Environmental and Earth Sciences

Arctic Science, Geography, Geology, Oceanography, Hydrology, Glaciology, Seismology, Meteorology, Climate Science, Limnology, Remote Sensing, Natural Resources, Mining, Green Tech, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Development, Archeology, Paleontology

“Canadian company @Recon_Africa drills for oil in the Okavango delta”

Elisabeth Kosters Environmental and Earth Sciences, Science in Society
This title is paraphrased from several headlines over the last few months. There was public outrage over the fact that Recon Africa was allowed to drill in elephant migratory territory in northeastern Namibia. Much was also written about the company being suspected of being dishonest about its objectives and basis for investment. The Globe and Mail’s Geoffrey York (@geoffreyyork) wrote no fewer than four articles about the issue (here, here, here and here; all other…

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The Anxious Traveller

Sarah Boon Biology and Life Sciences, Environmental and Earth Sciences
Last time I was in an airport it was 2013. I was still used to flying then, even though I hadn’t flown in a year. Now it’s been 8 years since I’ve been in an airport. I’ve taken the float plane to Vancouver, but that’s a completely different experience: no check ins, no security, no line-ups, no waiting to get out of the plane. I’m feeling a surge of anxiety about travelling that I can’t…

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One Year

Sarah Boon Biology and Life Sciences, Environmental and Earth Sciences
Time is a capricious beast, stretching out for long periods of time that seem to creep by very slowly, then whipping back with a snap that makes a week pass in a matter of seconds. Time was especially tricky during the pandemic, when every day was much the same as the other and it was as though the world stood still. It was during the pandemic that my dad passed away, one year ago last…

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Caribou Program Fieldwork 2021: Meet the Crew

fRI Research Biology and Life Sciences, Environmental and Earth Sciences
Back at it Again Here we are again, back in time for another field season. This summer we’re collecting and comparing vegetation data in a variety of different cut block and fire types all over northern Alberta. We want to see under which types of conditions important caribou foods grow best. What brings bounce to our step this year is that we have a full summer crew of 6 technicians back amongst our ranks despite…

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Hunting Robber Flies (Asilidae) in the Chilcotin Mountains of British Columbia, Canada

chloevanloon Biology and Life Sciences, Communication, Education and Outreach, Environmental and Earth Sciences
A recent trip to Big Creek Provincial Park by way of Tyaughton creek and Lorna Pass inspired this post’s topic because ohhh holy moly the Robberflies were A-BUN-DANT! I’ll explore the reason why I think they were out in great numbers and diversity on this trip. But first, what is a Robber fly?  The Family Asilidae are commonly known as Robber flies which got their name from their ambush style of capturing prey. These flies…

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Scientist Spotlight: Benjamin Richaud, Ph.D. Candidate, Dalhousie University (Cross Posted from Canada’s OA CoP)

Kristina Barclay Biology and Life Sciences, Environmental and Earth Sciences
I am the Coordinator for Canada’s Ocean Acidification Community of Practice and recently created some blog series where you can learn more about recent ocean acidification research happening across the country and the people conducting that research. Here’s a recent piece I wrote where I interviewed Ph.D. Candidate Benjamin Richaud on his work looking at biogeochemistry of sea-ice in the Arctic and Atlantic: Scientist Spotlight: Benjamin Richaud, Ph.D. Candidate, Dalhousie University

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