Growing global population: burden or boon to the environment?
Historical overview As the chemist and geographer Daniel B. Luten observed on the eve of the famous 1980 Julian Simon-Paul Ehrlich wager, since the late 18th century “the question of limits to growth and optimism and pessimism regarding the human prospect [has been] debated without consensus” while interest in the issue has “waxed and waned […]
Public works require public input, but can’t be hamstrung by it
The Oxford English Dictionary defines infrastructure as “the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.” You’d think pretty much everyone would be in favour of building the structures needed to operate our society. But before I became a Senator, I spent 30 years as a journalist, […]
When making transport policy, don’t forget how it affects company vehicles
From changing environmental and transportation policies to the intense NAFTA renegotiation, the past few years have been a roller-coaster ride for the auto industry and fleet managers. The federal government is in the process of developing some very important policies for the ever-evolving transportation sector. Last year, Transport Canada released its Transportation 2030 strategy, which […]
On infrastructure, Kermit’s right: it’s not easy being green
Those who grew up with Sesame Street know this song by Kermit the Frog lamenting being green. Kermit sang long before green referred to the environment and well before being green was cool. Now, the word “green” is everywhere, from green energy to green growth to green infrastructure. But has it become easy to be […]
Northern MPs call climate change report an ‘eye opener,’ say it should ‘sound the alarm’ for change
Northern MPs say a “chilling” report helps show southern Canadians the degree their constituents are feeling the effects of climate change and its threat to food security, movement, and ways of life. The Environment and Climate Change Canada report found Canada is warming at twice the global rate. Like many MPs representing regions disproportionately affected […]
‘Criminally irresponsible’ for Tories not to release climate plan, says activist, but Conservative strategists and pollsters say it’s unwise to push out plan as SNC-Lavalin scandal dominates
It’s “criminally irresponsible” for the Conservatives to attack the Liberals’ carbon tax without offering an alternative plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says an environmental activist, but Conservative strategists and pollsters say there’s no sense in the opposition releasing a key policy platform in the midst of the SNC-Lavalin scandal. Catherine Abreu, executive director of […]
Canada’s climate changing faster than in rest of the world, our laws need to catch up
When we talk about climate change, we often focus on the number 1.5. This number was at the heart of the landmark UN climate change report released last fall. It’s also the global temperature rise limit that Canada committed to working towards when it signed the Paris Agreement in 2015. But you may be surprised […]
Canada can’t coast through this climate catastrophe
Canada is always trying to punch above its weight and prove itself from under the shadow of its southern neighbour. Well, congratulations, Canada. We’ve managed to shine once again, by being a world leader in how quickly we can warm our section of the globe. Canadian scientists have determined, in a report released April 2, […]
Senate committees studying oil tanker ban, impact assessment bills won’t travel to key areas, members say
The Senate has approved more than $600,000 for a pair of committees to travel as part of their study of controversial government bills that affect the resource development industries, but some Senators say they’re not happy with the travel itinerary. The Transport and Communications Committee, which is studying Bill C-48, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, […]
Airline lobby appeals to feds for targeted incentives for sector as it fleshes out climate policy
As Ottawa prepares to roll out proposed regulations for its clean fuel standard, aviation stakeholders have been urging the government to adopt a policy carveout for the sector to create the necessary incentives to encourage uptake of biojet fuel. In the absence of an existing commercial market for biojet fuel, which makes renewable aviation fuel […]
