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Hamilton Spectator
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
Cape Breton shorelines not just changing, but disappearing
Bridges, structures and land masses that graced the shores of Cape Breton's waterfronts within living memory now lie underwater or partially submerged. A flood mapping project now underway can help make sure infrastructure and development planning can handle the future. Coastal and waterway erosion and flooding are issues affecting all of Cape Breton. Researchers working on a flood mapping project have been visiting First Nation communities in the Bras d'Or Lake area collecting information, stories and memories from the descendants of the island's first peoples about water and weather events to prepare a report. The report, expected to be finished in March 2026, will not only help scientists, climatologists and community leaders know what the erosion and flooding situation is now, but can aid in preparation for future weather-event trends and emergencies. This past week, staff from engineering company CBCL Limited and Indigenous advisory and education company Balsam – both from Halifax – held community engagement sessions in the First Nation communities of Whycocomagh and Potlotek. Studies are also being done in Nova Scotia through the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq. The provincial government is working with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality to address flooding and engage with the community in that part of Unama'ki (Cape Breton). The effects of severe weather events are real and increasing, based on factual and anecdotal historical data. Who better to detail weather-event stories but the Mi'kmaq peoples who have lived close to the land for thousands of years? 'First Nations people have been here the longest. They not only have recent memory history, but legacy history in terms of the stories they have in the places they used to visit and the places that may not be available anymore,' says Houston Barnaby, a Mi'kmaw Indigenous Rights lawyer originally from Listuguj, QC, and founding partner of Balsam. CONCERNS AND RECOMMENDATIONS In Potlotek on Wednesday, people gathered at a table where a map of the area lay in front of them. They were encouraged to help write notations on the map about where structures still were; where land or structures used to be; what was now underwater; and areas they knew were in trouble when heavy rains came. Researchers listened and took notes. They heard concerns and took recommendations from the locals about flooding or land erosion in the community. Potlotek's Charles Doucette, the community's Manager of Fisheries, said he has seen a lot of changes along the shoreline in his lifetime. He is an artist who makes jewelry from stone and so walks the shore often. He points to the map of the Potlotek area on a table in front of him. 'We've seen islands we used to go to that became sandbars and then shoals and now they're completely underwater,' he says. His finger lands on an area indicating land on the map. 'Even in the last year, there is a sandbar here on the map – it's now gone – I'd say in the last two months and the area is all open. You can canoe right through here.' He points to another area. 'Places where people used to have cabins – they're gone. The waves are coming into them and they will be gone soon.' 'One year you'll see a big rock on the hill, and the next year it's gone. It's down on the shore.' FLOODING INTENSITY CBCL's Manager of Coastal Science and Engineering, Amaury Camarena, told people they should expect the sea levels to rise and play a role in the flooding intensity and potential damage of those floods. Camarena says he was told about a wharf in the community built 30 years ago and people said it was too high back then. But now it's underwater frequently! A new wharf had to be rebuilt at a higher level in recent years. 'With climate change, we expect things like that to become accelerated,' he says. He is hoping to help Cape Breton prepare for the possible negative results of future weather events. Floods over the past decade in Nova Scotia that led to loss of life, homes and livelihoods have brought the issue of climate change to the forefront for many people. The tragic stories of flooding in Texas this past week that killed and injured hundreds have been shocking and highlighted the worst-case scenario of such weather events. The project CBCL Limited and Balsam are partnering in – Unama'ki Watershed Data Collection and Mi'kmaq Engagement' – will culminate in a report. It will include data about local maps, water levels, flow measurements and inventories of area water structures. A second component of the report will highlight some of the key findings and general methodology that was used for engagement with the communities. Camarena says they have heard about significant issues in some communities related to stormwater infrastructures or undersize culverts that don't allow for all the water to flow out of the community efficiently. 'We have heard in some communities that during extreme rainfall events or storms, parts of the communities can become disconnected because the roads are not accessible. So that is a really critical component of how floods impact a lot of people,' he said. 'A lot of businesses have to close because of the flooding and limited access they have during these events and the recovery efforts that have to be done afterwards.' PROVIDING A BRIDGE With his knowledge as part of the Mi'kmaq community in Eastern Canada, Houston has been providing a bridge between climate researchers and First Nations communities on Cape Breton. 'It's the two-eyed seeing concept – using indigenous knowledge systems but also technical modern systems to get a clearer picture,' he said. 'We have tech analyses through instruments in the water, so we're getting concrete data and also getting quality data from the community members given their experience and methods of adaptation to the ever-changing and sometimes volatile environment.' 'One method is not better than the other. Both need each other to get as accurate a picture as possible. Working together and piecing these data points and insights we get from community members who have lived here all their lives is good. They got their stories from grandparents and great-grandparents and it can only help shed light on what has happened and what the trends are and what's happening today.' Camarena said the research project and its data will be a very useful tool. 'It will lead to a lot more discussion and ideas for development from everyone in the communities, in government, and for the people selecting how future funding is going to be used.' He said the project will help provide the tools people will need to both grant the funding and apply for the funding. While the companies have only been invited to work in two of the five First Nation communities on Cape Breton, they say they are open to discussions with others if invited. ABOUT FLOOD MAPPING Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Canada's security under threat as CSIS uncovers Chinese spy targeting government secrets
Canada's top intelligence agency has issued an espionage alert, warning federal departments and academic institutions that an individual is allegedly trying to gather sensitive information on behalf of the Chinese government. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) confirmed it shared the 'espionage advisory' in recent weeks with multiple government offices and universities across the country. The individual in question, whose identity has not been disclosed, is believed to be seeking privileged data for China's intelligence services, CSIS spokesperson Eric Balsam told Global News. 'CSIS advised recipients to use extreme caution when dealing with this person and avoid discussing confidential and sensitive information with them,' Balsam said. 'Suspicious encounters with this individual should be reported to the appropriate security officials.' This is one of the most explicit warnings CSIS has made public in recent years, amid growing scrutiny of China's global intelligence operations and foreign interference campaigns. Pattern of espionage Live Events While CSIS has not named the person or identified the specific departments or universities involved, this alert follows a series of high-profile cases linking Canadian research institutions to Chinese interests. Yuesheng Wang, a former battery researcher at Hydro-Québec, became the first person in Canada charged with economic espionage in 2022. Authorities accused him of obtaining trade secrets for China. He faces additional charges filed last year. In a separate case, two federal scientists at Canada's top infectious disease lab in Winnipeg were fired in 2021 over concerns about alleged ties to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Government reports later suggested they had shared sensitive data with Chinese researchers. 'The PRC has repeatedly shown that it is willing to use clandestine and deceptive means to acquire intellectual property and emerging technologies,' CSIS wrote in its 2024 annual report, identifying China as Canada's top counterintelligence threat. Focus on critical technologies According to CSIS, China is particularly interested in Canada's advances in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, aerospace, and even space technology, sectors that impact both industry and national defense. In response to 'hostile actors,' CSIS says it has dramatically increased security briefings for space sector professionals, warning them about the growing risk of sabotage and espionage from adversarial states, including Russia and China. Just last week, the Canadian government ordered Hikvision , a Chinese surveillance tech giant, to shut down its operations in Canada due to national security risks. The Hogue Commission, which investigated foreign interference in Canadian democracy earlier this year, called China 'the most active perpetrator' of such campaigns and said Beijing poses 'the most sophisticated and active cyber threat to Canada.' CSIS has made clear it 'does not hesitate' to issue such advisories to defend Canada's national interests. Still, experts say that transparency will be critical in ensuring both security and trust as international tensions deepen.
Economic Times
06-07-2025
- Economic Times
Canada's security under threat as CSIS uncovers Chinese spy targeting government secrets
TIL Creatives CSIS issues rare espionage alert over suspected Chinese spy targeting Canadian government and academic secrets, raising urgent national security concerns Canada's top intelligence agency has issued an espionage alert, warning federal departments and academic institutions that an individual is allegedly trying to gather sensitive information on behalf of the Chinese government. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) confirmed it shared the 'espionage advisory' in recent weeks with multiple government offices and universities across the country. The individual in question, whose identity has not been disclosed, is believed to be seeking privileged data for China's intelligence services, CSIS spokesperson Eric Balsam told Global News. 'CSIS advised recipients to use extreme caution when dealing with this person and avoid discussing confidential and sensitive information with them,' Balsam said. 'Suspicious encounters with this individual should be reported to the appropriate security officials.'This is one of the most explicit warnings CSIS has made public in recent years, amid growing scrutiny of China's global intelligence operations and foreign interference campaigns. While CSIS has not named the person or identified the specific departments or universities involved, this alert follows a series of high-profile cases linking Canadian research institutions to Chinese interests. Yuesheng Wang, a former battery researcher at Hydro-Québec, became the first person in Canada charged with economic espionage in 2022. Authorities accused him of obtaining trade secrets for China. He faces additional charges filed last a separate case, two federal scientists at Canada's top infectious disease lab in Winnipeg were fired in 2021 over concerns about alleged ties to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Government reports later suggested they had shared sensitive data with Chinese researchers.'The PRC has repeatedly shown that it is willing to use clandestine and deceptive means to acquire intellectual property and emerging technologies,' CSIS wrote in its 2024 annual report, identifying China as Canada's top counterintelligence to CSIS, China is particularly interested in Canada's advances in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, aerospace, and even space technology, sectors that impact both industry and national response to 'hostile actors,' CSIS says it has dramatically increased security briefings for space sector professionals, warning them about the growing risk of sabotage and espionage from adversarial states, including Russia and China. Just last week, the Canadian government ordered Hikvision, a Chinese surveillance tech giant, to shut down its operations in Canada due to national security risks. The Hogue Commission, which investigated foreign interference in Canadian democracy earlier this year, called China 'the most active perpetrator' of such campaigns and said Beijing poses 'the most sophisticated and active cyber threat to Canada.'CSIS has made clear it 'does not hesitate' to issue such advisories to defend Canada's national interests. Still, experts say that transparency will be critical in ensuring both security and trust as international tensions deepen.
India.com
24-06-2025
- Climate
- India.com
Garden Stars Of Summer And Monsoon: 10 Tough Flowers That Bloom Through Heat And Rain
photoDetails english 2921254 Updated:Jun 24, 2025, 01:59 PM IST Portulaca (Moss Rose) 1 / 10 Portulaca (Moss Rose) It blooms full summer through early monsoon. Colors are bright like pink, red, orange, yellow, white. Moss rose needs full sun and sandy, dry soil. Water sparingly, it is ideal for dry days between rains. Also great for rock gardens and hanging baskets. Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) 2 / 10 Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) Its bloom time is that it especially flourishes during the monsoon. Colors are purple, pink, red, white. It needs moist, well-draining soil and indirect to partial sunlight. Sow seeds just before monsoon for full-season bloom. It is a excellent choice for shaded balconies and monsoon gardens. Zinnia 3 / 10 Zinnia Its bloom time is late spring through summer into early monsoon. Colors are wide range like red, yellow, orange, purple, pink, white. Zinnia loves direct sunlight and well-drained soil. It keep foliage dry during monsoon to prevent mildew and attracts pollinators also perfect for flower beds and borders. Periwinkle (Vinca rosea) 4 / 10 Periwinkle (Vinca rosea) Its bloom time is that it continuous blooming throughout hot and rainy weather. Colors are pink, white, purple, lavender. Periwinkle is low-maintenance and prefers sun to partial shade. It tolerates drought and humidity very well. It is great ground cover plant and can self-seed and regrow annually. Marigold (Tagetes) 5 / 10 Marigold (Tagetes) Its bloom time is nearly year-round in warm climates and peaks in summer & monsoon. Colors are orange, yellow, golden, rust. Marigold thrives in full sun and tolerates monsoon moisture. It deadhead spent blooms to encourage fresh flowering. It is a natural pest repellent and it is ideal for borders, pots, or religious use. Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) 6 / 10 Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) It blooms all time, all summer and into the monsoon. Colors are red, yellow, pink, white, orange. Hibiscus needs 6–8 hours of sunlight. Water it regularly but ensure good drainage to avoid root rot in rains. It is great for hedges or potted plants. It attracts butterflies and bees and also has medicinal uses in Ayurveda. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) 7 / 10 Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) It blooms from spring to late monsoon. Colors are fiery shades of red, orange, yellow. It prefers sunny, hot conditions and can tolerates moderate rainfall if planted in well-draining soil. It is a long-lasting cut flower and adds bold color to any bed. Cosmos 8 / 10 Cosmos Bloom Time is early summer until the end of monsoon. Colors are pink, white, orange, red. It needs full sun, tolerates some wet weather. Avoid rich soil and thrives in moderately fertile ground. It is excellent for wildflower gardens and attracts beneficial insects. Rain Lily (Zephyranthes) 9 / 10 Rain Lily (Zephyranthes) Bloom time is after the first few monsoon showers, hence the name. Colors are pink, white, yellow. This plant bulbs before monsoon and requires minimal care and blooms naturally after rain. It looks beautiful in clusters or borders and is resilient and quick-blooming. Torenia (Wishbone Flower) 10 / 10 Torenia (Wishbone Flower) Blooms and thrives in the rainy season and tolerates humid heat. Colors are blue, violet, pink, white. It grows well in partial shade and moist soil. Avoid waterlogging it and protect from slugs/snails. It is delicate, shade-loving blooms perfect for monsoon containers.
