‘They’ve been very interested in our ideas’: what experts expect from feds’ climate change bill
Green policy experts say they do not expect the government’s upcoming climate change bill to include specific carbon emission targets for each step of the way towards a net-zero economy in 2050—and that’s how it should be. Despite promises to make the bill “legally-binding,” however, political embarrassment will likely remain the biggest consequence for a […]
Public transit in crisis
Greens have long called for significant investments in public transit. The reasons are obvious. Transportation, movement of goods and people, is a huge chunk of Canada’s contribution to global warming. Second only to oil and gas, transportation at 186 megatonnes is 25.5 per cent of our total emissions (729 MT in 2018, the last year […]
A COVID-busting fiscal plan should put nature first
When Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland delivers her fall economic statement—widely anticipated in the coming days—most expect a first-time glimpse of Canada’s long-term plan to battle back the pandemic gloom. Many hope the outlook will echo the COVID-focused message from a special summit of the UN General Assembly a few weeks back: one antidote to the […]
Five ways a Biden administration would impact Canada, climate action
Regardless of who wins the U.S. presidency, leadership on climate change south of the border will continue in states and cities already leading the charge. The election outcome will, however, determine if they’ll be joined by their federal government. As the Democratic leadership process revealed, action on climate change would be a centrepiece of a […]
Who wants a green recovery most? Low-income earners, that’s who
The environment versus economy. It’s a tired tale in need of a serious rewrite. For years, fossil fuel lobbyists painted a picture of environmentalists as latte-sipping, electric car-driving, elitist bogeymen out of touch with the average Joe trying to make a living. That may still play well in the back rooms of the Petroleum Club, […]
Government suppressing dissent on nuclear energy
FREDERICTON—Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains and Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan recently announced a $20-million grant for an Ontario company to develop a prototype “small modular nuclear reactor” (SMR). The move aligns with NRCan’s SMR Action Plan scheduled to be published in November. During the announcement, O’Regan stated that SMRs “have the potential to play a […]
Will Trudeau make good on Canada’s 2025 climate promises?
BOSTON, MASS.—A lot can change in a short period of time. Just a few months ago, I lauded Canada’s leadership on climate, in general, and on methane pollution in particular. In 2018, the Trudeau government introduced the world’s first national oil and gas regulations limiting emissions of methane, a powerful climate pollutant intensifying near-term global warming. […]
Why feds ban on single-use plastic is a step backwards in eliminating waste
Innovation and co-operation are a powerful duo. In Canada, we’re at our best when governments and businesses are working together to develop innovative solutions to address society’s most hard-to-tackle challenges. Right now, we’re facing a global pandemic that continues to devastate economies and communities. However, what the pandemic has brought us is an opportunity to […]
Why UN World Data Forum matters to Canada
Full disclaimer: this is probably a niche passion, but I just can’t help getting excited about the United Nations World Data Forum this week. While this year’s event is, of course, happening online, it’s usually a dynamic and interactive affair, which, for me, as a freshwater scientist here in Canada, reveals just how far we […]
It’s time to step up investments to achieve a net-zero economy
In the months to come, various levels of government will be seeking to stimulate Canada’s economic recovery and create jobs. Whenever Canada is ready to begin investing in recovery, those investments need to create the green infrastructure we need to accelerate Canada’s transition to a net-zero economy: a national electrical energy grid, and digital, Indigenous, […]
