Category: Environment

MIL-OSI Russia: Experts of the State University of Management awarded the winners of the International Competition “PRO-tourism”

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

On March 20, 2025, at the 31st International Exhibition of Tourism and Hospitality Industry MITT, the Award Ceremony for the winners of the III International Competition “Tourism Code of My Country, City, Town, Region – PRO-tourism” took place.

A total of 770 participants and scientific supervisors from 85 regions of Russia and foreign countries came to Moscow for the in-person stage. Contestants from Serbia, Bulgaria, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan participated for the first time and presented their works in a foreign language, where they considered tourism within the framework of their cultural, ethnographic, and national values.

The day before, within the walls of the State University of Management, more than 400 participants of the competition defended their works before an expert jury, and 200 scientific supervisors completed the educational program “Methods and technologies for developing the tourism potential of municipalities of the Russian Federation.”

The children presented their works in 4 age categories and 47 different nominations. The most popular nominations in 2025 were: “History of the country, history of peoples – ethnographic tourism”, “Excursion tourism”, “PRO-tourism video”.

The winners and prize-winners were 350 participants of the competition, including the winner in the age category of 14-17 years old, the team from Bulgaria, and the second place in the category of 36 years and older was taken by a representative of Serbia. Five winners of the competition in the category of 14-17 years old were awarded vouchers to the International Children’s Center “ARTEK” for the thematic shift “Territory of Development – Urban Environment – Home of Your Dreams”.

On behalf of the State University of Management, awards and gifts with the university emblem were presented by Associate Professor of the Department of Public and Municipal Administration of the State University of Management, General Director of the ANO “Institute for Local Communities Development” Sergey Kochnev, Associate Professor of the Department of Management in International Business and Tourism Industry, Deputy Director of the Institute for Local Communities Development for Educational Work, Chairperson of the Expert Council of the Competition Svetlana Grishaeva and Head of the Project and Educational Laboratory of Urban Development, Associate Professor of the Department of Public and Municipal Administration Irina Milkina.

Associate professors of the Department of Public and Municipal Administration of the State University of Management Yulia Lebedeva, Olga Petrina, Mikhail Stadolin, Tatyana Shushunova also acted as experts of the competition, and students of the State University of Management of the first to fourth years helped in organizing and holding the competition.

Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 03/24/2025

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

MIL OSI Russia News –

March 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tony Juniper CBE reappointed to continue protecting nature and boosting growth as Natural England Chair
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

Press release

Tony Juniper CBE reappointed to continue protecting nature and boosting growth as Natural England Chair

His reappointment comes as Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, is rewiring and reforming Defra and its arm’s-length bodies to unlock growth under the Plan for Change
Tony Juniper CBE (Photo credit: Jason Bye)

The Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, has today (Monday 24 March) confirmed that Tony Juniper CBE has been reappointed as Chair of Natural England for a third term.

Tony’s continued leadership comes as Mr. Reed is rewiring Defra and its arm’s-length bodies to embark on an ambitious programme of reforming regulation and delivery to unleash economic growth across the country, with Natural England playing a major role.

Planning reforms and a new Nature Restoration Fund under the Secretary of State’s leadership will unblock much needed housing and development whilst supporting nature recovery at scale. It will help developers meet their environmental obligations more efficiently, making it easier to build vital infrastructure like wind farms, railways and roads, gigafactories and data centres.

Chair of Natural England, Tony Juniper said:

“It is truly an honour to be reappointed Chair of Natural England. Our role in protecting and restoring the natural environment is vital for the country’s economy, health and security and I am looking forward to two more years supporting government in delivering Nature-positive change.

“From creating the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves and the King Charles III England Coast Path, launching 12 new landscape-scale Nature Recovery Projects and bringing the iconic beaver back to Britain’s waterways, our work over the past six years is helping turn the tide toward Nature’s recovery.

“I’m immensely proud of the Natural England team and excited to lead the organisation as we ensure development, growth and nature restoration go forward hand-in-hand – delivering a brighter future for everyone.”

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed said:

“Tony brings a wealth of passion, experience and expertise to the role, which we will need more than ever as we grow the economy and restore our natural world.

“Tony and I are fully committed to infrastructure, to housing, to growth.

“Our reforms will fast-track development to boost economic growth while funding large-scale environmental improvements across whole landscapes as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.”

First appointed in 2019, Tony Juniper will become the longest serving chair of Natural England, the government’s statutory adviser on nature. He will continue in the role for two years from 23 April 2025 to 22 April 2027.

Natural England is working with the government to deliver the shared ambition to grow nature and the economy for the benefit of everybody. This includes ensuring guidance is fit for purpose and moving toward better strategic planning to secure environmental improvements while development takes place.

Nature in Britain is in decline. That is why this Government has launched a rapid review to deliver on our legally binding environment targets, including halting the decline of species by 2030. Under his extended chairmanship, Tony will be at the forefront of the Government’s drive to meet these targets.

Tony Juniper’s reappointment has been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if significant) to be made public. Tony has declared that he has not taken part in any significant political activity in the past five years.

Tony Juniper biography

Tony Juniper CBE has been Chair of Natural England since 2019.

Prior to joining Natural England, Tony was Director of Advocacy and Campaigns at WWF-UK and President of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.

He is a Fellow of the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and former advisor to the Prince of Wales (now King Charles).

He began his career as an ornithologist, working with Birdlife International and for many years worked with Friends of the Earth, most recently as Executive Director and Vice Chair of Friends of the Earth International.

He is a prolific author publishing many books, including ‘Just Earth: How a Fairer World Will Save the Planet’ and the multi-award-winning bestseller ‘What has Nature ever done for us?’

In 2017, Tony was recognised for his services to conservation with a CBE in the Queen’s birthday honours.

Natural England

Natural England is the government’s statutory adviser for the natural environment in England.

Natural England’s purpose is to help conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.

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Published 24 March 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
March 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: In the North Caucasus Federal District, more than 20 thousand people have moved from emergency housing

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

In the North Caucasus Federal District, more than 20 thousand people have moved from emergency housing

On the instructions of the President, the resettlement of people from dilapidated housing continues in the regions. In the North Caucasus Federal District, 313 thousand square meters of unsuitable housing have been resettled since 2019, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin reported.

“The program for resettlement from dilapidated buildings is extremely important for improving the quality of life of our citizens, so we are actively addressing this issue throughout the country. In the North Caucasus Federal District alone, 20.6 thousand people have moved into new apartments since 2019. Including about 1.4 thousand citizens were able to improve their living conditions thanks to programs that the regions implemented at the expense of their own budgets. After the completion of the national project “Housing and Urban Environment”, work continues within the framework of the new national project “Infrastructure for Life”, – said Marat Khusnullin.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, in the North Caucasus Federal District, the largest number of citizens moved from dilapidated housing in the Chechen Republic (12.2 thousand people), Stavropol Krai (2 thousand people) and the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (1.7 thousand people).

“Of the seven subjects of the North Caucasus Federal District, five have already completed the resettlement of emergency housing that was recognized as unfit for habitation before January 1, 2017. Moreover, in the Kabardino-Balkarian, Karachay-Cherkess, Chechen Republics and the Republic of Dagestan, they have begun resettling citizens from houses recognized as emergency after 2017,” said Ilshat Shagiakhmetov, General Director of the Territorial Development Fund.

The program for resettling citizens from emergency housing stock is supervised by the Russian Ministry of Construction. Its operator is the Territorial Development Fund.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

MIL OSI Russia News –

March 24, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Synchronised bleaching: Ningaloo and the Great Barrier Reef are bleaching in unison for the first time

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zoe Richards, Senior Research Fellow in Marine Biology, Curtin University

Ningaloo Reef from the air. Violeta Brosig/Shutterstock

This summer, an intense marine heatwave struck off northwestern Australia, driving sea surface temperatures up to 4°C above the summer average. The large mass of warm water has slowly moved south from the Kimberley region and through the Pilbara, leaving a wave of underwater destruction behind. Now Ningaloo Reef is bleaching in earnest.

The Great Barrier Reef is bleaching too in the waters from Cape York down to Townsville.

This appears to be the first time these two World Heritage-listed reefs have bleached in unison. Bleaching may also hit the World Heritage reef at Shark Bay in Western Australia.

How bad is it? I have just returned from Ningaloo Reef, where I saw widespread bleaching and the first signs of coral mortality. Up to 90% of the coral found in shallow areas of the northern lagoon had bleached. Bleaching doesn’t automatically mean death, but it severely weakens the coral and jeopardises survival.

At Ningaloo and further south, the heatwave is still unfolding. In coming months, we can expect to see some coral mortality, while other corals will survive the bleaching in poor health only to succumb to disease or other threats such as Drupella (coral-eating snails). Other corals may survive but struggle to reproduce, but some particularly hardy corals with the right combination of genes for surviving this event are expected to live on.

Why is this happening? No surprises here: our greenhouse gas emissions trap more heat in the atmosphere. Over 90% of the heat pours into the oceans, pushing surface and deep water temperatures higher for longer periods of time.

How bad has the heat been?

Coral can tolerate brief periods of higher temperatures. But in response to prolonged heat stress, coral polyps expel their symbiotic zooxanthellae algae. They appear to do this to avoid further tissue damage from toxic reactive oxygen molecules which build up as the coral begins to stress. But these microalgae supply sugary food to the coral polyps in exchange for a home. Without these nutrients, the coral can starve.

Heat stress is tracked using a measure called “degree heating weeks” (DHW) – essentially, how much above-average heat has built up in an area over the previous three months. Bleaching can begin at four DWH, while eight DHW can kill some corals.

At Ningaloo, the heat has been off the charts – levels of up to 16 DHW have been recorded, the highest on record for this location.

On the Great Barrier Reef, bleaching is underway in the northernmost section. This is the sixth bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef this decade. Early data suggests there is severe heat in places, ranging from six to 13 DHW in intensity and alerts remain for more heat and bleaching to come.

Bleaching is usually worst for corals growing in shallow water, such as the calm lagoons created by fringing or barrier reefs. Lagoons often have clear waters with high light penetration and limited flushing of water.

Ningaloo in hot water

Over ten days, we recorded the health and type of every coral we saw at 21 sites along Ningaloo Reef, from Coral Bay to the northern tip of North West Cape and into Exmouth Gulf.

The worst affected area that we observed was a 30 km stretch at the northern end of the North West Cape, the peninsula along which Ningaloo Reef runs. Here, we saw mass bleaching – up to 90% of corals partly or fully bleaching and some corals were already dying.

Fast-growing corals from the Acroporid and Pocilloporid families were hard hit, as often seen in other bleaching events. But we also saw slower-growing and normally hardy corals bleaching, such Lobophyllia, Favites and Goniastrea.

Even the massive Porites corals in the lagoons were suffering. These giant boulder-like corals are the old growth and sentinels of the reef. Many of these ordinarily resilient corals are hundreds of years old and have survived past smaller bleaching events. But this time, they too are severely suffering.

Not even ocean-facing corals exposed to more water flow were safe. We found 30 to 50% of the corals on the reef slope were bleached to some degree. Coral diseases such as white band disease were already affecting many flat plate corals. These diseases often follow marine heatwaves, as they take advantage of coral’s weakened immune systems and the disruption of the symbiotic relationship between coral polyps and their algae.

The timing is especially bad for Ningaloo’s corals, which usually spawn around five days after the March full moon, which fell on March 19 this year. By contrast, corals on the Great Barrier Reef tend to spawn between October and December.

For the reef to recover quickly, it needs yearly influxes of new coral recruits. But if corals are struggling to survive, there is a risk they will not be fit enough to reproduce. Corals take three to six years to become reproductively viable and if bleaching impedes reproduction, it could greatly reduce the number of larvae available to replenish the reef. In addition to that, if immature corals bleach and die, there’s a risk several generations of corals could be lost before reaching maturity.

Fortunately we did observe healthy and reproductive corals along the outer rim of the lagoon at Coral Bay, and locals have recently reported seeing spawning near Coral Bay. This suggests some coral were indeed healthy enough to spawn.

What will happen next?

As the southern hemisphere heads towards winter, the oceans will begin to cool off. That doesn’t mean the threat is over – oceans are only getting hotter.

If we continue on our current path, simultaneous east and west coast bleaching events could become the new normal – and that would be devastating for our reefs, marine biodiversity, the blue economy and the wellbeing of Australians.

Zoe Richards receives funding from the Minderoo Foundation. This work was undertaken by the Coral Conservation and Research Group at Curtin University in partnership with the Minderoo Exmouth Research Laboratory.

– ref. Synchronised bleaching: Ningaloo and the Great Barrier Reef are bleaching in unison for the first time – https://theconversation.com/synchronised-bleaching-ningaloo-and-the-great-barrier-reef-are-bleaching-in-unison-for-the-first-time-252906

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

March 24, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: New planning laws to end the culture of ‘no’
Source: New Zealand Government

The Government’s new planning legislation to replace the Resource Management Act will make it easier to get things done while protecting the environment, say Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court.

“The RMA is broken and everyone knows it. It makes it too hard to build the infrastructure and houses New Zealand desperately needs, too hard to use our abundant natural resources, and hasn’t resulted in better management of our natural environment,” Mr Bishop says.

“Replacing the RMA with new legislation premised on property rights is critical to the government’s mission of growing the economy and lifting living standards for New Zealanders.

“In our first year in office we repealed Labour’s botched RMA reforms and made a series of quick and targeted amendments to provide relief to our primary sector, such as repealing the permitted and restricted discretionary intensive winter grazing regulations. We also passed the Fast-track Approvals Act to make it much easier to deliver projects with regional or nationally significant benefits.

“Cabinet has now agreed on the shape of the Government’s replacement legislation, signalling a radical transition to a far more liberal planning system with less red tape, premised on the enjoyment of property rights.

“Turning our economy around requires changing the culture of ‘no’ that permeates decision making in New Zealand. Whether it’s aquaculture off the coast of the South Island or a new green building replacing a heritage gravel pit next to a train station in the centre of our biggest city, the RMA has obstructed growth instead of enabling it.

“That’s all about to change. Enough is enough.

“Last year, the Government set ten principles for the new RMA system and tasked an Expert Advisory Group to work at pace to test and further refine these principles and develop a blueprint for reform. The EAG delivered their blueprint earlier this year.

“Cabinet has agreed that the EAG Blueprint delivers a workable basis for a new planning system and has made in-principle decisions on a range of new features for the system, drawing upon the EAG Blueprint.

“Economic analysis undertaken on the Blueprint’s proposals show that they are estimated to deliver a 45% improvement in administrative and compliance costs when compared to the current system. Similar analysis done on the last Government’s RMA replacement estimated that it would deliver only a 7% reduction in process costs.”

Key features of the new system include:
- Two Acts: A Planning Act focused on regulating the use, development and enjoyment of land, along with a Natural Environment Act focused on the use, protection and enhancement of the natural environment.
- A narrowed approach to effects management: The new system will be based on the economic concept of “externalities”. Effects that are borne solely by the party undertaking the activity will not be controlled by the new system (for example, interior building layouts or exterior aspects of buildings that have no impact on neighbouring properties such as the size and configuration of apartments, the provision of balconies, and the configuration of outdoor open spaces for a private dwelling). Matters such as effects on trade competition will be excluded.
- Property Rights: Both Acts will include starting presumptions that a land use is enabled, unless there is a significant enough impact on either the ability of others to use their own land or on the natural environment. This will reduce the scope of effects being regulated and enable more activities to take place as of right. There will be clear protection for lawfully established existing use rights, including the potential for the reasonable expansion of existing activities over time where the site is ‘zoned or owned’. There will be a requirement for regulatory justification reports if departing from approaches to regulation standardised at the national level. Compensation may happen for regulatory takings in some circumstances. There will be an expansion in the range of permitted activities.
- Simplified National Direction: One set of national policy direction under each Act will simplify, streamline, and direct local government plans and decision-making in the system. Direction under the Natural Environment Act will cover freshwater, indigenous biodiversity and coastal policy. Direction under the new Planning Act will cover urban development, infrastructure (including renewable energy) and natural hazards.
- Environmental limits: A clearer legislative basis for setting environmental limits for our natural environment will provide more certainty around where development can and should be enabled, whilst protecting the environment.
- Greater use of standardisation: Nationally set standards, including standardised land use zones, will provide significant system benefits and efficiencies. The new legislation will provide for greater standardisation, while still maintaining local decision making over the things that matter.
- Spatial Plans: Each region will be required to have a spatial plan, focused on identifying sufficient future urban development areas, development areas that are being prioritised for public investment and existing and planned infrastructure corridors and strategic sites.
- Streamlining of council plans: A combined plan will include a spatial planning chapter, an environment chapter and planning chapters (one per territorial authority district).
- Strengthening environmental compliance monitoring and enforcement: To safeguard the environment, a national compliance regulator with a regional presence will be established – taking over a function currently done poorly by regional councils.
“Common sense ideas like standardised zoning will be a key feature of the new system. Right now, every individual council determines the technical rules of each of their zones. Across the country there are 1,175 different kinds of zones. In Japan, which utilises standardised zoning, they have only 13”, Mr Bishop says.

“Standardising these zoning rules will take pressure off ratepayers and make it easier to build more homes for Kiwis. It will also enhance local decision making, allowing elected local representatives to focus more time on deciding where development should and should not occur in their community, and less time on the enormous amount of technical detail that goes into regulating that development.”

The Phase Three RMA replacement is a key commitment in the National Party’s election manifesto, and its coalition agreement with the ACT Party.

“The RMA is akin to a gale force headwind battering against any attempts to develop anything anywhere,” Mr Court says.

“Our population has grown while our infrastructure has crumbled. If we want to retain our status as a first-world nation, we need to build.

“We need to develop homes, schools, hospitals, and roads. We need to develop ports, windfarms, gas fields and farms. Without good infrastructure and easier access to resources, how can we achieve the quality of life New Zealanders expect of a developed nation in the 21st century?

“The RMA’s scope is far too broad and allows far too many people to rely on far too many reasons to object and tangle progress in webs of absurd conditions.

“We must rationalise the system to ensure a tight scope where only those affected get a say, and at the right time. We cannot have Tom, Dick, and Harry weaponise the planning system to block progress from the opposite end of the country.

“We believe that the best way to stop unnecessary red tape is attach a price to it. The new system will protect landowners against regulatory takings, enabling them to seek recourse if found that unjustified restrictions have been placed on their land.”

“There’s a lot of work still to do, but this Government is committed to delivering these reforms to unlock the economic growth we need to improve the lives of all New Zealanders.” Mr Bishop says.

“We intend to begin work immediately on working through the policy detail, introducing two new Acts into the House before the end of this year.”

Editor’s note:

Please find attached:

Fact Sheet – Resource management reform

Report from the Expert Advisory Group on RM Reform. Blueprint for resource management reform: A better planning and environmental management system.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –
March 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Universities – New hi-tech buoys improve south coast scientific monitoring – Flinders

Source: Flinders University

The introduction of new Spotter buoys to measure wave height and direction, and temperature in the sea off Victor Harbor in South Australia, provides a timely new resource to monitor fluctuating sea conditions and their effect on coastal environments.

As unusually warm ocean temperatures for this time of year have triggered peculiar and destructive brown foam (believed to be triggered by microalgal blooms) to be washed up along the southern coastline, the new buoys will provide crucial data to inform stakeholders and the public on changing ocean conditions.

The buoys, released into Encounter Bay and the Southern Ocean in early March by Flinders University’s Associate Professor Graziela Miot da Silva and new PhD student Maya Lambert, working in conjunction with the South Australian Research and Development (SARDI) Oceanography team and Victor Harbor Council Coastal Surveillance Officer Bronson Symmonds, gather critical information on wave and ocean temperature changes driven by climate change.

The deployed buoys are Sofar Spotter metocean buoys, that collect and transmit accurate ocean data such as wave height, period and direction, estimates in wind speed and direction, plus sea surface temperature and barometric pressure in real-time via cellular data transfer.

“This will provide good baseline data about coastal waters that has been lacking, and there has never been a better time to have more information about this stretch of ocean,” says Associate Professor Miot da Silva, part of Flinders University’s Beach and Dune Systems (BEADS) Lab.

“There has been a significant gap in wave information available to researchers, managers, developers and policy makers. These buoys will make a huge difference.”

The real-time wave data collected by this project will allow for the development of validated data-assimilating wave- and morphodynamic models to predict future changes in South Australia’s coastline, including climate change and sea level rise.

“The intent of the research is to find better ways to manage this coast and to mitigate the risk to private and public assets on the coastline,” says Professor Patrick Hesp, head of Flinders University’s Beach and Dune Systems (BEADS) Lab.

“The provision of accurate wave data is critical to improve understanding of variations in the hydrodynamic processes that shape coastlines, to inform best coastal management practices, drive the development of marine industries, and to promote and support tourism.”

Data from the Spotter buoys – which will be maintained and processed thanks to a three-and-a-half-year Enterprise Industry scholarship funded by Victor Harbor Council and Flinders University to Flinders student Maya Lambert – will help local governments to forge better solutions for coastal protection.

Access to real-time wave data aids research and provides valuable information necessary for informing daily marine operations, such as dredging, navigation and sea conditions for commercial and recreational fishermen, plus search and rescue operations, and water-based research and monitoring programs.

This work in Encounter Bay is a collaboration between Flinders University, SARDI (the research arm of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions), and several district councils will provide long-term monitoring with real-time wave and sea surface temperature data to better understand coastal processes in the region, and help predict the future of the state’s coastlines.

The project builds on existing coastal research being done by Flinders University, SARDI, the Department of Environment and Water, and the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) national Coastal Wave BuoysFacility with data being gathered from an extended network of wave buoys extending across the state from Robe to Ceduna.

Access to this data is also freely available to the public through the www.sawaves.org website – a site that has quickly become popular with commercial and recreational marine users to check accurate wave conditions across the state.

• The Coast Protection Board co-funds the Flinders PhD scholarship and contributed cash to the Council of Victor Harbor to purchase the wave buoy and maintain it via a Coast Protection Grant.

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

March 24, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Giving rivers room to move: how rethinking flood management can benefit people and nature

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christina McCabe, PhD Candidate in Interdisciplinary Ecology, University of Canterbury

Shutterstock/S Watson

When we think about flood management, higher stop banks, stronger levees and concrete barriers usually come to mind. But what if the best solution – for people and nature – isn’t to confine rivers, but to give them more space?

This alternative is increasingly being considered as an approach to mitigating flood risk. But allowing rivers room to move also delivers ecological benefits far beyond flood risk reduction. It supports biodiversity, improves water quality and stores carbon.

As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme floods, rethinking our approach to managing floodplain rivers has never been more urgent.

Climate change, floods and river confinement

Climate change is amplifying flood risks worldwide, and Aotearoa New Zealand is no exception. Large floods are expected to become much more frequent and severe, threatening communities, infrastructure and ecosystems.

Many of these risks are made worse by past management decisions that have artificially confined rivers within narrow channels, cutting them off from their natural floodplains.

Floodplain river systems have historically been dynamic, shifting across landscapes over time. But extensive stop banks, modification of river channels and land development have restricted this natural variability.

Strangling rivers in this way transfers and heightens flood risks downstream by forcing water through confined channels at greater speeds. It also degrades ecosystems that rely on the natural ebb and flow of river processes.

The Waiau River, a gravel-bed braided river in the South Island, has been constrained by land development, primarily for agriculture.
Background satellite image: Google (c) 2025 Airbus, CC BY-SA

Giving rivers space to roam

The idea of allowing rivers to reclaim space on their floodplains is not new.

In the Netherlands, the Room for the River programme was a response to flooding in 1995 that led to large-scale evacuations of people and cattle. In England, predictions that economic risks associated with flooding will increase 20-fold within this century ignited the Making Space for Water strategy.

However, these initiatives typically remain focused on flood protection, overlooking opportunities to maximise ecological benefits. Our new research shows that well-designed approaches can deliver ecological gains alongside flood protection.

This is crucial because floodplain river systems are among the most valuable ecosystems. They provide about a quarter of all land-based ecosystem services such as water retention and pollutant filtration, as well as educational, recreational and cultural benefits.

Managing rivers for variability

A fundamental shift in river management involves acknowledging and accommodating natural variability. Floodplain rivers are not static: they change across landscapes and through time, responding to seasonal flows, sediment movement and ecological processes.

Braided rivers are an example of floodplain rivers that have natural variability and diverse habitat types.
Angus McIntosh, CC BY-SA

Our research synthesises the ecological processes that are enabled when floodplain rivers have room to move.

Rivers that are not unnaturally confined are typically more physically complex. For instance, along with the main river channel, they might have smaller side channels, or areas where the water pools and slows, springs popping up from below ground to re-join the surface waters, or ponds on the floodplain.

A diverse range of habitats supports a rich variety of plant and animal life. Even exposed gravel, made available in rivers that flow freely, provides critical nesting sites for endangered birds.

Biodiversity is not one-dimensional. Instead, it exists and operates at multiple scales, from a small floodplain pond to a whole river catchment or wider. In a dynamic, ever-changing riverscape, we might find the genetic composition of a species varying in different parts of the river, or the same species of fish varying in their body size, depending on the habitat conditions.

These examples of natural biological variability enable species and ecosystems to be resilient in the face of uncertain future conditions.

Rivers that have room to move on their floodplains are highly dynamic. This diagram shows the main types of ecological variability in a free-flowing river: physical variability, habitat heterogeneity and variable ecosystem processes.
Adapted from McCabe et al. 2025 Nature Water, CC BY-SA

At a larger scale, the type and number of species that live in different floodplain river habitats also varies. This diversity of biological communities produces variation in the functions ecosystems perform across the river, such as the uptake of nutrients or processing of organic matter. This can even help to diversify food webs.

These variations mean not all species or groups of species in the river will be vulnerable to the same disturbances – such as droughts or floods – at the same time. This is because plants and animals in rivers have evolved to take advantage of long-term rhythms of floods and droughts in different ways.

For instance, the cottonwood poplars of the southwest United States time their seed release with the highly predictable rhythms of snowmelt-driven spring floods in that part of the world. In Aotearoa New Zealand, whitebait fish species typically deposit their eggs during high autumn flows, which then get transported to sea as larvae during high winter flows.

Some animals need multiple habitats within the river for different stages of life. Other creatures travel from afar to use river floodplains for only a short time. The latter includes the banded dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus), endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. This bird travels as far as 1,700km to nest on braided-river gravels each spring. Banded dotterels are in decline, and they rely on habitats provided by rivers that have space to roam.

The endangered black-fronted tern (Chlidonias albostriatus) uses gravel bar habitats on river floodplains for nesting.
Angus McIntosh, CC BY-SA

A call for more sustainable river management

As climate change accelerates, we must rethink how we manage our waterways. Reinforcing levees and deepening channels may seem like logical responses to increased flood risk, but these approaches often exacerbate long-term vulnerabilities and transfer risk elsewhere.

We call for practitioners to broaden the scope of values included in river management policy and programmes to include ecological variability.

Nature-based solutions are approaches that seek to benefit both people and nature. By working with nature rather than against it, we can create landscapes that are more resilient, adaptive, and supportive of both people and biodiversity.

It’s time to embrace a new paradigm for river management – one that sees rivers not as threats to be controlled, but as lifelines to be protected and restored.

Christina McCabe receives funding through an Aho Hīnātore doctoral research scholarship at the University of Canterbury.

Jonathan Tonkin receives funding from a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship and the Centre of Research Excellence Te Pūnaha Matatini. He also receives funding from the Antarctic Science Platform and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

– ref. Giving rivers room to move: how rethinking flood management can benefit people and nature – https://theconversation.com/giving-rivers-room-to-move-how-rethinking-flood-management-can-benefit-people-and-nature-251225

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

March 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: What We Heard report released on proposed Little Atlin Lake fishing regulation amendments
Source: Government of Canada regional news

What We Heard report released on proposed Little Atlin Lake fishing regulation amendments
jlutz
March 20, 2025 – 11:50 am

This news release has been updated to reflect that this regulation change is a Government of Yukon proposal, not a joint proposal with the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board.

The Government of Yukon has released a What We Heard report summarizing public feedback on the proposed changes to fishing regulations for Little Atlin Lake.

Little Atlin Lake, in south-central Yukon, experiences high recreational fishing pressure due to its proximity to Whitehorse. In order to protect the lake trout population, the Government of Yukon is proposing to amend fishing regulations in this area. Proposed changes include:
- implementing a harvest slot (allowable fish size) for lake trout from 58.5 cm (585 mm or 23 in) to 65 cm (650 mm or 25.6 in);
- implementing a seasonal closure for lake trout on Little Atlin Lake from July 1 until November 30; and
- requiring the use of single-point barbless hooks for all fishing on Little Atlin Lake.
The public engagement was launched in collaboration with the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board to learn whether Yukoners support the proposed changes. It ran from November 18, 2024, to January 17, 2025. Yukoners and stakeholders were invited to attend information sessions or complete an online survey.

Of the 132 total survey respondents who participated in the engagement:
- 91.7 per cent of respondents indicated support for the recommended harvest slot for lake trout;
- 76.5 per cent of respondents indicated support for the proposed seasonal closure; and
- 84.1 per cent of respondents indicated support for the proposed requirement of single point barbless hooks.
During the public engagement process, feedback received also focused on four main themes: education; evidence-based management; enforcement and compliance; and broad versus targeted measures.

Input obtained from this public engagement will inform educational efforts and potential regulatory changes for the 2025–26 fishing season, which will be reflected in the Yukon fishing regulations summary.

Thank you to Yukoners for taking the time and effort to learn and provide feedback on the proposed regulation amendments for Little Atlin Lake. The Government of Yukon remains committed to working with our management partners, Yukon First Nations and the public to ensure fish populations remain sustainable and are appreciated by future generations.

Minister of Environment Nils Clarke

The Board appreciates the thoughtful feedback provided during this public engagement. The strong support for these regulation changes demonstrates that Yukoners are deeply committed to keeping Little Atlin Lake’s fish populations healthy for future generations. We applaud the Department’s forward-thinking approach, which incorporates local and traditional knowledge with scientific evidence and includes plans for continued monitoring. The Board will continue working with all our partners to ensure the management of our freshwater fisheries balance conservation with angling opportunities.

Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board Chair Michelle Dawson-Beattie

Quick facts
- The public engagement ran from November 18, 2024, to January 17, 2025. Yukoners and stakeholders were invited to attend information sessions or complete an online survey.
- Letters of support for the proposed changes were provided earlier in the process by Carcross/Tagish Renewable Resources Council and Taku River Tlingit First Nation.
- The Government of Yukon sent consultation letters to Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Carcross/Tagish Renewable Resources Council, Taku River Tlingit First Nation and the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board on November 20, 2024.
- A harvest slot refers to a regulation that restricts individuals from keeping fish outside a certain size range. This means that fish that fall within this “slot” – typically between a minimum and maximum length – may be kept, while fish outside of this range must be released back into the water.
- The fishery status report for Little Atlin Lake was published in 2023 and documented the population concerns around lake trout in Little Atlin Lake. The proposed fishing regulation amendments for Little Atlin Lake stem from recommendations from this report.
Media contact

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca

Linea Volkering
Communications, Environment
867-332-2688
linea.volkering@yukon.ca

News release #:

25-121

Related information:

Public feedback sought on proposed fishing regulation amendments for Little Atl…
Engage Yukon: Little Atlin Lake fishing regulation amendment
What We Heard report: Little Atlin Lake fishing regulation amendment engagement

MIL OSI Canada News –
March 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Yukon shares What We Heard report on proposed new Contaminants Regulation
Source: Government of Canada regional news

Government of Yukon shares What We Heard report on proposed new Contaminants Regulation
jlutz
March 20, 2025 – 2:15 pm

The Government of Yukon is sharing a What We Heard report summarizing feedback on the proposed new Contaminants Regulation that would repeal and replace the existing Contaminated Sites Regulation and the Spills Regulation.

The proposed new regulation aims to enhance environmental protection by updating standards, clarifying expectations and ensuring effective contaminated site remediation. The government sought feedback on key provisions of the proposed new regulation, including updated contaminant standards and spill reporting thresholds, transferring responsibility for contaminated sites, streamlining the permitting process and further defining how contaminated sites are designated.

The government engaged Yukon First Nations governments and industry stakeholders from August 6 to September 30, 2024. This engagement was a follow-up from broad public engagement in 2018 and provided an opportunity for these governments and organizations to share final comments.

Participants were generally supportive of the proposed changes to the regulations. Considerations raised during the engagement included:
- ensuring transfer of responsibility for contaminated sites is open and transparent;
- allowing flexibility in standardized permits for site-specific remediation;
- providing opportunities for affected First Nations to be involved in managing contaminated sites;
- keeping site investigations and assessments flexible and straightforward to avoid delaying remediation; and
- ensuring remediation facilities are built to protect human health, the environment and Indigenous rights.
This valuable feedback will help shape the final Contaminants Regulation, helping to ensure it is effective, practical and responsive to the needs of Yukoners. By strengthening the management of contaminated sites and spills, the Government of Yukon is taking an important step toward protecting the territory’s water and land while unlocking economic opportunities through the redevelopment of remediated sites, including much-needed housing.

Thank you to the representatives from Yukon First Nations governments, industry, business and environmental consulting firms who weighed in on our proposed new Contaminants Regulation. Once completed, this new regulation will streamline and simplify permitting processes and make it easier to remediate, develop and sell contaminated properties. This is an important step our government is taking to build a modern framework for regulating contaminated sites and spills that prioritizes the wellbeing of Yukoners and the environment.

Minister of Environment Nils Clarke

Quick facts
- The Government of Yukon invited 172 representatives from over 80 organizations to provide feedback on the proposed new Contaminants Regulation.
- Online information sessions were attended by 35 participants and 14 written submissions were received as part of the engagement.
- The Government of Yukon previously engaged with the wider public, Indigenous governments and groups and industry on the proposed new Contaminants Regulation in 2018. The government re-engaged Indigenous governments and groups and key industry stakeholders in 2024 to update their feedback due to the time that has passed since 2018.
Media contact

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca

Kyle Nightingale
Communications, Environment
867-334-5922
kyle.nightingale@yukon.ca

News release #:

25-122

Related information:

What We Heard report: Engaging on a new Contaminants Regulation
New contaminants regulation engagement

MIL OSI Canada News –
March 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal Reviews Power Sector in Odisha

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 23 MAR 2025 3:21PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, visited Bhubaneswar and held a detailed review meeting with senior officials of the Government of Odisha on the state’s power sector development today.

The discussions covered key issues including fly ash utilization, capacity addition, transmission infrastructure, and power allocation.

During the meeting, on the issue of achieving fly ash utilization targets Shri Manohar Lal assured that a joint meeting with the Ministries of Coal, Environment, and Railways will be convened to address the issue comprehensively, including the provision of adequate rail rakes for long-distance transportation of fly ash.

Highlighting the need to meet growing power demands, the State Government informed that Odisha currently has 20 GW of operational coal-based thermal power capacity, with an additional 10 GW in the pipeline, expected to be commissioned over the next 5–6 years. The Union Minister encouraged the development of more pit-head thermal power plants in Odisha, including through joint ventures with GENCOs of other states.

On the transmission front, Odisha shared its intra-state planning strategy and recent progress in strengthening supply to cities like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Hon’ble Minister was also apprised of the steps taken by the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) to resolve Right of Way (RoW) issues. He informed that the proposal for establishing a Green Energy Corridor within the intrastate transmission network of Odisha will be taken up by MNRE after March 31, 2025, upon completion of the compilation process.

Regarding the inclusion of Odisha in the subsequent phase of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), the Union Minister assured that the matter would be taken up appropriately. On power allocation, he stated that Odisha will receive adequate power from Phase-II of NLCIL’s Talabira Thermal Power Project in line with Ministry of Power guidelines.

The visit reflects the Centre’s commitment to strengthening Odisha’s power infrastructure and facilitating sustainable growth in the energy sector.

***

SK

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: World water Day 2025

Source: Government of India

World water Day 2025

”If ever a third world war is fought over water, India will not be a part of it. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, we are building a water-secure future.”- Shri CR Patil

Ministry of Jal Shakti Launches ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain – 2025’ on World Water Day to Promote Water Conservation

This year World Water Day Govt of India emphasises water conservation and management through community participation and innovative strategies.

Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain – 2025’ to Drive Community-Led Water Conservation and Sustainability Across 148 Districts

Posted On: 22 MAR 2025 9:40PM by PIB Delhi

Marking World Water Day, the Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and the Government of Haryana, launched the much-anticipated sixth edition of Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain – 2025 in Panchkula, Haryana. The event aimed to emphasise water conservation and management through community participation and innovative strategies and witnessed the enthusiastic participation of over 10,000 citizens, stakeholders, and water sector professionals from across the country. Organised by the National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti, this is the first time the campaign gets its launch outside Delhi — symbolising a broader outreach to the grassroots.

The campaign, themed “जल संचय जन भागीदारी: जन जागरूकता की ओर”, (Peoples’ Action for Water Conservation – Towards Intensified Community Connect ) underscores the importance of water security, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater recharge in the face of climate change and growing water challenges. A major highlight was the nationwide virtual launch of Jal Shakti Abhiyan 2025 across the country, with special emphasis on 148 focus districts. This was followed by the launch of the “Jal-Jangal-Jan: Ek Prakritik Bandhan Abhiyan” [Water-Forest-People: The Intrinsic Bond campaign], in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, aimed at restoring ecological connections between forests, rivers, and springs.AV films were also launched on these initiatives, under Jal Shakti Abhiyan, MoEFCC and Government of Haryana.

The event witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Shri Nayab Singh Saini, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana; Shri C.R. Patil, Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti; Smt. Shruti Choudhary, Hon’ble Minister for Irrigation & Water Resources, Haryana.

Shri C. R. Patil, Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti, highlighted that the transformative progress in India’s water sector is a result of the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.HMoJS remarked that earlier, issues of water availability and quality were not part of mainstream national discourse. Today, due to PM’s leadership, clean drinking water in adequate quantity is reaching citizens’ doorsteps across India. Shri Patil underscored the need for recharging water sources, adding: “We often speak of धन संचय (saving wealth), but more important is जल संचय (saving water).” He reiterated that community participati on is key, and true water security can only be achieved when every citizen contributes.

HMoJS advocated for the principle of “Catch the Rain where it falls”, stating that water from each village must be recharged within the same village. If implemented effectively, this approach can resolve water scarcity at both local and national levels.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Nayab Singh Saini, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to sustainable water governance. The CM highlighted Haryana’s efforts in water-efficient agriculture, micro-irrigation, and rejuvenation of traditional water bodies.The CM praised the Jal Shakti Abhiyan as a powerful platform for turning awareness into action, and committed that Haryana would lead by example in implementing rainwater harvesting, recharge structures, and participatory water management.

In her address, Smt. Shruti Choudhary, Hon’ble Minister for Irrigation & Water Resources, Haryana, stressed that water conservation must become a true Jan Andolan (people’s movement).She outlined Haryana’s recent reforms in the water sector and emphasized the vital role of local governance, women, and youth in protecting and sustainably managing water resources. The minister also called for integrating traditional knowledge with modern science to address today’s water challenges.

Several impactful projects were inaugurated under the umbrella of Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA:CTR) and Swachh Bharat Mission–Grameen (SBM-G). These includes:
– Rainwater harvesting systems
– Borewell recharge projects
– Micro-irrigation initiatives
– Release of a Compendium of Best Practices under Jal Shakti Abhiyan

Key infrastructure inaugurated under SBM-G includes:
– Community Sanitary Complexes
– Liquid Waste Management Systems
– Gobardhan Project
– Solid Waste Management Shed

In Haryana, significant water governance initiatives were launched:
– Mukhyamantri Jal Sanchay Yojana, reinforcing the theme “Jal Sanchay, Janbhagidari”
– Water Resources Atlas, providing scientific mapping of water availability for improved planning
– An Online Canal Water Management System, enhancing irrigation efficiency and transparency

– e-booklet on Integrated water resources management

An award ceremony was held to felicitate progressive farmers,
women champions, Water User Associations (WUAs), NGOs, and Self Help Groups for their outstanding contributions to water conservation and management.

The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain – 2025 has laid the foundation for an inclusive, strategic, and people-driven approach to water conservation. On World Water Day, the Government reaffirmed its commitment to the principle of “हर बूंद अनमोल” (Every Drop Counts) and moved decisively toward a secure and sustainable water future under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

****

Dhanya Sanal K

Director

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ‘India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future’ Symposium concludes with a Strong Commitment to Action
Source: Government of India

‘India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future’ Symposium concludes with a Strong Commitment to Action

Collaborative, Community-led Action Plans embedded across all levels of governance – need of the hour to develop Long-term Climate Adaptation Strategies: MoS Sh. Kirti Vardhan Singh

Addressing Adaptation Finance is a critical pillar for mainstreaming adaptation in Climate Adaptation Actions, highlights MoS (MoEFCC)

Posted On: 22 MAR 2025 6:23PM by PIB Delhi

The ‘India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future’ symposium concluded today at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with a resounding call for sustained action, collaboration, and policy-driven climate adaptation and resilience.

In his remarks during the valedictory session, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, highlighted India’s remarkable journey in confronting climate challenges. He emphasized the multidimensional nature of climate action, touching upon critical issues such as the impact of heatwaves and water scarcity on agriculture, the urgency of building resilient health systems, adaptation financing, and innovative solutions in the built environment. He called for comprehensive climate adaptation and resilience measures.

Addressed the gathering at the valedictory session of India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future conference at Bharat Mandapam. I congratulate @MOEFCC @Harvard @MittalInstitute @SalataClimate for conceptualising and successfully conducting the conference.

Glad to learn that… pic.twitter.com/kWTfmk0GH4

— Kirti Vardhan Singh (@KVSinghMPGonda) March 22, 2025

The Minister outlined Critical Action Points that emerged from the symposium:
- Stronger Institutional Frameworks: Climate adaptation must be embedded across all levels of governance, including at the local level.
- Community-Driven Solutions: Policies should be tailored to ground realities, local needs and circumstances.
- Immediate and Long-Term Action: While emergency interventions like heat relief programmes are vital, systemic changes in infrastructure, policy and financing are pertinent for long-term resilience. Addressing adaptation finance, is a critical pillar for mainstreaming adaptation in the short-term and long-term climate adaptation actions.
- Collaborative Implementation: Policymakers, researchers, businesses, and communities must work together to scale up just and equitable climate adaptation strategies.
Shri Singh mentioned that the collaboration between Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India and Harvard University represented by Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute and The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability has been a unique opportunity to bring together experts and stakeholders facilitating exchange of ideas. He suggested that the lessons and recommendations from this Symposium be taken, as appropriate, to support India’s continued lead in addressing the Climate challenges of the 21^st century.

Over the past four days, the symposium served as a dynamic knowledge sharing platform for experts from diverse fields—including climate science, public health, labour, and urban planning—to deliberate on the urgent challenges posed by climate change and the pathways to a resilient future. The deliberations focused on four key themes: Climate Science of Heat and Water with its implications on Agriculture, Health, Work and the Built Environment.

The climate adaptation in Agriculture requires evidence-based policies and decision-making. Emphasis was placed on localized governance and climate-resilient agricultural practices to improve food security and nutrition. Discussions suggested integrating scientific research with policy, long-term climate changes, water use trends, establishing local climate forums, stakeholder-centric metrics, and integrating AI in forecasting. Experts highlighted the need for communication among stakeholders, technological advancements, and balancing short-term and long-term adaptation strategies.

The resilience in Health sector discussion focused on quantification of heat exposure and its impact on human health, emphasizing the need to improve data collection, correlation and consideration of local context, using the advancements in AI and machine learning. The deliberation also stressed the importance of strengthening climate-responsive public health systems, addressing the fragmented health data landscape, and promoting cross-sectoral collaboration. Emphasis was placed on multi-sectoral governance, suitable metrics, and training healthcare workers on climate-linked health risks, with a focus on leveraging existing programmes and engaging in multi-stakeholder collaboration for policymaking.

Adaptation at Work is essential to address the heat-related stress and its impact on workers. The challenges faced by workers especially women were recognized and best practices in technical and behavioral adaptation, emphasizing health standards, occupational safety, safe civic spaces, etc. were highlighted. The importance of government intervention, innovative financial solutions, and multi-stakeholder collaboration was underscored to enhance resilience in diverse geo-climatic conditions. The need for comprehensive strategies, considering local work culture and conditions, leveraging existing policies was emphasized to protect workers from climate-induced heat stress.

The Built environment we live in, directly impacts our adaptation capacities. The experts in the sector emphasized a balanced approach to urban resilience, combining legal mandates with market-based incentives. The importance of addressing vulnerable populations, particularly in slum areas was highlighted, through local interventions and long-term planning. The success of urban planning policies depends not just on their design but also on operational feasibility, efficiency and cultural acceptance. The need for responsive urban planning frameworks, interdisciplinary collaboration, and action-oriented research was emphasized. There is a need to shift focus to thermal comfort for all.

Professor Caroline Buckee from Harvard University emphasized the need for more granular data to identify those most at risk from climate impacts. She highlighted the challenges posed by India’s large health system and the importance of integrating health data across different sectors. Professor Buckee also stressed the value of timely censuses for accurate epidemiological estimates and the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address the complex interactions between climate change, health, and other sectors.

Shri Tanmay Kumar, Secretary (MoEFCC), emphasized the importance of building local capacities to address climate impacts effectively. He highlighted the need for integrated approaches that consider the unique challenges faced by different regions and communities. He noted that adaptation strategies must be inclusive and community-driven, drawing on traditional knowledge and practices. He emphasized that climate resilience and sustainable development require continuous collaboration and commitment. He also reaffirmed that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring that climate resilience strategies are inclusive, sustainable and grounded in scientific evidence and also take into account the development aspirations.

Prof. Tarun Khanna, Director (The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, Harvard University), appreciated the collaboration and expressed his gratitude towards the Ministry and Harvard University represented by Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute & The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability for bringing together leaders from across the field to collaboratively work on the leading challenge of our times. He highlighted the collaborative spirit and the diverse energies that came together to make this symposium a success.

Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar, Additional Secretary (MoEFCC), expressed heartfelt gratitude to all distinguished speakers, experts, and panelists for sharing their knowledge and insights. He urged everyone to continue working with renewed focus and dedication, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and determination in addressing climate challenges.

The symposium concluded with a strong message for continued dialogue, knowledge sharing and collaborative efforts. As India moves toward its centenary of independence, the outcomes of this symposium could contribute while shaping appropriate policies and measures for building a climate-resilient future for the nation.

*****

VM/GS

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
March 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mobile exhibition vehicle celebrates 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong in community (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Mobile exhibition vehicle celebrates 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong in community
The rich content of the mobile exhibition vehicle covers precious historical photos showing the situation of droughts in 1960s and the Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply Scheme, as well as the work of the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Guangdong to safeguard the quality and security of Dongjiang water supplied to Hong Kong. Moreover, virtual reality and quiz games are set up to help deepen the public’s understanding of the history, development and current situation of the Dongjiang water supply in an interactive way. Souvenirs on the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong will be delivered as well.

The mobile exhibition vehicle will tour about 20 locations across the territory starting from today until April 13 (details in Annex). The vehicle was parked outside Kwai Chung Plaza, Kwai Fong, and Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan (outside KOLOUR • Tsuen Wan), today.

Moreover, the WSD launched school roadshows this school year on “Dongjiang Water 60-Year Anniversary: Dongjiang Water and Water Conservation” under the “Cherish Water Campus” Integrated Education Programme, aiming to deepen teachers and students’ understanding of the history and the current situation of Dongjiang water supply as well as the nation’s immense support and care rendered to Hong Kong. The roadshows also help students to understand the importance of water conservation and nurture students to establish good water-saving habits. The roadshows were well-received with over 100 applications enrolled, expecting that more than 20 000 teachers and students will be benefited.
Issued at HKT 17:27

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Categories24-7, Asia Pacific, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Government special administrative region, MIL OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 24, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Northland News – FEEDBACK CLOSING SOON ON MARSDEN MARITIME HOLDINGS, NORTHPORT PROPOSAL
Source: Northland Regional Council

FEEDBACK CLOSING SOON ON MARSDEN MARITIME HOLDINGS, NORTHPORT PROPOSAL

Time is running out to have your say on a proposal that would see the ownership structure of Marsden Maritime Holdings (MMH) and Northport simplified, to set the region’s port up for the future.

Together with investment partners Port of Tauranga and Tupu Tonu (Ngāpuhi Investment Fund Ltd), the Northland Regional Council is proposing to create a new joint-venture company combining MMH and Northport.

Shareholding in the new company would be NRC (43%), Tupu Tonu (7%) and Port of Tauranga (50%), and would increase Northland’s stake in the port – a regionally-significant asset.

Feedback on the proposal is open until 28 March – for more information go to www.nrc.govt.nz/MMHproposal

BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS

Northland celebrated the Regional Ballance Farm Environment Awards at Semenoff Stadium on Wednesday 19 March. The awards recognise farmers and growers who have demonstrated excellence in sustainability and environmental management, productivity and profitability, and family and community involvement.

Kokopu beef farmers Rob and Mandy Pye of Mangere Falls Farm were the Regional Supreme Award Winner for 2025, also carrying away the Northland Regional Council Water Quality Enhancement Award, Norwood Farming Efficiency Award, and the Beef & Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award.

Awards were also presented to:

Maria Puig and Maurico Castellano, Maulen Partnership & Northland College Farm – Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award; Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award; DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award; Hill Laboratories Agri-Science Award.

Pete Bond and Kelly Hackett, Bond Farms – NZ Farm Environment Trust Biodiversity Award

Board of Trustees and Matthew Payne, Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust – Rabobank Agribusiness Management Award; Farm Environment Trust Climate Recognition Award.
MIL OSI New Zealand News –
March 24, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Cutting tracks for flourishing whio
Source: Department of Conservation

Date: 24 March 2025

Whio are a threatened duck species unique to Aotearoa New Zealand. If they disappear from here, they’ll be gone forever.

Work to protect whio in the Central Southern Alps began in 2004 with trapping in the Styx Valley. The trapping network quickly grew to include the valleys of Arahura, Taipo and Kawhaka behind Hokitika. The latest expansion into the Rocky and Griffin Creeks is the culmination of years of effort to protect whio in the area.

Department of Conservation Biodiversity Ranger Antje Wahlberg says the site has been the slow and steady “tortoise” of the South Island security sites where active protection of whio is underway.

“Although the other sites increased quickly to 50 or more protected pairs, Central Southern Alps has seen a slow but steady increase in its whio population thanks to predator control and our breed-for-release programme,” Antje says.

“Rocky and Griffin creeks are a small but productive area for whio, and they fill a geographic gap we had in the centre of the Security Site. It feels like we’ve finally connected the dots.”

“Thanks to the consistent support from Genesis we’ve been able to make this progress – we expect to count 50 protected pairs at our next full census.”

DOC and Genesis have been protecting whio together since 2011, and staff involved in the partnership are excited to be celebrating Whio Awareness Week from 24-30 March.

Kate van Praagh, GM Sustainability at Genesis, says the company’s staff are proud to support conservation efforts for whio.

“It’s great seeing the outcomes of many years of trapping. Whio Awareness Week is a special time to shine a spotlight on whio and the amazing mahi being done to help whio thrive by communities in places such as the Central Southern Alps.”

Antje says the steady success of whio in the Central Southern Alps has only been possible with a network of contributors including Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Orana Wildlife Park, Kiwi Park Queenstown, and volunteers, as well as the support of Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae.

“We can all be part of whio recovery, so look out for whio this Whio Awareness Week!”

Background information
- Whio Awareness Week is being celebrated 24-30 March 2025, with the theme ‘look out for whio’.
- Whio/blue duck are a unique species found nowhere else in the world.
- Whio are river specialists living on fast-flowing rivers.
- Healthy whio populations indicate healthy rivers and streams. The more breeding pairs of whio, the healthier the river.
- The survival of whio largely depends on the protection of secure source populations throughout mainland New Zealand.
- Genesis partners with DOC to support the Whio Recovery Programme nationally.
- Learn more about the Whio Forever programme and the Genesis – DOC partnership at Whio Forever partnership
Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

MIL OSI New Zealand News –
March 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 60 Status Reports

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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MIL OSI USA News –

March 24, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Adelaide Hills water crisis: a local problem is a global wake-up call

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Holland, Principal Research Scientist, Water Security, CSIRO

A dry farm dam in Montacute, Adelaide Hills, March 2025. Ilan Sagi.

The Adelaide Hills are experiencing severe water shortages. The root cause? A prolonged dry period and not enough water tankers to meet unprecedented demand from people not connected to the mains water supply.

Thousands of residents and farmers are hurting as dams, tanks and streams dry up. Water tankers are becoming a common sight, carting in desperately needed water. People are waiting weeks for expensive water deliveries.

The South Australian government has set up emergency water collection points to cope with the demand from off-grid families. More water tankers have been secured. But despite recent rain, the situation is far from over.

We found rainfall and flows into Adelaide’s reservoirs are at their lowest levels in 40 years. Reservoir levels have dropped to 44% – the lowest for more than 20 years.

Adelaide is not currently at risk of running out of water; the state government built a desalination plant after the Millennium Drought. Production at the desal plant is four to six times higher than usual to meet demand. Without the desal plant and water from the River Murray, the city would be under severe water restrictions.

But the crisis shows many off-grid families, farms and businesses need new options to plan for the future.

Over the past 12 months, rainfall in parts of South Australia has been the lowest on record.
Commonwealth of Australia 2025, Bureau of Meteorology

Global water stress

This is not the first time entire communities have run out of water.

Cape Town in South Africa nearly ran out of water in 2018. The city of nearly 4 million people was weeks away from “Day Zero”.

In Australia, several regional and rural country towns have hit their own Day Zero. Stanthorpe in Queensland officially ran out of water in January 2020. Truckloads of water were carted into town every day to meet residential demand.

Scientists have coined a new term, “hydroclimate whiplash”, to describe the rapid swings between intensely wet and dangerously dry weather currently occurring across the globe. This climate volatility amplifies natural hazards such as flash floods, wildfires, landslides and disease.

The January wildfires in Los Angeles happened when two wet winters were followed by an extremely dry autumn and winter, providing plenty of dry fuel for fire.

These aren’t isolated events. The global water crisis didn’t go away.

The bigger picture

What’s happening in the Adelaide Hills – and in other very dry places worldwide – demonstrates the need for careful, long-term water security planning.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 is to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”. Water stress already affects more than 2 billion people – more than a quarter of the world’s population.

By 2030, the UN predicts 2 billion people will still be living without safely managed drinking water, 3 billion without safely managed sanitation, and 1.4 billion without basic hygiene services.

For many, this is literally a life-or-death matter.

Investing in water security

CSIRO is collaborating with industry, government and research organisations on research to overcome drought and build resilience for regional Australia. Our researchers are testing how well each of these strategies might work in different regions during extended dry periods. We calculate how much water can be collected and stored during the driest periods on record.

Rainfall over Norfolk Island, a subtropical island in the Pacific Ocean roughly 1,500km southeast of Brisbane, has declined by 11% since 1970, with long runs of dry years in recent decades. The future is likely to be drier still.

Our Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment explored ways to help the community determine how to adapt and build resilience to drought.

Since this project finished in 2020, residential and commercial rainwater tanks have been upgraded and a new seawater desalination plant installed. Other options to diversify water supplies included sharing groundwater bores, capturing runoff in gully dams, managing vegetation water use, and storing water underground.

Excess water from rainwater or recycled wastewater can sometimes be stored underground in natural reservoirs called aquifers for use during drought. This is called “water banking” or “managed aquifer recharge”. The technique has been developed over the past 20 years and used to safely store water underground across Australia and overseas.

Brackish (salty) groundwater is a potential water source that could be unlocked during drought. A National Water Grid funded project is investigating ways to use groundwater that would normally be too salty, along with renewable energy to power inland desalination plants. The project is investigating the prospect of using brackish groundwater across Western Australia for the first time.

Future generations are likely to face more severe water shortages.
Rosie Sheba

A call to action

The Adelaide Hills water crisis is a microcosm of a global issue. It’s a reminder action is needed now to secure our water future. Not when the water runs out.

Deeper groundwater bores, water tankers on standby and bigger water storages are all potentially part of the portfolio of emergency plans. And due to climate change, the Adelaide Hills water crisis will happen again if we are unprepared. It is a question of when, not if.

We have also seen the catastrophic effects of drought in Los Angeles – a tinderbox waiting to burn, and insufficient water on hand to fight the fires. We can and must prepare for natural disasters today. These are not unforeseen consequences. They are not “unknown unknowns”. We know them today. We will have no excuse when this happens.

By adopting more sustainable water management policies and practices in the longer term, we can make sure the spectre of Day Zero does not become real for more communities around the world.

With thanks to CSIRO Senior Research Scientist and Hydrologist Matt Gibbs and Principal Experimental Scientist in Hydrogeology Andrew Taylor.

Kate Holland receives funding from the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

Craig T. Simmons has received funding for water research from various government and non-government organisations in the past. He is currently serving as Chief Scientist for South Australia.

– ref. Adelaide Hills water crisis: a local problem is a global wake-up call – https://theconversation.com/adelaide-hills-water-crisis-a-local-problem-is-a-global-wake-up-call-251265

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

March 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 2024 Is Singapore’s Warmest Year On Record

Source: Asia Pacific Region 2 – Singapore

Tied with 2019 and 2016

Singapore, 23 March 2025 – Singapore’s 2024 Annual Climate Assessment Report was released by the National Environment Agency (NEA)’s Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) in conjunction with the World Meteorological Day. The report covers Singapore’s main climatic features and notable weather records and events in 2024 and is available on the MSS website at www.weather.gov.sg (please refer to Annex A for an infographic on Singapore’s climate in 2024).

Singapore’s Climate in 2024

Temperature

2          In 2024, Singapore’s annual average temperature was 28.4 degrees Celsius, making it the warmest year on record (tied with 2019 and 2016). Every month in 2024 was equal to or warmer than its corresponding long-term average temperature. Temperature records were broken on several occasions during the year, with record high daily minimum temperatures in February and record high daily maximum temperatures in December.

3          The preceding decade (2015-2024) was Singapore’s warmest decade on record at 28.11 degrees Celsius. This is 0.05 degrees Celsius warmer than the decade from 2014-2023, and the fourth consecutive year that Singapore’s decadal mean temperature record has been broken.

4          While climate change contributed to warmer temperatures, climate variability in 2024 also played a role. The El Niño [1] event that developed in 2023 and ended in the second quarter of 2024 likely contributed to the warm temperatures in 2024, including during Singapore’s hot season (March – May), which was the third warmest hot season on record, after 1998 and 2016 which were also associated with strong El Niño events.

5          Singapore’s annual temperature trend in 2024 is similar to the global trend recently reported by the World Meteorological Organization [2]. 2024 has been declared the warmest year on record globally since 1850.

Heat Stress

6          Singapore experienced higher annual daily mean Wet Bulb Globe Temperature of 27.0 degrees Celsius in 2024 compared to 26.6 degrees Celsius in 2023. However, the number of days of high heat stress [3] was lower. There were 21 days of high heat stress in 2024, fewer than the 37 days in 2023. Most of the 21 high heat stress days in 2024 were during Singapore’s hot season (March to May).

Rainfall

7          In 2024, Singapore’s annual total rainfall of 2739.8mm was 8.1 per cent above the long-term average of 2534mm, making 2024 the twelfth wettest year since 1980. January and November 2024 were exceptionally wet, recording rainfall 83.3 per cent and 47.4 per cent above their respective long-term averages. November’s islandwide average rainfall also broke the record for the wettest November since 1980. July and December were notably dry, 52.7 per cent and 30.0 per cent below their respective long-term averages.

8          While there has been a gradual increase in Singapore’s average annual total rainfall, there is no significant trend in the frequency of heavy rain events and the highest 60-minute rainfall intensity. In 2024, the highest 60-minute rainfall intensities were experienced in the months from September to December compared to the rest of the year, with the highest value of 93mm recorded on 29 December.

Notable Weather Events in 2024

Dry Spell in July

9          Between 18 and 30 July, Singapore experienced 18 consecutive days with daily total rainfall of less than 1.0mm, marking Singapore’s first dry spell since August 2019. Temperatures were also warm, with daily minimum temperatures staying above 28 degrees Celsius in most parts of the island.

Intense Sumatra Squall

10        On 17 September, an intense Sumatra Squall swept across Singapore between 7pm and 8:30pm. Maximum wind gusts exceeded 80km/h, with East Coast Parkway recording 83.2km/h at 7:33pm. The squall also brought cooler weather, with temperatures dropping by about 5 degrees Celsius in five minutes.

Heavy rains in October

11          Even though October is not usually a wet month and October 2024’s monthly rainfall was below its long-term average, Singapore experienced exceptionally high rainfall on 14 October 2024. Regional convergence of winds caused widespread thunderstorms over the island from midnight into the afternoon. The highest daily rainfall recorded that day was 145.8mm at Kent Ridge, making it one of the wettest days of the year

—————————————

[1] El Niño and La Niña are a climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific that affects climate around the world.

[3] Heat stress levels are based on Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). Days of high heat stress are defined when any hourly average WBGT at a station is equal to or greater than 33 degrees Celsius.

~~ End ~~

For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

Annex A

Infographic on Singapore’s Climate in 2024

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 23, 2025

MIL-OSI Canada: Removing the consumer carbon price, effective April 1, 2025

Source: Government of Canada News

Backgrounder

The Government of Canada has made regulations that cease the application of the federal fuel charge, effective April 1, 2025, and is also removing requirements for provinces and territories to have a consumer-facing carbon price as of that date. These actions refocus federal carbon pollution pricing standards on ensuring carbon pricing systems are in place across Canada on a broad range of greenhouse gas emissions from industry. A price on pollution for large emitters will continue to be a pillar of Canada’s plan to build a strong economy and greener future. It is a system that is fair and effective. Industrial carbon pricing is one of the most important greenhouse gas emission reduction policies in the government’s comprehensive Emissions Reduction Plan to bend the curve and meet Canada’s 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. Carbon pricing systems for industry are also designed to keep costs low to protect against competitiveness risks.

This backgrounder provides details on how removing the consumer carbon price will work and on how the proceeds return mechanisms (including the Canada Carbon Rebate) will be wound down.

Ceasing the Application of the Federal Fuel Charge

The federal fuel charge currently applies in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nunavut and Yukon (referred to as listed provinces). Under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, the fuel charge generally applies to 21 fossil fuels and combustible waste upon delivery, importation or use in listed provinces.

The federal government removed the fuel charge, effective April 1, 2025, via regulations. It will also be considering broader amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, including proposed amendments to complete the orderly wind-down of the fuel charge.

After March 31, 2025, the applicable fuel charge rates for all types of fuel and for combustible waste will be set to zero. Therefore, beginning on April 1, 2025, the fuel charge ceases to apply.

The regulations will also cease the application of certain administrative requirements that are no longer necessary. Specifically:

After March 31, 2025, requirements for registered emitters subject to a provincial output-based performance standards system to provide certain information in respect of changes to their facilities to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change will cease to apply. After September 30, 2025, all residual requirements in respect of those registered emitters will cease to apply.
After March 31, 2025, no persons will be required to newly register in respect of any category or any type of fuel. All existing registrations will be cancelled on November 1, 2025.
For reporting periods beginning after March 31, 2025, there will be no requirement to file a return if no positive amount of fuel charge is payable.

The regulations do not affect obligations for reporting periods prior to April 1, 2025. Fuel charge payers are still required to pay amounts owed, continue to be able to claim rebates to which they are entitled, and are subject to assessments and re-assessments in respect of past reporting periods.

Canada Carbon Rebate

The Canada Carbon Rebate was introduced to return direct proceeds from the federal fuel charge to residents of provinces where it applied. With the removal of the federal fuel charge effective April 1, 2025, eligible Canadians will receive a final Canada Carbon Rebate payment, starting April 22.

In provinces where the federal fuel charge currently applies, a family of four will receive up to $456 under the base Canada Carbon Rebate for April 2025 (see table below for specified amounts by province). In addition to the base rebate amounts, a rural top-up of 20 per cent is provided for individuals residing in small and rural communities.

To receive their Canada Carbon Rebate for April 2025, Canadians need to file their 2024 tax return. For Canadians who are registered for direct deposit with the Canada Revenue Agency, the Canada Carbon Rebate will be deposited directly into their bank account; otherwise, the Canada Carbon Rebate will be delivered via cheque. For those who have a spouse or common-law partner, the person who files their tax return first will receive the Canada Carbon Rebate amount for all members of the household, including children.

Table 1
**April 2025 Canada Carbon Rebate Amounts, as specified by the Minister of Finance**
($)
	NL	PEI*	NS	NB	ON	MB	SK	AB
First Adult	149	110	110	165	151	150	206	228
Second Adult	74.50	55	55	82.50	75.50	75	103	114
Each Child	37.25	27.50	27.50	41.25	37.75	37.50	51.50	57
Family of Four	298	220	220	330	302	300	412	456
*As all residents in PEI are considered to be living in a small or rural community, the rural supplement is already included in the base amounts for that province. The amounts for other provinces do not include the rural supplement; those eligible for the supplement will receive 20 per cent more.

Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses

In provinces where the fuel charge currently applies, a portion of fuel charge proceeds from the price on pollution is returned to eligible small- and medium-sized businesses via the Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses, an automatic, refundable tax credit provided directly to eligible businesses.

With the removal of the federal fuel charge effective April 1, 2025, the Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses payment in respect of the 2024-25 fuel charge year will be the final payment to eligible businesses.

The Minister of Finance will specify payment rates to return the previously specified $623.1 million in proceeds for the 2024-25 fuel charge year once sufficient information is available from the 2024 taxation year.

Fuel Charge Proceeds Fund for Indigenous Governments

In provinces where the fuel charge was in place prior to April 1, 2025, a portion of fuel charge proceeds from the price on pollution is being returned to eligible federally recognized Indigenous governments by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) through grant agreements delivered by the Fuel Charge Proceeds Fund for Indigenous Governments (FCPFIG). The FCPFIG offers maximum flexibility for eligible First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments to manage and use their share of fuel charge proceeds towards self-determined priorities.

Following the removal of the federal fuel charge effective April 1, 2025, ECCC will continue to work with eligible recipients to return $531.5 million in proceeds for the 2020-21 to 2024-25 period, consistent with the amounts previously specified by the Minister of Finance. The Government of Canada is committed to establishing the necessary grant agreements and issuing payments through the FCPFIG to eligible Indigenous governments as soon as possible.

Return of Fuel Charge Proceeds to Farmers Tax Credit

Recognizing that many farmers use natural gas and propane in their operations, the federal government provides a refundable tax credit to return fuel charge proceeds to farming businesses that operate in provinces where the federal fuel charge currently applies.

The Minister of Finance has the authority under the Income Tax Act to specify payment rates for eligible farming expenses that are incurred in the 2025 calendar year, which would have corresponded to returns of fuel charge proceeds for the 2025-26 fuel charge year, and the designated provinces in which these payment rates will apply. Those provinces are Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

With the removal of the federal fuel charge effective April 1, 2025, the Return of Fuel Charge Proceeds to Farmers Tax Credit in respect of the 2024-25 fuel charge year will be the final credit available to eligible farming businesses. Consequently, the Minister of Finance has specified the payment rate per $1,000 in eligible farming expenses that are incurred in the 2025 calendar year (in respect of the 2025-26 fuel charge year), in the designated provinces, to be nil.

This nil payment rate replaces the payment rate for the same calendar year (and fuel charge year) that was previously announced on January 10, 2025.

Strengthening Industrial Carbon Pricing

Canada’s Emissions Reduction Plan contains a comprehensive suite of mitigation measures, strategies, and investments, including policies that complement carbon pricing. A price on pollution for large emitters will continue to be a pillar of Canada’s plan to build a prosperous net-zero economy and make progress on climate targets. According to independent estimates, industrial carbon pricing is the climate policy with the single largest contribution to achieving our climate targets, all while helping us transform and grow our economy. The government intends to refocus federal carbon pollution pricing requirements on ensuring carbon pricing systems are in place across Canada on a broad range of greenhouse gas emissions from industry. The government intends to strengthen Canada’s approach to carbon pricing for industry to ensure its continued effectiveness.

The federal government intends to engage with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, and stakeholders on changes to the minimum national stringency standards for carbon pollution pricing, known as the federal ‘benchmark’ criteria.

Changes would focus the benchmark on ensuring industrial pricing systems continue to maximize emissions reductions and encourage the transition to low carbon technologies, while protecting industry against competitiveness and carbon leakage impacts. Improving the emissions performance of Canadian industry makes it more efficient and can support its competitiveness as Canada works to diversify its trading relationships and deepen market access, especially in jurisdictions that increasingly value lower emitting goods, such as the European Union.

The goal of the benchmark criteria would continue to be that systems are similarly stringent, fair and effective. The benchmark review will consider opportunities to strengthen industrial carbon markets so that they deliver the incentives needed for major decarbonization projects across industry, while creating jobs and driving investment in the technologies that will shape the clean economies of the future.

MIL OSI Canada News –

March 23, 2025

MIL-OSI Canada: Backgrounder: Federal government invests in water and wastewater infrastructure to support more housing
Belleville

Ontario

Avonlough Sanitary Pumping Station and Conveyance

The Avonlough Sanitary Pumping Station and conveyance project will ultimately service approximately 9,000 new residential units in the west end of the City of Belleville. This project will unlock development lands in the Loyalist West Secondary Plan area by constructing a new sanitary pumping station, force main, and gravity and pressure sewers along Bridge Street West.

$16,155,576

Cape Breton Regional Municipality

*Announced March 18, 2025

Nova Scotia

CBU Water Supply and Housing Development

Cape Breton University’s growing campus requires increased housing availability in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and the current campus requires a sustainable and dependable drinking water supply as the former operator of their private system, Nova Scotia Community College, has relocated to Downtown Sydney. This project will include a new water supply to Cape Breton University and the neighbouring Tanglewood subdivision development, which will support upwards of 200 new units.

$10,200,000

Cape Breton Regional Municipality

*Announced March 18, 2025

Nova Scotia

Tartan Downs Development for Sydney, Nova Scotia

This investment seeks to create a modern, vibrant neighborhood on a 24-acre site in the central urban district of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM). The project aims to provide affordable housing, student and senior housing, community inclusion characteristics, and commercial/retail features. By addressing the affordable housing shortage in CBRM, the project will enhance social interaction, improve the well-being of residents, and offer opportunities for cultural exchanges.

$6,921,194

Clarenville

Newfoundland and Labrador

Affordable Housing Project for Clarenville, NL

This project involves upgrades to water and sewer distributions systems in Pleasant Street and Thompson Street Extension. To assist the Town of Clarenville in addressing current and future housing shortages, this project aims to support the construction of 173 new housing units, with the opportunity to build an additional 350 units in future.

$3,701,705

Curve Lake First Nation

Ontario

Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems for Curve Lake FN, ON: Installing up to three Miranda systems to support growing infrastructure with a sustainable, future-ready solution

The Curve Lake First Nation Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System project seeks to address the community’s pressing wastewater challenges by implementing modern and sustainable solutions that meet immediate needs and support long-term growth. The project includes feasibility studies, site planning, and the construction of three decentralized wastewater treatment systems using Miranda’s Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) technology. Unlike traditional systems that require extensive land use and maintenance, the Miranda system offers a compact, scalable, and cost-effective solution.

This project represents a forward-thinking approach to wastewater management. By addressing current needs while preparing for future growth, the decentralized systems will ensure a healthier, more sustainable community for generations to come.

$8,184,800

East Hants

*Announced March 20, 2025

Nova Scotia

Brookside Wastewater Revitalization

This project aims to increase overall wastewater capacity for both short-term and long-term growth in Lantz. It will support the rebalancing of wastewater catchment areas through Lantz in a way that enables capacity, and be built with resiliency that sets up both existing and future infrastructure in the area for impacts from extreme weather events that can cause localized flooding, inflow, and infiltration into the wastewater system. This project aims to support the development of 128 dwellings as well as setting up for further growth beyond that for Lantz. This project will take relief off existing infrastructure that will prolong current asset life of those pre-existing wastewater catchment areas that are downstream of the project area.

$6,307,410

Fredericton

New Brunswick

Fredericton Northeast Growth Area Water System Extension

This project aims to provide essential water and sewer infrastructure for the immediate development of the Northeast Growth Area, which will include a variety of residential development ranging from single detached dwellings, various forms of missing middle housing, and apartments from 4-8 floors. The Northeast Growth Area features a number of affordable housing developments by local non-profits along with a co-operative housing development. The additional 900 units are on city-owned land, which supports one of the City’s initiatives through the Housing Accelerator Fund to create neighbourhoods of the future – enabling mixed use development on City-owned properties.

$3,552,027

Greater Sudbury

*Announced March 21, 2025

Ontario

Lively-Walden Wastewater System Upgrades Project for the City of Greater Sudbury, Ontario

The Lively-Walden Wastewater System Upgrades will increase sanitary sewer capacity in the Lively/Walden sewershed within the City of Greater Sudbury. The infrastructure upgrades will enable the construction of 3,300 new homes in the City.

$27,980,000

Hamilton

Ontario

The Lotus Avenue Wastewater Upgrade project

The Lotus Avenue Wastewater Upgrade project is a vital infrastructure initiative designed to support the development of 261 purpose-built rental units at 60 Caledon Avenue in Hamilton. This wastewater upgrade will increase the system’s capacity, enabling it to support the 261 residential units and allow for the future development of an additional 384 residential units in the community.

$500,000

Iqaluit

Nunavut

Collaborative land development for Iqaluit, Nunavut

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA), and the City of Iqaluit (City) have collectively identified the benefits of a collaboration to advance land development in Iqaluit, Nunavut.

The creation of a private-public collaboration between the local Inuit organizations and municipal government is an innovative approach to ease the land deficit faced by Iqaluit. This collaboration will enable development of the Inuit Owned Land (IOL) and provide access to and develop the landlocked municipal lands north of the IOL. This development area will promote a prominent gateway to the City of Iqaluit; linking the airport terminal to the City Core Area.

$33,002,103

Memramcook

*Announced March 21, 2025

New Brunswick

Memramcook Water Distribution System Expansion Project – Phase 4

The main objective of the Memramcook Water Distribution System Expansion Project – Phase 4 is to strengthen the municipal infrastructure by expanding the existing water distribution system to meet the growing drinking water needs of residents. This capital project includes the new construction and modernization of existing infrastructure.

$4,119,339

Michipicoten First Nation

Ontario

Michipicoten First Nation Water Treatment Plan Upgrades

The project will upgrade Michipicoten First Nation’s water treatment plant, increasing the plant capacity by 250% to allow the community to support the increasing on-reserve population and planned housing developments. This work will allow for a filter-to-waste feature enabling the plant to meet regulations for water treatment. project will also increase the current reservoir’s volume for fire protection.

$10,834,746

Mississauga

Ontario

Reconstruction of Little Etobicoke Creek in Mississauga, Ontario

This project addresses urgent stormwater management challenges in the Little Etobicoke Creek corridor to enable housing growth and enhance climate resilience. The reconstruction plan includes upgrades to the watercourse and essential infrastructure, to significantly increase flow capacity and mitigate flood risks. These improvements will unlock developable land for 6,300 new housing units in a key growth area centered around the Dixie GO Major Transit Station Area (MTSA).

$24,247,888

Municipality of Lakeshore

Ontario

County Road 22 Sanitary Sewer Expansion for Municipality of Lakeshore, Ontario

This project is designed to address critical wastewater infrastructure challenges in the Municipality of Lakeshore, Essex County, while supporting anticipated population growth by 2042. The project directly benefits over 2,600 homes by protecting them from flooding and facilitates development in the Wallace Woods Secondary Planning Area, which is expected to accommodate approximately 53,000 residents.

$36,814,400

Municipality of the County of Kings

Nova Scotia

New Zeke Brook Water Treatment Plant and Well Systems, Greenwood, Nova Scotia

This project involves the construction of a new water treatment plant and related well systems for the Greenwood Water Utility, owned and operated by the Municipality of the County of Kings. It involves expanding the servicing capacity of the Greenwood Water Utility by constructing and connecting the new groundwater supply and drinking water treatment facility to the Greenwood Water Utility. This would enable residential housing development along Highway 201, a density housing project in the Village and western areas of Greenwood, and potentially provide future drinking water service connection to the Village of Kingston.

$1,459,304

Oromocto

New Brunswick

Installing of Water, Sewer Infrastructure in Cyr St Extension to Open Up Town Owned High Density Residential Zoned Property to Increase Supply of Multi-unit Housing

This project involves installing water and wastewater infrastructure to unlock access to 5.7 hectares of Town-owned land, including 4.4 hectares zoned for high-density residential development. This project could support an additional 300 dwelling units, along with commercial amenities, all within walking distance of an existing school.

$899,625

Petrolia

Ontario

Upsizing Petrolia Line/Oil Heritage Road Watermain in Petrolia, Ontario

This project includes replacing the existing watermain on Petrolia Line from the east of Bear Creek to Oil Heritage Road and further south.

The southeast end of Petrolia is facing a residential development roadblock as the current watermain cannot support any additional dwellings. The success of this project will enable five developments to resume, resulting in 1,032 new units to Petrolia’s housing supply.

$1,347,802

Port Colborne

Ontario

Investing in Tomorrow: Improvements to Port Colborne’s Infrastructure to Support Housing Growth

This project entails accelerating the construction of housing-enabling infrastructure to create new housing supply and improve densification in three areas of Port Colborne:
1. Sugarloaf Street and Marina Drive,
2. Highway 140 and Highway 3, and
3. Lockview Park.
The construction of 850 units in Sugarloaf Street and Marina Drive will lead to increased wastewater flows, which the City’s existing sewer network cannot adequately handle.

The City plans to provide additional wastewater capacity via a new 300mm diameter forcemain and by utilizing the Niagara Region’s new servicing tunnel. This essential infrastructure will directly support a 2,240 home subdivision by addressing the City’s wastewater capacity limitations on the east side of the canal.

$19,250,000

Riverview

New Brunswick

Mill Creek Naturalized Stormwater Pond

The Mill Creek Naturalized Detention Pond project is an initiative focused on the new construction of essential stormwater management infrastructure to support the full build-out of Carriage Hill, Riverview’s fastest-growing residential neighborhood. This pond is a critical requirement for the construction of over 939 residential units, as well as other development in the area.

$800,000

Saskatoon

Saskatchewan

Infill and Redevelopment Water and Sewer Capacity Improvement, City of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

This project seeks to achieve increased capacity for sewer and watermains to allow for infill growth in identified areas of the city. This will be done by replacing and upsizing key strategic watermains and sewer mains that serve large portions of the city. Replacing these with higher capacity mains will open areas of the city for infill. The projects are expected to provide capacity to add an additional 2,400 residences to areas that can currently support 4,975 residences.

$9,729,820

Saskatoon

Saskatchewan

New Organics Processing Facility for Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

This project will build a city-owned organics processing facility that will provide the City of Saskatoon with the ability to process all organic waste from the green cart program and from residential and commercial waste drop-off. The facility will also be built to accommodate for the City’s future growth. In addition, by diverting organic waste away from the landfill, this project will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental pollution.

$8,480,000

Sault Ste. Marie

Ontario

West End Treatment Plant Upgrades – Phase 2 for the City of Sault Ste. Marie

This project will help ensure that the West End Wastewater Treatment Plant (WEWTP) can continue to meet the needs of Sault Ste. Marie’s growing population and forecasted housing needs into the next decade. The City is undertaking important upgrades to its WEWTP to support planned growth in the west catchment area, reduce maintenance demands, and improve operational efficiencies.

$22,981,000

Torbay

*Announced March 21, 2025

Newfoundland and Labrador

Addressing Drinking Water Infrastructure Issues in the Town of Torbay

The proposed project involves the construction of a new municipal water supply to ensure the supply of clean, safe, and reliable drinking water for the community and its residents. This facility aims to address current challenges such as aging infrastructure, insufficient capacity to supply the town with clean drinking water, and the increasing demand for potable water due to population growth. Additionally, it seeks to meet or exceed regulatory standards for water quality and support sustainable water management practices.
The construction of a new water supply facility aims to achieve several key objectives, primarily focused on ensuring a safe, reliable, and sustainable water supply.

$26,886,875

Whitehorse

Yukon

Water Treatment Plant for Whitehorse, Yukon

The Selkirk Water Treatment Plant (WTP) upgrade project aims to address critical public health and infrastructure challenges faced by the City of Whitehorse. The overarching objective is to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water that meets Yukon Environmental Health Services regulations and accommodates the city’s projected population growth through 2040 and beyond. The Selkirk WTP will serve 11,293 existing housing units and enable the development of 7,338 new housing units by 2045, directly supporting Whitehorse’s growth objectives.

$44,197,078

Yellowknife

Northwest Territories

Lift Station #1 and Sewage Forcemain Replacement – City of Yellowknife

This project is for the complete replacement of Lift Station #1 and the accompanying sewage forcemain, as well as the demolition of the old lift station once permanent connections are established and the replacement project is complete. Lift Station #1 is the second largest sewage lift station in the City’s wastewater conveyance system. Yellowknife and the service area for this lift station have grown considerably and the age and design capacity of this lift station is becoming an impediment to future development.

$41,025,000

MIL OSI Canada News –
March 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Swimming this summer? Read this first
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

It’s important to take extra care when swimming in inland waterways.
In brief:
- Whether you’re swimming a pool or in a waterway, it’s important to keep safe.
- This story shares safety advice for swimming in backyard and public pools and inland waterways.
There’s nothing like a swim to cool off in the hot weather.

Don’t have a backyard pool? Canberra’s public pools are all open for summer. Plan a visit to:
- Dickson Aquatic Centre
- Manuka Pool
- Canberra Olympic Pool
- Gungahlin Leisure Centre
- Stromlo Leisure Centre
- Lakeside Leisure Centre.
Canberra also has inland waterways where you can swim.

Wherever you go, these simple guidelines will help you keep safe in and around the water this summer.

Go prepared

The ACT has several inland waterways, including Kambah Pool and Cotter Bend.

Remember to take extra care when swimming in inland waterways. Hazards are always present and can catch you by surprise.

It doesn’t matter how confident you are in and around the water. You can prepare by following safety advice:
- Avoid going alone.
- Tell a responsible person where you are going. Let them know when you plan to return, and what to do if you are late.
- Always closely supervise children who are in or near the water.
- Know your limits – consider your swimming ability and endurance before visiting waterways. If unsure, stay away from the water’s edge.
- Always wear a life jacket when boating and fishing.
- Understand the dangers. Water depth in rivers can change suddenly and there may be rocks and logs hidden below the surface. Surfaces can be slippery, and currents may be stronger than they appear.
- Be careful when getting into the water and avoid diving.
- Check the weather conditions and be prepared for changes regardless of the forecast.
- Do not enter the water if signs advise of hazards and never enter the water in times of flood.
- Do not consume alcohol if you are planning on entering waterways or need to supervise children in or near the water.
- Be prepared for an emergency. Take a first aid kit and ensure people in your group are trained to use it.
- Carry multiple means of communication, including waterproof options if you are boating or fishing. Check whether your phone has range before entering the water.
- Locate and keep a look out for emergency phones near waterways in case you do not have good reception.
Visit the City Services website to check current advice on conditions in Canberra’s lakes, ponds and rivers.

Be a backyard lifeguard

Whether it’s your own pool or you’re visiting someone else’s, be a backyard lifeguard. Follow these steps to keep everyone safe this summer.
- Check that your pool fences, gates and other barriers are secure
- Keep pool barriers clear of objects and plants that kids can use to climb into pool areas
- Ensure the pool gate is always shut
- Actively supervise children in and around the pool
- Know how to perform CPR
- Teach kids to swim and be safe around pools
- Pool toys and floatation aids are for fun, not safety. Stay close and supervise children
- Avoid alcohol when swimming.
New rules for home swimming pools in the ACT commence on 1 May 2024. Find out more at Home swimming pool safety reforms – Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate – Planning (act.gov.au)

For information on being a backyard lifeguard visit planning.act.gov.au/backyardlifeguard.

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MIL OSI News –
March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Work begins on Belconnen Oval Wetland

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Belconnen Oval Wetland is part of the ACT Government’s Healthy Waterways Program.

Work on the Belconnen Oval Wetland to improve water quality and catchment health has now commenced.

The new wetland will help to remove harmful nutrients before they enter Lake Ginninderra and will also provide habitat for native species and provide an excellent place for locals to enjoy.

There will be new trees and water plants planted around the wetland, which will filter an estimated 30 per cent of harmful nutrients like phosphorous before it enters the lake.

Temporary fences will surround the area for the community’s safety to restrict access until works are completed. This is expected to happen by mid-2024.

Belconnen residents were asked to share their thoughts on the project, which shaped an improved final design.

The Belconnen Oval Wetland is part of the ACT Government’s Healthy Waterways Program, designed to remove pollutants from stormwater before it flows into lakes and ponds.

Through projects like the floating wetlands in Lake Tuggeranong and the re-naturalisation of Tuggeranong Creek, the government hopes to help foster native biodiversity across the city, reduce harmful pollutants, keep water safe, and preserve Canberra’s natural environment.

For more information about the construction work and other projects helping to protect local waterways, visit tthe ACT Healthy Waterways Program page on the Environment website.

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MIL OSI News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Friends help to conserve Mount Painter
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Convenor of the ParkCare Friends of Mount Painter group, Sarah Hnatiuk.
Did you know the ACT Government operates and manages more than 90 parks and nature reserves for our community to enjoy? Volunteers – like the Friends of Mount Painter – play a huge role in making this possible.

The Friends of Mount Painter is a registered ParkCare Patch group that is made up of a small number of residents who support ACT Parks in the management of the 93-hectare reserve.

Convenor Sarah Hnatiuk, along with her group of volunteers, is helping protect and enhance the area for generations to come.

“The Parks and Conservation Service are the land managers and deliver the ACT wide programs. We are here to support their activities and work on a different scale,” Sarah said.

“Where we are useful is that we know the reserve intimately, in a way that the rangers wouldn’t as they have such a wide area to manage.

“We might come across a new invasive weed and notify the parks service so they can jump on it quickly.”
ParkCare volunteer activities include things such as:

revegetation and tree planting

weed and erosion control

seed collection

vegetation mapping

water quality monitoring

track maintenance

biodiversity surveys.
“We do quite a lot of tree planting because this is an area which was extensively cleared, other reserves that have larger amounts of native vegetation do not have the same challenge.”

“We also host classes from the Macquarie Primary, and we go with them on educational walks of the reserve,” Sarah said.

Canberrans can search for their closest ParkCare volunteer group and get involved through the online ParkCare Hub.

More information about the ParkCare initiative can be found on the ACT Parks website: parks.act.gov.au

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MIL OSI News –
March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Tiny but Mighty, Endangered Native Species Making a Comeback!

Source: Merlin Entertainments

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Releases, 252 Southern Pygmy Perch in a World-First for Conservation supported by NSW DPIRD Fisheries

Sydney, AUSTRALIA, Friday 21 March 2025 – In a world-first, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium has bred and released 252 Southern pygmy perch (Nannoperca australis) at Lade Vale, New South Wales, marking a key milestone for conservation efforts to protect this native Endangered species.

“Though they are small, the Southern pygmy perch are mighty! They play a vital role in freshwater ecosystems by controlling insect populations and supporting biodiversity, which ensures the health of streams and wetlands,” said Laura Simmons, Head of Conservation, Welfare, and Education for SEA LIFE Aquariums Australia and New Zealand.

“Four years ago, when the NSW Government’s Fisheries Division approached SEA LIFE Sydney, we embraced the challenge to take on custodianship, develop best practices within the aquarium, and ultimately breed the Southern pygmy perch for a cooperative breed-for-release program to encourage wild repopulation. We are incredibly proud of reaching this milestone, which marks a significant step in recovering the species and securing its future in Australia’s freshwater ecosystems,” she added.

Southern pygmy perch were once widely distributed and abundant in the Murray, Lachlan, and Murrumbidgee catchments. The species has now disappeared from most locations in NSW and has only been recorded from a handful of sites in the last 30 years.

The aquarium-bred Southern pygmy perch have been released into a waterway on a private property at Lade Vale, NSW, determined as a suitable habitat by the project experts. Post-release, project partners, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Fisheries and Gunning District Landcare, will closely monitor the fish to ensure their successful integration into the wild.

“It’s exciting to be working with SEA LIFE Sydney and the local landcare group on new and innovative ways to re-establish this unique and important species back in the landscape”, said Luke Pearce, DPIRD Senior Fisheries Manager.

Southern pygmy perch are threatened by habitat loss from flood control measures and dams, which disrupt river flow and temperature, as well as by competition and predation from invasive species like Redfin perch, common carp and Eastern gambusia.

As part of its broader conservation strategy, SEA LIFE Sydney will continue to support research, breeding programs, and habitat restoration projects, collaborating with government and conservation partners to secure a future for the Southern pygmy perch and other vulnerable species within Australia and around the world.

For more information on SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s conservation efforts or to plan a visit, please visit: www.visitsealife.com/sydney/conservation/local-conservation-projects/southern-pygmy-perch-breeding-program

About Merlin Entertainments:

Merlin Entertainments is a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, offering a diverse portfolio of resort theme parks, city-centre gateway attractions and LEGOLAND® Resorts which span across the UK, US, Western Europe, China, and Asia Pacific. Dedicated to creating experiences that inspire joy and connection, Merlin welcomes more than 62 million guests annually to its growing estate, with over 140 sites across 23 countries. An expert in bringing world-famous entertainment brands to life, Merlin works with partners including the LEGO® Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Peppa Pig, DreamWorks and Ferrari to create destinations where guests can immerse themselves in a wide array of brand-driven worlds, rides and uplifting learning experiences.

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Rotokākahi whenua to remain occupied during pause in works

Source: Mana i te whenua of Rotokākahi

Mana i te whenua of Rotokākahi and supporters have announced their intent to stay on the whenua following news that works will be paused for a number of weeks to await a judge’s decision.

There has been presence on the whenua for several months in opposition of the Lake Tarawera Sewerage Scheme by Rotorua Lakes Council. The pipeline’s planned route cuts through a wāhi tapu (sacred site). Over a hundred tūpuna perished during the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera, making the lake and its surrounds their final resting place.

The pause comes as part of an Environment Court case against the council. During this time, a judge will deliberate as to whether the council obtained proper consents for the project.

Te Whatanui Leka Taumalolo Skipwith (Tūhourangi) comments:
“This pause is another slight win in delayed works for our whānau, wāhi tapu, and te taiao.”

“Our whānau / hapū presence will remain on the whenua, and we will continue to remain peaceful.”

“As the applicants, Rotokākahi Board of control, and Protect Rotokākahi Incorporated Society – for mana i te whenua Tūhourangi – Tūmatawera.”

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, MANNION DEMAND ANSWERS ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S POTENTIAL PLANS TO CLOSE SYRACUSE USDA OFFICES, LAYOFFS OF USDA STAFF WHO SERVE NEW YORKERS

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

Closure Of Offices Could Mean End To Programs That Provide Grants And Loans To Farmers, Help Rural Communities Recover From Natural Disasters

Today, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Representative John Mannion are demanding answers on the Trump administration’s reported plans to potentially close the statewide offices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and USDA Rural Development (RD) in Syracuse. President Trump and Elon Musk’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” is terminating the lease for the building that houses these three agencies, leaving the future of the programs they administer uncertain. The administration has also laid off a number of workers, leaving New Yorkers unable to reach New York-based staff at the USDA over the phone.

“We are writing to express our concern regarding reports of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) plans to close the statewide offices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and USDA Rural Development (RD) in Syracuse, New York,” wrote the members. “These USDA agencies provide vital services to agricultural producers, scientists, and rural communities across New York. The planned termination of the lease for the Syracuse office space, as well as the recent staffing cuts in New York, could severely hamper rural New Yorkers’ ability to access crucial federal resources and assistance from the USDA. We urge you to not only keep the USDA’s NRCS, FSA, and RD office space in Syracuse open but to also ensure that the agencies have adequate staffing at their service centers to meet rural New Yorkers’ and farmers’ needs.”

The full text of the representatives’ letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Acting Administrator of the General Services Administration Stephen Ehikian is available here or below:

Dear Secretary Rollins and Acting Administrator Ehikian,

We are writing to express our concerns regarding reports of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) plans to close the statewide offices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and USDA Rural Development (RD) in Syracuse, New York. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has touted $498,273 in savings by terminating the lease through the General Services Administration (GSA) for the 33,548-square-foot space, which houses three critical USDA agencies for New Yorkers. However, this disastrous course of action imperils all three agencies’ ability to assist rural New York communities and our state’s farmers.

It is our understanding that NRCS was the primary lease holder for the Syracuse office space, and by terminating this lease, DOGE has also recklessly harmed the work of FSA and RD throughout New York State. In recent weeks, these agencies have lost staff at the Syracuse offices and statewide to the buyout, layoffs, and paid administrative leave, which wastes taxpayer money and forces valuable employees to sit on the sidelines.

These USDA agencies provide vital services to agricultural producers, scientists, and rural communities across New York. The Farm Service Agency offers financial assistance and loans to farmers and ranchers for conservation needs, post-disaster recovery, and income support. The NRCS manages and provides technical assistance to farmers, ranchers and landowners in New York for key conservation programs that mitigate the impacts of natural disasters, enhance water quality, safeguard wildlife habitats, and reduce soil erosion. USDA RD offers important loans, grants, loan guarantees, and technical assistance to residents, farmers, businesses, non-profits, and municipalities across rural areas in New York. Its programs create jobs, advance economic development, and support essential services, ranging from water, communications infrastructure, health care, and housing. The planned termination of the lease for the Syracuse office space, as well as the recent staffing cuts in New York, could severely hamper rural New Yorkers’ ability to access crucial federal resources and assistance from the USDA.

Apart from the impact that this closure could have on those who are serviced by the Syracuse office, we are also concerned about the employees who work for NRCS, FSA, and RD throughout New York. This closure would affect—and recent terminations have affected—the USDA staff who have remained dedicated to providing New Yorkers with valuable information and high-quality services.

Therefore, we urge you to not only keep the USDA’s NRCS, FSA, and RD office space in Syracuse open but to also ensure that the agencies have adequate staffing at their service centers to meet rural New Yorkers’ and farmers’ needs. We request a written response by March 31, 2025, to address the following questions and concerns:

1. Please share why the proposed closure of the USDA’s Syracuse office space is under consideration.

a. How would the potential closure of the Syracuse offices impact USDA’s capacity to serve New Yorkers?

b. Additionally, how would the closure of the statewide Syracuse offices impact the coordination and collaboration across the USDA and with local service centers?

c. In light of the Trump administration’s return-to-work requirements, where would employees at the Syracuse offices be relocated to? Does the administration have plans to close any of the local service centers across the state?

2. We have received multiple reports that constituents have had difficulty reaching New York-based staff at the USDA over the phone. Please share current USDA staffing arrangements for New York. What plans does the administration have to restore staffing capacity in-state and ensure that New Yorkers continue to have access to the essential resources and programs overseen by FSA, NRCS, and USDA RD?

Sincerely,

MIL OSI USA News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Supports Legislation to Repeal EV Mandates and Protect Consumer Choice
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) recently led and joined in co-sponsoring several pieces of legislation to repeal various Biden-Harris Administration’s policies under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that implemented de facto electric vehicle (EV) mandates and restricted consumer choice and competition in the automotive market.

“The previous Administration put forward regulations that would essentially mandate the mass production of electric vehicles and a phase-out of gas-powered cars and trucks,” said Crapo. “Idahoans deserve access to affordable, reliable vehicles fueled by American-made energy products. We should block any efforts that restrict affordable choice for families and push our country toward greater dependence on China.”

Crapo led reintroduction of the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act, which would repeal the EPA’s tailpipe emissions rule finalized under the Biden-Harris Administration.

Crapo was joined by Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) in introducing a comprehensive legislative strategy to protect consumer choice in the automobile market. As part of this effort, Crapo co-sponsored each of the additional pieces of legislation, including:

Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, led by Senator Mullin, which would prevent the implementation of the Biden EPA’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, which bans the sale of all conventional gasoline-powered cars by 2035.

Freedom to Haul Act, led by Senator Sullivan, which would safeguard the trucking industry from impractical and costly mandates by preventing the implementation of the EPA’s “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles-Phase 3” rule, a de facto EV mandate on the trucking industry.

Stop California from Advancing Regulatory Burden (CARB) Act, led by Senator Lee, which would eliminate the Clean Air Act waiver exemptions that allow California and other states to dictate national emissions standards. California has over 100 active waivers that set higher emissions standards than the EPA, increasing costs and decreasing consumer choice in vehicles.
MIL OSI USA News –
March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Heritage refresh to tell Canberra’s stories
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Historic Brayshaws Hut in Namadgi National Park
Canberrans are invited to give input on a proposed refresh of the ACT’s heritage system.

A comprehensive external review has resulted in a range of recommended reforms, intended to better identify, protect and celebrate places of natural and cultural significance in the territory.

The community is encouraged to share feedback on the review, specifically on issues like transparency in decision-making, access to information and risks or unintended consequences.

The review contains two key themes:
1. establishing ACT Aboriginal People as the decision makers on their cultural heritage
2. the need to strengthen the governance and administration of the ACT’s heritage arrangements.
Ensuring the ACT has well-functioning heritage arrangements that recognise and conserve natural, cultural and First Nations heritage for current and future generations is the priority.

Canberrans can have their say via two online surveys or thought online or in-person consultation sessions to encourage more in-depth discussion.

First Nations Canberrans, general community and industry members are all invited to participate.

The review, announced in December 2022, has involved exploring best practice models for heritage laws, frameworks and arrangements from other jurisdictions and proposing a fit for purpose model for the ACT.

The ACT Government appointed an interim Heritage Council in April to continue to deliver council responsibilities under the Heritage Act 2004 and to support this comprehensive review and reform process.

View the full report and have your say on the ACT heritage system reforms through the YourSay Conversations website.

Find out more about heritage in the ACT on the ACT Environment website.

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MIL OSI News –
March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: New program to protect fruit bats with wildlife-safe netting

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Fruit netting should have no gaps for wildlife to enter from the ground or sky.

ACT Wildlife have launched a new program, supported by the ACT Government, to replace fruit netting with wildlife safe options for free.

An upcoming amendment to the Nature Conservation Act 2014 will ban the use of unsafe netting in the ACT.

This new program is aimed at supporting the ACT’s transition to wildlife-safe netting ahead of the amendment, to protect native wildlife from population decline.

There will be free pop-up events over the coming months where Canberrans can bring their unsafe netting and have it replaced for free.

Netting protects fruit trees from native animals, like birds and bats, that are keen for a snack. However, it can also entangle threatened wildlife if the mesh size is too large or it is not installed correctly.

“Unsafe netting causes death and injury to flying foxes, birds, lizards, snakes and other wildlife. Seeing the harm these nets cause is heartbreaking for wildlife rescue volunteers,” Clare Wynter, Flying Foxes Co-Ordinator at ACT Wildlife, said.

Fruit netting should have a mesh size of 5mm x 5mm or smaller, with no gaps for wildlife to enter from the ground or sky.

“Backyard fruit trees can be protected with far less chance of harming wildlife simply by using nets with holes smaller than you can put a finger through. These kinds of nets are better for both fruit trees and wild animals,” Clare said.

This small change will make a big difference to native wildlife in the ACT, which is currently facing an extinction crisis.

Find out more about wildlife-safe fruit-tree netting on the ACT Government Environment website.

If you come across entangled wildlife, please don’t try to release animals yourself. Call Access Canberra on 13 22 81 to arrange a safe rescue with a qualified wildlife handler.

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MIL OSI News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Join the city wide clean up for the Great British Spring Clean

Source: City of Sunderland

Residents are being encouraged to join in the ongoing drive to make Sunderland cleaner and greener by taking part in the Great British Spring Clean.

From Friday 21 March to Sunday 6 April, the City Council is encouraging residents to help make a difference by joining one of the many clean ups taking place across Sunderland’s green spaces, footpaths, parks and beaches as part of the Great British Spring Clean.

Organised litter picks are taking place across Sunderland North, East, West, Coalfield and Washington. Taking part will not only help keep Sunderland tidy but also help protect the environment and wildlife.

The City Council is encouraging individuals, schools, local groups, and businesses to take part in these. Representatives from the council will be providing necessary equipment to support clean-ups and keep communities litter-free.

Councillor Lindsey Leonard, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Net Zero at Sunderland City Council said: “It’s fantastic to see so many people sign up to be involved with this year’s Great British Spring Clean.”

“We know most residents take pride in where they live and want to live in a clean and tidy city by disposing of their litter properly. It’s a shame to see that there are some irresponsible people who are spoiling it for everyone else.”

“While we will continue to crackdown littering and fly-tipping, these planned clean-ups are a brilliant way for residents to do their bit. I encourage everyone to pick up a bag and take part.”

Sunderland City Council’s robust approach to keeping the city litter free and clean for its residents, wildlife, and the environment has seen it issue more than 100 litter and fly-tipping fixed penalty notices in the last year.

For any residents wanting to do their bit to help clean up the city, joining an organised litter pick is a great way to tackle litter in Sunderland.

The Great British Spring Clean is organised by Keep Britain Tidy, a charity which encourages cities across the country to eliminate litter, end waste and improve their local beaches, parks, and streets. Over 31.6 million people in the UK said ‘litter-free’ streets would help them love where they live. As well as 72% of UK adults agreeing that seeing litter makes them less proud of their neighbourhood.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: “We are so grateful for the game-changing support from Sunderland City Council.”

“The Great British Spring Clean is a fantastic way for councils to support residents to really show their pride in where they live, and connect with like-minded people, while taking serious and immediate action to protect the environment on their doorstep.”

“During this year’s campaign, we are highlighting that the environment belongs to everyone, and that everyone is welcome to join in with our activities and celebrate the 10th Great British Spring Clean.”

“We are humbled to see our army of #LitterHeroes volunteers carrying out these acts of kindness to make the planet a cleaner, safer place for our future generations.”

Any residents looking to do their bit can visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/great-british-spring-clean-2025 for more information about clean ups across the city.

Anyone who wants to get involved and organise their own litter pick and find out more can visit: www.keepbritaintidy.org/gbspringclean and using the hashtags #GBSpringClean #LoveWhereYouLive

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

March 22, 2025

Category: Environment

Tony Juniper CBE reappointed to continue protecting nature and boosting growth as Natural England Chair

Chair of Natural England, Tony Juniper said:

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed said:

Tony Juniper biography

Natural England

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Updates to this page

How bad has the heat been?

Ningaloo in hot water

What will happen next?

Climate change, floods and river confinement

Giving rivers space to roam

Managing rivers for variability

A call for more sustainable river management

World water Day 2025”If ever a third world war is fought over water, India will not be a part of it. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, we are building a water-secure future.”- Shri CR Patil

‘India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future’ Symposium concludes with a Strong Commitment to ActionCollaborative, Community-led Action Plans embedded across all levels of governance – need of the hour to develop Long-term Climate Adaptation Strategies: MoS Sh. Kirti Vardhan Singh

Source: Northland Regional Council

Background information

Contact

Global water stress

The bigger picture

Investing in water security

A call to action

Backgrounder

Ceasing the Application of the Federal Fuel Charge

Canada Carbon Rebate

Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses

Fuel Charge Proceeds Fund for Indigenous Governments

Return of Fuel Charge Proceeds to Farmers Tax Credit

Strengthening Industrial Carbon Pricing

In brief:

Go prepared

Be a backyard lifeguard

Read more like this:

World water Day 2025

”If ever a third world war is fought over water, India will not be a part of it. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, we are building a water-secure future.”- Shri CR Patil

‘India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future’ Symposium concludes with a Strong Commitment to Action

Collaborative, Community-led Action Plans embedded across all levels of governance – need of the hour to develop Long-term Climate Adaptation Strategies: MoS Sh. Kirti Vardhan Singh