Author Archives: Blair

The Leap Manifesto: Good Intentions Mixed with Bad Science

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Blair

As regular readers of this blog know, I first encountered the Leap Manifesto when it was released in September of 2015. At the time I wrote a couple pieces. The first: A Chemist looks at the Leap Manifesto and finds … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Climate Change Politics, General Politics, Leap Manifesto | 6 Comments

On Carbon Dioxide Toxicity

Posted on April 10, 2016 by Blair

The other evening I became engaged in a fascinating discussion (for me) with a climate skeptic on the topic of carbon dioxide, specifically whether it was “toxic” or not. After that discussion I committed to do a write-up on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Chemistry and Toxicology, Risk, Uncategorized | 18 Comments

On chemical scare-mongering and science communication, it’s BPA’s turn this time

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Blair

I have written numerous blog posts describing the miscommunication of human health risks posed by chemistry and chemicals; covering topics from gypsy-moth spray to synthetic soccer fields. Frankly the fact that I have an entire section of this blog dedicated … Continue reading →

Posted in Chemistry and Toxicology, Risk, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

A cautionary tale about disconnecting theory from data in data analyses

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Blair

In the modern era a new breed of scientist has emerged on the scene: data analysis specialists. Similarly there is a new breed of journalist called “data journalists” with my favourite being Chad Skelton, formerly of the Vancouver Sun. These … Continue reading →

Posted in Chemistry and Toxicology, Uncategorized | 7 Comments

The climate crew, alienating potential allies and worshiping false idols

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Blair

So last night was the Oscars and, as expected, Leo DiCaprio won the best actor award and, as expected, he took time during his acceptance speech to discuss climate change. Now Canadians are aware of how knowledgeable Leo is on … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Climate Change Politics, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

A Jacobsonian 100% Wind Water and Sunlight gallop at UCLA

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Blair

Tuesday evening I spent a couple hours online listening to a moderated debate hosted by the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. The debate was titled POWERING EARTH 2050: Is California’s 100% Renewable Strategy Globally Viable? The reason for … Continue reading →

Posted in Fossil Fuel Free Future, Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Cap and Trade: a well-intentioned system that can hurt the virtuous

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Blair

This week a very interesting study came out about Canadian’s views on climate change. I will blog a bit more on that topic later as I am still drilling through the data supplied by the authors but one feature of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

On raising respectful and aware kids in the modern era

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Blair

I’m going to change up the pace a bit. Over the last year I have written about topics such as renewable energy and climate change but today I am going to address a topic even closer to my heart: how … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Debunking some myths about private sector scientists

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Blair

I had a discouraging interaction this week with an academic, who in another lifetime I might have described as a colleague. The academic and I disagree on the importance of pipelines in our modern society. That is not unexpected; we … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Uncategorized | 13 Comments

On the empty platitudes of the anti-pipeline advocates

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Blair

This week was a busy one in the Energy East pipeline debate with Denis Coderre and his merry band of municipal politicians stepping out of their jurisdictional depth to come out against the pipeline and our Prime Minister saying he … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Energy East, Oil Sands, Pipelines, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 10 Comments