Officials face immense backlash over multibillion-dollar plans to carve out natural lands to build new airport: 'Worse than we could have imagined'
Officials have sparked backlash after unveiling a new master plan for Montreal airport that severely reduces the amount of green space surrounding the site, the Montreal Gazette reported. Under the plan, only about 10% of the previously planned green space would remain.
Conservationists and locals fought back after the release of the long-awaited 20-year master development plan for the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, per the Gazette.
While multiple local municipalities, including the City of Montreal, have passed resolutions supporting the creation of a 230-hectare (568-acre) green space surrounding the airport, the new master plan, released by Aéroports de Montréal, calls for preserving only 25 hectares (62 acres) of wetland space.
"What we see is worse than we could have imagined," Katherine Collin of TechnoparcOiseaux, a group advocating for the conservation of green space around the Montreal airport, told the Gazette. "Development is planned over vital habitat for endangered and threatened species."
The diminished green space appeared to be at odds with ADM's promises of environmental stewardship. In the master plan, ADM asserted that its sustainability goals included promoting "a healthy, high-quality environment in its communities."
ADM president and director general Yves Beauchamp argued at a public meeting that green spaces around airports are unsafe for passengers due to the risk of bird strikes. However, opponents pointed out that other airports, including those in Canada, can operate safely with large green spaces nearby.
Despite the opposition, ADM claimed that the developed areas would be better for the environment than green space, as they would be used for solar panels and to store cleaner fuels for aircraft.
Critics have accused Beauchamp and ADM of engaging in the corporate practice of greenwashing, or promoting supposedly pro-environment practices that are more about publicity and appearances than actual impact.
Green spaces provide crucial health, economic, and environmental benefits, particularly in urban settings. According to the Natural History Museum in London, green space significantly reduces air pollution while also limiting the urban heat island effect.
Because of the prevalence of paved ground and tightly packed buildings, cities can be 3 to 4 degrees Celsius (5.4 to 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter than the surrounding countryside.
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Green vegetation combats this effect by limiting the amount of heat-radiating concrete, absorbing sunlight, and creating shade.
Even within human-made environments, green spaces will develop ecosystems that become self-sustaining, which ultimately saves money, said Cecil Konijnendijk, a professor of urban forestry at the University of British Columbia.
In Montreal and around the world, conservationists are fighting to preserve existing green spaces and reestablish green spaces where they have been lost.
If you'd like to make a difference in your own community, you can join a conservation group or even create your own green spaces that can conserve water and help pollinators and other local species.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
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Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Officials face immense backlash over multibillion-dollar plans to carve out natural lands to build new airport: 'Worse than we could have imagined'
Officials have sparked backlash after unveiling a new master plan for Montreal airport that severely reduces the amount of green space surrounding the site, the Montreal Gazette reported. Under the plan, only about 10% of the previously planned green space would remain. Conservationists and locals fought back after the release of the long-awaited 20-year master development plan for the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, per the Gazette. While multiple local municipalities, including the City of Montreal, have passed resolutions supporting the creation of a 230-hectare (568-acre) green space surrounding the airport, the new master plan, released by Aéroports de Montréal, calls for preserving only 25 hectares (62 acres) of wetland space. "What we see is worse than we could have imagined," Katherine Collin of TechnoparcOiseaux, a group advocating for the conservation of green space around the Montreal airport, told the Gazette. "Development is planned over vital habitat for endangered and threatened species." The diminished green space appeared to be at odds with ADM's promises of environmental stewardship. In the master plan, ADM asserted that its sustainability goals included promoting "a healthy, high-quality environment in its communities." ADM president and director general Yves Beauchamp argued at a public meeting that green spaces around airports are unsafe for passengers due to the risk of bird strikes. However, opponents pointed out that other airports, including those in Canada, can operate safely with large green spaces nearby. Despite the opposition, ADM claimed that the developed areas would be better for the environment than green space, as they would be used for solar panels and to store cleaner fuels for aircraft. Critics have accused Beauchamp and ADM of engaging in the corporate practice of greenwashing, or promoting supposedly pro-environment practices that are more about publicity and appearances than actual impact. Green spaces provide crucial health, economic, and environmental benefits, particularly in urban settings. According to the Natural History Museum in London, green space significantly reduces air pollution while also limiting the urban heat island effect. Because of the prevalence of paved ground and tightly packed buildings, cities can be 3 to 4 degrees Celsius (5.4 to 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter than the surrounding countryside. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Green vegetation combats this effect by limiting the amount of heat-radiating concrete, absorbing sunlight, and creating shade. Even within human-made environments, green spaces will develop ecosystems that become self-sustaining, which ultimately saves money, said Cecil Konijnendijk, a professor of urban forestry at the University of British Columbia. In Montreal and around the world, conservationists are fighting to preserve existing green spaces and reestablish green spaces where they have been lost. If you'd like to make a difference in your own community, you can join a conservation group or even create your own green spaces that can conserve water and help pollinators and other local species. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business Insider
Pit Boss Sportsman 850 review: I've tested nearly a dozen smokers and this is the first one I've used with a lever for searing meat
In keeping with the familiar, time-tested design of wood-pellet smokers, the Pit Boss Sportsman 850 is pretty traditional — it's even got a classic venting pipe and a hanging bucket to catch grease drips. But despite the traditional design, it has one unique feature: a pull lever, which will expose your food to direct heat and flames. It's a moderately priced grill, retailing for $749, that should have plenty of cooking space to feed a room full of people. Over the last several years, I've tested nearly a dozen of the best BBQ smokers and best pellet grills, including the new Traeger Woodridge Elite, and the Sportsman 850 stacks up well in its raw performance. The heat is consistent, and there are a decent number of features. My biggest concern, however, is that compared to other products, it's just not that polished, which means it doesn't offer the best experience for newcomers and casual backyard smokers. Assembly The grill comes in a sizable box, weighing around 140 pounds. 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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Los Angeles homeowner was stunned when a black bear entered their backyard, but it is what the animal did next that has shocked internet users. In a viral TikTok video shared on Saturday under the username @laurenaurora, the bear is filmed walking around the yard as if he owns the place, before proceeding to jump inside the family's pool for a refreshing splash. The poster and her mom can be heard in the background, discussing about calling the police, while the unaware bear freshens up in the 90-degree Fahrenheit heat. "Excuse my mom and I's commentary, but it's not every day that you see a bear in your backyard. This bear was most likely displaced from the Eaton fires, but enjoy this cute clip of it cooling off in my pool," the caption says. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says that black bears are the only wild bears in the state, but they do come in different colors, from solid shades of black to lighter ones of brown and tan. With over 35,000 specimens, California has the second-highest black bear population in the whole country, following Alaska, which has 100,000. Although rare, bear attacks can and do happen, which is why you should exercise caution around them. WebMD says that, if a bear has noticed you and looks threatening, there are things you can do to de-escalate the situation. The first thing to do is stay calm. Do not run away, as this can make the bear think you are prey. If you're in a group, gather everyone together and pick up any small children. You can try talking to the bear calmly so it knows you are human and back away slowly, trying to avoid any unnecessary interaction. However, if the bear starts to approach, WebMD says you should make yourself as big as possible by stretching your arms over your head and making loud noises. If it charges at you, it is time to use bear spray, which you should take with you in areas densely populated by bears. Stock image: A young black bear stands by a tree in the backyard, looking into the window. Stock image: A young black bear stands by a tree in the backyard, looking into the window. getty images The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 882,500 views and more than 83,600 likes on the platform. One user, A. commented: "If this happened in MY backyard, I would cancel my entire day and just watch that beautiful creature and let him do whatever he wants and pray that he's ok." Casey posted: "Immediately disappointed we don't have more bear in pool footage." Angiehall6082 added: "He's so hot and miserable. Please just let him cool off. He will go away after he has a little swim." Newsweek reached out to @laurenaurora for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
