Climate and Energy

The Earth’s long-term average temperature has risen by a little more than 1°C since 1880, when reliable temperature records began. Alarmingly, most of this warming has occurred since the 1970s, and eight of the hottest ten years in the 140-year temperature record have been in the last decade.

In a year marked by a pandemic, sweeping public health restrictions and major shifts in our everyday lives – as well as more local disasters which give us a taste of what climate change will bring – there are many lessons to be learned.

As we move into 2021, we’re looking back on the past year with a few key climate considerations in mind, including:

The tabling of the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act (Bill C-12) is a significant step for Canada on the road to net-zero emissions by 2050.

This is the first time that Canada's federal government has introduced legislation to hold itself and future governments accountable for reducing emissions.

But the bill will require amendments to ensure it can truly deliver immediate action on climate change and build a safer and healthier future for all Canadians.

United States President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to rejoin the Paris climate accord “on day one” of his administration and spend $1.7 trillion on implementing his climate change plan. This shift in U.S.

This year will live in our memory as one of surprises, uncertainty, kindness, and the power of community.

We are now at a tipping point on environmental action. After years of catalyzing diverse actors with hard-hitting legal analysis, challenging the status quo, and developing legal solutions, the momentum is building. We are now witnessing what is possible when governments, businesses, and ordinary citizens take increased action in protecting and defending the environment – including climate change.

It may be the season to be jolly, but December is apparently also the season for governments to unveil their plans for climate action. This month the federal and BC governments have unveiled major plans, reports, targets and discussion papers. So let’s take a minute to walk through them and say whether our governments deserve candy canes or lumps of coal (not to be burned) for their efforts on climate change.