Tokyo’s Love Affair with Bicycles

May 25, 2018May 25, 2018Leave a comment

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The Next Stage of Urban Cycling

Living in Japan for nearly a year now, I am still perpetually amazed and impressed by the number of people who chose to commute by bike (see The Daily Commute). It’s a clean, convenient, and cost-effective means of getting around, and it has the potential of bringing genuine joy to the rider. I’m certainly a fan. Biking to work, school, and social events had often been my preferred means of travel back in Montreal (despite the long winters), but here in Tokyo, they’ve managed to bring urban cycling to the next level!

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Be A Vigorous Defender of Your World

May 18, 2018May 18, 2018Leave a comment

Thoreau Quote

A Proponent of Activism

Henry David Thoreau, the 19th Century American writer, poet, and philosopher, is also considered one of the founding members of the US environmental movement. He wrote much about the need to connect with nature and adhere to higher principals of justice and equality. In so doing, he also advocated civil disobedience and activism. As he described, “Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something.” This implies that to be good is to demonstrate it through action.

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Bill McKibben in Tokyo

May 11, 2018May 18, 2018Leave a comment

A Look Through The Green Lens

Famed author and environmental activist Bill McKibben is in Tokyo as part of his Climate Action Tour across a number of Pacific nations. He is here looking to help bring attention to the issues and encourage the acceleration climate action. Mr. McKibben was recently in Tokyo for Earth Day barely 3 weeks ago, where he spoke to those gathered about the importance of environmental protection and fossil fuel divestment. This time round, he is back for an event hosted by 350.org, the organization he helped found. Mr. McKibben was one of several speakers that had been invited to share their wisdom and insights. I’m thrilled to have had the privilege to attend and learn!

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Baby Knowledge Starter Kit

May 10, 2018May 20, 20182 Comments

On Track Towards Sustainable Parenting

Parenting is a glorious, difficult, rewarding, amazing, grueling, and incredible experience! When you discover (or decide) that you will bring and raise new life into this world, it can generate a wonderful new sense of awareness and a mountain of questions. The search for answers also brings with it the realization that the world can be a safer, more sustainable place if we commit to our roles as parents and encourage empathy, compassion, and understanding in our little ones as we follow more traditional, scientifically backed, means of attachment parenting.

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Send In The Clowns

May 4, 2018May 16, 20181 Comment

Comedians as a Source of Truth

There is lots written about the media and the nature of its influence on public discourse. Over time, I have also come to realize the limited picture we get when we simply follow what is conveyed over cable news. Fortunately, I was also lucky enough to travel, pickup a love of reading, and greatly diversify where I get my information and content.

In this time of increasing media monopolization and blatant dominance of money in the political process, it is critical to have various outlets and channels to reach out to and learn from. I have already listed a few in the past (see Becoming Sustainably Motivated), but I wanted to focus this time round on the importance of humor, satire, and comedy for criticizing the status quo and questioning the established narrative.