The Environment in Canada Podcast

What lies beneath the waves… shapes everything above them: Exploring the vital links between water ecosystems, climate change, biodiversity, and the Rights of Water. Chevaun Toulouse, Steven J. Cooke, Julie Reimer, Kriss Kevorkian joined host Aishwariya Ravi Shankar for an event on Oct. 1st, 2025. Listen to their conversation here.Pledge to respect, protect, and uphold the rights of water here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/are-you-ready-to-pledge-for-the-rights-of-water/Find out more about Sierra Club Canada’s Rights of Water campaign here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/splashing-forward-rights-water/Some past episodes on The Rights of Nature in general:Start Thinking About Things Getting Better with Gilbert Whiteduck & Yenny Vega Cardenas about Rights for the Tenàgàdino Zibi / Gatineau River & Magpie River: https://www.sierraclub.ca/gatineau-river-rights-nature/The More Than Human World with John Borrows: https://www.sierraclub.ca/podcast-with-john-borrows/The Rights of Nature – It’s Weird Not to Acknowledge Them: https://www.sierraclub.ca/nature-rights-law-canada/When the Last Glacier Melted, the World Would Catch on Fire: https://www.sierraclub.ca/glacier-melted-catch-fire/Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from us here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/And don't forget to take action: https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/Support the showFind out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

Explore the connection between extreme inequality, environmental deregulation, and the rise of authoritarianism. The discussion highlights how wealth concentration undermines democracy and creates opportunities for corporate profiteering. Smart regulation is presented as essential for innovation and public health. The podcast also delves into the environmental impact of the wealthy and debates wealth limits and redistribution as solutions. Listeners are urged to organize against oligarchy and challenge the narratives contributing to inequality.

The podcast dives into the vital link between energy and democracy, arguing that a renewable energy revolution is essential for Canadian sovereignty. It highlights how the U.S. is attempting to influence Alberta's political landscape and discusses motivations behind fossil fuel corporations. Public support for clean energy in Canada is also emphasized, along with community-led initiatives pushing for change. The urgent need for solidarity between Canada and the U.S. in defending democratic rights is explored, offering actionable steps for Canadians.

Dr. Sarah (Sally) Otto, Dr. Peter Thompson, and CPAWS-BC Campaigner Brynna Kagawa-Visentin talk about a recent report that looks at the changing status of imperiled species in British Columbia over the last 15 years — in the absence of a dedicated provincial species at risk act (or law) — and reveals that species at risk in BC have risen, with most changes in status not reflecting genuine recovery: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.30.679339v1Please note for context that this is a non-peer-reviewed preprint and the manuscript is currently under consideration for publication at a peer-reviewed journal. We also discuss the recent announcement by the Alberta Government of their plans to pitch a new oil pipeline to the West Coast following the AB Government's failure to find a private sector backer - stay tuned to the end! Read Sierra Club Canada's full release on that subject, and the economic futility of a new pipeline, here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/alberta-pipeline-major-projects/Other Resources / Points Regarding Species at Risk:Former report on BC Biodiversity: https://www.sfu.ca/~amooers/scientists4species/Protecting_Biodiversity_in_BC.pdfAssociated paper: https://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2018-0042A recent legal report card on provincial species-at-risk protection (backgrounder on the legal gaps): https://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2023-0229A WWF-Canada report Brynna mentioned regarding grassland birds:https://wwf.ca/media-releases/the-starkest-picture-of-wildlife-loss-in-canada-to-date-wwfs-new-living-planet-report-canada/Dr. Otto points out the huge contribution of tourism to the economy of BC ($9.7 billion of GDP annually), higher than forestry ($1.7B), as well as mining or oil and gas. The importance of a thriving tourist industry, as well as a thriving forestry sector that is sustained by a much smaller land base but focuses on high-end wood products (cabinetry, furniture, heavy duty wood, etc.), would strengthen jobs while moving away from a deforested BC: https://www.destinationbc.ca/news/opinion-british-columbias-tourism-industry-is-an-economic-powerhouse/Other Resources on Pipelines, Oil, and LNG:Canada can and must instead start a rapid transition to a fully renewable economy: https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-can-go-100-renewable/And here's a link to sources regarding the health impacts of LNG: https://www.sierraclub.ca/lng-national-interest-canada/Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from us here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/And don't forget to take action: https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/Support the showFind out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

Gracie Waukechon, a youth tribal activist and member of the Bad River Band, passionately discusses the vital issues surrounding Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline. She highlights how this pipeline threatens Indigenous sovereignty and the ecosystems of the Great Lakes. Gracie shares her personal connection to both the Menominee and Bad River nations and the generational struggle for land protection. She emphasizes the importance of cross-border solidarity and how environmental actions resonate with cultural lifeways, urging listeners to engage in the fight for a safer future.

If you’re listening after September 2025 then check out our general Take Action Page for up to date action items here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/Ways YOU can take action in September 2025 listed below:Send a message to Prime Minister Carney to stand up for community-based renewable energy, oppose LNG, and pledge to advocate for renewables in your community: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/carney-support-renewable-energy/Our Year-End campaign is centered on hope, and we’d love to hear what it signifies to you. Send us your story to info@sierraclub.ca, and we might feature it in our emails or on social media to celebrate our community and inspire others (stories can also be shared anonymously.)Tell us about your project of national interest (we'll be following up with you in October on these): https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/your-project-national-interest/Celebrate, reflect, and take action by sharing a photo of a water area near you: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/splashing-forward-rights-water/And we have new fact sheets for talking to others about Electric vehicles:https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-electric-vehicles-facts/Wind power: https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-wind-power-facts/and  why Canada can go 100% renewable: https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-can-go-100-renewable/Here’s how to effectively communicate with others on the above: https://www.sierraclub.ca/climate-change-family-talk/Playlist of compilation episodes on Rights of Nature (note that these from various points in time):A State with Three Heads: Indigenous Law and the Environment (0:01:55)The Rights of Nature – It’s Weird Not to Acknowledge Them (0:56:22).When the Last Glacier Melted, the World Would Catch on Fire (1:48:457).Urban Bee Populations and Climate Change (2:48:56).The More Than Human World with John Borrows (3:37:12).Start Thinking About Things Getting Better with Gilbert Whiteduck & Yenny Vega Cardenas about Rights for the Tenàgàdino Zibi / Gatineau River & Magpie River. (4:36:39).Be sure to send us more of your podcast questions for future episodes at info@sierraclub.caPhoto above by Heather McKinnon, our Ontario Chapter Director.Support the showFind out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

The discussion highlights renewable energy's crucial role in Canada, focusing on wind power and electric vehicles. Misconceptions pushed by oil and gas advocates are debunked, underscoring the benefits of transitioning to cleaner energy. The episode emphasizes making electric vehicles accessible for all economic classes, particularly for used car buyers. Supportive government policies are called for to enhance the availability of affordable EVs, ultimately aiming to reduce transportation costs and tackle climate change head-on.

In conversation with Lourdenie Jean, a passionate young environmentalist and co-founder of L'environnement, c'est intersectionnel, the podcast takes a deep dive into the intersection of environmental issues and social justice. Lourdenie discusses the need for inclusivity in ecological movements, especially for marginalized communities. She highlights the historical connections between colonialism and environmental degradation while advocating for community engagement and equitable access to nature. The conversation also critiques individualism in climate solutions, promoting collective responsibility.

The podcast discusses the lack of a business case for Canada to ship LNG to Europe, even amid the rise of AI. It critiques the dangers of declinism and emphasizes the need for optimism during periods of change. Political leaders are seen as part of the equation, but true power lies with the people. The conversation encourages grassroots action in the fight against climate change, advocating for a shift toward renewable energy. It inspires listeners to engage with environmental organizations and empower their communities.

Oil & gas demand is set to plateau, climate-induced wildfires are getting worse, & disinformation is an existential threat to our shared reality. Solution-focused energy reporting has become more important than ever, but what does good energy reporting look like? Conor talks with Mitchell Beer of The Energy Mix. Find out more & subscribe to The Energy Mix:The Energy Mix's main website: https://www.theenergymix.com/Read more: Oil Is Faltering. Renewables Will Survive Trump. What Is Carney's Next Move? From The Energy Mix Weekender: https://energymixweekender.substack.com/p/oil-is-faltering-renewables-willBe sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from us here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/And don't forget to take action!Support the showFind out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/