Break In Case of Emergency

Karina Villada, a community organizer dedicated to migrant worker rights, joins Juan Vargas Alba to tackle the misconceptions surrounding immigration and unemployment. They discuss how migrants are unjustly blamed for social issues like housing and job scarcity. Villada sheds light on the Temporary Foreign Worker system that often exploits employees, and they both highlight the grim realities of employer-controlled housing. The duo calls for solidarity between the climate and migrant rights movements, linking these struggles to broader issues of colonialism and land dispossession.

Our special series concludes with a marker that grounds all the others: centring Indigenous rights, title, and leadership. Erin Blondeau speaks with Janelle Lapointe, Serena Mendizabal, and Seth Klein about the transformative potential of Indigenous-led climate action. They discuss energy and food sovereignty, cultural revitalization, and the community-driven projects already charting a different future. They also examine how governments and industry continue to prioritize extraction over Indigenous-led solutions, and what a genuine emergency response rooted in Indigenous sovereignty would require. It’s a powerful closing conversation about justice, leadership, and the pathways we must follow to confront the crisis honestly.Links & references:‘Economic reconciliation’ is a false promise for Indigenous peoples - Janelle LapointeCanada’s new fast-track laws double down on false promise of ‘economic reconciliation’ - Janelle LapointeSacred Earth website: www.sacredearth.solar Yellowhead Institute website: yellowheadinstitute.org Why Ksi Lisims LNG Must Be Stopped - Seth Klein (video)The next big LNG proposal - Ksi Lisims - may be the sleeper climate issue of 2024 - Seth KleinIndigenous Resistance Against Carbon - Report by Indigenous Environmental Network & Oil Change International on how Indigenous resistance disrupts billions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions annuallyMore on the 6 Markers of the Climate Emergency:Watch our video: 6 Markers of Climate Emergency Action  Listen to all 6 episodes of our special series & the 6-marker overview episode from March 2025.Learn more about the 6 markers at www.davidsuzukiinstitute.ca/6-markers-of-climate-emergencyCredits:Produced by Erin Blondeau and Doug Hamilton-Evans. Written and hosted by Erin Blondeau. Music by Anjali Appadurai. Audio editing by Blue Light Studios. Artwork by Geoff Smith.

In this insightful discussion, economist Jim Stanford, climate justice organizer Anjali Appadurai, and strategist Seth Klein tackle the critical need for a just transition in climate action. They highlight that connecting climate initiatives to economic fairness is essential, emphasizing solidarity and support for workers in fossil fuel sectors. Anjali stresses Canada's global responsibilities, while Jim debunks myths about job losses, asserting that renewable investments will create millions of new jobs. Their conversation underscores that justice must be central to climate solutions.

Donya Ziaee is a seasoned communications strategist with a focus on climate journalism. Chris Hatch, a climate columnist and former executive director, brings insights on public understanding of environmental issues. Seth Klein, director at the Climate Emergency Unit, sheds light on emergency communication. They discuss the critical role of truth-telling in climate crises, the failures of mainstream media, and the rise of independent outlets. The conversation emphasizes the need for context in reporting and explores how honest communication can mobilize society for climate action.

Dr. Melissa Lem, a family physician and advocate for planetary health, joins Seth Klein, a climate strategy expert, for an urgent conversation about climate mandates. They address the health impacts of climate change, including the deadly 2021 heat dome, and emphasize that voluntary actions are inadequate. The duo discusses the necessity of banning fossil fuel advertising and phasing out gas in new buildings. They highlight the power of community-led initiatives and the role of health professionals in pushing for decisive action in this climate emergency.

In this engaging discussion, Alex Himelfarb, a former senior public servant, Linda McQuaig, an award-winning journalist, and Seth Klein, director at the Climate Emergency Unit, explore the urgent need for new public institutions in Canada. They critique the failures of market-driven solutions to climate change and emphasize the potential of crown corporations. Their vision includes innovative ideas like a Youth Climate Corps and public ownership in renewable energy and EV manufacturing. Together, they call for a revival of democratic accountability and collaborative public responses.

Seth Klein, Director of the Climate Emergency Unit and author of 'A Good War,' and Caroline Brouillette, Executive Director of Climate Action Network Canada, dive into transformative climate investments. They argue for a WWII-style mobilization to commit at least 2% of GDP annually. The duo highlights the urgency of ending fossil fuel subsidies and discusses public versus private funding for climate infrastructure. With a focus on economic benefits, they emphasize the importance of strategic public investments and the moral case for divesting from fossil fuels.

In this discussion, expert Alex Hemingway, a Senior Economist at BC Policy Solutions, helps unravel the complexities of the 2025 federal budget. He highlights contradictions between lofty goals and cuts to public services. They delve into the limitations of the Climate Competitiveness Strategy and question the effectiveness of private investments in housing. Additionally, they explore untapped revenue potentials like wealth taxes, suggesting that a targeted tax could raise $40 billion in the first year. Political strategies to drive change also come into focus.

Garth Mullins, a prominent harm reduction activist and broadcaster, discusses the overlapping crises of climate change and the overdose epidemic. He emphasizes the necessity for solidarity among social movements to tackle systemic issues. Mullins critiques drug prohibition and highlights the importance of community organizing, advocating for compassionate emergency responses to both crises. The conversation underscores the need for radical reforms and the role of grassroots movements in fostering genuine change and resilience in society.

Kiki Wood, a Senior Oil and Gas Campaigner at Stand.earth, and Clark Williams-Derry, an Energy Finance Analyst at IEEFA, dive into the intricacies of LNG's environmental and financial costs. They tackle the myths of LNG as a cleaner transitional fuel, exposing the environmental toll of fracking and the dangers posed to Indigenous communities. The discussion also covers the financial risks of LNG projects and their potential to raise domestic energy prices. Advocacy and grassroots movements against LNG expansion are emphasized as crucial steps for change.