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We’re still about a month away from the official start of summer– this year it arrives on June 21 at exactly 14:57 Coordinated Universal Time, when the sun is farthest north – but we all know this is the weekend when Canadians switch to summer mode. The Victoria Day holiday (Patriots’ Day in Québec) means trips to the lake, camping, picnics at parks and planting the garden. You may have your own way of celebrating the unofficial change in the season – I marked it by attending my first Blue Jays game of the year last night.
Summer in the Northern Hemisphere also means scorching heat waves and horrific wildfires – and as we’ve seen in Alberta already this month, the fire season is starting earlier than ever. But I would suggest it’s still the favourite time of year for Canadians and getting a jump start on being outdoors – black flies be damned – is something we can all endorse.
For your long weekend reading, I’ve assembled a few summer-themed stories we’ve published recently – but I’ve also pulled some great reads out of our archives that offer excellent advice on things like picking the right summer camps for kids and staying safe while exercising in the heat.
Our latest podcasts also have a summer theme – and I would encourage you to open your ears and your minds to a different take on gardening as explained in the latest episode of Don't Call Me Resilient.
Welcome to the long weekend. And no hard feelings if you’re skipping your Inbox this Saturday. We’re taking a break in our newsroom too. We’ll be back here on Tuesday.
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Long Weekend Reads
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Audrey R. Giles, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa; Sofia Pantano, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa; Umerdad Khudadad, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
Gaps in swimming lessons, lifeguard shortages and climate change may make water-based activities even riskier this summer.
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Jamie Gruman, University of Guelph
How can you ensure you have a successful summer vacation and don’t return more tired and stressed than when you left? Follow a few simple tips.
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Jonathan Eaton, University of British Columbia; Sara Shneiderman, University of British Columbia
High-risk, high-uncertainty events like earthquakes tend to fall out of view when we are occupied with more predictable seasonal events like wildfires, which have very visible effects on our lives.
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Lingshan Li, Concordia University
During heatwaves, the highest temperatures are often found in urbanized areas. Small green spaces are often overlooked as a way to cool urban areas.
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Scott Lear, Simon Fraser University
You can stay fit during soaring summer temperatures — if you follow some simple precautions.
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Troy D. Glover, University of Waterloo
With summer in full swing and kids flocking to camps across Canada, how do you assess whether your child’s having a good experience? Some suggestions on how to evaluate what will work for your child.
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Hetty Roessingh, University of Calgary
For learners in the early stages of reading, the best way to counteract the loss of literacy skills over the summer is not by forcing study but by boosting play that develops fine motor skills.
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Kimberly Hillier, University of Windsor
Cognitive skills related to early literacy can be nurtured this summer by engaging in activities that develop social-emotional skills and positive self-regulation.
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Matt Morison, University of Winnipeg; Nora Casson, University of Winnipeg
The impacts of climate change on the terrestrial ecosystems, that comprise interconnected webs of snow, water, plants and animals, can be rapid, complex, and unpredictable.
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John Gradek, McGill University
While it is critical that air passengers be compensated for airline delays and cancellations, it is equally — if not more — important to address the underlying causes of such disruptions.
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Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation; Ateqah Khaki, The Conversation
As we approach the start of gardening season, it’s a good time to ask some questions about what to plant and who gets to plant.
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Benjamin Clark, The Conversation
The Conversation’s climate podcast Fear & Wonder delves into the lives and work of the world’s leading climate experts.
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