Canadian Nuclear Power: different from the others

 Most of the public discussion and debate in Canada on the subject of nuclear power generation contributes little to our understanding. The two sides rarely engage in real interaction, and most published discourse is flaccid, incoherent and largely fact-free. On the one hand, while most of the public utterances from

Henny Penny: A Response to Michael Schellenberger

 By Dalen Ewald My quick take away from Michael Schellenberger’s article “Why Apocalyptic Claims About Climate Change Are Wrong” is that environmental journalists and advocates have been playing the role of Chicken Little . The difference is that this time, we are dealing with no mere acorn. Despite good intentions,

Lean Green Fighting Machines

 You may already recognize the name Tomlinson, a brand known locally for their construction, transportation, and waste recovery work. However, you’ll probably start hearing the name around town even more now that the company was recently recognized for superior efforts in clean technology. Lystek International, a company within the Tomlinson

Prime Minister Trudeau… So Far, So Good… But Soon, The Rubber Hits Road.

 By all counts things are going well for Canada’s new Liberal government. Aside from Prime Minister Trudeau’s brief off-side when he unintentionally elbowed NDP MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau in Parliament, leading to a possible Oscar or “Golden Raspberry” for her and Thomas Mulcair for best performance for feigned outrage. It

Bringing The Warmth with Hubert’s Fireplaces

 Hubert's Fireplaces have been keeping Ottawans toasty since 1922. A family-run business spanning three generations, Hubert's delivers fireplace services to families and businesses with personable and trusted care. Hubert's has gas,wood and outdoor fireplaces as well as finishings to make your old or new fireplace stand out from the rest.

Positive Environmental Forecast from an Unlikely Place

 Sylvain Bouchard, Polyform’s representative, holds plastic crystals made of recycled waste. The company recycles 5 million kg of plastic waste annually. All photos by Damira Davletyarova. I don’t own a cottage, or a house, so it was the free tickets and mere curiosity that brought me to Ottawa’s Cottage and Backyard Show

Astana Emerges: Expo 2017

 The most important green energy Expo of the decade takes place in Astana, Kazakhstan in 2017. Nursultan Nazarbayev President of the Republic of Kazakhstan is inviting the world to attend Expo 2017 in Astana, one of the world’s most modern and green cities. The Expo 2017 global gathering will showcase developments

Becoming an Aging Society: Opportunities and Challenges

 Saint Paul University is interested in issues and conditions that affect the way humans live, relate and make meaning. As a centre of higher learning, it promotes excellence in teaching, research, and professional formation as part of the local, national and international academic community. It also collaborates with diverse faith

The Planet is Dying of Consumption and Only Citizens can Halt the Process

 At the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, COP21, the focus has been on promises countries make to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These macro level commitments are always made with varying degrees of sincerity because few political leaders will be willing to cause real or even perceived damage to their

Ottawa Roots for Life

 Municipal initiatives and Ecology Ottawa are working together to plant their way to a greener city within three years. The local ‘community champion program’ plans to add a minimum of 150,000 trees to Ottawa’s green spaces annually, with a goal of planting 1 million new trees by 2017. There are

Future Energy: It’s Time for Canada to Lead

 Over the past decades, oil has become everything for Canada. It was a sign of economic stability, new jobs and progress. Today, oil’s low cost is dragging down the country's economy. Environmental concerns are only rising. The new reality seems here to stay. On the bright side, Canada is now

Dear Health Minister – Please Reinstate Funding for Cochrane Canada

 Cochrane is a key global healthcare resource that needs Canada’s involvement Imagine you’re our new Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. Despite a grueling election campaign, you’re flush with energy and idealism in a country where “better is always possible.” One key priority is improving Canada’s prosperity but there are also many

Religion, Theology, and Tomorrow’s Society

 Religions in Crisis October 22, 2015, will mark the first anniversary of a tragic event that took place here in Ottawa: the shootings at the National War Memorial and on Parliament Hill. The attacker claimed he was acting on account of his religious beliefs. Since then, the media have reported that many young people from Canada have travelled

Beauty Roundup: Summer Camping

 Photo: Jeremy Ricketts It’s mid-summer and camping season is in full swing. Finally, you get to enjoy some reception-free downtime with the family and reconnect with nature. You don’t want to forget a thing, so you take out your packing list from last year (wow, I am so organized!). Tent

Astana – Modern Wonder of the World

 This year, Kazakhstan celebrates its 550th anniversary of statehood. Its rich history dates back to Gengis Khan, the journey of tradesmen and of travelers along the northern route of the Great Silk Road. However, interestingly, the Kazakh capital, Astana, is relatively young. In fact, July 6th marked its 17th year

Burn Baby Burn at The Dailey Method

 New to Ottawa this year, The Dailey Method is a full body workout that will work all of your major muscles (and all of the other muscles that you never knew existed) in less than sixty minutes. The two classes offered, Dailey Basics and Dailey Barre are designed to help

Let’s Go on an Adventure

 Canada is a big place. If you’ve ever travelled to Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto or Montreal, you know there is a vast amount of culture that makes each city unique. The same can be said for all of the smaller towns across the country. The only difference is you probably haven’t

A Delicious Weekend in Barbados

 The sky is clear and the sun is shining. Is there a better way to start off the weekend in beautiful Barbados? The answer is yes—and it happens when I am handed a rum punch upon entering the Radisson Aquatica Beach Resort. Get ready to unwind by lounging poolside or

PowerCost Monitor: A Win for Your Pocket and the Planet

 Do you leave the light on when you’re not in the room? Do you forget to turn the TV off or leave your laptop charger plugged in? We all do it now and again, but the fact is, it’s hurting the environment and it’s costing you money. “Climate change is

Fast Forward to the Weekend with Boogat’s Newest Album

 Photo credit: Guillaume Simoneau It’s everything you need on a Friday night after a long week: catchy, danceable and totally infectious music! Montreal MC Boogat’s newest album release, Neo-Reconquista, is enough reason to celebrate on its own. He’s been recognized for constantly evolving his music. Boogat’s unique mixed Latin-urban-electro-pop sound will instantly

Dangerous Cargo

 The average number of rail accidents per year in Canada has changed very little over the years. While it’s fair to say that rail transportation is extremely safe, the number of those accidents which have involved dangerous cargo has risen. The new king of that cargo, crude oil, has had

Growing Income Gap Poses a Health Risk to All

 Certain Canadian commentators are bringing forth a strange critique of public health, suggesting that physicians and public health experts, charged with caring for the health of Canadians, should not concern themselves with the root causes of illness and stick to a narrow range of health interventions. Fortunately, Canadian health experts

March Break at the Canadian Museum of Nature

 Photo credit: © C.W. Clark  Trying to put together a fun list of family-friendly activities for you and the kids over March break? Look no further than the Canadian Museum of Nature! They have a schedule jam-packed with hands-on learning, exhibitions and some on-screen entertainment. A few highlights include: Arctic

Let Me Give You One Word: Plastics

 Ottawa scientist uses waste for greener polymers Mr. McGuire: I just want to say one word to you. Just one word. Benjamin: Yes, sir. Mr. McGuire: Are you listening? Benjamin: Yes, I am. Mr. McGuire: Plastics. Benjamin: Exactly how do you mean? Little did Benjamin know what Mr. McGuire’s advice

3D Printing the Future

 Photo credit: www.decisionsdurables.com It has been over a year since I talked about 3D printers on this blog, but the innovators who are focusing on this technology have been far from idle. Progress is constantly being made in this field and some recent headlines have perfectly highlighted some of the