Andrew Laursen is an assistant professor at Ryerson University, studying ecosystem ecology. Sophia Dore is an environmental scientist with Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, an environmental consulting company.

Bundle up: It’s time to save on heat

October 04, 2009

The leaves are turning, the Leafs are losing, turkeys are on sale at the grocery and there is a nip in the air.

Save rainforests while net surfing

September 28, 2009

A green search engine? Is that really necessary? I mean how “un-green” is a regular search?

Our children have the most to lose

September 21, 2009

Our friend’s little girl, Joelle, is sick. She is in the hospital.

Water, water everywhere — or is it?

September 14, 2009

It’s 1 a.m. and I am awakened by the sound of a running toilet.

Striking a balance

August 31, 2009

We think that environmental responsibility starts when activism meets pragmatism.

Preserve green spaces for people

August 24, 2009

Last weekend we took a walk in a park run by the local conservation authority.

Nature creates its own hybrids

August 17, 2009

Mythology is rife with the fantastic monster, hybrids between fierce creatures that embody the most frightening features of each parent.

Mother Nature not frail old lady

August 10, 2009

We talk a lot in this column about protecting the environment, about treading lightly on the Earth.

G8 emissions plan is meaningless

July 27, 2009

Sometimes we can all be pretty gullible. Ever make a major purchase because it was “30 per cent off” or choose a bag of chips because it had “50 per cent more?” More than what?

Federal environment rules tame

July 20, 2009

This week Metro is focusing on the challenges facing Canada’s First Nations.

Non-stick cookware debate

July 13, 2009

This week we shift gears and go from considering the large global environment in which we live to the small local environment in which we also live.

No kidding, U.S. now green leader

July 06, 2009

If asked what major global shift occurred in the United States last week, how many would answer “the loss of the King of Pop?”

Curbing lawn fertilizer a simple solution

June 29, 2009

As we enjoyed the first official week of summer, in many parts of Canada it finally felt like summer.

Not always easy being green

June 15, 2009

For some time now we have been exhorting Metro readers to reduce, re­use, recycle, and in all ways live the green life.

Easy to eat local

June 08, 2009

Think Globally, Eat Locally;  Select Nova Scotia; Eat Local First; Good Things Grow In Ontario.  Good slogans. Catchy. But why? 

Season for air quality

June 01, 2009

Summer is coming. It’s the season of barbecues, canoes, lawnmowers, in-line skates, swimming and sunning.

Success stories

May 25, 2009

Sometimes threats to the environment we are dealing with these days seem daunting.

Pests be gone – naturally

May 11, 2009

While watching TV recently we noticed ants are now marching two by two across the floor.

Science remains relevant

May 04, 2009

A recent article in the U.K.’s Sunday Times expressed the views of Vinod Khosla, a major investor in green technology

Share your green parenting tips

April 27, 2009

Another Earth Day has come and gone. Well, we hope it hasn’t gone in spirit.

Lingering query: Are we doomed?

March 30, 2009

Recently, stories of new dinosaur discoveries, news about Earth Hour, a review of our heating bill and a simple question posed by a student — “Are we just doomed?” — have all been bouncing around. Are they connected?

It’s more than just turning off your lights

March 22, 2009

Earth Hour 2009 is almost upon us.  What will you be doing and, more importantly, why are you doing it? 

Trying to find the perfect fit

March 15, 2009

Rather than focusing on the vogue of eco-friendly, we thought we might talk about the fabrics of eco-friendly.

How eco-friendly is your home?

March 09, 2009

Energy audit can help find leaks and inefficiencies that waste money and energy

Cost of road salt

March 02, 2009

Late winter is a dirty time of year in Canada.

Gadgets galore

February 23, 2009

When gadgets are mentioned, the first image that springs to mind is James Bond.

Putting a charge into vehicles

February 16, 2009

In his first week in office, U.S. President Barack Obama announced that his administration would let states independently regulate fuel efficiency standards.

Putting a price on water

February 09, 2009

Last week, Metro reported the City of Calgary is considering a third-party provider for regional water delivery.

Fuel sources are a burning issue

February 02, 2009

What to burn, what to burn? Coal, that one-time wonder rock has lost our love, being named environmental enemy No. 1 by Economist magazine in 2002.

Building for the future

January 26, 2009

Hello Metro readers. After a brief hiatus we, Earth Tones, are back.