Young people are ready to change the world. Will leaders let them?
The expectations on leaders to deliver bold solutions at the G7 this June were big: solutions for looming famine, climate ambition, pandemic preparedness, and runaway inflation were anticipated. Ultimately, the summit recognized the challenge of the moment, but unfortunately, did not rise to the occasion with the necessary solutions. This summit was just the latest […]
Federal fight against climate change stops at the oil patch
CHELSEA, QUE.—Is there anyone in Canada—anyone?—who believes that Justin Trudeau’s government is serious about tackling climate change? It seems unlikely, given the ongoing failure to contain emissions from Alberta’s oil patch, the single largest domestic source of the greenhouse gases that are damaging our planet. That failure continues as oil companies amass record-breaking profits, while […]
Climate change is the greatest existential threat facing mankind, but you wouldn’t know it from the Conservative leadership race
TORONTO—The world seems to be on fire this summer as record-breaking temperatures are causing death and destruction on every continent. Unless the world acts with much greater determination, the future can only get worse, with climate change the greatest existential threat facing mankind. This is why the need to act now is urgent and Canada […]
The ‘apparently unstoppable global drift to climate catastrophe,’ indeed
GIBSONS, B.C.—Following the release of the three Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment reports and the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, climate change dropped off the media map this year. In that context, this climate activist switched focus to lobbying energy and climate insiders and journalists. Back in March, I suggested that there are three thresholds […]
It is the best of times, it is the worst of times … again
Searching through my old files recently, I found a faded copy of a paper that I wrote in 1992. A university student at the time, I prepared the paper for the United Nations Earth Summit in Brazil—the first international conference I had ever attended. Leaders had come together to sign new treaties on climate change […]
Politics This Morning: Premiers meet to echo familiar call for more healthcare funding
Good Monday morning, Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU is in Montreal today. He’ll be participating in a roundtable discussion with victims of violent crime, and representatives of Sun Youth, a local charity focused on alleviating poverty and preventing crime. Trudeau was in Truro, Nova Scotia, on Saturday alongside Defence Minister ANITA ANAND to deliver a long-awaited apology […]
Net-zero isn’t possible without real investment
One year ago, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act became law. The legislation commits the federal government to the ambitious goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To meet its target, the government has called upon public and private stakeholders to join in this mission. Innovating and enabling the energy sector to meet these […]
Public transit and the path to net zero
Public transit plays a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. That’s why it must be a priority in the global response to climate change. Every year, the United Nations holds a climate change conference that brings together researchers, thought leaders, and decision-makers to help co-ordinate climate action. Public transit is surprisingly absent from the […]
When it comes to home resiliency, Canada can’t afford to wait
In May, Quebec and Ontario, Canada’s two largest provinces, experienced an extreme spring weather event: A storm ripped through large swaths of the provinces; destroying homes, vehicles and businesses, toppling trees, leaving some without power for weeks. It tragically killed 11 people. While Ontario Premier Doug Ford referred to this storm as a “once-in-a-lifetime” event, […]
Canada needs a proactive approach to disaster resilience
Canadians have long passed the point where sandbagging shorelines and bailing out basements constitute an adequate flood response. Climate risks continue to grow and the impacts of flooding—both financial and non-financial—are toppling like dominoes. It’s time that natural disaster resilience and climate adaptation become an economic and public safety focus across Canada. According to an […]
