Doug Johnson

Author bio

Edmonton, Alberta–born and Montreal, Quebec–based, Doug Johnson is a writer, editor, and journalist with a keen interest in the natural world—since his home province has such a dubious relationship with it. He’s written for most of the major news companies in Canada, and has appeared in numerous specialist and general interest publications across North America. He has two cats and can swim well enough.

Doug Johnson’s Contributions:

Tidal Power’s Fickle Future

To pull power from the waves, you need a high tidal range or strong currents. Sea level rise threatens to mess with both.

Apr 17, 2023 | 1,000 words, about 5 minutes

A ship with a large yellow win turbine to the right of the photo. Two men stand in the foreground and in the background you can see many offshore turbines in a blue ocean

Offshore Wind’s Turbulent Future

The realization that turbulence created by deepwater wind turbines could upset the spring phytoplankton bloom has researchers warning the rapidly emerging industry to proceed with caution.

Jul 28, 2022 | 1,200 words, about 6 minutes

Would You Live on a Cruise Ship?

As the pandemic forces cruise ships into early retirement, some want to see them converted into affordable housing.

Feb 16, 2022 | 900 words, about 4 minutes

Kelp’s Carbon Sink Potential Could Be Blocked by Coastal Darkening

Coastal darkening, an environmental threat researchers are only beginning to study, is found to dramatically reduce the productivity of kelp.

Nov 1, 2021 | 900 words, about 4 minutes

Aerial river and sea view showing dissolved organic matter seeping into the Trent River, North Carolina

The Environmental Threat You’ve Never Heard Of

It’s called coastal darkening, and scientists are just beginning to explore it.

Feb 10, 2021 | 900 words, about 4 minutes

A Shipwreck’s Incalculable Toll on a Remote Reef

After a fishing boat ran aground on a fragile atoll, the consequences for the ecosystem were alarming—and curious.

Jun 24, 2020 | 650 words, about 3 minutes

If life exists below Europa’s icy exterior, it would have had to adapt to colder and deeper conditions than those found in Earth’s deep seas. Photo by NASA/JPL-Caltech/SETI Institute

Could Giants Lurk Beneath Europa’s Icy Shell?

For some deep-sea and polar species, gigantism proved a useful evolutionary strategy—the same may be true if life exists on Jupiter’s moon.

Apr 7, 2020 | 650 words, about 3 minutes

Australia’s Marine Animals Will Be the Fires’ Unseen Victims

Ash and silt will choke underwater ecosystems.

Jan 22, 2020 | 550 words, about 2 minutes

Scientists Want to Make Fuel and Plastic Out of Bacteria

Tiny but mighty, octillions of cyanobacteria in the ocean create diesel-like hydrocarbons in huge amounts. A team of researchers wants to know why.

Jun 21, 2019 | 850 words, about 4 minutes

Green Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) barren with Orange-footed Sea Cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa)

Sea Cucumbers Keep Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’

Scientists have discovered the surprising way orange-footed sea cucumbers get around.

May 8, 2019 | 500 words, about 2 minutes

Broken pack ice floating on sea, Svalbard, Norway

Floating Ice Dampens Waves, Helps Preserve Itself

New research explores how small particles floating in water sap energy from waves, weakening the ice-shattering power of the sea.

Apr 22, 2019 | 400 words, about 2 minutes

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