued sponsorship of their annual UBCM conference by fossil fuel corporations — especially when those same companies direct heat at small communities looking to electrify to meet climate targets.

Climate of denial

Rochelle Baker

September 21st 2023

Economy needs Indigenous people and perspectives

Within one generation of reclaiming a seat at the economic table, Indigenous Peoples are driving key outcomes in the national economy and climate action, says a First Nations business leader working to build an inclusive climate economy.

First Nations Forward

Rochelle Baker

September 18th 2023

Youth take charge of climate action

Thousands of young people and activists led a climate strike in Vancouver on Friday, joining a global day of action to put an end to fossil fuels super-heating the planet.

Rochelle Baker

September 15th 2023

Holy Mola! That’s a big fish!

A citizen science project documenting sightings of massive sunfish on the B.C. coast is helping puzzle together missing pieces of the marine creatures' mysterious life.

Oceans, Waterways & Coastlines

Rochelle Baker

September 12th 2023

On third anniversary of B.C’s promise to protect old-growth, ancient trees still falling

The fact logging deferrals aren't in place for all remaining priority old-growth three years after B.C. promised to protect ancient forests is a bitter pill after a summer scorched by drought and unprecedented wildfires, critics say.

Rochelle Baker

September 11th 2023

A summer scarred by wildfire and drought puts climate crisis top of mind as university resumes

Vancouver Island University experts are offering community insights on how to take individual climate action and combat eco-anxiety this fall after much of Canada saw flames aggravated by global warming this summer.

Rochelle Baker

September 8th 2023

When it comes to water security, small rural communities in B.C. largely left high and dry

B.C.’s small rural communities striving for water security as droughts become the norm will sink or swim without much assistance from the province, policy experts say.

Rochelle Baker

September 6th 2023

Small island community launches big effort to develop water security

Like most small rural populations in B.C., the state of Quadra Island’s groundwater resources and the effects of drought and other climate impacts on aquifers and the community’s water security are largely a mystery.

Rochelle Baker

August 25th 2023

A remote Canadian island makes history in fight for affordable housing

B.C.’s Cortes Island is making housing history as the first community in the province to tax short-term holiday rentals and have all the funds directed to affordable housing projects, said Mark Vonesch, the area’s Strathcona Regional District director.

Rochelle Baker

August 23rd 2023

Crews work through the night to dampen out-of-control Quadra Island wildfire

BC Wildfire Service’s latest alert at 11 a.m. said the fire is being held. It broke out in the island’s Village Lakes area, a popular summer destination with numerous recreational properties and homes.

Rochelle Baker

August 18th 2023

First Nations youth make their mark by cultivating ancient food systems in their territories

The Nuu-chah-nulth Youth Warriors spent three days in early July constructing a traditional clam garden for the Huu-ay-aht community as part of a broader project to strengthen coastal First Nations’ culture, connections, food security and climate resilience.

Rochelle Baker

August 15th 2023

Boiling point? Canada’s warming oceans enter uncharted territory

Home to the longest coastline in the world, Canada is seeing a patchwork of superheating in all three oceans as global sea surface temperatures reached unprecedented heights in July.

Oceans, Waterways & Coastlines

Rochelle Baker

August 14th 2023