A tree is probably the most iconic image of environmentalism. Or better yet, a person planting a tree. We are called tree-huggers by some people, after all. It has long been known that trees are key organisms in our ecosystems – they sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) and release oxygen, they […]
Habitat Protection
REGROWTH
Most of us do things every day that are not entirely in favour of the natural environment, whether it’s buying a to-go coffee in a plastic cup, taking an extra long shower after a hard day, or choosing not to buy local produce when it’s the more expensive option. Virtually […]
WTF 2020
As the end of 2020 comes to a close (we made it!), I have noticed many have taken the time to reflect on the environmental wins and losses of the year. While some believe the environment has been cast to the side and a forgotten cause, some claim we have […]
Forging a Career Path in the Forest Sector
As a high school student, I was told I would graduate, earn a university degree, find a career path and then retire… hopefully young. But coming out of university, I found myself being just another young person with a diploma and few employable skills. Weeks of job hunting led to […]
A Story of a Local Eco-Hero – Covid Cleanup Project
When we think of Eco-Heroes, we often have David Suzuki, Greta Thunberg, or Jane Goodall in mind. Not often does it come to mind to think an eco-hero would be someone you went to school with, or the guy that lives a few doors down who just so happens to […]
Ours to Save: The Case for the Algonquin Wolf
In early June, NatureServe and the Nature Conservancy of Canada released a report identifying 308 species that are endemic to Canada, the first of its kind. Included in the list of 21 mammals is the eastern wolf (Canis lycaon), and as this wolf is only found within Ontario and Quebec, […]
Social Change = Passion + Imagination + Courage
Recently I have been thinking about how I can actively make environmental change. It could be due to increasing restlessness as a result of being inside a lot more thanks to the seemingly never-ending pandemic. But this restlessness and desire to make change has been burning within long before I […]
2020 to 2099: Letter to Future Self in 2099
Dear 2099 Self, The year 2020 was always portrayed as being futuristic with many advancements for society. Yet here we are now in what seems to be a never-ending pandemic while struggling to lead normal lives under restrictions. Although this letter was written in 2020, 79 years later I hope […]
We ACT Upon It For Our Children
(Volume 5 of 5 of Plastic Free July Series) “We did not inherit the Earth from our ancestors – we borrow it from our children” – First Nations of Turtle Island proverb The above reminds us there is cause-and-effect at play here. Sometimes that can be a negative reminder. In […]
Strong and Plastic-Free
Plastic Free July Series (Volume 1 of 5) Yearly, Canadians produce 3.3.million tonnes of plastic waste while 2.8 million tonnes (the weight of 24 CN towers) of it ends up in the landfill, according to statistics from Oceana Canada. Approximately only 9% of this waste is recycled. Environment and Climate […]