Allyn Lyons
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SUVs, Winnipeg’s apex predator
Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) are quickly becoming a consumer favourite in Canada, with sales tripling in the last 10 years. They have ample cargo space, high seating with great visibility, and, according to ecologist Andreas Malm, you should deflate the tires of each one you see.
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Farm, table, landfill
As the total at the grocery register seemingly climbs every week, many Canadians are looking to save money however they can. Buying discounted food close to its expiration date could help shoppers avoid sticker shock while even unintentionally reducing carbon emissions.
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The young and the climate anxious
Climate anxiety has pushed many young people to jump to action. Noticing their governments are not taking steps to avoid climate catastrophe, they have begun to work together to try to ensure a livable future.
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New environmental minister changes lanes
During this past provincial election, the Progressive Conservative Party and NDP battled over healthcare, crime and homelessness. The parties mostly left the environment out of the discussion.
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A nightmare for elm trees
In front of Kilter Brewing Co. stands a beautiful elm tree. It’s taller than the building, and its branches spread out to shade nearly all of the patio. Right now, it’s covered in artwork from visitors during Nuit Blanche. Initials within hearts, smiley faces and abstract squiggles decorate the trunk and limbs, but, unfortunately, so does a stark, orange spray-painted dot in the middle of the trunk.
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Unclear critical-minerals strategy sparks demand for answers
While navigating the climate crisis, governments have to balance people’s needs with the planet’s health. Switching to wind turbines and electric cars obviously helps wean communities off coal and oil. However, renewable energy systems come with their own environmental risks.
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Build it, and they shall bike
In 2021, Coun. Matt Allard, then the chair of Winnipeg’s infrastructure and public-works committee, requested increased funding for active transit.
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Deicing’s impact on Lake Winnipeg
Most Winnipeggers can recall a time they slipped down frozen porch steps or skidded through an icy road’s stop sign.
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Your lawn isn’t as green as it looks
There isn’t an ecological disaster in your backyard. Your yard is the ecological disaster.
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A burial ‘good enough for Jesus’
Death is an uncomfortable topic, especially since everyone’s inevitable demise could harm the planet. It seems people can’t even die without adding to their carbon footprints.
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Winnipeg’s Next Mayor
Municipal elections may seem like small potatoes in the looming climate crisis, but their results significantly impact how people live day to day.
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Nihilism isn’t activism
There was a minute when it seemed like my Twitter feed was filled with jokes about the climate crisis.
I saw one about kids not needing to think about what they’re going to be when they grow up, because surely by then there won’t be a society or future for them.
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Carbon’s ugly cousin: methane
Most Winnipeggers likely think the only options for their waste are “recycling” or “garbage.” Even a lot of environmentalists who try to avoid plastic packaging likely toss their organic matter in the trash without wringing their hands over it too much. But when those potato peels, eggshells and old leftovers decompose in the landfill, they produce methane.
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Rental report
In December of 2021, the Institute of Urban Studies (IUS) at the University of Winnipeg released Gain, Loss, and Change: The Impact of Condos on Winnipeg Neighbourhoods, a report on the shrinking number of affordable apartments in Winnipeg, and found that over 10,000 rental apartment units had been removed from the market between 1968 and 2015.
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One green city
In 2018, the United Nations released the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, which detailed how humanity is majorly screwed if we don’t significantly limit CO2 emissions by 2030. At our current consumption rate, our planet’s temperature will rise over the 1.5°C deemed “safe.”
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Favourite local writer
1. Cierra Bettens
2. Ryan Thorpe
3. Madeline Rae -
Untangling science from colonialism
About half a million years ago, humanity’s ancestor Homo bodoenis lived in Africa, making hand axes that Mirjana Roksandic struggles to replicate now.
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The lowdown on lo-fi
Lhasa Petik’s new nostalgic single “Hurts To Be Young” might strike a chord with people longing for their pre-pandemic life. The indie-pop tune is full of longing for the past and the freedom that came along with it.
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Live from your couch, it’s Canadian comedy albums!
Sketch comedy may seem more familiar in a visual format like Saturday Night Live, in which outrageous props and costumes are part of the jokes. But Mouth Beef, the debut album by local sketch troupe HUNKS, makes the listener the set designer.
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One green city
To prioritize a city’s well-being, invest in green spaces
