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Issues & Experts Archive > Oil spills, softwood lumber, health — Issues and Experts
Oil spills, softwood lumber, health — Issues and Experts
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December 18, 2003
Oil spill damage proves more extensive…The ecological consequences of oil spills are longer-term and broader-scale than previously thought, say researchers studying the effects of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska. A paper co-authored by SFU biology research associate Daniel Esler shows that the environmental consequences went far beyond the more than 250,000 sea birds and thousands of other animals and organisms killed in the first days and months. Initially assumed that the impact on animals was primarily acute mortality, Esler says the unexpected persistence of toxic subsurface oil and chronic exposure has continued to affect wildlife for more than a decade. Esler and colleagues from the U.S. and Canada have conducted extensive field research since the spill. They say chronic, delayed and indirect long-term impacts must be considered when evaluating consequences or analyzing risks associated with oil pollution, or other forms of environmental contamination.
* The paper is published in the Dec. 19 issue of the journal Science. Contact Media & PR, 604.291.3928 for a copy of the paper or check www.aaas.org A digital photo of Esler is also available.
Tackling a perennial problem…Bilateral wrangling over Canadian and American proposals to solve the two countries ongoing dispute over their softwood lumber trade is as perennial as Christmas. SFU softwood lumber trade expert and economics professor Richard Schwindt can comment on the latest development. Canada’s softwood lumber industry and the provinces are divided over the most recent U.S. proposal, which would limit Canada’s share of the U.S. market to 31.5 percent for at least three years. Canada’s largest softwood producer, Canfor Corp., and the province of Quebec urged Ottawa recently to reject the U.S. offer. Schwindt can explain B.C.'s position and how it compares with other provinces.
New faculty targets health sciences…SFU’s new faculty of health sciences is garnering praise from the field. John Blatherwick, chief medical health officer of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority says the new faculty will fill a gap in services in B.C. "Other post secondary institutions in the province have core faculties of medicine, nursing and allied professionals. They’ve also covered the technical side of environmental health, laboratory medicine and nursing. SFU is the first to dedicate a faculty to taking a multi-disciplinary approach to health, something very much needed in the 21st century." SFU population health expert David MacLean, a founder of the faculty, can compare SFU’s approach with other institutions. He can expand on SFU’s goals in relation to key global concerns such as SARS, HIV and West Nile virus.
* The paper is published in the Dec. 19 issue of the journal Science. Contact Media & PR, 604.291.3928 for a copy of the paper or check www.aaas.org A digital photo of Esler is also available.
- Daniel Esler, 604.940.4652 (Canadian Wildlife Service); desler@sfu.ca
Tackling a perennial problem…Bilateral wrangling over Canadian and American proposals to solve the two countries ongoing dispute over their softwood lumber trade is as perennial as Christmas. SFU softwood lumber trade expert and economics professor Richard Schwindt can comment on the latest development. Canada’s softwood lumber industry and the provinces are divided over the most recent U.S. proposal, which would limit Canada’s share of the U.S. market to 31.5 percent for at least three years. Canada’s largest softwood producer, Canfor Corp., and the province of Quebec urged Ottawa recently to reject the U.S. offer. Schwindt can explain B.C.'s position and how it compares with other provinces.
- Richard Schwindt, 604.291.4166, 1.604.856.7460, richard_schwindt@sfu.ca
New faculty targets health sciences…SFU’s new faculty of health sciences is garnering praise from the field. John Blatherwick, chief medical health officer of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority says the new faculty will fill a gap in services in B.C. "Other post secondary institutions in the province have core faculties of medicine, nursing and allied professionals. They’ve also covered the technical side of environmental health, laboratory medicine and nursing. SFU is the first to dedicate a faculty to taking a multi-disciplinary approach to health, something very much needed in the 21st century." SFU population health expert David MacLean, a founder of the faculty, can compare SFU’s approach with other institutions. He can expand on SFU’s goals in relation to key global concerns such as SARS, HIV and West Nile virus.
- David MacLean, 604.291.5361, dmaclean@sfu.ca