Tar Sands

06/06/24
Author: 
Scott Dance
A person waits for the bus in the shade on Tuesday in Sacramento, where temperatures topped 100 degrees during the summer’s first heat wave there. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

Jun. 5, 2024

Temperatures surpassed the 1.5-degree Celsius warming threshold over the past year, and scientists warn they will again soon.

A streak of record-setting heat that began last summer has now persisted for an entire year across the globe, researchers announced Wednesday, pushing Earth closer to a dangerous threshold that the world’s nations have pledged not to cross.

06/06/24
Author: 
John Woodside
Artwork by Ata Ojani / Canada's National Observer

Jun. 5, 2024

Since its launch in 2021, the Pathways Alliance has used a three-step greenwashing strategy to weaken and delay climate measures, according to new research from a leading international think tank.

According to U.K.-based InfluenceMap, the Pathways Alliance, which represents Canada’s largest fossil fuel companies responsible for 95 per cent of oilsands production, appears to use this three-step plan to keep profit margins of its members healthy as the global energy transition off fossil fuels unfolds.

21/05/24
Author: 
John Woodside
Though there has been a slight decline in the number of fossil fuel-connected directors on the boards of Canada's Big Five banks in recent years, critics still raise concerns about the industry's influence. Art by Ata Ojani/Canada’s National Observer

May 21, 2024

Canada’s largest banks are deeply entrenched in fossil fuels, having pumped at least $1.2 trillion into the sector since the Paris Agreement was signed in late 2015. But it’s not just their investments and lending that are increasingly under scrutiny –– it’s their leadership, too.

21/05/24
Author: 
Reuters - Arathy Somasekhar in Houston, Florence Tan in Singapore; Editing by Marguerita Choy
FILE PHOTO: Westridge Marine Terminal, the terminus of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project in Burnaby

May 20, 2024

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Crude oil tanker Dubai Angel on Monday moored at the Westridge Marine Terminal in Vancouver, preparing to load the first cargo of crude oil from the recently expanded Trans Mountain pipeline (TMX), ship tracking data showed.

Chartered by Canadian oil producer Suncor Energy, the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel was expected to load about 550,000 barrels of Access Western Blend (AWB) for delivery to China, ship tracking data on Kpler showed.

06/05/24
Author: 
Eugene Kung, Staff Lawyer
Protect the Inlet march - Mar. 10, 2028 - Ian MacKenzie

Today Trans Mountain commenced operations on its new expanded oil pipeline system (TMX). It is a solemn day for us at West Coast Environmental Law, as we have been part of the massive social movement opposing this megaproject for more than 10 years, fighting for climate action, land and water protection, and Indigenous self-determination. 

17/04/24
Author: 
Chris Russill, Patrick McCurdy & Jenny Kliever
We need to get to the bottom of fossil fuel greenwashing people encounter when conducting searches on Google. Photo by fotdmike/Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED)

Apr, 12, 2024

When we are confused about carbon taxes or other climate policies, we often turn to Google for help. Some of us Google Search for information on “climate payment” or “climate action incentive payment” or "carbon tax rebate." Others seek government sources by searching “Environment and Climate Change Canada” or “net zero.” A few use special operators for searches, like “filetype:pdf climate change,” to filter for climate reports in PDF format.

11/04/24
Author: 
Steve Lorteau
The federal government has spent $35 billion on the Trans Mountain pipeline alone. Photo via Trans Mountain.

Apr. 11, 2024

Worried about Taxpayer Dollars? Focus on Fossil Fuel Subsidies.  They cost Canadians a lot more money than the carbon tax.

The federal carbon tax increase is now in effect, and will raise gas prices by three cents per litre in most Canadian provinces.

13/03/24
Author: 
John Woodside
eputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland takes questions from reporters before tabling Budget 2023 on March 28 at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa. Photo by Natasha Bulowski

Mar. 13, 2024

A majority of Canadians want Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to implement a windfall tax on oil and gas companies’ profits, according to a new poll.

The findings from Leger come approximately one month before the federal government unveils its next budget. Before the budget is unveiled, environmental advocacy groups are urging Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to respond to public support by taxing the record profits of the fossil fuel sector.

19/02/24
Author: 
Andrew Nikiforuk
St. Mary Reservoir, near Lethbridge, just 11 per cent full. Climate change is only part of the reason Alberta is reeling for lack of water. Photo via Alberta government.

Feb. 19, 2024

Scientists who studied the region’s arid past warned this drought was coming. Thirst for growth won out. A Tyee special report.

11/02/24
Author: 
Dave Rollo,
 Fracking has left its mark. (Flickr)

Feb.7. 2024

Warn anyone in the USA about the coming energy crisis and you’re likely to see eyes roll. “What energy crisis? That was half a century ago! Markets and technology won. Today we’re back among the top oil suppliers!”

All true, but the response gives a false sense of security that has policymakers and publics sleepwalking toward a cliff. An energy crisis is likely ahead, no matter our rank (currently third) among oil supplying nations. Seeing the coming crisis requires looking beneath the veneer of oil supply claims and asking some deeper questions.

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