Rick Smith

Katharine Hayhoe, a renowned climate scientist and chief scientist for Nature United, joins Rick Smith, President of the Canadian Climate Institute, to discuss the state of the climate in 2025. They explore the dual crises of extreme weather and attacks on climate science, highlighting how vested interests threaten vital research. Despite challenges, they find optimism in global clean energy trends and technological progress. Smith underscores Canada’s need for a robust climate policy, advocating for low-carbon solutions amidst uncertainty.

Rick Smith, President of the Canadian Climate Institute, discusses Canada’s climate competitiveness strategy and the challenges it faces at the UN climate conference in Brazil. Dr. Natasha Crowcroft, from the Public Health Agency of Canada, delves into the nation’s loss of measles elimination status and necessary steps for recovery. Historian J.D.M. Stewart provides an engaging tour of Canada’s prime ministerial statues, highlighting the legacies—both inspiring and controversial—of past leaders and prompting a reflection on their impact on Canadian identity.

Rick Smith, President of the Canadian Climate Institute, shares his insights on Canada’s climate challenges as it navigates post-Trudeau leadership. He discusses the implications of U.S. policies on Canadian climate strategies, emphasizing the importance of local initiatives in driving change. Smith highlights the need for urgent policy reforms to address climate adaptation amid extreme weather events and notes Canada’s ambitious emission reduction goals, alongside the tensions in the oil and gas sector. His expert analysis sheds light on the future of climate policy in Canada.