My work

Cancer-causing chlorinated paraffins found in toys, despite ban

Cancer-causing chlorinated paraffins found in toys, despite ban

Brian OwensJun 12, 2023

Chlorinated paraffins, a class of chemicals banned a decade ago for their cancer-causing effects, have been found in a wide…

Why are the Canadian wildfires so bad this year?

Why are the Canadian wildfires so bad this year?

Brian OwensJun 9, 2023

Hot, dry weather and human carelessness have led to a huge burnt area — and to choking haze affecting millions…

Marine Protected Areas, Explained

Marine Protected Areas, Explained

Brian OwensJun 8, 2023

There’s nuance in how we protect our oceans; here are the details. It’s World Ocean Day, a day when the…

Underground fungi absorb up to a third of our fossil fuel emissions

Underground fungi absorb up to a third of our fossil fuel emissions

Brian OwensJun 5, 2023

Researchers estimate that plants transfer more than 13 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide each year to mycorrhizal fungi, which grow around…

How to avoid deer fly bites, according to science

How to avoid deer fly bites, according to science

Brian OwensMay 27, 2023

An experiment with a sticky fly trap in a Canadian forest suggests you will get more deer fly bites if…

Rising Sea Levels Will Isolate People Long Before They’re Underwater

Rising Sea Levels Will Isolate People Long Before They’re Underwater

Brian OwensMay 25, 2023

Time and tide wait for no man. Neither does sea level rise. The Chignecto Isthmus—the low marshy strip connecting New…