Uber strike? You may need to call a cab instead

If you live in a city with ride-share programs like Uber and Lyft, you know they have become an established part of the transportation system. But what if they suddenly disappeared – even temporarily? Today in The Conversation Canada, Arvind Magesan of the University of Calgary looks at the issues that have led to a planned strike on Wednesday by some drivers who feel they’re not cashing in from the “gig economy.”

That’s not all: Kyla Tienhaara of Queen's University tells us how the Green New Deal that started in the U.S. is going global​; Sébastien Sauvé of the Université de Montréal explains the need for more research into pesticides that’s not supported by chemical companies; Kerri Finlay and Jackie Webb of the University of Regina look at the latest research on how farm ponds can be useful in combatting climate change.

And finally…climate-related disasters are in the news almost every day, often causing catastrophic property damage. Glenn McGillivray of Western University explores the impact of climate change on the insurance industry and shoots down the myth that severe weather will lead to the sector’s demise.

Regards,

Scott White

Editor

Today's Featured Articles

Drivers for the ride-hailing giant Uber are planning a national day of action to protest labour conditions. Dan Gold/Unsplash

Uber drivers strike: Organizing labour in the gig economy

Arvind Magesan, University of Calgary

Drivers for Uber, one of the most successful companies in the gig economy are set to strike by turning their apps off for one day this week as their company prepares for its IPO.

Residents, friends and volunteers work to hold back floodwaters on the Ottawa River in Constance Bay, Ont., earlier this week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick. HE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Why climate change won’t spur a 2008-style global financial crisis

Glenn McGillivray, Western University

The unlikely failure of the catastrophe bond market won't trigger a financial crisis like the one a decade ago.

Farm ponds can act as greenhouse gas sinks. Shutterstock

Farm ponds can act as greenhouse gas sinks in the Canadian Prairies

Kerri Finlay, University of Regina; Jackie Webb, University of Regina

New research finds that farm ponds actually capture nitrous oxide; this finding can be useful in combatting climate change.

Workers spray pesticides on strawberry fields. Most of the studies that examine the effects of pesticides are funded by the chemical’s producer. (Shutterstock)

Pesticide research must stay transparent and independent

Sébastien Sauvé, Université de Montréal

Most studies on the use of pesticides are funded by those that produce the chemicals but only independent research can inform us about the best agricultural practices.

A recent poll suggests many Canadians support the idea of a Green new Deal. Allan Lissner/flickr

The Green New Deal is going global

Kyla Tienhaara, Queen's University, Ontario

The idea of the Green New Deal has been around for more than a decade. Why all the fuss about it now?

La Conversation Canada

Éviter les arachides n'est plus la seule option pour les jeunes enfants souffrant d'allergies. Shutterstock

Combattre l'allergie aux arachides chez les petits en leur en faisant manger: sécuritaire, selon une étude

Edmond Chan, University of British Columbia

L'immunothérapie orale est non seulement sécuritaire, mais elle est bien tolérée chez un grand nombre d'enfants d'âge préscolaire, constate une étude.

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