The Cautious Climate Optimist

Okay, so this one's long overdue, and in terms of our mandate here at the podcast, of covering good new climate initiatives, the Ecology Action Centre work clicks that box, big time. Maggy Burns, the Centre's Exec. Direc. is a lovely person with an easy manner but a steely spine, it would appear, with regards to what she holds most dear...the natural environment here in Nova Scotia, and the health of not only Nova Scotians, but all living things, and the environment as a whole. And really, shouldn't we all. We chat about the history of the EAC - had no idea it started at Dalhousie - and move on the address more pressing issues. What would we do without them, that's what I wonder, so glad to finally have the chance to chat.

Today's chat is yet another amazing dive into the myriad possibilities for clean energy optimism in our province. Dan Roscoe of Roswall Dev. joins me to talk all things wind and wind turbines, with all the potential those turbines hold to help get us all using 100 % clean wind energy sooner than you think. The key, he says, is local ownership and distributed generation. And he puts his money where his mouth is, with the 2026-27 launch of his company's largest wind farm to date, in Mersey River, NS - with 33 big, beautiful turbines. Enjoy the show!

Today I chat with Eddie Halfyard, a research scientist with a passion for fish, water quality, and removing CO2 from the atmosphere. Nothing short of a miraculous, game-changing, and yes, serendipitous find, is what Halfyard and fellow researcher, Professor Shannon Sterling discovered as they worked to improve water quality for NS salmon. And as with many great discoveries, an unexpected positive offshoot of that initial work changed the game forever...and CarbonRun was born.

Join me for a chat with Joe Nickerson, from Halifax's coolest development company, Sidewalk. At Sidewalk, Joe and his partner Elliot are all about creating and revitalizing otherwise languishing urban neighbourhoods, as well as giving new life to old concrete buildings instead of building new. In so doing they both help the environment while also preserving the history and character intrinsically found in the cities' older buildings . A really interesting look into what could be a greener development option for us going forward.

A conversation with Kevin Boutilier, Manager of Clean Energy with HalifACT, Halifax's long-term climate plan. During the podcast we talk about where things are at the five-year anniversary point for the plan, wins and challenges, as well as his hopes going forward - specifically around meeting HalifACT targets. Kevin talks about the importance of partnerships in achieving challenging goals - some of the more integral ones being with both the province and developers. We talk about how he's handling things - both personally and professionally - during the current geopolitical climate and what that may mean for the work of climate mitigation. All that, and much more, including the expansion of EV charging infrastructure around HRM.