green transition – mackaycartoons

Tuesday July 30, 2024

July 30, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday July 30, 2024

Past Time for Thoughts and Prayers: Demand Action on Climate Disasters

June 20, 2024

The recent wildfire that devastated Jasper, Alberta, has left a profound sense of sadness and helplessness, resonating deeply with those who witness the increasing number of such catastrophic events. Chris Hatch’s commentary on the wildfire captures this sentiment, highlighting how the emotional toll extends beyond those directly affected. Similarly, Susan Riley’s piece on our persistent inaction in the face of climate change argues that we must move past the stage of offering “thoughts and prayers” and take concrete action.

Opinion:Jasper and the great sadness

May 14, 2024

Over the past decade, the frequency and intensity of wildfires have increased dramatically, a trend directly linked to climate change. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and altered precipitation patterns have made forests drier and more prone to fires. As a result, fire seasons are longer, and the fires themselves are more severe and destructive. The devastation in Jasper, where over 30% of the town’s structures were damaged or destroyed, is a stark example of this growing phenomenon. The expansion of human settlements into wild land areas has also exacerbated the impact of wildfires. Towns like Jasper, nestled within forests, are particularly vulnerable. Decades of fire suppression policies have allowed combustible materials to accumulate, creating conditions ripe for larger, more intense wildfires.

July 29, 2023

The response to wildfires has been hampered by systemic issues such as budget cuts, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and prioritization of fossil fuel infrastructure over fire preparedness. These factors have left communities like Jasper ill-equipped to handle such disasters, leading to significant loss and prolonged recovery periods. Riley emphasizes the urgency of addressing the root causes of these disasters—primarily our continued reliance on fossil fuels. Despite the clear link between fossil fuel emissions and climate change, the oil and gas industry continues to expand, with government support. This expansion directly contradicts climate commitments and perpetuates the cycle of destruction and inaction.

Tuesday April 2, 2024

To break this cycle, we must reduce fossil fuel dependency by shifting away from fossil fuels and investing in renewable energy sources, implementing stricter regulations on emissions, and halting the expansion of oil and gas infrastructure. Enhancing fire preparedness and response by increasing funding for fire prevention and firefighting resources, improving forest management practices, and bolstering early warning systems and emergency response capabilities is essential. Comprehensive climate adaptation strategies are also necessary to protect communities from the impacts of climate change, such as building resilient infrastructure, protecting natural buffers like wetlands, and supporting community-based adaptation efforts. Holding leaders accountable by electing those genuinely committed to addressing climate change and ensuring that climate policies are implemented effectively is crucial.

Opinion: Pumping more oil while the house burns down: how long will the fantasy last?

February 6, 2020

The devastation in Jasper and many other communities affected by wildfires and climate disasters underscores the urgent need for action. Recent years have seen similar destruction in places such as Paradise, California, which was nearly obliterated by the Camp Fire in 2018; Santa Rosa, California, heavily impacted by the Tubbs Fire in 2017; and Lytton, British Columbia, which was largely destroyed by a fire in 2021. More recently, Lahaina in Hawaii faced severe devastation from wildfires in 2023. It is no longer enough to offer thoughts and prayers after each catastrophe. We must demand decisive action to address the root causes of these disasters and build a more resilient and sustainable future. As Susan Riley poignantly asks, “What will it take to shake us from our willful blindness?” The answer lies in our collective ability to push for meaningful change before it is too late. By recognizing the gravity of the situation and acting decisively, we can honor the memories of places like Jasper and ensure that future generations are not condemned to witness the same cycle of destruction and inaction. (AI)

Wednesday April 3, 2024

April 3, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday April 3, 2024

Addressing the Discrepancy: Climate Action vs. Fossil Fuel Subsidies

March 22, 2024

In the ongoing battle against climate change, recent events have brought to light a glaring discrepancy that demands our urgent attention. While efforts to lower carbon emissions and transition towards cleaner energy sources are underway, billions of taxpayer dollars continue to flow into subsidizing industries responsible for exacerbating the climate crisis. This incongruity not only undermines the integrity of our climate action efforts but also highlights the urgent need for a fundamental realignment of priorities.

News: Canada is still backing the fossil fuel industry with billions, report finds

November 4, 2023

The backdrop against which this discrepancy unfolds is crucial to understanding its significance. With the recent rise in the carbon tax, which has prompted outcry and “Axe the Tax” rhetoric from various quarters, tensions surrounding climate policy have reached a boiling point. Yet, amidst the clamour over carbon pricing, a more insidious issue lurks in the shadows: the pervasive subsidization of fossil fuel industries.

November 4, 2021

The rise in the carbon tax has reignited debates over the role of government intervention in addressing climate change. While some argue that carbon pricing is an essential tool for reducing emissions and incentivizing greener practices, others decry it as a burdensome tax on hardworking Canadians. The “Axe the Tax” movement, fuelled by political rhetoric and industry lobbying, has gained traction among those sceptical of government intervention in the economy.

February 6, 2020

However, lost in the noise of this political theatre is the stark reality of fossil fuel subsidies. Despite the rhetoric surrounding carbon pricing, billions of taxpayer dollars continue to prop up industries that contribute to carbon emissions and environmental degradation. This contradiction raises profound questions about the sincerity of our commitment to combating climate change and the efficacy of our policies in achieving that goal.

April 11, 2018

It’s time for a reckoning. As we grapple with the complexities of climate policy, we must confront the uncomfortable truth that subsidizing fossil fuel industries undermines the very objectives we seek to achieve. While carbon pricing may be a necessary step towards reducing emissions, it is only one piece of the puzzle. Real progress requires a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of climate change and fosters a transition towards sustainable, renewable energy sources.

News: Fossil fuel subsidies cost Canadians a lot more money than the carbon tax

December 15, 2015

This means reevaluating our priorities and reallocating resources away from fossil fuel subsidies towards initiatives that promote renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and environmental conservation. It means holding industries accountable for their environmental impact and investing in technologies that pave the way for a greener future. And it means challenging the “Axe the Tax” rhetoric that seeks to undermine meaningful climate action in favour of short-term economic interests.

In the face of growing climate uncertainty, we cannot afford to remain complacent. The time for action is now. By confronting the discrepancy between climate action and fossil fuel subsidies head-on, we can forge a path towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Let us not be swayed by political rhetoric or industry interests but instead stand firm in our commitment to safeguarding the planet for generations to come. (AI)

Saturday April 24, 2021

May 1, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday April 24, 2021

Trudeau pressured to adopt tougher emissions target for Biden climate summit

September 28, 2019

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under pressure to step up his commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in Canada within the next decade as he heads into a United States-hosted climate summit with global leaders.

The virtual two-day event starting Thursday, which is Earth Day, is where the government says Trudeau plans to unveil new reduction targets for 2030.

The Liberal government has promised to release new targets ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference this fall, when Canada plans to discuss progress on the issue.

April 22, 2020

The virtual two-day event starting Thursday, which is Earth Day, is where the government says Trudeau plans to unveil new reduction targets for 2030.

The Liberal government has promised to release new targets ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference this fall, when Canada plans to discuss progress on the issue.

Some organizations say to show it’s serious, Canada needs to set a reductions target of at least 50 per cent below 2005 levels, with at least one saying nothing less than 40 per cent.

Another factor is pressure from allies, like U.S. President Joe Biden, who has prioritized fighting climate change with billions in new spending.

January 26, 2021

Groups have been pushing Biden to adopt a target of slashing emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 below 2005 levels. More than 300 companies signed an open letter supporting that call, such as giants like Apple, Starbucks and McDonalds.

And some suggest Trudeau will at the very least be expected to match.

“There is no way they can go to Washington with 36 per cent and not get laughed out of the room,” said Keith Stewart, a senior energy strategist with Greenpeace Canada, among environmentalists saying it needs to be higher, like 60 per cent.

Among those who believe the floor needs to be 50 per cent is Mary Robinson, chair of the international human rights group The Elders, and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The former Ireland president believes there’s a perception Canada has accomplished more on fighting climate change than it actually has.

“Canada’s the only G7 country where emissions have increased since the signing of the Paris Agreement.”

A recent report shows in 2019 the country’s annual emissions increased slightly to 730 million tonnes of carbon dioxide and its equivalents, closer to where it was in 2005 than its 2030 promise. (CTV)

Thursday February 6, 2020

February 13, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday February 6, 2020

One step forward, another one back: What the Trans Mountain ruling means for Trudeau

In sports, you win some and you lose some. In politics, it’s possible to win and lose at the same time.

Pipeline cartoons

Take, for example, yesterday’s Federal Court of Appeal ruling on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project.

The court ruled unanimously that the federal government had fulfilled its duty to consult meaningfully with a handful of First Nations opposed to the project, clearing a major hurdle in the drawn-out battle to build a second line to carry bitumen from Alberta’s oilsands to Burnaby on the B.C. coast.

The federal and Alberta governments immediately claimed victory, putting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Jason Kenney on the same side for once.

“This project is in the public interest,” federal Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan told reporters shortly after the decision was released.

“We also know that this is a project that can deliver significant economic benefit to Alberta, to Canadians across the country,” added Finance Minister Bill Morneau. “And more importantly, we are going to put that economic benefit back into the environment.”

Their sense of relief was palpable. Ottawa spent around $4.5 billion in 2018 to buy TMX — a last-ditch effort to ensure the pipeline would be built after its owner, Kinder Morgan, announced plans to step away.

That price, hefty as it is, doesn’t include construction costs or any overruns the project has incurred because of the various stop-work orders that have put construction well behind schedule.

But with the victory comes a major setback in relations with those Indigenous groups who continue to oppose the $7.4-billion project, and will no doubt seek to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court of Canada.

“Reconciliation stopped today,” said Rueben George, of the Tsleil-Waututh, his voice cracking with emotion.

The band was one of four Indigenous groups behind the court challenge. It argued that the second, court-ordered round of consultations also failed to respond adequately to their concerns about the impact the project would have on marine life.

“This government is incapable of making sound decisions for our future generations,” George said. “So we will — even for their children — we will take those steps to make sure Canada stays the way it is.” (CBC)

Saturday September 28, 2019

October 5, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

September 28, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday September 28, 2019

Greta Thunberg meets Trudeau, tells him he’s not doing enough to fight climate change

September 24, 2019

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg told Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau today he’s not doing enough to protect the environment from the threat of runaway climate change.

Trudeau met the teenage activist ahead of Friday’s mass climate rally in Montreal in his capacity as prime minister. The pair spoke in private for about 15 minutes, shortly before Trudeau joined the rally marching through the city’s downtown.

After the meeting, Thunberg was asked if she had a message for Trudeau. She said that Trudeau is not doing enough — but added that she says the same thing to every political leader she meets.

“My message to all the politicians around the world is the same: just listen and act on the current, best available united science,” she said.

“I try not to focus on the individuals and rather focus on the whole picture because … of course it’s easier to just blame someone and of course he has a lot of responsibility … and he, of course, is not doing enough.

September 20, 2016

“But we need to, because this is such a huge problem. This is a system that is wrong. So my message to all the politicians is the same — to just listen to the science and act on the science.”

In a news conference announcing a proposal to plant trees to combat climate change, Trudeau called Thunberg a “remarkable” young person who is driving the conversation forward.

“She is the voice of a generation of young people who are calling on their leaders to do more and to do better, and I’m listening,” he said.

Trudeau was asked about a June 19 tweet from Thunberg in which she questioned Canada’s decision to declare a climate emergency one day and say yes to expanding the Trans Mountain pipeline the next.

April 11, 2018

“This is shameful. But of course this is not only in Canada, we can unfortunately see the same pattern everywhere,” she said.

Trudeau defended his government’s actions.

“We have a national climate plan that will reduce our emissions and hit our 2030 targets in a way that also includes getting a better price for our oil resources that allows us to put the profits directly into the fight against climate change,” he said.

Trudeau had a large security detail surrounding him and his family as they joined the crowds on the streets of Montreal for the climate rally. Some in the crowd chanted slogans attacking Trudeau’s embrace of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. (CBC)

Justin meets Greta from r/worldpoliticalhumour