The Sentinel Sun

In 2021, Mark Carney published his book Value(s) , which includes the following passage: Efforts to address climate change have been a struggle between urgency and complacency. The urgency of carbon budgets that could be consumed within a decade. The complacency of adding to the committed carbon in our cars, homes, machines and power plants when those already in place will, over their useful lives, exhaust those carbon budgets. The urgency of the looming Sixth Mass Extinction

Holidays are not only about distance traveled but perspective gained, and lucky for us, here in Metro Vancouver, there’s lots for you to discover! Winter in the Lower Mainland isn’t just a season, it’s a dazzling spectacle filled with lights, laughter, and sparkle. From glittering outdoor displays to cozy fun indoors, the holiday season promises winter activities for everybody!  Burnaby Burnaby Village Museum  The Burnaby Village Museum offers  vintage light displays, live en

While many dream of a white Christmas, half the world dreams of a bright one. In the Northern Hemisphere, the holiday season is synonymous with cold weather, snow, and steaming cups of cocoa. However, in the Southern Hemisphere, the holidays tell a different story — trading snowflakes for sunshine and chilly nights for blazing summer days. These opposite climates have shaped holiday celebrations around the globe, with people adapting these originally ‘winter holidays’ to fit

This year marks the 15th iteration of the annual Vancouver Christmas Market, one of the city's most recognizable winter events. Every year at the Jack Poole Plaza, the area is transformed into a small European-styled village filled with wooden stalls, glowing lights, and joy. The market was first introduced in 2010, and while it has grown over the years, its appeal has mostly stayed the same: a mix of food, music, and holiday traditions. The festival offers seasonal foods, ha

Update  (November 13): The United States federal government shutdown has officially ended after a record-setting 42 days and 22 hours . President Donald Trump signed the funding bill November 12, sending federal agencies back to work and restoring pay for furloughed employees. However, bills for funding for extending the Affordable Care Act  which will expire at the end of the year did not get passed. SNAP  funding is due to resume. Update  (November 5): Since this article wa

If you experience a heightened sense of fatigue, sadness, or loss of interest in hobbies throughout the darker seasons, you may be afflicted by   Seasonal Affective Disorder  (SAD), a form of depression linked to seasonal changes. According to the Canadian Psychological Association , mild cases of SAD are reported by approximately 15% of Canadians, and 2-3% report serious cases. Simply put, reduced sunlight can lead to melatonin  overproduction, which increases fatigue, reduc

Once October comes around, Canadians find themselves eating turkey and expressing their gratitude during Thanksgiving weekend, but Americans don’t join the festivities until November. Despite the dates being different, the holiday at its core is the same in both countries - yet, they still have some differences. In this article, I’ll unpack some of the key differences, similarities, and the history that explains them.  History and Dates  In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the s

The moment pumpkins and skeletons are replaced by twinkling lights and our living rooms suddenly sprout Christmas trees marks not only a shift in the calendar, but also a shift in our lives. Still, every year it seems Christmas sneaks in just a little sooner. Walk into any store on November 1st, and you’ll hear Mariah Carey blasting through aisles adorned with elves and mistletoe where spiders and skeletons lived just hours earlier. While I love Christmas, I can’t help but wo