With every tree burned, climate battle gets harder

As the days get hot and the land gets dry, it’s time for an important public service announcement: don’t set the province on fire.

At least, make an effort not to, as much as anyone is able.

The City of Winnipeg issued a warning Thursday to exercise caution as dry, windy days increase the risk of wildfires.

“Almost all wildland fires are the result of human activity. We are asking residents to be cautious and take steps to prevent these fires,” Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services deputy chief Scott Wilkinson said in a statement.

Letters, May 16

Manitoba’s path forward should be built on the proven, low-cost technologies we have now — wind and solar — rather than expensive bets on speculative nuclear designs or carbon-heavy gas. It is time our provincial and federal investments reflect the lowest cost for citizens, not the highest return for industry.

Same-old strategy on poverty no strategy at all

The situation is not good, and it’s not normal, not even for neighbourhoods that already live with heightened crime rates, poverty and addiction.

Summer drinks, sweater weather

Having lived my whole life in this province and having written about wine/drinks for over 20 years, you’d think I’d know better than to base the theme of a column on Manitoba’s expected weather.

The Victoria Day weekend typically sees cottagers open up camp for the year, garage sale season kick off in earnest and farmers markets ramp up in anticipation of summer. And more often than not, the May long weekend ushers in the first warm, sunny days leading into summer.

Well, after an apocalyptic dust storm, this year’s Victoria Day weekend looks to be getting increasingly cooler as the days go by, with rain slated to arrive along with temperatures that will have you reaching for a sweater rather than sunscreen.

Having gone ahead with my plan to taste six wines for a weekend than often brings warmer weather, I take full responsibility for the dismal forecast.

Yes, thinking critically really is that deep

Lately, I’ve encountered a pernicious four-word comment that pops up every time anyone tries to challenge something online, such as a harmful beauty standard, maybe, or a stereotype in a comedy bit, or the ills of generative AI.

“It’s not that deep.” Usually accompanied by an annoying little “lol” tacked on the end of it.

When did people become so incurious? Is this think-piece fatigue from the 2010s when everything was analyzed to death? I understand wanting to turn off a busy, bombarded brain that’s on all the time — cue my favourite satirical headline from The Onion: Woman Takes Short Half-Hour Break From Being Feminist To Enjoy TV Show — which is maybe what’s going on here: how dare you force me to use my mind during this, my mindless scroll!

But the “it’s not that deep” stance is actually deeply concerning, especially among younger people. It’s a phrase deployed to kill all conversation and critical thought.

Is it worthwhile courting data centres?

It’s already clear that data centres for artificial intelligence are electricity and water hogs.