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Tai Munro

I am passionate about making science, sustainability, and sport accessible through engaging information and activities.
Tai Munro has written 513 posts for Connecting with Science

A free sustainability resource

Today’s post is a little different. I’ve been working on a project for just over a year now and yesterday it was officially published. I teach sustainability at a university. I was frustrated that I couldn’t find a good and affordable resource for the intro class. There are resources out there but they are often … Continue reading

When the heat is too much the birds head out of town

If you have ever stood in the centre of a paved urban paradise where the buildings, roads, and parking lots add to potentially already stifling heat then you know how uncomfortable the urban heat island effect can be. Temperatures in the city, particularly densely built areas with little vegetation can increase the temperature by several … Continue reading

Cycling infrastructure reduces deaths for all road users

Without question, the designation of public funds for cycling infrastructure is an intense issue with advocates and passion on both sides of the issue. Living in a winter city means the debate is perhaps more impassioned as people argue that too few people cycle in the winter months to make it worthwhile. But what if … Continue reading

Climate change leads to wildfires which leads to climate change, and it might be worse than we thought

We are in an unprecedented fire season in 2023. Warming temperatures and drier conditions caused by climate change are a major reason. But wildfires themselves also contribute to climate change creating a reinforcing feedback loop. And, new research indicates that this might be worse than previously thought. It has been well established that black carbon … Continue reading

We need to think about the science and the social when it comes to climate change

I’m a big advocate for interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration. I’ve set up my classes to support this because the reality is that we need people to be thinking about sustainability across many different fields from supply chain to theatre. In addition, it is both natural and social systems that will be impacted by climate change, … Continue reading

Where you live matters to your health

Being active is a big part of staying healthy but where you live can impact how active you are. I particularly notice this when I travel. I’ve stayed in places where I could easily walk to a variety of destinations. But other places I have had to navigate a lack of sidewalks, huge highways, and … Continue reading

Is having pets a conflict with being sustainable?

Having pets can sometimes seem like a conflict for my other sustainability focused lifestyle choices. I eat mostly vegetarian, but I wouldn’t even consider depriving my cats of meat. I don’t use plastic bags, except to pick up my dog’s poop. But the consequences of pets can go a lot further than just their food … Continue reading

Oh, Strawberries!

I love strawberries, but I’m not much of a gardener. This means that most of my strawberries come from industrial-level agriculture via my local grocery store. I do try to only buy them in season, but some new research indicates potentially negative impacts on the local ecosystem. Tiwari presented their research at a recent conference … Continue reading

There is no sustainability without inclusion

Did you know that July is Disability Pride Month? Me neither. When it comes to sustainability there is still a long way to go to be inclusive. I’ve had conversations with people with disabilities who are negatively impacted by the loss of bendable plastic straws. Straight straws and no straws are both much harder for … Continue reading

Urban Heat Stress and Racial Disparities

It’s hot but I want to be outside, so I head to my shady, tree-covered yard or over to a greenspace with lots of grass and plants. As I walk there, I’m sheltered from the glaring sun by the trees that line the street. Depending on which way I go, I may even be able … Continue reading

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