Green news of the week | The Press
Invasive exotic species in the sights of Quebec
It could soon be prohibited to sell and cultivate for distribution purposes several invasive alien species (IAS) in Quebec. On October 22, the government tabled a draft regulation targeting 31 species of plants, trees and shrubs that present a threat to Quebec’s biodiversity. Among the best known are water chestnut, watermilfoil, common buckthorn and glossy buckthorn, Japanese knotweed and common reed. Introduced intentionally or accidentally into Quebec’s natural environments, these plants harm native fauna and flora. If the regulation is adopted, violators face fines of up to 3 million.
Costly climate disasters
PHOTO JAE C. HONG, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
A firefighter battling a forest fire in Los Angeles on January 11
Tornadoes, floods, the Los Angeles wildfires: climate disasters cost Americans dearly during the first six months of 2025. The first half of the year is the costliest ever recorded in this regard in the United States since 1980, when this data began to be compiled. According to Climate Central, a non-profit organization which took over this census interrupted by the Trump administration, 14 disasters cost US$101.4 billion and killed 174 people. Since it ends in June, this report does not include the flash floods that occurred in Texas in July, which left 135 dead. The fires alone that ravaged neighborhoods in Los Angeles in January caused $61 billion in damages.
With The Guardian
Consult the report published by Climate Central (in English)
Pumpkins to the rescue of contaminated water
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, ARCHIVES LA PRESSE
Pumpkin peels help absorb heavy metals.
What if the many pumpkins that go to the compost the day after Halloween could be useful? Researchers from Laval University have made a surprising discovery. A bit by chance, while they were looking in plant waste for active ingredients with health benefits, they noticed that the peels of certain fruits can absorb heavy metals such as lead. They made a powder from the peels of four fruits: watermelon, banana, yellow melon and pumpkin. “After 5 minutes of contact, the powders of each of these fruits had absorbed 99% of the lead present in the water,” summarizes Professor Seddik Khalloufi, in a press release. The results of this study were published in the journal International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology.
