Climate Solutions Reporting

When Stefan Teodorescu’s aunt returned from a trip to the Pacific islands, one memory stuck with her: she described for Teodorescu the labour-intensive process of volunteers manually planting mangrove seeds to combat coastal erosion. The repetitive nature of the task, combined with the role mangroves play in climate adaptation, inspired Teodorescu to find a way to automate the process.

The encounter between Mamgark and the tourists is where the real and practical world of the North confronts an idealized and romanticized Arctic. It’s an imaginary Arctic, part of an image sold for southerners’ consumption. That tension is underlined by an increasingly common phrase: “last chance tourism." This phrase refers to the threats posed by the rapid ebbs and flows of the Anthropocene. As for Churchill, the term could mean a tourist’s last opportunity to see the Arctic as it is now, before its iconic wildlife is gone, a relic of a colder era.

Charlotte Gilmour is increasing demand for action on climate change. As managing director of Environmental Impact for Yulu Impact Communications, this Vancouverite supports not-for-profits, governments and companies taking leadership to increase pressure on decision-makers to protect what we love.

Drew Bernard, the ambitious young energy leader from Lennox Island First Nation, graduated from community college with a mission to make his nation energy self sufficient. Now, the community of about 400 people is working toward large-scale renewable projects, a revamped greenhouse and a major retrofit campaign on every house.

More than half of Toronto’s electricity needs could be met with solar power generated from rooftops and parking lots, according to a new report by the Ontario Clean Air Alliance. The report by the clean energy advocacy group estimates the city could produce up to 12 terawatt-hours (TWh) of clean energy annually if its solar capacity is fully realized.

In a conference hall a few feet away from the Atlantic Ocean, industry players from the marine renewable energy sector discussed the challenges tidal has faced so far, and highlighted what they dubbed a “new era” for the fledgling industry.

John Redfern is busy bringing energy independence to the world. The Calgarian founded and runs Eavor Geothermal.

Ontario is still dumping billions of bottles and cans while other provinces profit from a deposit-return recycling system. The province’s mounting waste problems has prompted Liberal MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon to introduce a private member’s bill calling for a deposit-return system for non-alcoholic beverage containers, aiming to reduce waste and pollution in one of the last provinces without such a program.

Opposition continues to pour in over Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s fight against bike lanes. The Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), with over 5,000 members, sent a letter to the government opposing new legislation that could remove bike lanes in Toronto or any other municipality.

Summer Sharma and three other students started a coffee shop at Okanagan Mission Secondary School, B.C. They raised awareness about the difference collective action can make in achieving social and climate justice, and donated the profits to three charities chosen by their customers.

As Ontario grapples with the twin problems of a housing shortage and escalating climate change, a new report calls for a transformative building shift to mid-rise, transit-oriented development.

Philanthropy is critical for Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy, say donors leading a record pledge to find solutions to climate change.

Tzeporah Berman, a Vancouver-based activist and policy advocate, is at the forefront of climate action nationally and internationally and driving the surge of momentum for her latest brainchild the Fossil fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

This week, Nova Scotia Liberal Leader Zach Churchill said he and newly elected New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt are discussing a cap-and-trade model to replace the existing carbon tax in the provinces.

Ben Liegey founded BetterTable to help the food service industry reduce waste and save money.