Latest news with #environmentalstewardship
CBC
7 days ago
- General
- CBC
Coyote pups are cute but people should stay away, park board says
The Vancouver Park Board is asking people to keep their distance from coyote pups, no matter how cute they look. Board environmental stewardship coordinator Dana McDonald explains why getting up close could threaten coyotes' coexistence with humans in urban areas.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kids care deeply about our planet, so adults need to start listening
'I wish adults knew that I really care about the environment and want to help, but I sometimes feel like my ideas don't matter because I'm just a kid.' This is what a nine-year-old respondent told us when we asked how they feel about the environment. In today's current political climate, many adults seem resigned to climate catastrophe and even dabble in climate change denialism. However, our survey of 1,000 youth aged eight to 14 from Canada and the United States found that children care deeply about the planet and are ready to take action. The findings from our report were produced as part of an ongoing study with the Humanity in Motion Society, a Canadian non-profit organization focused on engaging youth as key stakeholders in advancing environmental stewardship. Almost 90 per cent of the kids we spoke to recognize climate change as a real and urgent problem, calling for intergenerational collaboration and bolder environmental mitigation and adaptation commitments. It turns out that our nine-year-old respondent speaks for many children. Kids know what's at stake, want a seat at the table and need adults to act with them. Many of the kids told us they regularly take action to mitigate their carbon footprint, including recycling, embracing reusable items and conserving energy. Their accounts are consistent with numerous academic studies on youth involvement in environmental citizenship. However, many understand individual action alone is not enough. In fact, most kids recognize that systemic accountability is necessary to tackle the climate crisis. As one kid in Grade 6 shared: 'I wish big industry and governments would stop asking us to do something when they continue to fly in private jets [and] drill for oil and more; we are asked to recycle.' Kids have a deep understanding of current political issues, including the cost-of-living crisis and the harmful 'drill baby drill' sentiments, but also underscore a stark disconnect: while we instil environmentally responsible values in our children, elected leaders remain consistently inactive on these very same issues. Read more: The kids in this study display impressive knowledge about the steps that need to be taken to address the climate crisis. Our findings demonstrate that youth are not just passive recipients of knowledge but, rather, play an active role in being climate communicators. For example, two thirds of our respondents say their friends learn about climate change directly from them. Even though many children note that they do not have climate clubs at school, they are curious about the role of big oil, deforestation and corporate greed in the ongoing climate crisis. In addition to teachers and parents being the most influential sources of knowledge for children, social media content has an impact on kids' environmental behaviour and feelings of empowerment. Specifically, our data shows that talking to others online has a significant positive relationship with reported sustainable behaviour, and that watching videos has a significant positive relationship with how much kids feel they can make a difference. One young girl reflected on using Tiktok for insights on climate change while also capturing an awareness among her generation: 'I would say if there's a really big issue, like, I know there's something called the Climate Clock in New York…I mean, the thing with social media, you never know what's true and untrue, but that thing [Climate Clock] came on my 'For You' page…and everybody in the comments, they were saying 'this is very real, we have to do something about it.'' This shows that kids would benefit greatly from spaces to continue in-person environmental discussions with adults in the room. One young respondent captured the potential for meaningful engagement: 'There are a lot of things that can be done, curriculum integrations…sustainable skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and maybe explore the ecosystems and biodiversities and actually encourage students to design and implement climate-friendly projects and carry out field trips and organize visits to renewable energy sites or environmental organizations and sometimes, maybe occasionally, the school can invite climate experts, activists or scientists.' These ideas were shared by others who called on adults to lead more experiential approaches to climate education inside the classroom and beyond. Read more: Here are five ways to help bring about change: Adults need to step up. Adults play a critical role in shaping how youth engage in climate action. Our report found that teachers and parents, in addition to the internet, are among the most influential learning sources for youth today. Kids often take pro-environmental values, actions and cues from their parents. Apathy is not an option if we want change. Youth are looking to leaders and elected officials to invest heavily in infrastructure and education to improve our environment. Intergenerational collaboration promotes better environmental values. Despite the consequences of climate change, youth share a sense of optimism and emphasize the need for intergenerational responsibility. Provide spaces for youth to take leadership roles and engage in climate dialogue. Kids want to do more to build a sustainable future, but don't know where to begin. Providing opportunities in the classroom and beyond are critical next steps to raise the next generation of climate leaders. Promote bold action. Kids should be able to answer the call of many climate activists who recognize the need to pursue a greener economy by working together. Our survey findings highlight a hopeful message about young people's engagement in climate action, underscoring their impressive knowledge of the systemic changes required to address the crisis. As adults across the political spectrum bicker about climate policy, young people are growing impatient and hoping to lead the way. Our results refocus attention on the future we're creating and challenge us to listen seriously to children when they seek to address what may be their generation's greatest crisis. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organisation bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Jen Kostuchuk, University of Victoria; Erik Steiner, York University, Canada, and Sean Lyons, University of Guelph Read more: Record rainfall in the south, drought in the north: what's causing Europe's unusual spring weather? What a 120-year-old research station is telling us about the warming of the sea around the UK Green light for gas: North West Shelf gas plant cleared to run until 2070 Sean Lyons has received funding from Mitacs in support of an earlier iteration of the study discussed here. Erik Steiner and Jen Kostuchuk do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Globe and Mail
13-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Stardust Power Confirms No Industrial Wastewater Permit Required for Oklahoma Lithium Facility
GREENWICH, Conn., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stardust Power Inc. ("Stardust Power" or the "Company"), an American developer of battery-grade lithium products, today announced a significant update to its permitting process. Following a determination process by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), the Company has confirmed that no industrial wastewater discharge permit will be required for its planned lithium processing facility in Muskogee, Oklahoma. This determination stems from Stardust Power's use of a closed-loop water system, which recycles water during the process and eliminates wastewater discharge to public treatment facilities or natural waterways. The Company's environmentally responsible design minimizes dependency on city or county water supply after the initial filling of the facility's tanks, while also significantly reducing wastewater generation. 'Not requiring a water permit speaks to how clean a facility we have designed,' said Roshan Pujari, CEO and Founder of Stardust Power. 'Our closed-loop system significantly reduces water needs and discharge volumes. Tanks are filled and reused in processing, minimizing the impact on municipal water systems. Unlike some operations that place heavy demands on local water resources, we are proud to be planning a sustainable solution that aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship.' This design, which precludes the need for permitting delivers several meaningful advantages for Stardust Power's planned operations. First, it allows for accelerated project timelines, enabling the company to move efficiently through development and expansion phases. Additionally, it results in reduced regulatory compliance costs. Most importantly, the careful design work preserves municipal potable water for other uses within the community and minimizes costs associated with purchasing water. Stardust Power is making steady progress across other key permitting milestones. The Company has previously announced and secured the General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, enabling construction activities to move forward. In support of this permit, Stardust Power has completed its Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), which incorporates best-in-class practices to responsibly manage stormwater and protect the surrounding environment. The company's Minor Source Air Permit has been deemed administratively complete by ODEQ and is now under technical review. Stardust Power's team remains actively engaged with regulators and is responding promptly to all information requests. Stardust Power is dedicated to sustainable lithium manufacturing through the use of lithium brines as its feedstock and by prioritizing water conservation. The Company integrates water stewardship into every stage of its operations, from exploration to production, meeting or exceeding all regulatory standards while maximizing water reuse and recycling to reduce freshwater demand. 'Water is a finite and shared resource,' Mr. Pujari added. 'We're not just building a processing facility; we're building a future-minded supply chain that supports clean energy without compromising community resources.' About Stardust Power Inc. Stardust Power is a developer of battery-grade lithium products designed to bolster America's energy leadership by building resilient supply chains. Stardust Power is developing a strategically central lithium processing facility in Muskogee, Oklahoma with the anticipated capacity of producing up to 50,000 metric tons per annum of battery-grade lithium. The Company is committed to sustainability at each point in the process. Stardust Power trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol 'SDST.' For more information, visit Stardust Power Contacts For Investors: Johanna Gonzalez For Media: Michael Thompson media@ Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release constitute 'forward-looking statements.' Such forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as 'believe,' 'may,' 'will,' 'estimate,' 'continue,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'expect,' 'should,' 'would,' 'plan,' 'predict,' 'forecasted,' 'projected,' 'potential,' 'seem,' 'future,' 'outlook,' and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or otherwise indicate statements that are not of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements and factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the ability of Stardust Power to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain key relationships and retain its management and key employees; risks related to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Stardust Power; risks related to the price of Stardust Power's securities, including volatility resulting from changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Stardust Power plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Stardust Power's business and changes in the combined capital structure; and risks related to the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations and identify and realize additional opportunities. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Stockholders and prospective investors should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in documents filed by Stardust Power from time to time with the SEC. Stockholders and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which only speak as of the date made, are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks, assumptions and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Stardust Power. Stardust Power expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the expectations of Stardust Power with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
