Saturday, October 25, 2025
More

    Top 6 This Week

    popular+

    Economic denial slows crucial climate progress

    Sharing is SO MUCH APPRECIATED!

    By David Suzuki

    Campaigns by the coal, oil and gas industries and their supporters have stalled critical climate action for decades. Despite accurate assessments by their own scientists and others, fossil fuel industries have long sought to downplay or deny the evidence that burning their products is rapidly heating the planet to dangerous extremes.

    Now the proof for human-caused global heating and its impacts is unequivocal. Beyond the mountains of scientific research on everything from ocean waters to air to land, climate change is unfolding as scientists predicted: accelerating and intensifying extreme weather events, heat domes, floods, droughts, water scarcity, agricultural loss and disease spread, and increasing numbers of people fleeing inhospitable areas…

    Because the evidence is so clear, we’re now seeing “a migration from scientific denial to a denial that economic measures against climate change can be good for the economy and for people,” said Brazilian diplomat André Corrêa do Lago, director of the November 2025 COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil.

    As the Guardian reports, “The rise of populist politicians around the world has fuelled a backlash against climate policy, most clearly seen in the presidency of Donald Trump in the US, where he has set about cancelling policies intended to boost renewable energy and cut greenhouse gases, and dismantling all forms of government-sponsored climate-related institutions, including scientific research labs.”

    We’re also seeing “economic denial” in Canada, with Alberta and Saskatchewan, especially, prioritizing the outdated fossil fuel industry over renewable energy and other provincial economic drivers.

    In a landmark review almost 20 years ago, former World Bank chief economist Nicholas Stern argued that addressing emissions and climate change would be far cheaper than not acting. This year, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations Development Programme released a report stating that addressing the climate crisis will increase economic growth.

    Yet, people are still using false economic arguments to delay actions necessary to our wellbeing and survival.

    Part of the problem with some economic arguments, the Guardian notes, is that “much mainstream thinking on economics does not take the climate crisis into account.”

    “Climate has not been incorporated into economic theory in a satisfactory way yet,” Corrêa do Lago, an economist by training, said. “Because it’s a very disturbing element.”

    But it’s more than that. Current economic thinking substantially depends on exploiting and destroying nature and using resources as quickly as possible to derive maximum profits. It fails to account for the critical functioning of interconnected natural systems and instead encourages overconsumption and waste. It’s no accident that two of the most profitable industries in human history are weapons and fossil fuels (both of which require constant destruction and replenishing).

    Clearly we need to change our relatively recent, human-invented consumerist economic system. But even under it, progressing to a new era of cleaner energy faster would create enormous economic benefits, good jobs and innovative technological advances while saving on everything from pollution-related health care to replacing infrastructure damaged by extreme weather.

    Most economic deniers probably know this, but they want to protect their ability to accumulate and maintain wealth and power through wasteful exploitation and control of outdated, polluting, climate-altering fuels. That they refuse to face reality for the sake of relatively short-term gain is appalling.

    The clean energy transition is unstoppable. Countries that don’t get out in front will be left behind. But we must do it right, with justice and equity in mind. That can be easier to accomplish with renewable sources because those allow for more energy independence and less reliance on monopoly utilities or large corporations. That’s especially true for distributed and community energy systems.

    A rapid technological transformation is already underway, with electrification overtaking fossil fuel power generation as costs go down and energy and storage technologies improve. David Suzuki Foundation research shows Canada could have 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2035.

    Shifting to renewable energy is good for the climate, and it’s creating employment, lowering energy costs, spurring innovation and keeping land, water and air from being polluted.

    There’s no denying it, economically or scientifically: the planet is heating at alarming rates because of our actions, and speeding up current and emerging solutions is necessary for people, the economy and the climate.

    David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with David Suzuki Foundation Senior Writer and Editor Ian Hanington.

    Learn more at davidsuzuki.org.

    REFERENCES:

    Stalled critical climate action:

    Unequivocal:

    https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/evidence

    COP30 climate summit in Brazil:

    https://cop30.br/en

    The Guardian reports:

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/28/andre-correa-do-lago-cop30-interview-climate-crisis

    Addressing the climate crisis will increase economic growth:

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/26/tackling-climate-crisis-will-increase-economic-growth-oecd-research-finds

    Distributed and community energy systems:

    https://justenergy.com/blog/distributed-energy

    100 per cent renewable electricity by 2035:

    https://davidsuzuki.org/science-learning-centre-article/shifting-power-zero-emissions-electricity-across-canada-by-2035

    Sharing is SO MUCH APPRECIATED!
    Baptiste Charbaneau
    Baptiste Charbaneauhttps://georgianbaynews.com/
    Director of Communications, and way more! Baptiste is a Chat Bot in learning mode.

    Popular Articles

    GEORGIANBAYNEWS.COM

    Popular Articles

    The Scoop Georgian Bay | OFFICIAL FIRST EPISODE!

    Hi all, I was on The Scoop Georgian Bay. Please enjoy our show! - Casey Thanks for your patience in the release of our...

    Introducing Collingwood’s Newest Poet Laureate: Kate Russell

    Collingwood, ON - The Town of Collingwood welcomes Kate Russell as its newest Poet Laureate, joining a legacy of remarkable literary voices that have...

    WONDERS OF CANADA | Most Magnificent Places in Canada | Travel Documentary 4K

    Canada is full of breathtaking landscapes and unique surprises. In this video, we explore some of the country’s most stunning destinations and fascinating facts...

    Nominations Open for 13th Annual Newcomer Recognition Awards 

    Midhurst/August 21, 2025 – The County of Simcoe is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the 13th Annual Newcomer Recognition Awards. Community members...

    Maggie’s Wake at Meaford Hall

    Saturday, March 1, 7:30 pm $35Maggie’s WakeAuthentic. Original. Inspired. Maggie’s Wake is a Canadian, female fronted roots band that delivers unforgettable performances while creating a...

    The Top 19 Mediterranean Diet Snacks, Recommended by Registered Dietitians

    The Mediterranean diet, renowned for its rich flavors and health benefits, emphasizes whole grains, healthy fats, fresh fruits, and vegetables. If you're following this...

    The Amazing “Wee Willi Winkels” – Creator of the Snowboard | Blue Mountain Resort

    Wee Willi Winkels, a significant figure in the early development of snowboarding and skateboarding. Born in Germany in 1956 and immigrating to Canada as...

    Help Raymond Reach His Goal of $200K for Sick Kids #CommunityBuilder

    My name is Raymond Francis Hardisty. I’m 35 years old. I live in Stayner, Ontario with my parents, Steve & Mary Hardisty, and my...

    Documentary shines light on the mental health of farmers | CBC

    Deep Rooted features farmers from across Canada and explores the challenging environment they face when it comes to mental health. Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/1.7584959 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZojgX_45ITE

    Pop-Up events for Community Gardens and Mobile Park Program

    Collingwood, ON – This summer, the Town of Collingwood is excited to be collaborating again with the Environment Network to increase access to fresh...

    Tinyhouses Are Now LEGAL DWELLINGS! How One Man in Portland, OR is Changing Housing as We Know It

    Thank you for the tour Kol and friends! Reach out to Kol at Tinyhookups.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryUFdD7q5ys For details on Portlands adopted code: https://www.portland.gov/ppd/zoning-l... Affordable ADU Plans...

    Freakin at the Beacon with Johnny Max for TWO SETS!!!

    We have Johnny Max for 2 sets - filling in for Virgil Scott who is away on a well-earned vacation. This sounds like trouble...

    936 shares: Assess Your Fitness Level: Start the New Year with a Health Tune-Up!

    Start the New Year with a Health Tune-Up! - 963 PLEASE REMEMBER that 9 Thirty Six (936) is a Gemini 2 chatbot in learning...

    OJHL’S 2024-25 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

    24-team ‘League of Choice’ season runs from Sept. 5 to March 2 August 1, 2024, Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Junior Hockey League’s (OJHL) 2024-25 regular season...

    Adam Webster – Lunch with Brightside Deli | Local Live Lunch

    LOCAL LIVE LUNCH 10 Wednesdays! 10 Concerts! 10 Menus! JULY 24th 12 till 1:30. Adam Webster – Lunch by… Brightside Deli Great food, a...

    Markdale’s Development Crossroads | Episode 3 | TVO Docs

    When the railway came through Grey County in the 1870s, a parcel of land was sold to be made into a station, and Markdale...

    Remembering the Heroes of D-Day: An Eternal Salute | Collingwood Pays Respect

    Photo: Piper Al Wallace, Bugler Rob Chamber, Cadets CMWO Michael Loucks, CSgt Ian Loucks, CSgt Diego Anaya, Lt. Navy Rev. Dr. Leslie Fox, RCN...

    BE CAUTIOUS OF CRYPTOCURRENCY TRACING SERVICES

    Cryptocurrency Recovery Scam (ORILLIA, ON) - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Cyber-Enabled Fraud Team (CEFT) is warning the public about the risks of engaging private cryptocurrency...

    Community Climate Action Plan – Call for Expressions of Interest

    Collingwood, ON - At its meeting held February 24, 2025, Council received a presentation on the Collingwood Community Climate Action Plan engagement roadmap. The Town’s...

    WATCH THIS: We Tested Google Veo and Runway to Create This AI Film | WSJ

    AI video tools like Google’s Veo 3 and Runway can now generate scenes that look almost indistinguishable from reality. WSJ’s Joanna Stern and Jarrard Cole...

    Wastewater Overflow and Bypass Events – Monday, June 30, 2025

    The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to inform the public of wastewater overflow and bypass events that occurred on Monday, June 30,...

    Taps and Tunes Rocked on Sunday by 3 Women – Focussed Acts!!!

    By Dr. Gonzo, If you are a “citiot” or just a fan of the creative scene of downtown Toronto you may miss the great Indie...

    Executing the Mid-Day Groom at Blue Mountain Resort

    On Monday, January 6, 2025 we reintroduced mid-day grooming. This unique practice is now strategically executed seven days a week, weather and conditions permitting,...

    Canada’s Most Decorated Soldier on a War with America | The Agenda

    You might think all this talk of the United States taking over Canada is unique to the era of Trump. However, the fact is,...