Latest news with #sustainability
CTV News
34 minutes ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Scientists question Ottawa more than doubling cod catch in Newfoundland and Labrador
Fishing boats are shown in St. John's, Friday, Apr. 16, 2021. Since the 1992 moratorium on fishing cod in Newfoundland and Labrador, harvesters have focused on crab, shrimp and other shellfish, as evidenced by the many crab boats seen at St. John's wharfs each spring. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sarah Smellie ST. JOHN'S — Scientists say they are surprised and 'puzzled' by the federal fisheries minister's decision Wednesday to more than double the catch in this year's northern cod fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador. Noel Cadigan modelled the northern cod stock for years as a scientist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. He said the move to hike catch limits this year doesn't line up with the precautionary management approach the department says it has adopted for the stock. 'It is not easy to reduce these quotas again,' the associate professor at Memorial University's Marine Institute said Thursday. 'You want to be sure that these increases are going to be sustainable over the medium term.' 'I don't see evidence for that,' he added. Federal fisheries minister Joanne Thompson announced Wednesday that the total allowable catch for the commercial northern cod fishery off Newfoundland and Labrador's east coast would be 38,000 tonnes this year. That's up from 18,000 tonnes in 2024. For centuries, the northern cod fishery was the backbone of Newfoundland and Labrador's fishing sector and rural economy. But the stock began to collapse and in 1992, the federal government imposed a moratorium on the fishery. The move resulted in one of the largest mass layoffs in Canadian history. Ottawa lifted the 32-year-old moratorium last year, drawing criticism from some scientists who say the stock is still trying to recover. The Fisheries Department's northern cod stock assessment earlier this year was much rosier than the last. It included revised estimates of the stock size and the threshold at which it would struggle to survive. The chance the stock is above that threshold is greater than 99 per cent, it said. The department has not yet determined a threshold at which the stock would be considered healthy. If the stock falls between the goalposts for struggling and healthy, it is considered to be in the 'cautious' zone. Cadigan noted that according to the department's own guidelines, 'fishing must be progressively reduced' on stocks in that zone. The assessment also said there was a moderate to moderately high chance the stock would decline in the next few years, even if it wasn't fished. Cadigan said Thompson seems to be 'gambling' on that not happening. Tyler Eddy, a Marine Institute research scientist, said the assessment also predicted if fishing levels were doubled this year, there was just a four per cent chance the stock would fall back down past the threshold at which it was threatened by 2026. But Cadigan said the point should be to avoid that precipice at all costs. 'You're talking about a small risk of a disaster,' he said. Sherrylynn Rowe, also a Marine Institute research scientist, said the data in the latest stock assessment made Thompson's decision surprising. The Fisheries Department's press release Wednesday said the stock has been stable since 2017. Rowe said that also means it hasn't shown any significant growth. However, she said officials are under a lot of pressure from the local fishing industry to increase quotas and catches. From that perspective, the minister's decision isn't quite as shocking, she said. 'This is a challenge in Canada,' she said in an interview. 'Within the Department of Fisheries, they have a dual mandate to both protect oceans and fish stocks, but also promote fisheries … It's not always clear how the various objectives are weighted when they make these types of decisions.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2025. Sarah Smellie
New York Times
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
The World's 50 Best Restaurants Announces Its 2025 List
The 2025 recipients of the restaurant world's most influential global awards, the World's 50 Best list, were announced last night at a ceremony in Turin, Italy. Maido became the second restaurant in Lima, Peru, to reach the top spot. Asador Extebarri in the Basque region of Spain held onto its place at No. 2. Quintonil in Mexico City, DiverXO in Madrid, and Alchemist in Copenhagen filled out the top five. 'We talk a lot about sustainability of the environment, but we rarely talk about human sustainability,' said Mitsuhura Tsumura, Maido's chef, who has helped redefine the centuries-old Japanese-Peruvian culinary tradition for a modern fine-dining audience. 'I think this industry can be an example of how we can bring people together with the power of food.' Overall, the list continued to recognize restaurants outside of the European fine-dining tradition, with innovative presentations, experimental flavors and hyperlocal ingredients. The highest-ranking U.S. restaurant was Atomix, which reached No. 6 in 2024 but came in twelfth this year, fresh off winning a James Beard award for outstanding hospitality on Monday. U.S. restaurants on the 'extended' list of 100 included Single Thread in Healdsburg, Calif. (80), Le Bernardin (90) and César (98) in Manhattan (90) and Atelier Crenn in San Francisco (96). Cosme in New York and Smyth in Chicago fell off the list. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Sustainability Times
2 hours ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Still at 99.8%': Revolutionary Zinc-Iodine Battery Holds Nearly Full Capacity After 500 Brutal Charge Cycles
IN A NUTSHELL 🔋 Researchers in Australia developed a new zinc-iodine battery technology offering safer and more sustainable energy storage. technology offering safer and more sustainable energy storage. ⚡ The innovative dry electrode technique enhances performance and stability by preventing dendrite growth, crucial for battery longevity. enhances performance and stability by preventing dendrite growth, crucial for battery longevity. 🌍 This breakthrough positions zinc-iodine batteries as a viable alternative to lithium-ion for large-scale and grid storage applications. for large-scale and grid storage applications. 🔧 Future prospects include optimizing the technology to double energy density and exploring other halogen chemistries for broader applications. In a groundbreaking development, scientists in Australia have unveiled a cutting-edge zinc-iodine battery technology that promises to revolutionize energy storage solutions. This innovation is set to provide energy storage providers with cheaper, safer, and longer-lasting batteries, particularly beneficial for renewables and grid stability. With the increasing demand for sustainable and efficient energy storage systems, this breakthrough could mark a significant shift in how energy is stored and utilized globally, paving the way for more reliable and environmentally friendly power solutions. The Science Behind Zinc-Iodine Batteries Zinc-iodine batteries have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries, primarily due to their intrinsic safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness. The recent advancement, spearheaded by researchers at the University of Adelaide, involves the development of a dry electrode technique that significantly enhances the performance of these batteries. By mixing active materials as dry powders, the team created thick, self-supporting electrodes, offering enhanced performance and stability. A key innovation is the addition of 1,3,5-trioxane to the electrolyte, which forms a flexible protective film on the zinc surface during charging. This film prevents the growth of dendrites—sharp, needle-like structures that can cause short circuits in batteries. As explained by Professor Shizhang Qiao, this protective measure is crucial in maintaining the battery's longevity and safety, addressing one of the major challenges faced by energy storage technologies today. 'Trash Into Power': Scientists Create Batteries From Industrial Waste to Store Green Energy and Rewrite the Future of Sustainability Comparing With Lithium-Ion Batteries While lithium-ion batteries have long dominated the energy storage market, their limitations in terms of safety, cost, and environmental impact have prompted the search for alternatives. The new zinc-iodine technology stands out due to its ability to retain a significant percentage of its capacity over numerous charge cycles. Pouch cells with the new electrodes maintained 88.6% capacity after 750 cycles, while coin cells demonstrated a remarkable 99.8% retention after 500 cycles. Such performance metrics position zinc-iodine batteries as a viable competitor for grid-scale storage applications. The high iodine loading and stable zinc interface allow these batteries to store more energy at a lower weight and cost, making them an attractive option for large-scale energy storage. This innovation not only holds the potential to disrupt the current market but also encourages the adoption of more sustainable energy practices. 'Solar Just Beat Coal': Historic Milestone as EU Electricity Is Now Powered More by the Sun Than by the World's Dirtiest Fuel Advantages and Future Prospects The dry electrode technique offers several advantages over conventional battery technologies. The dry-processed electrodes can hold more active material, enhancing the energy density and reducing self-discharge rates. This improvement is critical for applications requiring stable and long-lasting energy storage solutions, such as renewable energy integration and grid balancing. Looking forward, the researchers plan to optimize the technology further, potentially doubling the system energy density by refining current collectors and minimizing excess electrolyte. The prospect of scaling this technology using reel-to-reel manufacturing techniques also opens up opportunities for widespread industrial adoption. As the team explores other halogen chemistries, such as bromine systems, the scope for innovation in this field continues to expand. 'Bury Them Deep': Nuclear Reactors Planted One Kilometer Underground Could Deliver Cheap and Ultra-Safe Energy for Decades Implications for the Energy Industry This breakthrough in zinc-iodine battery technology holds significant implications for the energy industry, particularly in the context of renewable energy integration. By providing a safer and more cost-effective storage solution, energy providers can better manage supply and demand, enhancing grid stability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The potential to scale this technology for use in utilities and microgrids further underscores its importance in the transition towards a more sustainable energy future. The research team's success in developing this technology not only highlights the capabilities of zinc-iodine batteries but also sets a precedent for future innovations in energy storage. As industries and governments worldwide seek to address the challenges of climate change and energy security, such advancements are crucial in driving progress towards a more sustainable and resilient energy landscape. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of sustainable energy storage, this innovation raises an intriguing question: What other groundbreaking technologies lie on the horizon to transform how we store and use energy? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (21)
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CN's Falcon Premium Wins Award for Intermodal Excellence
MONTREAL, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) announced today that its industry-leading Falcon Premium intermodal service has received the Silver Container (Contenedor de Plata) award from the Asociación Mexicana del Transporte Intermodal (AMTI). AMTI is Mexico's leading intermodal transport association, representing key stakeholders across the industry and promoting best practices in cross-border logistics. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding achievements in cross-border intermodal transportation between Mexico, the United States, and Canada. 'We are honored to receive AMTI's Silver Container Award for our Falcon Premium service. CN is proud to lead the way in delivering a seamless, all-rail interline service that reflects our commitment to innovation, exceptional customer service, and sustainability across the North American supply chain.' - Derek Taylor, Executive Vice-President and Chief Field Operating Officer at CN 'Falcon Premium is the industry standard, providing customers truck-like service reliability for their shipments from Mexico through the United States to Canada. We're honored to receive this recognition and proud to collaborate with CN and GMXT to provide customers a winning solution that takes trucks off congested highways and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75%.' - Kenny Rocker, Executive Vice President – Marketing & Sales at Union Pacific 'GMXT will always strive to be at the forefront of its service. Falcon Premium is becoming one of the most efficient means to reach North America in a sustainable way. We will continue working hand in hand with CN and UP on projects like this one.' - Luis Hernández, Vice President Intermodal at GMXT CN developed the Falcon Premium intermodal service in close collaboration with Union Pacific (UP) and Grupo México Transportes (GMXT). Together, the railroads deliver the fastest and most seamless all-rail interline service connecting Canada, the U.S. Midwest, and Mexico. Falcon Premium helps customers move freight with greater speed, reliability, and environmental efficiency. By eliminating truck interchanges and optimizing route mileage, the service offers the most direct and fuel-efficient rail connection between Canada and Mexico—accelerating speed-to-market while lowering emissions. The Silver Container Award highlights Falcon Premium's transformative impact on intermodal shipping and underscores CN's broader mission to build smarter, greener, and more resilient transportation networks. To learn more about the award, visit: CN Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements by CN included in this news release constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under Canadian securities laws. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. CN cautions that its assumptions may not materialize and that current economic conditions render such assumptions, although reasonable at the time they were made, subject to greater uncertainty. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terminology such as 'believes,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'assumes,' 'outlook,' 'plans,' 'targets,' or other similar words. Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. CN assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event CN does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that CN will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement. About CNCN powers the economy by safely transporting more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year for its customers. With its nearly 20,000-mile rail network and related transportation services, CN connects Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. Midwest and the U.S. Gulf Coast, contributing to sustainable trade and the prosperity of the communities in which it operates since Michnowski Stacy Alderson Senior Manager Assistant Vice-President Media Relations Investor Relations (438) 596-4329media@ (514) in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scientists question Ottawa more than doubling cod catch in Newfoundland and Labrador
ST. JOHN'S — Scientists say they are surprised and 'puzzled' by the federal fisheries minister's decision Wednesday to more than double the catch in this year's northern cod fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador. Noel Cadigan modelled the northern cod stock for years as a scientist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. He said the move to hike catch limits this year doesn't line up with the precautionary management approach the department says it has adopted for the stock. 'It is not easy to reduce these quotas again,' the associate professor at Memorial University's Marine Institute said Thursday. 'You want to be sure that these increases are going to be sustainable over the medium term." 'I don't see evidence for that,' he added. Federal fisheries minister Joanne Thompson announced Wednesday that the total allowable catch for the commercial northern cod fishery off Newfoundland and Labrador's east coast would be 38,000 tonnes this year. That's up from 18,000 tonnes in 2024. For centuries, the northern cod fishery was the backbone of Newfoundland and Labrador's fishing sector and rural economy. But the stock began to collapse and in 1992, the federal government imposed a moratorium on the fishery. The move resulted in one of the largest mass layoffs in Canadian history. Ottawa lifted the 32-year-old moratorium last year, drawing criticism from some scientists who say the stock is still trying to recover. The Fisheries Department's northern cod stock assessment earlier this year was much rosier than the last. It included revised estimates of the stock size and the threshold at which it would struggle to survive. The chance the stock is above that threshold is greater than 99 per cent, it said. The department has not yet determined a threshold at which the stock would be considered healthy. If the stock falls between the goalposts for struggling and healthy, it is considered to be in the "cautious" zone. Cadigan noted that according to the department's own guidelines, "fishing must be progressively reduced" on stocks in that zone. The assessment also said there was a moderate to moderately high chance the stock would decline in the next few years, even if it wasn't fished. Cadigan said Thompson seems to be "gambling" on that not happening. Tyler Eddy, a Marine Institute research scientist, said the assessment also predicted if fishing levels were doubled this year, there was just a four per cent chance the stock would fall back down past the threshold at which it was threatened by 2026. But Cadigan said the point should be to avoid that precipice at all costs. "You're talking about a small risk of a disaster," he said. Sherrylynn Rowe, also a Marine Institute research scientist, said the data in the latest stock assessment made Thompson's decision surprising. The Fisheries Department's press release Wednesday said the stock has been stable since 2017. Rowe said that also means it hasn't shown any significant growth. However, she said officials are under a lot of pressure from the local fishing industry to increase quotas and catches. From that perspective, the minister's decision isn't quite as shocking, she said. "This is a challenge in Canada," she said in an interview. "Within the Department of Fisheries, they have a dual mandate to both protect oceans and fish stocks, but also promote fisheries … It's not always clear how the various objectives are weighted when they make these types of decisions." This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2025. Sarah Smellie, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
