Nature & the Environment
People
An idealist who gets things done
Laure Waridel, BA’96, has been one of Quebec’s most prominent voices on environmental issues and fair trade for decades. She is troubled by the rise of populism and climate skepticism, but she isn’t done fighting for a better future.
Health
Why microplastics could pose a big threat
In her unnerving new documentary about microplastics, science journalist Ziya Tong points to the growing evidence that these tiny pollutants are turning up almost everywhere – even inside our bodies.
Discovery
McGill’s living laboratories
McGill professors and students have access to a unique network of field research stations. These stations, which include the Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados and the Gault Nature Reserve at Mont-Sainte-Hilaire, offer researchers the opportunity to explore the natural world up close.
Discovery
This top marine ecologist puts an emphasis on hope
Don’t tell Carlos Duarte, PhD’87, the oceans are dying. He’s heard it before, as one of the world’s most respected marine ecologists, and he has a clear message for those who lament about the state of marine ecosystems: “We’re within reach to achieve a positive future for our oceans but we have to stop focusing on […]
Discovery
Exploring the complexity of ecosystems
As McGill’s Canada Research Chair in Sustainability Science, Elena Bennett is one of the country’s most respected experts on the nature of Canada’s ecosystems – the varied benefits they offer, as well as their vulnerability to change.
People
Environment minister relishes new job – “daunting” challenges and all
Jonathan Wilkinson, MA’92, Canada’s minister of the environment and climate change, knows his new job won’t be an easy one, but “this is what I got into politics for.”
Culture
Shining a light on our dangerous blind spots
In her book The Reality Bubble, science journalist Ziya Tong, MA’99, explores the reasons why we don’t pay much attention to things like where our food comes from, and how our energy is produced – and why our ignorance about these matters is endangering the planet.
Discovery
Informing the debate
Associate professor of economics Christopher Ragan reflects on the final report of Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission and its six-year goal to bring sober analysis to politically charged topics like carbon pricing. “We knew we were entering into a very polarized debate.”
People
Clean capitalism’s corporate crusader
Near the peak of the dot-com boom, and not long after he graduated from McGill, Toby Heaps wanted to write about socially responsible business.
Discovery
A big step forward for sustainability
McGill experts in environmental sustainability are busy examining everything from the causes of locust swarms to the toxic impact of mountains of e-waste. The McGill Sustainability Systems Initiative aims to marshal that broad range of expertise and direct it towards some of the planet’s biggest challenges.
People
Around the National Parks in 1,095 Days
Mikah Meyer, MMus’11, is on a road trip that will land him in the record books. He is on a quest to become the youngest person to visit all 417 National Park Service sites in the U.S. and he is doing it in one continuous trip.
People
Diving into the history of the Earth
Prosanta Chakrabarty, BSc(Agr)’00, goes cave-diving and trawling to find new species of fish to learn more about the earth’s history. In his world travels, the Montreal-born, New York-raised ichthyologist has discovered – and named – 13 new species of fish.