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Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Carney, premiers must see through climate change-denial smoke
Opinion More than 350 years after the discovery of gravity, nearly 150 years since Thomas Edison fired up a light bulb and close to a century after a Scottish bacteriologist's accidental observation of penicillin's superpower, scientists are being forced to come to the defence of science itself. This past weekend, representatives of the leading science academies from G7 nations released something called the 'Ottawa Declaration of the Science Academies of the G7,' a one-page document that serves as a prelude to a summit meeting to be held later this month in Alberta. This gathering is being hosted by the Royal Society of Canada, a non-partisan, non-governmental organization that advises the federal government on policies impacting science, academics and the arts. 'Especially in times of uncertainty, it is essential that our Academies commit to strengthening our efforts in defence of the integrity of science and the science advice systems that are critical elements of free and democratic societies,' Royal Society president Dr. Alain-G. Gagnon said in a news release accompanying the declaration. Why would these non-partisan scientific organizations feel the need to defend science? In large part because the government of the United States, the nation that invests the most money in scientific research and development, has launched an all-out war on science and scientists. With little more than the stroke of a pen, U.S. President Donald Trump has cancelled research projects, eliminated funding for research and for the institutions of higher learning that conduct the scientific exploration. Meanwhile, Trump has put the Department of Health and Human Services into the hands of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a self-described skeptic of long-established, evidence-based medicine who has not met an unfounded health conspiracy theory that he could not embrace. Recently, Kennedy announced intentions to stop federally funded scientists from publishing in peer-review journals. At the same time, the Trump administration has waged an equally furious war against climate science, eliminating programs to promote clean-energy generation, rolling back subsidies to help the automotive industry transition into EVs and cutting funding for climate research. Given the important role that the U.S. plays in global science, Trump's decisions have triggered shock waves that are undermining science all over the world. What is most frustrating is the fact that the war on science is so counter-intuitive. Right now, there are millions of people questioning the efficacy of vaccines, even though they have been protected from fatal diseases for most of their adult lives. Fights continue to erupt over whether to wear masks in public to slow the spread of airborne viruses, even though most of us would never allow a surgeon to operate on us without a mask. We question whether carbon is ruining our climate even as we head into what experts believe will be the warmest year on record. The war on science is a pandemic of irrationality, fuelled by ignorance and sustained by misinformation. It's also highly contagious. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith leads the war on science — particularly climate science — in this country. Smith has never explicitly denied that climate change is real, but her actions demonstrate her contempt for the idea that burning fossil fuel is ruining the planet. When asked last summer about the devastating wildfires that ravaged the tourist mecca of Jasper, Smith blamed 'arsonists' and not the drought and extreme heat brought on by climate change. Meanwhile, she has pursued a range of policy demands that clearly show she does not believe climate change is an existential threat. She wants guaranteed access to the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic coasts for her province's oil and gas, elimination of carbon emission caps and the abandonment of net-zero requirements for new power generation. Like most oil and gas advocates, Smith canters ahead with policies to sell and burn more fossil fuels without any consideration of the net cost. There is no doubt that Alberta's government would become much wealthier if it were easier to get the province's oil and gas to more markets. It's also equally true that, at the same time, Alberta would incur considerably more costs to deal with the carnage of floods and fires that are directly caused by climate change. More worrisome is the fact that Prime Minister Mark Carney's government may be willing to give in to some of Smith's demands in a futile effort to cultivate more political support in Alberta. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. Monday's first ministers meeting in Saskatoon included discussions on fast-tracking infrastructure projects of national significance. The list of projects has not been publicly released, but there is little doubt that new pipelines are the main priorities for provinces such as Alberta and Saskatchewan. Carney is faced with a choice: accept the science and growing anecdotal evidence of the impact of climate change; or join Smith in kicking the climate-change can down the road until we can no longer see it through the smoke. When it comes to energy infrastructure, there is no sane argument for investing now in anything that is not zero-emission, or that helps connect the electricity grid in Canada so provinces can help each other meet their power needs. As the authors of the Ottawa declaration in the defence of science have made abundantly clear, to do anything else would be indefensible. Dan LettColumnist Dan Lett is a columnist for the Free Press, providing opinion and commentary on politics in Winnipeg and beyond. Born and raised in Toronto, Dan joined the Free Press in 1986. Read more about Dan. Dan's columns are built on facts and reactions, but offer his personal views through arguments and analysis. The Free Press' editing team reviews Dan's columns before they are posted online or published in print — part of the our tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Carney, premiers must fight through blinding climate change-denial smoke to see blackened forests through the burning trees
Opinion More than 350 years after the discovery of gravity, nearly 150 years since Thomas Edison fired up a light bulb and close to a century after a Scottish bacteriologist's accidental observation of penicillin's superpower, scientists are being forced to come to the defence of science itself. This past weekend, representatives of the leading science academies from G7 nations released something called the 'Ottawa Declaration of the Science Academies of the G7,' a one-page document that serves as a prelude to a summit meeting to be held later this month in Alberta. This gathering is being hosted by the Royal Society of Canada, a non-partisan, non-governmental organization that advises the federal government on policies impacting science, academics and the arts. 'Especially in times of uncertainty, it is essential that our Academies commit to strengthening our efforts in defence of the integrity of science and the science advice systems that are critical elements of free and democratic societies,' Royal Society president Dr. Alain-G. Gagnon said in a news release accompanying the declaration. Why would these non-partisan scientific organizations feel the need to defend science? In large part because the government of the United States, the nation that invests the most money in scientific research and development, has launched an all-out war on science and scientists. With little more than the stroke of a pen, U.S. President Donald Trump has cancelled research projects, eliminated funding for research and for the institutions of higher learning that conduct the scientific exploration. Meanwhile, Trump has put the Department of Health and Human Services into the hands of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a self-described skeptic of long-established, evidence-based medicine who has not met an unfounded health conspiracy theory that he could not embrace. Recently, Kennedy announced intentions to stop federally funded scientists from publishing in peer-review journals. At the same time, the Trump administration has waged an equally furious war against climate science, eliminating programs to promote clean-energy generation, rolling back subsidies to help the automotive industry transition into EVs and cutting funding for climate research. Given the important role that the U.S. plays in global science, Trump's decisions have triggered shock waves that are undermining science all over the world. What is most frustrating is the fact that the war on science is so counter-intuitive. Right now, there are millions of people questioning the efficacy of vaccines, even though they have been protected from fatal diseases for most of their adult lives. Fights continue to erupt over whether to wear masks in public to slow the spread of airborne viruses, even though most of us would never allow a surgeon to operate on us without a mask. We question whether carbon is ruining our climate even as we head into what experts believe will be the warmest year on record. The war on science is a pandemic of irrationality, fuelled by ignorance and sustained by misinformation. It's also highly contagious. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith leads the war on science — particularly climate science — in this country. Smith has never explicitly denied that climate change is real, but her actions demonstrate her contempt for the idea that burning fossil fuel is ruining the planet. When asked last summer about the devastating wildfires that ravaged the tourist mecca of Jasper, Smith blamed 'arsonists' and not the drought and extreme heat brought on by climate change. Meanwhile, she has pursued a range of policy demands that clearly show she does not believe climate change is an existential threat. She wants guaranteed access to the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic coasts for her province's oil and gas, elimination of carbon emission caps and the abandonment of net-zero requirements for new power generation. Like most oil and gas advocates, Smith canters ahead with policies to sell and burn more fossil fuels without any consideration of the net cost. There is no doubt that Alberta's government would become much wealthier if it were easier to get the province's oil and gas to more markets. It's also equally true that, at the same time, Alberta would incur considerably more costs to deal with the carnage of floods and fires that are directly caused by climate change. More worrisome is the fact that Prime Minister Mark Carney's government may be willing to give in to some of Smith's demands in a futile effort to cultivate more political support in Alberta. Monday's first ministers meeting in Saskatoon included discussions on fast-tracking infrastructure projects of national significance. The list of projects has not been publicly released, but there is little doubt that new pipelines are the main priorities for provinces such as Alberta and Saskatchewan. Carney is faced with a choice: accept the science and growing anecdotal evidence of the impact of climate change; or join Smith in kicking the climate-change can down the road until we can no longer see it through the smoke. When it comes to energy infrastructure, there is no sane argument for investing now in anything that is not zero-emission, or that helps connect the electricity grid in Canada so provinces can help each other meet their power needs. As the authors of the Ottawa declaration in the defence of science have made abundantly clear, to do anything else would be indefensible. Dan LettColumnist Dan Lett is a columnist for the Free Press, providing opinion and commentary on politics in Winnipeg and beyond. Born and raised in Toronto, Dan joined the Free Press in 1986. Read more about Dan. Dan's columns are built on facts and reactions, but offer his personal views through arguments and analysis. The Free Press' editing team reviews Dan's columns before they are posted online or published in print — part of the our tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Observer
20-04-2025
- General
- Observer
Learning beyond the school walls
In a constantly evolving world, our journey of learning remains timeless. From the moment we are born until our last breath, life presents itself as an unlimited classroom, offering lessons through every experience, conversation, success and setback. Learning is not confined to textbooks or classrooms; it is embedded in every corner of our lives. The beauty of life lies in its ability to teach us something new every single day. Most of us grow up thinking that learning occurs in school, through lectures, homework and exams. Then, we graduate and are suddenly hit by the realities of life: bills, jobs, relationships, health and identity. It is a whole new curriculum, and there is no syllabus for it, of course. The truth is, real learning begins the moment we step out of the classroom. Schools and universities merely build the foundation of knowledge. Formal education is just the beginning; the real growth often begins after we enter the world and comes from our experiences. Life teaches us how to communicate, how to fail, how to persevere and how to adapt. It fosters empathy through relationships, resilience through hardships and patience through challenges. These lessons can never be fully covered in a curriculum, yet they shape who we become. In fact, learning doesn't always mean gaining new information. Sometimes, it involves unlearning outdated beliefs or challenging long-held assumptions. Growth often requires us to question, to listen and to stay humble enough to admit we don't know everything. That is where wisdom begins, not with certainty, but with curiosity. One of life's most effective, though painful, ways of teaching is through failure. Every mistake delivers a message. Every wrong turn, missed opportunity, or unexpected detour can be a powerful learning moment if we choose to reflect rather than regret. Many of the most successful people in history credit their failures as their greatest teachers. As Thomas Edison, an American inventor and businessman, famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Sometimes, days pass quickly for those who fail to plan and manage their time wisely. It is crucial to accomplish something productive before the day ends since it cannot be reclaimed. This is where the importance of having a daily schedule becomes evident, ensuring you don't miss essential activities that need to be done. However, many find it challenging to adhere to a daily schedule for various reasons. Some quit out of boredom, while others simply lack motivation. We should all be reminded that the success of a daily schedule relies primarily on commitment. Seek inspiration strong enough to urge you to strictly follow your daily routine. Success is not about perfection; it is about taking action to correct even your greatest mistakes. There will come a time in your life when you need to choose whether to remain in failure or to seek renewal. It takes courage to step out of your comfort zone, so prepare yourself. Start by improving the skills you deem helpful as you embark on the path to success. Those who fail are usually the ones who disregard the importance of preparation. We should all learn from our mistakes and take one sure step at a time. Success is not a one-night show, but an experience to enjoy for a lifetime. Motivation is one of the essential ingredients of success. Without it, you will lack the reason to move forward in your journey of learning. There are many sources of motivation out there. Some people reignite their motivation by reading the success stories of others, while others recall their past hardships and use them as inspiration to try harder. Always remember that the moment we stop learning, we begin to fall behind, not just professionally, but personally. Never cease searching and learning, as it is the only way to fully enjoy the wonders of life!
Express Tribune
19-04-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
Beyond constraints
The writer is a freelancer based in Kandhkot, Sindh. He can be reached at alihassanb.34@ Listen to article Failures are an integral part of life's pursuits. Too often, we attribute our setbacks to external constraints — limited resources or opportunities, inadequate platforms, socio-cultural barriers, or the discouraging voices that lead thousands to abandon their dreams. While resenting these obstacles is understandable, surrendering to them without a fight only perpetuates defeat and leads to a lasting retrogression. Thus, when faced with the choice between being nothing without hardship and something with challenges, the latter almost proves rewarding. This fact, nevertheless, barely absolves the oppressive segments of their culpability for keeping people underprivileged by design in societies like ours. Had the challenges been insurmountable, the individuals and societies in lower socio-economic strata would never have risen to fame and success. Therefore, far from stifling progress, constraints can act as a forge where creativity, collaboration and resilience converge to spark transformative breakthroughs that ultimately benefit everyone, provided they are approached with sincerity and empathy. Some might dismiss such achievements as mere improvisation for deviating from tradition; in reality, it is a form of restrained success and innovation — economical and subtly refined. History testifies that despite restrictive conventions and resource constraints, persistent efforts have repeatedly navigated barriers, proving that constraints often fuel creativity and resilience, rather than inevitably stifling potential. From lifesaving vaccines to quantum leaps in physics, the most profound advancements are made not in the absence but in the presence of constraints. For instance, in science and technology, scarcity often ignites unprecedented ingenuity. The Apollo 13 crisis — a life-threatening oxygen tank failure - transformed engineers into improvisational artists, who crafted a carbon dioxide filter from spare parts under crushing time pressure. Also, constraints dissolve disciplinary silos, fostering collaboration where diverse perspectives collide. Biomimicry exemplifies this: engineers, architects and materials scientists mimic nature's billion-year R&D lab — such as kingfisher-inspired bullet train designs — to solve modern challenges in aerodynamics and sustainability. Meanwhile, the Covid-19 pandemic compressed decades of vaccine research into months, as global urgency propelled mRNA technology from theoretical promise to lifesaving reality. Meanwhile, the success and prominence achieved despite constraints across time and space by Vincent van Gogh, Thomas Edison, JK Rowling, Abraham de Moivre, Ibn Khaldun, Frantz Fanon, Malcolm X and others manifest this. Had they been in Pakistan today, most of them would have been rewarded with any of these ironic accolades: treason, heresy, systematic failures, exiles and penury. These manifestations, among others across the world, reveal a reality: most constraints are not roadblocks (not necessarily in our society) but compasses, directing us toward uncharted territories of ingenuity. In this light, limitations act as humanity's quiet collaborators in exploration and achievement — worthy of embracing and venturing into. However, much like limitations inherent in a barrier's potential, the argument for confronting systemic barriers also faces overwhelming limitations in societies like ours, where the system mostly rewards allegiance, flattery, complicity, hypocrisy, connections and money. One might question: why do the destitute always inherit the hard life as wages for the elite's sins? In other words, why must the poor suffer for the success or rewards that others attain with ease? Though debatable, one of the answers is that the genuine efforts of people and the labour of the working class fund the effortless and lavish lives of the powerful, who have forcibly encroached upon people's fates and potential fortunes for over three-quarters of a century in our country. And what would you call the erstwhile destitute lot who defiantly overcame hardships and succeeded, only to join the ranks of those who erect barriers and ultimately become a constraint for the have-nots?
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
What the Tech: Gadgets for a messy desk
Let's face it, most of us struggle with desk clutter. Papers, notes, gadgets, and a tangle of wires often create a chaotic environment. If a messy desk truly reflects a cluttered mind, it's time to bring some order to our workspaces. Here are a few gadgets and tools to help you reclaim your desk and boost your productivity. While some of history's brightest minds, like Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein, were known for their messy desks, for the rest of us, a tidy space can make a world of difference. Start with the most obvious culprit: wires. Going wireless with your keyboard and mouse is an easy win, instantly eliminating at least two pesky cables. Wireless peripherals are now affordable and readily available. Of course, you can't eliminate all wires, but you can certainly hide them. Magnetic organizers from brands like Anker and simple, inexpensive clips can help you tuck away charging cables, portable hard drive wires, and docking station cords when not in use. Only pull them out when you need them, keeping your desk surface clean. Don't forget the wires lurking beneath your desk. Baskets that clamp onto the back of your desk are perfect for stowing away charging bricks and even an extra power strip. Outlet covers with built-in mini-extension cables can further streamline your setup, transforming a messy tangle into a neat and organized power source. Spare cables taking up valuable drawer space? Invest in storage boxes specifically designed for USB and lightning charging cables. Keep them all in one place, easily accessible but out of sight. If you frequently use portable hard drives and flash drives, consider a USB hub that can be mounted to your desk. With just one cable connecting to your computer, you can manage multiple devices effortlessly. Further eliminating the need for more cables and wires. Finally, let's address the post-it note explosion. Erasable whiteboards offer a reusable solution for jotting down notes and phone numbers. Wipe them clean when you're done. Alternatively, mini notebooks from Rocketbook allow you to write notes, scan them with your phone, and automatically send them to your preferred apps like Apple Notes or Google Drive. Then, simply wipe the page clean with a damp cloth. A messy desk may say, 'I'm so busy,' but a clutter-free workspace may remove distractions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
