COP 15 – For Our Grandchildren

Canada, a Climate Change Laggard?

November 3, 2020January 20, 2018 by Peter Jones

Deciding which countries will successfully meet climate change goals is as difficult as choosing the winning horse before a race starts. There are too many variables to be certain of the outcome., So, just as in a horse race, an assessment of a country’s commitment to meet these goals requires a consideration of “the odds”, … Read more

Why we are cautiously optimistic!

June 28, 2021November 23, 2015 by Peter Jones

A previous blog pointed out the obstacles to a successful outcome at COP 21, but ended on a note of cautious optimism. Here is the explanation of our optimism. Times have changed since the Copenhagen Conference, which some commentators now consider to be a failure. Here are the main factors that will push the Parties … Read more

“Canada’s miss on emissions.

November 3, 2020May 21, 2015 by Peter Jones

Jeffrey Simpson is one of our favourite columnists. Read his article in today’s Globe (An unambitious emissions target we won’t even hit) that should be compulsory reading for all voters. Here are some excerpts from his column: “Being the Environment Minister in the Harper government is political purgatory. The environment generally, and greenhouse-gas emissions reduction … Read more

Canada’s Climate Policy: a Disappearing Act!

November 3, 2020December 13, 2014 by Peter Jones

Our first Lima blog suggested that there could be progress at the COP20 Conference. Our optimism was encouraged by the statement that Canada would contribute $265 million (US) to the Green Climate Fund. This positive sign has been off-set by recent negative changes in our climate policy. Previously the Canadian policy, repeated at every COP … Read more

Lima – COP 20 – setting the stage for climate progress

November 3, 2020December 1, 2014 by Peter Jones

The UN-Sponsored Conference of the Parties will commence deliberations at Lima, Peru today. There is a certain optimisim that there will be progress at this Conference. Is that realistic, given the lack of progress up to now towards meeting reduction goals? There are several hoped-for results. One is the development of a consensus on emissions … Read more

An about Face! And about time!

November 3, 2020November 22, 2014 by Peter Jones

Canada has finally recognized that many poorer, developing countries continue to need financial assistance from developed countries to mitigate and adapt to climate change. That is the result of the recent about face by Prime Minister Harper. He was confronted with an announcement by the US and numerous other countries, all of whom promised substantial … Read more

Global warming? Nothing can be done about it!

November 3, 2020June 5, 2014 by Peter Jones

So says Margaret Wente. How can global warming be stopped if countries that are the largest contributors are not committed to the necessary reductions in their GHG emissions?

Ms. Wente referred to the proposed new US regulations on coal-fire electricity generating plants, such as the large Ohio plant in the attached image. (Source Wikipedia) As she points out, these regulations are subject to review and comment, a process that will last into next year. Expected legal challenges could result in further extensive delay. So there could be little reduction in US GHG emissions for some years, a circumstance that may result in the US missing its Copenhagen targets.