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- Nov 21 - Forests won't stop climate change
Nov 21 - Forests won't stop climate change
Rough waters don't make for great swimming says safety expert, BC tries to woo Hollywood
Capital Daily Team
November 21, 2024
Good morning !
Some brave—or foolish—souls were captured on video jumping into the waves caused by Tuesday’s bomb cyclone. While they appeared to be having a blast body surfing at Dallas Road, safety experts are warning people of the risks of such swims.
— Robyn
Would you go swimming during a bomb cyclone? |
Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Natural ‘carbon sinks’ not enough to achieve net-zero emissions targets
Forest seen from the Malahat. Photo: James MacDonald / Capital Daily
Two Victoria scientists are among a group of international climate researchers urging policymakers to be more realistic when determining net-zero carbon emissions targets.
The local climate scientists co-authored a study recently published in Nature, outlining the need for reduced fossil fuel emissions to achieve net-zero emissions targets.
The study says many policymakers and corporations rely too heavily on “carbon accounting,” pointing to carbon offsets and natural carbon sinks, such as forests, as a way to balance carbon outputs. The paper argues that these carbon sinks are not enough to keep up with the level of emissions and that ending fossil fuel reliance is the only effective way to reach net-zero emissions.
Andrew Weaver, UVic climate scientist—and former Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA and BC Green Party leader—told Capital Daily that the study, which he co-authored, was an update to research papers he and fellow UVic scientists put out in 2007-2009. These papers defined the need for ‘net-zero’ global emissions to achieve climate targets. But policymakers, according to Weaver, misinterpreted what was meant by that.
Weaver says that by hiding behind this “carbon accounting,” we falsely equate actions like funding a kelp farm or protecting forests to cancelling out carbon emissions from fossil fuels. “It doesn’t work that way,” he said.
Canada and other countries have been overly reliant on using their natural sinks to appear closer to emissions targets—a misleading approach that scientists say could hinder the fight against climate change.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
55K Canada Post workers still on strike. [Updates]
Sarah McLachlan officially cancels her Fumbling Towards Ecstasy 30th Anniversary Canadian Tour, set to end in Victoria.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
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NEWS
Viral video of Dallas Road storm body surfers sparks safety concerns
Screenshot of video from James Bay Local Facebook page
While it looks adventurous to capitalize on the wild weather and harness wicked winds for a little body surfing, safety experts call it risky behaviour.
“That seems like a terrible idea,” Kimiko Hirakida, a spokesperson for the Lifesaving Society (BC and Yukon), tells Capital Daily after viewing an online video showing two men swimming off Dallas yesterday as 90km/hr winds kicked up waves into a frothy, white mix of extremely cold, fast-moving water.
“I regularly swim different distances of two to six kilometres in outdoor water and I would never make the decision that this was an OK time for me to swim,” she says.
Watching the video, Hirakida says a few things concern her—starting with the fact the men are swimming when it’s dark, something not highly recommended because if you can’t be seen, you can’t be saved.
Making it riskier, Hirakida tells Capital Daily: “They're wearing dark-coloured bathing suits. They are not wearing personal flotation devices,” she says. “There is nothing these two are doing that is going to keep them safe, should a rogue wave come, should a log take them out.”
Hirakida says forest fires and high winds have fallen a lot of trees in the province over the past several years, and many end up in the drink and can become projectiles, transported by the currents and propelled by waves.
“It could be swirling, then it could be turning in a circular motion, and you're not prepared for it to come at you from the side, either.”
Reader Janet wrote to Capital Daily last week to recount the time she and her husband ate lunch in their car while watching the waves at the Breakwater on a particularly windy afternoon.
“A huge wave suddenly blew up and over the wall and crashed over our vehicle, and a log in the wave broke our windshield,” she recounts. “It was terrifying.”
Imagine getting that in the face. Game over.
“Also, in looking at this video, there is no rescue equipment that is near them,” Hirakida says.
“There's not a throw line. There's not anything that they could use for a self-rescue.”
While she credits the young men for at least swimming with a buddy, the combination of high waves, darkness, and frigid water—and subsequent concerns about hypothermia—add up to playing too loosely with the power of the sea.
“Honestly, what strikes me is that it's very obvious why 80% of drownings are males between the ages of 18 and 36,” Hirakida tells Capital Daily.
“It's because of unwise choices.”
⭐️ Capital Picks
🚔 Cops for Cancer gala raises $65K. [West Shore RCMP]
🍄 Colourful fall fungi: ’Tis the season for mushrooms of all shapes and sizes. [Facebook photos]
😔 Any form of grief can be an isolating and difficult experience—fortunately, no one has to go through it alone. Learning Through Loss gives Victoria youth the tools to cope with grief. Read more here.*
🗃️ Sports card collection found in Centennial Park. [RCMP]
*Sponsored Listing
🗞️ In Other News
Partially built condo goes up in smoke in huge Saanich fire
The six-storey, 77-unit wood-frame structure under construction on Quadra and Palmer has been reduced to rubble. Fire broke out early yesterday morning and stoked by the wind, sent flames into the sky which could be seen from Washington state. The immediate area was evacuated and a section of Quadra is expected to remain closed today. BC Transit’s No. 6 bus is being detoured. The condos were to be ready in late summer. [Times Colonist]
BC sending a delegation to LA to try to strike Hollywood gold
The ministers for finance, and arts and tourism will make a pitch to bring more moviemaking here. The yearly visit is in advance of Hollywood’s Jan.-April pilot season. The delegation will tout the benefits of filming in BC, including a 28% tax credit and the province’s beautiful scenery. The province says the domestic film industry supports 47K+ jobs in BC. [CTV]
Lotta heart: Vic’s Simon Keith to host transplant gala
Keith was a soccer star at Mount Doug and UVic and turned pro, playing for Bromley FC in the UK and Victoria, Montreal, and Winnipeg in domestic leagues. Keith had heart troubles and in 1986, underwent a heart transplant—his first of two cardiac replacement operations; he also has a transplanted kidney—and became the first ever to play pro sports after undergoing the procedure. The Heart of Gold Gala and Concert is slated for Aug. 23 at the Victoria Conference Centre. [CHEK]
BC Lions fire head coach Rick Campbell
Campbell guided the Leos to three straight trips to the playoffs, including back-to-back West Final games. Under the Spokane native’s tutelage, the team went 38-30 in the regular season and 2-3 in the playoffs. The Lions also elevated assistant GM Ryan Rigmaiden to full-time GM and named front office staffer Neil McEvoy VP of football ops. [Vancouver Province]
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🗓️ Things to do
💼 Marketplace Mixer: Join this annual business tradeshow and check out this showcase of products and services offered by Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce members today. 4-7pm. [Info]
❄️ Dunsmuir Third Annual Winter Night Market: Head to Dunsmuir Middle School today to check out 60+ student and community vendors selling wares, including a bake sale, book sale, pizza concession, 50/50 raffle, and more. 4-8pm. [Info]
🎷 Tribute to Joe Henderson: See the David Santana Quintet bringing the music of Joe Henderson to life at Hermann’s tonight. 7pm. [Info]
🎸 Jesse Roper: See the singer, known as “The Metchosin One,” perform at Royal Theatre today and tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]
🎶 Tyler Hilton: Catch the singer-songwriter at Capital Ballroom tonight. 9pm. [Info]
💎 Victoria Gem Show: Western Canada’s largest gem show is back, featuring 50+ of the best gem, mineral and jewelry vendors at Pearkes Recreation Centre. Today 1-9pm; tomorrow 10am-6pm; Sun. 10am-5pm. [Info]
⭐ Magic of Christmas Artisan Market: Visit the Eagle Ridge Community Centre in Langford and check out over 130 handmade artisans, all under one roof. Tomorrow 5-9pm; Sat. 10am-5pm; Sun. 10am-4pm. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Wednesday’s headlines: Limited number of shelter spaces put unhoused people in the eye of the storms; 100+ Women Who Care giving away big bucks; Weather blows a hole through BC Ferries’ schedule; And more. [Nov. 20]
Saanich reduces parking stall requirements: 1.5 stalls per suite in new buildings with 12+ units. [CHEK]
Crystal Pool remains closed except for non-aquatic activities. [Updates here]
And here’s why Crystal Pool remains closed. [Times Colonist]
Golfer gets a pair of real eagles—who fight—in Oak Bay. [Facebook video]
Snow on the Island: North of Campbell River
Gorge East—Balfour to Jutland—down to one lane for construction.
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