Science and Technology into Action to Benefit Canadians

The Mountain Pine Beetle outbreak is spreading across the Canadian boreal forest, threatening the balance of natural ecosystems and the stability of the forestry industry. Conventional pesticide treatments have been found to harm boreal birds and may exacerbate the problem. Natural resource managers need science-based deterrents that maintain ecological integrity.

Sustaining the quality of inland waters is vital to human and environmental health, and critical to the strength of Canada's resource-based economy. Environment Canada has maintained a ground-based network of monitoring stations since the early 1970s to keep informed on water quality status in Canada, but the picture provided by this monitoring approach is often incomplete.

Environmental problems are complex. Often, they are multidisciplinary, bridging the physical, chemical and ecological sciences. Frequently they are multifaceted involving air, water, soil and biota. Although data and predictive models are readily available to support research on complex environmental issues, researchers can run into difficulty when using them.

PCBs and DDT are well-known examples of chemicals once used widely and released to the environment, then later discovered to pose serious risks to human and wildlife health. Although efforts to screen new compounds for potential risks have improved significantly, all possible effects of new substances cannot be predicted with complete certainty.

Outbreaks of waterborne disease pose threats to human health, while beach closures, boil water advisories, and shellfish closures cost Canadian taxpayers millions of dollars every year. Municipalities and other watershed managers need new science-based tools to help them target cleanup strategies more effectively to deal with fecal pollution and damage to ecosystems.

Swept up into the stratosphere, ozone-depleting substances can destroy the ozone layer, increasing UV radiation at the Earth's surface. Increased UV radiation heightens the risk of skin cancers and cataracts and weakens the immune system.

Providing an accurate forecast several days in advance of a severe weather event is a daunting scientific challenge, but essential for effective preparation and response to protect Canadians.

Canadian farmers need economically viable, environmentally safe solutions for disposing of dead farm animals to decrease transmission of infectious diseases in agriculture and reduce associated risks to the environment, and potentially to human health.

Terrorist attacks bring immediate death and destruction. They also bring environmental pollution, immediate and long-term. How can Canadian science and technology meet the challenge to protect Canadian air, soil, water and wildlife from the environmental impacts of terrorism?

Financial resources can be directed to sites where clean-up will provide maximum environmental benefit. When clean-up and restoration are complete, further benefits for the waterfront area will come.

Oil spills can kill fish, marine mammals and birds, and destroy plant life. Even small amounts can damage the ecological balance and cause long-term harm to aquatic ecosystems and wildlife.

Early results of recent studies suggest a high risk of adverse biological effects in the intertidal environment of Seal Harbour, Wine Harbour and Harrigan Cove.