To fight wildfires and heat waves, Manitoba needs a climate plan

CCPA 

FACING a record-breaking heat wave in early May, Manitoba has had a devastating start to its unofficial fifth season — fire season — as wildfires continue to ravage communities and smoke blankets much of the province. Climate change is no longer a distant problem for future generations — it is here now. Story here.

Newfoundland and Labrador's big offshore gas bet clashes with climate reality

Canada's National Observer

Offshore natural gas is Newfoundland and Labrador’s latest pitch for development that it claims will be “part of the solution to the global path toward-net zero emissions” despite ample evidence that fossil fuels like oil and gas must be phased out to reach climate targets. Story here.

A LETTER ABOUT THE CBC AND CLIMATE CHANGE

 I'd like to congratulate David Cochrane (CBC TV's "Power & Politics") for pointing out the negative consequences that building more pipelines will have on our ability to fight climate change. I may have missed something, but he is the very first journalist I've noticed who has directly reminded politicians (held them to account during a scrum or news conference setting) of that "inconvenient" connection. Of course, then AB's Premier went on to try to counter his point with misleading responses of her own. "Oil sands (not a direct quote) produce fewer emissions per barrel." Apparently that's true. But given that skyrocketing production is, and has been for some time, ECLIPSING those reductions, IT MATTERS NOT in the overall scheme of things, does it? The end result is MORE EMISSIONS. Smith also pointed out that the majority of fires were STARTED by people! This, too ignores the inconvenient fact that the reason they rapidly flare up into Hellfires, is because manmade climate change has spawned severe drought and "kindling-like" conditions in the forests. Put another way, if c.c. were removed from the equation (i.e. it never happened), the harm caused by arsonists, mindless smokers, quadders and campers) would surely be infinitesimal, compared to now. I still long for the day when misleading statement like Smith's would ALSO be challenged and corrected by the media....maybe one day.

THE DISCONNECT IS PALPABLE

 Until authorities recognize the science - that human behaviour here on Earth is behind these worsening conditions, we are only aggravating problems for present and future generations - our kids & grandkids. WAKE UP, SHEEPLE!                 A proud but disappointed Manitoban.

Smoke from out-of-control wildfires forces hundreds from their homes in a Manitoba First Nation.

CBC News

The Chief of the Pimicikimak Cree Nation, 500 k north of Winnipieg, David Monias, says some were left stranded for hours thanks to a beurocratic evacuation system. Story here. 

Earth is heading for a second year above 1.5°C climate goal.

New

Scientist

After record temperatures in 2024, climate scientists had expected this year to be cooler, but instead the planet seems to be heading for a second year above the 1.5°C climate goal. Details here.

A University of Manitoba study warns Arctic could be ‘beyond recognition’ by 2100

University of Manitoba 

A groundbreaking study warns that the Arctic is undergoing rapid and dramatic changes due to accelerating global temperatures, with potentially irreversible consequences by the end of the century. Story here.

WMO report documents spiralling weather and climate impacts

Prevention Web (UN)

The clear signs of human-induced climate change reached new heights in 2024, with some of the consequences being irreversible over hundreds if not thousands of years, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which also underlined the massive economic and social upheavals from extreme weather. Story here.

Keystone XL pipeline and the Liberal divide

CANADA'S NATIONAL OBSERVER

As U.S. President Donald Trump continues to destabilize the Canadian economy with tariff threats, divisions in the Liberal Party are emerging at the highest levels over the role of fossil fuel pipelines in the dispute. STORY HERE.

CANADA LOSES A CLIMATE HERO - A CLIMATE MORON IS SWORN IN IN THE U.S. WHERE'S GOD?

Tony Clarke dies. Trump inaugurated. Where is God?

Pulpis and Politics

What's different, and worse, about the smoke from the L.A. fires

CBC News

Lungs, heart, brain and more at risk, doctors say. Story here.

CLIMATE MORONS

By Larry Powell

 In a sane world, the American people would be holding Trump's feet to the (wild) fire for doing absolutely nothing, or, should I say, ALL THE WRONG THINGS regarding our rapidly-worsening climate calamity. As flames consume the LA area - he's nominated AN ADAMENT CLIMATE DENIER - the CEO of a fracking co. - as Energy Secretary! The best this master finger-pointer (Trump) can do is, as usual, blame others who actually grasp the science, like the Governor there or anyone else but himself. By boosting fracking & other disastrous energy projects, he's CULPABLE & has been since he first slithered into public life, for the weather disasters that have uprooted, killed, or ruined the lives of many Americans, his own "base" included. His ignorant hands are dirty and will remain so until either he or I die. Trump and the millions who voted for him are either just plain illiterate or wilfully (and maliciously) stupid in this regard. Meanwhile, any Canadian voices who might oppose him on this front are, sadly, missing in action. To commentators on the CBC, even among our emerging political leaders - it's all about the tariffs - nothing else. How do they expect our economy to endure on a landscape that's charred and lifeless? Oh, I know! Let's choose ANOTHER climate moron as our next national leader here in your country & mine!

That'll fix it!

Canadian banks’ and investors’ unrestricted support for LNG is fuelling a future climate bomb

GREENPEACE CANADA

TORONTO – Canadian banks are pouring billions of dollars into the global expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals that could potentially unleash more than 10 gigatonnes of climate-wrecking greenhouse gas emissions, according to new research (1). The expansion of LNG depends on the support of banks and investors, with nine Canadian banks responsible for US$16.7 billion in support for expansion between 2021 and 2023 (2). Reclaim Finance and Greenpeace Canada warn that the emissions from these projects, which can be more damaging than coal, will breach net zero goals. They are urging banks to stop providing financial support to the developers of all new LNG projects, and to primarily stop financing export terminals. Story here.

RELATED: How Ethical are Ethical Funds?

Countdown to an ice-free Arctic: New research warns of accelerated timelines

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER

 

Credit: Céline Heuzé/University of Gothenburg

Arctic sea ice is melting at an unprecedented rate. 

The first summer on record that melts practically all of the Arctic’s sea ice, an ominous milestone for 

the planet, could occur as early as 2027. Story here.

Canadian activist Tzeporah Berman named among TIME's top climate leaders

CANADA’S NATIONAL OBSERVER

One of Canada’s most prominent environmental crusaders is being named among TIME’s Top 100 most influential climate leaders worldwide. Story here.  

Climate Change. It’s never been about data. It’s about anger, and anger sells.

 

Good morning,    There was a moment, as I entered adulthood in the early 2000s, when the zeitgeist among people concerned over the climate crisis went something like this: the world may not support drastic action on climate change yet because we don’t understand the danger we’re facing — but when disasters start rolling in, we’ll unite under a common cause and fix this thing.  Well, the disasters keep rolling in. Since the start of the century, the 10 deadliest climate-related disasters alone have killed more than half a million people worldwide. Climate change has cost us $2.8 trillion over that same period. As Natasha Bulowski reported this week, climate disaster survivors are trying to raise the alarm and show us — physically show us — what happens when extreme weather comes for our homes and communities. But, at least among the most powerful, the response is often the opposite of unity. Instead, we get blame, division, paranoia and lies.  Take for instance the bickering between Alberta and Ottawa. Danielle Smith, the premier of Alberta — a place that lost one of its most iconic parks to fire over the summer and half the province is still grappling with drought — is facing a leadership review this week. So, Smith went back to the metaphorical well (which isn't running dry) and picked yet another fight with Ottawa over the carbon tax. It’s a tried-and-tested technique for firing up the base. In this case, Smith’s base are the rural Albertans whose fields are dry and homes vulnerable to fire; Canadians most in need of immediate climate action. Instead, they get tossed some red meat. In Ontario, Doug Ford is pandering to suburban commuters by pledging to rip out bike lanes, throwing out a modest yet effective climate solution in the hopes of riling up the drivers of Etobicoke and Brampton enough that they’ll reward him with his third majority government. Forget that bike lanes have been shown to benefit drivers as well as cyclists — not to mention boosting business traffic and sales — it’s never been about data. It’s about anger, and anger sells. The climate-skeptic games extend outside the public realm and into industry spaces, too. John Woodside reported this week that the head of the Canadian Gas Association (CGA) called the energy transition “cult-like” in a rage-baiting eight-minute speech to a far-right think tank audience. The association and its members, it appears, would rather people direct their skepticism to the bare possibility of averting climate disaster by transitioning off their products, than have them think too hard about how, for instance, exporting LNG has recently been found to be even worse for the climate than burning coal. It’s a smart strategy, especially when you consider that CGA member FortisBC is working hard behind the scenes to reverse Vancouver’s gas ban for new builds —  there’s no reason FortisBC shouldn’t lose out on any of its customer base when the energy transition is just a cult, right?   South of the border, this kind of rhetorical whataboutism, finger-pointing, misdirection, pandering and rage could be about to get so much worse. Another Trump victory, following a campaign fuelled in part by climate conspiracy theories, would effectively kill American involvement in the green transition. Worse, a second administration led by a famously climate-denying Trump would double down on oil and gas, throw out environmental regulations, and kneecap the growth of the green energy industry. I’m reflecting on all of this, not because it’s therapeutic (although maybe it is a little bit), but because based on what we’re seeing today, it doesn’t look like humanity is going to organically coalesce around solutions anytime soon. If that’s the case, we must find a way to demand those solutions from our leaders, no matter how deeply flawed and cynical the leadership class may be. We’ll have to fight disinformation with all the tools we have at our disposal, from inoculation to counter-messaging. First, let’s hold liars accountable.  If you’re reading this newsletter, you understand the position we’re in. That’s a start.  — Jimmy, managing editor

Court sides with youth in historic climate case against Ontario

ecojustice

Seven Ontario youth are celebrating a landmark victory handed 

down by the province’s top court. The Court of Appeal ruled in 

favour of their youth-led climate lawsuit against the Ontario 

government. The ruling confirms that Ontario’s weak target is 

risking the lives and well-being of Ontarians. Story here.

Later is too late’: seniors show up for climate across Canada

Canada's National Observer

Seniors across Canada attended “rocking chair rallies,” marches, movie nights, town halls and other protests Monday to stress the importance of fighting climate change. Details here.

Study reveals Canadian wildfires are affecting US air quality and raising health concerns

PHYS ORG

Wildfire NWT - 2004.

Climate-driven wildfires are rapidly transferring harmful particulate matter containing toxic chemicals over long distances, compromising air quality in the New Jersey and New York City areas, according to Rutgers Health research. Story here.

DANIELLE SMITH'S CROCODILE TEARS

 

So the Republican Premier of Alberta thinks a few tears will help us forgive her. She is complicit in the disaster which struck Jasper, a world heritage site. Now much of it is a smouldering ruin. Shame on you, Smith. Your fawning/unconditional/blind/unwavering support for the tar sands over the ages and refusal to get on board in the fight against climate calamity by supporting alternative, sustainable energy sources ought to make you a figure of everlasting shame and disgrace. Resign your position and pick up a backpack sprayer to fight the fires you are responsible for...you'd be serving a more worthwhile purpose than you are now.

L.P.