Drew Monkman

2 weeks ago | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

The housing crisis is real and urgent — but so too are the twin emergencies of biodiversity loss and climate change. Is it truly responsible — or even ethical — to tackle one crisis by worsening the others? In the eyes of Premier Doug Ford, the answer is clearly yes. As part of a broader push to accelerate housing development in the province, the Ontario government has introduced Bill 5, also known as the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025.

2 weeks ago | thespec.com | Drew Monkman

The housing crisis is real and urgent — but so too are the twin emergencies of biodiversity loss and climate change. Is it truly responsible — or even ethical — to tackle one crisis by worsening the others? In the eyes of Premier Doug Ford, the answer is clearly yes. As part of a broader push to accelerate housing development in the province, the Ontario government has introduced Bill 5, also known as the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025.

3 weeks ago | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

This week, I’d like to continue with more highlights of the unforgettable trip I made to Colombia last November. Colombia has emerged as a premier destination not only for birdwatchers but for anyone who appreciates nature. The incredible biodiversity is also remarkably accessible, with so much to discover right at the eco-lodges themselves.

1 month ago | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

“Suba, suba, suba. Arriba, arriba, arriba. Pancho, Pancho, Pancho.” Kneeling low to the forest floor, eyes sharp and focused, Carlos Mario was coaxing in one of Colombia’s most sought-after birds: the antpitta. Likened to a tennis ball on stilts, this elusive forest-floor dweller was in no rush to show itself. For almost ten minutes, the eight of us stood silently in the cold mountain air of Rio Blanco, seeing our breath and scanning the undergrowth for movement.

1 month ago | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

When I was still teaching, Earth Day was a major event on our school calendar. It wasn’t just a day — it was a celebration and a time of action. We organized litter cleanups, ran fundraisers for environmental causes, and always capped it off with a big assembly. One of the assembly traditions I remember most fondly was singing a song called “Signs of Hope.” I can still hear the chorus in my mind:“Signs of hope are coming. They’re beginning to appear. Signs of hope are everywhere.