A huge thank you to Ocean Wise for supporting this work, and to my friend and longtime collaborator Dr. Lauren Dykman for volunteering to collect this kelp with me!

By creating gametophyte cultures from these Giant Kelp growing at the edge of its range into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, this Ocean Action Grant funded project ensures their unique genotype is conserved as we move into a warmer future, & can be made available for future restoration if needed!

Recent research I’ve supported shows that some at-risk range-edge kelp populations have unique genotypes that may be critical for restoring kelp forests in a warming ocean, as we’ve shown that different genotypes within a kelp species can be more or less tolerant to stressors like high temperature.

Earlier this fall, I was awarded an Ocean Action Grant by Ocean Wise to set up a gametophyte culturing lab & collect spores from a potentially vulnerable population of Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) for long term bio-banking! #kelp #kelpforest #conservation #restoration #ocean

For @nationalobserver.com, I spoke with U of T’s Laura Tozer. Last year, she was adding climate policies to her lecture slides. This year, she’s deleting them, and asking Prime Minister Mark Carney to explain the rollbacks directly to her students.

Co-founder of Colossal Biosciences Ben Lamm has a history of hyping up “world-changing” ventures that ultimately lead nowhere. Cheerleading false techno-fixes like de-extinction in the media distracts from real attempts to address biodiversity loss and climate change.

In this season of renewal, as we muster fresh energy, it’s worth revisiting this deep look at burnout among environmental advocates—and why caring for ourselves sustains the long game we’re all in. #OceanHoptimism #MentalHealth

For #PhycologyFriday, check out my new #kelp restoration & research outfit, @bluefutureskelp.bsky.social! More phyco-y updates to come, in meantime, here’s some biodiversity monitoring for a client in former #seaweed habitat, collecting @reeflifesurvey.bsky.social data to understand #urchin dynamics

Right? Speaking as a CUPW union steward, Canada Post's "woes" are actually just investments in vehicle fleets and a new parcel facility. The rest is lost pay equity lawsuits and funnelling parcels to Purolator. Also... policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...

Thrilled to share what I’ve been working on lately: launching @bluefutureskelp.bsky.social! Ever since returning to phycology 5 years ago & researching #kelp restoration, I've been hooked, & I’m grateful to be continuing it in this new capacity. Follow along for updates & more kelpy content 🌊

“All private and public sector employers should pay their employees, whether direct or on contract, at least a living wage,” reads a report authored by @ccpanovascotia.bsky.social in August. #canlab futureofgood.co/record-numbe...

Ignored since the federal election, an arms-length expert body set up to advise the federal government on the energy transition is collapsing. The latest pipeline agreement between Canada and Alberta representing the final straw for two members. @woodsideful.bsky.social reports

Do yourself a favour and read this excellent article from @arnokopecky.bsky.social "Pierre Pollievre might still be the official opposition, but everyone knows who the real conservative leader is now."

For #PhycologyFriday, some Desmarestia aculeata (and a frosted nudibranch, if you look closely) just offshore here in Lekwungen territory (Victoria, Vancouver Island). Unlike the highly acidic species the Desmarestia genus is better known for, this one grows over winter & persists for multiple years

Saving the C-Gar! “Cuban scientists race against time to save fish as old as the dinosaurs” LINK: www.reuters.com/business/env...

On the one hand, the growing organization of fascism on the Canadian right is a huge concern as it gets closer to going mainstream On the other hand, they’ve chosen perhaps the goofiest, least sympathetic cause to rally around

For #PhycologyFriday, a Bull Kelp bed at the end of its season here in Lekwungen Territory (Victoria, BC). Though these sporophytes will soon disappear, the kelp bed will persist microscopically over the winter in the form of billions of gametophytes, probably growing from dropped spores right now!

NEW: I explain how Canada’s ongoing purchases of Israeli weapons and military technology fuel genocide against Palestinians. This is a transcript of my testimony at the people’s tribunal on Canadian responsibility. www.readthemaple.com/how-canadas-...

Coastal First Nations say the federal government hasn't been talking to them about Alberta's pipeline proposal, despite multiple requests for nation-to-nation meetings "We are tired of learning about these discussions regarding our traditional territories in the press," reads a press release

For those unaware of the background here. @tyolsen.bsky.social of @thetyee.ca wrote an excellent article on it. It’s not just this pipeline, it is others in BC as well, and it will be other utilities like power lines in the near future… potentially. thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...

This week's B.C. climate news round up from @tiffycrawford.bsky.social: LNG expansion could bring 200 more tankers a year to B.C.’s West Coast, report says | The scientists who popularized carbon capture have a warning about it 👇 vancouversun.com/news/climate...

These six studies show a central estimate of warming from 2.4C to 2.9C, with large climate system uncertainties due to climate sensitivity and carbon cycle feedbacks; its possible that current policy warming could be as high as 4C if we roll 6s on the proverbial climate dice.

A number of new estimates of current policy warming by 2100 have been released in recent months, including three prominent ones from UNEP, IEA, and CAT in the run-up to COP30. I've got a new piece over at The Climate Brink digging into the details: www.theclimatebrink....

For #PhycologyFriday, some late-season Bull Kelp I saw on a freedive this week, still pumping out spore-bearing sori despite the approach of winter Seen in Lekwungen territory on Vancouver Island (Victoria, BC)

Obviously an economy-wide problem, but it’s notable how many positions in biology, conservation, or even research in BC I see posted offering less than these livable-wage rates, & almost all require advanced degrees + experience to boot

🚨 As momentum builds at #COP30 around a #JustTransition, PM Carney unveils a new batch of “projects of national interest” that threaten #climate & communities—a stark contrast to the global transition away from fossil fuels. Read the full release with quotes from civil society: shorturl.at/qEK56

Seriously appreciating this close-up translation of Carney's energy plans from @arnokopecky.bsky.social 👏

Nice to see a win for postsecondary workers!

Belize’s blue reputation vs. reef reality: Marine conservation wins, and what’s missing (commentary) news.mongabay.com/2025/10/beli... 🧪🦑🌎🐠

Is there a “methane bomb” lying in Arctic permafrost?

For #PhycologyFriday, a Gloiocladia laciniata growing on a stalk of kelp here in the territories of Lekwungen peoples (Victoria, BC). There's not much info I could find online about this red alga's striking color, but I enjoyed seeing a bunch of their scintillating blue blades on a snorkel this week

This is incredibly troubling to see coming from those controlling the taps on science/research funding in Canada. Read the whole thread! Despite progress, the sciences still have a culture/structures of exclusion, & they’re talking like they want to ignore that reality & entrench the old status quo

Residents of Kitimat, BC say they had expected some smoke & pollution from the new LNG plant, but the intensity and persistence of the noise from flaring have taken them by surprise. Now some in Squamish have similar concerns. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/30/n...

Yikes. BC Residents May Have to Cover a Property Tax Break for Pipelines. You know, because these fossil fuel corporations don't get to make enough profit on the basis of public/Indigenous land & resources. via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...

Check out our new methods paper for automated length and body shape measurements in animals!

"Politicians from centre-right and centre-left parties alike had steadily eroded social programmes, fostering a sense of scarcity and creating fertile ground for the stirring up of anti-migrant sentiment, said Olivier De Schutter, the UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights." #UBI

“Hurricane Melissa could be one of the most intense & devastating hurricanes on record for Jamaica, & it’s rapidly becoming a textbook example of how climate change is making hurricanes more dangerous,” —Katharine Hayhoe, professor of climate science. www.commondreams.org/news/jamaica...

The eye wall of #Melissa is now moving onshore. It’s an extremely dangerous storm, having maintained its peak intensity of 175 mph, Gusts 215, and pressure of 901mb. If it makes landfall at 900mb it would be a top three most intense landfalls in the Atlantic Basin. My thoughts are with #Jamaica

Recommended piece here by @bsaxifrage.bsky.social. Not the kind of analysis that should make BCers proud: "British Columbians are aiming to shoot past even the Saudis in CO2 extraction per person." The CO2 extractors: BC is among world's most aggressive www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/22/a...

For #PhycologyFriday, some kelp-as-habitat appreciation from a recent night dive here on WSANEC territory (Saanich Inlet, Vancouver Island). Was fun to see these more nocturnal species, Sailfin Sculpin and Helmet Crab, hiding in beds of Saccharina and Neoagarum!

Once again highlighting a key asymmetry in politics: If you are boosting oil and gas, you can basically say whatever you want that fits the moment. Follow up is cancel culture If you're advocating for anything else, you must be 100% accurate at all times or it will be used to discredit you forever

Props to @woodsideful.bsky.social for applying journalistic rigour to this bafflingly stupid statement by this former pipeline CEO we’re paying $700,000/year from public coffers, apparently 🤡

For #PhycologyFriday, here’s a funky Bull Kelp bulb sent to me by a friend in Ucluelet. Anyone know what causes this to happen? Never seen one like this before #kelp

For #PhycologyFriday, a topside view of a beautiful little bull kelp forest here in Huu-ay-aht territory, western Vancouver Island 🌊 #kelp #kelpforest

Report suggests arms still flow from Canada to Israel despite denials www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

Ebikes are not just bikes with a motor and battery. They are a new form of transportation “Our results reject nesting electric with conventional bicycles, underscoring their distinct characteristics and minimal shared unobserved attributes”

Worth calling attention to here is thefinding that plying the world with fossil fuels carries significant legal and financial risk. It opens the door to Canada being take to court to pay climate reparations. For the people who say Canada is 2% of emissions, nbd... let's dive into the numbers

Quote: "Invasive mussels at the bottom of the lakes have filtered away microorganisms, leaving behind crystal-clear waters that are a veritable desert for whitefish." Quagga mussels have siphoned off energy from the food web, leaving planktivorous fish to go hungry. www.bridgemi.com/michigan-env...

Hard as it is to feel hopeful abt international law as we watch states breaking it down to uphold Israel’s genocide in Palestine, it seems that even the cynical read is that this ruling could have substantive impacts. Nice to see petrostate govs like Canada’s take an L!

The BC government considered "fast-tracking" the northern BC mine where three miners are currently trapped underground. Premier David Eby listed the mine’s underground expansion under Bill 15, the province's controversial new law to override regulations because of Trump's tariff war.