nationalobserver--2020-07-16--More aid for fossil fuels than clean energy in COVID-19 response

Federal energy and environment officials were warned in late April that Canada 's clean-tech sector was in danger as COVID-19 knocked the bottom out of the industry .
Three months later , a new policy tracker on energy investments made by G20 countries finds Ottawa and the provinces have put very little on the table to help clean-tech companies directly , while targeting fossil-fuel producers with more than $ 16 billion in aid .
Keith Stewart , a senior energy strategist at Greenpeace Canada , said the federal government has been `` completely captured by the oil industry . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world is changing , '' he said .
Documents prepared for Natural Resources Canada deputy minister Christyne Tremblay ahead of an April 20 meeting , and obtained through an access to information request , show just a few weeks into the pandemic the government was already well aware that COVID-19 was wreaking havoc right across the energy sector , including fossil fuels and renewables .
• Trudeau urged to boost Canada 's post-COVID economy by investing in nature • Here ’ s what Ontario ’ s stage 3 reopening will look like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that global energy demand had collapsed , posing big problems for the Canadian economy .
`` This will challenge Canada 's climate and energy transformation agendas , '' the document reads .
Stewart said that does n't have to be true if the federal government makes sure its COVID-19 economic stimulus programs focus on policies to move those agendas forward .
An attached presentation deck from Tremblay 's department outlines the impacts , including the collapse in oil prices , plummeting demand for both oil and electricity , and a clean-tech industry being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clean-tech industry was a moderate success story before COVID-19 , with more than 300,000 jobs and , in 2018 , an economic value of about $ 66 billion , about three per cent of Canada 's GDP .
Clean tech includes everything from renewable electricity generation , like wind and solar installations , to recycling technology , electric cars and their charging infrastructure , biofuels and a long list of manufacturing technologies that reduce the carbon footprints of existing industries .
Federal energy and environment officials were warned in late April that Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 knocked the bottom out of the industry .
It is heavily dominated by start-up enterprises and those in the research and development phase that are heavily reliant on capital investments .
The onset of the pandemic threw ice water on those investments , including from the oil and gas sector itself as its own revenues dried up .
The report says the clean-tech industry was `` signalling a potential extinction-level event '' as revenues fell and jobs disappeared .
It says a survey of clean-tech firms showed a `` dramatic decline '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious disruptions to supply chains affecting production lines , and estimates that revenues would fall 57 per cent and jobs 52 per cent compared to 2019 .
Merran Smith , the executive director of Clean Energy Canada , said the government has to ensure this sector 's survival by making sure it is a big part of the COVID-19 recovery stimulus programs .
She said that does n't mean investing just in things that generate clean power , like wind and solar farms and technology , but also in promoting the use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cars and public transportation .
That has been a constant refrain from environment organizations across Canada in recent months .
But there is growing frustration that the government keeps saying it will happen and yet has n't actually done anything to back that up .
The Winnipeg-based International Institute for Sustainable Development contributed to a new international energy-policy tracker , released Wednesday , which counted all the investments made by G20 countries in energy — both fossil fuels and clean energy — since Jan. 1 .
Across the G20 , about $ 201 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and $ 119 billion for clean energy .
In Canada , the difference between the two is much more stark , with $ 16 billion put down to support the oil and gas industries , compared with $ 300 million for clean energy .
That includes Alberta 's $ 1.5 billion equity investment and the $ 6-billion loan guarantee for the Keystone XL pipeline , and Ottawa 's $ 750 million to help fossil-fuel companies cut methane emissions .
Companies in both sectors could potentially qualify for COVID-19 aid programs like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to small , medium and big businesses .
The government has not yet been able to provide figures for which companies received the wage subsidy , broken down by industry .
Vanessa Corkal , an energy policy analyst at the sustainable-development institute , said she hopes the government sees these comparisons and uses them to guide its next steps in the COVID-19 recovery .
Ian Cameron , a spokesman for Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan , said the government remains committed to its election promises to exceed the 2030 Paris climate agreement targets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2050 .
That means any greenhouse-gas emissions still produced then would be balanced by either natural or artificial absorption methods .

Federal energy and environment officials were warned in late April that Canada's clean-tech sector was in danger as COVID-19 knocked the bottom out of the industry. Three months later, a new policy tracker on energy investments made by G20 countries finds Ottawa and the provinces have put very little on the table to help clean-tech companies directly, while targeting fossil-fuel producers with more than $16 billion in aid. Keith Stewart, a senior energy strategist at Greenpeace Canada, said the federal government has been "completely captured by the oil industry." "They just don't understand how the world is changing," he said. Documents prepared for Natural Resources Canada deputy minister Christyne Tremblay ahead of an April 20 meeting, and obtained through an access to information request, show just a few weeks into the pandemic the government was already well aware that COVID-19 was wreaking havoc right across the energy sector, including fossil fuels and renewables.
Tremblay's notes for the meeting say that global energy demand had collapsed, posing big problems for the Canadian economy. "This will challenge Canada's climate and energy transformation agendas," the document reads. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Stewart said that doesn't have to be true if the federal government makes sure its COVID-19 economic stimulus programs focus on policies to move those agendas forward.
An attached presentation deck from Tremblay's department outlines the impacts, including the collapse in oil prices, plummeting demand for both oil and electricity, and a clean-tech industry being brought to its knees. Federal energy and environment officials were warned in late April that Canada's clean-tech sector was in danger as COVID-19 knocked the bottom out of the industry. Canada's clean-tech industry was a moderate success story before COVID-19, with more than 300,000 jobs and, in 2018, an economic value of about $66 billion, about three per cent of Canada's GDP. Clean tech includes everything from renewable electricity generation, like wind and solar installations, to recycling technology, electric cars and their charging infrastructure, biofuels and a long list of manufacturing technologies that reduce the carbon footprints of existing industries. It is heavily dominated by start-up enterprises and those in the research and development phase that are heavily reliant on capital investments. The onset of the pandemic threw ice water on those investments, including from the oil and gas sector itself as its own revenues dried up. The report says the clean-tech industry was "signalling a potential extinction-level event" as revenues fell and jobs disappeared. It says a survey of clean-tech firms showed a "dramatic decline" in the demand for their products, serious disruptions to supply chains affecting production lines, and estimates that revenues would fall 57 per cent and jobs 52 per cent compared to 2019.
Merran Smith, the executive director of Clean Energy Canada, said the government has to ensure this sector's survival by making sure it is a big part of the COVID-19 recovery stimulus programs. She said that doesn't mean investing just in things that generate clean power, like wind and solar farms and technology, but also in promoting the use of cleaner power, such as by electrifying cars and public transportation. That has been a constant refrain from environment organizations across Canada in recent months. But there is growing frustration that the government keeps saying it will happen and yet hasn't actually done anything to back that up. The Winnipeg-based International Institute for Sustainable Development contributed to a new international energy-policy tracker, released Wednesday, which counted all the investments made by G20 countries in energy — both fossil fuels and clean energy — since Jan. 1. Across the G20, about $201 billion has been earmarked for fossil-fuel industries, and $119 billion for clean energy.


nationalobserver--2020-07-16--MPs to begin probing WE Charity's volunteering contract

The first of multiple parliamentary investigations of the federal government 's aborted deal with WE Charity to run a volunteering @ @ @ @ @ The House of Commons finance committee is set to hear from Youth Minister Bardish Chagger @ @ @ @ @ as it probes how WE got a sole-sourced contract to administer the $ 900-million program @ @ @ @ @ Grant is aimed at students who have n't been able to find work this summer @ @ @ @ @ 5,000 toward education costs in exchange for 500 hours of volunteering .

The first of multiple parliamentary investigations of the federal government's aborted deal with WE Charity to run a volunteering program begins this afternoon.
The House of Commons finance committee is set to hear from Youth Minister Bardish Chagger and some senior public servants as it probes how WE got a sole-sourced contract to administer the $900-million program.
The Canada Student Service Grant is aimed at students who haven't been able to find work this summer, offering up to $5,000 toward education costs in exchange for 500 hours of volunteering.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has admitted he should have recused himself from the decision to award the contract, given his family's links to the group co-founded by brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger.
WE gave up the contract amid the controversy two weeks ago.


nationalobserver--2020-07-16--Meili cries foul as pandemic resurges in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan NDP Leader Ryan Meili slammed the government ’ s pandemic plan Monday saying the provincial health authority is withholding the location of those testing positive for COVID-19 .
Meili accused the Saskatchewan Health Authority ( SHA ) and the Ministry of Health of not being clear about where the cases are in the province when releasing information on new COVID-19 numbers .
The criticism comes as Montreal Lake Cree Nation faces its first case of coronavirus .
“ When it ’ s marginalized communities , they say more about it versus mainstream communities , ” Meili said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provincial elections are slated for October .
NDP leader Ryan Meili with Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette in Prince Albert .
Photograph courtesy of the Saskatchewan NDP .
The health ministry said there are reasons why it can not name specific communities or reveal more detailed information when COVID-19 cases are identified .
• Trudeau urged to boost Canada 's post-COVID economy by investing in nature • Here ’ s what Ontario ’ s stage 3 reopening will look like “ In communities with low case counts and low populations , revealing the exact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient with COVID-19 .
In other cases , public health may also need to investigate where the case originated , ” ministry spokesperson Kaitlyn Abel told Canada ’ s National Observer .
`` In situations where there is an outbreak or where many COVID-19 cases are identified , more exact community information can be shared as this will not identify individuals , ” Abel said .
Following debates in the legislature Premier Scott Moe said Tuesday that Saskatchewan will restart daily public case updates on weekends .
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe resumed daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legislature .
Photograph courtesy of the Saskatchewan Government .
`` This past weekend we did have some higher case numbers and it did create some concern , and for that reason , and because we want to be as forthcoming with information as possible … we will be going back to daily reporting of case numbers , '' he said .
Moe said daily reporting had recently adopted a Monday to Friday schedule because cases were stable and to take some pressure off health staff on the weekends .
“ Lots of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's going to be hard to change it back .
Not sharing the full information makes it harder for people to make those decisions wisely , '' Ryan Meili .
In April , Saqib Shahab , Saskatchewan 's chief medical health officer , said that as long as an infected individual is following health authority guidelines and all their contacts have been traced where they are isn ’ t important .
A case of coronavirus had been assigned to the northern village of Pinehouse based on a P.O .
box address when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Natomagan called it “ very important ” for people to be aware of the actual location so that the community could know how to respond .
“ Knowing where that individual is , or which community , is of absolutely no value because all the contacts are accounted for and followed up , ” Shahab said .
Saskatchewan 's Provincial Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab speaks during an update on COVID-19 at the Legislative Building in Regina in March .
Shahab said in April that as long as contact tracing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is n't relevant .
Photograph by The Canadian Press/Michael Bell .
On Wednesday the health ministry said that since March it has been regularly updating Saskatchewan residents on COVID-19 and has tried to be as transparent as possible to ensure people are aware of cases across the province .
Meili called on the Saskatchewan government to share location data with stakeholder communities in the province as soon as it becomes available .
“ Lots of people have changed their behaviour significantly and it 's going to be hard to change it back .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ harder for people to make those decisions wisely , ” Meili said .
The health ministry said it remains committed to improving reporting to balance privacy and transparency .
“ We understand the public ’ s desire to have exact case location information shared publicly .
However , the Ministry of Health can not risk identifying individuals or compromising a patient ’ s privacy , ” Abel said .
Montreal Lake Cree Nation is on lockdown after confirming its first case of coronavirus .
Source : Google Maps image altered to highlight the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meili told Canada ’ s National Observer that the government ’ s approach to handling the pandemic isn ’ t working because it is mostly focused on reopening .
“ We ’ ve got a government that thinks they ’ re done .
They think they ’ ve fixed this and got it , and they don ’ t realize they have to stay through until the end of the job , ” Meili said .
The health ministry said there is a risk of coming into contact with COVID-19 anywhere in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that all residents behave and act as if it is in their community .
By taking proper precautions and doing all we can to keep ourselves and others safe , we will be able to reduce COVID-19 transmission in Saskatchewan , ” Abel said .
Of the 881 cases recorded in the province , 339 were in the far north , 200 in the Saskatoon area , 120 in the north , 85 from the Regina area , 84 from the south and 53 from the central region .
Seventy-five are considered active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nation , between Prince Albert and La Ronge , declared two weeks of total lockdown after announcing its first COVID-19 case .
Chief Frank Roberts and nurse manager Amanda Nelson confirmed the test results in a statement Friday .
`` We 'll be going into a total lockdown of our community .
That 's our orders , '' Roberts said .
`` People are free to go to their traplines if they want to self-isolate there.
” Nelson reminded residents to wear masks and use hand sanitizer when out in public and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not come to the clinic .
Do not come to the store… You might not think it 's COVID-related if you are sick , however , please call 811 anyway , '' Nelson said .
“ Hopefully , we can nip this in the bud and our community will come out of this healthy and stronger.
” NITHA medical health officer Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka issued a precautionary health advisory Friday following a confirmed case of COVID-19 at Montreal Lake .
Photograph courtesy of the Saskatchewan Medical Association/Nnamdi Ndubuka .
“ COVID-19 remains a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , advising northern residents to be vigilant to prevent the spread of the virus as more cases are reported across the province .
“ As the province continues to reopen , we are encouraging all northern residents to practise public health measures.
” Meili said one case in Montreal Lake could lead to more if it ’ s not contained .
“ This virus can spread very quickly .
We know that one case is what led to hundreds in the northwest , ” Meili said .
“ Locking down the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for remote communities.
” Premier Moe applauded northern communities such as La Loche for dealing with an outbreak in the far north where active cases were down to six on Tuesday .
The northern village of La Loche announced that there are no active cases of COVID-19 in the community on Wednesday .
Moe said that after four months of living with the pandemic , the province has dealt effectively with outbreaks , having limited cases , hospitalizations and deaths .
As of July 15 there were 881 cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active cases in the far north .
Graphic courtesy of the Saskatchewan Government .
`` We continue to see local outbreaks that show just how quickly this virus can spread if we let our guard down ...
The risk has not gone away , '' Moe said .
“ We have also shown that we can get these outbreaks under control , if we do the right things.
” Montreal Lake is in the northeast part of Saskatchewan which reopened earlier than the northwest due to a lower case count .
Meili said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Montreal Lake or La Loche and `` they should be getting special support and special advice.
” To date , 76,694 COVID‐19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan .
As of Monday , Saskatchewan ’ s per capita rate was 56,330 people tested per million population .
The national rate was 87,857 people tested per million population .
“ Increasing numbers over the recent number of days has been quite concerning and should serve as a reminder for each and every one of us that we have to continue with all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for us and have been successful thus far , ” Moe said .
Moe said that success with containing the pandemic in Saskatchewan “ in no way should change our behaviour from day to day .
We have to keep doing the right things each and every day.
” Moe said to maintain physical distance , wash hands , control the number of people that you come into close contact with and to stay home if feeling unwell .
The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority precautionary health advisory for northern Saskatchewan is available in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ language

The health ministry said there are reasons why it cannot name specific communities or reveal more detailed information when COVID-19 cases are identified.
“When it’s marginalized communities, they say more about it versus mainstream communities,” Meili said. He said it could be politically motivated as provincial elections are slated for October.
Meili accused the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and the Ministry of Health of not being clear about where the cases are in the province when releasing information on new COVID-19 numbers. The criticism comes as Montreal Lake Cree Nation faces its first case of coronavirus.
Saskatchewan NDP Leader Ryan Meili slammed the government’s pandemic plan Monday saying the provincial health authority is withholding the location of those testing positive for COVID-19.
Following debates in the legislature Premier Scott Moe said Tuesday that Saskatchewan will restart daily public case updates on weekends.
"In situations where there is an outbreak or where many COVID-19 cases are identified, more exact community information can be shared as this will not identify individuals,” Abel said.
“In communities with low case counts and low populations, revealing the exact location … could identify the person or patient with COVID-19. In other cases, public health may also need to investigate where the case originated,” ministry spokesperson Kaitlyn Abel told Canada’s National Observer.
A case of coronavirus had been assigned to the northern village of Pinehouse based on a P.O. box address when the individual was in Saskatoon. Mayor Mike Natomagan called it “very important” for people to be aware of the actual location so that the community could know how to respond.
In April, Saqib Shahab, Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer, said that as long as an infected individual is following health authority guidelines and all their contacts have been traced where they are isn’t important.
Moe said daily reporting had recently adopted a Monday to Friday schedule because cases were stable and to take some pressure off health staff on the weekends.
"This past weekend we did have some higher case numbers and it did create some concern, and for that reason, and because we want to be as forthcoming with information as possible … we will be going back to daily reporting of case numbers," he said.
On Wednesday the health ministry said that since March it has been regularly updating Saskatchewan residents on COVID-19 and has tried to be as transparent as possible to ensure people are aware of cases across the province.
“Knowing where that individual is, or which community, is of absolutely no value because all the contacts are accounted for and followed up,” Shahab said.
Meili called on the Saskatchewan government to share location data with stakeholder communities in the province as soon as it becomes available.
“Lots of people have changed their behaviour significantly and it's going to be hard to change it back. Not sharing the full information makes it harder for people to make those decisions wisely,” Meili said.
The health ministry said it remains committed to improving reporting to balance privacy and transparency.
“We understand the public’s desire to have exact case location information shared publicly. However, the Ministry of Health cannot risk identifying individuals or compromising a patient’s privacy,” Abel said.
Montreal Lake Cree Nation is on lockdown after confirming its first case of coronavirus. Source: Google Maps image altered to highlight the location of Montreal Lake by Michael Bramadat-Willcock.
Meili told Canada’s National Observer that the government’s approach to handling the pandemic isn’t working because it is mostly focused on reopening.
“We’ve got a government that thinks they’re done. They think they’ve fixed this and got it, and they don’t realize they have to stay through until the end of the job,” Meili said.
The health ministry said there is a risk of coming into contact with COVID-19 anywhere in the province.
“It is important that all residents behave and act as if it is in their community. By taking proper precautions and doing all we can to keep ourselves and others safe, we will be able to reduce COVID-19 transmission in Saskatchewan,” Abel said.
Of the 881 cases recorded in the province, 339 were in the far north, 200 in the Saskatoon area, 120 in the north, 85 from the Regina area, 84 from the south and 53 from the central region. Seventy-five are considered active.
On Friday, Montreal Lake Cree Nation, between Prince Albert and La Ronge, declared two weeks of total lockdown after announcing its first COVID-19 case.
Chief Frank Roberts and nurse manager Amanda Nelson confirmed the test results in a statement Friday.
"We'll be going into a total lockdown of our community. That's our orders," Roberts said. "People are free to go to their traplines if they want to self-isolate there.”
Nelson reminded residents to wear masks and use hand sanitizer when out in public and to follow health authority guidelines.
"Do not come to the clinic. Do not come to the store… You might not think it's COVID-related if you are sick, however, please call 811 anyway," Nelson said.
“Hopefully, we can nip this in the bud and our community will come out of this healthy and stronger.”
The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority's (NITHA) medical health officer Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka issued a precautionary health advisory Friday.
NITHA medical health officer Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka issued a precautionary health advisory Friday following a confirmed case of COVID-19 at Montreal Lake. Photograph courtesy of the Saskatchewan Medical Association/Nnamdi Ndubuka.
“COVID-19 remains a threat to our communities,” Ndubuka said, advising northern residents to be vigilant to prevent the spread of the virus as more cases are reported across the province.
“As the province continues to reopen, we are encouraging all northern residents to practise public health measures.”
Meili said one case in Montreal Lake could lead to more if it’s not contained.
“This virus can spread very quickly. We know that one case is what led to hundreds in the northwest,” Meili said.
“Locking down the community is probably wise, given the risk for remote communities.”
Premier Moe applauded northern communities such as La Loche for dealing with an outbreak in the far north where active cases were down to six on Tuesday. The northern village of La Loche announced that there are no active cases of COVID-19 in the community on Wednesday.
Moe said that after four months of living with the pandemic, the province has dealt effectively with outbreaks, having limited cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
As of July 15 there were 881 cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan. Seventy-five are considered active with six active cases in the far north. Graphic courtesy of the Saskatchewan Government.
"We continue to see local outbreaks that show just how quickly this virus can spread if we let our guard down... The risk has not gone away," Moe said. “We have also shown that we can get these outbreaks under control, if we do the right things.”
Montreal Lake is in the northeast part of Saskatchewan which reopened earlier than the northwest due to a lower case count.
Meili said that social distancing is difficult in communities such as Montreal Lake or La Loche and "they should be getting special support and special advice.”
To date, 76,694 COVID‐19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan. As of Monday, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 56,330 people tested per million population. The national rate was 87,857 people tested per million population.
“Increasing numbers over the recent number of days has been quite concerning and should serve as a reminder for each and every one of us that we have to continue with all of the good practices that have worked for us and have been successful thus far,” Moe said.
Moe said that success with containing the pandemic in Saskatchewan “in no way should change our behaviour from day to day. We have to keep doing the right things each and every day.”
Moe said to maintain physical distance, wash hands, control the number of people that you come into close contact with and to stay home if feeling unwell.
The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority precautionary health advisory for northern Saskatchewan is available in the Cree language and in the Dene language.
Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Local Journalism Initiative/Canada's National Observer


nationalobserver--2020-07-16--Global fossil burning breaks record in 2019. Canadians in top 1%

Despite decades of promises to prevent a climate crisis , the primary cause of it , global fossil fuel burning , continues to increase rapidly .
Last year 's fossil burn broke all records .
That 's according to data released by the multinational oil and gas company BP , in the latest `` BP Statistical Review of World Energy . ''
To illustrate humanity 's relentless acceleration off the climate cliff , and Canadians ' role as top one-percenters , I 've dug into the latest BP energy report and created the “ missing charts ” that show fossil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and worldwide .
My first chart shows BP 's data for global fossil fuel use since 1990 .
This is the combined energy from all fossil oil , gas and coal burned each year .
As you can clearly see , humanity just keeps burning more and more .
• Trudeau urged to boost Canada 's post-COVID economy by investing in nature • Here ’ s what Ontario ’ s stage 3 reopening will look like Back in 1992 , the world gathered at the Rio Summit promising to prevent our collective fossil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis onto future generations .
Back then , humans were burning around 300 exajoules ( EJ ) worth of fossil fuels each year .
But instead of reducing the threat as promised , we collectively cranked up the burning to a record 492 EJ last year .
( Note : An “ exajoule ” ( EJ ) is an energy metric used by BP and others to compare different sources of energy .
It is roughly equal to the energy from burning 163 million barrels of oil . )
Since that Rio Summit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of annual international climate summits .
And yet fossil fuel burning has risen in every one of those years .
Except one .
In 2009 , a sudden worldwide recession caused the one small dip you can see in the chart .
However , the very next year fossil fuel burning increased by the most ever recorded .
The short-lived hope that the dip and crisis might lead to sustained climate progress turned out to be an illusion as business-as-usual fossil burning returned both fast and furious .
What about the pandemic ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ another yearly drop .
But once again , global climate pollution is projected to rebound and continue rising afterwards , under business-as-usual .
That 's according to a recent analysis by the International Energy Agency ( IEA ) .
`` It turns out that we are currently burning more fossil fuels per person than 99 per cent of humanity -- nearly five times the global median . ''
In that same report , the IEA puts forward an alternative to business-as-usual .
They call it a global “ sustainable recovery ” investment plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would prevent emissions from continuing to rise .
Of course , plans like this have been created and promoted for decades now .
The climate crisis has not been caused by a lack of options and plans .
It 's been caused by a lack of will to implement them at the scale needed .
One of the great climate hopes has been that rising amounts of renewables and nuclear energy would cause fossil fuel burning to start falling .
My next chart shows what happened instead .
The green bars combine the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This includes all renewables ( such as hydro , solar and wind ) plus nuclear energy .
As you can see , climate-safe energy has indeed grown robustly over the last three decades — rising by 48 EJ .
But , as you can also see , fossil fuel burning has risen four times more — adding 193 EJ .
As a result , fossil burning has n't just been rising — it 's been pulling away from the climate-safe alternatives .
In 1990 , the energy gap was an eye-watering 255 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 400 EJ .
In the Greek myth symbolizing futility , Sisyphus had to repeatedly push the same boulder up the same hill .
When it comes to humanity 's primary climate task — replacing fossil carbon burning — we are stuck in the same kind of endless struggle .
Each year , the world builds heaps of new climate-safe energy sources .
And yet , at the start of the next year , the amount that needs to be built is even larger .
Our boulder keeps getting bigger .
See that dotted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the market share for fossil fuels since 1990 .
Sure enough , it has fallen from 87 per cent of global energy use , down to 84 per cent .
The reason that is n't climate progress is that the climate does n't care about “ market share ” or how much renewable energy we use .
What our climate system reacts to is the total amount of fossil fuels burned .
That 's the solid black line on the chart .
And it , clearly , has n't fallen .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That 's what is fuelling the climate crisis .
That 's what is threatening our future .
And that 's the line that must fall quickly if we hope to preserve and pass along the safe and sane climate that most of us were fortunate enough to be born into .
Rising fossil burning is not climate progress .
It is accelerating climate failure .
This chimera of falling-share-with-rising-amounts can continue for thousands of years , as long as the total energy market keeps growing .
So , beware the lovely and comforting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fossil carbon is losing market share to renewables.
” It deceptively hides the increasing fury of the storm waves breaking on the rocks dead ahead .
The BP data shows that Canada is one of the world 's top-10 fossil burners — both in total amount and per person .
So , our actions and leadership in the fight for a safe climate matter more than those of nearly every other country .
And Canada also has what it takes to help lead the world toward a safe climate future .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most tech-savvy , get-it-done countries .
And we pride ourselves on doing the right thing and being a force for good in the world .
Plus , politically , both Liberal and Conservative federal governments over the years have stated that Canada aims to be a global climate leader and have collectively pledged to reduce our climate pollution — nine times .
So , how are we doing ?
My chart on the right shows Canada 's annual fossil burn since 1990 .
You can see that we have n't been cutting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more .
One bright spot is that our coal burning has declined .
But that relatively small bit of climate progress has been wiped out many times over by our increases in both fossil oil and fossil gas burning .
At this point , eliminating coal wo n't even get us to back to our starting line .
As the chart shows , our rising fossil oil and gas burn is now higher than all our fossil burning ( including coal ) was in 2005 .
That 's the baseline year we promised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Copenhagen and Paris Agreement climate targets .
If we want to start making climate progress in Canada , we 'll need to start making significant and sustained reductions in the amount of fossil oil and gas we burn , as well .
What role are renewables playing in Canada 's climate efforts ?
My chart below lets you compare how much of each type of energy we 've added since 1990 .
The dotted-green line shows the increase in climate-safe energy since 1990 .
We 've added 1.1 EJ worth .
The black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burning .
As you can see , we 've added twice as much fossil during that time .
In fact , we 've continued to add twice as much fossil even since 2005 — our baseline climate year .
As a result , climate-safe energy sources in Canada keep falling ever farther behind climate-damaging ones .
Increasing fossil burning more than climate-safe alternatives amplifies our exposure to the gathering climate crisis .
How does our fossil burn in Canada compare to our global peers ?
My chart below compiles the BP data for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's top eight economies — which includes Canada .
Combined , this group accounts for around 80 per cent of global GDP .
Obviously , any solution to the climate crisis will require the action and leadership from all these countries .
Two things immediately jump out at me about Canada .
First , Canada burns the most per person .
We now burn even more than the Americans ; twice as much as the Europeans ; and three times the global average .
Second , Canadians are still burning as much as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , we burn a bit more per person now .
In contrast , the Americans cut their fossil burn by 15 per cent per person .
The Europeans now burn 22 per cent less .
And the U.K. burns 37 per cent less per person than they did in 1990 .
So , clearly it is possible for wealthy , technologically advanced countries to turn down the fossil burner — at least at the per-person level .
My final chart expands the scope to include the entire world .
In this chart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the global population .
For example , it shows that half the world lives in countries that burn less than 33 GJ per person .
While 90 per cent of humanity burns less than 135 GJ per year .
It turns out that we are currently burning more fossil fuels per person than 99 per cent of humanity — nearly five times the global median .
Does this look to you like Canada is doing our fair share in the fight to prevent a full-blown climate crisis ?
It sure looks like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to me .
Fossil fuels do n't burn themselves .
We choose to burn them .
We could choose to burn less — just like many of our peers have .
So far , we 've chosen not to .
In my opinion , our failure to aggressively turn down our oversized fossil burn is both excessively risky and morally wrong .
If Canadians want to finally get started in the right direction in the climate fight , where could we start ?
Here are a few options : • Create a plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targets .
Nine federal targets have been pledged so far .
But we 've never once taken the next step of creating a plan to fully achieve them .
Zero for nine .
No wonder we keep failing to meet them .
We need a plan .
• Adopt a climate policy framework that has worked elsewhere .
For example , our Commonwealth peer , the U.K. , cut their climate pollution by 42 per cent since 1990 .
In contrast , we 've increased ours by 21 per cent .
We could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carbon Budget law that has worked so well for them .
• Require proposed new mega-projects prove they are compatible with our climate targets .
We often do n't .
Just a few examples : oilsands , LNG , bio-energy .
• Choose cleaner transport .
One of the biggest climate polluting decisions Canadians ever make is the vehicles we buy .
Sadly , Canadians are currently choosing to buy the world 's dirtiest new passenger vehicles .
On average , each one sold locks in future demand to burn 21 more tonnes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CO2 .
In most of Canada , however , choosing an electric vehicle instead will reduce those fuel emissions by 98 per cent .
As a bonus , switching to electric transportation will dramatically reduce air pollution in our cities and our lungs .
And , of course , there is that other hugely climate polluting transportation problem : jet-setting .
Canadians have plenty of transportation options that will turn down our crazy-high fossil burn .
If we want climate progress , we all need to start choosing options that are compatible with @ @ @ @ @

My first chart shows BP's data for global fossil fuel use since 1990. This is the combined energy from all fossil oil, gas and coal burned each year. As you can clearly see, humanity just keeps burning more and more.
To illustrate humanity's relentless acceleration off the climate cliff, and Canadians' role as top one-percenters, I've dug into the latest BP energy report and created the “missing charts” that show fossil burning trends — both here at home and worldwide.
That's according to data released by the multinational oil and gas company BP, in the latest "BP Statistical Review of World Energy."
Despite decades of promises to prevent a climate crisis, the primary cause of it, global fossil fuel burning, continues to increase rapidly. Last year's fossil burn broke all records.
Since that Rio Summit, there has been another quarter century of annual international climate summits. And yet fossil fuel burning has risen in every one of those years.
Back in 1992, the world gathered at the Rio Summit promising to prevent our collective fossil fuel pollution from unleashing a full-blown climate crisis onto future generations. Back then, humans were burning around 300 exajoules (EJ) worth of fossil fuels each year. But instead of reducing the threat as promised, we collectively cranked up the burning to a record 492 EJ last year. (Note: An “exajoule” (EJ) is an energy metric used by BP and others to compare different sources of energy. It is roughly equal to the energy from burning 163 million barrels of oil.)
In that same report, the IEA puts forward an alternative to business-as-usual. They call it a global “sustainable recovery” investment plan. If widely adopted, this plan would prevent emissions from continuing to rise. Of course, plans like this have been created and promoted for decades now. The climate crisis has not been caused by a lack of options and plans. It's been caused by a lack of will to implement them at the scale needed.
The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to create another yearly drop. But once again, global climate pollution is projected to rebound and continue rising afterwards, under business-as-usual. That's according to a recent analysis by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Except one. In 2009, a sudden worldwide recession caused the one small dip you can see in the chart. However, the very next year fossil fuel burning increased by the most ever recorded. The short-lived hope that the dip and crisis might lead to sustained climate progress turned out to be an illusion as business-as-usual fossil burning returned both fast and furious.
One of the great climate hopes has been that rising amounts of renewables and nuclear energy would cause fossil fuel burning to start falling. My next chart shows what happened instead.
The green bars combine the BP data for all climate-safe energy sources. This includes all renewables (such as hydro, solar and wind) plus nuclear energy.
As you can see, climate-safe energy has indeed grown robustly over the last three decades — rising by 48 EJ.
But, as you can also see, fossil fuel burning has risen four times more — adding 193 EJ.
As a result, fossil burning hasn't just been rising — it's been pulling away from the climate-safe alternatives. In 1990, the energy gap was an eye-watering 255 EJ. Now it's more than 400 EJ.
In the Greek myth symbolizing futility, Sisyphus had to repeatedly push the same boulder up the same hill. When it comes to humanity's primary climate task — replacing fossil carbon burning — we are stuck in the same kind of endless struggle. Each year, the world builds heaps of new climate-safe energy sources. And yet, at the start of the next year, the amount that needs to be built is even larger. Our boulder keeps getting bigger.
One clean step forward and four dirty steps back.
Beware the siren's song
One beguiling statistic is that fossil fuels are losing market share to renewables. That's often held up as a sign of climate progress. Unfortunately, it hasn't been so far. My next chart digs into the BP data to illustrate why.
See that dotted line at the bottom? That shows the market share for fossil fuels since 1990. Sure enough, it has fallen from 87 per cent of global energy use, down to 84 per cent.
The reason that isn't climate progress is that the climate doesn't care about “market share” or how much renewable energy we use. What our climate system reacts to is the total amount of fossil fuels burned. That's the solid black line on the chart. And it, clearly, hasn't fallen. It's rocketed up by 65 per cent. That's what is fuelling the climate crisis. That's what is threatening our future. And that's the line that must fall quickly if we hope to preserve and pass along the safe and sane climate that most of us were fortunate enough to be born into.
Rising fossil burning is not climate progress. It is accelerating climate failure.
This chimera of falling-share-with-rising-amounts can continue for thousands of years, as long as the total energy market keeps growing. So, beware the lovely and comforting siren's song of “worry not, fossil carbon is losing market share to renewables.” It deceptively hides the increasing fury of the storm waves breaking on the rocks dead ahead.
What about Canada?
The BP data shows that Canada is one of the world's top-10 fossil burners — both in total amount and per person.
So, our actions and leadership in the fight for a safe climate matter more than those of nearly every other country. And Canada also has what it takes to help lead the world toward a safe climate future. We are one of the world's wealthiest, most tech-savvy, get-it-done countries. And we pride ourselves on doing the right thing and being a force for good in the world.
Plus, politically, both Liberal and Conservative federal governments over the years have stated that Canada aims to be a global climate leader and have collectively pledged to reduce our climate pollution — nine times.
So, how are we doing?
My chart on the right shows Canada's annual fossil burn since 1990.
You can see that we haven't been cutting back as promised. We keep burning more.
One bright spot is that our coal burning has declined. But that relatively small bit of climate progress has been wiped out many times over by our increases in both fossil oil and fossil gas burning.
At this point, eliminating coal won't even get us to back to our starting line. As the chart shows, our rising fossil oil and gas burn is now higher than all our fossil burning (including coal) was in 2005. That's the baseline year we promised to make big cuts from in our Copenhagen and Paris Agreement climate targets.
If we want to start making climate progress in Canada, we'll need to start making significant and sustained reductions in the amount of fossil oil and gas we burn, as well.
Renewables versus fossil in Canada
What role are renewables playing in Canada's climate efforts? My chart below lets you compare how much of each type of energy we've added since 1990.
The dotted-green line shows the increase in climate-safe energy since 1990. We've added 1.1 EJ worth.
The black line shows the increase in fossil fuel burning. As you can see, we've added twice as much fossil during that time.
In fact, we've continued to add twice as much fossil even since 2005 — our baseline climate year. As a result, climate-safe energy sources in Canada keep falling ever farther behind climate-damaging ones.
Increasing fossil burning is climate failure.
Increasing fossil burning more than climate-safe alternatives amplifies our exposure to the gathering climate crisis.
Compared to our peers
How does our fossil burn in Canada compare to our global peers?
My chart below compiles the BP data for fossil burning per person in the world's top eight economies — which includes Canada. Combined, this group accounts for around 80 per cent of global GDP. Obviously, any solution to the climate crisis will require the action and leadership from all these countries.
Two things immediately jump out at me about Canada.
First, Canada burns the most per person. We now burn even more than the Americans; twice as much as the Europeans; and three times the global average.
Second, Canadians are still burning as much as we did back in 1990. In fact, we burn a bit more per person now.
In contrast, the Americans cut their fossil burn by 15 per cent per person. The Europeans now burn 22 per cent less. And the U.K. burns 37 per cent less per person than they did in 1990. So, clearly it is possible for wealthy, technologically advanced countries to turn down the fossil burner — at least at the per-person level.
My final chart expands the scope to include the entire world. In this chart, the x-axis shows the running total of the global population. For example, it shows that half the world lives in countries that burn less than 33 GJ per person. While 90 per cent of humanity burns less than 135 GJ per year.
Where are Canadians?
It turns out that we are currently burning more fossil fuels per person than 99 per cent of humanity — nearly five times the global median.
Does this look to you like Canada is doing our fair share in the fight to prevent a full-blown climate crisis?
It sure looks like a top one per cent climate failure to me. Fossil fuels don't burn themselves. We choose to burn them. We could choose to burn less — just like many of our peers have. So far, we've chosen not to. In my opinion, our failure to aggressively turn down our oversized fossil burn is both excessively risky and morally wrong.
What now?
If Canadians want to finally get started in the right direction in the climate fight, where could we start? Here are a few options:


nationalobserver--2020-07-15--Alberta conservationist stunned by police surveillance of meeting with environment minister

A well-known conservationist who met with an Alberta cabinet minister at a diner says he 's stunned two police officers did unauthorized surveillance on the informal meeting before one followed his vehicle .
Harvey Locke and his wife , Marie-Eve Marchand , were two of four people who met with former environment minister Shannon Phillips at the Chef Stella Diner in Lethbridge in April 2017 .
`` I was listening to the radio at breakfast and my eyes just about fell into my coffee cup , '' Locke said in an interview from his home in Banff , Alta.
, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listening to a news story about a disciplinary hearing for Sgt .
Jason Carrier and Const .
Keon Woronuk , which was first reported by CHAT News .
The two Lethbridge police officers admitted they had not been authorized to watch Phillips while she met with people in a diner to discuss a new park in the Castle region in the province 's southwest .
• Trudeau urged to boost Canada 's post-COVID economy by investing in nature • Here ’ s what Ontario ’ s stage 3 reopening will look like The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmentally sensitive area .
Hearing notes said both officers had a shared interest in off-roading there .
Carrier texted Woronuk , who was acting sergeant on duty , with a picture of the meeting and location , and Woronuk attended the diner .
They took photos of the meeting and , as they left , Woronuk said to Carrier that he `` would hate to see Phillips drive away from the restaurant and there was a reason to stop her , '' an agreed statement of facts said .
Woronuk was also involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the diner and he ran a police information check on it , the statement said .
A well-known conservationist who met with an Alberta cabinet minister at a diner says he 's stunned two police officers did unauthorized surveillance on the informal meeting before one followed his vehicle .
Woronuk subsequently posted photos of the meeting on a Facebook page under the name `` Mike Corps , '' which included identifying Locke and Marchand and a long caption criticizing Phillips and the NDP government .
A screenshot from the post saved by Locke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Locke .
`` He loves to hear himself speak ...
Loudly .
This proved to be beneficial because I ( and the rest of the restaurant ) could clearly hear most of their conversation , '' said the post .
It said Locke had a map laid out on the table , was pointing out areas and telling Phillips that `` trails need to be closed and access restricted because these were traditional Buffalo migratory paths and breeding grounds . ''
The post prompted Phillips to complain to Calgary police , who uncovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the investigation on to Medicine Hat police .
The review resulted in charges under the Police Act .
Locke , who noted he gave a brief statement early on , said he did n't know there was a formal investigation .
`` The irony , of course , is the meeting was n't about the Castle at all , '' he said .
It was about the reintroduction of bison in Banff National Park , he said , and how Phillips could protect the animals if they wandered onto provincial land outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a community of people who get angry because they do n't want to see nature conserved in Alberta .
Phillips did sign a ministerial order a year later that protected the plains bison herd as wildlife if they wandered into a 239-square-kilometre area that stretches northwest of Banff National Park to the federally run Ya Ha Tinda Ranch .
Locke said he works with governments around the world to protect nature and he 's shocked to hear that he was followed by police in his own province .
`` It 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's not illegal to create parks in Alberta , '' he said .
The two officers were temporarily demoted .
The force 's police chief has said their actions were shameful and inexcusable .
Locke said he 's pleased to hear the United Conservative government is taking the matter seriously and has referred it to Alberta 's police watchdog to determine if there are grounds for a criminal investigation .
Sharon Craig , a spokeswoman for the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team , said it will be a comprehensive review of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was n't immediately clear if that review will interview Phillips , Locke , Marchand and the two other people at the meeting , who have asked not to be identified .
Phillips , now the Opposition NDP legislature member for Lethbridge-West , said the two officers should be fired .
She said the matter goes to the heart of trust in police and that an independent outside investigator needs to be brought in .
Locke said there 's a nasty strain in society that uses intimidation to prevent nature conservation .
`` Putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alberta must come to an end immediately , '' he said .
`` It just has to stop . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15 , 2020

A well-known conservationist who met with an Alberta cabinet minister at a diner says he's stunned two police officers did unauthorized surveillance on the informal meeting before one followed his vehicle. Harvey Locke and his wife, Marie-Eve Marchand, were two of four people who met with former environment minister Shannon Phillips at the Chef Stella Diner in Lethbridge in April 2017. "I was listening to the radio at breakfast and my eyes just about fell into my coffee cup," Locke said in an interview from his home in Banff, Alta., late Tuesday. He and Marchand were listening to a news story about a disciplinary hearing for Sgt. Jason Carrier and Const. Keon Woronuk, which was first reported by CHAT News. The two Lethbridge police officers admitted they had not been authorized to watch Phillips while she met with people in a diner to discuss a new park in the Castle region in the province's southwest.
The plan included restricting off-road vehicles in the environmentally sensitive area. Hearing notes said both officers had a shared interest in off-roading there. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Carrier texted Woronuk, who was acting sergeant on duty, with a picture of the meeting and location, and Woronuk attended the diner.
They took photos of the meeting and, as they left, Woronuk said to Carrier that he "would hate to see Phillips drive away from the restaurant and there was a reason to stop her," an agreed statement of facts said. A well-known conservationist who met with an Alberta cabinet minister at a diner says he's stunned two police officers did unauthorized surveillance on the informal meeting before one followed his vehicle. Woronuk was also involved in following a blue Mazda that left the diner and he ran a police information check on it, the statement said. Locke drives a blue Mazda. Woronuk subsequently posted photos of the meeting on a Facebook page under the name "Mike Corps," which included identifying Locke and Marchand and a long caption criticizing Phillips and the NDP government. A screenshot from the post saved by Locke and Marchand showed the officer also criticized Locke.
"He loves to hear himself speak... Loudly. This proved to be beneficial because I (and the rest of the restaurant) could clearly hear most of their conversation," said the post. It said Locke had a map laid out on the table, was pointing out areas and telling Phillips that "trails need to be closed and access restricted because these were traditional Buffalo migratory paths and breeding grounds." The post prompted Phillips to complain to Calgary police, who uncovered the unauthorized database search. They passed the investigation on to Medicine Hat police. The review resulted in charges under the Police Act.


nationalobserver--2020-07-15--What exactly is ‘sustainable’ about Amazon’s new jet fuel?

This story was originally published by Grist and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration Amazon ’ s fleet of aircraft , which is soon to surpass 80 Boeings , enables the e-commerce giant to deliver everything from dog food to Dysons within two days .
It ’ s an impressive logistical feat , but it comes with a heavy carbon footprint — and is particularly conspicuous given the company ’ s recent pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 .
To start to address the issue , Amazon Air announced on Wednesday that it will buy up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel , which it says will reduce its aircrafts ’ emissions by 20 percent .
While the purchase is a small step that won ’ t substantially reduce the company ’ s overall carbon footprint , it may help boost demand for alternative fuels , which are currently too expensive to be competitive with conventional jet fuel .
What makes Amazon ’ s sustainable aviation fuel ( SAF ) “ sustainable ” is not necessarily that it produces fewer carbon emissions than conventional jet fuel when it ’ s burned in an airplane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a smaller carbon footprint when the entire life cycle of the fuel is taken into account .
( In addition , many SAFs burn more cleanly , spewing less soot and other pollutants from a plane ’ s engine . )
• Trudeau urged to boost Canada 's post-COVID economy by investing in nature • Here ’ s what Ontario ’ s stage 3 reopening will look like SAFs can be made from a number materials , like various plant oils and crops like poplar and switchgrass .
Many of the SAFs under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like used cooking oil , animal fat , municipal solid waste , and corn leaves , stalks , and cobs .
Amazon plans to use a blend of jet fuel and SAF derived from animal fats and oils , produced by the fuel company World Energy .
To assess the emissions reductions claimed by Amazon ’ s SAF , you need to assess every step of its life cycle , compared to that of conventional jet fuel .
Jet fuel starts as crude oil in the ground .
It has to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pipeline to a refinery , where it is refined and then shipped again to the airport before it ’ s burned in an engine .
The process for Amazon ’ s SAF , on the other hand , involves growing and delivering food for livestock , feeding and processing the animals , delivering the fat to a refiner and refining it , getting the fuel to the airport , and burning it in the plane .
By saying that this fuel will reduce emissions by 20 percent , Amazon and World Energy are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events generates 20 percent fewer emissions than the one for the crude oil the company would have used instead .
Annie Petsonk , international affairs counsel for the Environmental Defense Fund , called Amazon ’ s purchase an “ important baby step ” because it could boost demand for sustainable fuels .
Today , SAFs are deep in the “ valley of death ” that frustrates many new energy technologies , she said .
Sustainable fuels tend to be more expensive than conventional jet fuel , and investors don ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down until there ’ s a bigger market .
Some state and federal incentives exist to lower the price , but they still don ’ t make the price of SAFs competitive with conventional jet fuel , which is especially cheap at present due to the economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Petsonk said Amazon ’ s purchase will help demonstrate that SAFs work and that major companies are willing to pay a premium for them .
Her team calculated that switching from conventional jet fuel to the new fuel could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 12,000 metric tonnes of CO2 .
( Achieving this reduction could be jeopardized if production of the fuel has indirect climate impacts , such as causing other companies that use animal fat to switch to palm oil , thereby contributing to deforestation . )
Amazon Air announced on Wednesday that it will buy up to 6 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel , which it says will reduce its aircrafts ’ emissions by 20 percent .
Given that Amazon ’ s 2019 self-reported carbon footprint was more than 50 million metric tonnes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a drop in the bucket .
But at this point , the options to reduce aviation-related emissions are still relatively limited .
There are other SAFs that boast larger carbon reductions , but they are still in the early stages of development .
The Illinois-based biotech startup LanzaTech is one of the leaders in the space .
It produces a form of sustainable ethanol for jet fuel by capturing the emissions from steel mills .
Another company , Velocys , is building a plant in the U.K. to supply British Airways with jet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ otherwise go to a landfill .
Both companies boast a 70 percent reduction in greenhouse gases compared to conventional jet fuel .
Right now SAFs make up just a fraction of a percent of the fuels burned in airplanes , Petsonk said .
But with governments around the world excusing the industry from its emissions reduction goals , Amazon ’ s adoption of sustainable fuel does move the needle , however slightly .

This story was originally published by Grist and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration Amazon’s fleet of aircraft, which is soon to surpass 80 Boeings, enables the e-commerce giant to deliver everything from dog food to Dysons within two days. It’s an impressive logistical feat, but it comes with a heavy carbon footprint — and is particularly conspicuous given the company’s recent pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. To start to address the issue, Amazon Air announced on Wednesday that it will buy up to 6 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel, which it says will reduce its aircrafts’ emissions by 20 percent. While the purchase is a small step that won’t substantially reduce the company’s overall carbon footprint, it may help boost demand for alternative fuels, which are currently too expensive to be competitive with conventional jet fuel. What makes Amazon’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) “sustainable” is not necessarily that it produces fewer carbon emissions than conventional jet fuel when it’s burned in an airplane — it’s that it has a smaller carbon footprint when the entire life cycle of the fuel is taken into account. (In addition, many SAFs burn more cleanly, spewing less soot and other pollutants from a plane’s engine.)
SAFs can be made from a number materials, like various plant oils and crops like poplar and switchgrass. Many of the SAFs under development are made from reusable waste products, like used cooking oil, animal fat, municipal solid waste, and corn leaves, stalks, and cobs. Amazon plans to use a blend of jet fuel and SAF derived from animal fats and oils, produced by the fuel company World Energy. To assess the emissions reductions claimed by Amazon’s SAF, you need to assess every step of its life cycle, compared to that of conventional jet fuel. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Jet fuel starts as crude oil in the ground. It has to be pumped, shipped, or sent via pipeline to a refinery, where it is refined and then shipped again to the airport before it’s burned in an engine. The process for Amazon’s SAF, on the other hand, involves growing and delivering food for livestock, feeding and processing the animals, delivering the fat to a refiner and refining it, getting the fuel to the airport, and burning it in the plane. By saying that this fuel will reduce emissions by 20 percent, Amazon and World Energy are essentially claiming that this whole chain of events generates 20 percent fewer emissions than the one for the crude oil the company would have used instead.


nationalobserver--2020-07-15--WE Charity restructuring operations to aid transparency

WE Charity is restructuring its operations weeks after its sole-sourced contract with the government shone a spotlight on the organization at the centre of an ethics investigation of the prime minister .
The charity says it will return to its roots by prioritizing international development work focused on children and their families .
But after 25 years of rapid growth , WE Charity says its structure is too complicated and needs to be more transparent .
A formal review will be conducted by experts Korn Ferry to streamline its operations and clearly separate the social enterprise from the charitable entities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board of directors for diversity , inclusion and independence .
A chief risk and compliance officer independent from management will be hired to oversee all risk management , regulatory and governance compliance .
• Trudeau urged to boost Canada 's post-COVID economy by investing in nature • Here ’ s what Ontario ’ s stage 3 reopening will look like Avis Glaze , an international leader in the field of education , and McCarthy Tetrault LLP will conduct a workplace review .
David Onley , the former lieutenant governor of Ontario , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice on the transformation and implement Korn Ferry 's recommendations .
`` By making these changes within our organization , WE can move forward to the next 25 years of impact focused on what matters most : the communities and youth we serve , '' it said in a news release .
Federal ethics commissioner Mario Dion is investigating Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for a potential conflict of interest after he failed to recuse himself from a decision to award a $ 900-million student-aid program to WE even though his mother , brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a number of appearances at the organization 's events .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15 , 2020 .

WE Charity is restructuring its operations weeks after its sole-sourced contract with the government shone a spotlight on the organization at the centre of an ethics investigation of the prime minister.
The charity says it will return to its roots by prioritizing international development work focused on children and their families.
But after 25 years of rapid growth, WE Charity says its structure is too complicated and needs to be more transparent.
A formal review will be conducted by experts Korn Ferry to streamline its operations and clearly separate the social enterprise from the charitable entities. The firm will also review the board of directors for diversity, inclusion and independence.
A chief risk and compliance officer independent from management will be hired to oversee all risk management, regulatory and governance compliance.


nationalobserver--2020-07-16--Ottawa commits to national paid sick leave program championed by Horgan

British Columbia Premier John Horgan took credit Thursday for pushing the rest of the country to endorse a new $ 1.1-billion federally funded paid sick leave program to help Canadians avoid spreading COVID-19 at their jobs .
Horgan has been advocating for a national sick leave program for months , alongside Yukon Premier Sandy Silver and Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister , as a way to avoid presenting workers with the cruel choice of working while sick or losing a day ’ s income during the pandemic .
More than half of the workers in B.C .
between the ages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid sick days , according to a survey by the BC Office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives ( CCPA ) , and Statistics Canada said in 2016 that only 42 per cent of Canadian workers nationwide had access to this benefit .
Workers with low incomes are also much less likely to have paid sick leave , the CCPA found , including 89 per cent of those earning less than $ 30,000 per year .
“ I ’ m particularly proud of our ability here in British Columbia to push the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea of a paid sick leave program , nationally funded and nationally co-ordinated , ” Horgan said during a press conference Thursday .
• Trudeau urged to boost Canada 's post-COVID economy by investing in nature Horgan made the comments following an announcement earlier in the day by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that a $ 19-billion “ safe restart agreement ” had been reached with the provinces and territories to help pay for a range of efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic for the next six to eight months .
The federal government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program '' that will provide workers without access to paid sick leave 10 days if it is related to COVID-19 , Trudeau 's office announced .
Provinces and territories will have to `` outline how they will invest these funds , '' it said .
Trudeau had promised to include “ sick pay ” as part of a forthcoming federal restart plan that he first announced June 5 .
We were loud in our calls for a national sick pay program - and the federal government has listened .
Today 's news is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step toward making sure no one feels pressured to go to work while they 're sick .
— John Horgan ( @ jjhorgan ) July 16 , 2020 The federal government “ will establish sick leave where it is not already available across our country , ” Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said in remarks following Trudeau ’ s announcement .
Horgan said Trudeau and Freeland were “ early adherents to the idea ” of a national program , and the three premiers “ were able to get that one across the line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
British Columbia Premier John Horgan took credit Thursday for pushing the rest of the country to endorse a new $ 1.1 billion , federally-funded paid sick leave program to help Canadians avoid spreading COVID-19 at their jobs .
“ That ’ s $ 1.1 billion to make sure that people don ’ t go to work sick ” and infect other workers or customers , said Horgan .
He also said the federal government had committed to him that “ if there ’ s greater demand , if there ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ll increase that.
” B.C .
plans to roll out its own $ 1.5-billion recovery package in the coming days .
Horgan said those details are being finalized now .
He said the B.C .
government had planned to fund paid sick leave as part of it , until Ottawa said it would pick up the bill .
The province recently forecasted a deficit of $ 12.5 billion for 2020-21 and has een job losses of 235,000 since February .
After distributing more than $ 5 billion in financial aid , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion dollars in losses in income tax and sales tax .
B.C .
Premier John Horgan speaks to media on July 16 , 2020 .
Horgan said he pushed the rest of the country to `` embrace the idea of a paid sick leave program . ''
B.C .
government screenshot In addition to paid sick leave , the prime minister said funding in the agreement would go towards six other major areas .
Provinces have agreed not to shift money from one area to another , said Trudeau , but will each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be spent .
The areas are : increasing capacity for testing , contact tracing and gathering public health data ; securing more personal protective equipment ; supporting seniors , long-term care facilities , home care and palliative care ; ensuring safe child-care spaces and support for women and mothers ; operational funding for cities ; and public transit .
Funding to keep public transit afloat during the pandemic has been a major issue for B.C.
, Ontario and Quebec and their major urban centres of Vancouver , Toronto and Montreal .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Observer that Metro Vancouver 's TransLink was expected to lose almost a half-billion dollars in revenue in 2020 as ridership plummeted , and that financial sustainability meant “ dollar figures in the hundreds of millions.
” Horgan said Thursday that one of the “ sticking points ” in negotiations between the provinces and the federal government over the restart plan was that Ottawa had “ initially put a cap on the transit funding.
” He said B.C.
, Ontario and Quebec would have swallowed up all the available transit funding on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” on transit in the large metro areas .
Freeland then broadened the package so it is “ open-ended ” but now shared equally with the provinces , said Horgan .
“ We anticipate we ’ re going to be needing in the neighbourhood of $ 600 million to get back on track ” just for this year , said Horgan .
He said the funds would go not just to TransLink , but also BC Transit and other organizations in the Lower Mainland .
Ontario Premier Doug Ford , speaking from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he embarked on a provincial tour , said the federal funding was “ desperately needed.
” “ My friends , this is good .
This is great , actually , ” Ford said , adding that Ontario ’ s share of the cash is roughly $ 7 billion .
Ford thanked Freeland and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe for their leadership on the deal , along with mayors of Ontario cities who he said gave “ unwavering support ” during the negotiations .
Editor 's note : This story was updated at 9:18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correct that the federal government is offering 10 days of paid sick leave related to COVID-19 , not six .

British Columbia Premier John Horgan took credit Thursday for pushing the rest of the country to endorse a new $1.1-billion federally funded paid sick leave program to help Canadians avoid spreading COVID-19 at their jobs. A $19-billion “safe restart agreement” has been reached with the provinces and territories, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced earlier in the day, meant to fund efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic for the next six to eight months. As part of this package, the federal government is offering a "temporary income support program" that will provide workers 10 days of paid sick leave related to COVID-19, if they don't already have access to this benefit. Horgan, Yukon Premier Sandy Silver and Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister have been advocating for such a national program to help Canadians avoid having to choose between working while sick and losing income during a pandemic. More than half of workers in B.C. between 25 and 65 years old do not have any paid sick days, according to a survey by the BC office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Workers with low incomes are also much less likely to have any, they found, including 89 per cent of those earning less than $30,000 a year.
“I’m particularly proud of our ability here in British Columbia to push the rest of the country to embrace the idea of a paid sick leave program, nationally funded and nationally co-ordinated,” Horgan said during a press conference Thursday. http://twitter.com/jjhorgan/status/1283851889625321472
Income program to offer 10 days of paid sick leave The government said the program, which it estimated to cost $1.1 billion, will "encourage workers to remain at home and seek public health advice if they are showing symptoms." British Columbia Premier John Horgan took credit Thursday for pushing the rest of the country to endorse a new $1.1 billion, federally-funded paid sick leave program to help Canadians avoid spreading COVID-19 at their jobs. "To safely restart the economy, Canada must ensure that workers do not return to work if they have COVID-19 or are showing symptoms," reads a backgrounder from Trudeau's office. Provinces and territories will need to pass legislation or regulations that will protect the jobs of workers who are taking advantage of the 10 days being offered, the government said. B.C. plans to roll out its own $1.5-billion recovery package in the coming days. Horgan said those details are being finalized now and had originally included paid sick leave until Ottawa said it would pick up the bill.
The province recently forecasted a deficit of $12.5 billion for 2020-21 and has seen job losses of 235,000 since February. After distributing more than $5 billion in financial aid, B.C. is bracing for over a billion dollars in losses in income tax and sales tax. B.C. Premier John Horgan speaks to media on July 16, 2020. Horgan said he pushed the rest of the country to "embrace the idea of a paid sick leave program." B.C. government screenshot


nationalobserver--2020-07-16--While B.C. wrestled COVID-19, opioid deaths shattered records

B.C .
recorded its deadliest month ever for illicit drug overdoses as fatalities from increasingly toxic street drugs continue to spike during the pandemic .
In June , 175 people died from illicit drug overdoses across the province , up from the previous record high of 171 fatalities set in May , the BC Coroners Service reported Thursday .
Peer advocates for people who use drugs in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island are exhausted and angry as B.C.
’ s opioid overdose crisis , now in its fifth year , continues to steal lives .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the numbers continue to climb , ” said Guy Felicella , peer clinical adviser with the BC Centre on Substance Use .
“ I ’ m tired of records .
And I ’ m tired of seeing people in my community die , and die waiting — waiting for access to a safe supply , waiting for access to detox , waiting to get into recovery.
” • Trudeau urged to boost Canada 's post-COVID economy by investing in nature A total of 728 people have died in the province from illicit street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 deaths occurring in each of the past four months as the province struggles to manage dual health emergencies .
The cities of Vancouver , Surrey and Victoria are facing the highest number of fatalities during the overdose crisis in 2020 , which is resulting in four deaths a day across the province .
A total of 68 per cent of the people dying from overdoses were aged 19 to 49 , and men accounted for 80 per cent of the deaths to date in 2020 .
Of the people who died , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes or in a range of residences .
A total of 189 people have died of COVID-19 in B.C .
since the pandemic began , according to data Thursday afternoon .
“ We have two public health emergencies , and we ’ ve met the challenge of one , ” said Felicella .
“ Yet the other continues on , getting worse.
” “ Many pharmaceutical drugs that exist are like opiates or street drugs .
People need a menu of options , if not , you are missing part of the equation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the immediate need to provide safe supply for substance users .
Success flattening the COVID-19 curve was the result of heeding scientific evidence and the advice of experts , such as provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry , he said .
“ I wish we would do the same with her advice to end our overdose public health emergency , ” said Felicella , referring to Henry ’ s repeated calls to decriminalize drug use .
“ If we listened to Dr. Henry — and to the many other experts , from scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — I don ’ t think we ’ d be here today.
” Guy Felicella , peer clinical adviser with the BC Centre on Substance Use , expressed despair at the continuing death toll from toxic street drugs and wants the immediate decriminalization of drug use .
Photo : Courtesy Guy Felicella .
Henry reiterated the appeal to the federal government to decriminalize possession of drugs for personal use as recommended by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police during her COVID-19 briefing on Thursday .
`` I 'm calling again on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart , '' said Henry .
`` To take the advice of the chiefs of police , who know that this an important step that we can move forward on together .
And there is no more important time for us to do that than now . ''
Island Health has been hard hit by the overdose crisis and has the third-highest rate of fatal overdoses , with 31 deaths per 100,000 people compared to the provincial rate of 29 .
In June , the health region recorded 34 deaths — 17 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of 132 deaths in 2020 .
Of the total deaths this year , 73 occurred in the south Vancouver Island health service area , 45 in central Vancouver Island and 14 in the north region .
Island Health issued overdoses alerts in the hot spots of Victoria , Nanaimo and the Cowichan Valley this past week warning of the risks of stimulants and opioids , particularly smoking illicit drugs .
People using drugs were advised to go to local overdose prevention sites , get substances tested , carry naloxone , and use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so one person could get help in an emergency .
Federal funding for a limited pilot project in Cowichan to provide people using drugs a safe alternative to toxic street drugs was announced Wednesday .
Approximately $ 2 million will go to prescribe an alternative medical grade opioid for street drugs to a group of 25 patients who haven ’ t responded to other substance use disorder treatments .
Participants will get hydromorphone tablets from a licensed prescriber at the Cowichan Valley Wellness and Recovery Centre over a four-year period .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has worsened the situation for Canadians struggling with substance use disorders in many parts of the country , including Vancouver Island communities , ” said federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu , adding the project will also help connect participants to other services and supports .
Dr. Richard Stanwick , Island Health ’ s chief medical health officer , said the prescribed medication will be a life-saving alternative to the contaminated street drug supply driving the overdose crisis .
“ The recent increase in overdose deaths in communities within Island Health shows a clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug supply , ” said Stanwick .
It ’ s a good first step , said Jack Phillips , executive director of Solid Outreach in Victoria , a peer advocacy group for people using drugs .
But the safe supply of drugs needs to be more immediate , widespread , and easier to access , ” said Phillips , who regularly accompanies people to medical appointments to try to get prescribed alternatives to street drugs .
Many doctors are reluctant to prescribe medical alternatives to other street drugs , although the province has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do it during the pandemic , Phillips said .
“ Do most doctors do that ?
No , ” said Phillips , adding the hesitance of primary care providers is compounded by lack of support from the regulatory bodies that license medical professionals .
“ And what happens when they do ( prescribe ) ?
They get letters from the college asking why they are giving opiate prescriptions.
” Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe also urged clinicians to support people at risk of overdose in a statement released Thursday .
“ The risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and access to safe supply for those with this medical condition is essential to save lives , ” said Lapointe .
The coroners service has been examining toxicity results of overdose deaths and has not seen any evidence of a link between increased prescriptions , such as the presence of hydromorphone , and increased fatalities , she said .
Phillips said it was also important people with substance use disorders were offered a wider range of pharmaceutical alternatives that met their individual needs .
“ Many pharmaceutical drugs that exist are like opiates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ menu of options , if not , you are missing part of the equation , ” Phillips said , adding that making dicetylmorphine , or prescription heroin , more readily available would be one option .
“ It 's simple .
If you just give those to people … all these massive costs to society would just go away .
”

B.C. recorded its deadliest month ever for illicit drug overdoses as fatalities from increasingly toxic street drugs continue to spike during the pandemic. In June, 175 people died from illicit drug overdoses across the province, up from the previous record high of 171 fatalities set in May, the BC Coroners Service reported Thursday. Peer advocates for people who use drugs in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island are exhausted and angry as B.C.’s opioid overdose crisis, now in its fifth year, continues to steal lives. “I’m just so devastated and saddened that the numbers continue to climb,” said Guy Felicella, peer clinical adviser with the BC Centre on Substance Use. “I’m tired of records. And I’m tired of seeing people in my community die, and die waiting — waiting for access to a safe supply, waiting for access to detox, waiting to get into recovery.”
A total of 728 people have died in the province from illicit street drugs in 2020, with more than 100 deaths occurring in each of the past four months as the province struggles to manage dual health emergencies. The cities of Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria are facing the highest number of fatalities during the overdose crisis in 2020, which is resulting in four deaths a day across the province. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions A total of 68 per cent of the people dying from overdoses were aged 19 to 49, and men accounted for 80 per cent of the deaths to date in 2020.
Of the people who died, 85 per cent were found inside their homes or in a range of residences. “Many pharmaceutical drugs that exist are like opiates or street drugs. People need a menu of options, if not, you are missing part of the equation,” peer advocate Jack Phillips on the immediate need to provide safe supply for substance users. A total of 189 people have died of COVID-19 in B.C. since the pandemic began, according to data Thursday afternoon. “We have two public health emergencies, and we’ve met the challenge of one,” said Felicella. “Yet the other continues on, getting worse.” Success flattening the COVID-19 curve was the result of heeding scientific evidence and the advice of experts, such as provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, he said. “I wish we would do the same with her advice to end our overdose public health emergency,” said Felicella, referring to Henry’s repeated calls to decriminalize drug use.
“If we listened to Dr. Henry — and to the many other experts, from scientists to doctors to people with lived experience — I don’t think we’d be here today.” Guy Felicella, peer clinical adviser with the BC Centre on Substance Use, expressed despair at the continuing death toll from toxic street drugs and wants the immediate decriminalization of drug use. Photo: Courtesy Guy Felicella. Henry reiterated the appeal to the federal government to decriminalize possession of drugs for personal use as recommended by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police during her COVID-19 briefing on Thursday.


nationalobserver--2020-07-16--Ford government must phase out natural gas power plants, 29 groups say

The Ontario government must phase out its fleet of natural gas-fired power plants by 2030 to have a hope of meeting its climate goals , a coalition of 29 groups says .
Led by the Ontario Clean Air Alliance , the list includes the David Suzuki Foundation , the Registered Nurses ' Association of Ontario , the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment , Leadnow , and 350.org .
If the government doesn ’ t shift away from its plans to rely on natural gas more in the coming years , the province risks erasing some of the gains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ontario Clean Air Alliance chair Jack Gibbons .
“ It ’ s essential for Ontario to move forward and meet its 2030 climate targets and not go backwards , ” Gibbons said .
“ We believe this proposal is a no-brainer.
” • Trudeau urged to boost Canada 's post-COVID economy by investing in nature The coalition ’ s call to action also comes with a few more asks : for Premier Doug Ford to reverse cuts to energy efficiency programs , put more funding towards developing low-cost renewable resources , accept an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cap emissions from existing natural gas plants until they can be phased out .
The coalition ’ s call was backed by Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner on Thursday , who called for the NDP and Liberals to add their support as well .
“ For two years , ( Premier ) Doug Ford has doubled down on costly , climate-wrecking fossil fuel projects while ripping up clean energy projects , ” Schreiner said in a statement .
“ We can build back better from COVID-19 with healthy , affordable electricity while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office of Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca declined to comment .
Ontario NDP climate critic Peter Tabuns said his party backs the call to action .
The Ontario government must phase out its fleet of natural gas-fired power plants by 2030 to have a hope of meeting its climate goals , a coalition of 29 groups say .
The call has been backed by the Ontario NDP and Green parties .
# onpoli “ We know there is no future for gas-fired plants in Ontario , ” Tabuns said .
“ We aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make our climate targets with them.
” Most of Ontario ’ s energy comes from hydro and nuclear power .
In 2019 , natural gas made up 9.5 per cent of the province ’ s total power generation , the government said .
But the Ford government is planning to rely on natural gas more heavily in the years ahead to make up for nuclear plants going offline for refurbishment , and for the premier ’ s cuts to green energy programs .
That means greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation in Ontario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next decade , the Independent Electricity Systems Operator ( IESO ) , which operates Ontario ’ s energy market , said in January .
In May , provincially owned Ontario Power Generation spent $ 2.8 billion to buy three natural gas plants .
Alex Puddifant , a spokesperson for Energy Minister Greg Rickford , didn ’ t directly address the criticism from the coalition , but said in an emailed statement that natural gas is more reliable than renewable energy or imported power .
“ In comparison to alternative choices ( e.g.
, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generation provides the needed flexibility to respond to changing conditions in the power system , ” Puddifant said .
Tabuns said the government should instead focus on supporting workers in the natural gas industry so they are able to find other jobs when the plants are inevitably phased out .
It doesn ’ t make sense to use such an emissions-heavy power source in the midst of a climate crisis , he added .
“ If we ’ re actually going to be politically successful bringing people on board in Ontario to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to know that they ’ re not going to be abandoned , ” he said .
Ontario could help the world meet its climate targets , Tabuns said .
Such changes could also benefit public health , as switching to lower-emissions energy sources decreases pollution that can cause health problems .

The Ontario government must phase out its fleet of natural gas-fired power plants by 2030 to have a hope of meeting its climate goals, a coalition of 29 groups says. Led by the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, the list includes the David Suzuki Foundation, the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Leadnow, and 350.org. If the government doesn’t shift away from its plans to rely on natural gas more in the coming years, the province risks erasing some of the gains made by phasing out coal, said Ontario Clean Air Alliance chair Jack Gibbons. “It’s essential for Ontario to move forward and meet its 2030 climate targets and not go backwards,” Gibbons said. “We believe this proposal is a no-brainer.”
The coalition’s call to action also comes with a few more asks: for Premier Doug Ford to reverse cuts to energy efficiency programs, put more funding towards developing low-cost renewable resources, accept an offer of cheap hydroelectricity from Quebec and cap emissions from existing natural gas plants until they can be phased out. The coalition’s call was backed by Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner on Thursday, who called for the NDP and Liberals to add their support as well. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “For two years, (Premier) Doug Ford has doubled down on costly, climate-wrecking fossil fuel projects while ripping up clean energy projects,” Schreiner said in a statement.
“We can build back better from COVID-19 with healthy, affordable electricity while refocusing on the climate crisis.” The Ontario government must phase out its fleet of natural gas-fired power plants by 2030 to have a hope of meeting its climate goals, a coalition of 29 groups say. The call has been backed by the Ontario NDP and Green parties. #onpoli The office of Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca declined to comment. Ontario NDP climate critic Peter Tabuns said his party backs the call to action. “We know there is no future for gas-fired plants in Ontario,” Tabuns said. “We aren’t going to be able to make our climate targets with them.” Most of Ontario’s energy comes from hydro and nuclear power. In 2019, natural gas made up 9.5 per cent of the province’s total power generation, the government said.
But the Ford government is planning to rely on natural gas more heavily in the years ahead to make up for nuclear plants going offline for refurbishment, and for the premier’s cuts to green energy programs. That means greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation in Ontario are set to nearly triple over the next decade, the Independent Electricity Systems Operator (IESO), which operates Ontario’s energy market, said in January. In May, provincially owned Ontario Power Generation spent $2.8 billion to buy three natural gas plants. Alex Puddifant, a spokesperson for Energy Minister Greg Rickford, didn’t directly address the criticism from the coalition, but said in an emailed statement that natural gas is more reliable than renewable energy or imported power.


nationalobserver--2020-07-16--Doug Ford promotes cannery that’s been reprimanded by environment ministry

Premier Doug Ford is under fire Thursday after promoting a cannery owned by Progressive Conservative donors who have been fined for environmental offences .
Sun-Brite Foods president Onorio ( Henry ) Iacobelli and his wife , Lina , donated a total of $ 4,922 to the PC Party in 2018 and 2019 , Elections Ontario ’ s political contribution database shows .
Ford visited the southern Ontario cannery Thursday , part of a summer tour the premier said was meant to thank the public for doing their part during COVID-19 .
The company has twice been reprimanded by Ontario ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for releasing toxic water that smelled like sulphur , resulting in a fine of nearly $ 300,000 , and another in 2012 for dumping waste on farmland without permission .
Ford ’ s office and Sun-Brite Foods did not immediately respond to requests from National Observer .
Sun-Brite Foods Inc. has been a leader throughout # COVID19 .
They practice physical distancing , use sanitizer stations , temperature checks , and offer voluntary on-site testing .
Happy to meet the people behind this gold standard !
🥫 pic.twitter.com/sy0sgPsHfG — Doug Ford ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cannery is in Leamington , Ont.
, southwest of Chatham-Kent .
The company operates the brand names Unico and Primo , and works for clients such as Heinz and Campbell ’ s .
Premier Doug Ford is under fire Thursday after promoting a cannery owned by Progressive Conservative donors who have been fined for environmental offences .
# onpoli Sun-Brite was fined $ 287,500 in 2018 for a 2015 incident where the company discharged toxic water and did not report it to the province .
After residents of nearby Kingsville , Ont.
, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a drain , inspectors found water that was blackish-grey , warm , smelled like sulphur and was toxic to aquatic life .
The company pleaded guilty to two charges .
The company also received a slap on the wrist in 2012 when it spread stinky organic waste onto farmland without getting provincial authorization , prompting complaints from neighbours .
The government did not fine Sun-Brite , as the company voluntarily agreed to fix the problem .
Schreiner pointed to Bill 132 , a piece of legislation the Ford government passed last year that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doug Ford is rewarding not just a PC donor , but a company that was fined $ 287,500 under water protection laws that the Conservatives have since weakened , ” Schreiner said in the statement .
# DYK that # Leamington is the tomato capital of Canada ?
And while visiting Sun-Brite Foods Inc. today , I saw some of the best quality Ontario grown tomatoes !
These guys are the # OntarioSpirit .
They ’ ve led the pack in safety and donated $ 100,000 and food to support a local hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) July 16 , 2020

Premier Doug Ford is under fire Thursday after promoting a cannery owned by Progressive Conservative donors who have been fined for environmental offences.
Sun-Brite Foods president Onorio (Henry) Iacobelli and his wife, Lina, donated a total of $4,922 to the PC Party in 2018 and 2019, Elections Ontario’s political contribution database shows. Ford visited the southern Ontario cannery Thursday, part of a summer tour the premier said was meant to thank the public for doing their part during COVID-19.
The company has twice been reprimanded by Ontario’s environment ministry — once in 2018 for releasing toxic water that smelled like sulphur, resulting in a fine of nearly $300,000, and another in 2012 for dumping waste on farmland without permission.
“While visiting Sun-Brite Foods Inc. today, I saw some of the best quality Ontario grown tomatoes!” Ford wrote in a tweet about his visit. “These guys are the #OntarioSpirit.”
Ford has previously denied that the tour amounts to campaigning. The premier has faced criticism in the past for telling Ontarians to visit businesses owned by PC donors.