William B.
@williambee.bsky.social
Botany, conservation, and sea shanties
Reposted by William B.
BREAKING: Secret Skills Development Fund data obtained by @thestar.com reveals Labour Minister David Piccini doled out millions to low-scoring applicants. E.G. owner of @TheTorontoSun and the @nationalpost got $1M despite a 41.68% score.
#onpoli
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
#onpoli
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/secret-data-reveals-which-low-scoring-ap[…]om-the-ford/article_8e6b59ef-8352-43cc-9434-c9d9c04bb65d.html
November 14, 2025 at 7:26 PM
BREAKING: Secret Skills Development Fund data obtained by @thestar.com reveals Labour Minister David Piccini doled out millions to low-scoring applicants. E.G. owner of @TheTorontoSun and the @nationalpost got $1M despite a 41.68% score.
#onpoli
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
#onpoli
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
Reposted by William B.
The Doug Ford government is setting its sites on conservation authorities for the fifth time, merging the watershed protection agencies. Staff tell @fatimabsyed.bsky.social it may ‘slow approvals, create confusion’ — not to mention it's leaving them with ‘whiplash.’ thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Inside Ontario’s plan to merge 36 conservation authorities to 7 | The Narwhal
Doug Ford’s government is seeking public feedback on its plan to overhaul Ontario’s conservation authorities, reducing local agencies from 36 to 7
thenarwhal.ca
November 15, 2025 at 2:17 PM
The Doug Ford government is setting its sites on conservation authorities for the fifth time, merging the watershed protection agencies. Staff tell @fatimabsyed.bsky.social it may ‘slow approvals, create confusion’ — not to mention it's leaving them with ‘whiplash.’ thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Reposted by William B.
Expanding Canadian LNG will increase domestic emissions and have uncertain implications for global emissions. Read the latest from @dalebeugin.bsky.social and SFU’s Nancy Olewiler ⬇️
climateinstitute.ca/will-canadia...
climateinstitute.ca/will-canadia...
Will Canadian LNG increase or decrease emissions?
Evidence suggests that expanding Canadian LNG will increase domestic emissions and have uncertain implications for global emissions.
climateinstitute.ca
November 13, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Expanding Canadian LNG will increase domestic emissions and have uncertain implications for global emissions. Read the latest from @dalebeugin.bsky.social and SFU’s Nancy Olewiler ⬇️
climateinstitute.ca/will-canadia...
climateinstitute.ca/will-canadia...
Reposted by William B.
Hi Bluesky 👋
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
November 7, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Hi Bluesky 👋
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
Reposted by William B.
Upon taking office, the Doug Ford gov't introduced a law to cut the "carbon tax" which also obliged the government to create a climate plan & emissions targets. Now, they’ve repealed that duty—Ontario’s government no longer has to consider climate action.
thenarwhal.ca/ford-repeals...
thenarwhal.ca/ford-repeals...
Doug Ford’s government is abandoning climate targets | The Narwhal
Ontario is moving to repeal aspects of a law that require the government to create a climate plan and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets
thenarwhal.ca
November 6, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Upon taking office, the Doug Ford gov't introduced a law to cut the "carbon tax" which also obliged the government to create a climate plan & emissions targets. Now, they’ve repealed that duty—Ontario’s government no longer has to consider climate action.
thenarwhal.ca/ford-repeals...
thenarwhal.ca/ford-repeals...
Reposted by William B.
A month ago, Ontario’s Auditor General told Doug Ford’s government to create a public, accountable climate plan with emissions-reduction targets — as courts have also ordered.
Today, the government’s fall economic statement eliminates all legal obligation to do so. #onpoli
Today, the government’s fall economic statement eliminates all legal obligation to do so. #onpoli
November 6, 2025 at 6:49 PM
A month ago, Ontario’s Auditor General told Doug Ford’s government to create a public, accountable climate plan with emissions-reduction targets — as courts have also ordered.
Today, the government’s fall economic statement eliminates all legal obligation to do so. #onpoli
Today, the government’s fall economic statement eliminates all legal obligation to do so. #onpoli
Reposted by William B.
I've been on vacation and just came back to news the Doug Ford gov't is amalgamating 36 conservation authorities into 7. This is a HUGE change and just the latest in a long tense relationship b/w this government and the unique agencies.
But first: LETS GO BLUE JAYS 💙
thenarwhal.ca/newsletter-o...
But first: LETS GO BLUE JAYS 💙
thenarwhal.ca/newsletter-o...
A five-year battle comes to an end in Ontario | The Narwhal
Time and again, the Ford government has tried to weaken the role of conservation authorities. The changes are coming soon
thenarwhal.ca
October 31, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I've been on vacation and just came back to news the Doug Ford gov't is amalgamating 36 conservation authorities into 7. This is a HUGE change and just the latest in a long tense relationship b/w this government and the unique agencies.
But first: LETS GO BLUE JAYS 💙
thenarwhal.ca/newsletter-o...
But first: LETS GO BLUE JAYS 💙
thenarwhal.ca/newsletter-o...
Reposted by William B.
Reposted by William B.
As a theoretical cosmologist, I'm frequently asked "what is the benefit of the work you're doing for people's lives?" Nothing I work on makes money or cures disease.
There are a few different answers one can give, at various levels of "convincing" / "actually relevant to why the work is done."
1/🧵
There are a few different answers one can give, at various levels of "convincing" / "actually relevant to why the work is done."
1/🧵
October 3, 2025 at 7:32 PM
As a theoretical cosmologist, I'm frequently asked "what is the benefit of the work you're doing for people's lives?" Nothing I work on makes money or cures disease.
There are a few different answers one can give, at various levels of "convincing" / "actually relevant to why the work is done."
1/🧵
There are a few different answers one can give, at various levels of "convincing" / "actually relevant to why the work is done."
1/🧵
Reposted by William B.
Any Ontario minister in Doug Ford’s government could soon have the power to create law-free zones — and decide what gets built there.
Ontario reporter @fatimabsyed.bsky.social explains:
Ontario reporter @fatimabsyed.bsky.social explains:
October 3, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Any Ontario minister in Doug Ford’s government could soon have the power to create law-free zones — and decide what gets built there.
Ontario reporter @fatimabsyed.bsky.social explains:
Ontario reporter @fatimabsyed.bsky.social explains:
Reposted by William B.
Ontario isn't on track to meet the weaker emissions target it adopted in 2018.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Ontario will miss 2030 emission reduction goal by even wider gap than it admits: auditor | CBC News
Ontario's environment ministry says it will miss its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, but the auditor general says province will in fact likely miss that target by an even wider margin.
www.cbc.ca
October 1, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Ontario isn't on track to meet the weaker emissions target it adopted in 2018.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by William B.
Morning walk
September 26, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Morning walk
Reposted by William B.
Seems like a good time to remind people that Canada Post will deliver any piece of mail to federal elected officials for FREE.
No stamp necessary!
Just a reminder in case you, oh I dunno, wanna send your elected officials a sternly worded letter a day for a year or something.
No stamp necessary!
Just a reminder in case you, oh I dunno, wanna send your elected officials a sternly worded letter a day for a year or something.
Liberal government frees Canada Post to end home delivery, close some post offices | CBC News
With Canada Post on track to lose $1.5 billion in 2025 and contract discussions between the union and the corporation stalled, the federal government is embarking on a modernization plan it says will ...
www.cbc.ca
September 25, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Seems like a good time to remind people that Canada Post will deliver any piece of mail to federal elected officials for FREE.
No stamp necessary!
Just a reminder in case you, oh I dunno, wanna send your elected officials a sternly worded letter a day for a year or something.
No stamp necessary!
Just a reminder in case you, oh I dunno, wanna send your elected officials a sternly worded letter a day for a year or something.
Young Finns snub their mother tongue by reading in English
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
Young Finns snub their mother tongue by reading in English
Publishers fear for the future of translated literature as sales of foreign language books rise
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Young Finns snub their mother tongue by reading in English
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
The island that banned hives: can honeybees actually harm nature?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The island that banned hives: can honeybees actually harm nature?
On a tiny Italian island, scientists conducted a radical experiment to see if the bees were causing their wild cousins to decline
www.theguardian.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:21 PM
The island that banned hives: can honeybees actually harm nature?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by William B.
#ONTARIO:
- Week of Sept 22: COVID vaccines for priority groups; RSV vax for high-risk 60-74 OR 75+
- Week of Sept 29: flu vax for priority groups
- Oct 1: RSV vax for infants who meet criteria
- Oct 27: COVID/flu vax for General Public
Source: news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
#covid19 #covid19on
- Week of Sept 22: COVID vaccines for priority groups; RSV vax for high-risk 60-74 OR 75+
- Week of Sept 29: flu vax for priority groups
- Oct 1: RSV vax for infants who meet criteria
- Oct 27: COVID/flu vax for General Public
Source: news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
#covid19 #covid19on
September 18, 2025 at 4:20 PM
#ONTARIO:
- Week of Sept 22: COVID vaccines for priority groups; RSV vax for high-risk 60-74 OR 75+
- Week of Sept 29: flu vax for priority groups
- Oct 1: RSV vax for infants who meet criteria
- Oct 27: COVID/flu vax for General Public
Source: news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
#covid19 #covid19on
- Week of Sept 22: COVID vaccines for priority groups; RSV vax for high-risk 60-74 OR 75+
- Week of Sept 29: flu vax for priority groups
- Oct 1: RSV vax for infants who meet criteria
- Oct 27: COVID/flu vax for General Public
Source: news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
#covid19 #covid19on
Reposted by William B.
Pythagorean Triple Square Day, as one man affectionately calls 9/16/25, is a day like no other this century.
On 9/16/25, celebrate a date of mathematical beauty
Pythagorean Triple Square Day, as one man affectionately calls 9/16/25, is a day like no other this century.
n.pr
September 16, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Pythagorean Triple Square Day, as one man affectionately calls 9/16/25, is a day like no other this century.
Reposted by William B.
"Pat, why do you carry that ridiculous 600mm lens on long hikes?"
Buddy, I can see mountains reflected in the eyes of a trailside pika.
Buddy, I can see mountains reflected in the eyes of a trailside pika.
August 28, 2025 at 4:18 PM
"Pat, why do you carry that ridiculous 600mm lens on long hikes?"
Buddy, I can see mountains reflected in the eyes of a trailside pika.
Buddy, I can see mountains reflected in the eyes of a trailside pika.
Reposted by William B.
Giraffes were long considered one species. Now a leading conservation organization recognized them as four. And three of them are in big trouble. Here's my story. Gift link: nyti.ms/45LqNa3
nyti.ms
August 22, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Giraffes were long considered one species. Now a leading conservation organization recognized them as four. And three of them are in big trouble. Here's my story. Gift link: nyti.ms/45LqNa3
Reposted by William B.
This isn’t an impoverished regional school – this is the University of Chicago. Devastating.
August 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM
This isn’t an impoverished regional school – this is the University of Chicago. Devastating.
Reposted by William B.
It's so weird how LLMs know so much about things I don't know anything about, and yet make fundamental and basic errors about things I do know anything about. Oh well, I'm sure that's a coincidence.
August 11, 2025 at 7:56 PM
It's so weird how LLMs know so much about things I don't know anything about, and yet make fundamental and basic errors about things I do know anything about. Oh well, I'm sure that's a coincidence.
Reposted by William B.
More bad news for butterflies. Our new paper led by Wendy Leuenberger shows common species are declining even more rapidly than rare ones. @ZipkinLab
Three decades of declines restructure butterfly communities in the Midwestern United States | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501340122
Three decades of declines restructure butterfly communities in the Midwestern United States | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501340122
Three decades of declines restructure butterfly communities in the Midwestern United States | PNAS
Insects are declining worldwide. These declines have been documented across taxonomic
groups and are worrisome given ecosystem services provided by...
www.pnas.org
August 4, 2025 at 10:10 PM
More bad news for butterflies. Our new paper led by Wendy Leuenberger shows common species are declining even more rapidly than rare ones. @ZipkinLab
Three decades of declines restructure butterfly communities in the Midwestern United States | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501340122
Three decades of declines restructure butterfly communities in the Midwestern United States | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501340122
Reposted by William B.
