Mike Patterson
@mykle.bsky.social
Multimedia journalist on Vancouver Island interested in environmental reporting, global warming, climate change, equality, social justice and change.
BC Sierra Club report finds continued logging of old growth in areas recommended for deferral and urges policy shift "to protecting remaining big-treed old growth and younger high-productivity primary forests."
#oldgrowth #conservation #forests #logging
sierraclub.bc.ca/stories-even...
#oldgrowth #conservation #forests #logging
sierraclub.bc.ca/stories-even...
Closer to the brink: The state of the forest in B.C. in 2025
This independent report assesses the state of forests in BC and how the province can get back on track for the promised paradigm shift in forest stewardship.
sierraclub.bc.ca
November 13, 2025 at 8:36 PM
BC Sierra Club report finds continued logging of old growth in areas recommended for deferral and urges policy shift "to protecting remaining big-treed old growth and younger high-productivity primary forests."
#oldgrowth #conservation #forests #logging
sierraclub.bc.ca/stories-even...
#oldgrowth #conservation #forests #logging
sierraclub.bc.ca/stories-even...
Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender says BC government fails to take "evidence-based action" and focuses instead on criminal justice and involuntary care. The stigmatization it creates is a human rights violation.
#addiction #health #harmreduction
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/national/b-c...
#addiction #health #harmreduction
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/national/b-c...
B.C. Human Rights Commissioner says stigmatizing drug use is a violation
VANCOUVER - British Columbia's Human Rights Commissioner is criticizing the province's handling of the deadly opioid crisis, saying it takes a stigma-based approach that is "a violation" of human righ...
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 13, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender says BC government fails to take "evidence-based action" and focuses instead on criminal justice and involuntary care. The stigmatization it creates is a human rights violation.
#addiction #health #harmreduction
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/national/b-c...
#addiction #health #harmreduction
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/national/b-c...
Reposted by Mike Patterson
Raising the minimum wage to $20/hour would narrow the gap between BC’s minimum and the living wage, benefiting some 350K workers in BC, living wage report authors @iglikaivanova.bsky.social and Anastasia French say.
Government measures can help close the gap they recommend.
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage
Government measures can help close the gap they recommend.
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage
November 13, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Raising the minimum wage to $20/hour would narrow the gap between BC’s minimum and the living wage, benefiting some 350K workers in BC, living wage report authors @iglikaivanova.bsky.social and Anastasia French say.
Government measures can help close the gap they recommend.
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage
Government measures can help close the gap they recommend.
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage
So much for "They're worth more standing." A report for Sierra Club discovers, "B.C. forests were four times more likely to be logged inside recommended deferral zones than outside over the past four years."
#oldgrowth #logging #bcpoli #conservation #environment
thenarwhal.ca/bc-forests-l...
#oldgrowth #logging #bcpoli #conservation #environment
thenarwhal.ca/bc-forests-l...
How logging has sent B.C. forests into freefall | The Narwhal
A Sierra Club BC report reveals a gap between B.C.’s forestry promises, including old-growth deferrals, and reality
thenarwhal.ca
November 13, 2025 at 7:57 PM
So much for "They're worth more standing." A report for Sierra Club discovers, "B.C. forests were four times more likely to be logged inside recommended deferral zones than outside over the past four years."
#oldgrowth #logging #bcpoli #conservation #environment
thenarwhal.ca/bc-forests-l...
#oldgrowth #logging #bcpoli #conservation #environment
thenarwhal.ca/bc-forests-l...
Reposted by Mike Patterson
SNAP has existed for 60 years. Benefits have gone out every single month over those six decades, including during government shutdowns. Until now.
Make no mistake: The money is available to fund SNAP during this shutdown. Trump is making a choice to withhold it.
Don’t forget this.
Make no mistake: The money is available to fund SNAP during this shutdown. Trump is making a choice to withhold it.
Don’t forget this.
November 6, 2025 at 9:15 PM
SNAP has existed for 60 years. Benefits have gone out every single month over those six decades, including during government shutdowns. Until now.
Make no mistake: The money is available to fund SNAP during this shutdown. Trump is making a choice to withhold it.
Don’t forget this.
Make no mistake: The money is available to fund SNAP during this shutdown. Trump is making a choice to withhold it.
Don’t forget this.
Reposted by Mike Patterson
martlet.ca/potent-synth...
"Government intervention in medical decision-making has limited access to pharmaceutical-grade opioid tablets, [so] 'It’s not surprising that people are going to seek those tablets elsewhere.'"
"Government intervention in medical decision-making has limited access to pharmaceutical-grade opioid tablets, [so] 'It’s not surprising that people are going to seek those tablets elsewhere.'"
Potent synthetic opioid in counterfeit pills across Greater Victoria
Nitazene, estimated to be between 5 and 8 times stronger than fentanyl, has begun appearing in counterfeit prescription pills across the city
martlet.ca
November 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM
martlet.ca/potent-synth...
"Government intervention in medical decision-making has limited access to pharmaceutical-grade opioid tablets, [so] 'It’s not surprising that people are going to seek those tablets elsewhere.'"
"Government intervention in medical decision-making has limited access to pharmaceutical-grade opioid tablets, [so] 'It’s not surprising that people are going to seek those tablets elsewhere.'"
Reposted by Mike Patterson
🌎 Share the facts on climate change with a new slide deck from Climate Central, available in English and Spanish. 🌎 www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
November 5, 2025 at 5:43 PM
🌎 Share the facts on climate change with a new slide deck from Climate Central, available in English and Spanish. 🌎 www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
Reposted by Mike Patterson
Dropped everything to publish this new op-ed to @mongabay.com by former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson
She calls Bill Gates' new essay on #climatechange dangerous & false
“The great challenge of our time is to build a future where every person can thrive on a healthy planet,” Robinson argues:
She calls Bill Gates' new essay on #climatechange dangerous & false
“The great challenge of our time is to build a future where every person can thrive on a healthy planet,” Robinson argues:
No, Bill Gates, we don’t have to choose between people & planet (commentary)
Bill Gates has long been a leading voice in the global response to human health and climate change. His climate investments and advocacy have helped drive innovation, expand access to clean energy, an...
news.mongabay.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Dropped everything to publish this new op-ed to @mongabay.com by former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson
She calls Bill Gates' new essay on #climatechange dangerous & false
“The great challenge of our time is to build a future where every person can thrive on a healthy planet,” Robinson argues:
She calls Bill Gates' new essay on #climatechange dangerous & false
“The great challenge of our time is to build a future where every person can thrive on a healthy planet,” Robinson argues:
Reposted by Mike Patterson
Very concerning – deep-sea mining could be doing untold damage to the ocean's ability to support life
Deep-sea mining waste threatens life and foodwebs in the ocean's dim 'twilight zone,' first study of its kind finds
A new study led by researchers at the University of Hawaii (UH) at Mānoa published in Nature Communications is the first of its kind to show that waste discharged from deep-sea mining operations in th...
phys.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Very concerning – deep-sea mining could be doing untold damage to the ocean's ability to support life
Sky News set up six new X accounts in Britain and out of 22,000 accounts they received political content from, Sky reports, the "political content was predominantly right-wing."
#socialmedia #politics #extremism #extremist
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
#socialmedia #politics #extremism #extremist
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
How the world's richest man is boosting the British right
How the world's richest man is boosting the British right
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Sky News set up six new X accounts in Britain and out of 22,000 accounts they received political content from, Sky reports, the "political content was predominantly right-wing."
#socialmedia #politics #extremism #extremist
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
#socialmedia #politics #extremism #extremist
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Fed budget 2025 environmental cuts: Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (assesses environmental protections on big projects) to lose $65.8 million over several years. Canada Water Agency to lose $5 million over several years.
#environment #resourceprojects #budget2025
thenarwhal.ca/carney-budge...
#environment #resourceprojects #budget2025
thenarwhal.ca/carney-budge...
How Carney’s first budget impacts the environment | The Narwhal
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first budget scales back many Trudeau-era environmental programs and creates a youth climate corps
thenarwhal.ca
November 5, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Fed budget 2025 environmental cuts: Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (assesses environmental protections on big projects) to lose $65.8 million over several years. Canada Water Agency to lose $5 million over several years.
#environment #resourceprojects #budget2025
thenarwhal.ca/carney-budge...
#environment #resourceprojects #budget2025
thenarwhal.ca/carney-budge...
"The overall direction is business-as-usual funding, inadequate climate response and environmental deregulation." Wilderness Committee analysis of 2025 Federal Budget.
#environment #climatechange #globalwarming #LNG #fossilfuels
www.wildernesscommittee.org/news/budget-...
#environment #climatechange #globalwarming #LNG #fossilfuels
www.wildernesscommittee.org/news/budget-...
Budget 2025 entrenches Carney government’s backsliding on climate and environmental protection
Focus on mega-projects and deep cuts to civil service ignores environmental realities and invests in classic, unsustainable resource extraction modelVANCOUVER / UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵ wx̱wú7mesh AND...
www.wildernesscommittee.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:30 PM
"The overall direction is business-as-usual funding, inadequate climate response and environmental deregulation." Wilderness Committee analysis of 2025 Federal Budget.
#environment #climatechange #globalwarming #LNG #fossilfuels
www.wildernesscommittee.org/news/budget-...
#environment #climatechange #globalwarming #LNG #fossilfuels
www.wildernesscommittee.org/news/budget-...
Reposted by Mike Patterson
BREAKING: Ottawa’s budget falls short of climate change and toxics pollution reality, putting people’s health at risk
cape.ca/press_releas...
@robb-barnes.bsky.social @janeemcarthur.bsky.social
cape.ca/press_releas...
@robb-barnes.bsky.social @janeemcarthur.bsky.social
Ottawa’s budget falls short of climate change and toxics pollution reality, putting people’s health at risk - CAPE
At a time when climate impacts are accelerating, devastating health, the healthcare system and livelihoods of people across Canada, Budget 2025 acknowledges these impacts but under-invests in real sol...
cape.ca
November 4, 2025 at 11:54 PM
BREAKING: Ottawa’s budget falls short of climate change and toxics pollution reality, putting people’s health at risk
cape.ca/press_releas...
@robb-barnes.bsky.social @janeemcarthur.bsky.social
cape.ca/press_releas...
@robb-barnes.bsky.social @janeemcarthur.bsky.social
A lack of funds to cover the costs and no central agency to organize relocation cause problems as villages in Alaska are forced to move due to climate change melting permafrost.
#climatecrisis #globalwarming #permafrost #Indigenous #Alaska
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
#climatecrisis #globalwarming #permafrost #Indigenous #Alaska
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
The ground is swallowing homes in this Native village in Alaska. Residents have no choice but to move
The climate crisis is causing the permafrost to melt in Alaska, forcing the village of Nunapitchuk to relocate
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:47 PM
A lack of funds to cover the costs and no central agency to organize relocation cause problems as villages in Alaska are forced to move due to climate change melting permafrost.
#climatecrisis #globalwarming #permafrost #Indigenous #Alaska
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
#climatecrisis #globalwarming #permafrost #Indigenous #Alaska
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Mike Patterson
Thinking ahead to tomorrow's federal budget and all the talk of Canadians needing to make sacrifices, I can't help but wonder when the wealthiest few might be asked to do that.
Unfortunately I don't think that's part of the plan.
Unfortunately I don't think that's part of the plan.
A federal wealth tax could raise half a trillion dollars for Canada.
Extreme wealth concentration is damaging our economy and society. Taxing the super-rich could fund transformative public investments to build a stronger, more resilient Canada.
New report: bcpolicy.ca/wealth-tax
Extreme wealth concentration is damaging our economy and society. Taxing the super-rich could fund transformative public investments to build a stronger, more resilient Canada.
New report: bcpolicy.ca/wealth-tax
A wealth tax could raise half a trillion dollars for a stronger, fairer Canada
New report on the effects of wealth inequality, the revenue potential of a wealth tax, counter-arguments and an outline of transformative public investments.
bcpolicy.ca
November 3, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Thinking ahead to tomorrow's federal budget and all the talk of Canadians needing to make sacrifices, I can't help but wonder when the wealthiest few might be asked to do that.
Unfortunately I don't think that's part of the plan.
Unfortunately I don't think that's part of the plan.
A new group voices concern that Indigenous Title will cut access to wilderness areas, but a trail builder says developing a shared vision is the way forward. BC ORC exec says perceived lack of govt transparency unhelpful.
#reconciliation #indigenous #outdoors
thenarwhal.ca/dripa-bc-cro...
#reconciliation #indigenous #outdoors
thenarwhal.ca/dripa-bc-cro...
Does Indigenous Title hinder access to Crown land in B.C.? | The Narwhal
Recognition of Indigenous Title in B.C. has recreation groups — and resource industries — worried about access to Crown land
thenarwhal.ca
October 28, 2025 at 6:24 PM
A new group voices concern that Indigenous Title will cut access to wilderness areas, but a trail builder says developing a shared vision is the way forward. BC ORC exec says perceived lack of govt transparency unhelpful.
#reconciliation #indigenous #outdoors
thenarwhal.ca/dripa-bc-cro...
#reconciliation #indigenous #outdoors
thenarwhal.ca/dripa-bc-cro...
Reposted by Mike Patterson
Here's something that's not talked about enough
The air pollution from burning fossil fuels kills an estimated 10 million people a year
1 in 6 deaths is caused by fossil fuels
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The air pollution from burning fossil fuels kills an estimated 10 million people a year
1 in 6 deaths is caused by fossil fuels
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Here's something that's not talked about enough
The air pollution from burning fossil fuels kills an estimated 10 million people a year
1 in 6 deaths is caused by fossil fuels
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The air pollution from burning fossil fuels kills an estimated 10 million people a year
1 in 6 deaths is caused by fossil fuels
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Mike Patterson
Canada has a housing crisis but it doesn’t affect everyone equally, a new report by our racial equity researcher @verosioufi.bsky.social shows.
The crisis affects Indigenous, Black, racialized and immigrant communities more than the population at large, she explains.
The crisis affects Indigenous, Black, racialized and immigrant communities more than the population at large, she explains.
Racial inequality in Canada’s housing market
This report synthesizes extensive literature on racial inequities in Canada's housing market, highlighting how systemic racism continues to exclude Indigenous, Black, Arab, Latin American, and other racialized and immigrant communities from stable, affordable housing.
bcpolicy.ca
October 20, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Canada has a housing crisis but it doesn’t affect everyone equally, a new report by our racial equity researcher @verosioufi.bsky.social shows.
The crisis affects Indigenous, Black, racialized and immigrant communities more than the population at large, she explains.
The crisis affects Indigenous, Black, racialized and immigrant communities more than the population at large, she explains.
Reposted by Mike Patterson
After a week of ridiculous Republican smears and Trump claiming that “very few people are going to be there,” you just made history. #NoKings
October 18, 2025 at 9:57 PM
After a week of ridiculous Republican smears and Trump claiming that “very few people are going to be there,” you just made history. #NoKings
Reposted by Mike Patterson
The 400 richest Americans are now worth a record $6.6 trillion, after getting $1.2 trillion richer over the past year alone.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country is getting squeezed by tariffs and high prices for groceries, utilities, and health care.
The system is broken.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country is getting squeezed by tariffs and high prices for groceries, utilities, and health care.
The system is broken.
October 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
The 400 richest Americans are now worth a record $6.6 trillion, after getting $1.2 trillion richer over the past year alone.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country is getting squeezed by tariffs and high prices for groceries, utilities, and health care.
The system is broken.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country is getting squeezed by tariffs and high prices for groceries, utilities, and health care.
The system is broken.
Millions of litres of tap water required.
'Amazon didn’t answer CBC's questions about its water use at the Varennes facility...the building’s owner only pays a flat rate for potable water use. In 2023, that was $153, according to tax records...'
#datacentres #water #AI
www.cbc.ca/news/ai-data...
'Amazon didn’t answer CBC's questions about its water use at the Varennes facility...the building’s owner only pays a flat rate for potable water use. In 2023, that was $153, according to tax records...'
#datacentres #water #AI
www.cbc.ca/news/ai-data...
Thirsty AI data centres are coming to Canada, with little scrutiny or oversight | CBC News
Canada is poised to join the data centre boom. But as such projects face greater scrutiny around the world, there is little debate here about what this will mean for the country’s water.
www.cbc.ca
October 18, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Millions of litres of tap water required.
'Amazon didn’t answer CBC's questions about its water use at the Varennes facility...the building’s owner only pays a flat rate for potable water use. In 2023, that was $153, according to tax records...'
#datacentres #water #AI
www.cbc.ca/news/ai-data...
'Amazon didn’t answer CBC's questions about its water use at the Varennes facility...the building’s owner only pays a flat rate for potable water use. In 2023, that was $153, according to tax records...'
#datacentres #water #AI
www.cbc.ca/news/ai-data...
Reposted by Mike Patterson
Oceans become warmer and absorb less CO2, while hotter and drier conditions on land fuel more wildfires and less plant growth.
#globalwarming #environment #fossilfuel #climatechange #health #biodiversity
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#globalwarming #environment #fossilfuel #climatechange #health #biodiversity
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Record leap in CO2 fuels fears of accelerating global heating
CO2 in air hit new high last year, with scientists concerned natural land and ocean carbon sinks are weakening
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Oceans become warmer and absorb less CO2, while hotter and drier conditions on land fuel more wildfires and less plant growth.
#globalwarming #environment #fossilfuel #climatechange #health #biodiversity
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#globalwarming #environment #fossilfuel #climatechange #health #biodiversity
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Former BC Green MLA Adam Olsen says Canadians can seek unity instead of a narrative of winners and losers, "where recognizing Indigenous rights destabilizes society, unravels our political and legal system, and threatens prosperity."
#Indigenous #reconciliation #politics
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
#Indigenous #reconciliation #politics
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
As Denialism Grows, Look to Our History of Coming Together | The Tyee
We can choose which traditions to uphold. Here’s my choice.
thetyee.ca
October 15, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Former BC Green MLA Adam Olsen says Canadians can seek unity instead of a narrative of winners and losers, "where recognizing Indigenous rights destabilizes society, unravels our political and legal system, and threatens prosperity."
#Indigenous #reconciliation #politics
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
#Indigenous #reconciliation #politics
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
Reposted by Mike Patterson
🎉CAPE President Dr. Melissa Lem has been given Canada's Clean50 Award for 2026, which recognizes top contributors to the clean economy in Canada over the past 2 years. 🎉
October 15, 2025 at 2:30 PM
🎉CAPE President Dr. Melissa Lem has been given Canada's Clean50 Award for 2026, which recognizes top contributors to the clean economy in Canada over the past 2 years. 🎉