The Plant September 2021 Vol. 55 No. 1 by The Plant Newspaper

the plant SINCE 1969 VOL 55 NO 1

SEPTEMBER @THEPLANTNEWS THEPLANTNEWS.COM

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Letter from the Editor Welcome one, welcome all. Another year, semester, day, that we find ourselves wandering around in this universe. Let me just say I hope you all took time for yourselves this summer. I hope you all were able to catch up on the things you’ve been promising yourself to catch up on; I hope you spent time with those whose energy you enjoy; and I hope, most of all, that you took time for yourselves. Recently we’ve heard so much about “living in unprecedented and uncertain times,” and to this I say, when are times ever certain? Time is, in fact, made up. Granted, there have been easier moments to live in. So considering the circumstances, you have my permission to use these times to your benefit. Do with them as you wish, with respect and kindness. We’ve been thrown into a new semester, may I offer this to you as an opportunity to reset, and fall into the habits and routines that work for you. (I’m manifesting being a morning person this semester. I’ll keep you guys updated on how that goes.) So! Thank you for tuning into our first issue of the semester! Besties, it’s real, and it’s in your hands! Have a flip through to read some wonderful articles written and submitted by your friends, peers, and enemies. They’ve worked hard, and I am so happy to have this year’s team with me. I will be honest, it seems as if I was thrown quite vigorously into this position as Editor-in-Chief. Did I think, at the beginning of last year as I joined the team as Graphic Designer, that in just one short year I would end up here? Absolutely not. Am I delighted to be here? Hell yes. Has it been ridiculously chaotic? Totes. My goal, dear reader, is to make the absolute best of it that I can. I want you to see yourself in these issues, reflected in the words and submissions, entertained and excited about each new release. I strongly encourage you to submit your writings and artwork each month, and do not hesitate to send us messages and emails with questions and suggestions! I, personally, would love to hear from you. In the meantime, follow us on instagram @theplantnews to keep up with deadlines and events, as well as answer polls and submit tidbits to activities on our story!

Index NEWS 3 ARTS & CULTURE 5 PLAYLIST 7 VOICES 8 CREATIVE WRITNG 9 VISUAL ARTS 12 SPORTS 14 SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT 15 CURIOSITIES 17

I’ll leave you now, with one last bit of advice. Be selfish, be kind to others, and in the wonderful words of some internet user, “do no harm, take no shit.” Yours with love, PIPA JONES Editor-in-Chief

The Plant is an editorially autonomous student paper. All opinions expressed in The Plant do not necessarily belong to The Plant, but are those of individuals. All content submitted to The Plant or its staff belongs to the paper. We reserve the right to reject or edit all submissions for brevity, taste and legality. The Plant welcomes typed and signed letters to the editor under 400 words. Copyright 2021

NEWS 3 3

GNL Quebec-Gazoduq Taken Down by Mass Outrage A people-powered victory trumps pipeline MIA KENNEDY

Managing Editor With its booming hydro-powered energy plants, BIXI stations and electric car chargers, Quebec has a reputation as a trailblazer for green energy. Although Quebec is certainly greener than neighbouring provinces, a pipeline project proposed in 2014 garnered much pushback. The project received enough public outrage to sway Legault, who cancelled it this summer. The plan for GNL’s Québec-Gazoduq Énergie Saguenay Project, proposed in 2014, was to construct a 782-kilometre pipeline from Northern Ontario to Quebec to connect Alberta’s oil fields with a liquefaction complex located in Port Saguenay. The Saguenay plant would export millions of tonnes of liquefied natural gas to Europe and Asia for up to 50 years. Marie-Eve Proulx, Quebec’s Minister for Regional Economic Development, showed her enthusiasm for the $14 billion project’s economic impact, which would have created around 7000 jobs. Proulx, however, did not mention the disastrous environmental effects the pipeline would have had if confirmed. Due to the project’s route and accident hazards, several vulnerable animal and plant species would be at a higher risk of extinction. The beluga whale, frequently illustrated on protest signs, would be particularly threatened. If approved, the GNL pipeline would have released 7.8 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses annually and crossed over Indigenous lands, negatively influencing local communities’ tourism economy. Due to these numerous adverse effects, the plan met strong pushback and harsh criticism. The Innu First Nations of Mashteuiatsh, Pessamit and Essipit spoke out on the harmful environmental consequences the project would have caused, which defied Indig-

enous ancestral values. Scientists came together to denounce the pipeline’s serious risks, and environmental groups including Green Peace Canada, Equiterre and the David Suzuki Foundation signed a petition opposing the project. Dawson students joined the growing opposition to the pipeline. The Green Earth Club fought hard to mobilize students against the project, with their most notable act of resistance being a game of handball in the lobby of Quebec Prime Minister Legault’s office building. In the Winter 2021 semester, GEC members gathered downtown to play “GNL à la poubelle.” On the day the project’s approval was to be decided, the office building’s lobby filled with squeaking sneakers as club members played handball with a papier mâché ball labelled “GNL” and trash cans. Eventually led out by police and security guards, participating Green Earth Club members faced no infractions. The national opposition movement was a success. In July of 2021, environment minister Benoit Charette announced the project’s cancellation. Luka Vincelli, a third-year student in Pure and Applied Science and Green Earth Club member, didn’t think the project could go through with so much public outrage. “I wouldn’t attribute the whole cancellation to our single act of resistance. As a drop in the bucket, we helped, but the community as a whole is what I feel made the difference.” When it comes to climate issues, Trudeau has profoundly disappointed GEC students. Camelia Barkou, Green Earth Club member and second-year student in Health Science, feels she’s been let down. When asked if she feels the government cares about the environment, she replied, “No, I do not. Trudeau talks to the UN, the chiefs, the Canadian population, and the First

Nation population, and none of it is represented in his actions. It’s all fancy words.” Particularly frustrated with the Liberals’ dismissal of First Nation communities during the project planning, Camelia explained how the party’s budget does not account for critical Indigenous issues such as infrastructure, language preservation and education. Many Indigenous community leaders spoke out on the project about the risks of contaminating clean water sources. Without the pipeline adding fuel to the fire, access to clean drinking water is already a key concern for Indigenous communities. With the federal election coming up this September 20th and the fight for climate justice being more urgent than ever, finding out exactly where federal leaders stand on environmental justice is a high priority for Dawson student voters. Luka shared his frustrations, “The Liberals promise many things, especially Trudeau,” to which Camelia added, “He was a drama teacher! The guy’s an actor at heart.” Luka recognizes that although the prime minister might genuinely care about climate issues, they aren’t in his party’s interest or his investors’ interests. “Are they really a government that will do something for climate change? They’ll follow the status quo. I think that’s about it.” Despite this victory, the fight for environmental justice is far from being over. Three more pipeline projects posing environmental risks are under consideration in British Columbia. Indigenous communities and environmental activism groups diligently challenge the projects, which haven’t been approved yet. The fight for environmental justice continues here at Dawson, too. A climate march was announced on September 24th. I hope to see you all there! p p

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NEWS

Texas Abortion Law: Mind Your Own Uterus JACQUELINE LISBONA

News Editor

On Wednesday September 1, 2021, the state of Texas approved a law banning abortions after six weeks. This time frame is well before many women even know they are pregnant (six weeks pregnant is equivalent to two weeks late for your period). The sole exception is “if a physician believes that a medical emergency exists”, meaning there are no exceptions for victims of rape or incest. Texas’ law also allows private citizens to sue abortion providers and anyone who “aids or abets” abortions. This is in direct violation to the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) which “prohibits the use of force and physical obstruction to interfere with a person obtaining or providing reproductive health services”. The law also breaches the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which confirms access to legal terminations as a constitutional right until the 23rd week of pregnancy. Referred to as “pernicious” and “anti-American” by President Biden, Texas passed this law while the Supreme Court stayed silent, effectively turning its back on women, pregnant people, the constitution, and the rule of law. The ensuing outrage to this draconian law quickly exploded worldwide on social media. Under the hashtag #BansOffOurBodies, actress and producer Reese Witherspoon tweeted: “I stand with the women of Texas who have the Constitutional right to make decisions about their health and their own bodies.” Singer Pink and actresses Mariska Hargitay, Alyssa Milano and Eva Longoria followed suit. Over the past week, the Instagram handle @womensright_news shared this quote hundreds of times: “A father can rape his daughter in Texas and collect $10,000 if she tries

to abort it after 6-weeks. Let that sink in.” Mohammed Safa, Executive Director of the Patriotic Vision Organization, tweeted “When the penalty for aborting after rape is more severe than the penalty for rape, that’s when you know it’s a war on women”. Corporate America has taken a stand against this law as well. Lyft and Uber both announced that they will pay drivers’ legal fees if they are sued for taking women to clinics for abortions. Texas-based and female-led dating apps Bumble and Match have created relief funds for organizations that support women’s reproductive rights. On the other hand, Dallas based AT&T CEO John Stankey has remained silent. Although abortion is legal in Canada, the Texas “fetal heartbeat” law has rattled Canadians.

A father can rape his daughter in Texas and collect $10,000 if she tries to abort it after 6-weeks. Let that sink in. Dr. Alison Stein, GP at Ottawa West Medical Centre and Travel Medical Clinic declared that this law is completely absurd: “It frightens me how close we live to people who would vote for that. It makes me feel like we need to pay attention so that this law is never passed here in Canada.” Garner Ross, a second year Dawson College Pure and Applied student echoed this sentiment: “I think it’s crazy how in 2021 it is still a debate for lawmakers. The fact that this isn’t a universal right for all women is disgusting.” Canadian AJ Wineck who has recently moved to Dallas exclaimed, “I’m embarrassed for the State of Texas. The state is moving backwards.”

With the upcoming federal election in full swing, it is more important than ever to ensure that Canada remains vigilant about reproductive rights. During his campaign, Trudeau promised to continue to improve abortion access, including regulating access under the Canada Health Act: “I think it’s clear to the vast majority of Canadians that we need to be a country that stands unequivocally for women’s rights, for a woman’s right to choose, and that’s not a theoretical right.” While abortions in Canada have been legal since 1988, access to abortions remains inconsistent throughout the country. Similar to the United States, Canadian provinces have the power to administer public medical services as well as limit access to abortions. Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador withheld funds to abortion services. Additionally, New Brunswick refused to fund abortions performed in health clinics and, until 2016, PEI did not provide abortion services. Let that sink in. As reported by the Associated Press, on Thursday September 9, the US Justice Department sued Texas over this new law and argued that the law “unlawfully infringes on the constitutional rights of women and violates the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution.” Until this abortion law is brought to court, abortion access remains strict and inaccessible. Whether things will improve for people seeking abortions is unclear. p p

ARTS & CULTURE 5 5

Brace for the Flash A Look Inside Paparazzi Culture EMILY ZAHIROVICH

Contributor

On August 3rd, 1997, Princess Diana was chased by the paparazzi moments before her death. In February 2007, paparazzi were taking pictures of Britney Spears’ public breakdown. In April 2008, Emma Watson turned 18 and paparazzi took pictures under her skirt. These extremely private moments were published on the front pages of 100 of magazines. paparazzi shape public opinions on celebrities but what exactly is paparazzi culture and are their practices unethical? According to the Salem Press Encyclopedia, paparazzi are photographers whose job is to capture rare pictures of celebrities to sell them for money. Professor Valerie Simmons, a Commercial and Fine Arts Professor at Dawson says, “They spend their time ‘hunting’. paparazzi are looking for the photo of all time.” Since social media has become a ruling factor in society, celebrities can post their own pictures, control the narrative and let the world see what they want the world to see. Unfortunately, because of this, the paparazzi now go to extremes to get their coveted pictures. Professor Simmons also pointed out that, “For example, paparazzi won’t go to Afghanistan to take pictures of what is going on there. They are all looking for sensationalism. It is in their domain”. “Framing Britney Spears”, a documentary released by The New York Times in 2021, follows the singer’s rise to stardom from a very young age and the conservatorship her father has over her. Her tumultuous relationship with The paparazzi was highlighted as well. Britney has repeatedly asked them to leave her alone, but photographers have harassed her to the point where Britney smashed a paparazzi’s car window. This traumatic moment was widely disseminated, causing people to view the singer as a deranged animal.

Celebrities’ live glamorous and lavish lifestyles, but there are many downsides, such as their privacy being violated. Valerie Simmons emphasizes that the profession of photography has a code of ethics. Generally, a majority of them abide by this code. However, for the paparazzi, judgement is almost always disregarded in favour of capturing the celebrity million dollar shot. Ena also believes that there should be rules implemented in order to protect celebrities’ privacy.

They are all looking for sensationalism. It is in their domain.

You see the picture, you bear witness to their actions”. Anita, a second semester Psychology student at Dawson College agrees that, “It makes the celebrity feel more scrutinized by the general population, which in turn influences their day-to-day behaviours and forces them to always be on high alert”. For paparazzi, tragedy and intimate moments pay the bills. The paparazzi have become the norm in the entertainment world. Society demands to see their idols vulnerable and broken. The paparazzi will continue with their practice as long as we continue to view the rich and famous as inhuman, as commodities. As Lady Gaga once sang “I’m your biggest fan, I’ll follow you until you love me, papa-paparazzi”. p p

Some may think they “know” who their idols are, and understand how they might be as individuals. However, this can change the moment a scandalous picture of their favourite celebrity gets leaked. Their once veneered reputation is now put to question. Professor Simmons says those pictures sadly shape how society views them: “Because pictures have more credibility than words.

Photo VIA MOST WANTED/SHUTTERSTOCK

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ARTS & CULTURE

The Return to Dawson Arts Dawson’s arts students prepare for their return to campus MATTEO DI GIOVANNI Arts & Culture Editor

As I recently found myself lost inside Dawson’s campus, I came across something that caught my attention. I heard colorful and warm music playing from a classroom as a group of concentrated students sat on the floor making visual artwork. I instantly distinguished that the mood in that room was unique to the in-person experience of education as opposed to an isolated at home experience. That up close and esteemed relationship between students, their peers and their artwork is truly irreplicable and authentic. Thankfully, students can now fully experience their artistic studies on campus at Dawson this semester.

Students thrive in community. The students profiting from this the most are those in programs such as Professional Theatre, Cinema – Communications, Professional Photography and Studio Arts. During online schooling, they unfortunately missed out on having an easily accessible hands-on experience with the resources in their programs to fully realize their creative visions. Like all Dawson students, they were instead stuck at home doing their courses over Zoom. Lex Milton, a Dawson professor in the Cinema Communications program, stated that his relationship with technology helped him through online teaching, “I love technology and I use it regularly in both my pedagogy and artistic practices. The trick is to use it purposefully - this was my greatest take away and challenge when teaching online.” Now he is relieved to be back in “an analogue world”, feeling that, “I receive more meaningful feedback

from those around me when teaching and interacting with people in a non-virtual environment. This includes my interactions with students, my peers and those faculty members that I am so privileged to teach with.” While the restrictions of not being able to work in school may have limited certain art students during the pandemic, they now feel enthusiastic to finally craft their projects on campus. Victoria Petrecca-Berthelet, a second year Visual Arts student, is very happy to have an on-campus learning experience this semester. During online courses, Victoria and her peers would only get to see each other’s sketches and final results which left her curious to see what people’s art processes were like. Now, Victoria finally gets to interact with her peers: “Being able to share ideas with the like-minded people in my program has been a great asset when starting my art projects.” She has had nothing but positive experiences so far, and in regard to her most recent drawing project, she shares that: “I was most excited about in person critique. When I would sit down in the studio and work on it, people would walk in, walk up to my page, and watch me draw. They would pitch random ideas and I would integrate them into my final drawing.” Justin Tatone, a second-year student in the Arts & Culture program, feels that due to the 18 months of isolation “a lot of people are in their zone and having a hard time coming out of their shell.” He also believes that “students thrive in community” because “it’s hard to triumph alone”. He goes on to share: “I’m already so grateful to be back because I can already see the differences in my energy, in my mood and in my productivity. It’s much better now than last year since I’m in an environment where I can meet new people, I can ask questions and people are physi-

cally there to help me. That connection is a human necessity. I believe a student’s success is predicated on community, not by being alone. We were alone just a few months ago but now, we’re lucky to finally be back where we belong.” The power of this creative unity will also be shared with the entirety of Dawson as there are plans for in person exhibitions and shows this semester. Dawson’s photography faculty is currently presenting an exhibition titled “Counterpart: Students Photograph Students” at the Warren G. Flowers Art Gallery (located in the Upper Atrium) from September 9th – 25th. Dawson’s Professional Theatre Program has also set official dates for their upcoming productions “The Laramie Project” and “Heavy Weather” on September 22nd – 29th and October 6th – 9th, respectively. Later in the semester, the Cinema Communications program is organizing an in-person Media Night. For more information on events at the Warren G. Flowers Art Gallery or Dawson’s New Dome Theatre, please visit Dawson’s official website. p p

PLAYLIST 7 7

Playlist and Visual Arts by DANAÉE DESCAILLOT Visual Arts Editor

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VOICES

Women On Catcalling JOSEPHINE ROSS Staff Writer

At the end of this sweltering summer, I began to reflect on the threat that warm weather, and perhaps the more revealing clothing that accompanies it, presents many individuals with. To get a more varied insight into this topic, I sat down with two Dawson students to discuss their personal experiences and opinions surrounding this topic: Anisha Cerda-Lalli and Mia Hadley. This article by no means speaks for all women. Catcalling is a highly personal topic despite it happening in the public eye, and every individual will have different opinions on the matter. Additionally, many people who don’t identify as women will struggle with catcalling, but this article focuses on the female experience. Oxford Dictionary defines catcalling as making “a whistle, shout, or comment of a sexual nature to a woman passing by.” There has been much debate over what counts as catcalling and what falls into the category of downright sexual harassment. Anisha, however, described catcalling as something that falls under the umbrella term of sexual harassment. Something that many women struggle with is how to respond to being catcalled. After telling me about one of her first street harassment experiences, I asked Anisha why she decided to engage in conversation with the catcaller. “I grew up with my mother always telling me to be polite but not engage. She always told me ‘You need to be aware of the fact that they can get angry and that can harm you more than them trying to get your phone number.’ So now, I even have this fear of making men angry because I don’t know what they’re capable of.” Mia, on the other hand, told me that her usual response is to simply walk away. “I don’t want to endanger myself; you don’t want

to anger someone. Or I’ll give people a look. I can give a really scary, nasty look and that usually tells people to back down.” Either way, the catcaller usually seems to win. Anisha expressed how frustrating this is: “If I react, then they win because they were looking for a reaction, and if I don’t react then they also win because they weren’t punished for what they did.” Both Anisha and Mia said that they almost exclusively get catcalled by men above the age of 30. This incited a follow up question: Why do you think men of our generation are less prone to catcalling? Anisha pointed out the influence that movements such as MeToo have had on our generation’s men. “I think that younger men are more educated, and, if not, maybe younger men are afraid. Guys our age aren’t respectful to women because they necessarily want to be, but because there’s this whole conversation surrounding consent and sexual harassment. They think whatever they do is going to get them in trouble.” Mia had a similar answer to this question:“I think older men are more likely to catcall because they come from a time where it was more acceptable and there was less surveillance for it.” Recent efforts to educate young men and the fear of being accused of sexual harassment have made an impact on the men of our generation, but perhaps that isn’t the sole reason for the lack of Gen Z catcallers. Anisha hypothesized that younger men have more ease obtaining sexual relationships organically and don’t have to resort to catcalling to get a woman’s attention. Catcalling can have lasting effects on a woman’s confidence. For instance, one of Mia’s good friends was catcalled by a truck driver. “He yelled outside the car and asked them how much they were charging. My

friend had decided to wear this top that she had gotten, which she had been kind of scared of wearing. She had worked up the courage to wear it and then that happened, and she felt as though she could never wear it again. She’s covered up so much, all the time, ever since that happened. That could stay with her for a long time.” Many women have altered the way that they dress after being catcalled. I watch my friends leave parties, putting on a baggy hoodie in the middle of summer, just to avoid the unwanted attention that a tank top might draw to them. Being catcalled can make a person feel vulnerable, objectified, and endangered. We’ve made so much progress in educating the men of our generation, but our job isn’t over yet. I urge you all to engage your male peers in conversation on this topic as well as to look out and defend your female friends as well. p p

CREATIVE WRITING 9 9

QUIET CONVERSATIONS Welcome! Poems, like any form of creative work, are an insight into the soul of the author. This being said, some say the opposite: Your interpretation of creative work is a window into your own soul. Perhaps both are true, which would make creative writing a conversation, wouldn’t it? A conversation between the author’s soul and the reader’s soul. Listen closely and you might find yourself getting along well with someone unexpected. Cheers to the company of the written word! MAYAN GODMAIRE

Creative Writing Editor

In Your Head EMMY RUBIN Contributor I woke up from a dream That my mother was dead And my father was an orange balloon I walked into the kitchen only to find My parents eating breakfast at noon I told them my dream And they laughed, “The things you cook up in your head.” I walked into class And sat down on my desk My friends whispering behind me What I overheard was that I was a bird With a beak that never shut I turned to confront them, Repeated their judgments, And was confused when they laughed, “The things you cook up in your head.” On the way home I went by a shop that sold discounted microwave ovens. When I turned from the window There was a man in a jacket That smelled like a ten-year-old coffin He held out his hand And I saw that his eyes were those of a goat When I asked him where he was from He turned around and laughed, “Mary, the things you cook up in your head.”

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Can I be them? ASPEN CRICK Contributor Can I be that tall, lanky, handsome figure leaning against the locker waiting for you to arrive? Can I be that wide-eyed and curious soul ready to take on the world? Can I be that cottage core witch making friends with the local fauna and flora? Can I be that bookworm always pen and paper ready? Can I be the one always by your side? Can I just kiss your forehead and watch your eyes light up because you’re suddenly happy and blissful… Most importantly, Can I be all and none of those things while always remaining yours? A/N: My submission above, is a poem titled, “Can I be them?“ about being non-binary/genderfluid/etc and still finding love and being accepted by your partner.

Attraction VANESSA LOZZA Contributor An electric shock Two magnets, opposites Their love, the fulcrum One a planet the other the moon that orbits Something brighter than a nova Snakes are crawling This is not wrong Love is a win

CREATIVE WRITING 11 11

Illustrations by MAYAN GODMAIRE Creative Writing Editor

Broken Lovers MORGANA FOLLMANN Contributor A whisper. The wind whirls, the leaves dance in harmony. I cry. Sharper howls claw at my window. The city lights reflect on the dried off raindrops. Lovers, writers, and out-of-tune drunks lay restless in the dark. He told me he would stay. But he’s missing. The bed is cold, no more cigarette smoke coming from the balcony. The lonely willow weeps in silence, its roots struggling to break free from the pavement crushing them. Stopping them from growing. My hearts thumps just as quietly. My fingers bleed the ink from which i write his phone number, then doodles, then poetry. His number...it’s all i have left. His whisper. The wind whirls, bangs at the stained glass that is my window. God’s rays reflect on the fresh, fat raindrops. “Ask me to stay,” he commands, barely an audible breath. A hand has a grip of my thigh, another has its knuckles kissed. They prevent me from moving. My heart thumps just as devastatingly. My mouth bleeds from the warning look he gives me; my parted lips suggest more passionate kissing. Or violence. I always confused both for each other, thought they were synonyms. My scars...they are all he has left me with. And perhaps an aching, broken heart.

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Photo by Tienn Cheng @TIENNMEXICO

Photo by Jill Goldenberg @JILLGOLDENPHOTOGRAPHY

VISUAL ARTS 13 13

Art by Sofia Castaño @ANXSART

Photo by Alice Boulianne @ALIEBOULIANNE

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SPORTS

Dawson Athletes Behind a Mask Communal experience vs. safety protocols DARIA BOCICOVA Sports Editor

The transition back to in-person classes brought many new policies and safety protocols that were put in place to prevent the spread of COVID ‒19 amongst Dawson students and faculty. Some of the many changes that we had to make in order to minimize health risks include social distancing, mandatory wear of medical masks, and online office hours. One of the departments that had to make the most adjustments in these uncertain times was the Physical Education Department. Since running around or doing push-ups while wearing a mask does not sound particularly fun, health and wellness educators had to get rather creative to accommodate the new set of rules and still make their classes engaging and enjoyable. Gym classes offering close contact between students certainly didn’t make implementing health measures easy. One gym teacher, Ricky Lew, spoke up about the difficulties associated with the shift to in-person Phys. Ed., saying that since it was

announced only two weeks prior, the return became “a challenge in itself.” He explained the transfer was mainly focused on adapting to wearing a mask all the time and trying to figure out how to maintain the distance between the students in the fitness context, which many soon realised was practically impossible. A large part of P. E. classes is learning about risk prevention. Before the pandemic they mostly included talking about things that will affect one’s livelihood and health such as alcoholism, smoking, safe sex practices and use of seat belts. Now, it also includes covid. Teachers from all departments encourage students to be vigilant about their health. Ricky said that he feels responsible for enforcing the policies and assuring everyone’s safety during his classes. Due to the specifics of the material that he teaches, combat fitness, Ricky had to make more adjustments and compromises than some of his colleagues, who were luckier in that regard. Normally, in a combative fitness class, there would be more use of the equipment and more contact with the sparring partner in order

Photo VIA DARIA BOCICOVA

to learn self-defence techniques, perform different grab escapes and wrestling moves. Now, all the equipment has to be cleaned after each use while doing one’s best to avoid crowding, which takes more time, especially in between classes. As someone who teaches mainly martial arts and has been practising them most of his life, Ricky strongly believes that it’s a communal experience that is all about helping others and discovering oneself in the process. Even though the college is doing its best to distribute masks and set up sanitizer dispensers to prevent further spread of COVID-19 and protect students, the distanced version of the class takes away a large part of that communal experience. Now that we’re slowly going back to “normal” and reclaiming all the experiences we lost to quarantine, it’s very important to be conscious of one’s health. Since being back to in-person classes is a rather challenging and stressful experience for many of us, perhaps sport is just what the students need to motivate them to come together again. p p

SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT 15 15

A Hot Topic ROBIN STEEDMAN-BRAUN Science & Environment Editor

This past summer, more than 1200 new temperature records have been set across North America alone, reported the New York Times. Scorching temperatures and long-lasting heat waves have become the new normal over the last few years, notably in Montreal and other areas of Quebec. While scientists have been warning of extreme climate events for 50 years, we’re now experiencing them firsthand more than ever before, and they’re coming in hot. The growing quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is a major cause for these hot spells, which are part of a global shift propelled by climate change. By definition, a heat wave consists of 3 or more consecutive days of record-breaking heat in a certain location. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains that heat waves are usually formed by trapped air pockets that get stuck in suspension for an extended period of time. Instead of moving with currents in the atmosphere, the air over a region stays relatively immobile, creating a heat dome. These high-pressure areas in the atmosphere push air down towards the surface of the Earth, creating resistance that prevents the air from the ground from rising, leaving it trapped. These high pressures hinder winds and prevent clouds from forming, exposing the air to the sun and increasing its temperature. The longer the air stays immobile, the hotter it gets. Heat spells can last up to several weeks in some cases. Eventually, the high-pressure air systems tire, permitting cooler air to start to circulate again.The high humidity levels induce rainfall, cooling down a region and dissipating the heat. Heat waves can have many damaging effects, especially on the environment and our climate. During periods of extreme heat, the air is warmer and readily evaporates water from reservoirs and forests. According to the Center for Climate and

Photo VIA THE SUBURBAN

Energy Solutions (C2ES), heat waves threaten agriculture crops, leading to losses in fruit, vegetable and grain production, and driving up food prices in local grocery stores. Higher concentrations of water in the air also means increased humidity levels and more frequent and intense rainfall, causing floods, hurricanes and tropical storms. As heat dries out the soil and underground water reserves, trees and the forest floor become dryer and vulnerable to wildfires. Forest fires, such as the ones raging in British Columbia and other western areas of Canada recently, create smoke and ash that rise into the atmosphere and travel, leading to diminished air quality and increased smog. This past July and August, Montreal experienced more than 10 days of smog as a consequence of these wildfires. These periods of extreme temperatures are equally as perilous for our health. According to The Globe and Mail, in July of 2018, sixty-six people died from heat exhaustion in Montreal after six days of record-high temperatures. When human body temperature rises to 38°C, 1°C higher than our normal temperature, we become prone to heat exhaustion. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, nausea, confusion, headaches, muscle cramps and faint-

ing. Untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, a life-threatening condition that can cause permanent brain damage, organ failure and death. Increased smog levels are also dangerous. As stated by the Government of Canada, smog can irritate your eyes, nose and throat, as well as worsen existing heart and lung problems and even cause lung cancer in people who have had long-term smog exposure. Research also shows that copious levels of air pollution can cause asthma in babies, children, and adults. As atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rise, heat waves will become more and more frequent. To avoid them becoming the new normal, there are a few solutions we can adopt. The greener the city is, the more we can prevent heat spells. As shared by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), planting trees and installing green roofs is a great start, as plants lower the air temperature and provide shade. Nonetheless, we will surely be experiencing more heat waves in the upcoming summers. Be sure to stay hydrated, wear loose-fitting and protective clothing, use sunscreen, and, most importantly, stay cool! p p

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SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT

Resisting Fast Fashion EMILY MCQUEEN Copy Editor

On September 11th 2019, half a million Montrealers marched through the city streets to fight against climate change and environmental destruction. After that protest, numerous individuals made personal changes to lower their ecological footprint. Resisting fast fashion is an effective way to carry out this goal. In order to get clothes from design-to-retail quickly and cheaply, fast fashion brands such as Shein, Zara, and Ardene cut costs on good quality material and well-paid labor. Consequently, the clothes are made in unsafe and unsanitary conditions for a bare minimum salary and generally aren’t made to last. Thus, the making and shipping of the garments wastes the earth resources and items by ending up being thrown out after only a couple uses. According to Business Insiders’ article “The fashion industry emits more carbon than international flights and maritime shipping combined. Here are the biggest ways it impacts the planet”,

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the fashion industry is the second largest consumer of water. For instance, a cotton T-shirt requires 700 gallons of water to be made and jeans require 2 000 gallons of water. The water left over from textile dyeing is often disposed of into rivers, ditches and lakes, making the textile industry the second largest water polluter in the world. Water pollution directly impacts sweatshop workers who often live off of these water sources and need fresh water for drinking, laundry and cooking. Oceans and, therefore, our planet are also suffering. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) states that 35% of microplastics in the ocean come from synthetic fabric. Slow fashion or sustainable fashion brands often use sustainable or recycled materials and organic dyes that cause less environmental damage. On a website similar to Shein, it’s possible to put together an outfit of jeans and a t-shirt costing around $25. When it arrives in the mail, the shirt may be worn twice before its cheap stitches come undone. One might be able to wear the jeans ten times before the fabric gets worn

out and you throw out both items. For the consumer, the cost was 25$ but for the planet that cost was the equivalent to the water needed for one human’s consumption in 5 years and the polluting of many rivers and/ or lakes. The amount of clothing we throw away has serious environmental consequences as well. In their article “You’re Probably Going to Throw Away 81 Pounds Of Clothing This Year”, the Huffington Post reported that clothing in landfills takes thousands of years to disintegrate. Thrift stores play an integral part in keeping clothes out of such situations as they recycle old items. However, many fast fashion items don’t last long enough to have multiple owners, while good quality hand-made pieces can serve many people. Two well-dressed students from Dawson offer some tips to avoid or entirely remove fast fashion from our lives. Paria Jafarian, a second year Liberal Arts student stated, “I try to resist fast fashion by thrifting. I stopped buying clothes from companies such as H&M and Zara around two years ago as I feel strongly against both the ethical impact as well as the huge environmental impact that these companies have.” Similar to Paria, Jacob Morin, a second year Marketing student and owner of the brand Common Sense, tries to achieve what he calls a “sustainable wardrobe” by, on top of buying clothes second hand, “shopping locally and producing my own clothes.” They also recommend shopping second hand or saving up and buying well-made pieces sustainably created by well waged workers, as the enhanced quality can last you many years. So before buying a $400 shein haul, ask yourself if using the money you saved to be the most fashionable in your Dawson classes is worth the cost to the planet. p p

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HOROSCOPES Happy birthday to whomever was conceived in January. Congratulations, you won that race! ARIES (mar. 20 - apr. 18): Hardships do not mean you stop trying. Your force of character will be there to soften the fall—keep going, Aries.

LIBRA (sept.23 - oct. 22): This month, focusing on yourself, your goals and your needs will be necessary. Healing starts by being in tune with yourself, Libra.

TAURUS (apr. 19 - may 20): It is time to let go of old wounds. New relationships may form, but only if you let your guard down. It’s hard to relate to a brick wall.

SCORPIO (oct. 23 - nov. 21): If you are thinking of making a big decision, the timing is right. Everything will fall in place. If there is a small decision to make, wait. It might not present itself under true light right now.

GEMINI (may 21 - june 20): It seems you’ve made quite an impression on an Aquarius in your surroundings. Your personality, sense of humor and general vibe played in your favour. If you want to woo them, the timing is perfect. CANCER (june 21 - july 22): With the start of a new semester, self care will be essential. The people around you have good intentions, but they may not quite understand your needs in these stressful times. LEO (july 23 - aug. 22): It is okay to lie down for hours on end. It is okay to go for a 10-mile run in the high noon sun. It is okay to sit cross legged in the grass and talk to the thing in the bushes. You know what is best, don’t forget it. VIRGO (aug. 23 - sept. 22): While thinking and logic have gotten you far, it might be good to let yourself feel during this semester. You could avoid a few breakdowns by simply taking the time to sort through your emotions.

COMIC

SAGITTARIUS (nov. 22 - dec. 21) : Everything will be okay if you give it time. Sometimes, leaving something alone until it decides to fix itself is the best thing to do, dear Sagittarius. Control is not everything. CAPRICORN (dec.22 - jan. 19): Love comes in many forms. Focus on your family, on your friends, on yourself. If the person you’ve set your sights on hasn’t come around yet, it’s time to make it clear you don’t need them to live. AQUARIUS (jan. 20 - feb. 18): In these stressful times, you are right to be wary of new relationships. Be extra careful around Gemini—they are in a volatile place right now and there’s no saying how they view your relationship to one another. PISCES (feb. 19 - mar. 19) : If you’re looking for a sign to become ephemeral, this is it. Travel, make too many friends, and change who you are on a whim. You don’t owe stability to anyone.

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QUIZ: WHICH SITCOM DO YOU BELONG IN? 1)What is your friendship style? a. I will befriend anyone and anything. That stranger with the cool hat? Friend. That person driving angrily and visibly swearing? Friend. That lone sock that’s been trampled many times in the last few days? Friend. b. I hate everyone, but I make an exception for that one relentless bitch who has too much joie-de-vivre. c. I like to fall in love first, then see if we can make it past the awkwardness. Otherwise, I just stick to the friends I made when I was 0,3 seconds old. 2)What is your ideal living situation? a. A beautiful, huge apartment that I cannot even dream about living in unless I have 28 roommates going in on rent with me. b. A tiny apartment that might be considered a “hellhole” were it not for my impeccable taste and capacity to decorate. c. An apartment that is suspiciously spacious. This place should not be affordable to me, yet here I am. Will you ever figure out how I can comfortably live here? I doubt it. 3) What’s your approach to your work life? a. I’m all about work-life balance! Though I’m very passionate about my job, I also enjoy spending time with friends and building relationships. b. I’m ambitious and work hard towards my financial goals. Rare are the days where I don’t work even a little. All about that bag. c. I work. When do I work? When I’m not with friends. When am I not with friends? Hardly ever. How do I afford things? Ha, please. 4) How is your day off best spent? a. I’ll be running around trying to fit everything and everyone in: me time, lunch with friends, prepping for Monday, taking care of chores, and calling my mom. b. I’ll be indulging in at least one of the seven deadly sins, thank you very much. c. Remember those friends I mentioned? Yeah, we’re still together. We’ll be in our favourite spot. You know where to find us. 5) What is your type of humor? a. Either sarcasm and accidentally inappropriate things or things that are only funny to friends and I and incomprehensible to outsiders. There are no other options. b. Dark humour. Anything is on the table, including murderous jabs and drug-related jokes c. Stupid puns for hours on end and corny jokes. They are my one and only love. See results on page 21

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THE PLANT RECOMMENDS... James Vincent McMorrow’s new album, Grapefruit Season. This 5th album by the Irish artist will give you bohemian, summery vibes. Dropping September 17th, the album contains 14 tracks—6 of which were pre-released for the public to enjoy. For lovers of alternative, indie folk, and/or indie rock, this album is perfect, and if you love artists such as Bon Iver, Hozier, and Iron and Wine, then you are sure to love James Vincent McMorrow’s unique voice and musical style as well.

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PUZZLES

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2) Stringed instrument usually associated with angels

4) Synonym of song or the process of adjusting an instrument to play in a certain key

COME BACK NEXT ISSUE FOR THE ANSWERS!

3) The written expression of music, tells you which way to play at a certain time

5) An instrument played by pressing keys

Crossword hints: 1) Instrument played by hitting it repeatedly with two sticks

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Curiosities by

LAURY CHARLAND Curiosities Editor

Quiz Results Mostly a’s: New Girl It seems you’re focused on having a well rounded, balanced life, and though work is a big part of life, you like having crazy adventures with the people around you. You are very involved in their lives and try to be as present as possible while simultaneously doing things for you. Sometimes, it gets to be a lot to handle, but you keep going through life and ultimately, you’re doing good. Mostly b’s: 2 Broke Girls The focus is on you. While there are a few people who are important to you, the main concern is improving your situation and getting to a better place where you don’t have to be uncomfortable 24/7. You have to learn to trust a little bit and understand that some people aren’t actually out to get you. It’s not easy—actually, nothing is really easy for you now—but you’re doing what you can and slowly upgrading. Mostly c’s: How I Met Your Mother To you, life is about having fun, and what better way to have fun than with friends? Time is an illusion when you’re with them, and worries seem to fade away with a quick joke and a good beer. However, sometimes you forget about the more “essential” things, like time for yourself and your career. In any case, you’re somehow managing and there’s nothing truly missing from your life.

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MASTHEAD

CONTRIBUTORS

Pipa Jones Editor-in-Chief

Alyssa Scotti Cover Artist

Emily Mcqueen Copy Editor

Jill Goldenberg Social Media Manager

Mia Kennedy Managing Editor

Josephine Ross Staff Writer

Kim Dubuc Graphic Designer

Alice Martin Staff Writer

Jacqueline Lisbona News Editor

Noe Yasko Staff Writer

Matteo Di Giovanni Arts & Culture Editor

Shayana Shimansky Staff Writer

Emily Zahirovich Tienn Cheng Sofia Castaño Alice Boulianne Aspen Crick Vanessa Lozza Morgana Follmann Emmy Rubbin

Danaée Descaillot Visual Arts Editor Robin Steedman-Braun Sciences Editor Daria Bocicova Sports Editor Mayan Godmaire Creative Writing Editor Isabella Blu Ptito-Echeverria Voices Editor Laury Charland Curiosities Editor

CONTACT The Plant Newspaper Dawson College 3040 Rue Sherbrooke O Montréal, QC H3Z 1A4 2C.15 theplantnews.com theplantnewspaper@gmail.com @theplantnews