There is no Planet B
The impact of human activity on Earth’s atmosphere, landscapes, and oceans is so profound that some scientists recognize a new epoch of man-made change—the last 250 years, since the first industrial revolution—as the Anthropocene. According to climatologists, the Earth may tolerate, at maximum, another 565 gigatonnes of carbon emissions before it reaches the climate change […]
‘Still a long way to go’ to hit protection goals, First Nations will play key role
Civil servants across the country are working to figure out how Canada can meet its promise to protect huge swaths of its land and water by 2020. But don’t expect a bunch of new national parks, which take years to establish, to pop up anytime soon. Canada signed onto a series of environmental protection targets […]
Environment
Pollution’s costs are large, growing, and poorly understood
In announcing Ottawa’s plans for a national carbon pricing system last month, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna rightly noted that the government was acting, in part, because “pollution has a very significant impact on our health.” She might well have added “and on our pocketbooks.” A new report by the […]
“The Liberals have proposed new methane emission regulations. Are they a good move for Canada? Why or why not?”
Kate Purchase Liberal strategist “The Government of Canada continues to provide national leadership to fight climate change, build a clean growth economy, and protect our clean air and clean water for generations to come. “We are taking action to curb methane emissions from Canada’s oil and gas sector. Reducing methane emissions is one of the […]
Trump’s backward move on climate change disadvantages U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump just hammered another nail in the American coffin. In his petulant conversations about pulling out of the global climate change consensus, he is labouring under the misimpression that his withdrawal would influence the agreement. Instead, he is reinforcing the impression that his leadership is leading the United States down the wrong […]
Centennial Flame should be powered by green energy sourced hydrogen gas, says Ottawa letter writer
I would like to take this opportunity to make an interesting proposal to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his entire leadership team, on behalf of current concerned Canadians about climate change. With a small investment, we can send a symbolic gesture to our nation and the world that climate change is real, and that we can influence […]
Who is the Conservative Party taking its cues from?
Re: “Ottawa taking carbon pricing cues from provinces,” (The Hill Times, May 22, p. 7). It is not just Saskatchewan that is balking at carbon pricing. Other than Michael Chong, a former Conservative leadership candidate, the Conservative Party of Canada has not embraced carbon pricing either. Given its economic efficiency and polluters-pay principle that is often […]
Smart climate policies today can help Canada mine success in a low-carbon future
OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may soon be heard saying, “Because it’s 2018.” That’s when Canada heralds a new era of climate leadership, one in which all of our provinces and territories will be on the carbon pricing pathway. But before the calendar turns, there’s work to be done to ensure federal and provincial climate policies […]
Ottawa taking carbon pricing cues from provinces
OTTAWA—Last week, the Government of Canada outlined its initial thinking on how Canada will implement its national price on carbon. A technical document released by Environment and Climate Change Canada discusses major elements of the national price on carbon, a cornerstone commitment from last year’s Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. It’s been […]
