A Necessary but Unfortunate Ambiguity

July 21, 2015July 21, 2015 by Peter Jones

In a previous blog (“Having your cake and eating it too”,) we suggested that the Council of the Federation, i.e. the Provincial Premiers, would support pipelines allowing Alberta crude to get to new markets. Earlier this year, Premier Rachel Notley supported the development of the tar sands. At her first Council meeting, she was diplomatic … Read more

Who believes in Canada’s leadership on climate change?

March 10, 2015March 11, 2015 by Peter Jones

“Leadership” is one of the buzz words in Canadian Government communications on the subject of climate change. Over the years Government communications officers who wrote (or reviewed) press releases or letters written ostensibly by ministers responding to voters became quite attached to the word. The word re-assured citizens that all was well with Government policy. … Read more

Canada reacts to the 5th Assessment Report

September 24, 2014October 3, 2013 by Peter Jones

The public cannot expect a fair and objective press release issued in the name of a Conservative Cabinet Minister. Read our blog: Canadian Government Press Releases=”Spin”.

Fortunately, our Government could not “muzzle” the Environment Canada scientists who contributed to the IPCC 5^th Assessment Report. This Report sets out the current physical science that explains why we are experiencing global warming.

So an Environment Canada scientist, who is a co-ordinating author of the IPCC report, has given us the message that the Assessment Report confirms that the evidence is clear: global warming is occurring – and that humans are the main cause.

“Evidence for a warming climate is getting stronger and stronger, and the evidence of the influence of human activities on that climate change is getting stronger and stronger,” said Gregory Flato, an Environment Canada scientist and manager of the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis. The effects of climate change impact countries like Canada most strongly, he said.

Adapting to Climate Change

September 23, 2014February 21, 2013 by Peter Jones

Environment Canada explains: “Adaptation actions can be in anticipation of, or in response to the impacts of a changing climate. Examples of adaptation measures include the development of more stringent building standards for areas where heavier snowfall is expected, or limiting development in coastal areas where sea level is projected to rise. By making informed … Read more

Kent is proud of Canada’s performance at Doha!

October 25, 2014January 3, 2013 by Peter Jones

Peter Kent, our Minister of the Environment, used the word “proud” three times in his address to the Doha delegates. First he said that he was “proud to be here representing Canada in these important negotiations towards a new, more effective, international climate change agreement.” How’s that again? The world knows that Canada was the … Read more