Articles

The sun goes down, and the wind doesn’t always blow. We need dependable energy storage solutions as solar and wind power more of our electrical grid.  Canada uses various grid energy storage technologies today. Each has unique benefits, limitations, and capital and operating costs. A stable renewable energy future depends on more than one.

A quick guide to understanding the differences between misinformation, disinformation, and fake news as it relates to climate change

Concrete is everywhere in our homes, roads, schools, and bridges. But making it comes at a big cost. Cement, the key ingredient, contributes about 7% of global CO₂ emissions. In Canada, cement production alone accounted for 9.7 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2020, roughly 1.4% of the country’s total emissions.

Ecotourism can take many forms. Maybe it’s a safari in Botswana or stargazing in the deserts of Uzbekistan. But did you know that Canada is also an amazing place to discover the natural world while maintaining a low environmental impact?

The clean energy industry is constantly growing. As demand grows for clean alternatives to fossil fuels, there is a rising focus on hydro, wind, solar, and nuclear power alternatives. Using clean energy has financial benefits for the industry and individual households. Additionally, clean energy helps reduce pollution, furthering the promise of a healthier future for all Canadians. With hydro leading Canada’s clean energy sector, there are many opportunities for wind and sola

Did you know that we can turn garbage into clean energy?

Most Canadians believe climate change is real, but many don’t understand or trust the carbon tax. Let’s break down what’s happening and why the policy sparked so much debate.

China may have found a powerful way to fight climate change and energy problems using a little-known metal called thorium. This metal is often tossed aside as mining waste, but it could be the key to safe, clean, and long-lasting nuclear energy.

Hydrogen is making headlines again for good reason. As parts of the world race toward net-zero emissions, hydrogen is hailed as a versatile, clean energy source that could well start replacing fossil fuels across industries.

How to Add Renewable Energy to the Canadian Electrical Power Grid

Lithium-ion batteries have powered our world for decades. But they have limits. Safety risks. Short lifespans. Inefficient charging. Solid-state battery technology is a promising alternative. Are we looking at a revolution in energy storage in Canada's energy and transportation sectors? Check out the in-depth article by our researcher, Lucas Bettle ,   HERE . What Are Solid-State Batteries? Traditional lithium-ion batteries use liquid electrolytes. Solid-state batteries use s

You’ve probably heard the claim that 97% of climate scientists agree that climate change is real and largely caused by human activity.  But how do we know this is accurate? In an age of information overload and public skepticism, it’s a fair question, especially here in Canada. Here, climate science intersects directly with national policy, resource management, and Indigenous knowledge. Let’s unpack that 97% figure, how it was determined, and why the consensus is critical. Sc

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that have made their way into our oceans and rivers, posing significant risks to both marine life and humans. Studies worldwide show that when people eat fish, shellfish, and other seafood, they also consume these microplastics. This can lead to health problems, as microplastics disrupt digestion, change the gastrointestinal tract, and introduce harmful chemicals into the body.

To read the in-depth version of this article, please visit "Can We Use Saltwater Instead of Lithium-Ion Batteries? (In-Depth Article). Saltwater batteries are emerging as a promising option for energy storage in various sectors, including municipal, residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Although they currently face some constraints, their potential benefits make them an attractive choice. One key advantage is that they do not require a small footprint, which i

Strawberries are among the most beloved fruits worldwide, but traditional strawberry farming requires significant land, water, and pesticide use. In Richmond, Virginia, a revolutionary approach is transforming how these berries are grown with vertical farming. This innovative agricultural method minimizes environmental impact while maximizing production, offering a model that could also be applied in Canada, where sustainable food production is increasingly a priority. The Be

Electric vehicle (EV) battery production involves a complex supply chain. Every battery needs mining, refining, and assembling different materials. These materials, like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, are essential for the battery to perform well and last long enough.

The Canadian federal ban on plastic bags marked a turning point in our environmental policy. Introduced to combat plastic pollution, the ban aimed to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastics, which have long been a detrimental force against ecosystems and wildlife. In the early days of this ban, grocery retailers across the nation adopted paper bags as an alternative solution to cater to the needs of customers who forgot to bring reusable bags. The Initial Shift

When discussing the right to repair , it's impossible not to mention planned obsolescence. The term pertains to consumer technology designed to break after a certain amount of time. This practice has penetrated every sector, spanning technology, appliances, fashion, and automobiles alike. It's fair to say that a model centred on profiting from waste ultimately results in environmental degradation and pollution. Main Types of Obsolescence There are three main types of obsolesc

Advanced electronics are harder to fix. Smartphones, TVs, and cars require specialized diagnostic software and proprietary parts....

What happens to the battery in your old smartphone once you get rid of it? Once an afterthought, now extracting valuable metals from discarded phones, electric vehicle batteries, and countless other gadgets that power our digital lives is a thriving industry. And as the global appetite for portable electronics and electric vehicles continues to surge, so does the mountain of spent lithium-ion batteries. But can we keep going like this?   Why Lithium-ion Batteries? In the worl

Electric vehicles (EVs) are on the rise. Just look outside. You’ll probably see a Tesla or even a Rivian. Recently, new, more ecological cars have started invading even EV-averse roads of Alberta! And yet, some feel that while one revolution has just begun, another is right around the corner. Its name? Hydrogen. Progress can’t stand still. That’s true, but hydrogen? Will this supposedly magic solution make cars more eco-friendly and still have all the best qualities of gas ve