Category Archives: Earth

How to Select the Best Suitcase For Stress Free Adventures

July 26, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

Travelling can be an exhilarating experience, whether you’re setting out on a spontaneous weekend getaway or embarking on a long-awaited international trip. One of the most important decisions to make before any adventure is choosing the right suitcase. Your luggage plays a crucial role in the ease and comfort of your travels, and selecting the best one can save you from many headaches along the way.

Fantastic Beasts released in 2016 featuring Newt Scamander’s Magic Suitcase

With the variety of options available on the market today, finding the perfect suitcase can be overwhelming. From materials and sizes to wheels and handles, there are several factors to consider to ensure you make the best choice for your needs. This guide will help you break down the essential features to look for when picking out a suitcase for your next trip.

Size Matters: Choosing the Right Dimensions

The first thing you need to consider when selecting a suitcase is its size. Suitcases come in various sizes, ranging from compact carry-ons to larger checked luggage. The right size for you will depend on the length of your trip and how much you typically pack.

Carry-on size: If you’re planning a short trip or prefer to travel light, a carry-on suitcase is likely your best option. It’s important to check airline guidelines as each carrier has specific size and weight restrictions for carry-on luggage.
Checked luggage size: For longer trips or if you tend to pack more, a larger checked suitcase may be necessary. These suitcases offer more space but can be bulky to handle. Always ensure that the size adheres to airline regulations to avoid additional fees.

For a variety of suitcase sizes and to compare top-rated models, you can explore Meilleurs.ca, which offers expert comparisons and guides to help you make informed decisions.

Spoiler alert- topping Meilleurs.ca list of suitcases is the Swiss Gear La Sarinne 28″ Suitcase.

Durability: Materials That Last

James Bond 007’s- Spy attache case.

Suitcases are typically made from one of three primary materials: soft-shell fabrics, hard-shell plastics, or hybrid combinations. Each material has its own set of pros and cons.

Soft-shell suitcases: Made from durable fabrics like nylon or polyester, soft-shell suitcases offer flexibility and expandability, which is ideal for squeezing in extra items. They’re generally lighter and more forgiving when you’re trying to fit your luggage into tight spaces like an overhead bin. However, they may not provide as much protection for fragile items as hard-shell options.
Hard-shell suitcases: Constructed from materials such as polycarbonate or ABS plastic, hard-shell suitcases provide better protection for your belongings, especially for breakable items. These suitcases are more rigid and usually more secure, but they can also be prone to scratches and cracks over time.
Hybrid suitcases: Some suitcases combine soft and hard-shell elements, offering the best of both worlds. These can provide flexibility while still offering a decent level of protection for your belongings.

Weight: Lighter Is Better

Airlines have become stricter with weight limits, especially for checked luggage. It’s important to choose a suitcase that is light yet durable. A heavy suitcase can quickly eat into your weight allowance, leaving you with less space for your belongings. Look for lightweight materials that don’t compromise on durability, such as polycarbonate for hard-shell suitcases or ballistic nylon for soft-shell suitcases.

An antique art deco Cheney brown crocodile skin suitcase made in England in the 1950s.

Wheels: For Effortless Maneuvering

One of the most crucial features of a suitcase is its wheel system. The last thing you want is to struggle with a suitcase that doesn’t roll smoothly through airport terminals or crowded streets. There are two main types of wheels to consider:

Two wheels: Traditional two-wheeled suitcases tend to be more stable when pulled in a straight line and are ideal for rough surfaces. They also don’t roll away when left on a slope. However, two-wheeled suitcases are more cumbersome to maneuver, especially in tight spaces.
Four wheels (spinner wheels): Four-wheeled suitcases, also known as spinners, offer a full range of motion, allowing you to roll the suitcase upright and in any direction. This can be especially useful when navigating through busy areas or small spaces. While they provide better mobility, spinner wheels can be less stable on uneven surfaces and may roll away if left unattended on an incline.

Handles: Comfortable and Sturdy

The handle of a suitcase may seem like a minor detail, but it’s vital for ensuring comfortable and easy transport. Look for a telescoping handle that can be adjusted to multiple heights and locks securely in place. A comfortable grip is also important, as you’ll be using the handle frequently while pulling the suitcase.

Additionally, consider a suitcase with side or top carry handles for when you need to lift it, such as placing it in an overhead bin or into the trunk of a car. Make sure these handles are sturdy and padded for comfort.

Compartments and Expandability: Maximizing Space

Good luggage design should include plenty of compartments and organizational features. Look for suitcases that offer:

Multiple compartments: Interior pockets and compartments help you keep your items organized, from shoes to toiletries to important documents.
Expandable sections: Some soft-shell suitcases have expandable zippers that allow for extra space when needed, perfect for travelers who tend to overpack or pick up souvenirs along the way.
Compression straps: These interior straps help keep your clothes in place, reducing wrinkles and maximizing the space inside the suitcase.

Security: Keeping Your Belongings Safe

Travel security is always a concern, especially when you’re carrying valuable or personal items. Look for suitcases that come with built-in locks, especially TSA-approved locks, which allow airport security to open the suitcase without damaging the lock during inspections.

In addition to locks, hard-shell suitcases generally offer more protection from theft, as they are harder to cut through than soft-shell models. Zippers should be sturdy and smooth to operate, minimizing the risk of breakage during your trip.

Style: A Reflection of You

While functionality is the most important factor when choosing a suitcase, style can’t be overlooked. Your luggage is a reflection of your personal style, and with so many colors, patterns, and finishes available, you can find a suitcase that suits your personality. Whether you prefer sleek, minimalist designs or bold, vibrant patterns, the style of your suitcase can add a touch of fun to your travel experience.

Conclusion: Invest in the Right Suitcase for a Stress-Free Adventure

Choosing the best suitcase for your next adventure requires balancing practicality, durability, and personal preference. By focusing on key features like size, materials, weight, wheels, handles, and compartments, you can ensure that your suitcase not only meets your travel needs but also enhances your overall experience.

A good suitcase is an investment in stress-free travel, and with a little research and attention to detail, you can find the perfect one to accompany you on all your future adventures. To explore and compare the best suitcases available in Quebec, check out Meilleurs.ca for expert reviews and recommendations that will guide you toward making the best choice for your journey. For the Silo, Vinayak Gupta.

Featured image- Del’s steamer trunk case in the classic holiday film Planes, Trains and Automobiles 1987.

Earth

Plants That Cure With Real Healing Powers

July 23, 2025 The Silo 2 Comments

A fever, stomach pains or a simple case of the sniffles can send people rushing to the pharmacy for a drug to cure their symptoms.

But Mother Nature provides a number of medicinal plants with healing properties that also can nurse you back to health, a fact more North Americans are beginning to discover.

Doctor Sodhi -” more North Americans realize the effectiveness of remedies found in nature”

“The use of herbal medicine, although traditional in many Eastern cultures, had been only a minor fad in Western medicine until recent decades,” says Dr. Virender Sodhi, founder of the Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Medical Clinic , which provides complementary and alternative medicine.

That trend has been shifting as a growing body of studies and research has demonstrated the effects of traditional remedies on chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, says Sodhi, author of the new guide, “Ayurvedic Herbs: The Comprehensive Resource for Ayurvedic Healing Solutions”.

That’s not necessarily news to ailing people in other parts of the world, such as Asia and Africa. For centuries, they have found relief through herbal medicines derived from shrubs, vines, trees and other plants, Sodhi says.

Here are four examples, a couple of which are recognizable by better known names and purposes.

American licorice is a native, perennial legume that grows in temperate climates of North America. Licorice, which grows in Europe and Asia, is the root of varieties of the Glycyrrhiza plant.

• Glycyrrhiza glabra. Most people would recognize this plant by its more common name – licorice. It has been used for centuries in the traditional and folk medicines of Asia and Europe to treat ailments ranging from the common cold to liver disease, Sodhi says.

Most Americans likely encountered licorice as children because the sweet root of the plant is used to make candy. Licorice can cure more than a sweet tooth, though. It can protect people from the influenza virus. In cell line studies it was shown to reduce titer of the influenza virus by 90 percent and have strong immune modulation properties.

It’s an important ingredient in many herbal preparations, Sodhi said, especially for bronchial conditions. Because of its expectorant properties, powdered licorice has been used for centuries to treat coughs. Modern cough syrups often contain licorice extract.

• Piper nigrum. This flowering vine’s berries, when still unripe, are used to produce black pepper, but spicing up food isn’t its only talent. Piper nigrum has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-spasmodic properties that make it ideal for treating digestive disorders, Sodhi says.

It doesn’t stop there. Drug resistance is a major concern in cancer patients. Piper nigrum can reverse multiple drug resistance many fold and significantly increase the apoptotic effect of many pharmaceutical drugs.

CLICK me to discover more about Frankincense

• Boswellia serrate. Commonly known as Frankincense, this herb has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Several patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s colitis have gone in to remission using a Boswellia preparation.

In brain tumor patients it has reduced cerebral edema by 75 percent. Sodhi has mentioned case studies of many patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica and ulcerative colitis who went into remission.

• Bael. Commonly known as “golden apple”, this fruit-bearing tree indigenous to the hills and plains of central and southern India has numerous uses. The fruit promotes healthy digestion and is used medicinally to treat such conditions as diarrhea, dysentery and cholera. The leaves, roots and bark of Bael also have medicinal value.

They help relieve acute bronchitis, heart palpitations, intermittent fevers and many other ailments. Dr. Sodhi has observed 100 percent success in treating patients of clostridium difficile, who did not respond to standard medical protocol of metronidazole (Flagyl), Dificid (fidaxomicin), or vanconycin.

Earth

Marineland Canada’s Possible Closure Raises Concerns About Remaining Animals

June 27, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfuko5xPxkOE1vvxN7G_iEr-lrj9uWVsfMDU0KBUidLPvqlFqCmmmdp0oGUyBZZnTcT-5PmRM1rNp1YPCQRpoT1wyZ7f9tqTvm8QGgi8EBeq_fMou5t7vB7_9Pz7NOReteIanJ3Pw?key=_wfhxQUcDHWXD7HX7XIx1g

NIAGRA FALLS, Ontario (June, 2025) — In Defense of Animals joins concerned organizations and activists in urging the Canadian government to protect the remaining animals at Marineland Canada as the beleaguered park officially announced the sale of its rides. The organization is calling for transfer permits to be denied that would send them to similar substandard facilities where they would continue to be bred and exploited for entertainment.

Shocking new footage captured this month by TideBreakers has exposed many marine animals languishing in rapidly deteriorating tanks as the park is demolished around them, intensifying concerns for their safety and wellbeing.

Marineland has faced widespread scrutiny and multiple investigations for failing to provide adequate care for the animals confined there. Since 2019, 18 belugas, one orca, and one dolphin have died. Dozens of marine and land animals remain trapped in the now for-sale park, including31 belugas, four dolphins, three seals and two sea lions.

Marineland Canada has long been a focus of national and international criticism for its treatment of marine mammals, particularly its population of beluga whales and orca Kiska, who passed away in 2023 after decades in solitary confinement. A series of government investigations, public protests, and evolving legislation have steadily increased pressure on the park to shut down.

For the past couple of years Marineland Canada has been seeking new ownership. Earlier this year, Marineland was permitted to split the park into four parcels to secure mortgages intended to fund the relocation of the marine animals. However, there are no safeguards requiring the animals to be moved to appropriate facilities. One potential destination reportedly under consideration for the belugas is Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, China — a facility criticized for its poor conditions and animal exploitation.

Such a transfer would violate both the spirit and intent of Canada’s federal Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act (Bill S-203), which prohibits cetacean captivity and breeding.

“The possible permanent closure of Marineland represents a turning point for how we treat animals,” said Hannah Williams, Cetacean Consultant for In Defense of Animals. “However, the government must step in to ensure these animals are properly cared for and prevent permits from being granted that would consign them to somewhere even worse. In Defense of Animals is calling on the Canadian government to ensure all remaining marine mammals at Marineland Canada are transferred to sanctuaries — not another marine park where they will suffer continued exploitation.”

For the Silo, Hannah Williams.

Earth

The Many Factors Of Orange Sails for Safety at Sea

June 18, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

How well will you be spotted at sea by other ships, in rough and nasty weather? As Rolly Tasker Sails are making sails for some of the world’s most ardent ocean sailors, this was a natural question to ask. Three highly experienced ocean adventurers give a unique insight into their thoughts on orange sails. The one thing they have in common? Serious ocean sailing and sails by Rolly Tasker Sails!

André Freibote: North Sea and Atlantic

André Freibote from Germany is sailing a Beneteau Oceanis 473 out of Bremerhaven on professional offshore sail training trips across the North Sea and out into the North Atlantic Ocean – in fact, he very nearly met up with Eric Aanderaa in Iceland in the 2024 summer! See his website “Segelpartner Nordsee” for more information on his cruising schedule and how you can join (in German language).

Eric Aanderaa: North Atlantic Ocean

Eric of course also offered his thoughts and needs no further introduction other than himself being Mr. No Bullshit Just Sailing. The crazy guy from Norway who sails from Haugesund out into the northern ocean no matter the weather or the season, on his Contessa 35, becoming a YouTube sailing star in the process.

Pat Lawless: on Golden Globe Race

The vastly experienced professional seaman and sailor Pat Lawless from Ireland, who is currently preparing his Saltram Saga 36 to compete, for the second time, in the non-stop, single-handed around-the-world retro “Golden Globe” race (GGR) that will start in 2026. Needless to say, he will again put his trust into Rolly Tasker Sails. Find out more about Pat on his website.

So, are sails in bright orange a good idea to increase visibility of your boat? We know that many storm sails are made in orange for this reason, but what about your standard sails?

“Orange colours stand out from sea and sky far away. It will definitely make it easier for other traffic to spot you. It will also make it much easier to find you in a distress situation”, says Eric. “In all cases orange is the most visible colour of them all, I believe.” Pat is yet looking at colour choices for his new sails for the GGR: “I have been thinking about safety orange sails for a while. The Notice of Race for the Golden Globe Race says all the sails have to be the same colour with safety yellow or orange at the top of the mainsail. That means that all the sails can be safety orange or yellow. I know from using an orange storm jib and having a bright orange spray dodger that it’s easy on the eyes. Probably better than White. Am I brave enough to go all orange sails?” Finally, André is quite clear on the subject: “The situation will arise when you just can’t be orange enough at sea!”

Pat Lawless' boat with orange tip mainsail

And this despite AIS and radar?

“AIS is actually clear in the information, giving name, call sign, course, speed and so on. However, if a sailing yacht is detected by radar in poor visibility, the lookout on a commercial vessel should be diligent. Here on the North Sea, we have already received radio messages along the lines of: “Fantastic, how well we can see you, sailing yacht Polaris!” It is imperative, so it seems, to be seen by eye and not only rely on radar or AIS, although all commercial ships and some fishing vessels receive and send AIS signals and rely mostly on AIS and radar for their lookout. However, visual contact also is extremely important.

Pat confirms this: “In the Golden Globe Race we don’t have a plotter or other modern equipment. We do have an AIS transmitter, and active radar reflector. Any ships I spoke to while at sea all said that they saw me a long way off, no problem.”

Would you have the entire sail in orange or just a patch or the top part?

Eric says: “I like to have at least the top part orange, as its the highest point on the boat, letting the sails easily be spotted in between big wavetops.”

André: “The upper area of the mainsail and all the sails on the cutter stay are completely orange. Since the cutter stay is on a furling system, the UV protection of the sails is also in orange to ensure better visibility even when furled.”

What about other parts of the boat?

Eric: “I have painted the sides of the rooftop in orange, changed my blue sprayhood to orange and changed the cutter sail-bag to orange. This way the boat will be much more visible.”

Pat also plans to brighten up his boat in a similar way: “In storms the hull is so important. I will put an orange stripe over the white about 150mm just under the gunnel and the same on the top of the cabin sides. This should stand out with the white underneath it. I had about 3sq meters of safety orange on the deck in the GGR 2022. This will be freshened up when I apply the stripes. Apart from that, the Saltram Saga 36 is a good dry boat. I don’t use dodgers on the lifelines. In the Southern Ocean they are wind pollution in the wrong place and sometimes block areas of sight. My spray dodger will be safety orange. But in storms, it will be folded down.”

André, on the other hand, seems happy for now with his orange sails: “At the moment I am not planning to change any other parts on board to orange. However, I could see my lazy bag for the mainsail in orange.”

Will orange sails, sprayhoods or dodgers not be too bright on the eyes in fair weather and sunshine?

Eric has taken this potential problem into account: “The sails in orange are not quite as intense as the bright signal colour painted on deck. Still, the sails will be visible from far away.” André believes that this will not be an issue at all: “Never too bright!”

sailing with bright orange storm jib and reefed mainsail

How Orange Will You Be?

How orange would you dress up your boat for ocean sailing or offshore passages? Pat is still in the decision-making process: “My quandary is mainly about the colour of the sails. I need to make a decision early in 2025. While sailing in the longest, loneliest, sporting event in the world, I need to be seen as easy as possible. The sails are the biggest area of the boat most of the time.” But will he really have all sails completely in orange? At Rolly Tasker Sails, we offer suitable sail-cloth in “Storm Orange”. However, if you want to go for specific types of sail fabric, the solution will probably come down to having orange sail tops or patches.

The View From the Bridge

It’s always good to see also the other perspective, so we spoke to a commercial Captain, Master Mariner Reemt Remmers, about visibility of yachts at sea. He fully confirms the fact that orange sails are a true safety factor for yachts at sea, especially in rough weather with limited visibility. Which is when, according to him, there will often be an extra lookout on the bridge.

orange tip at the main and bright orange jib

Orange, AIS and Radar

Orange, incidentally, is also the signal colour for ship’s lifeboats. Obviously not without reason. And if a ship’s officer from the bridge spots an orange object somewhere out there, this officer will then instantly be on full alert. AIS, on the other hand, is just as important. There will be times in ship’s routine when only one officer will be on the bridge who will rely on AIS and radar. Obviously, also at night, these technologies are essential to remain visible.

Between these two, Reemt Remmers also confirms that yachts are often easier to spot and identify on AIS rather than by radar. In heavy seas especially, the radar signal response from a yacht can be quite weak and might not be noticed by the watch-keeping officer. An AIS signal, on the other hand, will be clearly seen and also contains all essential information about the type of boat and her movements in a clear and precise way. For the Silo, Sven Cornelius.

Travel

Exploring the Timeless National Hotel Miami Beach

June 13, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

A Silo Travel spotlight. The Art of Escape: Inside the Enduring Miami Beach Property Where Vintage Glamour Meets Contemporary Luxury

Those looking for a SoFlo escape exuding art, culture and timeless sophistication need look no further than the National Hotel Miami Beach, where the city’s vintage glamour meets contemporary coastal luxury. Perfectly situated in South Beach’s iconic Art Deco district, this adults-only, pet-friendly, oceanfront retreat offers a distinctly cinematic experience—from its sweeping palm-lined pathways to Miami Beach’s longest infinity-edge pool.

Whether unwinding in a newly redesigned ocean view suite or indulging in craft martinis and natural wines at the hotel’s Spanish tapas restaurant, Mareva1939, guests are immersed in a sensory celebration of both past and present. It’s the quintessential backdrop for a Miami Beach escape—and the perfect setting for a candid, deep-dive conversation with Stephane Mercier, Managing Director at The National Hotel Miami Beach, who shares insight into what makes the National Hotel such a standout destination.

MK: The National Hotel is known for its strong commitment to art. Can you describe the philosophy behind incorporating artwork into the guest experience—both in the copious common spaces and guestrooms and suites?

SM: The National’s philosophy behind incorporating artwork into the guest experience is deeply rooted in its iconic Miami Beach Art Deco hotel identity. We want guests to feel immersed in a unique, sophisticated revival of a golden age of Miami Beach, while enjoying contemporary hospitality. Designed by renowned architect Roy France, credited with creating the Miami Beach skyline with his string of Art Deco and streamlined towers, the hotel remains a testament to his visionary work.

Though renovated to offer the modern, yet sophisticated, classic look and feel experienced by guests today, the hotel continues to stay true to France’s philosophy and artful design. Signature architectural elements, including corner windows, original terrazzo floors, chrome wall sconces and era-inspired details, preserve the National Hotel’s timeless elegance, seamlessly blending classic style with contemporary luxury.

MK: What about the property gives it overarching appeal in the luxury travel sector?

SM: The National Hotel is one of the few South Beach properties that remains true to the iconic Art Deco era, preserving its timeless elegance and charm, and is the only beachfront, adults-only hotel in the destination, promising an elevated experience for a discerning set of travelers. Guests can be assured that the amenities and atmosphere onsite cater to adults that value culture, history and curated experiences. Since its opening in the 1940s, Bar 1939 has embodied the hotel’s rich history, capturing the glamour and sophistication of the period. This luxurious open space features suede lounge chairs, copper cobras emerging from side tables, flooring embedded with hundreds of shiny coins and a grand piano. Guests and locals alike can enjoy our vibrant cultural happenings onsite, including live music on Saturdays, seasonal highlights—including holiday celebrations and New Year’s—and musical collaborations like the Musimelange chamber music series, occurring now through May 19. Solidifying the vintage feel of the Art Deco era is the show-stopping bar, a monumental slab of ornately carved hardwood flanked by elaborate stools.

While design throughout the hotel pays homage to the property’s history, the exclusive Artist Collection Suite embodies the uniqueness found at the National Hotel Miami Beach. Designed by world-renowned artist Elizabeth Fatone, the accommodation features one-of-a-kind, hand-painted murals and Art Deco-inspired furnishings, celebrating the artistic spirit and distinctive character that define the unique experience at the hotel.

MK: How do the art pieces showcased at the hotel enhance the overall ambiance and storytelling of the property?

SM: The hotel’s carefully curated pieces do more than enhance décor, they immerse guests in the timeless elegance of the Art Deco era. From the grand Bar 1939, with its carved hardwood bar and vintage-inspired furnishings, to the Artist Collection Suites featuring the aforementioned Elizabeth Fatone and Renoma Suite, every detail tells a story. Upon arrival, guests can find a sculpture by Carole Feuerman at the property’s entrance, colorful murals by the pool and revolving art present across the hotel throughout the year. Each artistic touch reinforces the hotel’s rich history, ensuring a seamless blend of past and present.

MK: How does the property’s distinctive style, both in architecture and décor, influence the guest experience?

SM: The National Hotel’s Art Deco architecture and décor offer a modernized tribute to the classic Miami Beach style. Miami Beach holds the appeal of having an artful combination of heritage and modernity. Art Deco hotels sprung forth from this intrigue and the National Hotel Miami Beach has solidified its place in the region’s history by achieving, and long maintaining, a sense of artful timelessness with modern appeal. On a year-round rotating basis, local and famed artist showcases or classics can be found in the hotel’s lobby, restaurants and additional common spaces. The hotel also works with local art and design communities to support and be included in Art Deco history tours. This seamless fusion of history, artistry and elegance not only enhances the ambiance, but also invites guests to become part of the hotel’s timeless legacy.

MK: Are there any architectural elements or décor pieces that are original to the hotel?

SM: The hotel has maintained its traditional foundation including corner windows, original terrazzo floors, chrome wall sconces and preserved the original check-in desk that is now on display for guests to enjoy during their stay. In front of the long pool, guests can see the mosaic Girl With The White Glove and the Compass, two pieces exclusive to the property.

MK: The National Hotel has a fascinating and storied history. Can you share some of the most intriguing or lesser-known anecdotes about its past?

SM: Since its inception, the hotel has drawn sun-loving socialites and celebrities, from the glamorous 1950s crowd, to the South Beach revivalists of the 1970s, to modern-day travelers looking for a boutique, sophisticated stay along the beach. Designed by Roy France, the National Hotel’s timeless Art Deco style and its striking 14-story tower are a testament to his influence in shaping the Miami Beach skyline. A Midwest native, France relocated to Miami Beach after a trip to Florida with his wife in 1931. The hotel remains true to France’s vision, maintaining its Art Deco charm while seamlessly integrating modern style and elevated amenities, services and culinary highlights.

MK: Can you describe the unique features and amenities of the ocean-view and other premium-level suites at the National Hotel?

SM: Ranging from the city vie rooms to our penthouse suite, guests can find roomy accommodations and relaxed luxe amenities with stunning views of the blue ocean and our infinity pool. Favorite features in our upper room categories include radios, slippers and a robe beginning in our cabana rooms and suites; balconies in our Cabana rooms; bold, fun murals in our Artist Collection Suites designed by Elizabeth Fatone; and the tri-level space of our Penthouse Suite.

MK: The property’s Mareva1939 on-site restaurant has become a standout feature of the National Hotel. What inspired its culinary concept and name?

SM: Mareva1939, the National Hotel’s signature, award-winning Spanish tapas-style restaurant, was inspired by the year the hotel began welcoming guests. The restaurant’s culinary concept was designed to take guests through a gastronomic journey to Spain, offering a curated menu that blends traditional dishes with a modern, locally driven Miami Beach twist. The family-style menu encourages a convivial atmosphere, keeping the Spanish culture alive by inviting guests to connect around the table. To elevate the meal, the restaurant offers an extensive selection of organic, natural wines and handcrafted cocktails, thoughtfully paired to enhance the flavors of each dish. The creative culinary team ensures that dining remains exciting year-round with seasonal menus for holidays, local events and the hotel’s participation in Miami’s celebrated Miami Spice program. As an extension of Mareva1939, the Martini Bar takes guests back to the hotel’s opening era with original 1939 design elements, a specialty cocktail menu and live music over the weekends, offering an intimate and elevated space for unwinding.

MK: How does the menu reflect—or complement—the hotel’s overall brand and history?

SM: The culinary experience at Mareva1939 takes inspiration from the hotel’s artistic history in the plating and ingredients from the coastal setting, infusing Spanish traditions and tropical influences.

MK: The property features bars reminiscent of a speakeasy that are a draw for guests and even city locals. To what do you attribute the appeal?

SM: Their nostalgic charm and intimate ambiance, which transport guests and locals into this Art Deco era. The rich, vintage design elements paired with expertly crafted cocktails create a sophisticated setting that encourages relaxation and socialization. The hotel’s Bar 1939 and Martini Bar offer classic 1930s-era cocktails alongside modern drink options in a refined setting, with live music on Saturdays. The intimate nature of these bars, combined with their elevated atmosphere, makes them not just a place to enjoy a drink, but an immersive experience that draws both guests and locals looking for a unique, upscale night out.

MK: What are some of the other standout amenities that set the National Hotel apart from other luxury properties in Miami Beach?

SM: The National is adults-only, creating an intimate escape for couples, groups, friends and diners seeking a quieter, more sophisticated experience. The hotel is also pet-friendly and offers amenities for furry friends, so travelers can enjoy their Miami Beach getaway together with their pups.

MK: The expansive pool is a defining feature of the hotel. Can you share more about its design and guest appeal?

SM: The National Hotel’s expansive infinity pool is a standout feature that perfectly complements the hotel’s sophisticated, adults-only atmosphere. Stretching 205 feet, the longest infinity pool in the area offers guests a space to relax and take in breathtaking views, with a design that complements the hotel’s chic Art Deco style, creating a luxurious and serene environment to soak up the year-round sunny weather. Guests can unwind in the comfort of a poolside cabana or lounger, taking full advantage of the idyllic coastal setting. The Aqua Bar & Grill enhances the experience by offering delicious poolside bites and drinks, allowing guests to stay refreshed without leaving the water’s edge. Just steps away, guests can access a prime bit of Miami Beach shoreline.

MK: How does the property balance its legacy as a historic landmark with vintage charm with the needs of modern travelers, and what technology helps facilitate the guest experience?

SM: The hotel incorporates convenient technology solutions to deliver an elevated guest experience, such as providing QR codes on the beach to order food & beverages, Smart TVs in all the rooms, an elevated new fitness center and Apple Pay at all outlets.

MK: As the National Hotel continues to evolve, what future plans or updates can guests look forward to?

SM: The National continues to evolve and adapt its offerings while hosting anticipated annual events among some of Miami Beach’s most vibrant happenings, like South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Miami Swim Week and Art Basel. Guests can continue to spend these exciting occasions at The National, while looking forward to continuous and more experiential events and activations that speak to the history of the hotel and the story of The National.

MK: How do you see the hotel’s role in the Miami Beach hospitality scene developing in the coming years?

SM: As an original Art Deco hotel and mainstay of the city’s cultural landscape, The National will continue to embody the classic Miami Beach experience merged with an independent approach, adults-only atmosphere and arts-focused cultural calendar. Guests know to expect an intimate hospitality experience marked by authentic, historic features not found in newer developments.

MK: Are there any famous guests or notable events in the hotel’s history that stand out as particularly memorable?

SM: Mariah Carey performed at The National during the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards. Another legendary artist, Whitney Houston, filmed her ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ music video onsite. The hotel has also played host to international artists during Art Basel each year.

As Mercier reminds us, the magic of the National Hotel Miami Beach lies in its ability to blend nostalgia and novelty, creating a stay that’s both storied and stylish. Whether it’s lounging by the shimmering infinity pool, savoring curated culinary experiences, or exploring the pulse of South Beach just steps away, every element is designed to transport guests to a timeless version of Miami. For travelers seeking both serenity and sophistication in the heart of the city’s most iconic neighborhood, the National remains an unforgettable destination—elegantly redefined.

For the Silo, Merilee Kern. More from Merilee- https://www.thesilo.ca/?s=merilee+kern

Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. As Founder, Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee is a prolific business, lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker. She keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at www.TheLuxeList.com / Instagram www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / Twitter www.Twitter.com/MerileeKern / Facebook www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIN www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or arranged at no cost to accommodate if this is review editorial, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***

Travel

Week With The Stars- My Experience At Almeria Spain Astronomy Days

May 17, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

A great night for stargazing. The Milky Way over a bioluminescent sea at Estorde beach, Galicia, Spain. Photo by Brais Lorenzo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

What a phenomenal week it’s been here in Almería Spain. If you’ve ever wanted to spend five nights surrounded by brilliant minds talking about the wonders of the universe—all for free—then the 13th Astronomy Days at Teatro Apolo was the place to be.

Every evening from Monday to Friday, I joined a packed house at the Teatro Apolo, right on Rambla Obispo Orbera, for one of the most engaging, inspiring, and surprisingly personal science events I’ve ever attended.

As someone with a love for astronomy (but definitely not a scientist), I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would it be too technical? Would the speakers feel out of reach? Turns out—not at all. The talks were not only fascinating, but the speakers themselves were so kind and approachable. I got to chat with all of them after their presentations, and almost everyone was fluent in both English and Spanish, which made the whole experience super welcoming.

Here’s a recap of this unforgettable journey through the stars:

Monday, May 12 – John Mather

The week kicked off in the best way imaginable—with John Mather, Nobel Prize winner and NASA legend. He talked about the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), and let me tell you: hearing about its mission straight from someone who helped design it was something else.

He explained how JWST is literally letting us see the earliest galaxies, basically time-travelling with light, in a way that even I could follow—and I only passed physics with a B.

After the talk, I was lucky enough to have a quick chat with him. He was gracious, humble, and even cracked a joke about how working with ancient starlight makes you feel a little ancient yourself.

Tuesday, May 13 – John E. Beckman

Next up was John Beckman from the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC). Originally from the UK, he’s spent most of his career here in Spain, and you can tell he really loves sharing his knowledge.

His talk was all about galaxies—how they form, why they behave the way they do—and it was filled with this kind of poetic curiosity about the universe. He made the whole room feel like part of the story.

Institute of Astrophysics- The Canary Islands

He stuck around after the lecture, chatting with attendees like we were old friends. I asked him what keeps him inspired after decades of research, and he simply said, “The universe never runs out of surprises.”

Wednesday, May 14 – Martín Guerrero Roncel

Wednesday’s speaker was Martín Guerrero Roncel from the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA), and his passion was contagious. He dove into the bizarre beauty of planetary nebulae—those colourful clouds of gas released by dying stars.

I had no idea how important these structures are in spreading elements across galaxies. His visuals were stunning, and his explanations were super clear, even when things got a little technical.

Afterwards, he was more than happy to answer everyone’s questions (and there were a lot), with patience and genuine enthusiasm. Super approachable and just a cool guy overall.

Thursday, May 15 – Sara García Alonso

Thursday brought us the incredible Sara García Alonso—astronaut candidate, molecular biologist, and all-around badass. She talked about her scientific work, the future of space missions, and what it’s like being one of the few selected to train as a European astronaut.

She brought this vibrant energy to the room, blending her love of biology and space exploration into a really inspiring talk. It was especially amazing to see so many young women and girls in the audience visibly lighting up as she spoke.

Friday, May 16 – Eva Villaver Sobrino

The week wrapped up with a bang with Eva Villaver Sobrino, the director of Space at the Spanish Space Agency. Her talk was both visionary and grounded—she spoke not just about scientific discoveries, but also about the future of Spain’s role in space exploration, the importance of collaboration across countries, and the ethical responsibilities we have as we reach further into the cosmos.

She’s been involved in some of the biggest European space missions, and her ability to combine scientific rigour with a big-picture vision of humanity’s place in the universe really struck a chord.

Questions afterward felt like chatting with a wise mentor. She encouraged everyone to keep asking questions and stay curious, no matter their background or age.

Final Thoughts

By the end of the week, I felt like my brain had been stretched in the best possible way. I learned about dying stars, distant galaxies, cutting-edge telescopes, and even the biology of space travel. But more than that, I walked away feeling deeply inspired.

What really made the event special was the human connection. Every speaker stayed around to talk, sign books, take photos, or just share a quiet word. No egos, no academic walls—just real people sharing their love for science.

Huge thanks to the organizers and to Teatro Apolo for making this all happen—and for making it free and open to everyone. Events like this remind us why curiosity matters and how lucky we are to have such brilliant minds willing to share their time and passion.

Already counting down to next year. Until then—keep looking up! For the Silo, Sandia Martin.

Supplemental-ESA Astronauts Train on Spanish Island for future Space Missions

Earth

Last-Minute Win Spares Alaska’s Bears From Aerial Gunning- For Now

May 16, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcaFCuAK3CEH6LnyifCImET2BDuU3n3ZEvuDFGdVBwtFe76IpYOuZyrDHLnTKziK8jd6L8llUsLEkveGzzXckaLcgJcl3Qxhhn6lXnIUrB-DvWYJy50w3PYfut5601c_DjbpVXIBQ?key=ArHp4kXIyrWLvYHpom9uYQ

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (May, 2025) — In a major win for Alaska’s brown bears and their advocates, a US state court issued an injunction halting the controversial Mulchatna aerial gunning program just as the 2025 bear-killing season was set to begin. The ruling follows legal action by Alaska Wildlife Alliance, which argued the predator control program violates Alaska’s Constitution and due process. In Defense of Animals supporters flooded officials with over 7,000 messages urging them to abandon the program and protect Alaska’s bears.

Injunction

The injunction, granted just as the killing resumed resulting in the deaths of 11 bears, pauses aerial gunning in Units 17 and 18 of Western Alaska, where nearly 200 brown bears were killed under the program in 2023 and 2024. The court’s decision brings a wave of relief to advocates who have spent months pushing back against the scientifically unsupported and ecologically reckless killings.

“This is a crucial win for Alaska’s bears, and for everyone who believes in science-based, ethical wildlife management,” said Nicole Schmitt, Executive Director of Alaska Wildlife Alliance. “The court has again made it clear that the state cannot steamroll legal protections or ignore its own constitution in the name of predator control.”

Mulchatna Predator Control Program

The Mulchatna predator control program has faced mounting criticism for allowing indiscriminate killing of bears with no scientific basis, threatening not only individual bears but entire bear communities. Research shows older brown bears play key roles in teaching younger bears how to fish, forage, and survive — knowledge that’s lost when experienced bears are killed.

Local businesses and Alaska state senators were also urged to take a stand against the killings. Thousands of advocates pledged to boycott travel to Alaska until the aerial gunning program ends, and called on tourism organizations encouraging them to publicly oppose the practice and support ethical alternatives.

“This court decision gives Alaska’s brown bears a much-needed reprieve,” said Katie Nolan, Wild Animals Campaigner for In Defense of Animals. “Killing programs ignore the ecological importance of bears and the values of people who want to see them protected. It’s encouraging to see the courts recognize that what’s lawful also needs to be responsible.”

In Defense of Animals will continue to support Alaska Wildlife Alliance in its efforts to end the Mulchatna predator control program for good and ensure Alaska’s wild animals are treated with the respect they deserve. For the Silo, Lisa Levinson.

In Defense of Animals is a friend of The Silo and is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a history of defending animals, humans, and the environment, through education and campaigns as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, California, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org/wildanimals

Earth

Make A Prairie And Say No To Land Without Life

April 28, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

presentdayprairies — image: www.ojibway.ca

So make a prairie…

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost fifteen years since I did some work recording for Statistics Canada. The job required door-to-door visits to all the homes in a designated area, interesting because I had a chance to see what people do in their yards. One residence in particular left a strong impression on me and it continues to resonate now in 2025 all these years later.

It was a beautiful home, probably 40 years old, on a fairly large estate.

The lawns were nicely manicured and the architectural evergreens were tastefully placed. It looked like a photo in a 1970’s Better Homes and Gardens.

ricknewhomeweb — This architectural sketch of a late 1970’s “Dream Green Home” at least shows a bit of “greenery” and a tree. image: public domain

But as I walked to the front door, I realized that there was no movement.

Nothing swayed in the afternoon breeze. There were no herbaceous plants, no flowers, and worse, no bees, no butterflies, no birds. This place had as little movement as my imaginary magazine photo. It struck me as being uninteresting and unnatural. Land without life.

In my experience we show ourselves at our best when we interact and connect with nature and even find a kind of fulfillment in it. This completion has been lost for many of us, but paradise can be regained at any time.

There are all kinds of small ways to re-connect and to bring restoration, not just to the land, but to ourselves as well. I encourage everyone to put in a garden of some kind. A vegetable garden is of course the most practical and immediately useful. Start small and easy if you have never had a garden before.

If the practicality of a vegetable garden isn’t appealing, then plant something in to nourish your soul.

buddleiabtflybush — ‘Miss Ruby’ Butterfly Bush-Buddleia image: www.green-living-made-easy.com

rickbflyweb — Rick’s home butterfly garden photo: M. Larmand

A couple of years ago I put in a no-maintenance garden specifically to attract hummingbirds. The thank-you’s come at dusk when increasing numbers of my little buddies do their end-of-day rounds. Scarlet runner beans, red monarda, salvia, tithonia, and crocosmia – they did the trick.

And copying the garden of a friend , I have also put in a small butterfly garden.

Milkweed, Echinacea, and butterfly bush (Buddleia) are good starter plants. I’m doing my small part to help save the monarch butterfly population. The nice thing about both these gardens is that they require almost no attention, just observation and enjoyment.

I’ve often thought about theme gardens. “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance…” Ophelia’s mad scene in Hamlet is a great starting point for a Shakespearean garden and a study of plant symbolism in literature. A biblical garden would also be an interesting exercise, though the plants themselves would be local approximations of Mediterranean species but the life lessons would be endless. Consider the lilies of the field. What about a cutting garden, a scented garden, a night garden?

Poets and painters have found inspiration in gardens. Like them, let nature take your breath away. Start small. To quote the American poet, Emily Dickinson:

To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee.
One clover, and a bee.
And reverie.
The reverie alone will do,
If bees are few.

It doesn’t take much to make a prairie – or your own personal sanctuary.For the Silo, Rick Posavad.

Travel

This Canadian Garden Ranks Seventh In World for Most Beautiful Spring Flowers

April 19, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

The Butchart Gardens, Canada, is the seventh most beautiful spring flower spot in the world, according to a new study.

#7 worldwide- Butchart Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia.

With springtime (seemingly- it is Canada after all) here, there are beautiful gardens all around the world filled with flowers getting ready to bloom. But which of these spots deserve a place on your travel bucket list?

Looking at flower locations across the globe, our friends and experts at Japan Rail Pass analyzed a variety of factors – including Google reviews and ratings, Instagram hashtags, and the vibrancy of the flowers in spring – to give an overall score and determine which flower spots you absolutely should not miss this spring.

The most beautiful spring flower spots around the world

Rank	Flower spot	Location	Rating	Reviews	Instagram hashtags	Vibrancy/10	Score/10
1	Keukenhof Tulip Gardens	Lisse, NL	4.7	52,812	692,146	9.96	9.7
2	Shinjuku Gyoen	Tokyo, Japan	4.6	36,115	856,056	7.29	9.3
3	Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew	London, UK	4.7	44,465	764,996	6.49	9.2
4	Nabana no Sato	Mie, Japan	4.4	5,327	507,008	9.34	9.0
5	Dubai Miracle Garden	Dubai, UAE	4.6	75,704	139,165	8.78	8.9
6	Island Mainau	Konstanz, Germany	4.7	28,977	170,895	7.90	8.7
7	The Butchart Gardens	B.C., Canada	4.7	21,596	102,258	7.54	8.3
8	Valley of Flowers National Park	Chamoli, India	4.7	3,432	115,940	8.43	8.3
9	Yangmingshan National Park	Taipei, Taiwan	4.5	24,267	129,546	6.63	8.3
10	Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden	Cape Town, South Africa	4.8	29,003	51,526	7.78	8.2

Please find the full dataset here.

Keukenhof Tulip Gardens, Lisse, Netherlands – 9.7/10

Credit – Sutterstock_Marina Datsenko

According to the research, the most beautiful flower spot in the world is the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens of Lisse, Netherlands, which has exhibited spring flowers to the public since 1950.

The tulips in spring achieve an almost perfect vibrancy score of 9.96/10, proving just how bright and colourful these stunning gardens are.

Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo, Japan – 9.3/10

Credit – Sutterstock_Benny Marty

Next in the rankings, is the beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo, Japan. From the wide variety of cherry blossoms in the national garden, it is the Somei (Yoshino cherry) that bloom in spring.

The beautiful Japanese garden has over 856,000 Instagram hashtags, more than any other spot in the top 10, with people all over the world travelling to view the cherry blossoms.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, UK – 9.2/10

Credit – Sutterstock_Charles Bowman

The third most beautiful spring flower spot according to the study is in London, England: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

With almost as many Instagram hashtags as Shinjuku Gyoen (764,996) and 44,465 reviews, it is clear that the flowers found here, cherry blossom, bluebells, and magnolias to name a few, are beloved by many.

Nabana no Sato, Mie, Japan – 9.0/10

Credit – Sutterstock_martinho Smart

In fourth place is the Nabana no Sato flower park, located in the Nagashima resort in Mie, Japan.

The spot is known for its illuminations throughout the park in winter through to spring, as well as the blooming cherry blossoms and tulips which scored a 9.34/10 for vibrancy in the study.

Dubai Miracle Garden, UAE – 8.9/10

Credit – Sutterstock_Sergii Figurnyi

The fifth most beautiful spring flower spot in the study was found to be the Dubai Miracle Garden in the United Arab Emirates, which occupies over 72,000 square metres, making it the largest natural flower garden in the world.

With over 75,000 reviews since its opening in 2013, and a vibrancy score of 8.78/10, it is clear that this impressive garden deserves its place in the top five rankings.

Methodology:

1. Japan Rail Pass wanted to find out which are the best flower spots around the world to see in Spring.

2. To do this they collected data on 25 popular flower locations around the world including the following variables:

Google ratings and reviews.
Instagram hashtags (using all relevant hashtags including where applicable local language versions)
Vibrancy score.
- Vibrancy score is a measure of how vibrant / colourful the flowers are. To do this an image of the main flower typically found in Spring time at each location was passed through a colourfulness detection algorithm. https://pyimagesearch.com/2017/06/05/computing-image-colorfulness-with-opencv-and-python/

3. Finally, all 4 variables were combined using weighted averages of percentrank/normalization to give an overall score out of 10.

Earth

New Environmental Product Declarations For Canadian Made Wood Products

April 4, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

The Canadian Wood Council has released new Environmental Product Declarations for 5 Canadian manufactured wood products.

“The release of these new EPDs reinforces our commitment to transparency and sustainability in the wood products sector.”

The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) is pleased to announce the release of five new Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for Canadian softwood lumber, oriented strand board (OSB), plywood, trusses, and prefabricated wood I-joists. These EPDs provide comprehensive, transparent environmental data on the potential impacts associated with the cradle-to-gate life cycle stages of these essential wood products.

“The release of these new EPDs reinforces our commitment to transparency and sustainability in the wood products sector,” said Peter Moonen, National Sustainability Manager at the Canadian Wood Council. “By providing robust, science-based environmental information, we’re equipping the industry with the tools needed to demonstrate the environmental benefits of wood and support low-carbon construction.“

Developed as Type III declarations by region for business-to-business use across the Canadian industry, they comply with the most stringent international standards, including ISO 21930, ISO 14025, ISO 14040, ISO 14044, applicable product category definition rules, and ASTM’s general program instructions for Type III EPDs. This ensures complete and credible information on the environmental impact that has been verified by an external source. The new EPDs will be able to help designers, construction companies and decision-makers make informed choices about sustainable materials.

“The publication of the new Environmental Product Declarations reinforces our commitment to transparency and environmental responsibility in the wood sector,” says Peter Moonen, National Director of Sustainability for the Canadian Wood Council. “By providing reliable, science-backed environmental data, we are giving industry the tools to demonstrate the environmental benefits of wood and to support low-carbon construction.”

For the Silo, Sarah Hicks.

Environmental Product Declarations can be downloaded from the Canadian Wood Council’s Digital Resource Centre: www.cwc.ca.

Earth

Fossil Proves Canada At One Time Had 400 Day Long Year

March 29, 2025 The Silo 1 Comment

lorenzfossilsweb1 — Haldimand and Norfolk Counties in Ontario, Canada have become an attractive area to explore for marine fossils.

The Great Lakes Basin, once inundated by a vast ancient, shallow sea that covered much of central North America, is today revealing an abundance of fossil corals, invertebrates, and marine organisms found within many limestone formations uncovered by glaciers and erosion.

Haldimand and Norfolk County have especially become an attractive area to explore for fossils of marine organisms by both scientists and amateur fossil collectors who can travel to local locations such as Rock Point Provincial Park near Dunnville, Ontario.

However, these fossils represent more than just evidence of unique life forms that once numbered in the tens of thousands of species co-existing in a marine ecosystem. They are scientific evidence of marine ecosystems in ecological transition, shifting continents, changing climates, and a record of our planets’ every day rotation around the sun.

Many fossil corals found in Haldimand and Norfolk County date around 410 to 360 million years ago. It is a time geologically known as the “Devonian Period”, the “Devonian Reef” or the “Age of Fishes”. During this period, fishes of many different species became abundant in the fossil record. A partly submerged North America, or as yet to be formed Great Lakes Basin, was colliding with Europe close to the equator. Reef building environments began to develop and produce some of the largest reef complexes in the world.

The reef complexes were in large areas of shallow equatorial seas that existed between the continents.

Evidence of a saltwater sea supporting a vast coral reef system once covering southern Ontario over 400 million years ago in the form of fossilized coral deposits support the theory that a coral reef system existed for a very long time. It was in the basins of these former shallow seas that great quantities of rock salt, gypsum, and other types of minerals precipitated, and today, mining industries dig well below the lowest depths of Lake Erie to recover these minerals.

lorenzfossilsweb2 — The “Heliophylum halli” is a fossil particular to the Great Lakes region and studies of its growth rings revealed 400 days in one Earth year when this coral was alive.

Exposure of reef basins varies and depends on how glaciers or water erosion has pushed or washed soil off bedrock. Under these conditions, a geologist’s field magnifying glass can help find very small fossils such as radiolarians and diatoms. Otherwise, larger fossils such as different varieties of bivalves (clams), trilobites, and even large fragments of fossilized coral are exposed. In some case, there are discoveries of fossilized marine organisms that are both rare and some times difficult to identify.

The fossilized remains of a Devonian Reef. Rock Point Provincial Park, Ontario.

Rock Point provincial park- exposed fossilized reef system holds an incredibly amount of fossils.

What ended these reef complexes and created one of the greatest mass extinction events of earth’s biota is not completely understood but was a combination of events that took place over a period of 25 million years.

Since species rely on a warm water marine ecosystem for their survival it would seem that a slow and gradual continental shift north from the equator would over time impact a large variety of marine species, including those supported by coral reefs. Therefore, events such as shifting continents, lowering of sea levels, climatic changes influencing land and sea ecologies, and/or possibly a glaciation had significant roles in the extinction of earth’s biodiversity.

The large deposits of fossil corals and invertebrates found in Norfolk and Haldimand County has been of great interest to scientists and fossil collectors for many decades. However, fossil collecting took on a new importance in the last 50-60 years when it was determined there was a connection between growth rings of coral skeletons with the number of days in a year.

Scientists studying samples of coral skeletons from contemporary coral reef systems discovered growth rings on the outer surface of coral skeletons.

By studying a large sample of coral skeletons and determining how many growth rings represented a year’s growth of calcium carbonate, scientists were able to calculate an average of 360 rings per year. Thereby, approximately one growth ring represented one day’s growth for each day of the year. Taking this new information, scientists began collecting large numbers of exceptionally well-preserved coral fossils belonging to the Late Devonian Period. One particular species, found in the Great Lakes region, called a “Heliophylum halli” (see above) exhibited many growth rings developing in one year during this period. The result surprised even scientists.

Fossil coral showed there were approximately 400 growth rings per year 370 million years ago. Therefore, there were about 400 days in a year in the Devonian Period. Astronomers who have calculated that our earth’s rotation has been slowing at a rate of about 2 seconds every 100,000 years have since supported the new information.

lorenzfossilsweb3 — Exposures of ancient reef basins can be discovered in dried up stream beds and even under farmers fields.

Despite Haldimand and Norfolk County being a small example of a region once holding a thriving coral reef system, existing over 400 million years ago, the number of fossils of different species exposed is vast. Fossil corals, invertebrates, and species of marine organisms exist in many different shapes, sizes, and can be very fragile. Therefore, whether you are a scientist or amateur fossil collector, the next time you take a walk across the landscape to explore and search for fossils be sure to take along a fossil guide. You never know what new fossil discoveries you might make just walking across the countryside for an afternoon. For the Silo, Lorenz Bruechert.

Travel

The Best Canadian Cities To Celebrate St Patrick’s Day Like The Irish

March 8, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

Looking for the ultimate destination to celebrate Irish culture this March 17? The best cities to celebrate St Patrick’s Day have been revealed.

Our friends at Casino.com have taken the guesswork out of it, calculating the number of Irish bars in the biggest North American cities. By analyzing the number of Irish pubs and the population in each city, the best cities to grab a Guinness this St Patrick’s Day have been ranked.

The best cities to celebrate St Patrick’s Day☘️

Rank	City	State/ Province	Country	Number of Irish bars per 1 million people
1	Boston	Massachusetts	United States	41.5
2	St. John’s	Newfoundland and Labrador	Canada	32.3
3	San Francisco	California	United States	19.8
4	Kelowna	British Columbia	Canada	16.5
5	Seattle	Washington	United States	16.0
6	Washington City	District of Columbia	United States	13.4
7	Baltimore	Maryland	United States	12.3
8	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania	United States	10.2
9	Regina	Saskatchewan	Canada	8.9
10	Kitchener	Ontario	Canada	7.6

Boston, Massachusetts, is the best city to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, with 41.5 Irish bars per 1 million people. Boston has a longstanding Irish heritage, with Irish immigrants arriving in the city as early as 1654 and many more following suit during the Great Irish Famine in the late 1840s and early 1850s. Unsurprisingly, Boston is the ultimate St Patrick’s Day destination, with 41.5 Irish bars per one million people, including Solas Irish Pub and Mr. Dooley’s, which are both open until late.

Celebrate the luck of the Irish in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, with 32.3 Irish bars to choose from per 1 million people. Newfoundland is a hub for Irish culture, often dubbed the ‘most Irish island in the world’, with many Irish settlers choosing to live in the province’s most populous city, St. John’s. With such a prominent Irish community in the city, St. John’s ranks second as one of the best cities to spend St Patrick’s Day in. There are about 17 Irish bars for a population of about half a million people.

San Francisco is the third-best city to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, with 19.8 Irish bars per 1 million people. San Francisco’s Irish community was largely established during the late 1840s and early 1850s, at the time of the Great Irish Famine. It is often thought that by the 1880s, around a third of the city’s population identified with Irish heritage. San Francisco is, therefore, one of the best cities for Irish culture and a top destination for St Patrick’s Day, with 19.8 Irish bars for every one million people. For the Silo, Grace Burton.

Travel

Helsinki Has A Growing Reputation As World Class Food City

January 25, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

For many people, the first things that come to mind when asked about Helsinki are its northern location, the happiest people in the world, and functional design.

The Finnish capital’s high-quality and unique food culture, on the other hand, has remained a well-kept secret and often pleasantly surprises visitors to the city. In Helsinki, one can find numerous innovative restaurants, the oldest market halls in the Nordic region, the Teurastamo center of urban and culinary culture, distilleries, microbreweries and other craft companies, such as bakeries and chocolate producers.

“The strengths of Helsinki’s food culture are its versatility, personality and a certain kind of uniqueness that combines local flavours and cultural influences from both East and West with a bold and innovative approach. The level of Helsinki’s top restaurants is illustrated by the fact that one restaurant has been awarded two Michelin stars and five with one Michelin star,” says Nina Vesterinen, Tourism Director at the City of Helsinki.

Helsinki wants to focus even more strongly on food tourism

Helsinki is currently implementing its Helsinki Tourism and Events Programme 2022–2026. The programme highlights the city’s vibrant urban culture with its events, visitors and restaurants as a key strategic priority for promoting the city’s vitality and wellbeing. Internationally, food has become an important appeal factor for tourism in recent years.

Restaurants play a key role in the vitality of cities. The restaurants in Helsinki have enormous and partly untapped potential, which can be used together with partners to develop the city as an attractive destination providing wonderful experiences for visitors. Helsinki will highlight the best aspects of the city as a food travel destination at the Matka Nordic Travel Fair this month by setting up Helsinki Food Court in cooperation with Food Camp Finland and Messukeskus.

The Matka Nordic Travel Fair in Helsinki is the largest tourism industry event in Northern Europe. In connection with the travel fair, Helsinki will also launch its own food culture strategy work. The aim is to make Helsinki a world-class food city of interest.

Finnjävel brings traditional Finnish dishes into the 21st century and to London

One of the advocates of Helsinki’s developing restaurant and food culture is Timo Linnamäki, restaurateur and Chairman of the Board of Muru Dining, which operates several restaurants in Helsinki. Representing Muru Group at the travel fair will be the restaurant Pastis, which focuses on rustic French cuisine and a casual atmosphere, as well as attentive and individual service.

“So much is happening in Helsinki’s restaurant scene, the range of offerings continues to expand, and there are real gems offering unique experiences throughout the city. Muru Group’s restaurants are a good example of their versatility – our taste worlds vary from the French cuisine at Pastis and the fish and seafood dishes at Sue Ellen to the Italian cuisine at Fiasco and the pure Finnish flavours at Finnjävel.”

Photo: Finnjävel

Finnjävel originally began as a temporary pop-up restaurant but has since established its operations and gained its first Michelin star in 2021. In the same year, Finnjävel received the acclaimed Service Award for the best service in the Nordic countries.

“The concept of the restaurant is to serve the best Nordic flavours and to bring traditional Finnish dishes that are reminiscent of your grandma’s cooking into the 2020s with a new, innovative approach. We strongly believe in Helsinki’s potential as a restaurant city at the international level, and we will be promoting this message by opening Finnjäveli’s pop-up restaurant at other locations in the future. The pop-up will also present the Helsinki Distilling Company and Finnish Gin. Our aim is to offer a unique food experience that attracts international interest in Finnish food culture, producers and ingredients and inspires people to travel to the source to experience more,” says Timo Linnamäki. For the Silo, Leena Karppinen.

Featured image: Tuukka Koski/ Koski Syväri, MyHelsinki Material Bank

Travel

Navigating Treacherous Khyber Pass In My Citroën 2CV4

January 8, 2025 The Silo Leave a comment

It’s June 1976- I just crossed the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Because the Khyber Pass is on the Pakistani side I have to change driving from right to left in my Citroën 2CV4. As being a Dutchman, I only have a mirror on the left side of my car. That shows to be far from useful in Pakistan!

It’s not easy to master the Khyber Pass all by myself. The bad road is snaky and sometimes the side of the abyss is very near. I have to avoid using my brakes because then I will slip away on the gravel and will certainly end somewhere in the far deep.

After a couple of hours while doing my best to avoid collisions with big trucks coming towards me, I get a beautiful view on the Indus Valley. Later on I will cross this famous river.

Landi Kotal, the first settlement in Pakistan, looks like a town in a Western movie.

Wooden houses with balconies, horses and carts in the streets and everywhere there are guns for sale. I am invited by a local craftsman to have a look at his rifles and he offers me a handmade kalashnikov for not more than 100 dollars. I tell him that I prefer to spend that amount of money on petrol to drive around in his country. Although he is quite persistent in selling while shooting in the air many times, I leave him in peace without any hole in my car.

It’s not a friendly welcome in Pakistan.

Most travellers by car cross the country as quick as possible while looking for the much more “peaceful” country of India. But I was told that northern Pakistan should be one of the most beautiful parts of the Lower Himalayas. In this region there are two small rivers coming down from the snow capped mountains following their own valley, the Swat in the Swat Valley and the Kunhar in the Kaghan Valley.

The first should be rather touristic, the other one hardly visited. Heading for the last one I have to drive to Islamabad/Rawalpindi first. From there I find the turn off while following the climbing road to Murree. Although it’s summertime there are not many owners of all those beautiful summer bungalows at home.

Fortunately there is a shop to buy some simple food. I pass the two little towns of Abottabad and Mansehra,

I fill up with petrol and head for Naran in the Hazara Province. While following the steep road up I notice that it’s cooling off. I close the canvas rooftop of my 2CV4 to keep the heat in. Although the sun is shining, snow capped mountains are coming near. It’s beautiful where ever I look but the road is getting worse. It looks like snow and ice have ruined the tarmac since last year. I wonder for how long I will be able to follow the river upstream. Hopefully I will reach Naran and may be a beautiful lake further on.

I am used to park my car somewhere in free nature to spend the night but I find a small rest house in the neighbourhood of Naran where I am welcomed to park my car to sleep in while using the amenities of this simple wooden building. Just by coincidence I notice a funny car on the small parking lot nearby. It’s a Citroën 2CV4 Break. The number plate shows me the origin. The car belongs to a young Swiss couple. It’s unbelievable to see two simple Citroën cars parked next to each other in the Kaghan Valley in northern Pakistan in 1976!

We meet in harmony and they tell me special celebrations will be held in Hemis Gumpa in Leh/Ladakh in India. This celebration will be open to tourists this year for the first time but they themselves have no time left to join the festivities. When it will happen they cannot tell me but it will be somewhere in July. Then suddenly I realize that I had a talk with some friends of friends of mine in Holland about half a year before I started my trip in my “Ugly Ducky” while telling me that they are going to visit an exceptional festival far away from the well known tourist trail in a group of selected people from Holland. I did not have a clue at that time what they were talking about.

When I started my trip in my Citroën in April 1976 I had in mind to spend some time at the south coast of France, not knowing to be in Pakistan some months later. It certainly will be a miracle to meet those Dutch in Leh.

I still have a month to go so I decide to stay here for a couple of days. The Swiss are very friendly and one day we decide to follow the road leading out of Naran into the mountains. They as well were told about a beautiful lake so we leave our cosy place. The first stretch is not easy. It looks as no traffic has left Naran for quite a while.

The road is getting quite dangerous.

Not only because of steep cliffs but also the surface is rather bad and very stony. There is snow everywhere as well. We both have simple 2 wheel drive cars with just a handful of horsepower so we cannot cross the huge landslide in front of us which blocks the road completely. That is a great pity because we are eager to see the lake.

We park our cars and collect some food and water in our small backpacks. We will give it a try to reach the lake by foot. The road is completely gone by snow but some locals have made a track from branches and stones to cross. It takes us about an hour to the moment we see the lake called Saif ul Maluk (or Saiful Muluk) which is glistering in the sun although there are some clouds. It’s like a fata morgana to find this beautiful lake with snow capped mountains around it. The temperature is fine but the water of the lake will be much too cold to take a bath.

While getting nearer to the lake we find the rest of the road in rather good condition because the lake is situated in a valley. We follow this track all the way to the end of the lake. We tease each other while throwing snow balls and we enjoy the complete serenity of the nature around us. There is no people, no animals, even no birds to spot. We all wonder how this beautiful place will look like in summer time. For the next two months some snow will melt but we are not sure if cars ever can reach the lake and even beyond during July and August. After that it will start snowing again.

We walk back to our cars and in the late afternoon and we park both our “mini vans” near the rest house. The owner welcomes us with a cup of tea. With some proud I tell everybody that tomorrow it will be my 26th birthday and I like to celebrate it but I actually do not know in what way. There are no alcoholic drinks for sale, there will be no fresh fruits or vegetables, no salted peanuts or French cheese with toast, neither potatoes nor spaghetti and the owner of the house does not sell any sort of meat.

The landlord approaches me. He offers me the possibility to “catch” my own meal to please myself and the Swiss on my birthday. Tomorrow I can give it a try. If I fail, he guarantees me at least six fish, the daily maximum. I wonder where he is talking about. On my birthday I borrow on his advice a rod with some spinners from him. Unfortunately I lose all spinners and I have to pay him some money as compensation. That was the deal we agreed before.

But now it’s his turn. Within half an hour he catches 6 beautiful rainbow trout from the Kunhar river.

I get all fish for free as being a birthday present. Unfortunately I do not have a decent kitchen to fry them. For a handful of Pakistani Rupees the landlady offers us to prepare a great meal. He and his wife reject my invitation to join the three of us.

That evening I enjoy one of the best meals I ever had. Both Swiss as well. Together with the trout we get French fries and even a nice salad with onions and tomatoes. A copious and super tasty birthday meal! The only thing we miss is a glass of chilled white wine.

It is a pity that the Swiss cannot stay much longer. They are heading west, back home to Switzerland. I am heading east in search for some Dutch at a festival in Leh/Ladakh (India). For the Silo, Frank van den Berge.

Earth

Is Fighting Global Warming On The Downtrend?

December 28, 2024 The Silo Leave a comment

Fighting against global warming is not popular with consumers today. But the consequences of a changing climate will not necessarily be kinder to the wallet.

If we take the case of three foodstuffs that are particularly consumed for breakfast, namely coffee, chocolate, and orange juice, a combination of unfavourable weather conditions have led to significant decreases in production and very sharp price increases: Lesechos.fr

Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of Arabica, is now increasingly plagued by drought (the latest one has almost dried up tributaries of the Amazon), which, not only affects harvests, but also results in hydroelectric production that has not increased for a decade.

It is again the drought that has penalized Vietnam, the leading exporter of Robusta, the other major variety of coffee grown in the world. In the end, the price of coffee has increased by 70% in one year.

But this is nothing compared to cocoa, whose price tripled over the period, due to unfavorable conditions in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, which account for 60% of exported volumes.

One of the margins for maneuver to lower prices is to increase production, but it is known that, for coffee and cocoa, the expansion of cultivation areas leads to deforestation… which will exacerbate global warming.

More coffee and chocolate?

Let’s drink orange juice! Unfortunately, the situation is not much more favorable for this citrus fruit. The table shows the drought in Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of oranges, but also a parasite that has led Florida’s production to be divided by 4.

Energy abundance, which started in a stable climate, has radically changed our consumption habits of exotic products in a few decades, allowing for long-range mass transport, and increasing crop yields.

Today, an orange, a chocolate bar or a cup of coffee have become commonplace products. But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that deglobalization (which will be a reality with a greatly reduced supply of hydrocarbons) and climate change will trigger an evolution that will go more or less far in the other direction.

Another not easy question in perspective! For the Silo, Jean-Marc Jancovic.

Lutter contre le réchauffement climatique n’a pas la faveur du consommateur aujourd’hui. Mais les conséquences d’un climat changeant ne seront pas nécessairement plus clémentes pour le porte-monnaie.

Si l’on prend le cas de trois denrées particulièrement consommées au petit déjeuner, à savoir le café, le chocolat, et le jus d’orange, une conjonction de conditions météo défavorables ont conduit à des baisses significatives de production et des augmentations très fortes de prix : Lesechos.fr

Le Brésil, premier exportateur mondial d’Arabica, est désormais en proie de plus en plus souvent à la sécheresse (la dernière en date a quasiment mis à sec des affluents de l’Amazone), laquelle, non contente d’affecter les récoltes, a aussi pour conséquence une production hydroélectrique qui n’augmente plus depuis une grosse décennie.

C’est encore la sécheresse qui a pénalisé Le Vietnam, premier exportateur de Robusta, l’autre grande variété de café cultivée dans le monde. A l’arrivée, le prix du café a augmenté de 70% en un an.

Mais ce n’est rien à côté du cacao, dont le cours a triplé sur la période, à cause de conditions défavorables en Côte d’Ivoire et au Ghana, qui totalisent 60% des volumes exportés.

Une des marges de manoeuvre pour faire baisser les prix est d’augmenter la production, mais il est connu que, pour le café et le cacao, l’expansion des zones de culture engendre de la déforestation… qui va exacerber le réchauffement climatique.

Plus de café et de chocolat ? Buvons du jus d’orange ! Malheureusement, la situation n’est pas beaucoup plus favorable pour cet agrume. On retrouve dans la tableau la sécheresse au Brésil, premier exportateur mondial d’oranges, mais aussi un parasite qui a conduit la production de Floride à être divisée par 4.

L’abondance énergétique, qui a démarré dans un climat stable, a radicalement changé nos habitudes de consommation de produits exotiques en quelques décennies, en permettant les transports de masse à longue portée, et l’augmentation des rendements des cultures.

Aujourd’hui, une orange, une tablette de chocolat ou une tasse de café sont devenus des produits banals. Mais il ne faut pas être grand clerc pour comprendre que la démondialisation (qui sera une réalité avec un approvisionnement en hydrocarbures fortement diminué) et le changement climatique vont enclencher une évolution qui ira plus ou moins loin dans l’autre sens.

Encore une question pas simple en perspective ! Pour le Silo, Jean-Marc Jancovic.

Earth

Must Do Sun Safety Tips For Wintertime

December 4, 2024 The Silo Leave a comment

Preventing, Minimizing and Repairing Damage from Exposure

I hope you didn’t pack away the sunblock with your swimsuit and other summer accessories because believe it or not, the winter’s sun is just as dangerous as summer’s, says Adam J. Scheiner, M.D, an eyelid and facial cosmetic surgeon who’s been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, The Howard Stern Show and The Doctors. In fact, in certain wintry conditions the sun is actually more dangerous. Read on….

“The snow reflects the glare of the sun – and the damaging UV rays,” he says. “People who like skiing and snowboarding in the mountains are getting 4 to 5 percent more UV damage for every 1,000 feet they ascend above sea level.”

The winter sun sits much lower than the summer sun and one reason why it’s harmful rays are a threat.

And then there are all those holiday cruises and escapes to warm-weather climates where beaches are packed year-round. “It’s not OK to lie baking in the sun for hours, even if it’s just one week out of the winter, while you’re enjoying your tropical getaway.” Dr. Scheiner says.

No matter how comfortable or cool the temperature feels, don’t be fooled.

“Just a few years ago, in 2020, the United States surgeon general predicted 9,000 people would die from melanoma. Those deaths were all preventable,” Dr. Scheiner says.

“And if skin cancer doesn’t scare you, think with your vanity. Sun exposure is the number one cause of wrinkles, discoloration, age spots and festoons, among other disfiguring problems.”

Dr. Scheiner shares tips for preventing, minimizing and repairing sun damage:

• Prevention: You’re not just exposed when you’re skiing, hiking, or taking a beach vacation.

“Anytime you go outside, you’re exposing yourself to damaging UVB and UVA rays, and the result is cumulative. A little bit here and a little there adds up,” Scheiner says.

Simply driving a car can result in serious sun damage. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found more skin cancers on the left side of patients’ faces – the side exposed while driving – then the right. Scheiner says he’s seen truckers and others who spend years on the road with severe wrinkling on the left side of the face.

“Always wear sunscreen, which protects against UVA and UVB rays. I recommend a Broad Spectrum Sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30, preferably higher,” he says. “You can also protect yourself from UVA rays, which cause deeper damage, by applying UV-protective film to your car windows. Also, wear clothes with a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) rating of at least 30.”

• Minimizing: Good nutrition and topical products can help minimize signs of damage, such as wrinkles and age spots, Dr. Scheiner says.

Eat foods rich in antioxidants — carrots and other yellow and orange fruits and vegetables; spinach and other green leafy vegetables; tomatoes; blueberries; peas and beans; fatty fish, and nuts. An American Society for Clinical Nutrition study found that women ages 40 to 75 who consumed more vitamin C, an antioxidant, had fewer wrinkles.

Use exfoliate creams to remove dead skin cells. Prescription creams including Avita, Avage, Renova and Retin-A have been shown to reduce wrinkles and age spots caused by sun exposure.

• Repairing: Lasers can resurface facial skin by stripping away the outermost layers. Some “non-ablative” lasers also stimulate collagen formation, which helps smooth wrinkles.

“I use RESET® Laser Skin Resurfacing, which reverses the damage and removes many pre-cancers and even active skin cancers,” Scheiner says. “RESET uses an advanced Dual Pulsed Erbium Laser, and my proprietary healing protocol. “

The RESET® treatment Dr. Scheiner has vaporizes the old skin and causes the collagen in the underlying layers to tighten.

The No. 1 best thing you can do for your skin starting today is to start making application of a broad spectrum, UVB/UVA sunscreen part of your daily routine. Apply it to all areas of the skin that can be directly exposed to the sun, the best scenario is preventing sun damage in the first place. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Travel

The Most Iconic Film Locations Include This One In Canada

November 26, 2024 The Silo Leave a comment

Squamish, British Columbia. Read on to find out which production shot here.

Our friends at Spin Genie have analyzed Instagram posts, TikTok views and Google search data to determine which location can be crowned the most iconic site. The study also considered the average hotel costs of the world’s most famous film locations, to share insights into how much a visit could set back fans of the film.

Can you name this neighborhood in London, England and the movie that made this street famous?

The 10 most iconic film locations:

Rank	Location	Film	No. of Instagram Hashtag Posts	No. of TikTok Hashtag Views	No. of Google Searches	Avg. Cost of Hotel per Night	Overall Score
1	Petra	Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade	1,720,357	1,100,000,000	10,407,000	$105.00	9.17
2	Notting Hill	Notting Hill, Love Actually	1,690,606	400,500,000	7,865,000	$159.00	8.71
2	Salzburg	The Sound of Music	3,663,924	1,600,000,000	9,180,000	$266.00	8.71
4	Busan	Black Panther	4,564,704	1,800,000,000	3,149,000	$232.00	8.56
5	Cleveland	Avengers	8,133,679	3,000,000,000	6,546,000	$324.00	8.37
5	Savannah	Forrest Gump	3,713,582	1,100,000,000	7,092,000	$280.00	8.37
7	Bruges	In Bruges	1,444,721	149,700,000	5,172,000	$270.00	7.39
8	Oxford University	Harry Potter	423,853	507,200,000	7,980,000	$378.00	7.27
9	Matamata	Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit	180,491	268,800,000	783,000	$49.00	7.2
10	Beverly Hills	Pretty Woman, Clueless	6,768,763	2,800,000,000	6,100,000	$956.00	7.16
10	Lake Como	Star Wars, House of Gucci	1,951,742	989,300,000	6,885,000	$507.00	7.16

Indiana Jones fans might hear The Raiders March in their heads when looking at this photograph.

The most iconic film location across the globe is Petra, which can be found in Jordan’s Southwestern desert.

The famous archaeological site is most well-known for appearing in the third Indiana Jones film, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and is featured in over 1.7 million Instagram posts. Petra has also been viewed on TikTok over 1.1 billion times and received over 10.4 million searches on Google between August 2022 and July 2023. For those wanting to visit the site, it will cost you around $105 on average for a hotel nearby.

The second most iconic film location is Notting Hill, which can be found in West London.

The vibrant and trendy area is most well known for appearing in films such as Love Actually, and, of course, the self-titled Notting Hill. Notting Hill is featured in almost 1.7 million Instagram posts and has been viewed on TikTok over 400.5 million times, as well as garnering over 7.8 million Google searches between August 2022 and July 2023. A hotel in the area will set you back around $159 per night.

Also in second place is Salzburg, which is one of Austria’s most famous cities. The baroque city is most well-known for being the filming location of the classic musical The Sound of Music. Salzburg is featured in over 3.6 million Instagram posts and has been viewed on TikTok over 1.6 billion times, as well as accumulating almost 9.2 million Google searches between August 2022 and July 2023. Anyone wishing to visit the city should expect to pay around $266 per night for a hotel room.

Cleveland, Ohio- “The North Coast”

Further findings:

The most popular film location on social media is Cleveland, Ohio. The US city is featured in over 8.1 million Instagram posts and has been viewed on TikTok over 3 billion times.
The film location that people are searching for the most on Google is Petra, with over 10.4 million searches being made between August 2022 and July 2023.
The Tabernas Desert is the most affordable film location for visitors, with hotel costs averaging $71 per night. The cheapest month to visit is March, with a 25% drop in price, and the most expensive month is August, with a 69% rise in price.
When it comes to famous Canadian film locations, any Twilight fans will be pleased to know that Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, located in Squamish in British Columbia, is featured in both parts of Breaking Dawn. Visitors can stay in a hotel in Squamish for a current average of $247 per night.

Featured image: Stawamus Chief Provincial Park

Earth

San Francisco Zoo Report: Urgent Need for Habitat Improvements

November 22, 2024 The Silo Leave a comment

https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXc9NCyKU-WABDp_JW1mkPSbBdt98U36Vv-UGjCRpugX1mA0g2roHXqfKBFxUca1y6r0RWtNMxbknMPsUX7TQwn1wGfXZajFP9pKCGCScN7sSE2yt-XL306wttcNl-VxBHWHiZ2RNg?key=-elX9zaoNsLvwrPCLPpAeGB-

SAN FRANCISCO (November, 2024) — A report “daylighting” serious animal welfare, management and infrastructure failings at San Francisco Zoo was presented yesterday by the San Francisco Joint Zoo/Recreation and Parks Committee Animal Welfare Advisors, Jane Tobin and Joseph Spinelli DVM. The report contains a “complete list of habitat and welfare issues as well as facilities recommendations,” and critiques unsafe infrastructure, mismanagement, and misplaced priorities, while offering actionable solutions to address the zoo’s deep-rooted issues.

Tobin explained, “This is an opportunity for people to understand, like, where are we with the state of the zoo? Having an audit like this does definitely daylight a lot of issues.” Tobin raised a variety of “habitat issues, oversight issues, acquisition plan issues,” and urged the zoo to prioritize habitat updates and genuinely engage with public concerns, reminding it of its duty to respond to public records requests and update its “really out of date” Memorandum of Understanding, last updated in 1993.

The report, which was prepared in consultation with current and former zoo staff, the San Francisco Animal Commission and animal welfare organizations including In Defense of Animals, SF Zoo Watch and Panda Voices, details “many of the Zoo’s enclosures are extremely outdated and fail to meet the criteria outlined above from an animal welfare perspective” with some exhibits approaching 100 years old. Tobin shared in the meeting, “It has been a really long time since we’ve seen any infrastructure updates, habitat construction, renovations, and short or long-term plans, and I think that you might ask the questions, well, how does that impact animal welfare? A great deal.”

Report co-author Dr. Spinelli has a long history with San Francisco Zoo and has served as an animal welfare advisor on the Joint Zoo Committee since 2009. He said, “For the future, I haven’t heard of a strategic plan for improving the quality of the spaces for the animals.”

Tobin drew attention to many animals in temporary habitats “well beyond their deadline,” citing one case in which animals have been without a permanent enclosure for six years. She said, “Animals should have a permanent habitat ready upon arrival and a financial impact analysis report would be wonderful so that the committee can fully understand with that acquisition what impact it would have on the care of the current animal inhabitants and the existing strategic plan.”

Concerning highly-controversial plans to acquire giant pandas, the report states, “The arrival of the giant pandas would make the already poor situation of the current animals living at the zoo even worse, diverting attention and resources away from doing basic repairs and building exhibits for other animals.”

Report Highlights:

Update the MOU: Modernize the 1993 agreement to include robust animal welfare standards and appoint non-voting advisors, such as veterinarians and animal welfare experts, to ensure ethical oversight.
Reject the Panda Plan: Halt the multi-million dollar panda exhibit and focus resources on improving the welfare of current animals and fixing infrastructure.
Infrastructure Overhaul: Redesign outdated enclosures to meet modern ethical and safety standards.
Transition the Zoo: Implement a rescue and rehabilitation model instead of trading and breeding programs.
Establish Oversight: Create an independent commission focused on animal welfare with robust authority.

The zoo audit follows a San Francisco Chronicle investigation and series of articles exposing zoo mismanagement, as well as a catalog of current concerns raised by animal advocates including the zoo’s reckless plans to import giant pandas from China by 2025. An In Defense of Animals’ alert exposing the issues at the zoo and urging the cancellation of the panda plans has gained over 14,000 supporters.

https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdKJ4Nbp6TjWEn-3jGjElkNpZ8_neTzXriN0Llkm_JO4MLt4ISuMSThxRpAJWTJENCkDFFG4RUpCfljZBvtqBBx-HOKLUQyEDK_zu9wtdNLRrviKRNQldOii-qZliPxwSxuEu-qtg?key=-elX9zaoNsLvwrPCLPpAeGB-

“We are grateful for the recommendations report from the Joint Zoo/Recreation and Parks committee animal welfare advisors which illustrates extreme issues that must be fixed at San Francisco Zoo,” said Brittany Michelson, Campaign Specialist for Captive Animals at In Defense of Animals. “These recommendations should be taken seriously and implemented immediately.”

Justin Barker of SF Zoo Watch said, “I think we need to get real about the zoo. 97% of the union staff don’t have confidence in the management, yet you stood by the CEO. We have major infrastructure issues. Stop painting the rosiest picture.”

Interjections from angry docents during the meeting were quelled by Commissioner Larry Mazzola who admitted, “communication is important and it might have been lacking until today.”

However, after the meeting, several zoo docents hurled verbal abuse at Barker. They brandished a photo of the zoo’s langur exhibit, one of the poorest habitats cited in the report, calling out, “You are complaining about this? How dare you!”

They also made public comments in the meeting urging all concerned to “move on” and suggested incidents were isolated to the deadly tiger escape 15 years ago. The audit is the latest of a mountain of evidence exposing current failings from zoo staff, media, and animal welfare organizations. The committee heard today how two additional animals were reported to have died last month from unsafe conditions — a penguin who died with a mold-caused infection, and a pelican who is presumed to have died from predation owing to an unsafe enclosure.

Notable zoo safety incidents include:

2007 – The escape of Siberian tiger Tatiana, who killed a visitor before being shot
2011 The theft of squirrel monkey Banana Sam
2014 – The crushing of baby lowland gorilla Kabibe by a hydraulic door malfunction
2020 – The theft of endangered lemur Maki
2020 – The deaths of two wallaroos and a red kangaroo who were killed when a predator entered their unsafe enclosure
2023 – The death of Handy Harry, a young penguin struck and killed by a guillotine door
2023 – The near-death of a keeper when a grizzly bear chased her owing to a door malfunction
2024 – The death of a sacred ibis due to unsafe, filthy conditions in the birdhouse by aspergillosis — an infection caused by mold
2024 – Two further deaths of a penguin and pelican possibly caused by mold and predation in October

These incidents represent only a fraction of the zoo’s long history of neglect and unsafe conditions. A significant number of keepers have resigned, citing management’s negligence towards both animal and staff safety.

https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdSa_VWLn24VU_0_UwSHojn2-jC4UfF6YRTP06Kl46_qeg4uo9_U2UlapEpgohbcOMDQsuE0wX5LLULjwmFnRILztZqHiHLIyy5H9PDQyEaqrt21pWm40pEIBuDArOAfxmUCwUjoQ?key=-elX9zaoNsLvwrPCLPpAeGB-

San Francisco is grappling with an $800 million usd/ $1.12 billion cad budget shortfall that has already led to deep cuts in public services like health and education. Amid this crisis, the zoo’s plan to acquire pandas — estimated to cost $70 million usd/ $98 million cad over 10 years — is financially irresponsible. While private fundraising might cover initial construction, long-term care for pandas requires significant ongoing resources, including specialized facilities, experienced staff, and regular flights to supply fresh bamboo.

If the zoo incurs expenses that far exceed the revenue generated from panda exhibitions as has happened at other zoos hosting pandas — most recently in Finland and previously in Scotland — the mounting costs may lead to a shortage of bamboo supply and poor bamboo quality, compromising the welfare of the pandas, as happened at the Memphis Zoo which led to pandas’ ill health and death.

https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcZ1DEeLDAAqSV2yui6gfbKGEz5o0Le05tmSDhPPqBUoZRbmWVtfPwTJLXYvZ3wxgrgR6MEkuQQnDLnjRdHCuO6coqBlC5YyTh_gTe8X7AhgFKnFrbW0VBAeU2qycBV-zptnpaiVg?key=-elX9zaoNsLvwrPCLPpAeGB-

Adding to these concerns, the proposed habitat — rumored to be a repurposed big cat exhibit near predators — is severely unsuitable for pandas, who are highly sensitive to noise and smell. This plan exemplifies the zoo’s misplaced priorities, diverting attention and resources from fixing crumbling infrastructure and addressing the welfare of its current inhabitants.

Members of the public are encouraged to sign the alert urging decision-makers to halt the panda plan: https://idausa.org/sfpanda

Supplemental-

The Humane Future of Zoos? The Hologram Zoo is a thing.

Travel

Canadians to Pre-Submit Biometrics, Digital Photo, Driver’s License for USA Border Crossings 2026

November 15, 2024 The Silo Leave a comment

Canadians driving into the United States will be asked to pre-submit photos and licence plate numbers to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) starting in 2026, according to a federal report.

The upcoming requirements will fall under the agency’s ongoing Traveller Modernization initiative, a program aimed at expediting border processing through the use of digital tools.

As part of the program, Canadians will need to “provide their biographic, biometric declaration, and other border-related information prior to arriving at the port of entry,” says the government report, which was first covered by Blacklock’s Reporter.

“Travelers will use a redesigned advance declaration mobile application to submit their digital photo, advance declaration, and license plate information in advance of arrival.”

Border officers will be provided with smartphones to access and process digital referrals, the report said.

A comparable electronic filing system will be rolled out to marine passengers in 2027 and to air passengers in 2028, the report said.

The Traveller Modernization plan is not associated with the agency’s now-optional $59.5 million ArriveCan program, a mobile app launched by the government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which required travelers entering Canada to electronically submit travel documents, health assessments, and customs declarations. The app was later used for travelers to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination, sparking concerns from some over privacy rights.

ArriveCan was also criticized over its high costs to develop and failure to follow standard procurement procedures. A report from Auditor General Karen Hogan found that federal agencies involved in the contracting, development and implementation of the app showed a “glaring disregard for basic management and contracting practices” and that Canadians “paid too much” for ArriveCan.

The Traveller Modernization report did not say how much the new plan would cost.

The report also didn’t indicate if the program will be mandatory or optional for travelers, but the CBSA has described it as a way to deal with security threats and economic and migratory trends as well as the ever-increasing numbers of travelers.

The border service facelift is touted as a way to cut processing times for travelers and make the process less cumbersome overall.

The CBSA said it has taken “careful steps to research and plan our actions” to alleviate travelers’ privacy and security concerns.

“When you provide your information as you enter Canada, we make sure to protect and secure it,” the agency said. “We do not keep it for any longer than we need to.”

Collection of travelers’ information isn’t new. The government in 2019 approved a legislative framework to allow the CBSA to systematically collect exit information on all travelers leaving Canada.

The Exit Information Regulations enabled the CBSA to compile complete travel history records on all travelers leaving Canada by air and land.

“By collecting the information from reliable partners, rather than requiring travelers to report to the CBSA when leaving Canada, the process will be seamless for travelers,” the government said.

CBSA- border services officers were not armed until their union fought for the right and won in 2006.

At land borders, the CBSA receives information from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) shortly after a traveler enters the United States. The U.S. entry record serves as a record of exit from Canada.

The CBSA has also proposed other programs to it says will speed up the travel process, including advance declaration forms that can be filled out ahead of time and digital kiosks and eGates for travelers to verify their identity. For the Silo, Jennifer Cowan.

Travel

New Regent Seven Seas Grandeur Ship Showcased Canada Fall Colours

November 14, 2024 The Silo Leave a comment

Did you know Regent Seven Seas Cruises, widely regarded as the epitome of luxury ocean travel, offers a real cruising jewel: Seven Seas Grandeur.

A Heritage of Perfection.

Described by Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., as “breathtaking,” to which I can attest having sailed on the spectacular ship, Seven Seas Grandeur stands as a testament to refined style, matchless elegance and captivating beauty.

The ship, designed by the award-winning Studio DADO and constructed by premier shipbuilder Fincantieri in Ancona, Italy, is a masterpiece that not just exemplifies, bit wholly embodies, luxury travel at sea.

“Seven Seas Grandeur is the most anticipated new luxury ship to set sail this year, an achievement made possible through the combined craftsmanship and exquisite eye for design excellence by Studio DADO and Fincantieri, who together with our team at Regent, have delivered a truly remarkable work of art,” said Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

“Each feature of this ship is more jaw-dropping than the last, from the world-class collection of art and tantalizing epicurean experiences, to the lavishly designed suites, restaurants, bars and lounges. Seven Seas Grandeur sets a new standard for service and comfort in the travel industry, and we are delighted to present this incredible new ship to discerning travelers as they explore the world with Regent.”

The maiden season of Seven Seas Grandeur, under the command of Captain Luciano Montesanto, continues to treat guests to Caribbean exploration, two transits of the Panama Canal as well as an itinerary sailing the U.S. Eastern Seaboard before sailing back across the Atlantic from New York to Barcelona to explore the Mediterranean.

Seven Seas Grandeur witnessed the colors of Fall in Canada and New England in September and October, then finally culminated in a luxurious year of travel by exploring more of the Caribbean to close out 2024.

With a gross tonnage of 55,500, a crew of 548 staff and a capacity for only 746 guests, Seven Seas Grandeur promises one of the highest space- and staff-to-guest ratios in the industry thus ensuring guest needs and wants will be swiftly attended to.

All-Inclusive Opulence

With all Regent Seven Seas Cruise, unlimited complimentary shore excursions are available in every port, making it the only truly all-inclusive cruise line. Voyage fares also include round-trip business-class air on intercontinental flights from the U.S. and Canada; gourmet cuisine in a range of specialty restaurants and al-fresco dining venues; fine wines and spirits; entertainment, unlimited internet access; free valet laundry; gratuities; ground transfers and one-night, pre-cruise hotel packages for guests staying in Concierge-level suites and higher.

Stay, Sip & Savor

Inspired by the past and reimagined for the future, Seven Seas Grandeur offers an array of transformative experiences from the moment guests step on board. The ship boasts 15 accommodation categories ranging between 307 square feet, to over 4,443 square feet with online virtual tours of each available. This includes the lavish $11,000 usd / $14,876 cad-a-night Regent Suite, contemporary Distinctive Suites and beautifully appointed Spacious Suites that are all designed to evoke an elevated, residential feel.

The ship’s dining experiences offer guests an unrivaled culinary journey. Epicurean perfection has been enhanced across the ship’s eight exquisite and complimentary dining experiences, including in its five specialty restaurants, with 130 new dishes created exclusively for Seven Seas Grandeur. The unrivaled dining experience on board will be delivered by a dedicated crew including the very best chefs, sommeliers and serving professionals in the industry. In addition, the culinary experience will be enhanced with captivatingly reimagined designs for signature restaurants Compass Rose, Prime 7, Chartreuse and La Veranda.

For guests looking to broaden their culinary skills, the ship’s Culinary Arts Kitchen offers hands-on classes, special demonstrations and more, in a professional-grade culinary teaching facility led by highly experienced chefs. A wide curriculum of classes are inspired by the global destinations explored by the entire Regent fleet and include lessons in French food and wine, the meat and seafood of New Zealand and tastes of the Pacific Northwest.

Entertainment Extravaganza

Guests aboard Seven Seas Grandeur can indulge in four new extraordinary productions: Pasión, Ignite the Night, Marauder’s Ball, and ICONS. These shows feature world-class performers, breathtaking choreography and the flair of Grammy Award winners and acclaimed Broadway directors, promising unforgettable moments for all on board.

Holistic Well-Being

The ship’s Serene Spa & Wellness experience takes luxury to the next level, offering exclusive spa treatments with indulgent options such as an amber and quartz crystal bed and a Zero Gravity Wellness Massage. For culinary enthusiasts, the Culinary Arts Kitchen provides hands-on classes and demonstrations led by highly experienced chefs, offering a diverse curriculum inspired by global destinations.

Artistry at Sea

Seven Seas Grandeur is home to a 1,600-piece art collection, featuring a custom-designed masterpiece – Journey in Jewels – the first Fabergé Egg to permanently reside at sea. The ship also introduces Regent’s first digital art tour, Art Experience, accessible through the new Regent Mobile App. Notable works include pieces by Picasso, a custom-made bronze and hand-cast glass Bonsai Cherry Tree sculpture, and “The Enchanted Tree,” a 40-foot-tall, hand-woven tapestry by renowned Brazilian artist Walter Goldfarb.

As Regent Seven Seas Cruises celebrates 30 years of unparalleled experiences, for its part the Seven Seas Grandeur experience has emerged as the epitome of the cruise line’s commitment to extreme luxury. With spacious suites, impeccable service, gourmet dining, and immersive shore excursions all included, Regent continues to redefine luxury cruising. For the Silo, Merilee Kern.

Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. Merilee is Founder, Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List” as well as Host of the  “Savvy Living” lifestyle TV show that airs in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta and other major markets on CBS, FOX and other top networks; as well as the “Savvy Ventures” business TV show that airs nationally on FOX Business TV and Bloomberg TV. Merilee also hosts the Savvy Ventures Podcast & Radio show available globally on W4CY Radio—the #1 ranked live streaming radio station—among others as well as all major podcast platforms, including Pandora, Audible, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Streamyard, iHeart Radio and dozens more. As a prolific lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker, Merilee keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at www.TheLuxeList.com and www.SavvyLiving.tv / Instagram www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / Twitter www.Twitter.com/MerileeKern / Facebook www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIN www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or arranged at no cost to accommodate if this is review editorial, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***

Earth

Safe Living With Canada’s Urban And Rural Coyotes

October 27, 2024 The Silo Leave a comment

Coyotes are a canine species similar to wolves, found only in North and South America and like other wild animals, sometimes come into conflict with humans.

Since migrating to the province of Ontario from the western side of Canada more than 100 years ago, coyotes have adapted well to urban environments and can now be found in both rural and urban settings. Coyotes are most abundant in southern agricultural Ontario and urban areas and there are ways to prevent and manage conflicts.

Factors That Influence Possibility Of Sightings

Changes in land use, agricultural practices, weather, supplemental feeding and natural food shortages may contribute to more coyote sightings in your community.

Homeowners and renters in areas of potential encounters should take these steps to make sure coyotes aren’t attracted to their homes and to keep their pets safe.

To reduce the potential for coyote encounters, the Ministry of Natural Resources has the following tips for the public.

Do not approach or feed coyotes

Coyotes are usually wary of humans and avoid people whenever possible. However, they are wild animals and should not be approached.
People should NOT feed coyotes — either intentionally or unintentionally. It makes them less fearful of humans and makes them accustomed to food provided by humans.
Aggressive behavior towards people is unusual for coyotes, but people should always exercise caution around wildlife. Secure garbage, compost and other attractants
Do not provide food to coyotes and other wildlife. Properly store and maintain garbage containers to help prevent coyotes from becoming a problem.
In the fall, pick ripe fruit from fruit trees, remove fallen fruit from the ground and keep bird feeders from overflowing as coyotes eat fruit, nuts and seeds.
In the summer, protect vegetable gardens with heavy-duty garden fences or place vegetable plants in a greenhouse. Check with your local nursery to see what deterrent products are available.
Place trash bins inside an enclosed structure to discourage the presence of small rodents, which are an important food source for coyotes.
Put garbage at curb-side the morning of the scheduled pickup, rather than the night before.
Use enclosed composting bins rather than exposed piles. Coyotes are attracted to dog and cat waste as well as products containing meat, milk and eggs.
Consider eliminating artificial water sources such as koi ponds.
Keep pet food indoors. Use deterrents and fences to keep coyotes away from your home and gardens
Use motion-sensitive lighting and/or motion-activated sprinkler systems to make your property less attractive to coyotes and other nocturnal wildlife.
Fence your property or yard. It is recommended the fence be at least six-feet tall with the bottom extending at least six inches below the ground and/or a foot outward, so coyotes cannot dig under the fence. A roller system can be attached to the top of the fence, preventing animals from gaining the foothold they need to pull themselves up and over the top of a fence.
Electric fencing can also help deter coyotes from properties or gardens in some circumstances.

Clear away bushes and dense weeds near your home where coyotes may find cover and small animals to feed upon.
Close off crawl spaces under porches, decks, and sheds. Coyotes use these areas for denning and raising young.

Keep pets safe

Cats and small dogs may be seen as prey by coyotes, while larger dogs may be injured in a confrontation. To avoid these situations consider the following suggestions:

Install proper fencing.
As coyotes are primarily nocturnal, pets should be kept inside at night.
Keep all pets on leashes or confined to a yard.
Keep cats indoors and do not allow pets to roam from home.

Spay or neuter your dogs. Coyotes are attracted to, and can mate with, domestic dogs that have not been spayed or neutered.

If You Encounter A Coyote

Do not turn your back on or run. Back away while remaining calm.
Use whistles and personal alarm devices to frighten an approaching or threatening animal.
If a coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, call 911.
Never attempt to tame a coyote. Reduce risk of predation on livestock
Barns or sheds can provide effective protection from the threat of coyotes preying on livestock.
Guard animals, such as donkeys, llamas and dogs, can be a cost-effective way to protect livestock from coyotes. Guard animals will develop a bond with livestock if they are slowly integrated and will aggressively repel predators.

For more information on preventing livestock predation and claiming compensation from the government, please visit the Ministry of Agriculture and Food website.

Managing Problem Wildlife

Landowners are responsible for managing problem wildlife, including coyotes, on their own property.
The Ministry of Natural Resources helps landowners and municipalities deal with problem wildlife by providing fact sheets, appropriate agency referrals, and information on steps they can take to address problems with wildlife.
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act sets out the legal actions property owners can take to deal with problem wildlife. Generally, landowners or their agents may harass, capture or kill problem wildlife to prevent damage to their property.

Earth

Last And Largest Supermoon of 2024 Is Nearly Here

October 14, 2024 The Silo Leave a comment

The full Hunter’s Moon—a moon known for its extra-bountiful glow in autumn, one that traditionally helped hunters harvest venison into the late evening, before the winter freeze—will rise on Oct. 17. It will loom larger and brighter than ever. The reason?

It will be a supermoon. But not just any supermoon.

The Hunter’s Moon this October will be the biggest supermoon of the year, the fourth and final one of 2024.

How the Hunter’s Moon Got Its Name

Both Colonial Americans and Canadian Settlers once had to hunt to fill their stores before settling into their lodges for the winter. To this end, they would hunt late into the evening while deer and other large game were easy to spot in the open stubble fields after the harvest.

These night hunts were assisted by moonlight from October’s full moon, which mysteriously rose sooner than expected and loomed larger than was typical. It was as if it provided light specifically for their hunting.

What looked like a helping hand from the full moon gave rise to its traditional name: the Hunter’s Moon.

This year, the Hunter’s Moon falls on Oct. 17, reaching peak illumination at exactly 7:26 a.m. EDT. It will be below the horizon for stargazers here in Canada and the rest of North America at that time. But at sunset that evening you can look eastward and find it still quite full, as it will seem the following evening, on Oct. 18, and the evening prior, on Oct. 16. Moons don’t change their cycles on a dime.

It Will Be a ‘Supermoon’

Similar to September’s huge Harvest Moon, October’s full moon will be a supermoon. It will appear larger and will be closer to the Earth than usual, which happens because the moon’s distance from Earth isn’t fixed. Our largest natural satellite travels along an oval-shaped orbit, so sometimes it’s nearer and other times further away.

Full Harvest Moon to Fall in September Will Be a Supermoon—Here’s Why It Will Loom Gigantic

Scientists Have Confirmed Cave on Moon That Could Be Used to Shelter Future Explorers

When a full moon occurs near the point closest to Earth along said orbit, a point called the perigee, a supermoon results. This occurred in September’s Harvest Moon and will happen again for October’s Hunter’s Moon, making it the fourth and final supermoon of the year; the largest in 2024.

The Hunter's Moon traditionally follows the Harvest Moon. (Shutterstock/Harry L/Richard OD) — The Hunter’s Moon traditionally follows the Harvest Moon. Shutterstock/Harry L/Richard OD

On Oct. 16, perigee will be reached. At exactly 8:57 p.m. EDT, the moon will be 222,055 miles from Earth, roughly 17,000 miles nearer than average. Not 12 hours later, the full moon will fall. Supermoons can loom 7 percent larger than normal, though human eyes can’t usually tell. It’ll also shine slightly brighter.

Facts And Folklore of Autumn Full Moons

As full moons go, autumn’s are famously big. Supermoon or no supermoon, farmers have long relied on fall full moons for moonlight when working late to bring harvests in before the frost. Folklore says these moons are larger and even seem to forestall their departure mysteriously, as if gracing the harvest with extra illumination.

The “Hunter’s Moon” usually falls in October, but not always. Full moons in September, October, and November sometimes swap names. Harvest Moon always denotes the moon closest to the equinox (the first day of fall) and usually falls in September, and so, they are most commonly in September. But every so often, October’s full moon is closest to the equinox (which is in late September) and thus assumes the title Harvest Moon. When that happens, the Hunter’s Moon gets bumped into November.

Swapping names is unusual for full moons; they don’t follow that tradition in other months. April’s Pink Moon and June’s Strawberry Moon don’t shift, nor do moons of other months. Furthermore, most moon names denote the month’s entire lunar cycle, whereas the Harvest Moon and Hunter’s Moon denote just the full moon event.

Colonial Americans traditionally hunted after the autumn harvest to fill their stores for the winter months. (Shutterstock/Maciej Pawlik) — Colonial Americans traditionally hunted after the autumn harvest to fill their stores for the winter months. Shutterstock/Maciej Pawlik

Autumn moons loom larger than usual, too. Astronomers say this is just an optical illusion. Autumn moons often appear near the horizon because the moon’s arc is so affected by Earth’s axial tilt during the equinox. They may seem larger when viewed next to terrestrial foreground objects like trees or buildings. The psychological impact this has makes the moon look grander.

It’s just an illusion, though—the “moon illusion.”

But there’s more to the equinox than smoke and mirrors. Some of the strangeness is real, as autumn moons follow a perplexing schedule. On average, throughout the year, the moon rises 50 minutes later each night as its orbit carries it steadily eastward. But around the equinox, it may rise as few as 23 minutes later. This boon to farmers is no illusion.

Astronomers twist their tongues to explain it.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac says it’s because the moon’s arc has its greatest northerly component during fall and is thus at its longest. Now traveling rapidly northward, it appears to rise sooner than expected, and all the more so the further north you go.

All together—the Hunter’s Moon, the extra moonlight, the equinox, the moon illusion, and the largest supermoon of 2024—it seems we’re in for a sublime lunar spectacle. There’s a chill in the air. So grab your fall coat for an evening under the warm glow of the Hunter’s Moon. For the Silo, Michael Wing.

Featured image- Designed by friends at The Epoch Times Shutterstock/solepsizm/Richard OD/Harry L

Earth

North America’s Largest Convention Center Installs Bird Saving Window Film

October 2, 2024 The Silo Leave a comment

CHICAGO (October, 2024) — After receiving nearly 50,000 emails from In Defense of Animals supporters, McCormick Place Lakeside Center has taken a crucial step in safeguarding migratory birds by installing bird-safe window film on its iconic glass walls. This renovation addresses the soaring number of bird deaths caused by window collisions at the convention center, which claimed the lives of over 1,000 birds in a single night last fall.

“Windows collisions rank among the deadliest threats to birds,” said Katie Nolan, Wild Animals Campaigns Specialist for In Defense of Animals. “With wild birds in steep decline — over 3 billion lost in the past 50 years — we are delighted that the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority has taken a crucial step by installing bird-safe window film at McCormick Place. This sets a new standard for all North American buildings to follow. Building managers can save millions by installing bird-safe window film and turning off lights.”

McCormick Place, situated along the Mississippi Flyway — a crucial migration route — has long been a site of concern for bird collisions, particularly during spring and fall migrations. In Defense of Animals and its Interfaith Vegan Coalition witnessed the devastating impact firsthand when attending a conference at McCormick Place in 2023.

“The bird deaths we witnessed at McCormick Place were heartbreaking,” said Lisa Levinson, Campaigns Director for In Defense of Animals. “While a member of our Interfaith Vegan Coalition was able to rescue one injured bird, many more had perished in a single night. We couldn’t be happier that McCormick Place has stepped up to protect these vulnerable birds.”

The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which manages McCormick Place, announced the $1.2 million usd/ $1.62 million cad project to install bird-safe film has been completed, covering two American football fields’ worth of glass / or approximately 1.3 Canadian football fields’ worth of glass. The newly installed bird-safe window film is a critical part of reducing bird collisions, along with measures such as dimming or turning off lights during peak migration seasons. These actions help protect migratory birds, many of whom face deadly threats from light pollution and reflective windows.

McCormick Place’s efforts align with broader city initiatives like Lights Out Chicago, which aims to reduce bird deaths by encouraging buildings to dim their lights during migration periods. The installation of bird-safe window film will go a long way in ensuring that migratory birds continue to travel safely through the city. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Earth

Canada’s 2020 Panda Return Is Red Flag For San Francisco Zoo

September 27, 2024 The Silo Leave a comment

And more recently Finland’s Panda Return is a Red Flag for San Francisco Zoo’s $70 Million USD/ $94.3 Million CAD Panda Gamble

https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcp6OMvCdtJDCbnYNBYgcCjKTUZHf5T_E4iKxwL0pRA9viktgBf_bi6OwNmOO6eTo-0I3iIBDsnyQW7JeZRq1U3eMkqPPYLyyyZhaqrbbpKbH4YwyFtuvyLHV6R8rwcyY5Ak9KAaqLZSQlktt23Eksqo4IG?key=zoWo4eviUDicIsAvyv2lGA

Currently, there are no giant pandas here in Canada but Canada has “hosted” giant pandas on several occasions, including a long-term loan agreement that began in 2014. Those giant pandas spent five years at the Toronto Zoo before moving to the Calgary Zoo in 2018. They were returned to China in 2020 due to difficulties in finding bamboo- the giant panda’s main food source.

SAN FRANCISCO (Sept, 2024) — In Defense of Animals, SF Zoo Watch, and Panda Voices are calling on Mayor London Breed and the San Francisco Zoo to immediately abandon their reckless and costly plan to acquire giant pandas.

Finland today announced it will return its pandas to China eight years ahead of schedule citing their unaffordable upkeep, following Edinburgh Zoo’s recent decision to not renew its panda contract owing to the extreme cost. Despite these clear warnings, San Francisco’s panda plan — estimated to cost an astounding $70 million usd/ $94.3 million cad over 10 years — has not been abandoned, even as the city witholds funds for vital public services, and the San Francisco Zoological Society struggles with repeated crises.

https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfBg5rvPRXAAcs1xwEiE0PvEp0eqsSAPZoPlAFhF1TnLqjwD3DTFdJIQ3XoApeiGDTunBXnsDYdepaa8hNurT6ezgiNmXeN1xrutKWFTRI3aNKNJQMR3_4eGZadYXnyfscjEML5sKoREAYDqTxH-e9MqaU?key=zoWo4eviUDicIsAvyv2lGA

Mayor Breed’s plan to import pandas to the crisis-stricken San Francisco Zoo has been strongly opposed by animal advocates. Photo: JackPhoto.com/In Defense of Animals

“Finland’s decision to return its pandas early due to soaring costs should be a wake-up call for San Francisco,” said Brittany Michelson, Campaign Specialist for Captive Animals at In Defense of Animals.

“Finland and Edinburgh were financially better prepared and better managed, yet even they couldn’t sustain their panda exhibits. San Francisco is already in financial trouble, and this panda plan is another disaster waiting to happen.”

“San Francisco City and San Francisco Zoo share the same policy — let residents suffer while running after doomed vanity projects,” said Justin Barker of SF Zoo Watch. “The zoo and the city have cut off funding for the most vulnerable while privileging the doomed panda plan.”

“The fact that the Ahtari Zoo in Finland is returning giant pandas JinBaoBao (Lumi) and HuaBao (Pyry) nearly nine years before their contract ends shows the huge challenge and the financial issues zoos face when hosting giant pandas,” said Taciana Santiago, Co-Founder of Panda Voices. “The popularity of these bears often overshadows the costly expenses and highly-specialized care these very sensitive animals demand. If these conditions are not met, the pandas’ wellbeing will be sacrificed, like we sadly observed with pandas YaYa and LeLe, who suffered at the Memphis Zoo until 2023. We hope San Francisco Zoo, which already faces substantial financial issues, can learn from these experiences and stop their unsustainable and cruel plans to host giant pandas.”

https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcXnK-8rwCoLApDs_g6LBnI4-f4ieSfeikU6FlEwjj2S2ug_WMCrBuykossya1clRSoo_KIbDdK_gA9AMvm_E-Lhyd26ufu7dwnn-DNUj2wOfimMzHawJ57BQoBhJ9LDGRehsRErggU_qUjijcDPDwgDQI?key=zoWo4eviUDicIsAvyv2lGA

LeLe died and YaYa became extremely ill at Memphis Zoo. Photos: Panda Voices

Despite its crumbling infrastructure and multiple languishing infrastructure projects, the San Francisco Zoo is moving forward with plans to house pandas.

Meanwhile, other zoos like Finland’s Ahtari and Edinburgh have already concluded that panda programs are financially unsustainable. Worse yet, the San Francisco Zoo has failed to address major animal welfare and labor issues, ignoring serious concerns raised by staff over unsafe conditions and multiple preventable animal deaths. Last week, the zoo’s board retained its leadership, despite an overwhelming 97% vote of no confidence from union members.

https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdouV2mjnDowUXidi5_-KAfFop8P2VmXjg3Ut4WE2VfkuIkKcYcl-OvKXOG9JADe218LfC6nQWu4LXsdlWLxpr8lR9OSBLf2FWd4y5TXrVGTGwR57f_N85YwSySm3BcppPP2KQ_7o3q71Kj-OX6GHRx5na2?key=zoWo4eviUDicIsAvyv2lGA

The century old San Francisco Zoo has deferred maintenance and let upgrade projects languish for years. Photo: In Defense of Animals

“Bringing pandas into an environment where the current animals are already suffering is not only reckless but cruel,” added Michelson. “The San Francisco Zoo is in no state to care for these highly sensitive animals when it can’t even meet the needs of those already in its care.”

At a time when Mayor Breed is pausing $33 million usd/ $44.5 million cad in spending for crucial community services such as housing support and violence prevention, diverting millions more toward a panda exhibit is unconscionable. The estimated costs for the panda acquisition far exceed the $25 million usd/ $33.7 million cad the mayor plans to raise from private donors:

$35 million usd/ $47.2 million cad or more for new exhibits and holding facilities.
An annual loan fee of $1-2 million usd/ $1.4 -2.7 million cad to China for the pandas.
$1.5-3 million usd/ $2-4 million cad per year for food, veterinary care, staff, and maintenance.

“Pandas have pushed yet another world-class zoo beyond its financial limits,” added Michelson. “San Francisco Zoo has proven, time and again, that it cannot manage its finances, fix infrastructure issues, or protect its animals. Adding pandas to this mix is a recipe for disaster.”

In Defense of Animals, Panda Voices, and SF Zoo Watch urges the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and Mayor Breed to immediately halt the panda plans and prioritize addressing the zoo’s current crises. The panda plan has faced opposition from San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin and nearly 14,000 concerned citizens have already flooded the inboxes of Mayor Breed, city officials, and the San Francisco Zoo, urging them to abandon this dangerous plan. Concerned citizens and animal lovers can take action by sending an email at www.idausa.org/sfpanda. For the Silo, Brittany Michelson.

Featured image- Giant pandas Panpan (right) and Yueyue are shown in a Jan., 2019 handout photo from the Calgary Zoo. The first giant Panda twins born in Canada. Handout photo by The Calgary Zoo.

Earth

California Elk Killing Fence Finally Being Removed

September 14, 2024 The Silo 1 Comment

Monterey, Calif. (Sept, 2024) — After years of campaigning to free Tule elk at Point Reyes National Seashore, In Defense of Animals applauds the California Coastal Commission’s (CCC) speedy approval of America’s National Park Service’s (NPS) proposal to dismantle the deadly, infamous, 8-foot-tall,/ 2.4 m, 2-3-mile/ 3.2-4.8 km long fence confining them.

Over 475 Elk Died Over A Decade Due To Fence- Many More Suffered With Poor Health

The wire and wooden post barrier fence was built to keep elk in, and away from for-profit beef and dairy ranches which lease land from the public and, in return, pollute the Seashore park and sentence hundreds of elk to starve and die of thirst by restricting the movement of these wild animals in a national park. Over 475 Tule elk died over a decade as a result of the fence, a larger number of these gentle, plant-eating ungulates than is currently still held captive inside the fenced compound, called a “Reserve,” despite its deadly effect on Tule elk.

After years of animals rights and citizen activist demonstrations and pressure, in June 2023 the NPS finally relented and officially reversed its position on a 45-year-old park policy that kept this Tule elk herd confined to the drought-stricken Tomales Point, the northernmost peninsula of the popular San Francisco Bay Area national park unit. The recent vote, technically speaking, is a CCC concurrence with a “negative determination” assessment of no significant environmental impact caused by removing the 45-year-old fence as part of the new “Tomales Point Area Plan” (TPAP).

This bureaucratic hurdle, much easier to clear than an 8-foot-tall fence, is part of a years-long process that has been underway since June 2023, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The CCC’s approval on Sept. 12 will allow the NPS to continue its process to dismantle the fence, which in turn will allow the elk inside the Reserve to wander south of the fence line, into other, wetter areas of the park’s full 71,000 acres. Their current home, the Reserve, by comparison, is only 2,600 acres.

Their fence-down freedom will, both quickly and over time, improve the health of the herd.

And, significantly, reduce the number of painful, slow elk deaths from thirst and starvation during California’s hot, dry summer and autumn seasons.

With the fence dismantled, the elk will also be able to mix and mate with elk from the park’s other two herds. The two other herds are less restricted in their movements — although they, and all of the park’s approximately 700 elk, are still affected and negatively impacted by the contiguous, privately-owned, beef and dairy cow ranches. These businesses lease over one-third of Point Reyes from the public — and keep it fenced off to public access too, even though the public owns the land.

Thousands of beef and dairy cows (who are confined and used themselves) pollute even more of the seashore’s land, water and air every year (and every day) with millions of pounds of manure and methane.

Activists are delighted that the fence removal process is finally underway.

Jack Gescheidt, Tule elk consultant for the international animal protection organization, In Defense of Animals, said, “It’s a treat, for once, to not have to testify at a Coastal Commission meeting about how destructive, polluting and cruel some policy or regulation is. We activists want the fence down. The public wants the fence down. The Park Service now wants the fence down. And now the Commission has approved this major improvement to a public park.”

Gescheidt added, “And we hope the NPS [America’s National Park Service CP] follows through with the fence removal before the end of the year. We offer volunteer help with the historic fence-dismantling work!”

In Defense of Animals’ Tule Elk Campaign works tirelessly to not just free the Tule elk at Point Reyes National Seashore, but to also re-wild all 71,000 acres of Point Reyes to wild animals, by finally ousting the private beef and dairy ranches which are this beloved national park’s major source of land degradation, water contamination and air pollution. These businesses were paid millions of dollars for their land in the 1960s, and had agreed to leave by 1987, but have resisted doing so ever since. www.idausa.org/elk

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in California with over 250,000 supporters and a 41-year history of fighting for animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org

Featured image: Bonnie-Jill Laflin at Pt. Reyes Elk Reserve by Jack Gescheidt/Tree Spirit Project.

Earth

Why Canadians Must Get More Sunlight

August 23, 2024 The Silo 4 Comments

TORONTO – Following restrictive sun exposure advice in countries with low solar intensity like Canada might in fact be harmful to your health, says the co-author of a new study on sunlight and vitamin D.

The published study Sunlight and Vitamin D: Necessary for Public Health by Carole Baggerly and several academic researchers, examines how organizations such as World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer and the U.S. Surgeon General call for sun avoidance, but ignore the fact that cutting out sunshine will reduce vitamin D, an essential vitamin for bone health, and create probable harm for the general population.

“Humans have adapted to sun exposure over many thousands of years and derive numerous physiological benefits from UV exposure, in addition to vitamin D,” said Baggerly, executive director of Grassroots Health and breast cancer survivor.

“These benefits are in addition to those derived from vitamin D alone and cannot be replaced by vitamin D supplements and therefore sun avoidance being recommended by the US Surgeon General, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Dermatology Association and others, is unnecessarily putting Canadians at risk.”

From mercola.com -studies suggest we need more sunlight than currently recommended dosages

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that enables calcium absorption and is critical for good bone health. Low levels are linked to bone conditions such as rickets in children and osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults.

In Canada, vitamin D from sunlight can only be synthesized in the skin during the spring, summer and fall months, around midday, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., when the UV index is above three and your shadow is shorter than your height.

Statistics Canada reports that 12 million Canadians, or 35% of the population, have insufficient vitamin D levels, including 10% who are severely deficient, which sets them up for higher disease risk.

According to Dr. Reinhold Vieth, Scientific Advisor for the Canadian Vitamin D Consensus and professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, “If organizations warn people to stay out of the sun, then they should also let people know that they will not be producing vitamin D. Both the risks and benefits of UV exposure need to be addressed in the best interest of health. Unfortunately, the message Canadians keep hearing lately is that there is no benefit to being in the sun. The paper by Baggerly et al presents a clear case that good overall health does correlate with spending time in the sun.”

A group comprised of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Vitamin D Society and Pure North S’Energy Foundation, have endorsed a draft Canadian Vitamin D Consensus which recommends that Canadians enjoying the sun safely, while taking care not to burn, can acquire the benefits of vitamin D without unduly raising the risk of skin cancer.

Vitamin D deficiency is an indication of sunlight deficiency.

“People today work less outdoors and spend less time outdoors than at any previous time in history, which is why vitamin D deficiency is rising globally. In addition, when people are outside, many use sunscreens, which can significantly prevent the production of vitamin D in the skin,” said Dr. Vieth. “With increasing amounts of evidence suggesting that vitamin D may protect against cancer, heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and other chronic diseases, it’s more important than ever to examine this issue more closely.”

“We urge public health entities to re-evaluate their current sun exposure policies and recommend UV exposure levels that promote a balanced, moderate approach that are both beneficial and safe,” said Baggerly.

About the Vitamin D Society:

The Vitamin D Society is a Canadian non-profit group organized to increase awareness of the many health conditions strongly linked to vitamin D deficiency; encourage people to be proactive in protecting their health and have their vitamin D levels tested annually; and help fund valuable vitamin D research. The Vitamin D Society recommends people achieve and maintain optimal 25(OH)D blood levels between 100 – 150 nmol/L (Can) or 40-60 ng/ml (USA).

Earth

Ontario Town Votes Yes To Nuclear Waste Storage

August 20, 2024 The Silo Leave a comment

Ontario Town Votes to Become a Willing Host for a Nuclear Waste Repository — Uranium pellets are shown during a tour of a Nuclear Waste Management Organization facility in Oakville, Ont., on Dec. 12, 2023. The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn

By The Canadian Press

Ontario Town Votes to Become a Willing Host for a Nuclear Waste Repository

A northwestern Ontario town has formally decided it is willing to become the site of a deep geological repository for Canada’s nuclear waste.

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization plans to select a site this year where millions of bundles of used nuclear fuel will be placed in a network of underground rooms connected by cavernous tunnels.

The process for the $26-billion project had already been narrowed down to two sites, Ignace in northern Ontario and another in southern Ontario, and the NWMO says that both the local municipality and the First Nation in those areas will have to agree to be willing hosts.

Ignace, between Thunder Bay and Kenora, is now the first of those four communities to make its decision known, and town council voted in favour of it at a special meeting on July 10.

One of the many natural waterfalls found in Ignace, Ontario.

A committee of community members tasked with taking the pulse of the town’s willingness presented the results of a community vote and said that out of the 640 residents who voted, 495 or 77 percent voted in favor.

Neither of the First Nations has yet made their willingness decisions, and the municipality of South Bruce is set to hold a referendum in October.

Site for Canada’s Underground Nuclear Waste Repository to Be Selected Next Year

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The current fleet of nuclear reactors in Canada will produce about 5.5 million used fuel bundles, with around 3.2 million already in either wet or dry storage on site at nuclear plants.

But the NWMO says the current containers of thick concrete walls lined on the outside with a steel plate are designed to last 50 years, so they are not a long-term solution.

The organization, funded by the corporations that generate nuclear power and waste, such as Ontario Power Generation and Hydro-Quebec, is instead planning to build a deep geological repository, as far underground as the CN Tower is tall.

The used nuclear fuel pellets, baked into ceramic, are contained in fuel rods made of corrosion-resistant Zircaloy. Those rods will be in containers made of carbon steel and coated with copper, and those containers will be packed into bentonite clay.

Opponents in the affected communities worry about safety, while proponents see value in the jobs and economic development the project will bring.

Earth

Canada- Discarding Used Solar Panels in Landfills Poses Significant Pollution Risk

July 26, 2024 The Silo Leave a comment

Global Affairs Canada is seeking a contractor who can present an environmentally friendly way to recycle solar panels.

Discarding Used Solar Panels in Landfills Poses ‘Significant’ Pollution Risk, Gov’t Says — A worker installs solar panels on the rooftop of a house in Pomona, Calif., on Oct. 19, 2023. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Via friends at the epoch times. Landfilling of used solar panels poses a “significant” pollution risk due to toxic chemicals potentially leaching into groundwater, a government document says.To solve this issue, Global Affairs Canada is seeking a contractor who can present a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to recycle solar panels, according to a July 23 notice on the government website.

“Solar panels have valuable materials, including critical materials such as aluminum, tellurium, and antimony as well as gallium and indium in some thin-film modules, which are currently not being recycled once the panels reach their end of life,” said the notice posted by Global Affairs Canada.

Solar panels and renewables are part of the federal plan to get to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the government says. As more and more panels are used, however, Ottawa needs a plan to recycle them in order to reduce the pollution risk.

The government has earmarked $1.15 million CAD for the contract.

“As the photovoltaic market grows, both for public and private use, the volume of end-of-life solar panels will also grow, which will result in significant pollution risks,” the website notice says.

“The overall environmental impact of solar panels is much higher if they are dumped in landfills, where hazardous chemicals and heavy metals can leach into groundwater.” For the Silo, Chandra Philip.

Solar panels also contain some key elements that are worth recycling and reusing, the website says.

“These individual materials are often a part of the devices that Canadians use every day such as smartphones and computers,” Global Affairs says. “As such, recycling these materials should provide significant economic, environmental, and social benefits.”

Solar panel recycling can also reduce the need for critical mineral mining, an activity that has extensive negative environmental and social impacts, the government notice says.

The way solar panels are constructed, however, can make it difficult to separate and recycle these valuable materials, Global Affairs says.

“Separating those materials and uniquely recycling them is a complex and expensive process as opposed to the cheap method of discarding the entire panel into a landfill,” says the website.

Global Affairs says it wants a “scalable and cost-effective” recycling solution that can be used for solar panels at any time during their lifecycle: production, use period, and end-of-life stage. The agency says it may give out multiple contracts to help solve the problem.