U.S. intelligence report warns physical effects of climate change to intensify in next two decades, especially in 2030s
TORONTO—We shouldn’t be surprised that some of the strongest warnings on climate change are coming from the intelligence community. The job of intelligence agencies is to examine and analyze evidence and report their findings objectively, based on this work. The U.S. National Intelligence Council has done exactly that, with a dire warning on climate change […]
Canada needs to dramatically step up its climate ambition
Federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has said Canada “need[s] to ensure that our targets are aligned with the science.” His remarks March 25 followed the Supreme Court of Canada’s landmark decision to uphold the government’s authority to implement federal carbon pricing policy. Minister Wilkinson is right about the need for science-aligned targets. The Paris agreement aims to keep global average temperature from rising more […]
Coming to grips with our climate predicament
GIBSONS, B.C.—U.S. President Joe Biden is hosting a pivotal climate summit this month. Three decades of climate change denial and procrastination—led by America in particular—have left humanity on the brink. Political and societal constraints will severely limit his administration’s efforts, but the non-negotiable bottom line is that the greenhouse gas emission reduction needed is seven […]
Federal support for Canada’s oil patch surged during pandemic, says new report
The pandemic has facilitated an increase in federal aid to the oil and gas sector in the last year amid the economic downturn, according to a new report. In a report released Thursday, Environmental Defence estimated that the government has either pledged to spend or distributed nearly $18-billion in support of the industry, including releasing […]
Indigenous partnerships key to conservation goals and sustainable prosperity
The pandemic has taken a heavy toll on local and regional economies across the country, and this latest spike in COVID cases will create more uncertainty. But as we had into spring, it is time to plant the seeds for regrowth and recovery. The next few months will be decisive. Even as we focus on […]
Budget 2021 is Canada’s chance to align spending with bold ambition on climate
On April 19, the federal government will unveil Budget 2021. Given the state of the economy in the wake of COVID-19, this will be a historic moment, revealing how Canada plans to finance the myriad components of its recovery while also confronting the defining crisis of our time: climate change. With up to $100-billion promised […]
How the federal government can fight climate change and preserve jobs
The contribution of civil aviation to climate change is generally estimated at about five per cent of all human contributions. Roughly two per cent comes from carbon dioxide, while there is considerable scientific uncertainty in the estimates of the other two largest contributors, condensation trails and oxides of nitrogen. Over the past several decades, growth […]
Canada must commit to 100 per cent clean electricity
It’s easy in Canada to take electricity for granted. Flip a switch and the light turns on. Yet as we act to address the climate emergency, our relationship with electricity will need to change. Shifting away from burning fossil fuels toward using electricity is a key climate strategy, but we need to ensure that the […]
Conservatives face tougher political terrain in push to convince voters party can deliver on climate action, say experts
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole is facing headwinds battling public perception that his party isn’t serious about reining in emissions, a challenge, some experts say, that is unlikely to be easily overcome as he finds himself in a much different political environment. The Liberals are in a stronger position to question the credibility of the Conservatives’ […]
In majority ruling, top court rules feds’ carbon-pricing scheme constitutional
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled in a 6-3 majority decision that the feds’ national carbon price is on solid constitutional footing, settling the legal debate that has consumed discussions on climate policy. Chief Justice Richard Wagner found in his decision written for the majority that the government’s effort to set minimum national standards […]
