Science Matters archives
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B.C.'s biodiversity is important for all of Canada
July 18, 2008One of my proudest moments came in 1992 at the inaugural Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Along with UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (which in turn led... More »
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When good elements go bad
July 11, 2008If you've been following news about the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, you may have seen photos of thousands of workers trying to clean huge swaths of algae from the waters... More »
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Let's clear the air on carbon taxes
July 4, 2008I admit: we aren't 100 per cent sure that human activity is causing global warming. So let's all go home in our SUVs and join an "axe the tax" campaign.... More »
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What a difference 50 years makes
June 27, 2008Last month, I attended the 50th anniversary of my college graduation. A week later, I celebrated my grandson's graduation from high school. I don't think I was much different from... More »
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Growing alternatives in the rainforest
June 20, 2008Recent photos of an "uncontacted tribe" of Amazon Indians on the border between Peru and Brazil have reminded us once again of how much we still have to learn about... More »
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The macaw, the toucan, and the manduvi
June 13, 2008No matter how much I learn about nature, I never cease to be amazed by its mystery and complexity. That point really struck me in light of a recent study... More »
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A nuclear reaction
June 6, 2008One could be forgiven for thinking we've overcome the problems associated with nuclear power. Everywhere you turn, nuclear is being touted as a "green" energy source and a solution to... More »
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Ride a bike and save the world
May 30, 2008"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." — H.G. Wells Science has had a tremendous impact on... More »
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Polar bears walking on thin ice
May 23, 2008Last week, the U.S. government listed the polar bear as a threatened species under its Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Interior Department made the decision under pressure, including legal petitions,... More »
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Message in a Bottle
May 16, 2008The water that comes out of most city taps in Canada is pretty clean. Yet many people prefer to spend money on bottled water, believing that it is somehow safer.... More »
