Category: Environmental Challenge
Environmental challenges we face. Locally, nationally and globally.
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Shadows and Spires in the Dawnland
We had left the windswept shores of Nova Scotia behind us, pointing the car south to cross the border. The plan was a sweeping loop, dropping down the eastern seaboard into Maine before cutting back up through the green hills of Vermont to finally cross into Quebec. My partner navigated from the passenger seat while… Read More…
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The Dark Truth Behind Ontario Land Development and Bill 97
Democracy dies behind a locked vault door. In a recent late-night session at Queen’s Park, the Ontario government permanently blocked the public from seeing how decisions are made about the province’s most vital landscapes. To paddle the sprawling reaches of Lake Temagami—known as dimii-agamiing, or “deep water by the shore,” to the Teme-Augama Anishnabai—just before… Read More…
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A Brighter Horizon and a Fractured Forest
We are standing on the precipice of a monumental shift. The federal government is advancing the Alto high-speed rail network, laying approximately 1,000 kilometres of electrified passenger track from Toronto to Quebec City. Read More…
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An Unsettled Mshkawji Giizis (The Freezing Moon)
The Anishinaabe call this Mshkawji Giizis, the Freezing Moon. It’s a name that carries weight. It speaks of a hard, honest transition, a time when the land finally shrugs off the memory of warmth and submits to the ice. It’s the stillness of the first true freeze, the locking of the lakes, the silent signal… Read More…
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Granite and Asphalt Collide in the Carp Hills
The geography of the Ottawa Valley is generally predictable. It consists of flat expanses of ancient seabed, rich farmland, and the sprawling grid of the capital city’s periphery. But just northwest of Kanata, the landscape hiccups violently. Rising abruptly from the agricultural plains is a geological anomaly known as the Carp Hills. It is a… Read More…
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Chrome and Hibernation: An Ecology of Repair
This is a community built on a shared language—a language of socket wrenches, timing lights, and the unmistakable, sweet-and-sour smell of unburnt hydrocarbons. Read More…
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Hemp vs. Wood: A Sustainable Shift in Production?
The wind whispers through the ancient cedars, a haunting melody echoing the murmurs of change. Industries built on wood, the backbone of countless products, face a reckoning. The scars of deforestation mar the landscape, a growing ache on the Earth’s weary body. But from the fertile soil of innovation, a green shoot emerges: hemp. This… Read More…
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Reflections of an Ancient Tree
Greetings, dear reader. I am an old tree, rooted firmly at the edge of a bustling city. For over 150 years, I have stood here, a silent witness to the ebb and flow of human progress. My branches have swayed to the rhythm of change, and my leaves have whispered secrets of the past. Today,… Read More…
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How Black Bears and Their Habitats Are Impacted by Human Encroachment and Large-Scale Wildfires
Black bears (Ursus americanus) are a vital part of North America’s wildlife, known for their adaptability and omnivorous diet. However, their habitats and populations are increasingly threatened by human encroachment and large-scale wildfires. This article explores how these factors impact black bears, using three valid examples to illustrate the challenges they face. Human Encroachment: Urban-Wildland… Read More…
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The Great Canadian Death Race: A Journey of Endurance and Empowering Environmental Stewardship
The Great Canadian Death Race, held annually during the Civic Holiday weekend in August since 2000, is more than just a test of physical endurance. This grueling race, set against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, challenges participants to push their limits while fostering a deep appreciation for the natural environment. Having participated in… Read More…
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