Latest news with #PeterRoss
National Observer
11-07-2025
- Health
- National Observer
Climate change is fuelling mega-floods, awakening toxic zombie chemicals
The moment Peter Ross saw floodwaters sweep across the Fraser Valley during BC's devastating 2021 floods, the ocean pollution expert and senior scientist at the Raincoast Conservation Foundation knew the water was becoming a toxic cesspool. "I was talking to people on scene, and it smelled like death, it smelled like manure, it smelled like sewage, it smelled like diesel," he recalled. Rivers, streams and drainage ditches criss-crossing the region were swelling, spilling over fields, factories, homes and highways. As the waters flowed, they were picking up hundreds of pollutants that are typically stuck on dry land or in the soil. When the floodwaters receded over the following weeks, Ross and his colleagues tested the waters for 379 chemicals, like cocaine and other pharmaceuticals, PFAS, hydrocarbons, pesticides and heavy metals. Their results showed the water was packed with enough toxins to "prompt significant concern," he said. That nightmare scenario is poised to become more common — but worse — as the climate crisis worsens, a group of experts is warning. In a report published Thursday by the UN Environment Agency, a team of researchers warn that mega-floods, like the one that swept through BC in 2021, could contaminate huge areas of land with chemicals, including some banned decades ago because they're so toxic. "In recent decades, we've come quite a long way globally in terms of chemical regulation to make sure that the chemicals we're producing, and that we're releasing into the environment, are safe," said Markus Brinkmann, a report co-author and University of Saskatchewan toxicologist. There are hundreds of sites contaminated with banned chemicals like DDT or PFAS scattered around the globe. In many cases, the harmful chemicals don't threaten people or the environment because they're locked in the ground or in riverbed sediments. But when there's a flood, those chemicals get picked up and spread through floodwaters where they can harm human health, the environment, and come at a heavy cost to clean up. "It's definitely an issue of importance that we often like to forget about, because they're buried in our rivers and streams," he said. In a report published Thursday by the UN Environment Agency, a team of researchers warn that mega-floods could contaminate huge areas of land with chemicals, including some banned decades ago because they're so toxic. Climate change, which is largely driven by burning fossil fuels, will make intense rainfall more common, increasing the severity of flooding worldwide. Poor land- and water-management practices could exacerbate the problem, and without adaptive measures, flood damage could be about 20 times more severe, the report notes. Floods caused an average of $800 million annually in insured losses in Canada between 2019 and 2023. Insurers estimate that for every dollar of insured loss, people are shouldering about two dollars' worth of uninsured losses. The presence of toxic chemicals could make those impacts even more severe, the authors note. Take the US: In 2021, a House committee estimated that nearly 60 per cent of the country's non-federal superfund sites (heavily contaminated waste sites) are in areas vulnerable to floods and other natural disasters. In 2017, flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey carried over three tonnes of mercury from legacy industrial deposits into Galveston Bay, Texas, harming marine ecosystems. Tracking the places where toxic chemicals are buried in the soil or sediment before a flood, then trying to guide floodwaters to minimize their potential to contaminate the environment, can help reduce the risk. So can using bioremediation to get the chemicals out of the environment, or capping contaminated areas with concrete to reduce the risk of toxins getting into the water, said Brinkmann. Building more green infrastructure and better buffer zones between water and land that can absorb floodwaters could also help, said Ross, the ocean pollution expert. He was "really struck" how the lack of riparian buffers in the Fraser Valley — a problem caused in part because farms are exempted from riparian buffer laws — exacerbated the impact of the 2021 floods. "At the end of the day, all of this runoff from land and all of these pollutants from human activities end up in the water. They're going downstream. They're getting into food webs, and they're presenting a real risk," he said.
ABC News
10-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
Invasive Amazon frogbit weed found for first time in the Northern Territory
One of the "world's worst weeds" that can threaten drinking water supplies and clog irrigation channels has been discovered in Darwin. Amazon frogbit is a fast-growing, floating aquatic plant that can grow half a metre deep in rivers. This is the first discovery of the plant in the Northern Territory, where it is a declared a weed that should not be introduced. The frogbit was spotted in a social media post from someone living in Darwin's northern suburbs, NT weeds officer Peter Ross said. "He wasn't sure what type of plant it was and whether anyone knew what it was," Mr Ross said. Frogbit was brought into Australia decades ago as an ornamental plant for fishponds, tanks and aquariums. The plant has smooth, round leaves about the size of a 10-cent coin, and occasional small white flowers. Reece Pianta from the Invasive Species Council said a lot of people thought it looked quite nice. "The problem is if it gets out into nature — into a creek or a dam — it will take over that water body, and it will form a thick layer of frogbit on the top," he said. Dense frogbit infestations will rot in the water, which weed specialists say poses a risk to drinking water supplies. There are so far no reports that the weed has spread beyond the suburban fishpond in Darwin. But the Northern Territory's land and environment department has described it as "one of the world's worst weeds". "I would back that assessment," Mr Pianta said. "It becomes a problem for irrigation equipment, we've even had an example where it's impacted a hydro-electric project in Far North Queensland. "It costs hundreds of thousands of dollars for councils, and Indigenous ranger groups, and Landcare organisations to manage this problem." Despite being highly invasive and regulated in several states and territories, Amazon frogbit is available in Australia through online stores and marketplaces. Plants are for sale for between $6 and $9. Just one online aquatic plant store visited by the ABC carried a warning that frogbit could not be sold in New South Wales because it was a declared noxious weed. Mr Pianta said stronger regulation was needed to stop frogbit from being sold or traded. "It isn't restricted in Queensland, where it was first discovered." He said better consumer education was needed to help prevent the spread of invasive weeds. "One of the main things that we need people to do is switch on to what they're buying," Mr Pianta said. "But we also need stronger regulation on the sectors that are selling and trading these products." The NT Department of Lands, Planning and Environment is urging anyone who suspects they have seen Amazon frogbit anywhere in the territory to contact its weed management branch.
Forbes
12-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Facing The Silver Tsunami: Partnerships As A Path Forward
Peter Ross is the CEO and cofounder of Senior Helpers, a leading national non-medical in-home senior care franchise. The global aging crisis isn't merely an approaching challenge; it is already upon us, demanding immediate, innovative action. With the first set of Baby Boomers beginning to turn 80 years old in 2026, we are facing a "Silver Tsunami": a massive wave of seniors whose care needs far outpace current resources. Despite this pressing reality, our existing senior living facilities can only accommodate 25% of the anticipated demand. Clearly, we're not ready. From my vantage point, our nation faces a significant gap: approximately 90% of seniors wish to age in place, yet most lack the necessary resources to do so comfortably. To better understand the crisis, it is useful to view it through three distinct lenses: • The Haves: Seniors who can independently finance their care. • The Have Nots: Seniors reliant on governmental support, often hindered by strained Medicaid budgets. • Everyone Else (Or The Middle Class): Seniors earning too much for government assistance but insufficient funds for comprehensive care. I believe the senior care crisis demands collaboration beyond traditional boundaries. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) offer scalability, innovation and shared responsibility, directly addressing issues that impact businesses across multiple sectors. Successful PPPs, such as initiatives from the Veterans Administration, have demonstrated improved senior care outcomes and reduced healthcare costs by minimizing hospitalizations, ER visits and in-home accidents. This crisis directly impacts businesses by straining employee productivity, increasing absenteeism and inflating healthcare premiums. Employees juggling caregiving responsibilities often face stress and burnout, affecting workplace efficiency and retention rates. Additionally, an overwhelmed healthcare system translates into higher insurance costs and reduced consumer spending power, threatening economic stability. Businesses that engage proactively in PPPs not only mitigate these risks but also open opportunities for innovation, growth and brand leadership. By investing in or collaborating on solutions, companies can enhance employee loyalty, stabilize productivity and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Establishing effective PPPs isn't without challenges. There are regulatory complexities, potential issues aligning disparate organizational goals and managing risk-sharing arrangements. I think the solution lies in aligning public goals with private sector incentives through models like value-based care rather than traditional fee-for-service approaches. Demonstrable outcomes, including reduced hospital re-admissions and emergency interventions, can validate and sustain these collaborations. Businesses should consider integrating technology and proactive planning as core strategies within PPP frameworks. These are often the key to closing gaps in monitoring and providing continuous care solutions. Too often, families react to a crisis rather than preparing in advance. There are many not-for-profit foundations that provide free tools and resources to guide families in planning their aging journey comprehensively. Encouraging proactive planning among your employees and their families can significantly ease future caregiving burdens, enhancing long-term employee well-being and productivity. A widespread embrace of PPPs can transform senior care, creating greater solutions and more choices for seniors. I believe business leaders have a unique opportunity and responsibility to lead the charge in shaping a society that cares effectively for its aging population. The time for collective action is now. And it truly is a collective effort. Policymakers, businesses and communities must act together, innovatively and decisively to ensure our seniors receive the care they deserve. The opportunity to build this future is ours. Let's not waste it. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Press and Journal
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Shinty: Newtonmore boss hoping Macaulay Cup tie can kickstart season
Newtonmore are looking for a good cup run as they welcome Beauly in the Artemis Macaulay Cup first round. More manager Peter Ross said: 'It's been a bit of an up-and-down season for us so far. 'It started well against Caberfeidh, but we've been unlucky in a couple of games, and I'd say the Skye match was the only one where we really deserved to lose. 'That said, you make your own luck in this game. We want to have good cup runs and the Beauly game presents that opportunity. 'Drew MacDonald went over his ankle in training, so we'll assess him nearer the time and Conor Jones is still struggling after being hit on the knee. 'Brodie MacBean is back playing with the second team after injury though, and I'm delighted about that. He got good minutes under his belt against Inverness last week and he's a player who can light up games.' Beauly lost 2-0 to Newtonmore in the league a fortnight ago and are in the process of introducing several promising players into their squad. Euan Mccormick misses out as he completes his 5-game suspension. Fort William and Skye Camanachd both have injury concerns ahead of their tie. The Fort hope Scottish international Lachie Shaw will be able to play with a protective glove. Assistant manager Alan Knox said: 'Lachie broke his thumb against Kingussie three weeks ago. 'It's not a bad break but he has to wear a brace for a couple of weeks, but he should be fine for Saturday. 'Cam Stephen and Johnny Forster should also return and hopefully Craig MacDonald too if his hamstring allows.' Skye boss Kenny MacLeod added: 'Archie Millar is making good progress from his arm break and James Morrison, who has also missed the last couple of weeks, is getting there too. They won't be ready for this week, but they have a chance of featuring against Newtonmore the week after.' Ross Gordon suffered a knock in the win over Beauly the last Saturday, but he is fit to play. Inveraray host Glasgow Mid Argyll and there's another all-National Division tie between Col Glen and Bute. Kyles Athletic reached the quarter-finals without striking a ball as an injury-crisis has left Aberdour depleted. An Aberdour spokesperson said: 'This is not a decision we've taken lightly, and we waited until midweek to see the extent of the injuries. 'We're already thin on the ground but despite this, we've done our utmost to fulfil all fixtures but unfortunately are unable to do so this weekend.' Oban Camanachd also received a walk-over as Kilmory were unable to fulfil their tie. Kingussie have the chance to go clear at the top of the table when they host Caberfeidh in the Mowi Premiership's only fixture. Kingussie manager Iain Borthwick said: 'We're getting to the interesting part of the season now and from our point of view, things are looking good, and we're slowly getting players back. 'Fraser Munro returns to the squad against Caberfeidh whilst Lee Bain completed training this week and he'll get some game time with our second team. 'We'll still be without Rory MacKeachan and Zander Michie though.' Caberfeidh's Ben MacDonald is ruled out through work commitments. Cabers were the last team to beat Kingussie and that was in a Mowi Premiership fixture at Castle Leod on 23 September 2023 when Craig Morrison's goal was all that separated the sides. Mowi National Division leaders Lochaber have a derby against Kilmallie while there is also a derby between Glenurquhart and Strathglass. WCA Mowi Premier League leaders Badenoch suffered their first defeat of the season, going down 3-2 at Lochaber. Leah Maxtone scored twice for Lochaber with Mairi Duncan getting the other. Ellie Miller and Hope Borthwick replied. Four-goal Holly Maclean helped Skye beat Inverness 5-0. Kirsty Dibble got the other. Badenoch lead second placed Skye by two points and they host Inverness this weekend
