Marc Fawcett-Atkinson

Journalist | Vancouver |
English
French
About Marc Fawcett-Atkinson
Marc Fawcett-Atkinson is a reporter and writer covering food systems, climate, disinformation, and plastics and the environment for Canada’s National Observer.
His ongoing investigations of the plastic industry in Canada won him a Webster Award's nomination in environmental reporting in 2021. He was also a nominee for a Canadian Association of Journalists's award for his reporting on disinformation.
Marc has previously written for High Country News, the Literary Review of Canada, and other publications on topics exploring relationships between people and their social and physical environments.
He holds an M.A. in journalism from the University of British Columbia and a B.A. in Human Ecology from the College of the Atlantic.
As Trump's tariffs loom, Canada's shaky food security is top of mind
About 50 per cent of Canada's fruit, nuts and vegetables are imported from the U.S. Nearly 90 per cent of leafy greens come from California. We also rely heavily on California and Arizona for spinach, celery, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, according to research by York University.
Inside Quebec's fight over bee-killing pesticides
Observers say Quebec's battle against neonics shows what's possible when it comes to regulating the chemicals — and raises questions about the federal pesticide regulator's controversial 2021 decision to keep them on the market after proposing a ban five years earlier.
Will Quebec toss out environmental progress over tariffs?
Quebec must stay the course on its climate efforts and not be deterred by threats of U.S. tariffs, says a council of environmental, health and advocacy groups.
Top scientists sound alarm about dangerous chemicals in children’s toys, clothing
Over 350,000 chemicals, chemical mixtures and plastics used in common products like winter gloves, toys and electronics are contributing to soaring rates of diseases like diabetes and cancer in kids, as well as conditions like autism and ADHD, a consortium of prominent doctors and researchers have warned.
B.C. failing on climate, 600 advocacy groups say
British Columbia’s support for the LNG industry is undermining the province’s climate efforts, says a coalition of over 600 advocacy groups.
Feds don't budge after complaints about pesticides threatening human health
Canada's pesticide regulator has dismissed one of two formal complaints arguing the government agency wrongly approved a neonicotinoid pesticide.
A cap on Canadian livestock would reduce emissions. Is it worth it?
Capping greenhouse gas emissions from Canada's cows, pigs, chickens and other farm animals, while bolstering support for plant-based food, could help the country reach its climate goals, a new analysis has found. But experts question whether the approach would encourage factory farming, infuriate farmers and further annoy a cash-strapped public.
Farmers in the East and West are divided on climate change
In Eastern Canada, the ravages of climate change was by far the top concern in the poll conducted by Farmers for Climate Solutions, followed by the rising cost of fertilizers and seeds, and government policy. But in the western provinces, climate change itself wasn't the main concern: government policies designed to deal with the crisis were.
Conservatives, conspiracies, and the coming election
Forget policy: Canada's Conservative party has decided conspiracies about crickets will win them the upcoming federal election.