Smart cars won’t solve gridlock or environmental issues

Self-driving vehicles could soon crowd city streets, moving faster and travelling closer together than today’s cars and trucks. Today in The Conversation Canada, Cameron Roberts of Carleton University, explains that although the streamlined future of autonomous on-demand electric vehicles is tantalizing, it’s unlikely to transpire in the way it is often described.

We also take a look at Ontario’s future electricity needs and whether the province still needs nuclear power plants to meet that demand as renewables and battery storage become more readily available. And we have a story about hate, violence and extremism in Manitoba and how schools can engage young people and fight radicalization.

Finally, bioethicist Françoise Baylis explains the ethical issues behind the creation of the world’s first CRISPR babies and why handing down fines and prison sentences to the scientists involved in the experiment aren’t enough to bring closure to the issue.

Cheers,

Hannah Hoag

Deputy Editor and Environment + Energy Editor

Today's top stories

Widespread use of autonomous vehicles could increase or cut greenhouse gas emissions. It all depends on public policy. (Shutterstock)

Self-driving cars will not fix our transportation woes

Cameron Roberts, Carleton University

The sweeping introduction of driverless cars could see more vehicles on the road, driving longer distances. But smart planning could solve some of transit-associated environmental and social problems.

New research shows Ontario doesn’t really need nuclear energy, and its absence would not have an impact on emissions in the province’s energy sector. (Ferdinand Stohr/Unsplash)

Ontario can phase out nuclear and avoid increased carbon emissions

MV Ramana, University of British Columbia; Xiao Wei, University of British Columbia

Nuclear power isn't needed to meet Ontario’s electricity needs. And the absence of nuclear power won't have any impact on emissions in Ontario's energy sector.

Countering extremist anti-immigrant and racist attitudes and recruiting in Manitoba requires new approaches. Here, on the right, Hazel Ismail, with No One Is Illegal, calls for Winnipeg to become a sanctuary city, Feb. 3, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Communities can combat racism, hate and extremism with education

Kawser Ahmed, University of Winnipeg

Manitoba faces pressing facing demands for new ways of forming relationships with young people to counter hate.

He Jiankui is reflected in a glass panel as he works at a computer at a laboratory in on Oct. 10, 2018. AP/Mark Schiefelbein

Prison sentence for creator of first CRISPR babies reignites ethical debate

Françoise Baylis, Dalhousie University

The scientist who announced the world's first genome-edited twins received a prison sentence and a large fine for his research. But the systems that enabled him have not been held to account.

La Conversation Canada

Il y a beaucoup d'idées fausses sur l'exercice. En voici neuf. Shutterstock

Neuf idées fausses sur l'exercice que vous entendez tout le temps

Julie Broderick, Trinity College Dublin

Il y a beaucoup d’idées fausses sur l’exercice. En voici neuf.

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