We need a PM who will include climate emergency in plan to strengthen economy

Perhaps globally we needed the wake-up call of a Trump presidency to open our collective eyes to the grave danger presented by the misinformation and disinformation that has been flooding our social media sites for a long time, sowing division and fuelling polarized rhetoric, threatening our democracy.

Trump's war against Canada and its other allies has led to fear and a rush to find quick answers to complex issues; to seek a quick fix to deal with the looming financial hardships Canada will face as tariffs from the U.S. and now China as well impact our economy.

But as Canadians, we face an even greater challenge: how to cope with the rapidly advancing threat of climate change and its consequences.

The IPCC warning of a looming climate catastrophe unless we rapidly and drastically reduce carbon emissions is not a scare tactic. This warning is based on the most comprehensive scientific evidence available. And now, unless we are keeping our eyes closed, we can see the effects of climate disasters everywhere in the world: tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, wildfires, landslides, lethal heat waves, earthquakes and more.

These are all natural phenomena, but at nowhere near this time frame. The climate events that are happening with increasing frequency are climate events that normally would occur over many thousands of years. And the reason is clear and exactly what the vast majority of climate scientists have been warning about, our massive carbon emissions have tipped our planet into a state of crisis. The only solution is to drastically reduce emissions now, not over the long haul.

It is to our great peril if we choose to focus only on the economic threat of tariffs facing our economy. We cannot afford to ignore the climate disasters that we have recently faced.

The wildfires and destruction of Lytton, B.C., the devastating wildfires in Jasper and Fort McMurray, record-breaking floods in Quebec because of Hurricane Debby, heatwaves and flooding in Toronto. It goes on and on.

The 2024 financial cost of climate disasters in Canada from severe weather events reached $8.5 billion in insured costs alone. This does not include uninsured personal or business assets. It does not include loss of life. It does not include the rising cost of insurance or the growing number of uninsurable properties.

So in Canada, when we hear of a politician basically running on a platform that suggests 'drill, baby, drill', stop emissions caps, leave it to other nations to deal with carbon emissions, shortcut environmental assessments and consultation, we must take a pause.

We are in a time of crisis. We are being threatened by a bully across the border. But we must not use this threat to increase our dependence on fossil fuel and reward the big oil producers even more. They have been making obscene executive profits for years, minimizing the effects of carbon on climate change, falsifying and skewing data, spending billions on misleading advertisements and influencing educational institutions. They can afford to pay the cost of reducing carbon emissions.

We need to focus on strategically building our economy and an expeditious transition to sustainable energy through rapidly developing transmission lines, increased renewable energy production, green building standards that will save both emissions and homeowner costs, and a push toward renewables through educational programs and grants, partnership with unions, and every means possible to help Canada build toward a sustainable future, rather than moving backward, seeking old solutions to today’s problems.

When we assess the platforms of those who ask to lead us as we seek solutions to threats to both Canada’s sovereignty and economy, we must look carefully at promises made. Canada must change the way we have operated for centuries. We must diversify our economy and seek new trading relationships. But in today’s world, it is imperative that our leaders understand and acknowledge that we must deal with the economic crisis we are facing, while we plan for an economy that recognizes the need for urgent climate action.

We must "walk and chew gum at the same time."

Ultimately, a majority of votes are required to elect a steady PM with global experience, strong economic credentials with a deep understanding of the full task at hand, who will include the climate emergency in plans to strengthen our economy.

We need a prime minister who will lead us in the right direction. Our country’s future—and the survival of our planet—are at stake. Make your vote count.

Read this article on Newmarket Today