Varina Crisfield
banner
vcrisfield.bsky.social
Varina Crisfield
@vcrisfield.bsky.social

Plant ecologist/conservation researcher. PhD candidate at Université de Sherbrooke. Also passionate about urban sustainability.

“Si le chemin est beau, ne nous demandons pas où il mène”

Environmental science 67%
Geography 17%

A lot about Alberta is embarrassing, sadly. I really, really miss it sometimes. Then I see things like this.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta's role in Canada's loss of measles elimination status embarrassing, former chief medical officer says | CBC News
The latest federal data shows Alberta accounts for 38 per cent of Canada’s cases.
www.cbc.ca

Another Oils lyric demystified for this non-Australian.

From the CBC article: The MP said he was "deeply grateful" for those who have reached out to him in recent days while also urging people to "please not attempt to contact my family during this time."

That last bit tells a story...

We can look forward to ... possibly a whole month of it here.

I reckon the Four Nations cup final could still give tonight's game a run for its money.

The researcher in me is giving SERIOUS side eye to the colour ramp used in this figure. It seems designed to highlight relatively small changes within a given range (you need to click the link to see the legend).

The active transport nerd in me loves it anyway. Improved air quality is always a win!
“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.”

Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.

Common sense.

Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change.
Air pollution fell substantially as the city restricted car traffic and made way for parks and bike lanes.
www.washingtonpost.com
“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.”

Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.

Common sense.

Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change.
Air pollution fell substantially as the city restricted car traffic and made way for parks and bike lanes.
www.washingtonpost.com

Is it over?
Winter cycling tips for people that experience snowy winter conditions #wintercycing youtu.be/mCpen27DkBQ
WINTER CYCLING Tips For Folks Who EXPERIENCE Actual WINTER
YouTube video by BikeBike Rides
youtu.be
You gotta give ‘em hop.

I need a bike. After extensive research, I've found that the bike that best accommodates all my needs is, in fact, three separate bikes.

Invisible trail season is upon us again.
We have truly not yet figured out how to cope with a person or institution that is "aware" of climate change, "accepts the science", but then decides to continue actively worsening it anyway

We don't even have a word or a phrase for this!

theconversation.com/mark-carneys...
Mark Carney’s climate inaction is at odds with his awareness of climate change’s existential threat
Climate action no longer seems to be a priority for Prime Minister Mark Carney, despite his previous activism. This is bad news for Canadians and the climate.
theconversation.com

Spent the day in this spectacular bog complex, which, based on some back-of-the-napkin math (by a highly qualified expert), is storing approximately 200,000 tonnes of CO2, amongst its other ecosystem services. Peatlands REALLY matter!

Autumn in Abitibi. Too warm. Still pretty.
If you're still using Amazon to buy stuff, this extract from a forthcoming book by Cory Doctorow (he of "enshittification" coinage) might just convince you not to.

/...

www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Way past its prime: how did Amazon get so rubbish?
Sick of scrolling through junk results, AI-generated ads and links to lookalike products? The author and activist behind the term ‘enshittification’ explains what’s gone wrong with the internet – and ...
www.theguardian.com
We’re going through very dark times: socially, politically and especially environmentally. If you think globally, you get really depressed, so act locally. Each one of us makes some impact...every single day.
.
- #JaneGoodall 1934 - 2025

Montreal's bike lanes are so successful that THEY are now experiencing congestion! Luckily, it's not the kind that pollutes.
a study that changes the paradigm of horizontal gene transfer across kingdoms, led by my former PhD supervisor Bernard Goffinet, congratulations to his team www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Fall settles into the townships.

The call for applications for the 2026 Liber Ero fellowship are now open. If you are a conservation researcher in Canada I strongly encourage you to apply for this amazing opportunity!

liberero.ca
Liber Ero Fellowship Program
liberero.ca

Thinking of the #yegbike community today. It's been a long time since I've left Edmonton but I remember folks fondly, and wish I could be there with you today. Hope the sunshine graces your #coffeeoutside with its presence.
We are searching for a Forest Ecophysiologist (tenure track Assistant or Associate Professor) to join the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia Faculty of Forestry. Please share! Details are here: ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/ubcfacultyjobs

I'll be there in spirit. Wish I could be there in person. My condolences to the community.
We can't say too much at this time, but if you've ever been to Coffee Outside (or thought about coming), it's important that you try to attend this week.

yegbike.info/events#calen...

#yegbike

We'll miss you Darren. You brought so much life to the communities you were part of.
I only met Dr. Darren Markland a few times, but he made an impact on me. This clip from coffee outside (with Darren giving away free coffee from his bike-mounted coffee-maker) offers a glimpse into how he viewed cycling and community as interwoven. I'm so sorry for his family and community.
We can't say too much at this time, but if you've ever been to Coffee Outside (or thought about coming), it's important that you try to attend this week.

yegbike.info/events#calen...

#yegbike
How can YOU help fix the climate crisis? This new guide I researched and created with support from @projectdrawdown.bsky.social will help you find & flex your climate superpowers:
👩‍⚖️ Citizen
💼 Professional
💵 Investor
✈️ Consumer
🌟 Role Model
Check out jointheshift.earth and let's #MakeSHIFThappen!