An Outside Chance

Designing Climate Solutions – a big-picture view that doesn’t skimp on details

Also published at Resilience.org Let us pause for a moment of thanks to the policy wonks, who work within the limitations of whatever is currently politically permissible and take important steps forward in their branches of bureaucracy. Let us also give thanks to those who cannot work within those limitations, and who are determined to … Read More

the light of a nearby star

PHOTO POST A tree at the base of the Port Darlington breakwater stands watch over wind and waves and grows a new coat during winter storms. Last week’s blasts from the west whipped up the waves and funnelled splashes high into the tree. By the heat of the noon-day sun the glow was a glorious … Read More

rumours of spring

PHOTO POST When small talk first turns to the coming of spring, that’s generally a good sign that we’re entering another phase of winter – and I mean that in the nicest way. The light is the most obvious, of course, with the sun rising much earlier and climbing higher. But we also start to … Read More

edge effects

PHOTO POST Storm surges, snow squalls, frozen rain, creeks on the rise, ice jams, gale force winds, soft waves of slush – February’s weather has been, shall we say, entertaining. Here’s a small selection of pictures from the past week. What colour is ice, you might ask? After a fierce storm on Lake Ontario … Read More

Of hope, grief, and humility

A review of Dahr Jamail’s The End of Ice Also published at Resilience.org If you’re looking for hope in Dahr Jamail’s new book The End Of Ice, the recommendation that Dr. Harold Wanless gives for Miami is about the closest you’ll find: “Sea level rise is going to accelerate faster than the models, and it’s … Read More

vortex

PHOTO POST The Polar Vortex which just gave us an old-fashioned hint of arctic weather may not have been everyone’s cup of tea. But for anyone out sightseeing on the shore of Lake Ontario this weather has been hard to beat. Top photo: Vortex – January 30 … Read More

Beyond computational thinking – a ‘cloud of unknowing’ for the 21st century

Also published at Resilience.org If people are to make wise decisions in our heavily technological world, is it essential that they learn how to code? For author and artist James Bridle, that is analogous to asking whether it is essential that people be taught plumbing skills. Of course we want and need people who know … Read More

rivers of light

PHOTO POST Just when winter temperatures drop the farthest, the sun shines its brightest and snow floats across open space like liquid light. But the current cold snap, like many before it, was preceded by a squall. The geese settled on the marsh to wait out the wind. When the storm was over there … Read More

january’s window

PHOTO POST When a cold dry wind blows in from the north, bright colours come out to play on the lakeshore. Even in the snowless meadows the early morning light finds seed heads aglow. Water flash-frozen in a ditch coats leaves and preserves a remnant of summer’s green. Not every day so far this … Read More

searchlight

PHOTO POST Have we ever had an autumn and early winter with so little sunlight? Perhaps, but with so many gray days and so little snow, one has to look a little harder for a glimpse of colour and glow while exploring the waterfront this season. When the sun pokes out along the beach for … Read More