Improved infrastructure management key in an era of climate change
While the evidence of climate change is everywhere, the impact of these changes on our infrastructure can be less obvious than the disruption to our daily lives. Yet the impacts are there, and climate change is becoming an increasing threat to our aging infrastructure. To cope with these threats, all levels of government must be […]
It’s only the survival of the planet: will the world come up short again at Scottish climate change summit?
OTTAWA—Nearly a third of a century has passed since global leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, agreed to try to do something to keep the human race from destroying the planet that is its only home. While you could argue that any progress at all on this life-or-death proposition is remarkable in an era […]
Health professionals prescribe climate action for a healthy future ahead of COP26 meeting
On Oct. 11, the Global Climate Health Alliance released an open letter signed by over 400 health organizations representing 45 million health professionals around the world. It calls upon world leaders to “deliver climate action” at the upcoming United Nations climate conference “to prevent the climate crisis” which “is the single biggest health threat facing […]
Facing economic ‘headwinds,’ Senators look to spark Canadian offensive
With post-COVID recovery, a shift to net-zero emissions, an aging population, and the onset of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Canada is at a pivotal moment of transition, and it’s time for political and government leaders across the country to put partisanship aside and collaborate to find inclusive, long-term solutions for the challenges that face us, […]
In praise of Quebec, Canada’s climate leader
CHELSEA, QUE.—Many Canadians outside of Quebec have an uneasy relationship with the province: an ambivalence that tips occasionally into hostility. Controversial legislation like Bill 21, which prohibits the wearing of hijabs, turbans and kipas in many public service jobs— only the latest manifestation of the province’s eternal cultural anxiety—sounds sinister, even to Quebec’s champions beyond […]
Cooperation is needed between Canada and China to protect our planet
OTTAWA—In the last few years, loss of biodiversity, desertification and frequent extreme weather events have all posed a stark challenge to human progress, and even to human survival. This summer, a heat wave swept across much of Western Canada, leading to record-breaking temperatures in many places. A UN report published this year shows over one […]
Canada needs to demonstrate sincerity in its climate adaptation actions
The world climate conference soon taking place in Glasgow (COP-26) has huge challenges on its agenda. Principal among them are, first, securing the global goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions, along with keeping global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees, by mid-century. Second, adapting to protect communities and natural habitats from increasingly devastating […]
Think O’Toole’s carbon price hurt him? It didn’t
Back in April, Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole made a bold decision to include a price on carbon in his climate platform. This marked a big departure from the approach taken by his predecessor, Andrew Scheer, who made opposition to carbon pricing a signature part of his election campaign. O’Toole chose to go the other way, […]
Biodiversity loss in Canada: an urgent priority for new government
The degradation of nature and rapid loss of biodiversity was, regrettably, not a ballot box issue in the federal election. This happened, despite growing appreciation during the pandemic that the natural world, the climate crisis, and human health and well-being are inextricably linked. But while electioneering dominated the summer months, behind the scenes Canada and […]
Humans in the Americas: two mysteries
LONDON, U.K.—It’s been the biggest shock in archaeology for a long time. British and American archaeologists have found solid evidence that human beings—we could call them the forerunners—were in the Americas around 6,000 years before the earliest previously accepted date. What the archaeologists found, at White Sands in New Mexico, were thousands of actual footprints, […]
