Nature & the Environment

A person lying in a pile of colorful objects 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.

4 researchers sitting in a boat in a lake 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.

Carlos Duarte smiling in from of sea ice 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 […]

Elena Bennett smiling in nature 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.”

Ziya Tong posing in red dress 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.

Christopher Ragan 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.

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