This is a syndicated Science Borealis blog
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Recent Posts
- Uranium in Nova Scotia. Powerpoint presentation
- Debunking – again – the Mining Association of Nova Scotia
- Minas Basin in a time of climate change and sea level rise
- Debunking NS Politicians and MANS about Nova Scotia Uranium
- Commercial Special Interest Groups are bullying concerned Nova Scotia citizens
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Elisabeth Kosters
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Author Archives: earth science society
Canadian Earth Science for @PMHarper – Preamble
In 2007, Canadian writer Yann Martel became puzzled about what made then relatively new Canadian PM Stephen Harper tick. This as a result of a visit to Ottawa on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Council for … Continue reading
Posted in Canadian Earth Science for @PMHarper
Tagged Canada, earth science, Politics, Science
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The King of Sand: Paul Edwin Potter
I only ever truly loved two textbooks. I only ever loved these books because they were capable of captivating my attention, enhancing my understanding, and making me realize the depth of the subject. Most textbooks are poorly written encyclopedias that … Continue reading
SWITCH – The Future of Energy – @SwitchEProject
Earlier this week I watched the SwitchEnergyProject film (www.switchenergyproject.com) for the second time. I first saw it last February when the Atlantic Geoscience Society showed it at its annual conference. This time I saw it at Wolfville’s Al Whittle Cinema/Theatre, … Continue reading
A year later: women in (geo)science
It’s almost exactly year since I started this blog. My first post was dedicated to ‘Women in Geoscience’ Day 2012, followed by a dozen or so others, but I haven’t been very productive lately: my last post was 5 months … Continue reading
What Research does Society need / want? A reflection on cutting public science institutions
From 1997 to 2002 I was president of the Royal Geological and Mining Society of the Netherlands (KNGMG, http://www.kngmg.nl). One of my tasks was to present the Society’s highest scientific award, the “Van Waterschoot van der Gracht Medal”[1] to a … Continue reading
Posted in General geoscience
Tagged Canada, earth science, public good, public sector, public service institutions, scienc policy, Science
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Dreikanter: The biography of my favourite ventifact
(photo E. Kosters) This is my favourite ventifact, a real Dreikanter, a German word meaning ‘three sider’. This vernacular term became the formal label for a ventifact with three sides. My Dreikanter is a well-sorted pure quartz sandstone of a … Continue reading
Posted in General geoscience
Tagged Climate Change, dreikanter, earth science, geology, geoscience, Ice Age, Quaternary, Science, ventifact
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Women in (science) careers; it remains difficult
The Council of Canadian Academies released its report ‘Strengthening Canada’s Research Capacity; the gender dimension’ in November 2012 and organized a panel discussion on the topic on April 23, 2013. Read all about it here. This report came about after the … Continue reading
The 2nd Sichuan earthquake in 5 years / why we need more art in science communication
Yesterday, on April 20, 2013, an earthquake struck in China’s Sichuan province. Because this is the blog of an earth scientist, I’ll give you the link to the USGS’s report: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usb000gcdd#summary . This write-up is excellent and that’s how we … Continue reading
Posted in General geoscience, Geoscience and Art, Natural hazards
Tagged Ai Wei Wei, Art, China, earthquake, geoscience, natural disaster, natural hazard
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Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent
When the Canadian Minister of Natural Resources, Joe Oliver, proclaimed this week in an official press conference that our concern for climate change was ‘exaggerated’, the press rightly fell over him. There is a good summary of that controversial event … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Johnston, Your Excellency
Your appointment as Governor General of Canada was an excellent choice. You are a person of stellar reputation. As a scientist, I was thrilled that a scientist of your stature was appointed to this office. During your relatively short term … Continue reading
Rise to the challenge: #$5millionforscience
Two weeks ago the Canadian government announced the creation of a Federal office for Religious Freedom. It will cost Canadian tax payers $5 million per year. Many Canadians, including myself, do not believe this is a good money destination. Many … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged earth science, geology, geoscience, research, science funding
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Wrong Question: can fracking be done safely?
August 2021 A lot has changed in 8 years. My position on hydraulic fracturing has changed too. I could delete this post, but I’m not going to do that. A lot has changed: the climate crisis has deepened and the … Continue reading
Posted in Energy, Nova Scotia
Tagged Atlantic, Canada, earth science, energy, environment, geology, geoscience, sedimentology
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What is a natural disaster?
I recently watched a very informative webinar by Munich Re. It was their annual webinar on the world’s natural disasters, for 2012 that is. All Munich Re’s webinars are here. I highly recommend dedicating an hour of your time to watch some … Continue reading
Posted in General geoscience, Natural hazards
Tagged Munich Re, natural disaster, natural hazard, risk
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Dear Mr. Carney
That must have been a lovely stay, a “short week” (I’m quoting the Globe and Mail) with your family near the small village of Cheverie on the shores of our beautiful Minas Basin. As a proud constituent of Mr. Brison, … Continue reading
Posted in Nova Scotia
Tagged anhydrite, basalt, Blomidon, Carboniferous, Carney, Cheverie, continent break-up, extinction, geology, gypsum, Minas Basin, Parrsboro, sedimentology, tides
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The tidal landscape banner photo: Minas Basin, Nova Scotia, Canada
UPDATED December 29, 2014 This was my blog’s banner photo until January 1, 2015. What are you looking at? In a world of Google Earth where everyone has a GPS in their cell phone, I should start with the coordinates. … Continue reading
Rachel Carson – as relevant today as she was 50 years ago
There is a new biography of Rachel Carson, the author of “Silent Spring”, which was published 50 years ago this year. The biography is by William Souder and is entitled “On a Farther Shore: The Life and Legacy of Rachel … Continue reading
A day to celebrate women in Science: Kiek Jelgersma
October 16 is Ada Lovelace day, a day to celebrate inspiring women in science. What a great opportunity to write about two women geoscientists who I admired and knew. First I will write about Dr. Saskia Jelgersma, better known as … Continue reading
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