Charles Mandel

Climate Change Reporter, Halifax

About Charles Mandel

It might be easier to ask Mandel what subjects he hasn’t covered in the course of his career.

Terrified of flying, he went up in an open cockpit bi-plane for a Canadian Geographic story. He patiently endured the rigors of Napa/Sonoma in California to write a feature on winery architecture for enRoute, and circumnavigated Newfoundland in a converted ice breaker for The Ottawa Citizen.

A multiple award-winning reporter, writer and editor for more than 25 years, Mandel spent eight years covering the visual arts for the Edmonton Journal, two years as the Calgary Herald’s chief literary correspondent, and five years as the Canadian correspondent for the web’s leading technology portal, Wired.com.

A former Atlantic correspondent with Canwest News Service, Mandel’s features and articles have appeared in most major Canadian magazines and newspapers, including Canadian Business, Explore, Maclean’s, The Globe and Mail and the National Post.

256 Articles

Solar power in the Arctic? Iqaluit is giving it a go

With the Arctic warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet, Nunavut is trying to confront climate change by cutting its reliance on diesel-generated electricity — but high costs put the switch to solar out of reach for many.

Sustainable Cities

The Miner's Memorial, a tribute to the mining history of Elliot Lake, Ont., includes a section honouring those who died as a result of working in the uranium mines. Photo by Luc Rivet / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Are Canadian uranium workers still more likely to die from lung cancer?

A study by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is examining health data from 80,000 people who have worked in Canada’s uranium mines, mills and processing and fabrication facilities.

Research and development to support the advancement of small modular reactors and advanced reactors. Photo by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories / Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Opposition grows to small nuclear reactors over alarming risks

The federal government is shilling for small modular reactors as a climate change solution, but environmentalists fear nuclear waste makes the risks too great.

Research and development to support the advancement of small modular reactors and advanced reactors. Photo by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories / Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Canada pegs its energy future on nuclear power, but not everyone's buying it

To date, not a single small modular reactor has been built in Canada, but no matter, the technology is the current darling of nuclear power circles — much to the dismay of environmentalists who oppose nuclear energy.

An aerial view of a nuclear power plant located by the water.

Nuclear plant at risk of 'Fukushima-type accident,' Ontario group says

The Ontario Clean Air Alliance wants an interim moratorium on the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station’s operation, citing the potential for a nuclear meltdown.

Not everyone who lives off grid is a gun-toting survivalist

Charles Mandel says his off-grid home in Nova Scotia has all the modern conveniences ... without the doomsday vibe.

Race Against Climate Change

In praise of chopping firewood

Charles Mandel, who lives off grid in Nova Scotia, says chopping wood for home heating is hard work, but it's good for the body, the mind, and the soul.

Race Against Climate Change

Why you can’t bank on making a move off grid

As Charles Mandel found out, it’s because of those archaic and conservative institutions known as banks. Not one is willing to give a mortgage to an off-grid house.

Race Against Climate Change

Joel Solomon's "clean money revolution"

In a book, recently released by New Society Press, Joel Solomon argues that a revolution is taking place in the world of money, finance and investment.

A side view of Green Cove with artist's rendering of Mother Canada overlaid. Photo from Craig Jackson

Mother Canada makes screen debut

While the memorial has largely been out of the media over the last year, it remains a hot topic locally in Cape Breton, and has left the Ingonish community divided over its merits.